Chapter 14: The Trial and Aftermath

Two days on and the six were all aboard the train to ponyville. Fluttershy looked to where Pinkie was sat with Applejack holding her. on either side next to Fluttershy were Twilight and Rarity. She sighed as she thought about where Rainbow was.

Due to her being in protective custody and the Wonder Bolts covering the aerial patrols over Ponyville, Rainbow had decided that the Shadow Bolts would cover the train from the air, using it as part of their endurance flight training, that and when the team had heard where Rainbow would be in two days they refused to let her go without them.

Unfortunately for them, from what Fluttershy understood, they thought they would be travelling in the train, not above it. though she was grateful for their support for both her and Pinkie Pie, she wished Rainbow could sit with her, but the blue pegasus had said quite rightly.
“I will not ask any member of my team to do something I wouldn’t unless I wasn’t qualified to do the same.”

She understood, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.
She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard Pinkie’s panicked tone across the way.
“Wh - what if he goes f - for meeee!” Fluttershy looked up to see Pinkie trembling in Applejack’s arms as the farmpony did her best to settle her. Quietly Fluttershy got up from her seat and moved to sit on the floor in front of Pinkie.

“Pinkie, it’ll be okay, remember what you once told me. No matter what if you’ve got your friends near nothing can hurt you.” Fluttershy said, her voice barely loud enough to be heard. Pinkie sniffed and looked towards Fluttershy, her eyes large and sad. Fluttershy reached forwards with her own hoof, resting it on Pinkies. “I promise you’ll be safe.” Fluttershy finished.

Pinkie sniffed as a lone tear escaped her eyes as she whispered.
“You pinkie promise?” Fluttershy smiled and nodded. “Mhmm, Pinkie promise.” Pinkie exhaled and leaned into Applejacks embrace, not letting go of Fluttershy’s hoof.
Fluttershy looked up to the roof wondering how her marefriend was doing.

-o.O.O.o-

“Derpy take point!” Rainbow called over her shoulder as she spotted Firestorm starting to show signs of wing-droop. As Derpy shot forwards Rainbow looped over to settle in next to Firestorm.
“Take five, land on the train and stretch those muscles.” She ordered.
“It’s alright Rainbow, don’t worry, I’ll keep up.” He responded.
“I said get down there! That wasn’t a suggestion. Get on that roof and stretch those muscles. NOW!”

Firestorm looked back as if he were going to try to argue but seemed to think better of it when he saw her face. Rainbow was a completely not for backing down on this. she took his place in the formation, allowing him to drop down.

She looked forwards to Derpy and had to smile, had anypony told her last month she would be trusting the point of the inverted V flight to Derpy she would have called them mad. Now though, Derpy had worked hard at dealing with her nerves, even going so far as to now fly everywhere at low altitude. The Derpy of before wouldn’t have even considered this.

Rainbow glanced down to see Firestorm only putting half-hearted attempts into his wing stretches and groaned. the rest of the team had not had a problem with her being Captain, yet he seemed to think he should have the job instead, thinking she only got it because she was friends with the princesses. It was true that had lead to her consideration at least, but she was sure if she wasn’t up to the task Luna would soon replace her.

Growling she dropped to the train in front of him.
“Firestorm, I know you can stretch those muscles better than that, now do them properly.”
“Yes Rai-in” Firestorm muttered out, unfortunately for him it was just loud enough to be heard over the train.
“What? Okay, number one, only Fluttershy calls me that. Got it!” She said sharply waiting for his nod.
“Two, seeing as you won’t stretch those muscles the easy way, I want you running the length of this train - back and forth for at least a mile. A mile of running - not of travelling! Now move!” She finished stepping to one side and watching as he took off down the grey roof.

She sighed as he ran, taking back to the air, Firestorm would either shape up, wash out or do something incredibly stupid in front of the Princess of The Night and be removed from the team. Spreading her wings she took to the sky once more, signalling to Derpy to fall back as she took point once more.

-o.O.O.o-

The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful, and the train pulled into the station with a good hour to spare for them to get to the courthouse.
As they stepped off the platform Pinkie looked up right into the violet eyes of Octavia, and with a wordless cry fell into the embrace of her sister, shoulders shaking.

“Oh Pinkie, why did you never tell us what happened?” Octavia said quietly as she held the trembling form of the youngest member of the Pie family.
Next to Octavia was stood a white mare with an electric two-tone blue mane wearing a pair of shades, DJ-Pon3, or Vinyl Scratch to her friends.

“Tavi-love, now’s not the time.” Vinyl said quietly, Octavia turned her sad gaze towards her partner and nodded.
“Come on, everyone else is at the courthouse.” Octavia said, gently herding her sister to the carriage she’d hired for the group.

They loaded in, Pinkie practically sat in Applejacks lap as Octavia held her hoof. once they were all comfortable the carriage set off. Rainbow and the Shadow Bolts once again in the air.
Pinkie looked out the window at the city passing by, her emotions a whirl. She had thought she’d left what had happened to her in the past, never expecting it to return. Yet here she was going in to face her abuser. As she thought that a shiver went through her body and she felt Applejack’s embrace tighten minutely in silent support of what she was going to face.

All too soon for the pink mare’s liking the carriage pulled to a stop outside the main Canterlot Crown Court. She let her sister and Vinyl get out first before she went to get down, unfortunately no sooner did her hoof touch the ground than a camera was shoved in her face going off, as news reporters started shouting out questions.

“What happened? Why didn’t you report this sooner, what were you thinking when he re-appeared-” On the questions went as the entire group went to to push their way through, the Shadow Bolts landing and taking point, pushing the reporters back, until one obnoxious, sleazy looking reporter spoke up.
“Did this really happen, or are you doing this for the attention like miss Brightlight had when Hunting Fire tried to hurt her?”

“How dare you?! What gives you the right!? Don’t you think Pinkie Pie has been through enough!” Fluttershy’s voice rang out, looking at her she seemed to be fine facing up to this tall stallion, only her friends could see it was a fragile courage. Before the stallion could reply, Twilight stepped forwards next to Fluttershy, mane flying in a non-existent wind, Rainbow moving to stand the other side, glaring.

“Sir do you know who I am?” Twilight asked deceptively calm.
“Why yes your highness, you’re the Princess of Magic, a title well earned ma’am.” The reporter answered instantly, almost fawning over her.
“Correct and am I right in understanding right that ID badge means you work for the Magical Times?” The stallion simply nodded.

“Not anymore.” Twilight said with a growl. “I will not have pony’s like you ruining the reputation of the paper my family holds a controlling share in. you see I am not just the Princess of Magic, I am Twilight Sparke, Daughter to Nightlight and Velvet Sparke, who both hold 30% shares of the paper - Now, LEAVE!” She finished her tirade by pulling his ID card from him and destroying it in her telekinetic grasp.

“”Bu - but I was - just doing my job.” The stallion tried to counter.
“Your job? Please, sounds like you were trying to make up a scandal to me.” Rainbow said harshly. “Now I believe the Princess just revoked your press-pass, so you need to leave.” With that the group turned and continued shepherding Pinkie through the now silent crowd to the doors.

As soon as they did Pinkie watched as Twilight went to consult a board on the wall, before returning to them.
“Well, the trial starts in ten minutes in Courtroom 4, Pinkie remember no matter what we’re here for you.”
“And a better group of friend you couldn’t ask for to support you.” Igneous’s voice came from down the corridor, Pinkie’s head whipped up to look straight at her mother father and other sister Summerdawn coming towards them.
She ran towards them, colliding with Igneous and holding on tightly to him.

“I - i’m soorrryyyy!” Pinkie cried out quietly.
“Shh, you have nothing to be sorry for, it wasn’t your fault Pinkie.” her mother’s voice said as a caring hoof stroked her mane, a hoof that Pinkie just knew somehow was Summerdawn’s.
“Come on, the trial’s about to start.” Igneous said in his own quiet timbre, leading all of the group back to the room where their seats had been reserved. To her surprise, sitting there in support of her was Discord of all beings.

“D - d - discord?” She whispered. Her turned to look at her, his eyes shining with held anger.
“Worry not Pinkie Pie, I am here at royal request. I hope you don’t mind but I peeked in Princess Luna’s memory. I promise you this, he better hope that jury finds him guilty, if not, I’ll have a new playtoy.”
Pinkie gave a small nod as she leaned into the comforting embrace of her marefriend, turning to watch the proceedings as Celestia stepped up to the judges platform.

The trial was started and facts presented to the jury, the looks they directed to the earth pony standing in the accused docks were less than pleasant.
Pinkie lost track of time as she watched and listened while everything this stallion had done to her was laid bare for all to know, until she heard the words she was dreading. A blue stallion with a white mane stood from the prosecutors bench and spoke loud and clearly.

“I call Miss Pinkamena Diane Pie to the stand.” She took a couple of deep stabilising breaths before getting up to make her way to the stand, keeping her eyes fixed firmly on her destination. She knew if she looked towards Hard Hoof before she got there she would lose her nerve and run.

Stepping up she turned to face the room, and felt herself shiver self consciously as everypony looked to her, they had all heard what this stallion had done to her, knew her shame.
“Miss Pie, for the record could you please state your full name?” The prosecuting stallion asked her once she’d sworn her oath that she’d tell only the truth.

“Pinkamena Diane Pie.” She said quietly. The stallion nodded before he seemed to think about his words as he spoke.
“Are you the same Pinkamena that this stallion-” He indicated Hard Hoof. “Has been brought up on charges for assaulting.” Pinkie nodded.
“I’m sorry Miss Pie, but for the purposes of the court could you please reply verbally.
“Y - yes, that’s him.” She said quietly, glancing towards Hard Hoof who was looking dangerously towards Pinkie.

“Pinkie, I am sorry to ask this, but could you please tell us, in your own words, what he did.”
Pinkie closed her eyes and tried to hold in the tears as she dredged up the memory from the dark corners of her mind.

“I...I was walking down Hay Street in Manehatten when he grabbed me from a side alley.” She pointed towards Hard Hoof. “B - before I could scream he knocked me out.” She drew a shuddering breath as she continued.

“When I woke up I was in a small r - room, t - t - tied down, he walked in and s - seeing I was a -awake h - he - he…” She couldn’t continue, the memories flooded back, too vividly for her to fight as she collapsed to the ground, her wails echoing through the now speechless room, the only sounds were that of a pony moving quickly before an orange pair of arms wrapped themselves about Pinkie.

She turned in their comforting embrace, screaming her pain into Applejacks orange fur.
“Why did he do it! WHY!” She cried out.
“Ah don’t know Pinks, I dunno whut makes ‘em evil like that. Come on, lets get you outta here.” Applejack said quietly.

“Not just yet.” A quiet voice said, and Pinkie felt Applejacks muscles tense as it spoke.
“I’m Fast Shot, defence lawer for Mr Hard Hoof, I have a couple of questions.” The voice said in a tone that reminded Pinkie of a venomous snake.
“Can’t ye give her a minute?” Applejack said harshly even as she kept hold of Pinkie.

“Now why would I want to do that for a pony who’s lying.” He answered.
“WHAT! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT!” Pinkie screamed out whipping her face around to see a dark black stallion with slick-backed blue mane smirking at her.
“Well you saw the attention that Miss Brightlight was getting for what happened to her, and being the centre of attention normally, you cobbled together this story, to draw attention from her back to yourself.” He said, not once moving his sibilant voice from the tone he was using.

Pinkie managed to stand, turning to face him.
“Y - you have NO IDEA what HE put me through. He used me, not once, not twice but many times that day! Even now I have to fight the memories. you think I would make this up? I was ra - rap - “ She collapsed to the ground once more as she hung her head, tears streaming from her eyes, no longer processing what happened, no longer caring.
When Applejacks arm came over her shoulder once more she turned to her.
“Get me out of here. Please.” She said quietly.
“Come on sugarcube.” Applejack said, Helping Pinkie up before guiding her back to where her family were sat.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy looked on, unbelieving at what she had just seen and heard. Standing she moved so she would be nearer to Pinkie when Applejack started leading her back to the stand, she could see Celestia seemed to be shouting at the stallion who’s questions had so upset Pinkie, but due to the lack of sound and lit horn, she realised the princess had made it so nopony could hear what was said, bar those inside the silence shield.

He seemed to be trying to defend his position until Celestia’s horn flared and he back-peddaled to his table which was outside the silence spell.
“You’re on your own kid!” The stallion said quickly before fleeing the courts.
Hard Hoof looked towards the stallion in shock, before calling out not thinking of his words as he did.
“Hey come back! I need you to convince this lot I didn’t do it even though I did!” his words sealed his fate.

After his outburst the trial only took another five minutes to convict him, Fluttershy watched as Hard Hoof was sentenced to the same fate as the stallion that had assaulted her, the only difference was that as he had actually gone through with the attack on Pinkie, and not been stopped like Hunting Fire had, he was sentenced to finish his days in prison.

Hard Hoof looked about the room before his gaze settled on Pinkie once more, the look he shot sent a shiver down Fluttershy’s back, when with a roar he charged towards them, leaping over the barrier that separated him from the rest of the ponies in the room. As he did, he made straight for Pinkie, knocking ponies aside, even sending one guard flying. He moved so fast that most ponies didn’t see him coming before it was too late.

In mere seconds he’d gone through the crowd and had pulled a screaming Pinkie Pie to him, using her as a shield between him and the room, one forelimb around Pinkies neck.
“Nopony come too close or I’ll snap her neck!” Hard hoof called out to the room, his eyes slightly wild.

Fluttershy stood still, keeping her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding in front of her, watching as he dragged Pinkie backwards towards the doors, the rest of the girls following as close as they dared - or so Fluttershy thought.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow shot out a side door as soon as Hard Hoof had gotten hold of Pinkie, taking to the air as soon as she was outside.
‘I’ll kill him if he hurts one hair on her head!’ Rainbow thought anger fueling her thoughts as she span in the air coming to a halt above the main doors of the courts, watching for her moment - she had to time it right, just as he was exiting the building, but before he could see her, if she timed the drop wrong he could seriously hurt Pinkie Pie.

The doors banged open from what looked like a reverse kick from Hard Hoof, she watched as he carefully backed out, Pinkie still in his grasp, face full of terror.
Rainbow watched and waited as he stepped back a step, and another, then folded her wings and dropped.

She held her forelimbs out in front of her, guiding her spiralling fall with minute muscle shifts until her hooves impacted on his back, forcing him to let go of Pinkie Pie as he fell to the ground, Rainbow wrapping her limbs about him, pinning him down as guards-ponies ran forwards as Rainbow was bucked off the stallion. As she went flying off him she heard a frightened scream in the crowd, before turning in the air and landing on her hooves, dodging a thrown punch her way.

Jumping to the side she swept her wings down hard, sending a dust cloud into Hard Hoof’s face before spinning on her front hooves and bucking into his side, sending him sprawling, faster than anypony thought possible he got back up on all fours, his gaze showing he knew he would lose should he continue this fight.

He turned to run only to face a row of spears, quickly he span around thinking to run away from them when the Shadow Bolts all dropped to the ground, wings flared, blocking any escape before two guards ponies rushed in and subdued him.

Looking around Rainbow was relieved to see Fluttershy had managed to get Pinkie to Applejack and was using her wing to shield Hard Hoof from Pinkie’s sight, as her family surrounded her.
Turning she watched as Hard Hoof was dragged away back to a prison coach, before being taken away to face his fate. Now all they needed to do was worry about Hunting Fire, should he show up she would not be so easily defeated again.

She looked back to the rest of her team to see them all looking towards her with varying degrees of respect, even Firestorm who caught her eye and nodded once. She knew this was his subtle way of letting her know that he had finally accepted her as Captain. She returned his nod before heading back inside to see what was happening.

She went through the doors and followed what were the obvious sounds of press trying to get into a room to catch a glimpse of the latest scandal.
She took a deep breath before she called out in full command voice.
“Everypony stand to one side!” She moved forwards in perfect step, there was a stern expression upon her face as she strode towards the room Pinkie Pie had obviously been taken to from the sounds coming from behind the door.

As she reached it and lifted a hoof to press down on the handle she saw a couple of the press raising their camera’s. Growling she turned to stand in front of the door in attention stance, obviously guarding it.
“Captain,” She heard a voice she didn’t recognise talking to her, she tilted her ear towards the voice but made no other signs of having heard him.
“I work for the Canterlot Chronicle, would you be willing to give a statement or interview into todays events?”

“No.” She answered simply, no disseminating, no hedging, Pinkie, nor Fluttershy for that matter needed the added pressure and attention the press could, and would try to give them.
“Ahem, Captain Dash, surely you can see the benefit of an interview from somepony close to them, it would ensure all the facts were reported correctly, like for instance what happened to her, when it happened…” The stallion trailed off as Rainbow turned her whole head to glare at him, her eyes bright in anger.

“Sir, please do me and yourself a favour and keep your questions to yourself.” She ground out between gritted teeth, holding on to her temper. Just. She knew she couldn’t start an incident here, not if she didn’t want to bring any bad reputation to the Shadow Bolts.
“Captain, sure-” He started to speak when a voice full of command called from down the corridor.

“I do believe thou wert asked to keep thine peace, by a member of the Equestrian Defence Force, namely the Captain of the newly reformed Shadow Bolts Squadron. Now as you can not seem to grasp that fact, please withdraw from the premises forthwith.” Luna’s cultured tone asked in a way that indicated it was not a request. Yet still the stallion hung on, speaking once more.

“P - Princess, surely you can understand, the ponies will want to know the details on how a National Heroine was brought low!” Rainbow huffed out a snort as Luna’s eyes flashed with darkness before the princess spoke.
“Thou hast been asked, and politely told to remove thyself from the area, now I command thee. LEAVE THIS BUILDING AND DO NOT RETURN UNTIL AFTER THE MORROW!” She finished in full Royal Canterlot voice.

The stallion may have continued to try arguing against Rainbow Dash, but against the full authority of the crown - no, even he wasn’t that stupid and soon bolted. Luna caught Rainbow’s eye and gave her a quick smile before approaching.
“Join me in seeing to our friend Captain. My guards will see to it that we are undisturbed” Luna said quietly as two bat winged ponies took up sentry positions either side of the door Rainbow turned to open it once more waiting until the guards wings were raised blocking view before she went in, Luna following.
The first thing Rainbow noticed was a yellow and pink blur impacting her, knocking the wind from her lungs.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy had watched with mounting horror as Hard Hoof had pulled a squealing and screaming Pinkie from the courtroom, it was obvious Applejack and Pinkies family all wanted to move forwards to help, only the threat to Pinkie’s safety had stopped them.

Fluttershy caught Pinkie’s wild eyes looking at Applejack, begging for help as the door behind them crashed open to Hard Hoof’s hard kick.
As he’d stepped out Fluttershy’s heart had leapt to her throat as she saw her marefriend diving out of the sky into the stallion.

As soon as she impacted, the stallion let go of Pinkie who staggered away a couple of steps before nearly collapsing, Fluttershy quickly took wing and flew over to her, landing just as Pinkie was about to fall, catching her, leaning against her as Guards ponies formed a barrier behind them that Hard Hoof could not pass.

She helped Pinkie to Applejack, sighing with relief as the pink pony collapsed into the orange pony’s side before turning in time to see Rainbow being thrown through the air, the sight tearing a scream from her throat, before she stilled and watched the fight, trembling in every nerve until she saw Rainbow could handle herself, turning she quickly headed inside to see what she could do for Pinkie.

Seeing the party pony repeatedly glancing to where the fight was happening, Fluttershy walked up to her side, slowly letting her wings open until she was blocking Pinkies view from what was happening.
As she got closer she could hear Applejack trying to reassure Pinkie that it was over as they started to lead her back into the building, following Twilight who led them all to a side room.
No sooner had the door closed did Pinkie fully break down.

Her wails echoed through the room, the sound piercing Fluttershy’s heart, she was slowly getting over her own fear of stallions, but knew that what had happened today would stay with her until the day she died. For Pinkie it would be worse, she had to fight the knowledge of not only what had been done to her, but that her attacker had once more had his hooves on her.
As much as Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight wanted to help, they knew the best thing at the moment was let Applejack and Pinkies family comfort her.

She looked up when she heard Rainbows raised voice coming from the other side of the door.
“oh - oh my.” She whispered quietly when she detected the tone in that voice - she was glad she’d helped her partner learn a few tricks to keeping her temper now.
Even Twilight was looking at the door, one hoof raised a fraction off the floor as if she were considering stepping out to help Rainbow when Luna’s voice echoed into the room.

Shaking her head Twilight turned to Fluttershy with a grimace.
“Whoever that pony is I don’t envy them.” Fluttershy nodded keeping her eye on the door, as much as she knew Rainbow could take care of herself, she wanted to see she was ok with her own eyes.

When the door opened and Rainbow came in Fluttershy shot forwards into her, wrapping her foerlimbs tightly about her neck.
“Oh Rain, are you okay, you’re not hurt are you?” Fluttershy asked quickly, pulling away to look over her marefriend.

“Nah, I’m cool Flutters.” Rainbow said quietly, gently nuzzling her cheek.
Fluttershy let out a small sigh, she loved Rainbow and hated seeing her hurt in any way.
They turned to see Luna in a quiet conversation with Twilight and Rarity while Pinkie seemed to have at least calmed down sat next to Applejack with her family around her.

Sighing Fluttershy leaned into Rainbow, feeling a wing draping across her back.
“You okay Flutters?” Rainbow asked quietly.
Fluttershy nodded as she answered.
“Mhmm, just looking forwards to getting home.” She said quietly. She saw Rainbow nod in her peripheral vision before they both moved towards Pinkie Pie along with Twilight, Luna and Rarity.

It was a good hour before Pinkie felt calm enough to move, in the end it was only with both her friends and family walking with her, shielding her that she was able to make the walk to the station.
Sighing Fluttershy hoped it wouldn’t take Pinkie too long to recover from her ordeal.

As they loaded up onto the train Fluttershy felt a shiver down her spine, feeling as if somepony was watching her, turning to look back over the crowded platform she couldn’t spot anypony that would cause her reaction, putting it down to paranoia she went to claim a seat opposite Twilight, sighing again as she knew Rainbow would be above with the shadow Bolts.

“Hey you okay Fluttershy?” Twilight asked with a querying expression on her face.
“O - Oh, it’s nothing, I - I just wish Rainbow…” Fluttershy trailed off as she saw a soft smile appear on Twilights features.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to say anymore.” Twilight said quietly. Fluttershy nodded with a small smile, turning to look out the window as the train pulled away.

What she saw caused her to let out a high pitched scream of terror as she backed away from the window. There on the platform looking directly at her through the window, eyes full of hate, was Hunting Fire.

Author's Note

Sorry it's taken forever to update, had the wonderful joy known as writers block.