Author's Note

I'm sorry for the start of this chapter, I really am!
Since most of what happens in Canterlot after Twilight got captured is covered by the movie, I decided to start this chapter after the party.
That way, I can stay true to my plan in discovering a unique way for Tempest.
Otherwise it would be just an Alternate Universe...

Anyways, I hope you enjoy it!

Edit: Chapter re-uploaded after another sweep. Should be better now^^

Spoils of War

Spoils of War

The battle against the Storm King was quick, but didn’t go according to Tempest’s plan.

Not only was her horn still not restored, but she nearly lost Twilight. Too late did she realize her own greed in the matter. Wanting her horn back no matter the costs, she nearly lost everything.

While the others tried to calm Pinkie down and stop her from starting a new party way too soon, Tempest pawed at the ground, visibly uncomfortable. The list of her crimes against Equestria was long, and she knew it. As the song stopped, the party calmed down; she was unsure how to proceed.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“I doubt they will just let me go. I helped you, but my crimes are dark and plenty.”

“I’m sure the princesses will see it like me. Everypony deserves a second chance, Fizzlepop Berrytwist.”

A silence lingered between the two while Tempest stared at the ground.“I think I might keep the name Tempest Shadow,” was the quiet reply.

Any further conversation was drowned out by Celestia, Luna and Cadance landing behind them. The squad of both Day and Night Guards that landed as well did nothing to ease Tempest’s worries.

“Tempest Shadow…” Celestia started, but Twilight cut her off.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“We can’t simply overlook everything,” Luna replied.

“Why not?”

Cadance sighed. “She did bad things, Twily. Terrible things. She has to answer for them.”

“You can’t do that! She helped us!” Twilight stood in front of Tempest, wings flared wide. “She showed me that she can be a good pony! She didn’t hurt me once!”

“Please, Twilight. Get out of the way,” Celestia hung her head, nodding to the guards.

“NO! If she has to be punished, you’ll have to punish me as well!” Twilight screamed, blocking the guards.

Luna cocked her head. “For… what?”

“I stole the pearl of the hippogryphs. I did many things I’m not proud of and hurt others. If she has to pay for her crimes, I have to as well.”

“We cannot prosecute a Princess of Equestria,” Luna slowly replied. “Please, Twilight.”

“I get the same treatment or you won’t lay a hoof on her! I protect my friends!”

The princesses as well as the guard stepped back as Twilight’s horn started to glow, even her friends keeping some distance.

“Twilight. Surely you must be joking! Has she really corrupted your mind so badly? We beg thee, as a friend!” Luna pleaded, but Twilight shook her head.

“She will not be harmed. She will come with me to my castle. I will take responsibility for her actions.”

There was silence for several moments before Cadance stepped forward, smiling sadly. Twilight readied herself but all her former foalsitter did was approach her and lay a calming wing on her back. “I’m afraid I can understand Twilight. Discord was allowed freedom because he was useful and helped us. Starlight and Trixie were allowed the same because they redeemed themselves under Twilight’s advice and tutelage. We’ve already overlooked several beings because of their service to Equestria, who would we be to deny the same to Tempest?”

“I think she’s right,” Celestia whispered after she recovered from the quick shock.

“What?” Luna whirled to her. “You cannot be serious, sister!”

“We can’t do this to her, or we would have to dole punishments to all of them. You know Twilight, Luna. Once her mind is set, she never backs off.”

“But… Sister! This is not right!”

“Leave them be,” Celestia sighed before turning to the guards. “Captain?” A pale-blue mare saluted, stepping forward. “You are dismissed. Tempest Shadow will not be detained.”

“Are you sure that is… wise, Princess?”

Twilight’s eyes widened slightly as she noticed the fangs and the eyes. The batpony gave her a side glance, her main attention staying on Celestia.

“I’m not sure yet, but I trust Twilight. You are dismissed, Moon Shield”

Twilight actually released the breath she was holding as the guards took off one after another. But as Celestia approached her, she quickly tensed up again.

“You will be responsible for her, Twilight. As long as you keep her reigned in and can make a better pony out of her, I will not detain her.” Celestia sighed before turning to look back at her fellow princesses. “Sister, we’re leaving. We have much to discuss.”

Luna stood stock still. Only as Celestia lifted into the air, did she move. She stole a hateful glance at Tempest before she followed her sister.

“I don’t think Princess Luna likes me. This means trouble,” Tempest whispered, while Twilight sighed in relief.

“She won’t do anything. I might be a newer and younger princess compared to them, but friendship is my forte, as is Ponyville. She won’t harm you, but I suggest staying away from Canterlot for a while.”

“Ah’m mighty sorry, Twilight, but Luna is kinda right,” Applejack cut in.

Dash nodded. “While it’s awesome that she helped us, she was the reason for our little… adventure and every single problem!”

“They’re right, darling,” Rarity butted in as well. “She’s got a lot to do to make up for all of this... uncouthness.”

“Her name is the best. Name. Ever!” Pinkie smiled.

“What?!”

“Just saying,” she shrugged, still smiling.

“That didn’t make a lick o’ bit of sense, but whatever, Sugarcube. Just sayin’ she ain’t right by my book.”

With that last sentence, Applejack turned around and left.

“I’m sorry,” Rarity added before leaving as well.

“I’ve got something left to do, see ya later,” Rainbow awkwardly scratched her head before shooting off.

“Well, that went splendid,” Tempest sarcastically said, head hanging low. “Not even your friends will forgive me.”

She looked up as she felt a hoof on her shoulder, Twilight smiling at her. “I forgive you.”

“I...I forgive you too,” Fluttershy whispered. “You are a good pony!”

“And I forgive you three!” Pinkie giggled and Tempest just stared. “What?! Why are you looking at me that way?”

“Tempest, ignore that. It’s just Pinkie being Pinkie, you’ll know soon enough,” the alicorn laughed, shaking her head.

“So what do we do now?”

Twilight stopped, humming. “Our train back to Ponyville leaves tomorrow morning, and you will come with me. I’ll set you up with a room at my castle, Celestia knows I have way too many of them unused. But for today, you will stay with me at my old tower.”

“Princess!” They both turned as a guard ran toward them, slightly out of breath. “One of the ships that was anchored broke away! The creatures of the Storm King got free and all boarded the ship. It’s picking up speed and trying to get away!”

Tempest facehooved and groaned. “Grubber. He’s the only one besides the Commanders and Captains who knows how to run one of our ships. And since Celestia imprisoned everyone but me, I guess he’s trying to get away.”

“Inform the other princesses! We have to stop that ship!” Twilight said before turning to Tempest. “What can you tell me about the ship?”

“They have a hull that is resistant to most magic, cold and lightning. However, if you attack it with enough heat, the engines will shut down.”

“We have to find my brother…”

Celestia, Luna and Cadance watched quietly from the throne room as the ship slowly gained speed, collecting every Storm Creature along the way on its ropes. Pegasi that tried to follow were quickly shot down, and every spell the unicorns threw against it shattered without any visible effect on the hull.

“They are a remarkable piece of technology,” Celestia muttered quietly before turning as the doors burst open, revealing a heaving Twilight catching her breath.

“Princesses! Tempest told me how to stop it! We have to attack the ship with enough heat, then the engines will shut down or explode!”

Celestia nodded before turning, “Cadance, find your husband and give him that information. Luna, spread the word among your guards. That ship is not allowed to leave Equestria!” They both nodded before leaving the room, leaving Celestia and Twilight alone. “This might be a first step into the right direction, if her information proves true.”

“I believe her.”

“I know you do,” Celestia answered with a motherly smile. “Pinkie Pie made an interesting report. You are not as trustful as you once were. You are more cautious and I approve of it.” She sighed and looked out of a window. “Yet, I have no idea what to make of Tempest Shadow. She is a black dot in the light, swallowed by the shadows. Cadance stays neutral. Shining Armor wants her imprisoned. Luna wants her punished.”

“And what do you want, Celestia?” Twilight hesitantly asked.

She got a small chuckle as answer. “I want to see if you can reform her, repair her, no matter how it could end. Does that make me a bad ruler? I think she could be a valuable asset, not only for our military.”

“I don’t think the military is the right place for her, Celestia,” Twilight answered, before adding, “At least not at the moment.”

“I trust your judgement, Twilight.”

“There is another thing.”

“Yes?”

“I would like to access the forbidden section of the library.”

That made Celestia stop completely, her eyes widening. “And why is that?”

Twilight took a deep breath. “I want to help Tempest. Once she is reformed and proved herself completely trustworthy to everypony, I would like to help restore her horn.”

“Magic restoration is a long, difficult, and dark path, Twilight. Are you sure you want to risk it?”

“Once she is the Tempest I would like her to be, yes.”

“Twilight. I don’t want you to take any risks until you are sure that she is worth it.”

“I promise.”

That made Celestia smile. “Good. I will ensure that neither Shining Armor, nor Luna will interfere with your plans. And you can already access every section in the library, you are a princess. But I appreciate you asking me first nonetheless.”

“Thank you, Celestia:”

“I trust you, Twilight. More than once you’ve shown me errors that would never occur to me. You’ve shown me light on some of the darkest paths. If anypony can reform Tempest, I trust that it is you.”

Tempest stood by the side of Shining Armor, watching as the unicorns shot bolt after bolt of magical fire against the ship. She could already see the compartment with the engines glowing red. It wouldn’t take much longer.

“If my sister wasn’t so overly protective of you, you would be in jail now.”

“I know,” Tempest sighed.

“Or in Tartarus.”

“I know, trust me.”

“Why does she trust you?”

“Because I kept her alive. The Storm King wanted her cast in stone just like the other princesses – or dead. I hindered his plans for her.”

He looked at her for a few seconds before turning his gaze to the ship again. “For that you have my thanks. Still, it doesn’t change the fact you’re a criminal.”

“I know.”

They both watched as a loud rumble came from the ship before smoke started to emerge, it’s hull slowly starting to tip down to the ground.

“It’s going down! Follow and board!” Shining Armor called before setting to move himself. As Tempest followed him, he made a double take. “What are you doing?”

“Helping.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“How are you going to board the ship? It’s magic resistant, teleportation won’t work, and using magic on the ropes or the ladder is useless, they repel any spells.”

“That… that is a good point, actually,” Shining admitted, scratching his head.

“If you don’t trust me, trust Twilight.”

He just sighed. “I trust you can defend yourself?”

“Of course,” Tempest smiled, her broken horn crackling to life. “Twilight would be pissed if I died now.”

“I don’t know how I should feel about that,” Shining muttered back before following his troops, Tempest behind him.

They were nearly at the ship when it crashed down. The hull held, Tempest wasn’t surprised. The Storm King didn’t spare any expense in making his ships the best in the world. They may have lacked comfort, but they were more than suited against any foe. Except maybe dragons.

They spotted some pegasi falling down after trying to board and unicorns crumbling to the ground after trying to use their magic on the ship. Luckily, Tempest’s magic was an unknown, not reacting like usual magic would, so she could harm the ship.

Shining looked at her in fear for a few seconds as her broken horn crackled with power, before shooting a wide beam of lightning at the hull, slashing a hole right into the cargo bay.

“There is your entrance,” she sneered.

“Thanks, I guess.”

“If you find Grubber, a small, fat hedgehog, he is mine;” Tempest growled as she dashed to the ship.

She gave Shining no chance to answer as she approached the ship quickly and entered through the hole she created. A lot of the guards backed away from her, not that she cared.

Most of the guards were occupying the Storm Troops, others were searching the ship. Tempest wasn’t interested in either, she only wanted Grubber. There was the occasional ape that stood in her way, but they were quickly dealt with.

She knew where Grubber was. The closer she came to the main deck where the helm was, the more troops stood in her way. Grubber was scared, hiding, but that made her only more resolved in getting him.

“I’m coming for you, Grubber! One way or another!” Tempest screamed after she kicked one ape in his chest, heaving him down. “Make it easy and come out now! Maybe I’ll even make it painless!”

“I didn’t do anything! I’m loyal to the Storm King, just like you should be!” Came the reply from above.

“You little rat! The Storm King is dead, and you will be too!”

Tempest got rid of the last two apes before jumping up the stairs, looking around. Grubber cowered at the helmswheel, trying to make himself as small as possible.

“Please! We served together for so long! Don’t hurt me…”

“You betrayed me, Grubber. Thanks to you, Twilight got hurt.” Tempest stopped, her broken horn fizzling to life. “I will end you.”

“Think about it!” Grubber stammered. “You like that Princess! What would she say if you killed me? What would the ponies think of you?”

“No one has to know about this, Grubber. There is no one up here but us.”

Grubber whimpered as she came closer, her horn sparking brighter and brighter. She knew the dose would be lethal. Only once in her life had she used that much power. Now she would do it again.

She had to.

’Do it’, a voice in her head whispered. ‘If he gets back to the Storm Empire, he will lead the rest of the army and try again! Ponies will suffer! End him!’

Twilight would understand it. She would still try to help her, even if another bloodstain would be on her coat. She had to do what was best for the world.

“What are you doing?”

Tempest nearly turning to the new voice, but focused on Grubber. “He needs to die. He is the last commanding officer the Storm King had,” she growled.

“And what, prey tell, do you think will come from this?” Moon Shield snorted as she finally stepped into the light. “We capture him, and he will be detained and questioned.”

“That is not a solution!” Tempest snarled.

Moon Shield narrowed her eyes. “Then what is? Killing him? So everypony sees who you really are? That the princesses will detain you or even send you to Tartarus?” Softer, she added, ”That you will lose Twilight?”

That stopped Tempest dead in her tracks, her horn dying down, head hung low. Twilight was important, she couldn’t risk losing her, She was a mare Tempest could look up to. A touch on her shoulder made her look up, realizing unspilled tears in the corner of her eyes. It had been a long time since that happened.

“Step back, and let me detain this little guy. Let him live.” Moon Shield gently said. “Try to build a new life, the princess will help you, I’m sure.”

’KILL HIM’

She ignored the voice, staying quiet. A big part of her wanted to kill Grubber, and a smaller part warned her that she would lose Twilight.

Tears flowed down her coat as she left the ship, unsure of her actions.

Unsure of her future.