Tempest marched along in one of the many hallways within Canterlot castle with her head held up high and with a cold, expressionless look on her face. Anycreature who saw would probably assume she was merely patrolling the castle grounds, which was reasonable as she was currently a First Lieutenant in the Royal Guard, and if word going around was true, a Captain in only a week, but the lone scarf around her neck and lack of armor seemed to say otherwise.
It wasn't that the mare was always cold and uncaring, those who knew Tempest well enough, such as Twilight and her friends, knew that she did have a softer, kinder side. Tempest just preferred presenting herself in that way, cold, expressionless, and commanding in the general public. It didn't matter if she was working or just running simple errands, after years being in the Storm King's army it was a force of habit for her to trot around with a commanding presence. That's not to say you can't see her smile every now and again when she feels like it.
Now off duty for the day, Tempest was planning on just going home and collapsing on her couch until dinner. It had been a long day for her, training new recruits, dealing with a minor incident when a changeling had an accident with poisoned joke, and a very long discussion with Twilight and her friends regarding Cozy Glow. The discussion would've been less draining on her if it hadn't become a verbal argument against her, as it had been about releasing Cozy from imprisonment and potentially reforming her, and Tempest had been the only naysayer in the bunch.
"If they are so desperate to release her, then they should just do so." Tempest scoffed mentally, "I don't understand why Princess Twilight wants my opinion on the matter."
"Ma'am." A guardspony stated, and saluted, as she walked past them at the castle entrance.
"At ease, pony." She responded as she pushed against the door and left.
Due to the position of the entrance she chose to exit from, Tempest had to go through a couple of the areas on the castle's exterior, including the Canterlot Garden where the statue and prison of Lord Tirek, Queen Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow stood for any passerbyer to see. As she passed by, she decided to stop and look up at the trio, particularly at Cozy Glow.
She didn't quite understand why display the statue for all to see, seemed useless to do so, and it wasn't like the angry look on Chrysalis's face or Tirek's emaciated, magic-drained form was visually appealing in the slightest. Then again, what else were you going to do with a statue that large and weighted about as much as a half a full grown dragon?
As she stared at Cozy, Tempest cocked her head from side-to-side, seeing if perhaps looking at the filly would change the opinion she had on her, or at least find the reason why the others were so adamant about giving Cozy a second chance. Unfortunately, Tempest just couldn't find a reason to doubt her own feelings on the matter: Cozy couldn't be trusted to reform, at least for now.
"Having a change of heart, Tempest?" She heard a voice ask her.
Looking in the direction of where the voice came from, she found Starlight approaching her, "Starlight Glimmer. I take it the others asked you to look for me, and convince me to change my opinion."
The other unicorn shook her head, "No, I just wanted to walk around the Castle Garden before I went back to my suite here at the castle. I don't know much about gardening, but it's kinda hard to find another place like it, aside from Manehatten's Botanical Garden anyway. I didn't expect to find you out here, especially since you were pretty much ponypiled on the entire debate."
"I see." Tempest nodded in understanding as Starlight sat down next to her, "In all honesty, I did intend to go home once my shift was over, and take a nap, but stopped to have a look at the subject of your discussion."
Starlight then nodded also and joined Tempest as they both looked up at Cozy.
The pair silently sat there looking up at Cozy, Starlight occasionally looking at Tempest from the corner of her eye before looking back up at Cozy. After a moment of silence, Tempest let out a sigh and asked, "I take it the others are still angry with me?"
"Not entirely, Applejack and Rainbow I know are still upset, but Twilight and myself are more concerned, and also confused. Why are you against freeing her, and giving her a second chance? I mean, she's just a filly."
"She looks like a filly, but is she truly one?"
"I beg your pardon?" She looked at Tempest.
"May I speak freely, Starlight?"
Starlight gave a confused look, but nodded, "I don't know why you would need my permission to speak."
"Because I can't guarantee you'll like everything I'm about to say." Tempest paused briefly before continuing, "When I was still under the Storm King's command, one of my duties was to always be aware of what was happening in his territory, and what could be a potential threat. Being aware of certain factors like the location of key individuals, their combat experience, abilities, and habits were all important details that I made sure I was always aware of before we moved into a new area. For example, I was actually aware of your town and of your equality beliefs long before Princess Twilight ever found out about you."
"You actually knew where I was?" Starlight asked, actually taken aback that someone actually knew about her town despite it's rather remote location.
"Not just 'where', as I said, also your habits and abilities. So I was also aware of what you were doing to ponies' cutie marks, and how you indoctrinated your fellow ponies by force."
"Gee, didn't expect to hear anyone bringing up my past so bluntly, and to also word it like that." Starlight remarked in a somewhat annoyed tone.
Tempest chuckled, "Like I said, it was part of my job as the Storm King's second-in-command, knowing potential threats to his rule." She remarked with the smallest of smirks before going back to her usual stoic expression, "As crazy as it sounds, Cozy Glow was actually one such pony."
"Really?!" Starlight asked surprised.
Tempest nodded, "The information I heard was limited at best, but it was enough to give me a generalized perception of who she is: a manipulative, yet smart and adaptive, individual. A potentially useful ally if accurate, but also a pony to approach with an air of caution if an enemy."
"Not smart enough to avoid defeat from us though."
"Yes, and for that, I suppose we should call ourselves lucky. Not all the information I heard was completely reliable of course, there was mention that Cozy had worked a couple of odd jobs in Klugetown, that she was possibly some other non-pony creature, and others indicated that she was a well-trained thief who stole magical items of value. All information that proved false through proper investigation, but all of them did have one thing in common, none of the information ever implied that Cozy was actually a filly." Tempest explained.
Starlight looked back up at Cozy as she thought about what Tempest had just said.
"Any information I was able to learn about seemed to imply a more matured individual. So you can imagine my surprise when I finally get to see her face-to-face, and the pony staring back at me looked no older than a school-age filly. That was after her failed first attempt at Princess Twilight's school, and just before Princess Luna saw to it that she be imprisoned in Tartarus."
"Yeah, I think I can speak for the girls too when I say that we didn't expect her to do what she did either."
"I don't doubt that she may actually be a filly, one with greatly misused potential, but since I had heard plenty of hearsay that turned out to be false, I will be withholding my belief that she is a filly until further information is made available."
Starlight nodded as she remained silent for a brief moment before asking in a tired tone, "So I take it that you believe she can not be reformed, and can't reintegrate back into pony society?"
"I didn't say that." Tempest replied as she rolled her eyes, "I don't know what to make of her, and I do deem her a threat to Equestria as she is now, but I do think it might be possible for her to change her ways and reform."
"So, why not give her a chance now? Why vote against Twilight and the others to...de-stone her, and keep her imprisoned?"
"Before I answer, care to answer something for me first, Starlight Glimmer?" Tempest asked, turning to look at the other unicorn, "Tell me, do you believe I was worthy to reform?"
"How does that relate to Cozy?"
"You'll see. Now, please, answer the question." She stated firmly, "Do you believe that I was worthy to be reformed, to walk among my fellow kind once more, to have the status of First Lieutenant in the Royal Guard, over imprisonment for my crimes against the empire of which included treason and four counts of assault on the Equestrian crown?"
Starlight was about to answer, but hesitated at hearing the two specific crimes Tempest pointed out, before nodding and responding with, "Yes."
"Why?"
"Because you were lead on by the Storm King. I heard from Twilight, that he had promised to return your horn if you helped him. I can't really blame you for something like that." Starlight then brought a hoof to her own horn, "With how much I rely on magic myself, I know I would've been distressed to lose my one way to control my magic."
Tempest gave an understanding nod, before asking, "Then, what of yourself? Do you think it was proper for you to be given the chance to reform?"
Starlight was taken aback by that question, "Why ask me something like that?! Of course, I do. I mean, I really can't say given my opinion would be naturally biased, but it's not like the other ponies hate me."
"Because if you ask for my opinion, I don't think you do." Tempest stated as a matter-of-factly, causing Starlight to look at her in shock then with anger, "I think, for what you were doing in your town, you should be considered a possible threat. One that needs constant monitoring, if not imprisoned, to ensure the safety of others, especially with how strong you are as a caster."
Starlight glared at Tempest, "Then perhaps you don't deserve the chance you got either, because your crimes are worse than mine."
"To that I agree." Tempest affirmed with a nod, "I should be imprisoned for high treason, or at the very least banished to live as an outcast in the badlands for what is left of my life." she then looked back at the statue and visibly became more somber, "Or at least, that would've been my belief for the both of us, if you had asked me while I was under the Storm King's command."
Starlight's anger dissipated, but her facial expression still seemed to be one of caution, "And, what about now?"
"I believe that I was fortunate to have been given the chance to reform, and I'm lucky to have the life I have now, despite it is somewhat monotonous, but that's more of a personal choice on my part. You are right to say my crimes are worse than yours, at least you had the interest of other ponies with your actions."
"I doubt taking the cutie mark of ponies and removing their special abilities count as being in, 'the interest of other ponies'." Starlight remarked with a slight chuckle.
"Yes, and had I actually succeeded, and the Storm King been victorious, you'd all be either imprisoned or forced into manual labor for the remainder of your existence." Tempest stated with a stern look on her face.
"I suppose in comparison..." Starlight stated with a nervous grin.
"I'm sure I can speak for you also when I say I'm glad that Princess Twilight offered the chance of friendship, and the ability to make amends without imprisonment."
Starlight nodded, "Yeah, I am glad she did. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm not even sure where I'd be right now if Twilight hadn't given me a chance." She remarked a little solemnly.
"I only wish I could say the same for Cozy." Tempest remarked, "Unfortunately, given what she's done, I don't think she could be reformed by either Twilight Sparkle or her friends, and that includes ourselves."
"But-"
"No. No 'buts' on the matter." Tempest quickly interrupted as she shook her head, "If what I've heard is true, she's shown to have little respect for others in general, and more than likely has a deep-seated contempt for those that get in her way. So I have my doubts she'll be willing to listen to anyone at the moment."
Starlight was about to say something, but decided not to do so, and merely looked back up at the statue.
"I know, it sounds cold and calculating, and it wouldn't surprise me if you consider that I am being unsympathetic for saying such, especially towards a pony that could very well be a child; but, it's how I've lived most of my life, and how I've learned to make decisive actions while serving the Storm King. I do sympathize with Cozy, if she is actually a filly, due to my own past when I was around that age; and, I do hope she can be reformed one day, I just don't think anycreature alive now will be the one to help her."
Starlight remained silent a moment longer as she let Tempest's words sink in. As much as she'd hate to think so, she did see at least some logic to the other unicorn's thinking. So with a quick sigh and a nod, "How long do you think it'll take?"
"I can't really say. It's clear that Cozy is very power-hungry, and may take any chance she can get to achieve said power if allowed, so it's rather difficult to say what kind of individual will be able to steer her away from that goal. It could possibly be generations from now, or may be as soon as a couple of years if said pony, or creature, already exists but is still too young."
"Well, I hope for her sake, that it's sooner rather than later."
Tempest gave an affirmative sound.
A silent pause fell between the two before Starlight said, "You know, you probably should've said this during the debate."
Tempest agreed with a nod, "Yes, I should've, though I do recall it was difficult doing so with Rainbow Dash constantly interrupting me."
"Yeah, she was kinda upset that you didn't just agree on the spot like we did." Starlight remarked with a giggle, knowing that was exactly the reason why Tempest couldn't give her reason for saying 'no'.
"I suppose it couldn't be helped." Tempest shrugged, "She's the impulsive one, who more or less thinks about the here and now if I recall correctly."
"If it helps, maybe I can try calming Rainbow down the next time Twilight holds this debate, and there will be another debate, I'm sure of it. Twilight is genuinely concerned about the fact a filly is imprisoned in stone."
"Starlight, if I may ask, why does my opinion matter? It's clear I'm the only pony at the moment who believes that Cozy should stay imprisoned. So why not release her now given that the majority vote is in favor of her release? Why require a unanimous vote?"
"You might have to ask Twilight that yourself. I can't speak for her, so the best I can do is guess why your opinion would matter."
"And what is that?"
"I think Twilight values your opinion in a similar way she values the rest of ours because you are her friend. Sure, she's known the others and myself for longer, but I think she views you as a valued friend as she does with the others and myself." Starlight explained, "I'm sure she also figured you have your reasons, which is probably why the 'majority vote' didn't apply."
"Hm, I see." Tempest remarked as she looked down at the ground.
"And you're our friend too." Starlight remarked as she lightly nudged Tempest, "Also, despite Rainbow and Applejack being angry, I'm sure they still value you as a friend."
Tempest smiled and said, "Thank you."
Starlight smiled, "No problem. Listen, it's getting a little late, and I was hoping to go through the garden before sun down, but I'll let Twilight know that you did have your reasons for voting against freeing Cozy the next time I see her. I'd tell her now, but I'm pretty sure she's probably caught in some other princess thing by now." She remarked looking up at the castle.
Tempest nodded, "More than likely so."
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lieutenant Tempest." Starlight bid Tempest 'good-bye' before taking her leave to tour the garden.
"Same to you, Starlight Glimmer." She replied back before going back to what she was doing, which was looking up at the statue.
She couldn't stay much longer though, enough time had passed already between her coming out here to Starlight leaving her alone to tour the garden.
"I'm not sure if you can hear me, but if you can, I suppose you heard everything that has been said." Tempest stated as she looked at Cozy, "You're probably angry that I had voted to keep you like this, trapped in your stone prison. That's fine by me if you are, I'm not exactly liked by that many ponies anyway, and my former employment with the Storm King is no help in that regard. Just know that if you can hear me, I do hope you are willing to at least try making some amends for what you have done; and, that goes similarly for you two as well, though I doubt you'd be open to doing so at this point." She remarked, her eyes briefly going to Queen Chrysalis and Tirek.
"I don't know much about you, including your past, Cozy Glow, so I can't say too much in full certainty. If you really are as young as you look, you do have my sympathy." Tempest stated as she stood back up onto all fours and re-adjusted her scarf, "I was not lying when I said I had an uncomfortable past myself when I was about your age, and it led me to making some choices that maybe I shouldn't have made."
Tempest paused as she touched what was left of her shattered horn, then let out a sigh.
"I do hope that I am right, that there will be some creature who can help you become a part of Equestrian society again. Afterall, if a scarred, broken traitor like me can have a second chance of living a normal life, it only seems fair that somepony like you can also earn a chance also." She said before finally taking her leave.
Now headed home, Tempest was looking forward to sticking to her plan of napping before having dinner. Though by now, she'd probably have to cut her nap a little shorter than she would've initially liked, but that didn't bother her. At least now that she was able to voice her concerns to somepony, she felt a little more at ease and less bothered about being dragged into another debate about Cozy Glow.
Author's Note
This was actually inspired by a number of pieces about Cozy being given a second (or third) chance. It's been sitting on my flash drive for a couple of months now, mostly because of life and I had lost interest about 3/4 of the way into the story. Decided to force myself to continue as I was going through what stories I needed to finish and/or update, and hopefully I can get those done too.
This was a different perspective I wanted to put out there about the topic of Cozy being released and reforming. I'm aware it isn't exactly the popular opinion, but it's one I wanted to explore if even a little bit.
Hope you guys did at least enjoy this story a little bit.
-Blueninetails
