//------------------------------// // Chapter 44: "Grubber Takes Charge" // Story: The Redemption of Tempest Shadow // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// "Do you know what?" Grubber asked as he walked towards the captured storm creature. "What?" Grunted the captured storm creature looking down at Grubber. "Golem, the Storm King…is dead,” Grubber told the creature. “The princesses have given Commander Tempest and myself both a second chance, but you seem to not accept that cold fact. You wouldn't even be in this situation if you would just let your stubborn pride go." Golem turned his head away and grunted in frustration. "To be honest," Grubber continued. "I like this life better, and you can live a better life as well." "You sniveling liar," Golem snarled, weakly struggling against his bonds. "Are you saying that the life you are living under these pathetic equines, is better than what our leader was giving you?" "These 'pathetic equines' just happen to be innocent creatures," Grubber countered, glaring and scoffing at his captured comrade. "Just like all the towns and villages we conquered. It took killing the Storm King to realize that, but for you…you’re just in denial about it. The Storm King is dead and you make it seem like he’s still alive!" From outside the room, Celestia and Luna watched with amazement at how Grubber was ripping into the captured creature. "For a hedgehog," Luna commented, glancing over to Celestia. "He seems to have a bigger heart than anyone." "Indeed, he does," Celestia added, her voice filled with amazement. “I just hope it will be enough to get through to these storm creatures.” "It's time to face the truth," Grubber cried. "These ponies deserve to know everything we have done, because they demand justice from us!" "You are just saying that," Golem sneered, unfazed by Grubber's pleas. "Because you have feelings for these creatures. In any case, I'm beginning to see why those fellow hedgehogs made fun of you." This struck a chord with Grubber and he let out a loud, yell as he jumped up and struck Golem across the face. "Don't…you…say…that!" He hissed, his eyes glowing red with anger. "But," Golem laughed. "It's true. The Storm King always said you were nothing more than just a worthless hedgehog, built for nothing more than to be just a mere lackey." "Well, this ‘lackey’ has one thing you don't have, and that is common sense!” Grubber protested. “All I want is for you to tell the princesses why the Storm King had us do what we did, because they deserve the truth. The Storm King's death means that our secrets cannot be kept secret for long! You’re going to tell them everything if you want to live, Golem! Think of your family! Do you think this is what they wanted of you?!" "Tough luck, Grubber," Golem snarled. "We all have family! Our services to the Storm King made us one big family, and we were not to betray that family no matter what!" "Maybe so, but I'm going to love my new family," Grubber continued. "In fact, what would your personal family think of you if they saw you in the position that you’re in right now, Golem? I'm sorry your family died under bizarre circumstances, but that was a long time ago! You've got to move on and make them proud, by saving yourself and confessing your actions! The princesses could give you a new life within Equestria if you would just open and confess! Think about that for a second!" Panting heavily, Grubber got down from the chair and gave one last look at the captured Golem, before stepping out of the interrogation room. "For a creature so small," Luna commented in an amazed voice. "You seem to have a passion for others, Grubber." "I only want everyone to see sense, Princess Luna," Grubber replied, looking back towards the interrogation room. "The Storm King's death made me see the light. I just hope Golem feels the same way I do eventually." "Well, either way," Celestia added, looking at her personal chef. "You were very passionate about getting him to talk." "Because what Tempest and I did was wrong, when we could’ve had better things to do,” Grubber explained. “It took Princess Twilight and her friends to make me understand that, and it will hopefully take me to get Golem to see sense."With those words, Grubber turned to leave and head back to work. "Should I try again?" The interrogator asked, once Grubber had departed. "Do it, but no extreme measures. Let’s not betray Grubber’s trust." Celestia ordered, and the interrogator walked back into the room to talk to Golem. Back in Ponyville, Scootaloo sat in the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse, thinking and contemplating about how she could relate to Tempest Shadow. Ever since meeting her properly, Scootaloo couldn't help but wonder if she and her fellow crusaders should even help Tempest find her true place. "Hey, Scoots," A voice called, and Scootaloo turned to see Rainbow Dash peeking into the clubhouse. "Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle told me that you’d be here. They’re telling me that you've been thinking about Tempest Shadow for a while?" "Well, I just think that..." Scootaloo began, looking up at her sister figure. "...Tempest seems to just need to be on the right path, that's all, and I want to help her. She's disabled not unlike myself, and can do wonders by just being who she is." Rainbow Dash felt puzzled at this. "Look, Scoots," She confessed. "I'm going to be open and honest with you, here. Tempest is a pony that I wouldn't want to help right away, even knowing that she did it under orders from someone who lied to her. Besides, Twilight is doing everything she can to try and help Tempest with her situation, and it seems like that’s working well enough for the time being." "But can't I at least do something to help?" Scootaloo pleaded. “One thing that you don't have in common with Tempest, Scootaloo, is that unlike you, she had nopony to turn to," Rainbow sighed.  "She took all her frustrations out on Canterlot, and threw you and everypony we cared about into cages for the crime of being just ponies." "But, that doesn't matter!" Scootaloo protested. "Doesn't matter?!" Rainbow remarked, her eyes widened with shock! "Scoots, the attack on the Friendship Festival was the worst attack on Equestria in Celestia knows what! Ponies were tormented, and who knows if some of them will ever recover from something like this! I care about you, and the last thing I want is to see you be put through the same terror again! Not if I can help it!" "Are you saying that you don't want me to help Tempest?!" Scootaloo gasped! "Crusaders can't just abandon ponies they need to help!" "If Tempest was seeking a cutie mark or something related to that, then perhaps that would be different," Rainbow replied, getting up to leave the clubhouse. "But, it goes far deeper than that, Scootaloo, far deeper. You have a good heart, but this isn’t on the same level as your wings. It’s on a scale unlike any other. Regardless of your intentions, words alone aren’t going to make everything better." With that, Rainbow Dash got up and left the clubhouse, leaving Scootaloo to continue pondering whether or not Tempest really did need her help, or if there was even anything the filly could do.