It's been six months since Twilight and Tempest started dating. Word got out a little over two months in, and it's brought all kinds of support as well as displeasure, and even hatred. When it first got out, the two had confided in their friends. Although the reactions were mixed, there was no doubt the love and support was there. But, then word began to spread. At first, it wasn't too bad, just a few ponies here and there wishing them well. Over time, however, there came the ponies that did not agree with the two being together. Many still feel that Twilight should lock Tempest away, others feel like Twilight is giving Equestria a bad name by being a Princess who is dating a former villain.
Today, Twilight and Tempest have decided to visit Twilight's parents up in Canterlot. Her parents lost their house in the invasion, and she had yet to tell them about Tempest's reformation, so she was unsure of what to expect in terms of reactions. She hoped she could at least get a chance to explain.
As the train pulled into the station, Tempest huddled up against Twilight. This was as for Twilight as was herself. Deboarding was fairly alright, almost nopony even took notice of the couple, and those that did merely scoffed and turned toward their friends or loved ones.
"Feels like forever since I've been here," Tempest said as she and Twilight finally got away from the crowd, "And so far, nothing-"
"Don't jinx us," Twilight said, shoving her hoof onto Tempest's muzzle, "I want this to be as nice a visit as possible. If you jinx it, I swear I'll kill you."
"Heh, yes ma'am," Tempest said, giving a mock salute.
"Oh? What's this? You salute instead of bow? Now, that's just not proper," Twilight said, acting offended, "Looks like you still have a lot to learn, young lady."
Twilight got a gentle shove and a tail to the face for that one.
The walk to Twilight's parent's new house was fairly boring. No bad run-ins with other ponies, but nothing exciting happened either. When they finally approached, the house looked as it always had: Pristine marble walls, a circle of roses surrounding an oak tree, a cobbled stone pathway up to the door, and a couple of wall planters just below the windows. The whole thing brought back memories of Twilight's childhood, and she couldn't help but close her eyes and let the memories play. It took a gentle few taps to bring her back, after which, she and Tempest walked up and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock
"I'll be there in a minute!" Called out a voice from the other side.
"No turning back now," Twilight said to herself.
"Ah, there we are, welcome to the-" Said a stallion as he opened the door, pausing as soon as he took notice of his guests.
"Hey dad, sorry for coming over on such short notice, I just really wanted to see you and mom," Twilight said as she stepped in to nuzzle her father, "Hope you don't mind me bringing a friend."
"Friend? You mean her?" Twilight's father asked, pointing to Tempest, "You mean the one who destroyed everything we owned and enslaved us?"
"The one and only," Tempest said, "Though, I do apologize and hope that you weren't abused during that time. I know a few ponies were, but twas never my orders."
"We lost everything when those monsters of yours attacked. Everything in our home was taken away by flames, and the house itself had to be rebuilt. I'd say that counts for a fair deal more than just abused!" Twilight's father said, trying to hold in his anger, "And not only that, but we nearly lost Twilight once because of you. Don't think for a second that you're welcome around her OR the rest of our family!"
Before she could react, Twilight was teleported to the living room just before the front door was slammed shut and locked. As soon as she came to her senses, and realized what had just happened, Twilight was furious, and called out to her father as loud as she could, making sure to place emphasis on her anger.
"That pony is not your friend, Twilight, no matter how much you want to believe otherwise," Her father said as he walked into the room.
"That's where you're wrong, dad," Twilight said, "For the past few months now, Tempest has worked hard to redeem herself. Yes, she was bad at one point, but I decided to give her a second chance, and she's yet to waste it."
"What's all the commotion down here?" Called a mare from the stairs.
"Remember that crazed mare who took us as slaves not long ago?" Twilight's father asked as the mare walked up beside him, "She's outside the door, probably waiting for Twilight to let her in so she can do Celestia knows what, all under the guise of being Twilight's so called 'friend'."
"Not just my friend, dad, but my marefriend," Twilight said, "Tempest and I have been dating for going on six months now. If she wanted to do ANYTHING to me, she's had more than enough time with me alone. The fact that we've gone on private dates where it's only us, and I'm still alive and in love with her, should prove she's ok."
"Wait a second, you're DATING this crazy fiend?" Twilight's father asked, looking as if to faint.
"Now, hold on, dear. Surely there's a very reasonable explanation... or, there better be, at least," The mare said, scowling.
"Well, for the past six months or so, Tempest has been living with me down in Ponyville. We actually started dating a little before that when she was still helping out up here just after the first official friendship festival," Twilight explained, "I've seen her dark side, but I've looked past it. I've been working with her to help her be a better pony, and she's been trying to show others that she wants to change. It's not been easy at all, but we're getting there. And I know that, if you give her a chance, you'll change your mind about her."
"I don't trust her, and I doubt I ever will," Twilight's father pointed out.
"Can't you at least talk to her? Get to know her a little better?" Twilight asked, "Maybe, I don't know... give her a chance?"
Both ponies sighed and didn't speak up for what felt like forever. When the silence was broken, it was the other mare who broke it.
"I know you care about your friends, dear, really I do. If you and the other Princesses are so willing to give that mare a second chance, then so am I. I trust your judgement," The mare, Twilight's mother, said, "Your father... well, he loves you very much. He just wants what's best for you. Right now, he's just scared for you is all."
"And I get that, but I just want you to give her a chance," Twilight said, "Give her five minutes, and you'll see how much she really wants to change."
"Fine, five minutes, that's it," Twilight's father said, "But if I'm not convinced in five minutes, then that's it. Not do-overs, no third chances."
"Fair enough," Twilight said as her father got up and walked out of the room.
After a short bit of muffled conversation, Tempest walked in beside Twilight's father.
"Sorry about that," was all Twilight said before Tempest cut her off.
"It's fine, don't worry about it. Besides, I kind of expected it to happen... They didn't really meet me or my army on good terms," Tempest said.
"Right, well why don't we all take a seat and talk for a little bit," Twilight's mother said, motioning to the sofa and chairs.
After they all sat down, they talked for a bit. Tempest began by apologizing, followed by Twilight talking about how she'd worked with other ponies to fix what she and her army broke. As time went on, Twilight's parents began to warm up to Tempest. They still didn't trust her like Twilight did, but they weren't looking to send her back outside anytime soon either.
When dinner time came around, Tempest offered to help with the cooking. With her help, Twilight's mother had a meal ready in half the time that was about as good as any before it. Not much conversation happened during dinner, but a bit of laughter came out when Tempest tripped while getting up for a bathroom break. She huffed as Twilight helped her back up before heading out towards the bathroom.
After dinner, Twilight's father left to hang out with some old friends, and her mother retired to the library for a bit of reading. Twilight took Tempest up to the guest room where they'd be staying for the night. Once inside, and after settling in, Tempest sat down, looked right at Twilight and asked a simple question: Why me?
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked in reply, taking a seat just in front of Tempest.
"Well, why did you choose me, when there's so many other great ponies out there?" Tempest asked.
"Well, if you remember, YOU opened up to me first," Twilight pointed out, "But I was the one who chose to stay with this relationship. Why? Because, on our first couple of dates, I realized something. You needed more than a friend, you needed someone who really cared about you. Don't think this is out of pity, because it's not. I do genuinely care about you, I love you. But I'd also never given dating a chance before you, and I think that also plays a part in it. You came to me looking for companionship in way nopony ever had before. You were terrified, but you overcame that fear. You set your mind in a mission to tell me that you think you love me, and you followed through. In the end, that's what really sealed the deal: your determination to see it through till the end, whatever the end may bring."
Tempest was silent for a good while after that. She didn't even notice when Twilight pulled her into a warm embrace. It took a few seconds more, but Tempest couldn't hold back any longer. Held in the embrace of her lover, feeling safe and comfortable, she broke down and cried for a small while.
"I've seen your good and bad side. I've seen your worst, having been a victim at the time," Twilight said, rubbing Tempest's back gently, "But that's not who you really are. Who you are is the mare in my forelegs at the moment. Strong, kind, and misunderstood. You did some really terrible things in the past, and I'll never forget them, but I will forgive them. Just continue to be you, and don't fall to the dark side again, that's all I ask. If you can promise that and keep that promise, then we'll be together for a long time."