Trial

It was a beautiful sunny day. The towns ponies were out and about, exchanging conversation. Young and old were going about their daily activities, and just all around enjoying the day for what it was.

All was right in the land of Equestria...until it wasn't.

An unwelcome commotion broke the utopian tranquility, as a group of ponies entered the scene, bringing with them a barred cage, inside which, was a yellow unicorn with a fiery red and yellow mane. But the horrifying part was that she had blood splatters on her coat.

Four magical chains extended from the four corners of the cage, reaching the unicorn in the middle and holding her down, the magic in the chains rendering the unicorn powerless.

Ponies gasped at the sight, recognizing who it was. They expected her to put up a fight, even though it would be pointless in her situation. That was just the kind of pony this unicorn was; a fighter who didn’t know when to give up.

But instead of struggling, she remained quiet inside the enclosure, not uttering a word.

Two ponies among the others looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

“What’s going on?”

Whatever it is, it’s causing quite a scene…lets go check it out!” The two pushed their way through the crowd, until finally reaching the front.

Upon seeing the group that was by the cage, Lily, one of the two ponies, thought she might pass out…It was her idols, those she had heard so much about…the bearers of the elements of harmony. Or five of them at least… Princess Twilight Sparkle did not seem to be anywhere.

One of the five…Rainbow Dash, stepped in front of the others, addressing the crowd.

“You all are probably wondering what is going on, so I’ll get right to it.” She gestured with a hoof to the mare in the cage.

“This Sunset Shimmer” She spoke her name with venom. “Killed Princess Twilight!!” There were shocked gasps all around. Inside the cage, Sunset winced at the accusation coming from someone she would otherwise call her friend in a different world. This Rainbow Dash may have had the same name, same personality, and same hair as her friend…But she really knew nothing about her, other than her past life.

One pony found the courage to speak up.

“P-Princess Twilight-”

“Is dead.” Rainbow finished, gesturing again to the cage.

“By HER hooves…” She looked at Sunset. “Or, whatever you call them in that other world.”

“I didn’t…” She tried saying quietly.

“Don’t even try and defend yourself! Her blood is on you…LITERALLY!” She looked out at the crowd.

“We took a sample of the blood splatters on her, and had them tested. It IS Princess Twilight’s blood.” There were more gasps.

“If you would just let me explain…”

“Explain what?? The process you took in killing her? How you left all other evidence behind in the other world when you sealed closed the portal?”

“I did not seal the portal, nor did I kill Twilight.” Sunset looked Dash straight in the eye, before looking out at the crowd.

“It was a trio of monsters I’m sure you have all heard of at least once in your lives; the creatures known as the sirens.” More gasps were heard.

“We…we were trying to stop them from taking over that world, and we failed. They….They killed Twilight as we were made to watch….They put the blood on me before throwing me back through the portal….They must have destroyed the base of the portal after doing so….I don’t know what became of that world after that…”

Everypony was silent after hearing this.

Applejack stepped forward next.

“I’m sorry Sunset, but without any proof whatsoever, we really have no choice but to take this as merely a story of defense on your part. The blood was found on you, and unless it can be proven otherwise that it wasn’t you, we have no choice but to lock you up.”

Applejack went off to the side with Dash, speaking quietly.

“This is a matter for Princess Celestia to deal with.”

“Why wait?? Like you said, it could very well be a mere story to save her flank!”

“And it may also very well be true Dash!” Applejack scolded.

“Well, what way is there to prove it either way? The portal’s broken.”

“Which is exactly why ah’m saying we keep her locked up until further notice. Celestia can decide her fate.”

Dash reluctantly agreed.

"Fine...But I don't buy her story."

"Well, that much was already clear..."