Shining Armor left the house with Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich in tow on the backs of his guards. Thankfully for Shining Armor Celestia and Cadance had the foresight to send him two Pegasus guards who would be able to transport anypony who happened to need transporting. Shining Armor heard all the chattering and gossip before he'd even left the house fully and when he came outside he saw that the crowd that gathered had grown a lot more considerably than when he first went inside. He ventured a guess that perhaps the only ponies who weren't there at this point where Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Applejack and Fluttershy. The latter two were too far away to really get caught up in everything. Applejack lived on the outskirts of town and Fluttershy lived next to the Everfree Forest. Firefly ran next to the guard carrying Diamond Tiara when he saw the shackles on her forelegs.
“Is...is this really necessary?” he asked Shining Armor. He didn't care too much as to why Filthy Rich had shackles too. Diamond Tiara was still muttering to herself. Seeing her like that had brought back how she was before everything went wrong. Firefly felt concern for her again. Filthy Rich was still protesting but his words were falling on deaf ears.
“'Fraid so, but we'll get her out of them as soon as we get her to Canterlot and start official proceedings.” Shining Armor replied. Firefly reached out to Diamond Tiara and was not put off by the warning glare that the guard gave him. He carefully picked up Diamond Tiara. The guard moved to stop him but Shining Armor placed a hoof on the guard's shoulder to let him know it was okay. Shining Armor had read Diamond Tiara's diary and knew that Firefly was the pony that Diamond Tiara was closest to, and he had a pretty good feeling that those feelings were probably mutual. He made a mental note to tell Firefly what he read in the diary. Not how Diamond Tiara had seen him near the end, but how she had seen him before. That loving and sweet guy her daddy employed who seemed to care the most about her.
“Can I carry her? I promise I won't try anything, I just don't want her to go alone.” Firefly asked. Shining Armor nodded, taking pity on the pair. Firefly held Diamond Tiara close and then placed her on his back.
“I need to stay here for a little bit longer guys. I need to talk to Star Shine about something. Stay on either side of Firefly and go straight to Canterlot and the palace. If he tries to get away then take him down without hurting the filly.” Shining Armor instructed the other two guards. They saluted and took their positions next to Firefly. Firefly kept his calm when most others may have felt more than a little intimidated or even frightened after hearing those instructions. He had no plans to try and escape so felt he had nothing to fear. The three Pegasi took off after Shining Armor gave one last salute as a signal for them to do so. Pinkie Pie and Rarity came to his side as he watched them leave.
“Was it really okay to let Firefly go with them like that?” Rarity asked.
“We'd need to question him too anyway. He won't try anything while he's got Diamond Tiara on his back like that.” Shining Armor replied.
“So why was Filthy all tied up too? Has he been bad? He always seemed kinda nice too. I wonder who's going to sell Zap Apple Jam now if he's gone. I should probably go tell Applejack about that.” Pinkie Pie asked before her train of thought left the station and derailed the conversation.
“He was kinda nice, certainly didn't let the money go to his head, but he was a pretty lousy dad. None of this woulda happened if he'd just paid some attention to his daughter.” Shining Armor replied. He turned away from the sky as the Pegasi disappeared into the horizon. “Now, where's Star Shine?” he asked, scanning the crowd for any sign of the blue colt. Shining Armor quickly realised that Star Shine wasn't around. Neither was his sister Twilight.
“Oh Twilight took him to Rainbow Dash's. He stayed around long enough to see Diamond Tiara brought out and then left. I dunno what for though. He didn't say and they left pretty much straight away.” Pinkie Pie replied before Shining Armor's over-active imagination had a chance to really kick in. There was some information he wasn't privy to and Rainbow Dash and Star Shine's sort of relationship was one of those pieces.
“Any idea when he'll be back?” Shining Armor asked, looking back at Pinkie. Pinkie shook her head.
“Dunno. He's coming back though. He said something about wanting to get back quick. That's why he took Twilight with him. So she could get him back quick too. Poor guys more tired than he's letting on. I wouldn't be surprised if he fell asleep.” Pinkie Pie replied, sounding a little concerned for the wellbeing of Star Shine.
“I'm sure he knows his limits and won't try and go past them dear.” Rarity said reassuringly, patting Pinkie on the back. Pinkie smiled at her and Shining Armor went back to waiting for Star Shine to return. There was something that he needed to discuss with him.
***
“Any time now.” Star Shine had said as soon as he had seen Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara in shackles. He was curious about why Filthy was chained up too but his concern for Rainbow Dash trumped all, except perhaps his concern for Scootaloo. Twilight had nodded, lit her horn, and that was how the pair found themselves where they were now; outside Rainbow Dash's house. Twilight had the foresight to apply a Cloud Walking Spell to herself before teleporting them and so stood on the cloud layer next to Star Shine. “Rainbow, Scootaloo, I'm home! Again!” Star Shine called, opening the door. Scootaloo jumped on him in a second and gave him a big hug. It was pretty much a repeat of his earlier visit to the house. He laughed as he nuzzled Scootaloo and Twilight walked in the house too. She was blushing a little at the display of affection. It was rather quite cute and intimate. She almost felt like she was intruding on a very private moment.
“Uhhh...hi Rainbow, hi Scootaloo.” Twilight said simply. Rainbow Dash ran up to her and gave her a hug.
“Hey Twi, what are you doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked. Scootaloo looked across curiously.
“I asked her for a ride.” Star Shine replied on behalf of Twilight.
“How are things in town? We got a letter from Shining Armor.” Scootaloo asked, looking up at Star Shine.
“That's why I'm here. Diamond Tiara and even Filthy Rich are in custody and on their way to Canterlot. I don't know what Shining Armor found but it must have been something big.” Star Shine replied. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash gasped at the news. “I was wondering why you two didn't come so I asked Twilight if she could bring me home. I was a little worried.” he added to explain what he was doing back at the house.
“She's...gone? Both of them?” Scootaloo asked. She could hardly believe that after everything Diamond Tiara had done and put her through it could all be over so quickly. Diamond Tiara had always bothered her and upset her. Not just in the past few weeks, but for most of the time she'd been in Ponyville. It was taking a second for it to all sink in. Star Shine nodded and smiled.
“That's right sweetie. It's all over now.” Star Shine replied.
“Well maybe not all.” Twilight said, dampening the happy atmosphere a little. The three Pegasi looked at her. She shied away from the attention a little. “It's just that Scootaloo might need to testify in court or something.” Twilight explained. “But for the most part it is over yes.” she added, smiling at Scootaloo.
“We can worry about that later. She's gone!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly. She grabbed Scootaloo out of Star Shine's grip and started throwing her in the air and catching her. Star Shine and Twilight watched the display for about a minute or so.
“So why weren't you guys there? I thought you'd want to see that.” Star Shine asked after letting them enjoy their celebration for what he felt was long enough. Rainbow Dash caught Scootaloo and didn't throw her back into the air. The fun was kind of over now. Instead, Rainbow Dash chose to hold Scootaloo close to her chest.
“Scootaloo was too nervous to go. She didn't want everypony looking at her.” Rainbow Dash explained. Star Shine walked over and hugged them both.
“I get that, don't worry. I hadn't really thought about that.” he said. He gave both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo a kiss on the cheek and turned his attention back to Twilight. “Seems I need to go back after all.” he said to her as he made his way next to her.
“Wait? What for?” Rainbow Dash asked him. Star Shine whispered something in Twilight's ear. She giggled and nodded, her horn glowing.
“There's something I need to take care of back there.” Star Shine replied. “Scootaloo, do me a favour and put your brace back on!” he called as a magical circle surrounded both him and Twilight. Twilight was taking her time casting the spell, as per Star Shine's whispered request.
“What for?” Scootaloo called back to be heard over the wind that had suddenly whipped up around Twilight and Star Shine. Theatrics were also in the request. Every colt secretly wanted to do something cool at least once in their lives and this might be one of the few chances he got to look awesome. He was relishing in it.
“You'll find out later! Just do it!” he called back. He nudged Twilight and she finished the spell. Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo watched in confusion as Star Shine and Twilight disappeared into nothingness.
“You remember where the brace is?” Rainbow Dash asked, still quite confused. Scootaloo nodded dumbly and hopped out of Rainbow Dash's grip, setting off to find the brace and put it on.
No, this better not be close to the end! please don't make it close to the end
3442403
I'm afraid it's dangerously close to the end, but there is a sequel to look forward to. I even thought of an idea for a nice little oneshot side story if the sequel is done in time
3442413
Shouldn't it be: Shining Armor quickly realized that Star Shine wasn't around.
You are actually published! WOW!!
Anywho, are we going to see the interrogations in Canterlot or will they be sum-umped in DT's epilouge?
3442403 I know right?
again, sorry for the spam. Guy above my spam posted that grandiose piece of work and made it to where I couldn't see the story.
3442380 I just meant she was bad at covering her tracks if she ever got busted. I think she did believe everyone would be on her side though, because somewhere in that messed up head of hers she believes Scootaloo deserves what she put her through.
Twilight's an alicorn, and does not need the cloud-walking spell.
3442445
I am indeed a self published author BUY MY STUFF! As far as I'm concerned Diamond Tiara is done now until her epilogue. I have one little thing to tie up and then I have two other things to tie up, which will be taken care of in the epilogues. After that there's one final thing to be tied up, which will be the sequel Unless it turns out there's more to be tied up I want the only thing left really being asked when I'm done to be "Well what next?" and that's what little one shots are for. Unless I think of something that requires a longer story.
Oh and yes I appear to have mixed up their names. Again. Shining Armor is not allowed in any of my stories anymore because damn, I just can't stop doing that.
3442451
Somewhere, some-when, there's always more
3442513
I was excited to see I had 25 comments, and then felt deflated when I saw why Don't worry about it.
3442568
Yeah but the way I see it is that she was bad at covering her tracks because she felt no need to. If I was crazy I'd cover my tracks as best as I can.
3442674
Twilight is just a regular old Unicorn in this story. The description clearly states that it disregards season 3 entirely. She's also tagged as just Twilight, and not Twilicorn.
3442380 don't tell anyone but i snuck my laptop to work and read itdurring what i call breaks...
3442720 I blame the guy who posted "Don't ban kanoi" or whatever it said. He did it so freaking big you couldn't see anything and made it follow your screen. Kinda glad he got banned himself for doing that.
Good chapter tho I missed a lot do to my cold but none the less i love this story
Good thinking on Scootaloo's part.
3442380
Yea, you do need co-conspirators. SS might have known she was up to something, but only DT was involved in the planning or execution. The first anybody besides DT knew what she was going to do was when the paper went out.
As outlandish as it may sound, attempted murder is a viable charge here. Putting somebody in a situation where their death is a likely result is attempted homicide, and criminal intent OR it occurring as a result of a crime classifies that as murder. The classic example of this is chasing somebody into a train tunnel - you may not have directly caused them physical harm, but you intentionally forced them into a deadly situation.
The facts in this case are simple:
Scootaloo, having a history of mental issues and attempted suicide, cannot be considered to be in a rational mindset and thus cannot be considered to be in full control of her actions.
DT, knowing this, chose to engage in actions which a reasonable pony would expect to drive Scootaloo to suicide. This is intentionally exploiting an infirmity for the purpose of causing the death of the infirm party. To wit, murder.
As it was not a successful attempt, it is thus attempted murder.
Another great chapter, and I love Star Shines exit, very theatrical. And why do I sense a sequel, and maybe I hear a few wedding bells off in the distance...
3442755
I'm pretty sure that's totally fine to do. As well as more than likely fun.
3442790
I really hope that thing's over now. It was a pretty stupid way to try and spread a message
3442806
I'm glad you're enjoying the story and I hope you're feeling better
3442858
She's a smart little filly. Or just so apprehensive that she's technically smart. Wait that doesn't make sense.
3443425
When you put it like that it doesn't really sound all that outlandish. The murder charge anyway. You're also right on the legal definition of conspiracy. It involves two or more people. Huh. Learn something new every day.
3443471
If I was given the chance I would make as an awesome an exit as possible. This thing is becoming wish fulfillment but in a whole other way it seems. There's going to be a proper sequel and at least one random oneshot in the future. Possibly two. Basically if I can think of a decent idea to do something with set in this universe I'll have no problem doing it. I might even come up with an idea that requires several chapters.
3443697 or an a story that goes way beyond this one in terms of chapters... but your story bud. good look, I cant believe its almost over though, Scoot still hasn't flown and we need to know if she has got that disability or not, I mean, this story line is great, but it does seem as the reason I started reading this (for scoot to fly) has been lost.... no offense, still awesome. just
I WANNA SEE SCOOTALOO FLY BEFORE THIS STORY IS OVER!!!! and maybe a wedding?
3443713
Well knowing me, anything I come up with will probably be about 10 times as long as it was supposed to be Some answers are probably going to have to wait, but most questions will be answered by the end of this Trust me, I didn't expect this to become anything like it has.
3443697 yeah welll... where i work we don't get breaks....
Well, I have just read through all 88 chapters of this excellent story, and now i think i'll just sit here and wait for the next one
3446534
I'm pretty sure they're a legal requirement....aren't they?
3446803
You're insane...ly awesome Thank you. That must have taken a while. Have yourself a new update
My little Chris Hanson, dateline BBC is magic.