Princess Celestia sat in her quarters and waited and waited for a response to come back from Princess Cadence in regards to helping Green Sleeves. While she waited, Celestia was beginning to think of how to go forth with the impending trial that would soon take place. Just then, she heard a knock at the door of her quarters.
"Enter," she called and the door opened, revealing a guard and a well dressed middle aged brown stallion right behind him wearing a black jacket, white shirt and red necktie.
"Sorry to disturb you, your highness," said the guard, saluting Celestia. "But, I brought the attorney general for Canterlot to discuss the impending trial. He says that he wants to arraign the defendants as quickly as possible."
"That's quite all right," replied Celestia, rising to her feet. "Leave him in here with me and do not allow anypony else here unless otherwise noted, is that clear?"
The guard saluted Celestia and departed leaving the middle aged pony alone with her. For the time being, Celestia would have to put the situation with Green Sleeves on hold to meet with her attorney general for Canterlot and for that matter, all of Equestria.
"I know you are exhausted from the events in Rainbow Falls, so I won't be here for very long," said the attorney. "But, I've come to request something from you and that is to…"
"Arraign the defendants," interrupted Celestia, who then walked over to a small table. "Yes, I am aware of that, Jack. You are perhaps not the only one who wants the trial to start as possible. I, too, want this trial to start as quickly as possible. However, the attorney who will act as the defense attorney for the accused has not arrived yet."
Celestia had her suspicions, but Jack was cutting right to the chase.
"I'm even beginning to wonder if this is even intentional," wondered Jack. "Herr Horsebein will probably purposely delay his arrival to allow Blackheart and his goons to plot an escape from the dungeons of Canterlot castle."
"We are doing all we can to prevent a possible escape," said Celestia. "As we speak, I have ten of my best soldiers guarding them in the dungeons. I've also ordered that if any prisoner tries to escape, that they will kill them right then and there on the spot. But, I can only hope and pray that doesn't happen."
Celestia then stepped away from the table and sighed heavily, for she knew that there was far more important matters aside from this trial. But, she couldn't focus on them now and instead turned all of her attention towards her Attorney General for her kingdom.
"What are the charges?" asked Celestia, once again sitting by the fire.
"Well, there is the matter of charges of murder, attempted murder, crimes against ponykind, attempted murder of a royal," began Jack, pulling out a series of documents and dropping them at Celestia's level. "All of this is, I believe, enough evidence to secure a conviction for all the accused defendants."
"It's important to remember that you might fail to win convictions, Jack," advised Celestia. "In which case, some or all of the defendants will go free allowing them to continue their reign of terror on Rainbow Falls."
Jack realized the severity of what he was up against and turned away for a brief moment, trying to gather his thoughts and keep his composure. He had to remember, after all, that Blackheart had a desire to kill Celestia, Luna and all the most important ponies of Equestria in an effort to claim the throne of Equestria and rule it under his own vision.
"Of course, you know that there is a good chance you might testify on the stand," remarked Jack, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a cigarette, lighting it as he walked over to the open window. "Excuse me for a moment, your highness."
"Do what you have to do, Jack," said Celestia, waiting patiently while Jack puffed smoke out into the daytime sky. "This is a difficult time for all of us and we all must cope in our own ways."
In fact, Celestia felt her spine tingle slightly at the thought of how Blackheart's plans for Equestria were so sinister and so wrong. Still, she set about trying to go through the pages of evidence that was to be used against Blackheart. Jack eventually stopped smoking and went back over to his superior.
"Hmm, it seems to me that all the evidence appears to be in order," she concluded, turning her attention away from the papers and looking back up at Jack. "I am very obvious that you and your office have enough evidence to secure convictions for all the accused. However, we must be aware of the threat that hangs over Canterlot while this trial is going on."
"I completely agree," responded Jack. "I propose that Instant Justice provides additional security measures around Canterlot. We must make sure that the witnesses for the prosecution are given the highest orders of protection at all times, in case any of Blackheart's associates attempt to disrupt the trial. If you will excuse me, your highness, I will go down to his office and have him carry out the necessary security measures required."
Then, Celestia felt that she needed to say her peace, something that she felt needed to be done. No sooner did Jack bow to her and turn to leave did she say her peace.
"Wait Jack," she said, stopping him in his tracks and causing him to face her once again. "I would like to testify at the trial."
Jack was astonished to hear this come out of his superior's mouth.
"Your highness, I…Are you sure that you want to do this?" he asked. "You are aware that…"
"I am aware, Jack," interrupted Celestia, rising to her feet. "I need to do this for you must also be aware of the fact that I was a target of assassination, both myself and Luna."
Although it was against his better judgment, Jack had no choice but to honor Celestia's request despite the fact that he had his objections over such a request.
"You must let me do this, Jack," she pleaded. "Yes, it would make both me and Luna vulnerable, but it must be done."
Jack was conflicted to how he was going to respond to this question, but he finally came around after a few minutes of complete and utter silence.
"Very well, your highness," he sighed. "I will let you tell your story to the jury and notify Judge Hangman's Noose that you wish to be on the witness stand."
With those words, Jack grabbed his suitcase and bowed to Celestia one last time before walking of the doors of Celestia's quarters. Now, Celestia was alone, eager to do her part to end Blackheart's reign of terror once and for all. She was the one who captured him and his associates in Rainbow Falls and now was going to reveal to all of Equestria what Blackheart had tried to do to both her and Luna.
…
At that very moment, a puff of smoke came down through the fireplace and a scroll emerged in front of Celestia, who opened it and read it aloud to herself.
"Dear Aunt Celestia,
I will be in Canterlot tomorrow and will focus on helping the pony you saved on finding a better
pony to spend the rest of her life with. As the Princess of Love, I will not tolerate ponies who
abuse their love for one another for evil purposes whether it would be for themselves or for
their superiors. See you very soon!
Your loving niece,
Mi Amore Cadenza."
Putting the scroll down next to the documentation of the accused, Celestia rose to her feet and sought out Green Sleeves. But just as she left her chambers, Celestia saw Luna walking towards her. However, Celestia noticed her younger sister had a distressed look on her face.
"Luna, what's wrong?" asked Celestia, worriedly.
"I saw the Attorney General walking past me," answered Luna. "He says you wish to testify at the trial of Blackheart and his associates. Well, I said to him that I wish to testify as well, big sister."
"No Luna," Celestia said firmly, trying to look out for her little sister's well-being. "I don't want you to have any more stress…"
"Sister!" interrupted Luna, sharply. "I must testify at the trial as well. My testimony will help end Blackheart's reign of terror just as much as your testimony will. Please, you must let me do so."
Celestia stood there and could only wonder how to honor such a request….