From Beyond

“So a Tribunal is actually necessary. Did you instigate her actions Aphrodite, or did she act freely against you?” Prophet asked, knowing how she worked.

“We were executing would be assassins, and she attempted to stop us. When warned, she tried to attack me.” Aphrodite replied.

“I doubt I’m hearing the entire story, but what has been done is too late to change. We will be there the day after tomorrow.” Prophet sighed.

“We?” Hades asked.

“I’m bringing everyone I need to.” Prophet said. “After all, we are dealing with naught but a child race acting childish. We will also be judging if your actions were appropriate Aphrodite.”

“Why am I being judged? I’ve done nothing but defend myself and try to complete our objective.” She asked indignantly.

“Because I know how you work. You get things done, but you do tend to have questionable methods of operation. As of this moment, I agree that she is to be held as a prisoner.” Prophet said, hand signs signaling to someone out of view. “However, she is to be allowed whatever visitors she wants. And for Aether sake, get someone to fix her horn. That’s like gouging out Hades’ eyes.”

Aphrodite snorted at the image, earning a glare from both Hades and Prophet.

“We’ll see what we can do about that, it was done to prevent damage to Aphrodite. She-” Hades started.

Prophet held his hand up to stop Hades.

“I’ll hear the entire story when I get there. You had best be in the right here Aphrodite. You have done much for me, but I can’t keep overlooking your needless aggression and the rules you ‘bend’ in order to do so.” He said, before a blurry image walked up and whispered something in his ear.

“Other things have come up that require my immediate attention. As of this moment, I’m rescinding the lethal approval for this mission. You are in a safe place, and I’m sure after your little show at that funeral none of them will try such things again.” Prophet said, signing a paper that was handed to him from out of view. “I don’t care what they want, unless they can provide the requested materials we’re going elsewhere for the contract.” He said quietly to whoever was standing by him.

“Orders acknowledged sir. Are we allowed to act defensively?” Aphrodite asked, her mood pulling a complete one eighty.

“Do not hurt any others like you did Celestia. If I hear about any more corpses at any of your hands, I’ll get rid of all of you myself. So watch each others backs, and don’t think that turning a blind eye will get you out of trouble.” Prophet said, waving away whoever was next to him.

“Very well sir. We’ll-”

“Aphrodite, listen very closely. You are on my last nerve with this shit, so get your act together or you’re next on the decommissioning list.” Prophet interrupted her.

“But they are just as responsible for-” Aphrodite tried explaining.

“For following your orders. Their actions are reflective of your choices, and they are very questionable from where I’m looking at things. You are just as much on watch as she is.” He said resolutely, locking eyes with her.

Aphrodite looked very scared.

“Exactly. We’ll be seeing you very shortly. May the scales balance in the favor of justice.” Prophet said, before cutting the communication.

“Well, quite the pickle you’re in now Aphrodite.” Hades said, chuckling quietly.

“Shut up. We need to prepare for his arrival, and making sure that our little princess is well. Hades, you know where the blue one is right?” She asked, turning to him. Worry was evident in her voice.

“I can find Luna quick enough. What do you want me to inform her of?” Hades asked, stopping as he was walking out the door.

“Tell her when Prophet will get here, and that they’re allowed to visit for all of today and tomorrow. And don’t forget to inform Ares too, the last thing we need is someone going down and getting hurt because we left him out of the loop.” Aphrodite said, walking over and dropping onto the bed.

“This mission just might cost me my life.” She said into the mattress.

“You have no one but yourself to blame.” Hades said as he walked out the door.

Well, quite the interesting conversation I just overheard.

“Huh?” Twilight and Luna asked, drawn out of their somber thoughts.

“What is that?” Luna asked, realizing that nopony around her had said it.

Is everyone going to ask that every time I say something?

“Probably, now what’s this about a conversation?” Twilight asked.

Prophet is bringing the full Tribunal the day after tomorrow, and it isn’t just Celestia that’s being judged. He’s apparently realized that Aphrodite has been bending the rules a little too much, and is going to punish her if they all agree on it.

“I do not understand what thee indicates is ‘interesting’ to us.” Luna said, wiping at her eyes with the hem of her dress. “Mine sister is still a prisoner, and she sits in there without her horn.”

That’s just it, orders have come down from on high to heal her and let you guys visit until Prophet arrives. If you want to affect his judgement, it would be best to be ready to hand me over at the Tribunal itself. It might completely sway his judgement to leniency.

“And how exactly are we supposed to move you? Princess Celestia didn’t mention how she got you there in the first place.” Twilight said, rubbing her eyes. She had gotten quite the migraine recently.

I can move myself, thank you very much. You just have to come down and open the door for me to leave.

“I do not understand what it insinuates.” Luna said, looking at Twilight confused.

“If you can open the door, he’ll shape shift and walk out himself. I think.” She replied, focusing her magic to cast a migraine relief spell.

That is entirely right little flame. And I wouldn’t suggest that spell.

“Why not?” She asked, suddenly very paranoid.

Your migraine is because I’m putting a lot of information into your subconscious. We have very little time, and by doing this you will gain access to the information you need either slowly over time or in case of emergencies where it would be appropriate.

“Why didn’t you just do that in the first place?” She asked, snapping at him.

Because doing so is quite painful to me. The closest equivalent I can make is taking your blood and having you willingly pour it out through your mouth.

“That is a very disturbing image.” Twilight said.

“Enough, what thou said is that they’re going to allow us to visit mine sister?” Luna asked.

While very disturbing, it’s also an extremely accurate portrayal of what I’m doing. As to your sister, blue one, yes. They’ve also been told to let one of you heal her. While Prophet agrees that her actions are condemnable, how Aphrodite took care of the problem was less than ideal as well.

“That is good news at least.” Twilight said, sighing as she accepted that she’d have to deal with it for awhile.

And there is Hades to give you the good news. Try to act surprised.

“What?” Luna asked, as there were several knocks on the chamber door before it opened.

Hades walked in, bowing as he approached them.

“Hello Princess Luna, and Twilight Sparkle. I’ve been ordered to inform you of some changes regarding the holding of Princess Celestia. We’ve been ordered by Prophet to allow you to heal her and visit until he arrives, where she will be tried under the eyes of the Tribunal.” He explained.

Luna jumped up, rushing over and pulling him into a hug.

“Oh joyous day.” She exclaimed, twirling around with Hades.

“While I would normally enjoy the company of such fine ladies as yourselves-”Hades said, trying to get out of her grip “-I have other things I must do. Such as inform Ares of this change in orders, so that you can actually visit her without getting killed.”

Luna dropped him, blushing. “We are sorry, the news you bring is very good indeed. Do you mind if we come with, to ensure the health of Tia?”

“I don’t mind, although I would only be there long enough to tell Ares. I do so hate playing messenger.” He said, as he turned to leave.

“Then we shall join thee.” She said, as she followed after him. She stopped before leaving the room, turning back to Twilight. “Get all the information you need from it, because we are handing it over as soon as possible.”

“I know princess. I already planned to.” Twilight said, nodding at Luna before she left.

I’m already giving you all the information you need. What else do you want to do, since you don’t have to be paying attention for it to work.

She looked over at a chess board, a smile coming to her face.

“How about a game of chess. This time, you don’t go easy on me.” She said, moving the board over in front of her.

I’m trusting you to move my pieces, since I’m not there.

“I couldn’t really be happy with myself if I won by cheating.” She said, as she set the pieces up for a new game. “You get to move first.”

You’re going to regret giving me the first move.