//------------------------------//
// Chapter 38: "We Were Such Idiots" 
// Story: The Redemption of Tempest Shadow 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

The pony known as Lemon Lime nervously approached Cadence and Twilight as they looked down at him. Bowing to them, he looked up at them with nervous eyes, fearing the consequences over having abandoned Tempest Shadow the way he did. "Y-you…summoned for me, your highnesses?" He stammered, slowly rising to his feet. "So, you say that Fizzlepop has not only resurfaced, but is here in the Crystal Empire, training to be captain of the royal guard?"

"Yes," Twilight replied, stepping down towards Lemon Lime. "She has been given a second chance by myself and the other princesses. Are you aware of what you and Tempest's other friends have done to her?"

"Well," Lemon Lime sighed, his voice filled with anxiety. "We were…just so different back in the day. Ever since she had that encounter with the Ursa Minor, she just seemed so…different to hang around with. It was like she was an entirely different pony without her horn, outside and inside."

Both Twilight and Cadence gave disapproving glances upon hearing this. "It doesn't matter if Tempest had a horn or not," Cadence replied firmly, looking at Lemon Lime. "You and the rest of Tempest's friends set into motion the events that led to the Storm King invading Canterlot. Do you understand the severity of your actions?"

"I do now," Lemon Lime sighed, turning away from the princesses. "We didn't know that Fizzlepop would act like this. We all assumed she'd move on from it eventually."

"Where are the other ponies?" Twilight asked in a stern voice.

"They are spread out across Equestria," Lemon Line replied. "After Fizzlepop ran away, we all eventually decided to go our separate ways after we graduated from school. We all assumed Fizzlepop would come back someday safe and sound, and the entire ordeal would be fade. If only I could just apologize to Fizzlepop…"

"We actually have her right here in the Crystal Empire," Twilight smiled. "But, she now goes by Tempest Shadow, and is serving a sentence involving community service, and being trained as captain of my royal guard."

"Are you certain?" Lemon Lime asked.

"Yes," Twilight nodded. "I'm trying to show Tempest that being disabled doesn't make her any different from any other pony. But, you and your friends turned Tempest away in the moment of her greatest need, Lemon Lime. Her relationship with her own sister has been tarnished, and her parents are dead because of broken hearts. Had you not done what you did, then she most likely wouldn't have done what she did, and her life would not be what it now is."

It was then that Lemon Lime felt a dark feeling inside of him, a feeling that was quickly consuming him. He didn't know if it was guilt, remorse or both, but it was a darkening feeling nonetheless. "What have we done?" He whispered, looking down at the floor. "We were such idiots, your highnesses. We had no idea that everything we did was all going to lead up to this."

"But it did, Lemon Lime," Cadence remorsefully remarked. "And because of it, so many lives were turned upside down. You made Tempest run away from Equestria, swear allegiance to the Storm King, and allow myself, Twilight and the Royal Sisters to be targeted for our magic."

"Please!" Lemon Lime cried, raising his voice at Cadence while glaring at her. "Please. Enough! I'll do anything, but please, enough."

"Well, you can start by apologizing to the pony that you ostracized," Twilight suggested. "Better yet, you can get into contact with the rest of your friends, and bring them here to the Crystal Empire. I think it would be healthier if all of you apologized to Tempest at once."

Lemon Lime thought about the matter for a moment, but then he realized that he needed time to think about this. "Excuse me, your highnesses," he stammered, bowing to them hastily. "I...I…I need to go!" And he darted out of the room, leaving the two princesses dumbstruck by what had just happened.





"They can't hide from their actions, Twilight," Cadence remarked. "Sooner or later, they all have to face the consequences."

"You're right," Twilight sighed. "Being in denial is ten thousand times worse than somepony who is a liar. We need to get in touch with any of the towns in question, see if they know anything."

"But, we need names, Twilight," Cadence protested with a shake of her head. "And without names, we can't solve this problem. We need to ask Tempest for the names, Twilight."

"Well, that won't be easy.. but it needs to be done, Cadence," Twilight sighed again. "The sooner we get this solved, the better, for all our sakes."

...

Later that same day, Twilight and Cadence made their way down to the stadium where Tempest was completing another day of her intense training.

"She's been working at a pretty fast," remarked Shining Armor as Tempest relentlessly went through an obstacle "I guess she must be throwing her frustrations into this training session."

"There is something else that she needs to know about, Shining Armor," said Twilight. "Can we speak to Tempest for a second?"

Heeding his sister's request, Shining Armor whistled for Tempest to come over to them. Knowing that both Twilight and Cadence were present, Tempest couldn't help but feel slightly nervous.

"Look, about what happened earlier..." she started to say to them about scolding Razzle Fizzle, only to be silenced by Cadence's hoof.

"We know you are sorry and frustrated, Tempest," interrupted Twilight. "But there is something else of importance that we need to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"We've gotten in touch with a pony named Lemon Lime. Do you know him?"

Tempest merely turned away at the mention of the pony's name, for she knew that this was a pony from her past, a pony that had abandoned her in her time of need.

"He was one of those ponies who turned his back on me," muttered Tempest. "At a time of need. Why would he come back after all this time?"

"Lemon Lime has been living in the Crystal Empire for quite some time," said Cadence.

"Did Razzle Fizzle put you both up to this?"

"No, but we think that Razzle Fizzle is the pony you should not be angry with. It's Lemon Lime and all those other ponies you should be angry with, not her. I think it's time you talked to them, Tempest. Tell them how you feel."

Disgusted over what had just been told to her, Tempest didn't agree to this and stormed off and out of the stadium, leaving Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor dumbstruck.

"No wonder she has been so aggressive in her training," sighed Shining Armor. "Sounds like an intervention needs to happen."

"And it will, Shining Armor," said Twilight. "Just as soon as the rest of Tempest's friends are located."