“My cutie mark?” Tempest gasped, jumping to her hooves. “What... how... Why now, why fireworks out of all things? I don't understand.”
Discord rubbed his chin, then said, “I don't know much about cutie marks. The exact reason they appear varies from pony to pony and everyone has a different story as to how exactly theirs showed up. But I'll take a guess anyway. I think it's because today, you realized what you could do that made you special. You showed compassion to a dying enemy and brought light to her final moments. Even though you didn't have to, you were kind to her until the end. And you've shown all of us just how much you shine, as both a leader and a friend. And I think that's what those fireworks represent. It's not just your knack for them, it also represents how you've blossomed into the amazing pony you are today.” He ran his palm across her cheek fur as he gazed into her eyes. “...Fizzlepop.”
She groaned at him referencing her birth name. Then she laughed, and bounded into his arms, wrapping her forelegs behind his head and pulling him in for a kiss. He happily kissed back, deep and slow, savoring it.
When they separated, their faces were both bright red, and they laughed nervously upon seeing Dusty whistling and pretending not to look.
“Was that my thanks for saving everyone?” Discord asked teasingly.
“Heh, something like that,” Tempest replied. “But it's also because I love you.”
His eyes widened, and she realized that was her first time actually saying it out loud. Then he beamed, and he kissed her again, before saying, “I love you too.”
She just about melted in his arms, and happily kissed him.
Dusty waited patiently, and once they were done, he said, “Discord's right, you know. Tempest, you have been an absolutely wonderful leader, both before our freedom and after. It's what you were meant to do. I don't know why you never got your cutie mark while serving under the Storm King, but I suppose you needed to realize it's what you were meant for, instead of just accepting the role because you had to. And the fireworks are, quite frankly, perfect. You're just bursting with talent and energy, and they convey that very clearly. So congratulations.”
“Thank you,” she said, blushing. “Wow, I never really cared about being a blank flank, but now that my cutie mark has appeared... I'm really happy about it.”
“And I'm happy for you,” Discord said, snuggling with her.
“Now then, you want to go back to Equestria?” Dusty asked. “Sure you don't want to help us finish the bowling alley?”
“I would love to, but...” Tempest chuckled and gestured to her bandages. “I really need some more time to heal, and I think I want to do it back in Equestria. I've grown to miss that place.”
“I completely understand. Well, you've done a lot for us, so I think we can get by without you.” Dusty got up and came around the desk to shake her hoof. “Thank you again for everything. I'll send you a letter once the bowling alley is up so you can come see it, how about that?”
“I'd like that. Maybe we could come play a few games.” Tempest stood, leaning a bit on Discord for support. She was tired from the fight, she had poured a lot of energy into those magical blasts. “Do you know of any other storm creature towns that might need us once I'm recovered?”
“Honestly, I think we and our friends in Klugetown have learned more than enough from you. We can help out the others if needed. I just want you to head home and relax. Don't worry about us.”
“Okay. Then, I'll see you around.” Tempest gave him a hug, then headed out with Discord. Once they were outside, Discord picked her up and carried her toward their house.
“This will be quite the story to tell our friends back home,” he said.
“Yeah, I can't wait.”
They packed up, and said goodbye to the storm creatures, who thanked them for everything they've done. Hugs were exchanged and Tempest checked on the injured, making sure she thanked them personally for everything they've done. But finally she had no more to say, and told Discord she was ready to leave.
His hand settled on her back, and he teleported with her back to Twilight's castle.
After that, they spent hours with the princess telling her about everything that had happened. She was glad to hear about the work they've done, but was disappointed in how they had to deal with the Roc situation.
“It was our only option,” Tempest sighed. “We didn't want to end it that way. But we had to.”
“I understand. I'm just really sorry to hear that,” Twilight replied. “But I'm glad the storm creatures are safe from her, and that she won't be able to eat anyone else. You made a hard decision and followed through on it. I'm not sure even I would have been able to do what you two did.”
Tempest nodded and looked away, ears falling flat.
Twilight hesitated, then changed the subject. “But hey, congrats on your cutie mark! It looks amazing.”
Tempest perked up at that. “Oh, thank you!”
“I almost didn't notice it, I was more concerned with those bandages and how beat up you look, but then you took your saddlebags off and I saw it! When did you get it?”
“After I did the fireworks show for the Roc, I suppose,” Tempest replied. “I guess that was when I realized my worth as a leader, and how even when I had to make the tough choices, I didn't have to let people suffer. I showed compassion to the Roc. And well, I guess that led to this finally showing up.”
“You're like fireworks in the sky,” Discord said. “Bright, beautiful, potentially dangerous!”
“Heh, thanks, big guy.”
“No problem, just wanted to make sure she got it.”
Twilight rolled her eyes, then said, “Well, thank you so much, to both of you. You helped out the storm creatures tremendously and from what you've told me, they're thriving in both Klugetown and Sunny Oasis. I wish you could have seen their other towns, but those were two of their main ones. We can always check up on the others later.”
They spent a while longer talking, Twilight writing out a whole long report on the subject, saying she was going to tell Celestia how it went. In the meantime, they should go let their other friends know they had returned safely.
“Sounds good,” Tempest said, getting up. She glanced at Discord as he casually stroked her neck, and said, “By the way. Discord and I started dating.”
“Really?” Twilight's eyes lit up. “Congratulations! Oh, I had no idea, you were good friends before I sent you off but you started dating on that trip?”
Discord sighed. “Well I didn't want to make a big deal out of it but apparently Tempest wants to tell everypony. But yes, we're dating. We just realized how much we cared for each other, and we're both quirky and love practicing chaos magic and we just get each other. So... we kissed one night at a party, and from there started dating. Tempest started it.”
“Aw, that's so sweet.” Twilight came over to hug them. “I'm happy for you. You're an odd couple, but you really do look good together.”
They thanked her, and headed out into town. Tempest smiled at the bright colors of Ponyville. They were a sight for sore eyes after months in the desert. She greeted the other ponies, explaining to the curious about why she was bandaged, but mostly getting to show off her cutie mark. They were thrilled, congratulating her on it. And the first close friend she ran into was none other than...
“Tempeeest!” a high-pitch voice called, before a pink blur darted out in front of her. Pinkie Pie hopped up and down excitedly, her curls bouncing. “Is that what I think it is? Do you have a cutie mark?”
Tempest laughed at her energy. “It sure is, I got it while on my mission from Twilight.”
“Wow! That's a super duper, sparkly amazing cutie mark! Is it fireworks? Ooh, it is, it's fireworks! Perfect! This calls for a party!” Pinkie wrapped her foreleg around her neck, pulling her close. “We need to throw you a cuteceañera! Right now!”
“Right now?” Tempest wondered.
“Yep, right now!” Pinkie trotted off. “Everypony, cuteceañera at Sugarcube Corner for Tempest Shadow, come on!”
“Well... okay, why not?” Tempest headed for Sugarcube Corner, shaking her head at just how spastic Pinkie was.
“I've missed this place,” Discord said.
Pinkie was somehow able to round up most of the ponies in town, inviting them out to Sugarcube Corner for the party, and then hurrying to set up tables outside and covering them with baked goods. She said this party was too big to hold inside the building.
“Oh, wow,” Tempest commented at just how many ponies showed up, all of whom seemed to want to shake her hoof and congratulate her on getting her cutie mark. She felt a little silly, as this kinda of event was normally thrown for young fillies and colts, but she appreciated it anyway.
She was happy to see her friends, and once she was able to get away from all the people congratulating her, she sat at a table with them to talk about her adventures. They were all shocked to hear about what she had to do to the Roc, and Fluttershy even covered her mouth and looked like she was going to faint.
Discord quickly went to comfort her.
“That sounds like an awesome battle,” Rainbow Dash said. “I mean it's sad you had to roast her, but wow!”
“It must have been simply dreadful,” Rarity sighed, taking a careful bite of her cupcake. She got frosting on her nose anyway.
“It was,” Tempest said. “But it doesn't matter. It's over now.”
“I'm just glad you're safe,” Applejack said. “Judging from Spike's story about when he ran into a Roc, he barely got away with his life. Zecora, Rarity, Twilight... all of them could have been badly hurt. Luckily, he's a fire breathing dragon and as you said, Rocs are vulnerable to fire.”
The others nodded in agreement.
Tempest looked at Spike, who was busy flitting around with a taller orange dragon that she vaguely recognized as a student at the school, but she didn't know her name. “They were very lucky then. Rocs really are dangerous. And they're so big, that just makes them even harder to hurt.”
“I wish I could have been there,” Fluttershy said. “Maybe I could have talked her out of being so mean. So then you wouldn't have had to...” Her voice lowered. “Roast her.”
Discord pulled her a little closer to himself. “Maybe you could have, but then again... maybe even you couldn't have changed her mind. She really was vicious. And she had already eaten so many ponies like you.” Fluttershy meeped. “She had to go.”
“I... guess so. It's still so sad.” Fluttershy pulled over her cup of tea and occupied herself with it, clearly not wanting to think about it.
Pinkie came back from her trip to the buffet, carrying an entire cake. “Tempest, you have just got to try this strawberry cake!”
“Oh, alright.” Tempest waited for her to put it down and cut a slice out. She was already full but she wanted to be polite. She took a bite, and licked her lips off. “Mm, that's pretty good.”
“Thanks! It's a new recipe I got from Strawberry Sunrise!” Pinkie helped herself to her own slice.
Applejack made a face and Rarity giggled. Tempest wondered what that was about, but didn't care enough to ask.
“So darling, could you tell us again about that absolutely romantic night that led to you and Discord getting together?” Rarity asked. “I don't believe Rainbow was here to hear that tale.”
“Wait, Tempest and Discord are together?” Rainbow asked, shocked.
Tempest laughed. Rainbow had been the last to sit down with them and hadn't heard her talk about it the first time. Not that she had gone into much detail. “Heh, yeah. We got together while we were in Klugetown. The storm creatures were having a party and I put on a fireworks show to entertain them. Discord was sitting next to me, he complimented me on my magic and said I was beautiful, and I just sort of... leaned up and kissed him.”
“Alright, making the first move!” Rainbow cheered.
“Shortly after that, I asked her if she wanted to be my special somepony,” Discord said. “I mean, she made it pretty obvious but I wanted to make it official. She said yes, so. Here we are, a couple of weirdos dating each other.”
“Well I'm very happy for you,” Rarity said.
The others agreed, and Fluttershy patted Discord's arm. “That's so sweet. I didn't know if you would ever open your heart to love. I'm so happy for you.”
He blushed. “Thank you. I'm glad I did, being with her has made me very happy.”
Tempest finished the cake and sat back, groaning. “Mm, that was delicious, but I'm full. I think I'm going to turn in.”
Pinkie was a little disappointed, but understood once she explained that she hasn't actually gotten to sleep since fighting the Roc. So she and her friends said goodbye, and Tempest got up, walking away.
“So, I was thinking,” Discord said, following her through town. “Since we're together and all... how would you like to move in with me?”
“Move in with you?” Tempest stopped. She looked at Twilight's castle, thinking about the lovely bedroom she had there. Then she thought about living with Discord, spending nights cuddled up with him, joining him for every meal, having room for her belongings and being able to decorate things. She smiled and said, “I'd like that. I just have to move everything out of the room Twilight's been letting me use.”
“No problem! Let's go!”
They told Twilight that Tempest would be moving out, which she was fine with. Then they gathered up Tempest's belongings and teleported them back to Discord's house. After a final sweep around the room to make sure they got everything, Tempest took Discord's hand and was transported to his dimension.
It was as chaotic as she remembered, and she started to float as she realized there was still no true gravity. She took long strides toward the door, and he let her in. Once he had gone in after her, he closed the door and took her hooves, twirling around with her.
“Welcome to your new home, I hope you like it,” he said.
She's been in here before, but it took on a whole new charm now that she knew she would be living here. She brought him in for a kiss. “I know I will.”