Twilight paced back and fourth. She wanted everything to be perfect. After hearing that Tempest had successfully passed all of her classes and graduated after only four months and in a six month course no less. "Truly an impressive feat " Twilight thought as she made sure everything on the dinner table was organized properly. "Everypony will be here soon and I want Tempest's graduation party to be perfect!" Twilight said to herself.

"Well then its a good thing you're a perfectionist" a voice from the door chimed. Twilight turned to see Spike standing at the door with a smile.

"Oh, hey Spike? Is everything on schedule?" Twilight asked nervously.

"Yep, all our friends are on their way here and Starlight & Maud are helping Trixie set-up the stage out back for the special after dinner show." The young dragon joyfully replied as he walked towards Twilight.

"Glad to hear it. We're on schedule for once ." she sighed in relief.

"And that must make you one super happy nerd." She heard another voice chuckle. As she looked up and saw Rainbow Dash.

"Haha, very funny Rainbow" Twilight huffed.

"Actually it was kind of funny, mean, but funny." Pinkie Pie chimmed in as she appeared out of seemingly nowhere causing Spike & Twy to jump back a foot.

"Y'all quit teasin Twy like that!" Applejack said as she walked in through the door.

"Yes, can't you see she's nervous as is darling." Rarity chimmed in trotting close behind the farm pony.

"Oh, I'm sure everything will work out just fine." Fluttershy chimed in softly as she entered behind Rarity.

"Thanks for coming girls" Twilight replied looking around the room at her friends. "Tempest has worked hard for this chance to turn her life around, and I want to show how much we support her" Twilight exclaimed.

"No prob Twy, I can't wait to hear all about ol Fizzy's adventures at the academy." Pinkie squeed.

"Uh, I think she still preferes to be called Tempest, Pinks" Dash replied

"Aww, but Fizzypop Berrytwist is such a cute name." Pinke pouted.

"That may be darling, but we must respect her wishes. If we are to show her we are indeed good friends we must acknowledge her with the name she chose to identify with." Rarity retorted.

Twilight smiled as she watched her friends chat as they walked towards their seats. Shortly after Starlight and the others returned inside as well and told Twilight they had finished setting up the stage. Now all the party was missing was Tempest.

Tempest walked slowly towards the rather large and somewhat intimidating castle of friendship. "Maybe we should wait and just say we couldn't make the party" Tempest said a nervous look on her face.

"What!? No way!" Grubber replied. "You spent like months training in Canterlot to be Princess Twilight's bodyguard! You did like a million sit-ups every morning, ate nasty army food and creepily stared at that picture of you & Princess Twilight from the Friendship Festival like every day!" Grubber blurted out. "You've earned this! Plus they made you that neat armor you're wearing now just for this job!"

"But, what, what if I mess up and say something that insults the princess or her friends, what if I, if I..." Tempest stuttered nervously.

"Hey, you got this." Grubber assured her "We got this."

Tempest just smiled down at her friend. "OK, lets do this" She replied excitedly.

"I'm hungry, is she here yet?" Pinkie pouted

"No Pinkie if she was here we'd be eatin" Applejack huffed.

"I'm sure she'll be here any minute, right Twy?" Starlight replied looking at Twilight.

"Uh, Ahh...." Twilight sputtered nervously before she & the others heard the doors slam open.

"Introducing, the one, the only, the phenominal Tempest Shadow: Guardian of Friendship!" Grubber exclaimed as he slid into the room and pointed his claws to the pony behind him.

There in the doorway stood Tempest, her face confident, her mohawk style mane & tail as awesome and ever and a new set of armor, silver & soft purple embroiderd with Twilight's cutie mark replacing her old Storm King armor. She slowly approached Twilight still sitting in her seat & bowed.

"My Princess. I Tempest Shadow have finished my training and am ready to pledge my fielty & loyalty to you for all time." The unicorn mare stated.

Twilight got up and stood infront of Tempest. "As your princess I accept your pledge. Now rise Tempest Shadow, hold your head high as a proud servent of Equestria. And on top of that, most importantly, let's get this dinner party started!" She said with a wink as Tempest's eyes met hers.

"Thank you Princess Twilight" Tempest smiled. "You have no idea how long its been since Grubber & I have had a decent meal."

"Yeah, that academy food sucks!" The little beast chimed in.

Twilight just laughed as she wrapped her wings around the two and showed them to their seats.

After everypony had finished their rather large meal a sense of relaxation & satisfaction swept over the room.

"That meal, was awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a burp

"Soo good!" Pinkie agreed rubbing her bloated stomach

"You said it" Spike & Grubber replied in unison.

Twilight looked over at Tempest. "So, what did you think?" Twilight asked

"The meal was phenominal Princess" Tempest replied.

"C'mon Tempest, no need for such formalities tonight. This is your party, and we're friends, just Twilight is fine. You don't officially start till tomorrow after all." She told her with a smile.

"As you wish Pr, Twilight" Tempest replied. "Thank you and yes the dinner was spectacular. I can tell you put a lot of heart & effort into its preperation." Tempest smiled.

"And you were worth every bit of it." Twilight smiled.

"Speaking of effort" Rarity chimed in. "I made our new friend a small gift." Rarity smiled levitating a small package over her head and over to Tempest who just stared at it befuddled.

"Well darling, go ahead and open it." Rarity chuckled. Tempest slowly opened the package with her hooves and saw inside was a beautiful black dress made to fit and accent her figure perfectly.

"Pheeww. Now that is a super nice dress!" Trixie whistled

"I, I don't know what to say Ms. Rarity, its, its perfection." Tempest awed

"Of course darling. I never cut corners on a dress, ecspecially not one for a friend. Now if you ever feel like going out on the town you'll be the envy off all Equestria!" She exclaimed with a wink.

"Yes, i'm sure it'll look quite lovely on you." Twilight agreed. Tempest just bit her lip as she did her best to hide her blush.

"OK, enough of the gifts, time for the best part. Time for the show!" Trixie shouted as the rest just rolled their eyes.

"Show?" Tempest asked looking at Twilight confused.

"Well its no Friendship Festival, but I think you'll enoy it none the less." Twilight chuckled grabbing Tempest's hoof with her wing and leading her out of the room.

The ponies had all gathered bebind the castle and were sitting on a rather large picnic cloth staring-up at the stage as Starlight & Trixie performed their magic act. Tempest was in awe. She had heard of such shows and had rough knowledge of illusionists & performers from second hand accounts but she had never seen a show in person. The two ponies on stage were in perfect sync as they performed each trick, culmimating in a beautiful fireworks show at the end.

"Its beautiful." Tempest exclaimed

"Yes, yes it is. And its all for you Tempest. Welcome to Ponyville. Welcome to your new home." Twilight smiled as she wrapped her wing around the unicorn, bringing her in for a hug.

Tempest just smiled and blushed as she did her best to hold back the tears of joy building up in her eyes.

Author's Notes:

This is just the begining. Much more Tempest & Twy to come! Hope you enjoy!