//------------------------------//
// News From Home 
// Story: Tartarus Forged Friendship 
// by Mystic Sunrise 
//------------------------------//

Okay, so Twilight admitted that the statue of herself that had been raised near the Crystal Heart was beautiful and well made. She made a note to commend those who had worked on it.

But it was still deeply embarrassing to be singled out so much when her friends had done just as much as she had. Any of them could have returned the Heart to where it belonged.

It had just been her luck to be the one to do so.

Of course, her telling this to the crystal ponies seemed to make them love her even more. It seemed that being humble was a sign of greatness to the Crystal Empire.

Or a sign of awesomeness as Rainbow Dash had said after she had talked with some of the foals. Twilight seemed to be even more loved among the younger ponies.

She shook her head after a moment. As much as she did like the statue, her being here helped keep her thoughts off of things that had been going on in the last few days.

The effect of Sombra's amnesia over the empire had vanished once the tyrant had been destroyed by the Crystal Heart's magic, though ponies were still readjusting to being able to live freely again.

Contact had officially been made with Equestria, and while it would take time to set up all the necessary arrangements and connections, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had already promised to help get the empire back on its hooves as much as they could.

Plans had already been laid for the Great Northern Equestrian Railroad to extend its tracks to the empire. With the Heart's magic now at full strength, the tundra was receding from around the city's borders.

Cadance had stayed on as a temporary ruler until the empire formally decided. While all of the crystal ponies loved Cadance and Shining for what they had done defending the city, some were still leery of a stallion close to the throne.

While Twilight knew her brother was nothing like Sombra, she could not really blame ponies for being like that. Shining himself seemed to understand it too for he kept himself busy with the Imperial Guard and trying to bring it up to modern standards.

How well that was going Twilight didn't know, but she hoped he was having luck with it. A lot had changed since the city had vanished so long ago. Most though seemed to be doing fine so far.

Diamanda had been a huge help from what Cadance had told her. While Twilight's sister in law had known some of what it means to run a country, Diamanda's knowledge was second to none, and her time as the former ruler of the Empire made her Cadance's best source to go to when she had a question.

And boy did she have a lot of questions. Princess Celestia's teachings on ruling did fine up to a point. But the Crystal Empire differed from Equestria in many ways she wasn't ready for.

Speaking of Equestria though, Twilight bit her lip as she remembered as to why she was out here all alone at the moment.

***

The moment Twilight saw the sigil of the Judiciary Committee on the letter Cadance was holding, she knew something was wrong. As she read it with her sister in law, her ears fell. She had been expecting this honestly.

Her friends though, didn't understand what the big deal seemed to be. "So what's up?" Rainbow asked.

Cadance and Twilight shared a look before Cadance answered. "This is a summons for miss Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Captain Shining Armor, and mister Spike Drake, to appear before the full Judiciary Committee one week from receipt of this letter.

This is in regard to actions taken by the individuals listed before the wedding of Princess Cadance to Captain of the Royal Guard Shining Armor Sparkle.

Failure to appear in the time allotted will be seen as contempt of court and further actions may be taken against those named here."

Everyone but Twilight and Cadance shared a confused look. "Can somepony explain what the hay that all meant?" Applejack asked.

Twilight rubbed her snout. "It means you're being summoned to explain the whole mess from the wedding rehearsal and before. The fact that it comes from the full Judiciary Committee means that both Houses of Parliament voted to bring this to a full hearing."

Cadance nodded. "It also means that Aunt Celestia can't get you out of this. From what I understand, she's also being called to testify and explain how nopony saw Chrysalis and her replacing of me."

"So how come Twilight isn't on the list?" Spike asked.

Cadance gave the younger mare a small smile. "Her actions at the rehearsal, and by extension Penumbra's, have exonerated her in the eyes of the committee."

Twilight nodded. "Plus the fact that I was the only one to call out how wrong everything seemed to be, helped my case."

No one could really argue that, but they still didn't like this at all. "We're national heroes. They can't do this to us," Rainbow grumbled.

Twilight shook her head. "They can Rainbow. Being a hero doesn't put us above the law. I would go to if they were requesting me to appear as well."

Cadance nodded before she looked back at the group. "I am still a princess of Equestria. I do not want to have to force this, but I must ask you all to go to Canterlot and see this through. It will go much easier for everyone if you do."

Shining's Royal Guard kicked in at that moment as he snapped to attention. It wasn't an order, but years under Princess Celestia, and then both her and Princess Luna, had conditioned him to pick up subtle cues.

Even if he didn't like it.

Twilight's head lowered. "I'm sorry guys. There's nothing I can do. I don't have the power or authority to overrule this." Her eyes closed as she fought back tears. "Just, do as Cadance says, and I'll see you all back in Ponyville when you're done."

***

Twilight's ears fell just thinking about the whole thing. Her friends and brother had left that morning to catch the first train back to Canterlot. She had seen them off of course. But it hadn't been a happy parting for anyone.

She would have gone with them, but there was still so much of the Crystal Empire she wanted to see. Cadance had let her use the room she had woken up in as her quarters for as long as she stayed in the empire.

And she would be lying if she didn't want to see more of the Crystal Library. Her first time had been somewhat rushed of course with trying to find a way to defeat Sombra.

With all the time in Equestria now, Twilight looked forward to really getting to know the library better. Who knew what it contained? Maybe it even had books that the Canterlot Archives or the Golden Oaks Library.

The idea made Twilight squee slightly just at the thought.