The final week passed in a haze as they only waited for the Doctor so they could just end their job and go home.
Amethyst couldn't just ignore Bonbon and Daring Do as they met up to return. They looked devastated. “What happened.” Amethyst asked as she approached them.
Sweetie Drop looked her way before looking back at the ground. “We got the evidence.” She dully said.
“Was it that bad? What did you find?” Amethyst asked, more concerned than ever.
“I'd rather only repeat what happened once and forget about it. You'll just have to pay attention as I give my report.” Daring Do said. She felt much better than she did when she got her evidence, but no amount of showering had helped her really feel clean again.
Amethyst quietly talked to the Doctor as they traveled back to New Guardia. Sweetie Drop and Daring Do just sat silently, knowing that at any moment they would have to relive everything they had experienced during their investigation.
The confines of the corridor that led to the Conference room that Tenyo specified was little comfort as much of it resembled the corridor near the Rec-Habs. Amethyst hoped that once they gave their reports they would be able to let go of what was keeping them down.
A short girl with long spiked red hair called Sweetie Drop from the corridor and led her away. The remaining Ponies wondered how long it would be until it was their turn. Only Amethyst was happy to stay at this point, but she had begun to feel uneasy as she considered the emotions of her friends.
“Why are we being separated to give our reports?” Amethyst asked as she turned back around to look to Tenyo.
“We can't have information from one report tainting the others.” Tenyo calmly answered. “And it's easier to get a transcript without multiple voices talking over each other.”
“Miss Do.” A taller green haired woman wearing a red suit with a miniskirt called from the hallway. “I'll be taking your report. Please come with me.” Daring Do went with her without word and then Amethyst was alone with Tenyo.
“Now.” Tenyo calmly said. “Please give me your report.”
Amethyst looked to her nervously before she began to talk. She explained in great detail each pony and person she talked with, what they talked about and the general opinion of everything concerning James. It took hours as she would have to stop for a drink or to correct a small mistake, but eventually her report was complete.
“Thank you, Amethyst. Now, what's your conclusion?” Tenyo calmly asked.
“My conclusion?” Amethyst had an idea but why would she have to give a conclusion.
“Yes, you were there. Based on your findings, and only your findings, what would you say about James?” Tenyo gently insisted.
“Well … Based on just my findings …” She didn't know what to say. Her findings weren't incriminating at all, but she knew that the others had found something horrible. What if her conclusion let him go free and he was as bad as Princess Luna made him seem. Would she be able to live with that?
She looked down to the ground as she sorted her thoughts. She had come to get the truth, she may not have found it, but she couldn't let that change the tenor of what she discovered. She looked back to Tenyo as she gave her conclusion. “Mrs. Tenyo, I wasn't able to find anything that could implicate James in Princess Luna's accusations. While there were unusual matters that could be explored further; at this time I have to say that James has not done anything to necessitate actions against him.”
Tenyo smiled. “Thank you Amethyst. You will be debriefed and then you will be returned to your home. Within seven days you will be payed for your services. I look forward to meeting you again the next time I visit your town.” Tenyo made a mark on the report before touching an icon on a screen on built into the table.
A Lamia with short red hair wearing a New Guardian service uniform smiled warmly as she entered the Conference Room. She nodded as she regarded the pony. “Thank you for your service.” She said as she looked back up. “If you'll follow me I'll be debriefing you. It won't take long, we'll have you home before you realize it.” The Lamia led Amethyst to a new room with two padded stools. She took one stool for herself, coiling her long tail around it as she sat.
“My name is Lanni by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you.” She said as Amethyst took the seat opposite her. “Feel free to ask me whatever you like before we send you home. But first let's see your information here.”
Lanni's omnitool blinked to life as she brought up her file. Her eyes opened wide as she examined the file.
“What's going on?” Amethyst asked as she saw Lanni's face.
Lanni realized she was wearing her surprise openly and awkwardly laughed as she forced a smile. “I was just surprised that for the duration of your assignment you had Alpha clearance. Conversely to what may seem logical, Omega clearance is actually the highest level. My clearance for example is only Cappa and would max out at Beta. Alpha and higher is reserved for James's family and closest friends. Tourists are given Epsilon clearance, and citizens are given Delta. Though it would seem your clearance is being downgraded to restricted Epsilon now.”
“Restricted?!” Amethyst asked, shocked that she had top level access and was now being downgraded to less than the access of a tourist.
“Yes, that just means you can only travel between New Guardia and your home and not other worlds. There are also things from New Guardia you can't take with you; higher technology, advanced magical books. Anything that could disrupt the natural progression of your world. We want to make sure each world we interact with is kept safe, even from us if need be.” Lanni explained, still wearing her pleasant smile.
“I guess I have to keep everything I learned here a secret then.” Amethyst assumed as she realized that she was probably not going to be able to tell anyone what she had seen or done.
“Oh, not at all.” Lanni said with a chipper tone. “Because you won't remember any of it.”
“What?!” Amethyst shouted.
“You're subject to modified deportation. Your memory will be blanked to just before you arrived on the station and you'll be returned to just after you left your home.” Lanni was sounding far too cheery for what she was describing. “You'll be welcome to return in the future without having to go through this again.”
“Blank my memory?!” Amethyst was horrified as she stood up from the stool and began to back away from the Lamia.
“Yes. It's to ensure that nothing you've seen in your time working for us could be used to unnaturally speed the progression of your world.” Lanni said as she uncoiled from her stool.
Amethyst was horrified as she looked to the smiling snake woman calmly talking about removing her memory. “You don't have to do that!” She said as Lanni approached. Amethyst turned and ran towards the door only to find it would no longer open for her. Even as she used her magic to try to force the door it remained decidedly closed.
Lanni's tail wrapped around Amethyst's leg and started to pull her away from the door. Amethyst screamed in terror as coils began twisting around her, keeping her still. Lanni loomed over her as she looked down with the same carefree smile.
“Please don't struggle.” She said calmly. “Lamia are constrictors and I don't want to hurt you.”
Amethyst continued to scream as Lanni collected a silver fleck from a small box beneath the stool she sat on.
“Relax, you'll wake up feeling quite well rested.” Lanni said as she pressed the silver fleck onto Amethyst's head just below her horn.
Amethyst's screaming subsided and her eyes crossed before they closed. Lanni's omnitool blinked to life once more as she scanned the unconscious pony for any injuries. Other than her throat for all of her screaming she appeared to be alright, and fixing her throat would be a quick procedure in medical.
Lucca waited in the Epoch as the last unconscious pony was carefully loaded in. They had to be placed close to each other as the back was only designed for two. The doctor had brought them most of the way back, Lucca just had the final leg of the journey.
***
Slowly Bonbon became aware that she wasn't sleeping in her own bed. This was much softer and nicer. She knew she should get up but another minute enjoying the sensation wasn't uncalled for. She did open her eyes to find out where she was however.
It didn't take two guesses to realize she had been sleeping in Twilight's Castle as the pillars formed from gemstone were quite unique to the castle of the Princess of Friendship.
Fully awake now she carefully got out of the bed and made it. She didn't know how or why she was here, but she wasn't going to leave a mess for the princess to clean up.
“So why did Tenyo ask to talk to these Ponies?” Twilight asked Starlight horrified. She wasn't horrified at Starlight helping, she was quite happy about that. What bothered her was that Lucca had just brought them back unconscious without any explanation.
“She said she needed spies …”
“Spies?! And she asks for these ponies?!” Twilight quietly stressed. “I can understand A.K. Yearling. She's used to this stuff. But Bonbon? Amethyst Star? Why them?”
“She didn't get into any details beyond saying they would help to overthrow a tyrant. I offered to help, but she said I'd be too conspicuous. Just for the record, I didn't realize she'd take them right away. What do you think happened?” All kinds of thoughts swirled around Starlight's mind as she wondered even why they would need spies.
“How would I know?” Twilight asked seriously.
“You've known them longer.” Starlight said as she backed off.
“We just have to ask James.” Twilight reasoned.
“No. She said James couldn't know. Something about him being worried that it would make things worse.” Starlight was quick to say.
“Well then how do we know what happened?” Twilight asked.
“I don't think we're supposed to know.” Starlight said.
Rainbow Dash flew up to them as they talked. “Please. She asked for Daring Do, that means two things. One, it was awesome. Two we'll read about it soon enough. I wonder if we can get advanced copies.” She said, excitedly rubbing her hooves together.
“Well I don't know how well it would be received. She had to go to another world and even for Daring Do that might just come across as a bit over the top.” Twilight reasoned. Though she would be among the first in line if such a book were to come out.
“More like totally awesome!” Rainbow Dash said happily.
“Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said as her voice dropped. She suddenly realized the biggest problem about trying to find out anything from the ponies currently sleeping. “They helped over throw a tyrant in another world. Tenyo once told me that if I went to another world beyond New Guardia I wouldn't be allowed to remember it. I don't think they're exceptions to that.”
Rainbow Dash slowly dropped to the ground as she heard that. It was pretty good reasoning. “But they helped him. How could they not be allowed to remember.”
“To make sure we don't get destroyed by their good intentions.” Twilight was repeating something James had told her once, it had been when James finally sat down to answer her questions about the trade negotiations.
“Are you telling me that after an awesome adventure in another world we're not even getting a new Daring Do book!” Rainbow Dash complained.
“I'm very sorry Princess.” Bonbon said as she walked into the hallway. “I have no idea what happened. Somepony was asking to talk to me and then I woke up here.”
Twilight was caught completely off guard by the question. They had spent so long trying to think about what happened they didn't even know what to say to them. They hadn't been given any kind of cover story beyond Lucca's ridiculous “They got drunk.” line.
“That's alright. It wasn't anything we weren't expecting. James's spell went a little haywire. I'm just glad you're alright.” Twilight quickly lied.
“James's spell?” Bonbon asked, clearly confused. Tali had told her once he was skilled in magic and was always working on something new.
“Yeah, he caught the brunt of it. I think he intended to be the only one hit if it went wrong.” Twilight said, smiling awkwardly.
Amethyst was the next one to enter the hall as she heard Bonbon talking. “Well.” She said as she approached. “At least the spell didn't hurt. Actually I'm feeling even a little better than I did before.”
“He was trying a new healing spell of his own design.” Starlight said, joining in on the lie. “He gave you all a small pinprick to fist make sure it worked. Seems it did.”
“It's side effect needs some work, though.” Amethyst said as she looked to them. “ … I really feel like talking right now. Anypony want to get some tea?” She offered as she looked to the group.
“You girls go on ahead.” Twilight said glancing to a nearby door and back.
“Uhh. Yeah, I think I'll stay behind too. Got to make sure James's okay.” Rainbow Dash said as she looked to the door herself.
Starlight looked to the two before looking back to Bonbon and Amethyst. “Alright, some tea sounds good right now.”
“I'll talk to you later Princess.” Amethyst said as she happily walked off with the other two.
Just before Twilight began talking again Daring Do's door opened and she looked out. “Rainbow Dash. Good. I thought maybe somepony had captured me or something. But that didn't make sense with the big comfortable bed. So … What happened?”
“You see, James. He's one of our friends. Miscast a spell …” Twilight quickly began to say before Rainbow Dash cut her off.
“Twilight, this is Daring Do.” Rainbow Dash said as she rolled her eyes. “She knows a mystery when she sees one. The truth is our friend James needed your help, but for the safety of his kingdom you couldn't remember any of it. You actually agreed to it before going.”
Daring Do cocked an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash. “You're saying I agreed to have somepony mess with my memory.” She said, her tone flat.
Rainbow Dash smiled and nodded. “Must have, you don't remember it and James wont do anything like that to somepony without their okay.”
“You trust him that much?” She asked skeptically.
Rainbow Dash held her head high and nodded. “Yep. He's a good guy, you should meet him again sometime.”
Daring Do got nose to nose with Rainbow Dash as she spoke. “I don't like anypony messing with my memory!” She backed off as she brought out her disguise from her saddlebag. “I guess I'll have to tell him that myself if we ever meet again.” She donned her outfit and began to walk down the hall. “And Princess. You might want to find somepony else to clean your spare rooms. There were spider webs in my tail.”
Twilight laughed slightly as she called back. “Thanks for letting me know.” Twilight quickly turned to Rainbow Dash. “Those rooms were clean. I wouldn't put A.K. Yearling in a room that wasn't spotless!”
“I know, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash calmly said before her eyes widened. “Wait, you know what that means, right?!” Rainbow Dash got excited as she thought about it.
“That James is messy and her tail got caught in a spiderweb before she came back?” Twilight said evenly.
“No.” Rainbow Dash was emphatic as she spoke. “It's a clue. Yes James isn't the cleanest, but he's not the one cleaning his castle. Alecia does most of that for him. And James's terrified of spiders, more so than Fluttershy and big dragons. There's no spiderweb in James's castle.”
“Except possibly a visiting Arachne who make spider silk and James is perfectly fine with.” Twilight said evenly.
“Yes! That means that at some point before coming back Daring Do mush have come close to a Arachne. Let's check the other rooms for more clues.” Rainbow Dash didn't wait as she sped off into the room that Bonbon had been in.
Crashing followed shortly after she entered the room as she began to overturn everything to look for any clue. Twilight hurried in to find the room in total chaos.
“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted.
Rainbow Dash's head popped out from under the overturned bed, surprised.
“All you're doing is making a mess. This isn't how you look for clues, especially small ones.” Twilight chastised.
Rainbow Dash blushed quickly as she crawled out from under the bed. “Yeah, this is kind of Rarity's thing anyway. … Oh, I know, let's go get her. She'll be able to lead us in the right direction. Though it will take forever.”
Twilight gave into the madness as she watched Rainbow Dash consider her options. “Well, it's detail oriented work and that takes time and a careful eye. If you promise to stop tearing my rooms apart I'll let you keep investigating with Rarity.”
Rainbow Dash gave her a quizzical look. “Let? You mean you're not curious about what happened?”
Twilight shook her head. “I'm curious, but if James had to erase their memories we're no exception. If we do nothing we never know. If we find out what happened we don't get to remember and we start this all over again. It's not worth it.”
Rainbow Dash smiled at Twilight. “Hah! Shows what you know. I'll find out for the both of us.” She declared.
***
James sat at the head of his conference room as he looked over the pages of reports given to him. To his right and left were Lady Seto and Washu respectively. Down Washu's half of the table sat Sans, the Doctor, and Tenyo. Down Seto's sat Prince Phillionel, King Bruenor Battlehammer, Drizzt Do'Urden and Airie.
James was going to be reading the reports in depth later. Right now he didn't have the time. Washu, Airie, and Tenyo would be giving summaries of the reports for the judges present. This was going to be an eventful day.
The summaries took four hours to go through, including time for breaks for both necessities and to clear their minds. The reports generally started the same and it wasn't until near the end that things got dark and troubling. Amethyst's report was an important pallet cleanser to remind them that the worst they were hearing wasn't the whole story.
“Now why in the nine hells are we still talking about this!” Bruenor cried as he stomped around the conference room. He stood and shook his head after his outburst. “Sorry. This just boils me blood.”
Phillionel was staying quiet, however he nodded as Breunor raged. He wanted desperately to go forth now and administer justice, but he knew that wasn't his place. He needed to keep his passions in check while he could do nothing.
Lady Seto looked to the surly dwarf and shook her head. “We must maintain cool heads if we are to pass a fair judgment.” She calmly said.
“We should strive to be more fair than his judgment of Aria T'loak.” Drizzt said, he could see it as clearly as anyone else that this case was already settled. But they needed to continue and not succumb to their baser desire for vengeance. They had to try to see this version of James as something other than a monster.
Sans had fallen asleep, presumably, and had pinned a note to his jacket that simply read: “i agree with the doctor.”
“He knows what he's done is wrong, that's why he runs. He still has a conscience.” The Doctor said. He would once again be arguing in favor of the defendant but even he would be voting against him. “There's still hope.”
“You sure it's conscience and not fear of what you'd do to him?” Bruenor asked as he eyeballed the Time Lord, well aware of some of his more terrifying punishments.
“Just remember, to take action against this iteration of James we have to be unanimous.” Washu said over the group.
“I say we vote now! Guilty!” Bruenor growled. “And there's no amount of arguing that can change my mind.” As he stopped he threw himself back into his chair and folded his arms. “Wake the skeleton up, he needs to vote!”
“We still have the witness to hear.” Lady Seto reminded them. “Let's recess for an hour this time and come back with an even temper to hear her out.”
“My temper's as even as it's getting.” Bruenor grumbled as he got out of his chair. “But I need to get out of this damn room for a while.”
James looked to the surly dwarf as he thought for a minute. “Bruenor, do you want to swing your ax for a while. I know some goblins that are a bit too upright.”
“They your damned illusions?” He asked.
“Does it matter?” James replied with a grin.
Bruenor grumbled for another minute before turning to Drizzt. “Yer comin with us, elf!”
Washu spoke up shortly after Breunor left with Drizzt and James. “It really feels like everything we do from here until the end of this process is just a formality.”
Phillionel nodded. “That it does, but it is this process that we must hold on to. We cannot allow ourselves to act on another world in this manner with reckless abandon. My blood burns at the heartfelt plea for justice but I must temper my actions and be satisfied that my role is important, even if it is small. Is that not why James asked us all here? Those who's morals he holds higher than his own to convene when necessary and determine if his actions are holding with what is right.”
Washu smiled as she looked to the homely prince. “Oh, I intend to see this through. It's just I believe everyone here knows the verdict already. I'm going to go get some work done while we wait.”
“This evening has been quite upsetting. I believe I need a bath. You're free to join me Prince Phillionel.” Lady Seto said calmly.
Phillionel's face turned quickly from ruddy to ruby at the offer. “My apologies Lady Seto. But I must refuse your kind offer.” He said quickly. “Though I do believe some fresh air would do me well.”
***
“What in Celestia's name happened in here?” Rarity gasped as Rainbow Dash opened the door for her. She had come to help Rainbow Dash search several rooms she was convinced were the starting points of a mystery. Of course she had to dress the part as she wore her burgundy trench coat with matching hat, offset by her cream colored scarf. She was ready to investigate.
“Nothing, it looks just like I left it.” Rainbow Dash answered after looking in.
The bed was overturned, drawers had been pulled form the nightstand, the sheets and pillow were in one corner wadded into a ball.
Rarity was quietly thankful that the room was only lightly furnished. “You're telling me Bonbon did all this?”
Rainbow Dash looked in the room again. “Oh … no.” Rainbow Dash landed next to Rarity as she rubbed the back of her head nervously. “I searched it already, I was probably a bit too excited.
“Well, that's an understatement. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do here beyond tidy up. With a little help that is.” Rarity said as she turned to Rainbow Dash with a grin.
“Yeah, I guess you're right. But once we're done here let's look through Daring Do's room. She said she had spider web in her tail but there's no spiders in her room or in New Guardia Castle. So it could mean at some point she came in contact with an Arachne.” Rainbow Dash explained as she started putting the room together.
Rarity's horn glowed as she lifted and untangled the sheets from the corner. “Yes, that espionage thing you told me about. Seriously, if James needed spies he wouldn't ask Bonbon and Amethyst. I will admit that Daring Do is in the realm of possibility though.” As Rarity finished smoothing out the sheets she saw a few strands of auburn hair stuck to the comforter. “And what have we here?” She asked more to herself than to Rainbow Dash.
“What? What did you find?” Rainbow Dash said as she slammed the drawer back into place before rushing to Rarity's side.
“Auburn hair. This is certainly not from Bonbon.” As Rarity pulled the hairs from the comforter she realized just how long they were. “Oh my, I don't think anypony in ponyville has a mane this long. Well perhaps Fluttershy, but this is the wrong color to be hers.”
Rainbow Dash pumped her hoof as she congratulated herself. “I knew there were clues in here.”
“Whom do you suppose it came from?” Rarity asked as she inspected the long hairs.
“Probably from someone close to whoever Bonbon was spying on. Maybe from whoever it was she was spying on themselves!” Rainbow Dash was beginning to imagine a complicated web of lies and close calls that they would have had to escape from.
“Whomever it was they need to take better care of their hair. Look at these split ends! I bet their hair is nearly unmanageable too. It's so thick it must be arduous to brush.” Rarity continued to examine the hair as she spoke, taking in every detail she could.
“This room's clean. Let's go see if we can find any of that web in Daring Do's room.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew out. After a couple seconds she flew back and stuck her head around the door. “Uhh, coming Rarity?”
Rarity shook her head as she was drawn away from examining the hair. “Oh, yes. Coming.” She carefully stored the hairs as she turned to follow Rainbow Dash. She knew what she had been told, but she had to wonder about what really had happened. These ponies weren't spies, any of them.
The next room was mercifully not torn to pieces as Rarity entered. Here she was going to be able to investigate.
***
Even with the Doctor offering support Princess Luna felt alone outside the conference room. Her practiced demeanor let her look calm but she was about to provide her account of what was going on in New Guardia to the council James appointed to judge his activities, and James himself. It may be an alternate version, but James was the one she was accusing, how could she face him with her testimony against him.
She'd only met three of the council members before Sans approached her that day and brought her to the Doctor. And Phillionel was the only one that she knew before James had begun controlling them. She approached the door and it slid open for her. She held her head high as she walked in, ready to talk.
Despite her confusion it was a pleasant surprise to find that James was not attending to hear her testimony. Lady Seto caught on to her confusion quickly.
“Princess Luna, James understands that as the counterpart of the accused you likely would not be comfortable with his presence and he has elected to sequester himself away to hear the recording of your testimony in private later.” Lady Seto calmly explained.
Luna was almost as uncomfortable about James's understanding than she was when she thought he would be there.
“Please, make yourself comfortable. We're ready to hear whatever you have to say whenever you're ready.”
When Princess Luna left the conference room she felt no less alone, but she did feel better about telling them what had been happening. And knowing that she would be welcome on any of their home worlds was comforting, though she would choose to return to Equestria if it were an option.
***
Thin silk threads were just barely visible to Rarity as she looked carefully at the comforter and began examining the threads individually. They weren't sticky like normal spider web, Arachne could spin thread like that that they often used to make their own clothes. Rarity had quite a bit of the silk herself for creating new fabrics, it was quite versatile.
The thread wrinkled a bit as it relaxed telling her that it had been stretched out at some point.
“So what do you think? Arachne, right?” Rainbow Dash excitedly asked.
“It would look that way. I wonder what we'll find in Amethyst's room.” Rarity said as she stored the thread beside the hairs. As she put them away she walked into the hall towards the last room she could clearly tell that something was going on. But there was nothing major yet. Other than Rainbow Dash telling her that none of the ponies even remembered meeting Tenyo. Either they weren't allowed to tell them, or they were unable to tell them.
“One room left.” Rarity said as she opened the door. Everything about this room seemed orderly, as if it had not just been in use. This could mean that she simply tidied up after herself, or that she wasn't in here like they thought. The last two clues had been found in the beds so she started there.
A visual inspection brought nothing, however as she got close she could smell something familiar. She couldn't place the smell, but she knew she had smelled it before. It was pleasant and it lingered in her nose, this wasn't a perfume or cologne. She took another whiff, the smell wasn't exactly floral, more fruity. It must be an oil, possibly a lotion.
“See anything yet?” Rainbow Dash asked as she looked on the other side.
“Not seeing anything, but I do smell something.” Rarity said. “I can't quite place it however.”
“I'd try, but I don't know all those perfumes that you do.” Rainbow Dash said with a shrug.
“Well it couldn't hurt. Maybe if you smell it somewhere you can find out what it is.” Rarity suggested as she held the sheet up with her horn to Rainbow Dash.
“Rarity, I don't …” The smell stopped her as she took another sniff. “I do know this smell. It's one James has stocked in Wing Balm. He's got some important oils thing, but most of them smell pretty good.”
It hit Rarity as Rainbow Dash spoke. “I think you mean Essential Oils.” She corrected, noting that she had many such oils herself and would have to compare the scents.
“Aren't those the same thing?” Rainbow Dash asked as she gave Rarity a confused look.
***
“We all have to vote, and it must be unanimous for things to proceed.” Lady Seto reminded them. “Let's keep this orderly, I understand with the testimony and evidence passions get inflamed but we need to think about our vote before we cast it.”
Washu spoke up as she looked to the room. “And since it's such an unpleasant topic I believe we should all vote secretly. That way if it isn't unanimous there's no one to point fingers at.” As she spoke a one sided light projection appeared in front of each of those present. “There are the obvious selections and a series of bogus buttons. These have been randomized on each screen so there's no use trying to guess by where they poke.”
The room went completely silent, each person there considering the implications of their vote. The case would be handed to James for sentencing and he didn't have to answer to any of them for whatever he chose.
It took less than a minute.
It was unanimously guilty.
There were two pieces that guaranteed there would be no other outcome. What had happened to Aria T'loak, and James's own words as he had spoken to her. It didn't matter to him anymore if they were innocent or guilty. If he wanted to change their mind, he did. His power over the minds of others had removed the last barrier. If they didn't agree with him he could just make them see his point.
The Doctor had argued that he still showed restraint and didn't simply change minds when it was convenient, there was still something there. But he was worried that it might not last. Nearly a decade of this power had already turned him into a beloved tyrant. A century could prove disastrous.
Washu sent the results to James. He was going to be working in private now, absorbing the information and figuring out what punishment he would be doling out. “Thank you for your time, those who don't live here will be assisted in returning to their homes.” Washu said, her voice grim. She liked to think that there was going to be some kind of consideration on James’s part, but she knew what he would do already. She was the smartest of the ultimate goddesses.
“I would like to speak with the Princess before I leave.” Phillionel calmly said as he stood up. “She's been through much and I would like to let her know that the justice she sought will be delivered.”
***
James sat in the dark. He knew as well as Breunor that the verdict was already determined, he just didn't want to think that he could be capable of that. Not that you've done any better. He reminded himself.
When the message came it was without any statement, recommendations or comment. It only read “Guilty.”
Now his job began. He had already been thinking about what to do, but there was only one option that felt appropriate at this time. Any other option left his counterpart the ability to recover and continue, or worse, retaliate. He commanded unwavering loyalty, either earned or forced and that made him dangerous.
And then there was everyone it would effect. He couldn't let someone who was compromised by Cadence's magic control the station and from the reports he had that immediately removed Lucca Tali and Tenyo. Most likely Liara too. His daughters were still too young, and everyone he trusted most had either fled or been compromised. He couldn't just bring someone in from his station to take over while he was gone, that would guarantee rebellion. He needed a Regent they could trust without a counterpart to try to silence or replace them.
Even if Asgore were not compromised he likely wouldn't take the mantle as he felt he failed the monsters as their king. Asriel and Toriel would have definitely been compromised, they would have tried to stop him the moment they saw what was going on. He couldn't turn control over to Jurai, not with the break his counterpart had with them.
As he began to reread the reports he noticed something interesting in Amethyst's notes. Princess Luna hadn't officially been mentioned as missing. Luna had taken over the regular duties of being a figurehead when Celestia had left and now Cadence was handling the Equestrian affairs in her absence. While they had their magic they placed duty above all else, Luna being the only one to have broken from that. But here she was, not seeking to escape but seeking help to fix a dire problem. Even now her concern was for those who were left behind.
James grinned, she would make a good Regent while his daughters prepared to take control.
***
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Prince Phillionel.” Luna said politely as Phillionel approached.
“And it's my pleasure to meet you Princess Luna. Though I wish it could have been under less unpleasant circumstances.” Phillionel bowed as he got close.
Luna chuckled as she thought about the situation. “Unfortunately we never seem to meet when there is not some crisis. I met your counterpart while assisting with gathering aide from other worlds as my kingdom had just been devastated by a powerful monster that had taken the strength of it's citizens. Seyruun was the first to bring supplies and didn't stop until we took refuge under the New Guardian flag.”
Phillionel smiled as he heard her flattering words. “We will not abandon those in need of aide so long as we can provide it. And in this matter, we have passed our judgment. James is now working on the sentencing for his counterpart. Justice will soon be done.”
Luna shook her head and looked down. “And what of my part in this? I insisted that he take our magic and that directly led to his current state.”
Phillionelle shook his head. “Princess Luna. You cannot be held accountable for doing what was best for your people and placing your trust in one we all have trust in.”
“Unfortunately my trust in him backfired.” She said, more than a little disappointed in herself.
“A risk we all take. James's past is quite colored, more than a little of it with blood. But we see who he is and we know he's doing better. We trust him because he is fighting to be good, even though he may falter.” Phillionel explained. “I know your trust in him was shaken, but can you trust me when I say he is worth the risk?”
Luna stood silently as she looked out over Truce to New Guardia Castle before turning back to Phillionel. “I will trust you, Prince Phillionel, and have faith that James will be better than his counterpart.”
Phillionel smiled at the Alicorn, his twisted and broken teeth showing clearly. “Your faith will be well rewarded Princess Luna.”
Luna was always a little uncomfortable with Phillionel's smile, but she returned it happily. “Now, if I may ask, how are your daughters? Gracia and Amelia?”
Phillionel's smile grew wider at the question and he readily answered as the sky began to darken for nighttime.
***
“I'm sorry Rainbow Dash. But it's just too late to visit James's castle.” Rarity said as she pointed to the clock on the wall. “We'll just have to come back later.”
“Come on, Rarity. James's asleep by now. We just need to be quiet and we'll be fine.” Rainbow Dash said as she opened the door.
“And just how many times have you done this?” Rarity asked, concerned as she followed Rainbow Dash into New Guardia Castle.
Rainbow Dash gave her a surprised look. “Not often. But James did say we were welcome any time. That and I've got some modified clearance thing that lets me go anywhere in New Guardia.”
“Well, where should we start looking?” Rarity whispered as they walked through the halls.
“The guest bedrooms, if they stayed here that's where they'd be. But we need to go this way so we don't pass by anyone sleeping.” Rainbow Dash whispered back.