Late the next morning Twilight was sitting at the map-table in her palace, making a start on reviewing all the paperwork resulting from the Friendship Festival... as well as from its unexpected interruption.
There were summaries of expenses, and consequent boosts to local trade; reports on the ongoing cleanup work, both from the Festival itself as well as the remaining damage to Canterlot from the Storm King's invasion; reports on the emotional impact endured by the citizenry under his short-lived tyranny; and seemingly endless other memoranda besides.
And happily, there was one other category amongst the documents and scrolls that she was reading, which by itself made the entire task worthwhile: the thanks and congratulations rolling in from the attendees. Apparently even with the Storm King's invasion the Festival had been a rousing success. The accolades kept rolling in.
"... and I really hope you're considering doing it again next year," Twilight read proudly to Spike from the scroll in front of her. "I know Mother and you didn't part on the best of terms, but I'm pretty sure she won't mind making the trip again, now we don't have to stay in hiding. And I know I wouldn't, assuming I'm ever un-grounded! Sincerely, Her Royal Highness, Princess Skystar of the Hippogriffs!"
Spike nodded, as he grabbed the tray of empty breakfast dishes from the table. "Sounds like you made a good impression on them, Twilight!"
"I hope so, Spike! I really do. I still feel so bad for trying to trick Queen Novo and steal the Pearl. I hope she'll eventually forgive me."
There was a sharp rap at the door. Twilight and Spike looked up.
Looming in the doorway was Tempest. Somehow the maroon pony could manage to loom in a doorway three times her considerable height.
She started to stroll casually into the room, then suddenly stopped with a hoof still in the air, looking uncertain. "Uh... excuse me, Princess. Do you have a few minutes? I need to ask you something."
"Of course!" Twilight motioned for Tempest to come in and have a seat. At the same time she gave Spike a look that said Tea... and hold my calls, I may be a while! The purple dragon hurried off.
Tempest stalked over to the table. That was the exact word for it: every step precise and careful, eyes ever-watchful. Eschewing a seat on one of the chairs she simply sat down where she was. Even seated on the floor, she was eye-level with Twilight sitting on her own chair at the table.
"Okay, straight up..." Tempest began. "Why am I not under arrest? I'm not in prison. I haven't been executed -- I'm sure I would have noticed! I'm not even under observation. I've been allowed to walk the streets of Canterlot -- and now Ponyville -- completely unquestioned. I could just keep right on going, walk away from here, catch a train or something, and I don't think anyone would stop me. Ponies I talk to aren't particularly friendly, but they're not unfriendly either. And I don't hear them gossiping behind my back when I move on. I might as well be any random pony who just walked into town!"
"And... that's a bad thing?" Twilight asked gently.
"It doesn't make sense!" Tempest fumed, her eyes glaring. Then she sighed, and went on more calmly. "I led the invasion... I helped imprison the Princesses... I frightened and hurt a lot of ponies, pretty severely! Why aren't they holding that against me?" Her expression shifted, becoming nervous, even fearful. "I keep expecting the hammer to fall at any moment... to be accused, locked up, tortured for what I did. And the longer it doesn't happen, the more it worries me!"
She looked at Twilight, helplessly. "What is the deal here, Princess?"
Twilight nodded. "You've been away in the Southlands a while, so it probably seems strange. But... it's just the pony way. It's how ponies handle things like this. At least, in more traditional towns like Ponyville. And even in Canterlot, underneath all that high-class snobbery there's a remnant of the same tradition."
"Tradition? This kind of thing happens a lot?"
"Not invasions, so much. But... situations that go beyond a simple disagreement between relatives or friends, which could be sorted out by discussing it. And it happens more often than you might think. But ever since the original Hearth's Warming Eve, pony society has been based on friendship and trust. We just don't do prisons, except in extreme cases, since that just postpones the issue. And particularly since the return of Princess Luna, she and Princess Celestia have established an unwritten rule: we accept and help anypony who has done serious wrong and wants to atone for it. It's called reformation, for want of a better word."
"After all I did?" Tempest asked, amazed. "They're willing to just accept me? Just like that?"
"Well..." Twilight admitted, "I'm not saying having the Princess of Friendship speaking up for you didn't help! Ponies trust me, and they accept my word, even when they don't always agree with it. I saw what you did to save us at the end. I saw how you felt about it. And knowing your past, I understand why you did what you did. I just let other ponies know that."
"And the Princesses? Celestia and Luna? And Cadance? They're okay with this too?"
"You know, funny thing about being a Princess... you almost say more by what you don't say than by what you do. Since neither Celestia, Luna, or Cadance have said a word either way, that means they tacitly accept my word as a fellow Princess."
Tempest smirked. "So... they've basically decided to let me be your problem."
"Uhh, yeah!" Twilight smiled, a little embarrassed. "I suppose you are my jurisdiction... because I'm the Princess who spoke up for you."
"And I appreciate that, I really do." Tempest nodded. "So please don't take this the wrong way, but... it just doesn't seem right. No punishment, not even a harsh word. Just... nothing!" She hung her head sadly. "I don't deserve that. There's no way I can make up for what I did!"
Twilight put out a forehoof to touch her shoulder. "Actually, there is... but it's not easy!"
"I can handle anything," Tempest said quietly, not looking up.
"Eee-yeah. That's what I thought, too, when I went through this."
"You?" Tempest stared at her.
"Uh huh! Not proud to admit it, but I once put a compulsion spell on most of Ponyville. I didn't intend for it to happen. It... kinda got away from me. But the first rule of spellcasting is think before you cast! Still... I was a little freaked out at the time, and I really wasn't in my right mind, so..."
She came to a halt. "No. Wait a sec. I'm doing it wrong. It was like this..."
Quickly she sketched out the circumstances: putting the Want-It-Need-It spell on a doll in order to create a Friendship problem to solve, because she was late submitting a Friendship report to Princess Celestia. "It was wrong of me," Twilight said flatly. "I didn't think out the consequences. A lot of ponies could have gotten hurt in the resulting havoc. And afterward I felt like you do... like there was just no way I could make up for what I'd done to everyone. I walked around town for a while thinking what you're thinking right now: that no one ever would or should trust me again. And the whole time, no one went out of their way to talk to me... or to reject me, either. But it wasn't personal. I didn't realize it at the time because I'd spent so much time cooped up in my library. It's just how ponies do things."
"So... what happened?" Tempest asked.
"Applejack explained the reformation ritual to me, and how it's done. And I went through it... and it helped, it really did! I belonged again. I could get on with my life. And if you want to do it, I'll be happy to walk you through it. That's part of the deal, actually. Once you've been through this, you take on explaining it to the next pony who needs it."
Tempest nodded. "I'll do anything, just to feel like I belong again!"
"Like I said, it can be hard. And the chief reason is, you don't really have to convince anyone else you want to change. The one you really have to convince is yourself... so it shows in everything you say and everything you do. So everypony can see it."
"Alright, Princess, I'm in. How do we start? I mean..." she corrected herself quickly, "...how do I start?"
Twilight smiled reassuringly. "The first part is pretty straightforward. We just need to find the right time..."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fortunately Ponyville's annual Flower Festival was the following week. And that was just about right, because Twilight needed some time to coach Tempest on what to say and how to say it.
At the opening ceremony, Mayor Mare stood at the podium on the platform in front of Town Hall and gave a few brief administrative remarks. And then:
"Before we officially open the Festival, there's a pony here who would appreciate a few brief moments of your time!"
She nodded, and Tempest Shadow strode up from the crowd, then climbed onto the stage next to the podium. She was wearing a simple black bodysuit in place of her armor. She carefully kept her expression neutral as she turned to face the audience. Clearing her throat, she spoke up, her voice carrying easily across the assembled crowd in Ponyville Square.
"Good morning, everypony. I'm... really not a great speaker so I'll keep this short."
She looked around, at all the ponies watching her silently.
"I... apologize. To all of you. I led the attack on Canterlot. I willingly made it possible for the Princesses to be captured, for their powers to be stolen and abused. And my orders directly led to the imprisonment and humiliation of many of you..."
Remember, she told herself. Keep it simple. You are saying you are sorry. No excuses. No evasions. No buck-passing. No hiding behind someone else's actions. And especially don't ask anything of them just yet. You're apologizing... telling them that you're aware of your actions, and the results of those actions. And telling them what you, personally, are going to do about it.
"What I did was wrong, and hurtful. I deeply regret the suffering and damage that I caused. And I want to make things right... with all of you. I don't have a clear plan how just yet. So I'm going to devote myself to finding one. And I will not stop until I find it... that's a promise!"
Tempest bowed her head to the crowd. "Thank you all, for your time and attention."
Without looking up she trotted away from the podium, back to where Twilight was sitting nearby. She was afraid to look up, afraid to look at the crowd, afraid to hear what they might be whispering to each other.
But Twilight was nodding. "Nicely done, Tempest!" she said, once the Mayor had finished the opening ceremonies. "You should have heard me when I did this part. I was rambling all over the place. But you hit just the right tone. Are you sure you're not a good speaker?"
"Only when demanding unconditional surrender." Tempest said uncomfortably. "Not really appropriate here, is it?" She glanced around. "This is really all it takes to start with? A public apology? And this is just Ponyville. What about Canterlot? And the ponies from other cities who were visiting the Friendship Festival? When do I apologize to them?"
Twilight nodded, understanding. "One thing at a time. You have to start somewhere, and there's nowhere better than Ponyville for this kind of thing. And word gets around, you'll be surprised. Once you've made your peace with ponies here, it'll be that much easier for their friends and relatives elsewhere to do the same."
"I imagine that'll take some time..."
"Are you in a hurry?" Twilight smirked. "But it might not take as long as you think!"
"Uh, pardon me? Tempest, right?"
Tempest turned to look. It was the owner/manager of Hooves and Hammers, the construction company, a muscular, tan-coated earth pony wearing a hard hat. "I really liked what you said there, about making things right. Reminded me of some dumb things I did, when I was a colt. I just wanted to ask if you're lookin' for a job. We can always use strong backs for moving supplies, and for demo and cleanup."
"Thanks!" Tempest said. "I'm still finding my way around here. Is it all right if I come by later, and we can talk about it?"
"Sure thing! Mornings and evenings are best, we're usually on call during the day. But, if you see me around town workin' on a project, just flag me and we'll chat!" He waved a hoof and trotted off.
Tempest turned to look at Twilight, who was smiling.
Then Tempest felt a gentle tap at her shoulder. It was Bon Bon. When Tempest looked her way, the beige pony stepped back a pace, but then she nodded affably. "Hi, Tempest," she said, introducing herself. "I just wanted to ask if you'd found a place to stay yet."
Tempest was about to reply... and then Twilight spoke up. "Thanks for asking, Bon Bon. Tempest's staying as a guest at the Friendship castle, at least until she decides what she's going to do while she's here."
Bon Bon smiled understandingly. After chatting briefly with them for a bit, she excused herself to see where Lyra had gotten to.
Tempest gave Twilight a curious look. "Missed your chance, Princess. You could have let me move out."
"It's not a problem. It makes sense, actually, if I'm gonna help you with the next part."
"Which is?"
"You said it yourself: figuring out what you're going to do."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lacking other plans, Tempest took the job with the construction crew part-time, to help earn her keep. It was a little mind-numbing, mostly fetch-and-carry and occasionally helping to buck down a wall or wrench apart beams, or salvage materials from already-dismantled structures. But it was solid work and kept her in trim, so she could throw herself into it with a will. And the other ponies on the crew clearly respected her strength and judgement, even if they didn't say much to her directly.
After a few days she found herself settling into a routine. A quick bite at Sugarcube Corner, early in the morning before the crush, then work until lunch, and after lunch she'd return to Twilight's castle... and think.
What can I do? How can I show other ponies they can trust me again, that they can rely on me again?
Left to herself she might have simply hidden away in the guest room Twilight had given her. But the Princess had pointedly suggested that she get out and wander around town while she planned. Window-shop, if need be, or if she felt the need to be useful, maybe grocery-shop to help out Spike.
"Not sure I see what good that does," Tempest objected.
"You need to let them see you, get used to you," Twilight explained. "They need to see the real you, the one who's trying to make amends. Little interactions, like buying a meal, sharing gossip, even just walking around nodding to other ponies. It may not seem like much, but it all adds up to social capital. And that'll pay you back in the long run."
Tempest wasn't entirely convinced. But she'd committed herself to making it work so she toughed it out. It felt silly... doing ordinary things, like trotting down to the Marketplace to buy apples or sugar because the castle's kitchen had run short. Yet after a while she could see the wisdom in it. The ponies she spoke to at the stalls began to recognize her and greet her each day, and that gave her a chance to greet them in return, and get to know some of them.
And then, one morning, just as she was trotting out of Sugarcube Corner heading for the site the construction crew was working on, she saw a familiar face... a very familiar face.
She'd have recognized the squat, white-maned hedgehog anywhere. But seeing him here was a surprise. He was ambling up the road, a cupcake in one paw, glancing quickly around at everything. His large grey-and-blue eyes never rested anywhere for very long.
"Grubber?" she said, trotting up behind him. "What are you doing here?"
"Woah!" He turned and stared up at her, startled. And then he smiled, honestly pleased to see her. "Hey, Tempest! Long time no see! Wondered what happened to ya after the Friendship do!"
"I'm still figuring it out myself. Princess Twilight has me doing this 'reformation' thing to help me get back into pony society." She lofted her head intimidatingly, giving him a suspicious glare. "What are you up to, Grubber? I know that look. You're up to something."
"Me? Eh, well..." He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then shrugged. "I'm looking for a new job actually. Tried lookin' around back south, couldn't find much, not with my background. And... I'm not really liking what I'm doin' right now either. Gopher work, ya know? Takin' orders, not really knowin' what's goin' on, everything has to be done yesterday."
He sighed. "I miss the old days. The two of us together, knockin' about, takin' on the world, armies at our beck and call, bringin' the pain..."
He came to a halt, seeing the frosty look she was giving him.
"Ehhhh... yeah, right," he said. "Not like that anymore. Still... ya maybe still got an opening for a hench-hog, boss? I got references!"
"I think they call the job assistant around here."
"Hey, I'm flexible! I can assist just as good as I hench."
Tempest sighed. Despite her better instincts, she wouldn't mind having the little hairball around again, just to have someone to talk to.
"Well... stacking lumber and doing knock-throughs doesn't take much in the way of help," she finally said. "But... I don't know, Grubber... if you're still looking in a week or so, check back with me, huh?"
"All right, will do! Er... ya planning to be around here that long?"
"Who knows? I don't even know how long this 'reformation' ritual is supposed to take."
"Huh. They got a ritual for that?"
"Apparently." Tempest shrugged. "It's a pony thing."
They chatted for a bit longer. Then Grubber wished her well and waddled off to keep looking for Help Wanted signs... or so he claimed. Tempest was half-inclined to follow him, see what he was really doing. But she had to get to work. And by himself it wasn't like the little troll was capable of getting into any real mischief. Worst he might do was knock over a pastry cart somewhere.
And, Tempest realized, if she wanted others to trust her, it made sense to start doing it herself.
So she let it go... for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After a solid morning's work, followed by a late lunch, she returned to the Friendship castle. And there she found Twilight pacing back and forth in front of the map table. There were a number of scrolls floating in her magic, and a number of small markers set out on the table, at various points on the southern region of the map of Equestria.
"Planning an invasion, Princess?" Tempest asked dryly. "I could give you a few pointers."
"Oh! Hi, Tempest!" Twilight said. "No, I've just been reading some really unsettling reports Princess Celestia passed along. They're from Appleloosa and the Badlands. Apparently a number of ponies have gone missing. And it seems to be moving steadily northwards."
"Any clue who's behind it?" Tempest asked, stepping closer to examine the map herself. "Apart from the Storm King, I don't recall anyone else from down south who might be after ponies."
"Nothing so far," Twilight said. "There's just one connection: all the missing ponies are unicorns."
"I see." Tempest's eyes narrowed. "That does want looking into. You want me to do it? Head back to the Southlands, and ask around? Rattle some cages? We both know I'm good at that."
"That might help. Let me finish going over these reports first. Then we'll have a better idea where to start looking."
"Whatever you say. Just let me know when you need me."
"I will. Thanks, Tempest!"
Tempest nodded to her, then trotted onwards to her room.
There, she threw herself down on the bed, head resting on her crossed forehooves. For once, she didn't feel like taking her afternoon stroll around Ponyville. She didn't feel like leaving her room in fact. Seeing Grubber again had brought the past all back to her, forcefully. And the worst part of it was... it wasn't entirely unwelcome.
The memories unsettled her, made her feel like she was just wasting time here. Like Grubber, she missed the old days. Back then she'd been doing something, accomplishing something with her life... even if it had only been the Storm King's dirty work. And Grubber had put it well. It was nice being in charge, even of an army of shadows... having one's word be law.
She sighed. It would be soooo easy to go back to all that.
I have to come up with a way to convince everyone I'm not that kind of pony any more, she thought, when I'm not really certain myself.
The feeling persisted, even after a desultory dinner with Twilight and Starlight in the map-room, and then another long stretch of sitting by herself on her bed.
Finally, Tempest's eyes slid closed, and she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.