//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: Inner Demons 
// Story: Pearlwort, Unintentional Villain 
// by Halira 
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I woke up the morning of the trial missing Biblo's warm body cuddled up to me. I picked up my head and looked around the room sleepily, finding Biblo attempting to make a braid of her mane with little success by the mirror.

She spotted me in the mirror and with one final half-hearted attempt to get a braid started she gave up with a sigh. My pink fiancee turned to me and smiled. "You slept very well last night. No night terrors, panic attacks, or anything. I was going to wake you up if you slept too much longer, we have a big day ahead of us."

She came over and we exchanged a quick kiss. She smelled of daisies with the smallest hint of a smell of pipe weed. I guessed she had finally given into that urge sometime this morning already. I could taste her toothpaste as well. I wondered how long she had been awake. 

She hugged me feeling my emotions. Not sure what emotions there were to feel. I was enjoying her presence as usual, but I was still kind of half awake. With what was coming in a few hours I knew I should have a lot of strong emotions pulling at me, but my mind just wasn't alert enough for that yet.

"Come on my sleepy bride-to-be," she said giggling. "Up with you! We need to get you ready for the day. Time to get your mane brushed, teeth brushed, get some food into you. You need to look well groomed. You behave like a stallion with your grooming sometimes. We can't have that today."

The stallion comment cleared some of the fog. I knew she didn't mean anything by it, but it was still something that caused a reaction. Old habits die hard.

She felt it and gave me a sympathetic look. Then that look turned to slightly excited as she seemed to remember something."Now let's get you up and moving. Go stand on the balcony and let the cold air wake you the rest of the way up. I wanted to show you something I just learned I could do this morning."

Alright, I was curious. I got up and moved my way to the balcony. The sun was still not fully up and it was cool outside, but not uncomfortably so. I wondered if the temple had some sort of magic spell that regulated the temperature inside, because the temperature inside never really seemed to change, despite the fact the balconies typically were hanging open with just curtains as options for closing them.

Biblo came up beside me holding her new pipe. It was indeed a pretty thing made of some sort of pink and blue crystal. She was definitely excited about something, I doubt it was just having a smoke from the pipe though.

She spoke excitedly. "I was trying this out this morning when I first woke up. It is rather calming. I got to thinking while I was doing it. I was thinking--I am loaded up on Pearl's magic, does that mean I can do the cool shaping smoke thing too? It doesn't require a horn to do, maybe I can do it. So I focused really hard and I ended up doing it. I can't do it as well as you, yet, but that is really exciting! I can actually cast a spell from your magic!"

She grabbed up a match and lit up the pipe. She took a quick draw and blew out a plume. After letting it out she stared at the smoke. She was putting a lot of effort into what she was doing, and her tongue stuck out of her muzzle in the cutest way as she focused. Eventually I could see the definite signs of smoke shaping happening. The smoke pulled itself together in what looked like a poorly formed sponge shape that vaguely resembled her cutie mark. She let out a small gasp and took a deep breath as she lost her hold on it though. She didn't get everything perfect,, but it was still a very impressive feat considering she was trying to accomplish a Thestral ability.

"That is impressive," I complimented her. "I wonder if you can get things like cloud walking from a Pegasus, or whatever ability it is that make Earth Ponies grow plants so well. Unicorn stuff and flying seems like it would be out, you don't have a horn or wings, but it is cool you can do something that seems innately another tribe's abilities." I wasn't exaggerating either. I didn't think she was actually capable of using the magic she stored in her till now. Yeah, my magic from my cutie mark worked in her, but it was passive. This was actively doing something on command.

"It is so cool!" She exclaimed happily. "When I get better with controlling my empath abilities I want to experiment to see what else I can do. I am already getting some ideas on how I might do other things."

"Biblo, I think you might want to keep that you can do this private for now," I said. Dampening her mood a bit.

She gave me a puzzled look. "Why? It doesn't hurt anypony."

"Because the Alicorns are already concerned about you developing non-magical skill at the speed that you do,"I sighed as I responded. "They were already debating whether you were some sort of long term threat before, now just a day later, after getting at least a little soothed on that, you are suddenly able to cast spells that a Crystal Pony should not be able to do. How do you think think they are going to react?"

Biblo's face and ears fell, her posture losing its excitement. "Why do they have to worry about me? I am not a bad pony. Why do they have to be so concerned about what I can do?" She bit down on the pipe and crossed her forelegs and pouted. The position she was in was actually really cute and I had to put a forehoof up to my muzzle to hide the smile. I shouldn't be smiling, she was frustrated, but she was just too adorable.

She noticed my expression and put away her pipe after dousing it. She then came up to where she could rub her body against me and sat down. She focused on the emotions, and then looked up at me with a bemused expression. "I am glad you find me cute, but I am still grumpy about it. I shouldn't have to worry constantly about what the Alicorns are going to think of me."

I gave her a hug in sympathy and a kiss on her forehead. "I know Sweetie," she glowed a bit at me calling her by a pet name. "Things will get better though, we aren't going to be in Harmony forever. After we leave you will get more freedom to see what you can do."

She grunted slightly before responding. "Still doesn't feel fair," a thought came to her right then. "Do you think they are going to have Sunset follow with us when we finally do leave?"

"I have no idea," I said truthfully. "They are going to end up having some pony watching us, even if it is at a distance. I would assume it would be up to Sunset if she wishes to follow us or if they get some pony else."

"I wonder if she would come with us," Biblo said. "I like her. It still seems kind of strange not being able to tell what she is feeling, unless she lets me, but I still trust her still somehow. I have never met another empath like me before. Sure other Crystal Ponies can do it, somewhat, but it is nothing like what I can do, or Sunset can do."

There was an obvious issue. "You will have to talk to her," I said. "But I am not sure she is going to just uproot herself and follow us around. She has some sort of life outside of dealing with the two of us."

She gave me a duck lipped pout, again she was adorable. She could only hold it a moment, before breaking down into a giggle as she felt my reaction. Then she wrapped her forehooves around me for a hug, while giving me a smooch on the side of my face. She managed to speak to me through the giggles. "You aren't great at reassuring words, but thankfully you have me. You would be in so much trouble without an empath for a partner."

"Well, lucky for me I do," I said with a smile. "Even if she does make Alicorns nervous. I just make normal ponies nervous, you have to go and be extra special."

She was still smiling, but their was a hint of steel in her words as she replied. "If they ever try to separate me from you I will do everything I can to make them more than just nervous."

"Let's not add making threats against Alicorns to your list of heinous crimes against the divine," I chuckled nervously. "You already assaulted two without getting a slap on the flank. Only one of the two actually earned it. You should try to stay on good behavior, and not ruffle their feathers any more."

Her smile faded ,and she seemed lost in thought for a moment after. A moment later she gave me a look that told me she was about to be fully serious. "Am I turning into a bad pony?" I almost laughed at the idea but she cut me off. "Don't laugh! I can seriously hurt ponies now. You heard what Sunset said about what would have happened if I was actually armed yesterday. I am not joking about about the Alicorns either, not really."

I looked her in the eyes, and held her hooves in mine as I answered. "You are a good pony. You just want to protect me. We already know you can kick some serious flank if some pony tries to hurt me again. If you hurt those ponies you are just stopping them from doing harm. As for the Alicorns, it is okay to feel mad at them, you aren't going to be able to hurt them, even if you wanted to. You aren't going to do anything bad."

She looked deep in thought while she considered my words. She sighed finally, and got back to her hooves. "Thank you, I needed to hear that. Let's get you ready now."


***


The trial was set to be held at the ground floor of the tree. The base of the trunk had an entrance that led into where the court would be held. I had learned from Hot Sticks the day before that there were actually staircases that led all the way down into the court from the temple, with thousands of storage rooms, meeting halls, extra bedrooms, libraries. Some places not even Alicorns, other than the Twilight Princess, were allowed to go. The Twilight Guard patrolled those endless halls, with guard posts interspersed throughout the tree. A pony could get lost for weeks in the winding labyrinth of the tree, if they were not kicked out by the Twilight Guard first.

I thought of that as we rode an airship once again down to the surface, it gave me new appreciation for the service that the airship crews provided. I had considered the city of Harmony overwealming, but the thought of taking days to navigate those halls was incomprehensible. Claustrophobia set in just thinking about it, which led to the anxieties of what was going to happen shortly finally start to get to me.

Biblo was elsewhere on the ship, enjoying the view, when they set in. I was without my normal safety net without her on hoof immediately to help. My flight escape instinct was kicking in, and I had to do everything I could to restrain myself from just jumping ship to try to take to the air. I took myself away from the railing and hid myself in a lavrotory. Trying to find a place to regain my composure.

Within a few seconds of securing myself away came a knock on the door. "Pearl? Are you okay?" It was Sunset.

This room stank of pony waste and wasn't being helpful with that particular calming exercise. I tried taking a deep breath to try to help calm myself, but the stench overwealmed my already tight lungs, causing me to start hacking. I felt a wave of nausea right after.

Sunset opened the door without permission. She was rewarded for her breach of privacy with me vomiting right onto her hooves as I turned to the opening door. She looked down at the mess with a look of pure disgust, and took a few steps back, shaking off the filth from each hoove as she did. She then looked back at me with a look of concern. 

I shook a bit and tried to look up at Sunset. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that," I managed to say.

"I didn't assume you did it on purpose so don't apologize," she said with a raised eyebrow. "Do you need me to do something to help you?"

I shook my head. "No. Do you know where Biblo is at?" 

She sighed and shook her head. "You can't go running to Biblo every time your in trouble."

"I'm not in trouble," I lied. 

She looked down a the vomit and back to me shaking. "Sure, doesn't look like you are having any problem at all. Come on, don't lie to me with the evidence sitting right in front of me. Biblo is over at one of the railings talking and smoking with Hot Sticks. They are discussing what will be going on after your trial, so you will need to do without her as a crutch for the moment."

I thought about lying and saying I didn't need her to get me through this right now, but it took too much effort. I just sat there shaking and trying to breath through the stench of the room, not saying a word.

She let out an exaggerated breath and glared down at me. "Alright, get up out of there." she said sternly. "You need to actually breath some fresh air. Don't make me drag you out. I don't want to have to go stepping through your vomit anymore. You'll have to step through it, but you are well covered already." 

"I don't know if I can stand right now," I told her in a near whisper.

"You can if you tell yourself you can do it," she replied. "You were fine up to a few minutes ago. You are having an anxiety attack. The symptoms may be real, but the cause is all in your head. Now, get up and walk over to me. Don't think of anything but that for the moment."

I brought myself up on all fours despite the shaking, I felt ready to fall back down. I couldn't breathe right. Why couldn't she just help me out, or get Biblo? 

"Good," she said. "Now come over here so we can get you cleaned back up. You don't want to show up covered in vomit, and you don't want Biblo feeling worried right now, do you?"

No, I didn't want to upset Biblo. I could do this. Just one hoofstep at a time and I could make it, out of the stench into the fresh air.

After what felt like an eternity I finally tasted fresh air again. I looked back briefly and saw I had tracked right through the pool of vomit, I hadn't even noticed.

"Good, now sit and let some fresh air in your lungs," Sunset told me. "Let me tell you some things to focus on other than your current wretched state. I have already spoken with the Alicorns about your request concerning Biblo going into your mind. They are tentatively approving it. Starlight is going to supervise it, she actually insisted on it, not only is she personal Alicorn to both of you, but she is also an empath, and she will be checking Biblo's intentions before Biblo can do it. If she is satisfied that Biblo intends to do nothing, aside what you two outlined, then it will proceed right then and there. This will occur right after the trial is over."

I had my shaking under control and could breathe more easily now. I gave a disgruntled retort to Sunset. "If this misery is going to be taken away soon, why make me go through walking out of there through my own vomit?"

"Because there will always be something else in the future," she replied curtly. "You are going to live possibly thousands of years. Do you think for a moment that you aren't going to have a lot more serious horseshit happen to you over all that time? Likely worse things than what has already happened too. Thousands of years is a long time for bad things to happen. You start learning now, while you are young and malleable, how to cope with bad things happening. You need to do better than you have to this point in your life."

"Do you think I hadn't had really bad things happen to me before this?" I shot back angerly.

"Oh, getting angry now are we?" She mocked. "Well, that is better than basically hiding in an outhouse. I know you have had a lot happen, and you dealt with it poorly. Review with me how you have dealt well with things to this point. You ran from your home town and lived like a vagabond out in the countryside."

"I didn't have a choice," I interrupted. "You saw how bad the other Thestrals treat me. They would have done worse to me eventually."

"You are right," she replied with a nod. "But you also left with no plan, nowhere to go, and you barely made an attempt to settle at any other place. Yes, Thestrals get treated like trash in most places. It would have taken time, but you could have eventually found work. There are plenty of places in areas prone to monster attacks that would have taken on a Thestral for a night watchpony. They might not like you much, but they like things like Timberwolves sneaking into their towns at night less. You wouldn't have even been in much danger yourself either, all you would need to do is be on watch."

"I eventually found a town to settle in," I said defensively.

"Yeah, key word, eventually," she replied back. "How long were you wandering around the Realm? And you ended up in a slow suicide called Starlight's Folly. Scavenger life expectancy, even if they heal really well, is not that high. You are in your, what, later twenties, maybe older? You were sixteen when you fled your hometown. The likelihood of you having lived ten or more years as a scavenger in Starlight's Folly isn't likely. Immortality comes up a little short when something rips your head off. You weren't in Starlight's Folly more than three years if I had to guess."

"Does it matter?" I replied. I had been in Starlight's Folly just over a year, but wasn't telling her that information.

"Yes, it does," she replied, looking me in the eyes. "It means you spent all those years hiding from your problems, and when you finally stopped hiding it was to go somewhere that was just a delayed death sentence. You are not going to keep playing that game. It isn't fair to you, it isn't fair to your soon-to-be wife, and it isn't fair to those of us trying to help you. We have talked about this already. You are going to stand on your own four hooves and not break when life gets hard, because life isn't going to play nice."

I cried knowing she was right, I had been broken before the rape had even occurred. I don't even know why I was trying to defend myself on the fact. As Sunset watched me do so she grabbed a towel from somewhere close by and tossed it to me.

"You are going to fix yourself," she said, "Do you know why the Alicorns are so concerned about you and your fiancee? It is because immortals that are psychologically unfit pull the whole world down with them. You might not think you can, but you can be surprised what a pony can do with enough time. Your talent is surviving, surviving isn't living, you are scared of living. You have taken some positive steps, learning to trust at least a few ponies, and love one. But there is still a long way to go, and I am not going to just let you slip back into self destructive habits." She turned to walk away, but said just a little more before leaving. "We are back on the ground and the others are likely wondering what is going on. I will tell the others you need a moment. In a little while you are going to once again see those that assaulted you. You aren't going to hide yourself away to avoid it. There is a lot of joy to be found over thousands of years too, but only if you don't let you inner demons get the best of you. Time to confront another one of your demons," she gave her closing thoughts and finally trotted away.


***


We disembarked from the airship and started making our way towards the Tree's trunk. The city streets were as packed with ponies as when we were down in them last. The distance to the trunk was not going to be a short walk. The trial was scheduled for late afternoon. It was mid-morning now, but it would take us several hours of walking to reach our destination. The size of this place still boggled my mind.

There was not a lot of chatter among our group as we walked. Hot Sticks and Sunset led the way, though for this particular trip I think Biblo and I could figure out where to go. We were heading to the Tree's trunk, and there was no missing where that was. The two of us still allowed ourselves to be led, the other two likely knew the quickest paths after all.

There was a few notable differences in the city this time around. There were barkers announcing the trial, a new one every few streets. They were dressed in colorful capes, standing on podiums, displaying pictures of the Lunar Guard who had attacked us, pictures of me, and pictures of various Alicorns. They were actually selling tickets to the trial. Marketing it all at once as the greatest trial in a hundred moons, the chance to actually see the Alicorns, and the event you needed to witness to be able to have a conversation for the next week. Their shouts echoed throughout the streets, and as soon as you began to escape the sound of one you found yourself entering the sound radius of yet another.

Another notable difference was that because of the barkers there were a lot of ponies taking open notice of me. I wasn't just a Thestral anymore, I was a celebrity of sorts. As a result I had ponies openly staring at me, rather than glaring at me while pretending they weren't looking at me. There wasn't the same hostility as there was before, this was just ponies staring at the mare of the hour. Their gazes still made me want to just fly off. Can't they just not look at me? I didn't like all these ponies' eyes on me.

Biblo took notice of the staring, and the impact on me as well. She glared menacingly at every pony she could, even then, most ponies staring escaped her notice. When one Earth Pony mare pulled a rare camera out, and took my picture, I had to restrain Biblo from going after the foolhardy mare.

In short the entire walk was miserable, and I felt like some object on display. All these ponies could march themselves to Tartarus if I had my way.

Hot Sticks eventually dropped back to check on us, while Sunset continued to lead on. Sunset leading the way had the benefit of clearing a path through the masses. She was big and scary, and just about every pony moved to give her a wide area to walk.

Hot Sticks took assessment of our mood. He saw Bible glaring daggers at the city residents, and my wings fidgeting nervously at my sides. He gave us both concerned looks, but walked with us without saying a word. What was to say? I was beyond uncomfortable, and Biblo wanted to rage at the city which was making me feel that way. We were both doing remarkably well in my opinion. I wanted to either give into my flight instinct, or curl up into a ball and cry where I was at, I was resisting both those impulses. Biblo likewise hadn't done much worse than just glare, the one photographer aside.

We were passing through an intersection, one that was a bit larger than most of the rest, when things became more unbearable. This intersection, like many of the others, had a barker, a Pegasus stallion. In addition to the normal cape he had an absurd hat on that had multiple feathers of various colors, and an equal amount of fluffy balls of equally diverse colors mounted on springs. It looked ridiculous, and I couldn't imagine who would actually design such a hat, much less wear it. He was shouting loudly through a megaphone he dexterously held at the end of one wing.

"AND LOOK THERE GENTLEMARES AND GENTLESTALLIONS! EVEN NOW THE VICTIM OF THE VISCIOUS ACT MAKES HER WAY TO THE GREAT TREE! A VICTIM OF HER RACE'S VIOLENT INCLINATIONS. GIVE HER YOUR PITY THAT SHE WAS BORN TO SUCH A DEBASE A RACE THAT WOULD COMMIT SUCH ACTS AGAINST ITS OWN! BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW TO SEE THE TRIAL EVERY PONY WILL BE TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS TO COME!" His voice rang out.

I came to a halt and looked around, while trembling, at all the ponies gazing at me. The urge to just take take off and fly away was near overwealming now. Instead I just slumped down to the ground burying my face in my hooves and bringing my wings forward to cover my face. Why couldn't they just let me go in peace? I started crying as I lay there, face hidden from the world.

"Pearlwort, you need to get up," came Sunset's voice close by to me. "I know the attention might feel like it is too much right now, but you aren't avoiding it by laying in the street crying. Be brave, and keep moving forward."

I peeked out between my wings at her. She was standing right next to me, looking down. I looked around briefly, wings still covering my head, but spread enough to give me the ability to see. Biblo was being restrained by Hot Sticks' magic. She had murder in her eyes for the barker. Hot Sticks was visibly straining to keep her from getting free to attack the Pegasus. Ponies were staring and whispering to one another.

"Why can't they just leave me alone?" I wept the question to Sunset. "Always judging, it was bad before, but I can't take this."

"Do you think they aren't judging you any more with you doing this?" She responded with a hoof extended towards my pathetic position.

"I can't help it," I said back. "I am terrified right now. I am not a brave pony."

"If you aren't terrified you don't have the chance to be brave," Sunset said in a sympathetic tone. "Only fools are without fear. The bravest experience fear every single day. Bravery is doing what must be done, despite the fact you are scared. You know you have to get where you need to be, despite the fact you are going to have ponies watching you. Let them, don't let thier staring stop you. Feel the fear, let it remind you that there are things to be wary of, but don't let it cripple you. You are the only pony who can allow fear to do that."

I looked to the Tree. I just had to make it to the tree, that was all I had to do, for now anyway. Still shaking, I stood up, and the street quieted as I did with anticipation. Biblo was still intent on doing serious harm to the barker for drawing such attention to me. I walked towards her, ignoring all the ponies watching.

The street was hushed, not even the barker was making a sound. I could hear the twinkling sounds of Hot Sticks' magic straining to hold Biblo. I came up to her and put a hoof on her shoulder. She jumped in surprise at my touch, and turned to look at me. With a small shake of my head, and a nod back to the path we were walking, I let her know to just let it go.

She gave the barker another glare before turning back to me. She smiled and wrapped her foreleg around me for a brief hug. When she released she took the opportunity to give me a quick kiss, before smiling and nodding. We turned to continue our walk to the Tree, with a final seething glare from Biblo at the barker. The silence persisted as we left the intersection. I could still feel all eyes on me, I just kept mine locked on the Tree.


***


When we finally reached the Tree there was a circus of activity there. Since the actual hall could only hold so many ponies, despite the massive size of the Great Tree itself, there was seating set up outside. What happened on the outside was a paid for event, even though entrance into the hall itself was not. Large screens had been errected and unicorns prepared spells to transmit the images of what would be happening inside to the massive screens for all in attendance to see. It would be like watching a film, except what was happening was actually happening right then, and not some recording on film. That was enough of a marvel to attract ponies even if the trial had not been so thoroughly hyped.

The crowd parted for us as we made our way towards the entrance. An occasional cheer could be heard by ponies excited to see one of the players in this event, me in this case, finally arriving. The area was packed with ponies standing shoulder to shoulder and I wondered how long some of these ponies had been here waiting.

At the entrance stood a dozen guard ponies, members of the Twilight Guard judging by their insignia. They spotted us and a guard came out to meet us. She was a unicorn with light cream colored fur, a blue mane, and a pleasant disposition.

"I am Icy Moon, lieutenant in her Most Holy's Twilight Guard. I will be escorting you to where you shall await the beginning of the trial. My guards shall be at your disposal if you need anything once I have you there, but from this moment on you go no where without one of my guards. The wait before the trial should be brief, as you were the last to arrive. I would expect less than an hour. Their Holinesses are eager to start soon, and with the time only vaguely being set for mid afternoon we qualify meet the requirements to commence with haste."

There wasn't much to say to that. We all just nodded and allowed the lieutenant to lead us into the Tree.

Entering into the Tree we found ourselves in a massive room split into two levels with many doors lining it. The entire place seemed to be made of blue crystal, a pair of staircases on opposite sides of the room led to the second level of the room. The entire room was packed with ponies. The majority seemed to be members of the press, and camera flashes went off frequently. Biblo managed not to lose her temper, or go searching out the ponies who took out picture, but she wore a sour expression that did not slip for a moment.

Icy Moon escorted us through the throng of ponies to a normal sized door a few pony lengths adjacent to a set of massive double doors directly in the center wall of the room on the first level, below the split section of the room. A pair of similarly dressed ponies stood at attention outside the door and opened it while saluting their superior officer. Icy Moon nodded to them and motioned for the other four of us to enter first.

We entered single file into the room as directed and found a comfortable sitting room within. The room was not extremely large, but it was of comparable size to my room in the temple. There were a number of couches, floor cushions, and small benches spread around the room to sit on. There was a glass cabinet that contained cups of many sizes, and another next to it that seemed to contain a large variety of drinks. There was also a large unlit fireplace, which seemed puzzling as it seemed impossible for any chimney to reach this far through the Tree. Two additional doors on separate walls could be seen, one of which was marked as a bathroom, the other had yet another Twilight Guard standing duty next to it.

"I will inform the Most Holy of your arrival," Icy Touch said as she moved towards the second door. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. You are free to drink from the bar provided, or whatever else you like in here. I would not recommend napping, as the court will start soon, I expect to be returning to summon you within minutes."

She quickly exited through the other door and the guard closed it behind her.

Sunset went and sat opposite a large couch and motioned the other three of us to take a seat on the couch. We complied with her request. I took the center, I was flanked by Biblo on my left, and Hot Sticks on my right.

"I am going to explain some details of what is about to happen that weren't previously disclosed to you," Sunset began. "Some of this might be distressing for you and I recommend doing whatever you need to do to help maintain calm. I don't want to have to deal with ponies having panic attacks, trying to attack Alicorns, or doing anything else to embarrass themselves in front of the whole of the Alicorns and the city of Harmony."

I didn't know what she could say to put me more on edge, but she certainly wasn't doing a good job at not causing anxiety to well up. I started doing breathing exercises on impulse. Biblo had brought her saddle bag and pulled from it her pipe, along with mine, with haste, counting on the drug to help keep us calm. She quickly lit her own and then lit mine for me. She then nuzzled closer to me while laying down with her forehooves hanging off the couch grasping her source of drug induced calm. I decided to match her position. Hot Sticks just sat in moving where he was, he hasn't brought his life pack.

Sunset waited for us to settle before she began again. "The prosecutor for this trial will not be a normal prosecutor. Starlight Glimmer is refusing herself from sitting in judgement to argue on your behalf for justove to be done. She is claiming the right based on being your Alicorn. This isn't often done, but it is allowable. The main reason for this is because this entire trial is more spectacle than anything. They intend to leave a strong impression on ponies about how they feel not only about the guards who assaulted and raped you, but all the bigotry that you have endured. Other ponies endure similar every day and an example must be made to not only protect you, but to help make those ponies lives better."

Sunset took a deep breath, then gave the smoke of the pipes a disgusted glance upon realizing she couldn't take a deep breath without getting a strong whiff of their smoke. She instead looked me in the eyes and began speaking again.

"Starlight is going to put your memories on display for all to see," she continued. "She will be removing your cutie mark temporarily in order to do so. I don't know everything she intends to put on display. I can assume that the assault and rape will be played out as one of those things."

It was bad enough that I would have to hear about those things again, but having my memory played out in front of every pony including me seemed a bit much. Sunset waited while I took a few deep breathes and another draw or two from the pipe. I said nothing.

"I know this is going to be very upsetting for you," she continued. "That is why I have been harder than usual on you today about keeping yourself in check. Don't mistake me, I meant every last word of those discussions, but I may not have come on so strongly if we didn't need you to be brave today. I will be out there as well, making sure you don't attempt to bolt under pressure. Please don't make me have to restrain you. You can cry like a foal out there if you want, no pony will blame you, but you will not leave until what needs to be done is finished."

She now looked Biblo in the eye.

"To make myself clear to you," Sunset addressed her. "I will not tolerate you making a spectacle of yourself either. I don't want you racing out to defend Pearl because Pearl is extremely upset. This is something Pearl has to get through on her own. Take solace in the fact that after this trial is done you will be able to take away the terrible memory of that rape, and that this trial will be the last time she has to experience that particular memory. Biblo, please don't make me have to drag you out of the court by your tail. I will do it in a second if I have to, but I really rather not."

Biblo glared back at Sunset in response, but finally nodded. She then turned to me and nuzzled her head against me.

"Hot Sticks you will likely have to give a medical review at some point," Sunset said to the unicorn. "You already knew that, of course. There should not be anything else required of you than that. You three shall sit at a table they have set aside for you, I will stand close by. All of the Lunar Guard that assaulted you will be sitting a few ponylengths away at a separate table. Please, keep civil, whatever they say or do. They are going to be found guilty already, don't embarrass yourselves by trying to take justice into your own hooves with them so close."

I wasn't comfortable with them being that close, but this would all be over soon. I nodded, Biblo hesitantly followed my example.

Just then the door reopened and Icy Moon re-entered the room.

"Mares and stallion, it is time," she said, bowing slightly as she spoke. "Please follow me to the court of the Greater Alicorns."