After fetching Tempest and delivering her to Princess Celestia, Shining Armor waited impatiently outside the throne room. Whatever would be discussed between the two he would not hear. And unfortunately for the prince he wanted nothing more than to be there to vouch for Tempest, to encourage her to share the same story she had told to him.
But everything was now out of his hooves. There was nothing he could do except wait.
At long last, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the throne room doors swung open and Tempest came trotting out. She remained clad in her armor, and her expression was difficult to read.
Reluctantly the alicorn approached her and questioned. "So, what happened?"
A long sigh escaped Tempest's lips, but the words were slow to form. It took her a few minutes to finally explain. "Princess Celestia has decided on my punishment. I've been sentenced to mandatory community service for the next several months. And in exchange for dropping the charges of treason, I'm to testify in the trials of all the Storm King's associates."
"And Grubber?" Shining questioned.
"Seeing as the worst he did was expose your friends' cake scheme, he's received a pardon," Tempest explained. "And I hear he's going to be the new junior chef here in Canterlot," A genuine smile formed on her lips as she added. "At least he'll finally get to live out his dream."
Shining nodded and smiled back. "Well, I'm glad that Princess Celestia was kind to you. If you had just come to her and the other princesses from the start, all of this could've been avoided."
"Maybe," Tempest agreed. "I suppose I did play a role in bringing about the Storm King's demise and restoring the rightful government to power. But I get the feeling that other ponies and nations won't be so easily convinced."
"All you can really do is put yourself out there and give them a chance to see that you have changed," The prince encouraged. And then he pondered. "By the way, why are you still wearing that armor? I don't believe I've ever seen your cutie mark."
"I suppose I just feel an attachment to it," The broken horned unicorn commented in reply. "In a way this armor has become a part of me. But..." There was a long pause. "I suppose I... could let you see my cutie mark. For I am a pony, and a cutie mark is a part of me whether I admit it or not."
Lifting her armor, Tempest allowed her lower body to be fully exposed. Shining's eyes drifted towards her flanks, and spotted a cutie mark depicting fireworks similar to the ones Tempest had shot off during the concert, but they seemed to wrap around in a spiraling motion. "Wow, Tempest!" Shining exclaimed! "I don't know why you would want to cover up something like that! I know a lot of ponies who'd be jealous to have a cutie mark even remotely close to what you have! And I think it symbolizes the beauty you can bring out, and the great joy you can bring to others."
"I guess that's one way of looking at it," Tempest considered. Then with a blush she nervously added. "But actually, Tempest isn't my real name."
The prince was intrigued by the statement. "Oh? And what is your real name?"
Tempest's blush only grew fiercer. "I'd... rather not say. It's kind of embarrassing."
But Shining only insisted. "Tempest, please. It's not healthy to keep secrets like that, it makes it harder for ponies to trust you."
"Well... if you... really want to know," Tempest reluctantly began after a moment of hesitation. She leaned close to the prince and whispered in his ear. "My real name is actually Fizzlepop Berrytwist." And then she blushed anew.
"Oh," Shining began and he had to step back and put a hoof over his mouth to keep from laughing. A few muffled giggles still slipped out though. He quickly regained his composure though and continued. "Well that's... er... quite a name."
The broken horned unicorn reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Let's just say my parents weren't the greatest at naming. Even as a blank flank filly I always insisted on just Fizzle or Fizzy. Tempest was a name I gave myself after I ran away, both because I didn't want anything associated with my troubled past, and because I knew no one would take me seriously with a name like... well, you already know."
"I understand," Shining nodded. "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul."
"See that you don't," Tempest cautioned. "Whatever the baggage may be, I'd rather be known as Tempest Shadow."
"So, where will you go, exactly?" The prince asked Tempest as they looked out on the city of Canterlot from one of the stained glass windows.
"Wherever the wind takes me, I guess," Tempest replied to him, her tone of voice sounding noticeably unsure. "I must spread the word of the Storm King's defeat and make good on the second chance I've been given."
"You know, Tempest, I could always make some arrangements for you," Shining offered. "You could come and live in the Crystal Empire with me, there'd probably even be a place for you in the Crystal Guard with your impressive skills. Or I could even have you be sent to Ponyville to live with my sister. I'm sure she'd love to have a student of her own, and maybe with her help you could devise a way to get your horn back."
But Tempest only shook her head. "Thanks for the offer, prince, but I must decline. I've got a lot of thinking to do, and so many wrongs to right. But one day when I feel I am ready, I will come back."
"And I'll look forward to that day." Shining nodded.
Tempest agreed. And then she added. "Be sure to tell Grubber that I said goodbye. And that I appreciate him and you for not giving up on me, even when I'd long given up on myself."
"Not to worry, I'll ensure he gets the message." The prince agreed. And then he watched as Tempest turned and trotted away. In contrast to their first meeting, she seemed to be much warmer and friendly in overall appearance. But there was still a lingering sense of trauma, from wounds that would likely dull but not completely fade in time.