"Get a move on, prisoners." The guards were tailing us as we made the long trudge up the mountain.
If it weren't for the sweet scent of grass under our hooves, one smell I hadn't been able to remember in years, this trip would have started in Half-Pence and I running again, only to be punished in a harsher manner.
There was a steep trail weaving around the beautiful landmark, but the path was as narrow as a single pony, meaning Half-Pence couldn't walk by my side.
While the line traveled up the winding mountain, the sounds of the city of Canterlot came into earshot. Large chatter and street performers were finally expressed as we came closer to the gates of the castle that would be our demise.
After a tiring half hour, we had gotten to a secure, gold plated gate. Beyond that, large shops bustled for what looked like miles. And at the center of all those shops was the spectacular castle of Canterlot.
A guard ruefully walked up to the gate and thrust it open. Nearly all talking stopped, and rich ponies and guards gathered on the sidewalks to watch our slow trot to the castle.
Looks of disgust and hatred poured onto the faces of the onlookers. Obviously, this hasn't been the first time criminals have been transported to the gleaming city's borders. But oddly, despised faces quickly turned to confusion once they saw that there were two fillies being taken to Princess Celestia. We all made our trip to the castle with our heads down, ashamed of the massive crowd of spectators.
The superstructure that was the domain of the Princess had made a large shadow, shrouding us visitors in darkness. The steps of the castle were now coming in to view, and I had reluctantly made my first step into a hopeless future.
***
The guards gathered around the giant doors to the throne room. We were anxious to see the Ruler of Equestria in our own eyes. It would have been an honor if the Princess wasn't going to send us to prison for years.
"Do not insult Princess Celestia, or we will have your flanks on a platter," said the guard while he was opening the door to the throne room. And there sat the most honored pony in all of Equestria.
"Step forward," she commanded. The six criminals, including me, trotted in front of the Princess. She examined us, and then looked at a nearby steward magically hovering a clipboard and a quill pen in mid-air. It wasn't so common as to see unicorns in the slums of Trottingham.
She looked at us once again. "Guards, take them to the prison. Not, the fillies. I want to speak with these."
Now that scared me out of my wits. Was she setting us free, was she going to murder us on display, was she, was she? My mind was racing a million miles per hour.
The guards hauled off the other criminals. There were only two left. Me, and Half-Pence. She didn't look so pleased with what the Princess had just administered to the two of us.
"You have stolen a large sum of gold from others less fortunate than you." Celestia's voice was shockingly serious. "How do you plead?"
"Guilty!" Half-Pence had blurted. I didn't know how hard this had been for her. Then, Princess Celestia's gaze slowly turned to me. "And you?"
I sighed. I had no other choice but to cooperate. "Gui-"
"Princess Celestia! Prince Blueblood stormed in from the other side of the room.
"What is it now, nephew?"
"These two fillies are innocent!" I couldn't believe it. Princess Celestia's nephew was actually speaking up for two street thugs.
"Sit down, Blueblood, or you will be sent to prison with these two ruffians." A fire burned in Celestia's eyes now. She. Was. Furious.
"One of your men has stolen from these two, your Majesty."
"Is this true, fillies?" Princess Celestia's face looked less blood-thirsty and more concerned.
"Yes," I spoke up, "it is. We were walking down the street when an escort of Blueblood took the satchel from us."
"We even have a witness," Half-Pence said, definitely. She pointed a hoof at Prince Blueblood.
"The guard's name is Surefire," responded the Prince.
"He's the one who had reported the theft." Princess Celestia's composure was more aimed toward assisting us. "We must stop this true criminal at once."