The Ruler of Ponies and Men

by Boopy Doopy


(2-1) Questions And Answers

Cadance looked absolutely furious as I watched her be led in by two guards. She had a magic blocking ring on her horn, a harness strapped to her wings, chains around her hooves, and a seething look on her face that I loved. I had to admit, I expected her to have her head hanging low as she entered with a few tears rolling down her face, but seeing her almost growling in anger was just as good I figured. Regardless, the effect I wanted to have on her was happening.
Luna, Hope, and I sat in the throne room in front of a very large gathering of ponies as she was led in, more than I had anticipated. From what I could see, it was mostly nobles and rich ponies from Canterlot among us, although there were some crystal ponies there, as well as a smattering of other creatures. Although most of the ponies there looked uncomfortable, the ponies from the Crystal Empire in particular seemed terrified because of me. Not that it was a surprise, but it did make me frown to see. I debated for a second whether I should try and do something about it, before deciding that those were thoughts for later. Right now, they were here for a trial, and a trial was what they would see.
Cadance didn’t say anything as she came in, taking her seat angrily as the crowd gazed at her and whispered to themselves. I found her glaring at the three of us, locking eyes with me in particular, and I made sure to stare back, my expression scowling and unchanging as I did so. It was a few seconds that we locked eyes before Luna spoke, the whispers ending as she did so.
“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” the blue alicorn spoke loudly, forcefully, “You are hereby being formally charged by the Nation of Equestria with treason, attempted murder, and crimes against ponykind. How will you plead?”
She coughed to clear her throat, angrily growling out, “Not guilty.” It was what I expected her to say, though we did plan for what we would do in case she opted to say she was guilty. There was a whole different list of questions planned exclusively for her had that been the case and it would've been the easier route to go down had she chosen that. However, it wasn't the case, and Luna continued as we had planned in this scenario.
“Then we will hear your testimony, as well as those of the ponies who’ve accused you and bore witness to your actions. Twilight Sparkle, if you’ll start us off, please?”
I watched Twilight frown and look down at her hooves as she stood up, making her way over to a makeshift stand that was set up just before. She occasionally glanced at Cadance as she did so, seeming like she wanted to be anywhere else but there right then.
“Ah, um, what- what do you- what do I say…?” she asked Princess Luna anxiously, still staring at Cadance nervously as she did so, a bit sad from what I could tell.
“We will start with the day in question, the day Sombra reappeared in the Crystal Empire,” she told her. “What were you doing in the Crystal Empire to begin with? Why were you there?”
“Well, um, she- she invited me there,” Twilight explained. “She told me that she wanted to see some unexplored parts of the castle with me, and to try and open Sombra’s study there.”
“And you were the first pony who saw him in there when it was opened, correct?”
“Um, yes, I- I did…”
"And was it you who opened it, or her?"
"It, um..." She took a breath, swallowed, then finished, "It was me."
I could tell Cadance could already see where this was going, and from what I saw, it looked like she wanted to interrupt. However, I knew she knew how that would look, and kept silent.
“Sombra,” Hope whispered as Luna and Twilight continued. I lowered my ear down to her, and she asked, “Do you think she should speak at all?”
“Yes, but why do you ask?”
“Well, what if she tries to tell lies? She could say something like you have all of us under your control or that you forced us against her, or that this was also your plan as well, and that’s why this is happening. She could make ponies not trust you.”
“They already don’t trust me,” I answered back, “so there’s nothing for me to lose. The way I see it, I’m making her look like a fool and gaining their trust as well. Besides, I have a couple of those in the crowd that’ll come up to speak as well. Now to mention the fact that I'm still looking for a way to get out what isn't said here to the public afterward.”
“Well… I really don’t think it’s a good idea to let her talk. I really think she could try and spin this against you, against us both. That’s just how I feel about it.”
“I understand, but I promise it won’t be an issue. They trust you, and Luna, and Shining Armor, and the Element Bearers, so as long as they back up what I’m saying, there shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Okay, if you say so,” she responded simply, sounding a bit unsure. “I’ll trust you…”
We both looked back at Cadance, still scowling as she stared directly at us, watching as we whispered before we all turned our attention back on what Princess Luna and Twilight were saying.
“I mean, sure she was upset, but… considering Sombra’s…” My ears perked up at that, and I automatically shot a look Twilight’s way, causing her to start fumbling over her words.
“I- ah, what- um, I mean- I, uh… I mean, considering the circumstances… or, I meant, the previous history we had during encounters with him, umm… it’s not… that weird that she would be… angry… I’m sorry…”
“But she was angry?” Luna asked.
“Umm, yes, more than…” She gave a look to the pink alicorn, then continued, “More than anypony else there was, but not more than Celestia was… if- if that means anything…”
“We understand Twilight,” the princess told her. “We do have one more question, however. Do you believe that Cadance would do something like this? That she is capable of the charges brought upon her?”
“Why is she asking that?” I whispered to Hope as I watched Twilight’s face become even more anxious as she shuffled her hooves and moved around a bit, turning nervously back to Cadance again.
“I don’t know,” Hope whispered back to me, now frowning like I was because of her question. “It’s not something she should be asking, unless she’s expecting Twilight to say yes.”
“You don’t think she would be trying to- wait, Twilight’s speaking.”
We watched her sigh, answering, “I- I don’t know. I really, really don’t want to believe that this all happened because of her…” I gave Luna a glare at Twilight’s answer for her question, resisting the urge to bare my teeth at her as I saw a tiny grin trying to creep onto Cadance’s face before the purple pony continued, “But even though I don’t want to believe she would do something like this… even though I don't want this to be true, I- I know it happened… I’m sorry Cadance…”