//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Deal with the Devil // by RaylanKrios //------------------------------// Scootaloo’s sentencing was closed to the public. The only ponies allowed to attend were the six Element Bearers, Mayor Mare, Scootaloo’s parents, and representative from the royal court in Canterlot. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were also allowed to attend according to an ancient Equestrian tradition that an accused pony never had to be alone, and thus was allowed at least two friends in attendance for moral support. Rarity and Applejack initially objected to their sister’s presence, however the trio of ponies who made up the CMC insisted. Despite the closed session Twilight still insisted on following formal Equesterian law procedures; she tasked Spike with being the bailiff and commandeered the Mayor’s office as her personal chambers. She gathered all the library’s books on Canterlot law and the history of the Elements and had them shipped over, save for two that she wanted to review the night before. The next morning Spike stood next to the Mayor’s lectern in the town chambers holding an impressive looking jeweled sword, “All rise for Princess Twilight Sparkle,” he announced. The assembled ponies all stood as Twilight entered the courtroom in full princess regalia. Twilight took her place behind the lectern and motioned for the room to be seated. She spoke in a calm, neutral tone. “Thank you Bailiff. Under normal circumstances this matter would be taken up in Canterlot by Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, however the Elements are my responsibility so Princess Celestia has granted me the authority in deciding this matter. The facts of this case are not in question: Scootaloo, you are charged with stealing the Element of Kindess, willingly handing it over to Discord with the knowledge that he intended to destroy it, and furthermore it has been determined that you did these things of your own free will. Do you have anything to say on your behalf?” Scootaloo stayed silent for a minute, and in that minute a million thoughts ran through her head. She wanted to cry, to throw herself on the mercy of the court and beg forgiveness. She wanted to run out of the courtroom take to the skies and keep flying til Equestria was distant memory. She wanted to scream about how unfair this was and how dare Twilight judge her. Twilight, who was a personal student of Princess Celestia and then became a princess herself; who got everything she ever wanted handed to her on a silver platter. Scootaloo wanted to say all of those things; but instead she just looked up at Twilight and said softly “I just wanted to fly so badly…I know what I did was wrong, I’m sorry.” Scootaloo then stole a glance over at her parents who nodded reassuringly. Twilight nodded a short nod of acknowledgement and perhaps a hint of forgiveness. “Fluttershy it was your Element that she stole, do you have anything you’d like to say?” Fluttershy took a deep breath as everypony turned to look at her. She had been even more quiet then usual since her Element had been taken from her and as result nopony knew exactly what she was going to say. Twilight leaned in, curious as both the judge and Fluttershy’s friend. After what seemed like an hour Fluttershy lightly cleared her throat, “I forgive Scootaloo,” she said finally. “I’m not saying that it’s okay because it’s not, and I’m not saying that it won’t take some time before I can trust her again. She should be punished, but I don’t think anything is accomplished by being too hard on her.” Twilight nodded again. “Thank you Fluttershy. Because your actions affected all the Element bearers I open the court up to their testimony, if they have anything to add let them speak now.” “Your highness,” Rarity gave a slight bow as she stepped forward “If my words hold any sway over the court I would ask that you show lenience to Scootaloo. I don’t believe anypony here would deny what she did was wrong, but I also know that everypony here believes in second chances, I simply ask you extend her the same sympathy you would any of us.”Rarity bowed again and returned to her place in line. Applejack stepped forward next as she glanced over at her little sister, “Ah don’t rightfully know what you should do sug-your highness, but I do know that Scootaloo’s been a good friend to Applebloom and well that ain’t nothing, if you’re making a list you should put that on it.” Twilight looked over at Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie,but both ponies stayed silent. Rainbow Dash looked down at the ground, her ears pinned back and Pinkie Pie appeared as though she might have something to say but thought better of it. “Ok unless anypony has anything else they wish me to consider I’m going to deliberate.” The assembled crowd remained silent with the exception of a few murmurs. The ponies all stood as Twilight left the courtroom. Spike stood by the door to the mayor’s office, taking his duties as bailiff quite seriously. For five hours Twilight stayed in the Mayor’s chambers. Scootaloo fidgeted nervously throughout the waiting period as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle tried to cheer her up. Applejack and Rarity also came over to offer their own comforts. Twilight Sparkle was many things they assured the small filly, but she was not heartless. Rainbow Dash stayed on the far end of the courtroom, and true to her restless nature Pinkie Pie wandered around the chambers at one point bringing everyone cupcakes because, well, she was Pinkie Pie. The room went silent as Twilight walked back in. She sat down and began to speak in what she hoped was a very measured tone. “There is no legal precedence for this sort of crime, because of that I must rely solely on my own judgment. The testimony of your friends as well as Fluttershy’s forgiveness works in your favor Scootaloo. But I must weigh that forgiveness against the seriousness of your crimes. The Elements of Harmony are six of the most powerful items in all of Equestria. You’ve placed us all at risk with your actions, and as a Princess I cannot ignore that. Finally I am forced to consider this: Celestia and Luna may be able to create a new Element, however to do so they need a pink sapphire. The only place in Equestria that pink sapphires can be found is the Wild Lands. I’ve volunteered to go and get one. I think you should come with me. Maybe you can help undo what you’ve done.” “Well if she’s going, then we’re going too,” chimed Sweetie Belle. “Yeah Cutie Mark Crusaders Gem Hunters,” agreed Applebloom. “Like hay you are, ain’t no sister of mine going out into the Wild Lands, Big Mac doesn’t even venture out there,” Applejack said as soon as she heard Applebloom’s proclamation. “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, you are not going into the Wild Lands just because Scootaloo is going.” Twilight said as she tried to restore some semblance of order to her courtroom. “I Agree, Sweetie Belle it is far too dangerous for you to go. However I would like to volunteer on my sisters behalf if anypony else is allowed to join this venture.” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat “I volunteer too. Me and the kid have some serious issues to hash out but I wouldn't be very loyal if I let a filly, an eggehead and a- Rarity go to the Wild Lands by themselves.” “Perhaps one day you would like to explain by what you meant by that last comment, however in the meantime I believe that we would be glad to have your assistance,” Rarity replied in response to Rainbow’s offer. “I’d join y’all, really I would. But its harvest season and we got a bumper crop this year,” said Applejack. “The cakes are going out of town and I told them I’d watch the twins or else I’d come too.” Pinkie said. “I should go, it’s my element,” Fluttershy said, though the fear was evident in her voice. For the first time since Scootaloo confessed to her actions in the field, she turned and looked at Fluttershy. “No, this is my fault Fluttershy, let me go in your place. I know that it doesn’t make up for what I did. But maybe it can be start.” Fluttershy looked at Scootaloo thoughtfully, and then she smiled one of her impossibly warm Fluttershy smiles. The type of warm smile filled with forgiveness and sympathy that let everypony know exactly why she was selected as the Element of Kindness. “Okay Scootaloo, you can go in my place. But promise me you’ll be careful. I’d feel just awful if something bad happened to you.” “I promise,” the filly replied. “Maybe I can call Braeburn to help take my place this year on the farm. It just don’t seem right me not going with y’all.” Applejack said. “And I’ll bet Cheerliee could watch the twins. I should go too.” Pinkie added. “It’s okay girls. You have important things to do here. I think the four of us can handle this.” Twilight said. Applejack and Pinkie both nodded reluctantly, accepting that this would be one adventure they would have to miss out on. “If there is nothing else I hereby declare court adjourned.” Twilight stood up and headed back to the Mayor’s office, as soon as the door shut Rarity attempted to follow Twilight; however she was stopped by Spike, still holding his jeweled sword. “Sorry Rarity but I can’t let you back there,” the diminutive dragon said trying to be as authoritative as possible. “Oh come now Spike, Twilight is my friend and I would like to speak to her, so if you would be so kind as to step aside…” “The Princess said that no one gets into her chambers uninvited,” came the firm response from Spike. Rarity began to roll her eyes at the idea of Spike being any sort of obstacle but she thought better of it. Instead she fluttered her eyelashes and looked at Spike with an expression born of years of practice at getting lovesick ponies (and dragons) to do her bidding. “Please Spikey Wikey it’s just little old me,” she said with wide eyes and what could only be described as adorable pout. Spike instantly blushed and began to paw at the ground with his foot. “I guess it is just you.” “Ooh you’re the best Spikey.” Rarity kissed him on the cheek and sauntered past him into the Mayor’s office where she found Twilight slumped at her desk looking exhausted. “How’d you get- oh. right. I let Spike guard the door.” “You should probably be glad that his weakness is beautiful ponies and not bloodthirsty griffins.” The two friends shared a smile at Spikes well known love sickness. “How are you feeling dear? You look dreadful!” “Being a Princess is hard. I don’t know how Celestia does it. I mean what if Scootaloo gets hurt? I don’t want that, but I couldn’t just let her off with a warning. The last recorded crime against the Elements was Discord, and we all know what happened to him.” “About Discord, I am forced to wonder why he doesn’t have to answer for his role in all of this?” Rarity wondered. “Well, for starters, no one knows where he is. But more than that, when Opal scratches your curtains do you get mad at her?” “Well sort of but it’s really more my fault for not making sure she has a scratching p-oh I see.” “Yeah, this sort of behavior is expected from Discord, Celestia’s magic was there to make sure that he couldn’t act alone; I still can’t believe he found somepony willing to help him.” “I think we’re all capable of terrible things when what we want most is dangled right in front of us.” “So you’re really coming with us?” Twilight asked. “It would appear so. I can’t help but think that Scootaloo is in this mess because she didn’t trust anypony to help her. Perhaps between the two of us and Rainbow we convince her that she doesn’t always need to face everything by herself.” “About Rainbow Dash, the last time I spoke to her she was still having a hard time coming to grips with what Scootaloo did. Do you think she’ll be on her game? This could get dangerous.” Twilight asked. “It’s not an ideal situation, but I trust Rainbow. I think we’ll be glad to have her along. As for myself, I am a pony of many talents, but surviving in the wilderness is not one of them. Are you sure you want me to come?” “You do hate camping, but your gem finding spell seems like it will be useful. I was going to ask if you could teach it to me, but now I guess it can wait until we get back. I’d still like to learn it though. Do you think it could be modified to differentiate gems while they’re still in the ground?” Twilight began to get at excited at the prospect of her next magic project. “I’d be happy to teach you dear. But perhaps we should get back from our trip first. I imagine I’ll need to book several spa treatments to get all the dirt out of my hooves by the time we get back.” Twilight giggled. “I’ll join you. We haven’t gone to the spa together in a while.” “I’d like that.” “So are you really ready to venture out into the Wild Lands tomorrow?” “Well no, but what’s the worst that could happen?”