Reformation... It's a Pony Thing

by Lets Do This

The Return of Tempest Shadow

The next few days were a bit of a whirlwind. Tempest's fleet made several quick stops in the Badlands and Appleloosa, returning the ponies who had been taken. Or that is, they would have been quick stops, save that it seemed like every pony had friends and a large extended family, all of whom insisted on celebrating both their safe return and the ponies responsible for it. And word did get around, somehow... by the time Tempest's ships were approaching the southern border of the Everfree, at their final stops the townsfolk were already gathered in advance, ready to welcome their arrival.

And then Tempest's flagship finally touched down in Ponyville, in the meadowlands beyond Twilight's castle. As the ship lowered its landing ramp, silence fell over the crowd of ponies waiting nearby. And when Tempest, clad in her armor with the mark repainted berry-red, and Grubber, wearing a new Rarity-designed tunic with Tempest's berry-red mark on it, nervously stepped down the ramp together, the silence was broken... by a rousing cheer and a thundering of hooves, and the waving of a large banner, reading "WELCOME HOME, TEMPEST!"

"Yeah..." Twilight admitted later, "I did ask Spike to send a message on ahead, to let Celestia know we were on our way back. I felt I owed her some kind of advance warning, in return for her being so understanding!"

The heroes' welcome quickly became an impromptu parade up through town. Twilight, Tempest, and Grubber were in the lead, followed by Rarity and Spike, then the rest of the Element bearers. Behind them marched a small honor guard of Tempest's soldiers, with Strife at their head.

Mayor Mare gave a grand welcoming speech on the platform in front of Town Hall in Ponyville Square, followed by Twilight giving a heartfelt speech of thanks to Commander Tempest, not only for her role in Rarity's safe return, but in the rescue of all the other ponies and seaponies as well.

And then Tempest herself took the stage... and everyone could see how differently she held herself: calmly, easily, knowing she was among friends. "As I said, I'm not a good speaker, so I'll keep this short. Thank you, everypony... for supporting me and believing in me, even though you had little reason to. And rest assured, my work's not done yet. I'm going to continue to make the best use I can of the generous chance you've given me... to be the very best pony that I can be. Thank you!"

After that, obviously, there was a party, which Pinkie Pie had organized in record time, even for her.

And then, in the midst of the celebrations, the Royal Golden Chariot swept down out of the sky and touched down in the landing area near the river. The Chariot platform was empty, save for a single Royal Guard. He stepped down from it, marched up to Twilight, and bowed formally. His voice rang out across the silent Square.

"Her Majesty Princess Celestia, Her Majesty Princess Luna, and Her Majesty Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, request the favor of an audience from the Princess Twilight Sparkle... together with her bodyguard, Commander Tempest Shadow."

"Wow... um.. thanks!" Twilight gritted her teeth worriedly. She looked at Tempest.

"I don't think we can get away with going by ourselves... and I doubt everyone's going to fit on the Chariot!"

Tempest nodded understandingly. "Would you like a lift, Princess?"

Once again, the black airships approached Canterlot. However this time, only the flagship descended toward the royal palace, to lower its ramp onto the upper landing platform. Twilight, Tempest, Grubber, Spike, and the other Element ponies all trooped down the ramp and into the palace, passing along the main corridor and then left into the throne room...

Where all three Princesses stood waiting for them, on the dais.

"Twilight!" Celestia called. "It's wonderful to see you all back here, safe and sound!"

"Thank you, Princess," Twilight replied, nodding. "Um... sorry for running off. It just seemed urgent that we get after Rarity, and I just couldn't stay here and do nothing! I hope you're not too upset with me?"

Celestia looked amused. "Twilight, as I've told you before, no one tells a Princess of Equestria her business! You acted as you thought best, without hesitation. No one here could ever hold that against you."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Celestia smiled in return. And then her head lofted, and her tone turned sternly formal.

"Tempest Shadow! Will you please step forward!"

Tempest advanced nervously, and knelt in respect. "Your Highness?"

"Based upon the advice of the Princess of Friendship, and in recognition of your loyalty, diligence and service in the recovery of Equestria's citizens, as well as those of the Hippogriff nation, it is the unanimous decision of the Princesses of Equestria, that you be given custody of the remaining ships of the former Storm King's fleet, together with their projective crystal relics, so that you may continue to fulfill your destiny as Commander of Princess Twilight's 'Friendship Army'."

"Excuse me," Princess Luna asked, "but... Friendship Army?"

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "The name's still a work in progress, Princess!"

"Indeed." Luna looked briefly skeptical, then shrugged acceptingly.

"My thanks, Highness," Tempest said. "And I promise I will put the forces I command to good use... subject to the oversight of Princess Twilight, of course!"

"We would expect nothing less of you, Commander," Celestia replied, with just a hint of steel in her voice. "Did you have any initial plans along those lines?"

Tempest nodded, having thought about it on the way. "Since we have the spare projector from Celaeno's ship, I thought we might install that at the Friendship Castle, in order to provide security for the Princess when I am not physically present. And then, with Princess Twilight's permission..." Tempest glanced at Twilight. "... I thought I might see if I can assist Prince Cappadocio and Mama Orcina in their efforts to reform and rehabilitate Klugetown. And then I'd make a brief tour of the other southern lands oppressed by the Storm King, to spread word of his defeat and to offer what aid and assistance I can, in the name of Equestria and the Princess of Friendship."

"I think that's an excellent idea!" Twilight said. "Though... I do hope you'll remember to swing back here and visit, whenever you can. There'll always be a room at the castle for you, whenever you're in town!"

"Absolutely, Your Highness," Tempest replied. "After all, I am still your bodyguard... and your friend. And it's nice knowing I have a place like this to come home to."

"Then we wish you good fortune," Celestia concluded proudly. "And an interesting journey, Commander Tempest Shadow!"

It was Thursday in Klugetown. And as everyone knew, Thursday was payday... as in, the day Verko expected payment on debts owed. The dapperly dressed mole-rat was seated behind his desk, grinning his gilded, gap-toothed grin at the cowering land-shark sitting in the uncomfortable chair in front of him.

"It's Thursday, Sammy-boy!" Verko chuckled. "And I'm still not seein' the money you owe me! You said last week you'd pay me double... so where's the bucks, fin-face?"

"The deal I was working fell through!" Sam the Basking clasped his fins pleadingly. "A bunch of crazy ponies attacked me! I was lucky to get away with my life! Please, Verko! Just give me another week... I'll get the money I owe you!"

"Sorry, Sammy-boy!" Verko replied. "I can only extend credit so far. Don't want the other bosses thinkin' ol' Verko's getting soft, now do I? Besides, the missus has been after me for a nice shark-skin handbag! Beats the heck outta me why, but I always aim to please, don't I?"

Sam shivered, as Verko's goons closed in from either side, reaching out for him...

And then a cheery voice called from the doorway. "Mornin' y'all!"

"Capper!" Verko jumped up from his seat, and pounded his fists on the desk. "You got nerve showin' up here! Well, this time you're not skippin' town on me! This time you're gonna pay on your debt! This time... uh... erk..."

Verko's voice ran down as he saw the huge black-and-white shape that had crouched down to step through the doorway behind Capper. "And it is my very great honor and privilege," Capper said smoothly, "to introduce y'all to the Mistress of the Deeps... Her Majesty, Mama Orcina."

"M-m-mama Orcina?" Verko squeaked, in a choked voice.

"That's right, Verko! She heard so much about life up here on the land, she just had to come up here and visit!"

"V-v-visit?" Verko looked as if he was clinging to reality by his claw-tips.

Capper nodded. "Now, Verko, old man, she's been hearing some very disagreeable things about how you've been treating the land-fish here in town. And in her wise and considered opinion, that's gotta change. So, we're here to talk with you about a plan for running things a little different here in Klugetown. About making this a kinder, gentler, friendlier place, you know what I'm sayin'?"

Verko's outrage momentarily outweighed his fear. "Now just a bone-gnawin' minute here! Who are you to think you can come in here and..."

He fell silent, as Mama Orcina strode up to the desk, casually swatting aside the two goons standing beside Sam's chair. She reached across the desk with her massive flippers, and plucked Verko up like a doll. The mole-rat found himself uncomfortably close to a mouthful of peg-like teeth, as Mama Orcina smiled broadly at him.

"Of course..." Verko whispered, scared out of his wits, "... everything's open to negotiation..."

Mama Orcina laughed hugely.

"Mama so pleased," she thundered, "we are seeing eye-to-eye so quickly, yes?"

In Ponyville, Twilight and her friends were seated around the table at Sugarcube Corner, having a quick ice-cream and cake send-off party for Tempest and Grubber, before the pony and hedgehog headed south to join Capper and Mama Orcina in Klugetown.

"This is great ice-cream, Pinkie Pie," Tempest said. "I'm really going to miss this while I'm down south. I may have to personally introduce the locals to the concept of magic chillers!"

"Thanks, Tempest!" Pinkie replied happily. Then she suddenly looked puzzled. "Hey, Tempest, I've been wondering something... why are we still calling you Tempest, huh?"

"Well, it is my name, Pinkie."

"But... I thought you said your name was Fizzlepop Berrytwist?"

Tempest blinked, startled. Then she shook her head in amusement.

"Oh, I don't believe it... you've got to be kidding... I was trolling you, Pinkie. Couldn't you tell?"

Pinkie Pie froze, eyes wide, her mouth hanging open. The silence stretched out, unnervingly long.

Tempest leaned towards Twilight, worried. "Uh... Twilight, did I just break your friend?"

"Wait for it..." Twilight replied knowingly.

And then Pinkie Pie's face lit up with a blinding smile. And she very nearly exploded with excitement: