//------------------------------//
// Chapter 71: "A Hanging in Canterlot" 
// Story: The Redemption of Tempest Shadow 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
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When the day of Instant Justice's execution finally arrived, the skies over Canterlot were dark and a light rain fell on the city. It was a day of mixed emotions with some ponies angry and saddened that the pony who’s tried to avenge the Canterlot invasion was being hanged, while others were condemning him as deserving to die for turning Equestria upside down in pursuit of his own, twisted revenge.

For her own safety, Tempest was only allowed to watch the execution from a tower overlooking the city square. But, she actually wasn't thinking about the execution, she was thinking about what she needed to do afterwards. After all, she was still dealing with her injuries sustained in the final battle with the mercenaries.

"It's really quite sad." Razzle Fizzle sighed, as she and Tempest watched what was about to happen.

"It is," Tempest remarked, sitting with a huge bandage wrapped around her chest. "But I can't help but wonder…if I should feel sorry for him. I mean, he had a wife and son that I had killed when I took over this city. No matter what I do, Razzle, I can't erase that fact. And now he has his cost himself any chance of ever seeing them again."

"I know, Fizzlepop,” Razzle nodded. “And I understand why you don't want to stay here and become Princess Twilight's captain."

"It's not that I don't want to, Razzle. I would be honored to serve the pony who made me see the light, but I am going to keep endangering you all if I stay,” Tempest protested. “I need some time to think, about what my next step in life should be.”

"And just where will you go, Fizzlepop?" Razzle asked.

"I don't know, Razzle,” Tempest commented with a shake of her head. “Probably somewhere where I can safely spread the word of the Storm King's defeat, and perhaps…share what I learned from Princess Twilight."

At that moment, the sounds of the crowds down below fell silent and a group of guards ponies came towards the gallows with Instant Justice and several other captured mercenary ponies right behind them.

From another tower, Celestia and Luna, also still recovering from their own injuries, were also watching what was happening down below. "May the maker have mercy on your soul, Instant Justice," Celestia said quietly, her voice filled with regret and disbelief. "You’ve left me with no other choice. Never did I imagine I would have to have my own Minister of Justice executed." Celestia then looked over and saw Tempest and Razzle from the opposite tower. But before they could glance any further, the sounds of drumming rang out from the front of the crowds below.
"Sister, you should let him at least speak," Luna suggested. “Let him have his last words.”

"No, Luna. I can't let him speak because all he would say is Fizzlepop Berrytwist deserves to be in his place,” Celestia protested. “His last rights have been waived, the time has come to close the door on this dark chapter.”

At that moment, the nooses were tied around the necks of Instant Justice and the mercenary ponies. Their faces filled with anger, fear and hate at having to be hanged for what they had done.

"Instant Justice," Jack McColt bellowed, looking at the condemned. "You and your fellow associates have been charged with treason against our divine Princesses and the kingdom of Equestria. In regards to your conviction, by order of our divine princesses, you are hereby sentenced to be hanged on this very day. That is all."

With those words, the execution hoods were placed on their heads and raising a wing, Celestia gave the order for the gallows to be lowered. With a loud set of cracks, Instant Justice, Equestria's Minister of Justice, was dead. Along with his captured mercenaries.

"What do we do now?" Luna asked, looking across to her sister.
"Continue to heal, little sister,” Celestia answered, as she left the tower in disbelief and exhaustion. "Just continue to heal."






After being discharged from Canterlot Hospital and returning to the Castle of Friendship, Tempest knew that she couldn't stay for very long. "Tempest?" She heard Twilight say. "Are you in here?"

"Yes," Tempest replied and the door opened to reveal Twilight on the other side. "I, uh, wanted to tell you something."

"This is about you leaving, isn't it?" Twilight guessed.

After a brief silence, Tempest answered the Princess of Friendship's question. "Yes, yes it is, Twilight. I know what you are probably thinking, that I am foolish to turn down the offer of becoming your Royal Guard Captain. But, you have to understand…"

"-That the time isn't right?" Twilight interrupted. "After all is said and done, it seems likely. But, I was hoping that maybe you would maybe…"

"-Come back?” Tempest answered. “Yes, I will come back, eventually. But for now, I need time to fully atone for my actions. All of Equestria needs to know that the Storm King is dead and that I no longer work for him. Trust me, it's the best for everypony."

Twilight couldn't help but start to feel a little emotion. All she wanted was for Tempest to be her Captain of the Royal Guard, but she was going to have to wait a little longer. "Well, I understand, but…"

"But what?" Tempest asked, sensing the hesitation in Twilight’s voice.

"After all we've been through, Tempest, I feel that…" Guessing what Twilight was going to say, Tempest placed a hoof on her mouth and smiled warmly. She knew that Twilight had developed a strong feeling for her that went way beyond friendship itself. But the time to develop those feelings was going to need to wait.

"Don't worry, Twilight, I know what you are thinking,” Tempest smiled. “You've impacted my life and made me see the light. Now I need to share that light with the ponies that I hurt. They need to see me in a different light, and I can't rest until that happens. Think of this like me going on a friendship mission."

Touched, Twilight embraced Tempest tightly part of her knowing that this might be the last time she would ever see Tempest, although she could hope that wasn't the case.






Soon, it would be a day of high emotion as Tempest Shadow would leave Equestria again, this time for a good reason.