//------------------------------//
// Chapter 32: "Meeting Purple Topaz" 
// Story: The Redemption of Tempest Shadow 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

Celestia and Luna watched at the pony clad in grey clothing walked towards them. Both Royal Sisters were amazed at how someone could react so quickly within one day.

"Your highnesses," The mare greeted, bowing to them. "I am Purple Topaz, and I have come to collect my husband's personal items that…that monster stole from him. Where are they?"

Celestia motioned for several servants to bring forth the objects in question: a pair of gold eyeglass frames and a gold tooth. "Are these them?" Celestia asked, pointing to the objects.

"Yes, yes they are!” Topaz exclaimed! “Ever since he was stolen from me and murdered, my life hasn't been the same."

"If you don't mind," Celestia spoke in a sympathetic and cautious voice. "We would like to ask you a few questions. What town were you living in when the Storm King attacked?"

"My husband and I…we were living in Hippogriffia. We were friendship missionaries appointed by Princess Twilight shortly after her coronation." Topaz explained.

Both royal sister looked at each other for a moment in astonishment, remembering one of the first appointments Twilight had made once she earned her title as Princess of Friendship. "Yes, we remember you both," Luna remarked at last. "Princess Twilight appointed the both of you to teach the magic of friendship in Hippogriffia as one of her first acts. Tell us, pray tell, were there other ponies living in Hippogriffia?"

"A few others, but my husband and I were the only ones who had spent significant time there,” Topaz explained, then added. “It seemed like everything happened at once, your highnesses. One minute you’re spreading Twilight Sparkle's message of friendship, and the next, these monsters come and turn your whole world upside down." A small tear came down Purple Topaz's face as she turned away to try and pull herself together. However, she couldn't keep it together for long.

Celestia soon came down from her throne and draped a wing around the emotional mare.

"I'm…I'm sorry, your highnesses," Topaz cried softly. "But, I…"

"It's all right," Celestia interrupted in a calming voice. "You certainly are not the only one who has dealt with the Storm King's evil ways."

"But, when I heard about what happened to you here in Canterlot. I just…couldn't believe it!” Topaz exclaimed in shock! “All of you in cages…treated like slaves…and for what? Because we're ponies?! I'm sorry, your majesties. But, you didn't deserve to be treated like this."

"None of us, did, Purple Topaz," Celestia sighed. "But, all that we can do now, is go through the healing process. The Storm King has already paid for his crimes with his life."

"Then, where is he?!" Purple Topaz demanded, backing away for a second. "Tell me! What did you do with his body?!"

"It will be dumped into the sea when the time is right," Luna answered. "For his body was turned to stone and destroyed."

Purple Topaz felt shocked to hear such a thing, but at the same time, she felt like she had been liberated to an extent. However, then she felt like she needed to ask about another ringleader. "What about Tempest Shadow, his lieutenant?" She asked. "What did you do with her?"

Both Celestia and Luna looked nervously at one another and knew that Purple Topaz wasn't going to like what they were going to say. "Nothing," Celestia hastily answered.

"Nothing? Nothing at all?! You have her in custody, don't you?!” Topaz glared! “I'll have you know that she was the one who oversaw my husband being killed!"

Now, both royal sisters began to feel very awkward about the situation in front of them. Should they tell Topaz the truth?

"Purple Topaz, I know you aren't like what we are going to say to you," Celestia eventually advised. "But, Tempest Shadow has confessed to her actions, and is now learning the magic of friendship under Princess Twilight Sparkle. In fact, she’s currently undergoing training to become captain of the princesses’ royal guard."

Both sisters waited for Purple Topaz to explode in anger over what had just been said. However, much to their surprise, she didn't. All she did was just stand there, dumbstruck. "I…I want to be shocked, your highnesses," She remarked, walking over towards a stained glass window. "But, I can't be. Are you certain that this is the same pony who carried out that monster's actions?"

"Yes, it is." Luna reluctantly nodded.

"Then…perhaps now she can realize the error of her actions,” Topaz sighed. “My husband and I were not violent ponies by any means. We had not a single violent bone in our bodies, and we both knew that revenge is never the answer. It won’t bring my husband back to life, as much as I may wish it did. Even though Tempest oversaw executions of innocent creatures at the Storm King’s command, I still wish her forgiveness."

"Those are very wise and powerful words coming from a victim of the Storm King's forces," Luna remarked, stepping down from her throne. "It seems to us that Princess Twilight appointed you and your husband for a reason, Purple Topaz."

"To vow revenge against Tempest Shadow would be a disgrace to my husband's memory, your highnesses,” Topaz explained. “Even after Tempest did what she did, I don't think she deserves more than what she’s already been through. The Storm King was the one who filled her head with such vile thoughts, made her think it was okay to do such horrible things. Because I refuse to believe anypony could be so cruel and wicked to their own kind, let alone other species. All the same, thank you for returning my husband's belongings to me. At least now I will hopefully know closure."






Bowing to the sisters, Purple Topaz was dismissed from the throne room, leaving the Royal Sisters to absorb what had just happened.

"I'm really surprised that she acted the way she did," Luna commented. "Do you think that there will be others like her, sister?"

"I'm not sure, Luna," Celestia replied, walking back up to her throne. "Purple Topaz might just be an exception to the rule. There will be more creatures demanding justice by having Tempest killed, but we cannot bow to their level. What they seek is revenge, not justice. And justice was already carried out when the Storm King was turned to stone and killed."

Just then, a guards pony came forward and informed the sisters. "We are ready to transport the Storm King's body to sea for burial."

"Good," Luna replied, then looked back towards Celestia before she asked. "Has every
piece of the Storm King been gathered?"

"Yes," The guards pony nodded. “We made sure to double and triple check.”

"Then, we will go at once," Celestia nodded, and the royal sisters followed the guards pony out of the throne room and into the courtyard where the Storm King's shattered body lay in an open, wooden casket. Both sisters gave each other a silent look and with a wave of their hooves, they began the procession towards the sea and the Storm King's final resting place.

As they left, Grubber and Hannibal watched from the kitchen window. "Take a good look, Hannibal," The hedgehog commented. "The burial of the Storm King, means the beginning of a new life for both of us, and hopefully Tempest as well.”