The police station doors burst open once again that day, startling the ponies in the waiting room. Sweetie Belle's parents hurried into the station, Sweetie Belle's mother sporting a look of fury masking intense emotional pain. "Where is she," growled Sweetie Belle's mother. "Where is my daughter?"
"Pearl, please calm down," mumbled Sweetie Belle's father. "We won't get either of them out of here by acting rashly."
Sweetie Belle's mother wheeled around and fixed her husband with her fiery glare. "I won't let this happen again!" she cried. "I will not let Princess Celestia put another one of my children down like an animal!"
Suddenly Sweetie Belle's mother felt a comforting hoof on her shoulder and she wheeled around to see Applejack behind her, looking grim. "Ah know this is hard," she said quietly.
The distraught mare fixed Applejack with her glare. "You have no idea what this is like! You have no idea what it is like to find out that another one of the foals you carried in you and raised from the first minute of her life is going to be put down just like her older sister for protecting her own child!"
"Now hold yer horses, we don't know if anypony's gonna get executed," said Applejack. "We don't even know who they said did what. If it was just Sweetie Belle protectin' Blossom then maybe they'll get to go home."
"But I want them to come home now!" wailed Sweetie Belle's mother. "I won't let Princess Celestia kill another one of my children!"
"Miss Pearl, I must ask you to calm yourself," said the familiar serene voice of Equestria's sun goddess. Instantly the ponies in the room bowed low to her as she walked in, all except Pearl whose glare returned.
"Where are they," she said. "Where are my daughter and granddaughter?"
"We are still determining a few more aspects of the case," said Celestia. "Do not worry for Twilight is taking care of Blossom."
"I don't want that librarian taking care of her, I want her home safe with her mother!" Pearl commanded.
"Pearl, please," said Sweetie Belle's father. "They're doing all they can, don't make it--"
"If I want to hear a word you have to say I'll ask for it!" screeched Pearl. Pearl wheeled back to Celestia. "I won't let you do it! Do you hear me? I will not let you put another one of my daughters down!"
"Now hold on, sugar cube, we don't even know if Sweetie Belle did anything wrong yet," said Applejack. The apple farmer looked up at Celestia. "Ah take it that's what ya came out here to discuss with us, am Ah right?
Celestia nodded. "If you could all sit down, we have a lot to discuss."
The gathered ponies went to their seats as Princess Celestia walked in front of the group. Magnum wrapped his forelegs around Pearl's shoulders and tried to calm his livid wife down.
"Are they okay?" Scootaloo blurted out. "Did you do anything bad to them?"
"No harm has befallen either Sweetie Belle or her foal," reassured Celestia.
"And you won't hurt them," said Pearl angrily. "Don't you dare hurt them."
Celestia looked sadly at Sweetie Belle's mother. "I'm afraid we've come to a few conclusions," she began. "Firstly, forensic evidence has revealed that the killer of the two foals was indeed Sweetie Belle." Pearl let out an audible whimper and tears began falling from her eyes. "Unfortunately I think you all know our laws regarding non self-defense based killing."
"Execution," whispered Applejack. The farm pony felt something wrap around her waist and she saw that Apple Bloom had gripped her tightly and buried her head in her sister's shoulder.
"Isn't there another way?!" said Scootaloo frantically. "You can't kill her, you just can't! She was just protecting her foal!"
"Murder is not the correct way to protect from verbal abuse. If she had merely taken her child out of the woods and gotten the foals in trouble then this wouldn't be happening. As it is, Sweetie Belle is guilty of murder."
"But she was just trying to protect her child!" wailed Pearl. "You don't have the right to snuff her life out for that!"
"Please be calm," said Celestia. "My sister and I have taken into account the rather special circumstances of this case. We will not execute Sweetie Belle unless we feel that we legally have no other choice. I'm sorry, but we cannot bend our laws for your daughter."
Sweetie Belle's mother let out another wail and buried her head in her husband's shoulder. The rest of the room looked like it was going to burst into tears as well.
"What's going to happen to her if you don't execute her?" asked Fluttershy.
Celestia sighed and closed her eyes. "My sister and I have decided that if we do not choose execution for Sweetie Belle, then she will have her horn removed and she will be institutionalized, probably for the rest of her life."
"NO!" screamed Pearl. "She'd die in there! Don't make her go through that!"
"If she exhibited good behavior then she would be allowed visits from all of you and her child. I'm sorry but those are our choices."
"But ya don't need to put her away forever!" said Apple Bloom. "S-She ain't crazy!"
"But she committed murder," Celestia replied. "Should I ignore that fact and let the two of them go home? What then of justice? Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are distraught enough without having to live with the fact that I let the mare who murdered their children go free. As much as we all here despise it, and do know that I hate this as much as you do, justice must be served."
The room fell into silence as the ponies digested Celestia's words, save for the sniffling of Fluttershy, Pearl, and Apple Bloom. Nopony knew what to say. Each and every one of them could only sit there and think about the fact that for the second time in their lives, they would lose a loved one.
Finally Fluttershy spoke up. "What's going to happen to her foal?"
Celestia sighed and glanced over at the door she had come through. "It has been decided that my sister and I will take care of the foal, no matter what is chosen."
Pearl's eyes snapped up and she fixed Celestia with her furious expression once more. "NO!! YOU WILL NOT TAKE THEM BOTH FROM ME, FROM US!!!" she screamed.
"I'm sorry, but we have made our choice."
Rainbow Dash frowned and flew up in Celestia's face. "Why?" she growled. "Why do you have to take them both away? What could you have to gain from taking her to live with you as opposed to letting her grandparents or Twilight or Fluttershy or even the Apple family take care of her? Why does it have to be you?!"
"Rainbow Dash, you forget yourself!" said Celestia, a slight bit of the even sorrow giving way to sharpness. "My sister and I would not do it if we did not think that it was absolutely necessary for the safety of the foal and those around her!"
"Twilight could keep her safe, Applejack could keep her safe! Why do you have to be the one to take her?" questioned Rainbow Dash.
"My sister and I have our reasons," said Celestia. "We ask you to please respect them." Celestia scanned the group sadly, hoping that one of them would find it in themselves to believe her when she said that she had the best interests of both of them at heart, but none did. They either looked angry or unsure. Celestia sighed once more. "Do not mistake me; she would not be a prisoner. She will want for nothing."
"'ceptin' her mother," grumbled Applejack.
"What would you have me do, Applejack?" asked Celestia. "Would you suggest shutting her off to the world in Twilight's library or your farm or should she go back to the school where her mother murdered her classmates? What would you have me do?"
"Ah guess in the end it'd come down to the fact that if you take her to Canterlot, she ain't gonna grow up right no matter what ya do," said Applejack. "No matter what, she's out a mommy to take care of her, somepony who actually loves her. Ah don't reckon she'll feel that way 'bout you."
"Applejack if I knew of any other way I would take it, for all of this. The fact remains that our laws state that Sweetie Belle must be punished by death for what she did. My sister and I will try to find a way to avoid that if we think that is best. We cannot change the law just for Sweetie Belle's sake. By killing two foals who weren't even physically attacking her child, she committed murder. I'm sorry but I cannot ignore that and neither would you in my position."
"Ah guess you ain't changin' yer mind 'bout this then, are ya?"
Celestia shook her head. "I'm sorry, Applejack. What would you have me do?"
"It wouldn't matter what Ah have to say now would it?" Applejack stated.
"Sweetie Belle must endure a harsh punishment for what she has done," said Celestia. "Otherwise what of other distraught mothers who see their child is being bullied? Should they look at an easy punishment that Sweetie Belle received and say that it would be worth murder?"
"Ah guess not," mumbled Applejack. "Ah still think yer makin' a mistake, takin' her foal like that."
"We have our reasons," said Celestia. "Please accept them." Celestia looked towards the door once more and shook her head. "I must take my leave now. I'm so sorry for all of this."
The room remained silent as Princess Celestia walked back through the door. She only walked a few feet before she met up with Luna once more. "You did not tell them the real reason," Luna observed.
Celestia shook her head. "They didn't need to know. It would have hurt them too much."
"Are you sure this is the wise move, sister?" asked Luna. "It is prudent to keep an eye on the foal as she may very well exhibit the traits of her aunt and mother, but does that mean taking her to Canterlot?"
Celestia nodded. "I'm afraid so," she said. "It may only be for a short time while we determine what the foal is capable of and if she would do something like that for any reason. Clearly we would not keep her forever."
"And if we did not feel the need to keep her longer?"
"Then we would give custody of her over to the Apple family I think," Celestia mused. "And if I may hazard a guess, that is the most likely outcome of this. The niece of Rarity or not, I do not feel that she has the drive to kill inside of her, despite what she said when we questioned her."
"But we must make sure," stated Luna.
Celestia nodded as the two came to the room containing Twilight and Blossom. "Yes, we must make sure."
I really hope you aren't too sad about all of this. I'm doing the best that I can to make it all make sense. I assure you that I'm not being mean to Sweetie Belle and Blossom for the sake of it.
You know, there's one thing I don't understand. Why attempt to figure out a confusing investigation like this with purely forensic evidence? Memory spells seem both commonplace and easy enough if a random psychiartrist could pick up on an altered memory just through conversation, surely the princesses could just examine the memories of either Sweetie Belle or Blossom and figure out what really happened? Infact, why wouldn't the examination of memories be a standard practice in a world that has a reasonably accessible way to examine the memories of suspects?
Now I do understand that this would just ruin the direction the story is heading in, but you put such an emphasis on memory spells in both stories for multiple arcs, it's a shame to just see them thrown out the window, even if it is to make the story more dramatic.
2012810 Well if you look at how Sweetie Belle reacted to it, she saw it as a HUGE invasion of privacy. In a world of magic, your mind is your one last safehaven, especially from ponies like the princesses. Restoring memory is fine as evidenced by the Discord episode, but to read somepony's mind, even if they are accused of murder... If you are familiar with the author Aegis Shield, you know his rather excellent stories about Pinkamena and how she prevents deaths. Well, in that story (and don't worry, I will delve into it myself) it basically sums it up nicely. The Alicorns promised to never read a pony's mind without their express permission.
TL;DR
1. The princesses see it as a huge invasion of privacy, something I will explain
2. Too easy.
The way I see it Raritys soul escaped Tartarus and reincarnated as Blossom. Thought like that since Twi said that she have her aunts eyes.
I doubt that it will turne out like that though
My guess? Sweetie Belle either gets executed, kills herself, goes mad, imprisoned or whatever.
Blossom is taken by the sisters, but because of all that's happened she blames them for her mother's death and plans to kill both of them in the third fic.
I am afraid that they will make it to put in a situation where Blossom can kill Twilight to get her and her mother out of this mess. IDK why of how, but this will be merely a test for Blossom, without Twilight's consent. Anyway, while i don't like how things are looking for either Sweetie Belle and her daughter, i like this story.
My guess is that Sweetie Belle successfully covers up her daughter's accidental murder (I believe her intent was to injure, not kill.) Sweetie Belle gets put to death for the murder and successfully protects her daughter. Then the Princesses manage to find out it was in fact Blossom that killed the other fillies. Sweetie Belle becomes a hero mother post-mortem, redeeming herself. Blossom ends up in a sticky situation as the two rulers try to find out what is giving her the urge to kill.
There are lots of ways this story could go, and once again I'm going to spend all day thinking about it. My optomistic side is hoping Sweetie is somehow exonerated of the murders. The only way that could happen is if she threw her daughter under the bus, since she successfully altered the physical evidence. She would never do that, thus the 'happy ending' would be life in an insane asylum with no horn
Can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter. I hope the wait isn't too long or my theorycrafting may make me as crazy as Twilight
So many paths to pick...all of them lines with blood and tears....I still feel that we have not seen the last of rarity...don't ask me why just a feeling, but then again my feelings have often been wrong
Bad ending: Sweetie Belle is executed or dies in imprisonment, and Blossom, once released from Canterlot, either becomes a murderer just like Rarity despite the princesses not finding the same drive to kill, or kills herself... or just lives the rest of her life being sad and lonely.
Good ending: They find out it was Blossom who murdered, and she is given moderate punishment, while Sweetie is let off with little or no punishment for trying to protect her daughter.
Seriously though, when did they rule out that Sweetie might have tampered with evidence, they were still discussing it earlier
Ending I would like to see: The princesses go back in time and prevent Rarity from ever becoming a murderer in the first place, thus making everypony happy.
Ending I see most likely to happen: As a sequel is planed/possible, Sweetie will be executed or imprisoned, and Blossom will either become a murderer or live a sad and depressed life, slightly more likely the former considering her family history and recent events.
I agree with the whole 'use magic" thing. It's like using a lie detector today. Otherwise, I'm pretty pissed that there's no happy ending here, but I can't stop reading either C:
Plothole: Twilight has a fucking memory viewer, why is this not used in criminal cases?
This is a fine example of a Celestia who says all the right things, but is really a Crapsaccharine bitch deep down. She talks a good progressive game, but her attitude towards the Death Penalty is Texas-esque at best.
Seriously, how often does she reiterate this inane talking point that murderers *MUST* be executed, lest every other distraught mother pick up a rock and start smashing skulls in? In a society where murder is not only a non-issue, but an ultra-rare, historical occurrence? Yet she is absolutely married to this idea. That demonstrates that deep down, these Princesses hold the darkest Thomas Hobbes "Leviathan" view of Civilization - ponies must be constantly "kept in line" and reminded that major crimes are punishable by death, lest the subjects immediately fall into bellum omnium contra omnes and begin eating each other. It shows that they essentially have zero faith in the progress their culture has made over the centuries. I know the author isn't really aiming for this and Tia has to be a certain way to make this story work, but you can make a half-plausible argument that they're the unsung villains of this tale imo. There's little hints sprinkled throughout the world-building: Nationwide police presence, execution facilities, implied widespread prison violence, surgical horn removal is down to a science, the way Celestia pulls rank on ponies and demands to be addressed in an indoor voice at all times. And just the fact that they would even discuss hurting that filly.....
I really wish poor, POOR Sweetie Belle would actually just call her bluff on this and be like "go ahead, give my foal the George Stinney treatment, you fucking cunt, i double dog dare you", but obviously that ain't happenin'.
2202830
yeah, pretty big one too. I mean, Twilight acted like it was a common appliance anyone can score from Radioshack.
2012784
lol you monster. You're the real villain of this story.
You forgot a quotation mark.
THIS AINT FUCKING RIGHT!!! first off its like aj said. sure a crime of this magnitude cant go unpunished sure but... how in the wide wide world of equestria could even think of taking care of a foal!? shes a princess and so is luna i think they have better things to do!! //btw this rant is soley for me getting right into the story. i love the way you write and only true art makes me do this very well done // i hope they make the right decision in the end cause if not its to the factory for both of them umm.... sorry about that got a little excited there...
This is getting Sad
they must see sweetie is innocent, and that G-necklace and fire ruby had undeniable intent to harm blossom. Also, silver spoon should stick up for sweetie and throw diamond tiara under the bus, It would be really interesting and somewhat probable.
Oooh... Joyous Blossom is good. I guess that's just genes for you. The capability to produce professional wounds at such an age... Amazing...
Respect them?! Your sister"s thoughts maybe, but there's no way IN ANY HELL I'll respect your thoughts. Burn down with your country for all I care.
Neither will I.
Why do you even bother living when you are this incompetent? Why do you not make an effort to cease this cycle of tragedy? Because you are a fool. A wretched, foul, cursed, moronic fool.
And that fate you granted her family once again?
May the stars and the sun be with you, for the next time a threat surfaces— the Elements will not.
I shall read on.
Fuck yes
I hope silver spoon comes and tells them it was tiaras fault
that would be cool
This is all your fault Diamond Tiara! Everyone in Ponyville moved on and Sweetiebelle was finally able to live a normal happy life with her daughter but you had to go and continue to torment Sweetiebell's family with a 20 year old crime that wasn't even theirs!
That forest is freaking cursed. It was just too similar to the first time to be anything else. I guess Annie's ghost must be acting up.
Oh snap, when Rarity's mom barked at her husband like that, I could hear the bell ringing for the start of that fight. Oh I would be so pissed in that confrontation with Celestia, even if I didn't have magic, something magical would happen, and it wouldn't be good. I imagine the police station would look like a blast zone.
One thing that bothers me though is that they keep overlooking how Blossom said they wouldn't let her leave. I forget the exact word for it, but even if they didn't touch Blossom, it equates to something like aggravated assault, but with murder. If they were phish ally holding her ack, then it would become self-defense, as that would have made her feel threatened. Oh how I hate fiction logic.
I am honestly having thoughts of walking up to Celestia and Luna, and beating them over the head with a chainaxe. And maybe a tank. My blood is curdling right now.
I smiled through this whole chapter. Not a smile of sadness, but of joy. Sweetie Belle was a good character, Rarity was a good character, and Blossom is a good character. I like this story a lot.
BTW, when I saw that Celly is taking care of Blossom, around the world people heard a reverberating voice shout 'YES!'
3165929 ...........Good emoticon choice.........
Celestia, you fool. Blossom is already stressed enough. As far as you know:
- She was tormented by two ponies (and possibly their mothers)
- She had her world shattered by the revelation of what her aunt did
- She watched her own mother kill two ponies
- She was arrested and then interrogated after the murder
And now you want to execute her mother, tear her away from her friends, and put her in the public eye by taking her to Canterlot instead of having her discreetly watched in Ponyville? With that kind of decision making, I'm surprised Equestria hasn't burned to the ground yet.
I hope someone finds out( cough* celestia/Luna cough*) that she was actually protecting her daughter and was lying about the whole thing
(In conclusion)( both somehow going home happily)
Alright boys it's time for a rescue mission. I want team 1 to go for blossom and for team 2 to go for sweetie. Let's go
2013178 she's not in Tartarus though
7110020
She could be. Nobody knows.
7110008
*Meanwhile, I am thwacking Bitchlestia with a metal chair while Luna has a seizure on the floor.* Beat ya to it.
CELESTIA!!!!! EVER HEARD OF REHABILITATION, REDEMPTION, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND FORGIVENESS!!!!
lets see...
In jail,
daughter taken away from her,
daughter probably being thrown into the public eye with both her mother and aunt being murderers,
probably going to receive the same, if not worse, treatment from the public that sweetie belle received,
daughter being taken by the same ponies that killed her sister,
daughter being taken by ponies that suspect her daughter of being capable of murder and probably watching 24/7 of anything 'suspicious'.
Yup. Sweetie is going to absolutely loathe the princesses.
Use the fucking memory machine Twilight invented! God-damned stupid ponies...
The best way to get a monster is to assume you're already looking at one.