//------------------------------// // Chapter 60: "Pirates On Our Side" // Story: The Redemption of Tempest Shadow // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// "I thank you all for agreeing to help us find Instant Justice," Celestia said as she looked at Captain Celano and her band of pirate parrots standing in her quarters. "Now, are you aware of what is happening?" "That a psycho pony is on the loose, vowing revenge," Mullet remarked, the pirates' first mate. "Yeah, we were told. In fact, it makes us sick that one of your own would do such a thing." "It makes me sick too," Jack added. "The important thing is that we get these murderers off the streets as soon as possible." "And knowing Instant Justice, he won't rest until Fizzlepop is dead," Celestia sighed, looking back towards the doorway leading towards the room where Tempest was staying in. "And to do that, he will probably be coming back to Canterlot." Celestia then let out another deep sigh. "But, don't you think it would make sense to get these guys before he comes back?" Captain Celano asked. "Yes, Captain Celano," Jack remarked. "That is why, on behalf of Princess Celestia, I'm giving you the order to stop Instant Justice and the mercenaries before they come back to Canterlot." "Well good, our new ship can reach slightly higher speeds," Mullet added. “Instant Justice better run while he can, because soon he’ll have nowhere to hide.” At that moment, a guardspony came into the room with a scroll in his aura. "We just got this report from one of our patrol units," He said to Celestia, passing her the scroll. "Apparently, the mercenaries have been spotted near Mount Aris. Queen Novo and the hippogriffs were notified and have been ordered to increase their defenses." Celestia studied the scroll, then turned her attention back to the pirate parrots. "Head for Mount Aris and don't engage until you see them," She ordered in a commanding voice. "I want Instant Justice alive, do you hear me? He needs to face justice for his crimes." "You can count on us, Princess Celestia," Captain Celano replied, as she and her crew bowed to Celestia before leaving the room. "We'll get those savages." Once the pirates were gone, Celestia and Jack were left alone and continued to realize the gravity of the impending situation. "They will find them," Jack reassured the princess, as he and Celestia watched the pirates take off into the night. "And when they do, we will punish them to the full extent of the law, your highness." All Celestia could do was hope for the best of this outcome. Meanwhile, Tempest was alone in her new quarters with Razzle Fizzle for company. "I can't believe that our minister of justice would go this far, Fizzlepop," Razzle said. "But, more importantly, why would you go so far as to blow up a pirate ship and commit attempted murder? Why?" "Because they lied to me and I had to punish them." Tempest bitterly answered. "What else was I supposed to do, Razzle?" "Just another example of why I had anger towards you, on top of everything else. Forget the fact that he lied to you, Fizzlepop and realize the fact that the life of the cat is no different than the lives of the ponies you terrorized." Razzle scolded with a shake of her head. "And he also owed the Storm King a debt," Tempest sdded, locking her eyes back onto the ceiling. "He needed to be punished for that." "But, why don't you just lift the punishment?" Razzle Fizzle suggested. "There is no excuse for such childish behavior towards creatures that are different than you!" This caused Tempest to turn her attention towards her sister with a sudden jerk. "Are you calling me a racist, Razzle?" She asked in an angry voice. "No, but you should treat the Cat with the same respect that I and the princesses give you, FIzzlepop,” Razzle urged. “You should go to the cat and tell him that with the Storm King dead, he is no longer in debt." "All right, since you are my sister," Tempest sighed. "When do you want me to tell him?" "In the morning, before you start another day of your sentence." Razzle order. Tempest then turned over towards the Friendship Festival crown and knew she would have to wait until after they all went to sleep before it could come back to life and give her any more advice. When they all went to sleep about an hour later, the crown did come to life just as Tempest anticipated it would. "She wants me to apologize to the cat and lift his debt." Tempest told the crown. "Then that would be another piece of me you have put together." The crown then showed off its nearly completed body to Tempest, which did give Tempest some satisfaction. "Still," Tempest sighed. "There’s a long way to go. And…well, part of me feels like even if I become Twilight's Royal Guard captain, there will be ponies that will still want me dead. Maybe I should do more than just stay here in Canterlot. I feel that…I don't know…that I should continue my community service to all of Equestria. I need time to continue repairing all that I have damaged." "That's up to you, Fizzlepop. Although it would mean that you won't be installed as Royal Guard Captain." The crown advised. "Not until my penance is passed throughout Equestria, all of it," Tempest sighed as she got herself comfortable. "Tomorrow, I will tell everypony of what I plan to do." And Tempest fell asleep, knowing just first hand what needed to be done. She needed to leave Equestria and continue her servitude. Meanwhile, at Mount Aris, the pirate parrots arrived and went about the task of finding Instant Justice and his cronies. "Keep a sharp eye out," Captain Celano cried, drawing her sword. "Those ponies couldn't have gotten far." "Got it, Captain!" Mullet replied as the pirates slowly and quietly made their way into the Hippogriff kingdom. As they crossed further and further into the kingdom, they heard several rustling sounds. "Stop," Celano advised. "Listen! Did you hear that?" "Yeah, it sounds like rustling….from that bush!" Muller realized! "Check it out!" Celano whispered, and Mullet carefully made his way over to the bush. No sooner did he open the bush than he saw a pony hiding in it. "GRAB HIM!" Mullet screeched, and immediately pulled the pony out of the bush, throwing him onto the ground! "I GIVE UP! I GIVE UP!" The pony cried! "Where’s the rest of your friends?!" Celano firmly demanded, drawing her sword and placing it at the pony's throat! "Answer me before I have to make you!" But the pony didn’t answer. Mullet lost patience and shouted! "WHERE’S THE REST OF YOUR FRIENDS?!" Fearing for his life, the pony nodded in fear before finally confessing to where the rest of the mercenaries had gone. "Take him!" Celano ordered and the pirates dragged the captured mercenary away. "I think Princess Celestia will want to have a word with you. May she have mercy on your soul."