//------------------------------// // Solitary Contemplation // Story: Trial of a Changeling // by twilightsparkle3562 //------------------------------// Chapter 4 "Solitary Contemplating" Lock Down sat in his hut on the edge of the Everfree Forest reflecting on the events of recent. He had come out of hiding to aid the young colt who succeeded him as Captain of the Royal Guard to rescue his wife and sister from a changeling. Normally, in a situation like this, Lock Down would be rewarded and recognized for his accomplishments. But, he had his own goals and intentions to make the defense of Equestria stronger…or at least in his mind. "It's really quite surreal," he said to himself, as he rubbed his hoof on one of his dogs. "What I had done with young Shining Armor in my view was nothing more than another bounty hunt. Here I was, rescuing a pair of princesses from a changeling that has been wanted for crimes beyond belief. But, I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, that I should return to Canterlot and finally face my former superiors after so many years." Lock Down also had to remember his final conversation with Shining Armor before he left the Crystal Empire in that he also was taught a lesson when in reality, he had taught all that lessons that made Shining Armor who he was. "But, you taught me all those techniques that you possessed in your tenure," stuttered Shining Armor, as he followed Lock Down to the edge of the Crystal Empire. "What did I teach you about?" "About what I did was wrong," replied Lock Down as his dogs slowly came forward, standing next to him. "I caused you to have the failures that you had inflicted upon yourself. But, when you had those failures, you learned from them and have become the leader that you are now. You just needed another lesson in atoning for your actions and that Kuwaga was your catalyst for achieving that lesson." Closing his eyes and taking in a deep sigh, Lock Down got up and walked out to the edge of the hut and noticed that the rain had started to fall. Seeing the rain made him believe that the heavens were sending him a sign that he had done more harm than good and these raindrops looked like tears of sadness, tears of anger, etc. "These raindrops," he continued as he walked outside and touched them with his hoof. "What is it that they are telling me? That I should return to Canterlot and face Celestia and Luna? Shining Armor taught me that you can't take things too seriously, isn't that enough? Should I tell everypony in Equestria that I have changed just by this one series of events? If you are trying to give me a sign, then give it to me now!" Just then, the rain had stopped and the clouds were breaking apart while the sun tried to come through. This was a strange sight to see for that the clouds were breaking in a pattern, a pattern that led towards Canterlot. Lock Down looked up at the sky again and realized that this was the sign that he was receiving: to return to Canterlot and at least apologize for what he had done all those years ago. He had taught Shining Armor to not show any mercy on his enemies and leaving Kuwaga alive taught him a lesson that Equestria needs to show some mercy on its enemies. "Is this the sign?" wonder Lock Down as he looked towards the pattern between his hut and the road to Canterlot. "Are you saying that I should follow it? Then if it is, I will follow it, even though I don't want to." Whistling over to his dogs, Lock Down left his hut and followed the path that the clouds were making. It was becoming clear to Lock Down that he was going to have his reunion with his superiors and it was certainly going to be an uneasy one to say the least. For the next hour, Lock Down and his dogs followed the path, being on their guard for any enemy that might pop out from behind the trees and cause a distraction. Lock Down also noticed that the rain was falling about a mile on each side of him, almost as if this sign was trying to get him to take the clearest possible path to Canterlot and ultimate redemption. "What strange weather that we are having," he wondered. "I know I have been searching for a sign, but this is ridiculous. What are those Pegasus ponies up to?" But, rather than stopping to investigate, Lock Down pressed on to Canterlot, getting closer and closer to his destination. About an hour after he had begun his sudden journey, Lock Down arrived at the gates to Canterlot only to discover two guards…two guards that he had trained personally standing guard. "Captain Lock Down," cried one of the guards, lowering his spear. "What brings you back to Canterlot at this time? Do you know that security is tightened with the impending trial of the captured Changeling that Captain Armor had captured?" "I am aware," replied Lock Down. "I come in peace, my friends. Despite what you may have been told about me. Please let me through the gates." The guards gave each other a look and allowed Lock Down to pass through the gates, knowing that he was no longer the threat that he once was. Meanwhile, at that moment, a group of ponies were in a house with several royal guards being present. They were not from Canterlot and had travelled a great distance for the impending trial that was about to take place. "Now then," said one of the guards. "You shall all have your chance to say your peace when the trial begins. Their highnesses know of the pain that the one called Kuwaga has inflicted on you and your families and friends." "Then, where is that murderous monster?" cried one of the ponies, talking in a Trottingham accent. "I demanded to know where he is!" "He will arrive in Canterlot at sundown," the guard replied. "In a few moments, you will be taken to several areas of the castle to prepare for your testimonies. This will be the trial to end all trials if any of you have anything to say about it." All the ponies nodded in agreement and at that moment, two more guards appeared and they were all escorted out of the house to prepare for their testimonies that would soon come in what was going to be the trial of all trials…