It was several months later, Nightmare Night, Hearth Warming Day and Hearts and Hooves Day had come and gone. Most ponies had almost paid no attention to the two sets of mares who were seen everywhere together.

Except maybe the kids in Cheerilee’s class. Suddenly their assignments became more involved and required a little more study than in the past. They started to regret their teacher was now living in a library with an equally smart pony. They really didn’t harbor too much ill will. After all, there were no students who didn’t love Cheerilee and to see her so happy was worth the extra reports and homework…

Almost.

But elsewhere in Equestria in the city of Baltamare a Pegasus has been called into the forepony’s office at the construction site;

“Thunder Hammer!” said the forepony, “this is the second fight you’ve started this month. You’ve been warned. I’m going to have to let you go.”

“No Mr. Plumb-Bob!” pleaded the worker, “you can’t do that. I need this job!”

Just then the door to the office opened.

“What is it, Miss Bluebell? Can’t you see I’m busy,” said the boss.

“The message from your wife. You wanted me to tell you when I got it.” Said the secretary, “she said to tell you ‘it didn’t work’.”

“Thank you,” said the forepony, facehoofing.

“Are you okay sir?” asked Thunder Hammer.

“My blasted son,” replied Plumb-Bob, pointing at a picture on the wall, a picture of the most ugly stallion Thunder Hammer had ever seen, Thunder hammer almost thought that the photographer had taken a picture of the pony’s rump (perhaps it would have been a less disturbing picture). “I don’t think I could even buy a wife for him. I’ve enough troubles here at work with you without worrying about this.”

An idea entered Thunder Hammer’s head.

“Mr. Plumb-Bob,” said the Pegasus, “I’ve a daughter; smart, attractive and unmarried. I’m certain that she doesn’t even have a coltfriend. What if I can get her together with your son? Would that save my job?”

“If she’s attractive and smart,” asked the forepony suspicious, “why no coltfriends?”

“She’s a teacher,” said Thunder Hammer, sidestepping the real reason, “it’s a career thing. But I’m sure if you give me a couple of days, I could bring her back here and we could get them together.”

Plumb-Bob thought; it wasn’t quite ethical, but having Thunder Hammer away for a few days would let things cool down. He was a hard worker and his help would be missed if he were dismissed. And to have his son fixed up with a nice mare, that’d be another weight off his shoulders.

“Okay,” said the boss, “be back within a week and we’ll get them together. We can forget about our earlier talk, except the warning about fighting. By the way, what’s her name? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned a daughter.”

“Her name is Cheerilee, she teaches at the elementary school in Ponyville.”

Days later back in Ponyville;

“So My Love,” said Twilight enjoying a weekend lunch with Cheerilee, “what’s your plans for the upcoming summer break?”

“Twi, Sweetie,” said the teacher, “I’m so looking forward to having time with you. Our first summer as a couple. Aside from Big Mac and Rainbow Dash’s wedding, I’ve nothing planned. Except loving the pony who’s the center of my world.”

“My plans exactly,” said Twilight bending across the table to kiss her love.

The two held hooves across the table, content to look into each other’s eyes.

The bell at the front door rang alerting that somepony had just entered.

“Cheerilee! Cheerilee are you here?” said a voice.

Cheerilee’s expression changed as she was looking at Twilight, there was now panic on her face.

“That sounds like my mother,” said Cheerilee.

“Stay here,” said Twilight, “I’ll check.”

Twilight went into the main part of the library. There stood a pink Pegasus mare with a rose mane and tail and a cloud cutie mark. Her eyes were the same color as Cheerilee’s.

“Hello, I’m Twilight Sparkle, can I help you with something?”

The mare appeared to recognize Twilight’s name.

“I’m Rain Shadow, Cheerilee’s mother. Is Cheerilee here, they told me at the boardinghouse she’s moved in here. It’s very important, I’ve got to warn her.”

“Warn her about what?” asked Twilight.

“Warn me about what, mother,” said Cheerilee coming into the room.

“Thank goodness I found you first,” said the Pegasus, “your father made a deal with his boss to keep him from getting fired. He says he’s going to bring you back to Baltamare and marry you to his boss’ son to save his job.”

“He’s going to do WHAT?” shouted Twilight. “That’s barbaric and illegal! Cheerilee is an adult!”

Twilight remembered Cheerilee’s description of her father and his propensity to use violence, so she yelled up the stairs:

“Spike! Go out the back and bring help!”

“You’ve got it!” came the reply.

“Calm down Honey,” said Cheerilee, nuzzling Twilight. “We’ll handle it.”

“Honey?” asked the mother, who actually for the first time smiled.

“Yes mother,” said Cheerilee, “I know you and father don’t approve but Twilight is my marefriend and partner. We’re in love, we even have the blessings of Princesses Celestia and Luna, along with the acceptance of Twi’s family.”

“Cheerilee, I’ve never said I disapproved of anything. Twilight is a very important pony, so much so we in Baltamare have heard of her and her friend’s exploits! She’d be a great partner for you.” Said the Pegasus, then with a grim look returning to her face, “your father is the one who has the issues. Unfortunately he’s been like that from the time you were born.”

“Why?” asked Twilight.

“Thunder Hammer and I are both Pegasi.” Said the mare, “we’d just bought a lovely new cloud home to raise our new foal. But he was devastated to find when Cheerilee was born, she was an Earth Pony.

He tried to accuse me of infidelity until it came out his mother was an Earth Pony.

Later, when she tried to confide to us her sexual preference, trusting her parents would be there for her, he went crazy and it was all I could do to keep him from becoming violent then.

From then on, he was never happy with anything our daughter would do. He didn’t even attend her graduation from the university even though she graduated top of her class with a perfect grade point average.

He treated her quite harsh and physical. To my shame, I never tried hard enough to make him stop. When I did try, I got beat also.

I never regretted Cheerilee moving out and becoming a teacher. I was proud, but I never tried hard enough to express it to her.”

“Why didn’t you take Cheerilee and leave?” asked Twilight.

The question didn’t get to be answered. The door opened and there entered a large brown Pegasus stallion, almost as large as Big Mac. He had a black mane and tail and a crossed lightning and hammer cutie mark. He walked up to the three mares and gave Twilight an odd once over.

Something about this Unicorn looked familiar, as if he’d seen pictures of her before. But he couldn’t place her. (He’d later regret this as the biggest mistake of his life.)

“Good, I found you,” said the stallion turning his attention to Cheerilee, “grab your things, you’re going home with your mother and me.”

“I’m sorry father,” said Cheerilee, “but I am home.”

“You’ll get your things, you’re leaving NOW!” said the brute.

“And I said I’m NOT!” said Cheerilee defiantly stomping a hoof.

The stallion backhoofed Cheerilee across the face. It sent Cheerilee across the room. Twilight was shocked. Before Twilight could react, Rain Shadow jumped between her daughter and husband.

“Stop this now!” said the Pegasus mare.

This was met with another backhoof to the mare’s face sending her flying.

Then Thunder Hammer walked over to Cheerilee and kicked her in the ribs.

“You’ll get your things, we’re leaving!” said the stallion threateningly drawing back his hoof to deliver another blow.

The next thing Thunder Hammer saw was a purple bolt of magic strike him, it knocked him to the other end of the room.

Twilight situated herself between the two fallen mares and the brute.

“You’ll not lay a hoof on ANYPONYin MY library! Especially my marefriend and partner!”

The stallion got up, shook his head to clear the cobwebs. Then approached threateningly.

“Listen pointy, (an old derogatory name for Unicorns).” said the stallion, “I eat ponies like you for breakfast. So you’ve used your one free shot. Now just get your flanks out of my way before I decide I don’t like you, you mare-lover bitch!”

The stallion drew back his foreleg as if threatening to hit Twilight. He was surprised that the mare didn’t appear to flinch or be intimidated. He was grudgingly impressed, but that wouldn’t save her.

Then another purple bolt sent him flying back to the wall, he got up again, albeit slower.

“I can take this all day,” said the stallion with a sadistic smile. “I’ll have my daughter and wife and I’ll leave you broken on the floor.”

Twilight saw he was right, she could only hold him off for so long. She knew even with Spike gathering her friends, there was no hope, they wouldn’t be there in time. The monster had the constitution of a minotaur. Twilight knew what she had to do, but she knew that she only had the strength for two ponies.

“Goodbye My Love,” said Twilight.

Cheerilee heard Twilight and panicked. She knew what was coming.

She saw a purple aura form around herself and her mother, then all went fuzzy.

“Twilight, No!” shouted Cheerilee.

Thunder Hammer saw Twilight’s horn glow, her face contorted. He braced himself for another attack. But what happened next was a complete surprise.

There was a purple aura around Cheerilee and Rain Shadow. Then a bright flash, and they were gone. Twilight collapsed to the floor from the exertion.

“WHERE ARE THEY!” he bellowed.

“Safe,” said Twilight.

“Unless you tell me right now where they are,” said the beast, “safe isn’t where you’ll be!”

Twilight just smiled defiantly at the monster.

Cheerilee had been with Twilight for about half a year now. She’d seen Twilight do many things. She’d seen Twilight teleport in the past, but she’d never been teleported herself. She was disoriented and confused for a moment as she called out;

“Twilight, No!”

Then as all became clear, she saw she was in the throne room at Canterlot Castle. She was no more surprised than any of the courtiers or the princesses themselves.

“Cheeri!” said Celestia intently, “what’s going on?”

“Twi is protecting my mother and me from my father!” said Cheerilee, tears now pouring down her face. “I’m so afraid he is going to kill her.”

“GUARDS!” screamed Luna, “have six of my guards on a wagon in two minutes or every guard at the palace will be court-martialed, this is life or death!”

“You’ll explain on the way. Follow us,” said Celestia ignoring the courtiers.

The two mares galloped after the two princesses.

Twilight was so weak from teleporting two ponies the scores of miles to Canterlot.

For the last twenty minutes, Twilight had been completely at Thunder Hammer’s mercy, which he’d shown none.

Thunder Hammer had been beating Twilight slowly. It was his sadistic way to make sure that she got the full effect of the pain he was so joyfully doling out.

But he was becoming angered, stronger ponies than what he supposed this Unicorn to be, would’ve told him what he wanted to know by now. But being the emotion was completely alien to him, he hadn’t considered the strength unselfish and true love would give a pony.

By now, Twilight could barely tell what was going on, one eye was swollen shut. Her ears were ringing. It was hard to think straight. Everything was hurting.

The only thing kept her together was knowledge she’d sent Cheerilee and her mother somewhere the beast could never touch them again.

“I guess you don’t have enough brain to tell me what I want to know,” said Thunder Hammer, “I should’ve expected it from some mare-lover whore of a Unicorn.

You know, I never liked mare-lovers, a total waste of a marehood. Well I’m just the stallion to teach you what your marehood is really for.”

Twilight panicked, she could barely move, she was sure both her hind legs were broken, and perhaps most of her ribs. Three teeth were loose and she was having trouble breathing through her nostrils. She tried to cast a protection spell, but she was in too much pain to cast any spell.

Thunder Hammer walked in front of Twilight where he was sure she could see. From his hidden sheath, his penis extended. The monster just laughed as he let it rub against Twilight’s face, she felt the pre-cum on her brow. Then he moved around her and lay himself on her back.

Twilight tried to protest, but couldn’t even get the word ‘no’ out.

“Just can’t wait, can you?” taunted the stallion. “Don’t worry, you’re going to love this. It’ll make a new pony out of you. No, you don’t have to thank me.”

Twilight felt his penis at the opening of her marehood, he thrust it in. As he continued to hump her, it hurt more than she expected, especially because his weight on her broken ribs and bruised pelvis. Not to mention any movement caused her broken legs to send sharp bolts of pain throughout her.

Twilight managed a weak scream, Thunder Hammer only taunted Twilight more.

“Harder? If you insist,” said the monster humping her even harder.

The pain was excruciating, the mortification was even worse.

Twilight prayed to whatever kindly spirits that guided and protected ponies to take her life and spare her the shame.

Then all went dark.

Outside the library, Luna’s cart was about to land as Twilight’s five friends came galloping up. Celestia didn’t wait. She flew out of the cart while a couple hundred feet in the air, Luna followed. She smashed through the door, not even thinking she could’ve opened it with her magic.

What she saw made her scream in rage.

Luna was sickened at what she saw.

Cheerilee collapsed.

Some of Twilight’s friends wanted to rush in but Luna’s aura held them back. She didn’t want them in the way of the coming retribution she knew her sister was about to unleash.

Luna remembered her sister in battle many centuries ago, she knew not to be in ‘the line of fire’.

There before them they saw Thunder Hammer getting up, pulling his penis out of Twilight’s motionless body, semen still dripping from it.

Twilight was totally limp, her eyes were closed, there was blood seeping from her mouth, ears and nostrils. It was hard to tell if she was breathing at all.

On the floor and walls there was blood where the monster had bashed Twilight.

Rarity fainted, Applejack was trying to hold her up while at the same time holding Rainbow Dash’s tail in her teeth. There was murder in the blue Pegasus’ crimson eyes. If not for Luna’s aura holding everypony back, AJ couldn’t have held her back this time. All while Applejack was trying to see through a torrent of tears.

Pinkie, who’s tears were a fountain, was comforting Fluttershy who was throwing up.

Thunder Hammer looked to the door, expecting some more of these wimpy Ponyville ponies, not the sight before him.

“Princess Celestia?” gasped the fiend. His mind went into high gear trying to concoct a lie to blame his wife, daughter or this Unicorn.

For a moment, in everypony’s eyes, there was a glory that surrounded the princess. They beheld not the gentle and wise ruler of Equestria, but a battle hardened goddess of war.

Gone were her tiara and collar. It was replaced with blood splattered battle armor and helmet of a bygone age. Her mane and tail cropped short for battle and a fierce fire of righteous indignation burned in her eyes.

For whatever reason, this image appeared more befitting of Celestia.

And it was frightening to all.

Then the vision faded.

Thunder Hammer knew it was too late to regret his actions.

Right then he wished that he’d known this Unicorn was so well connected.

Luna expected her sister to react severely, but what happened next, not even Luna was ready for.

“Your Highness,” said Thunder Hammer, hoping that she’d give him a chance to speak so he might figure how to escape. “This mare-lover bitch attacked me while I was trying to protect my wife and daughter. If you’ll give me a chance to explain.”

Celestia had no intention of giving anything to this monster other than her wrath and perhaps a trip to Tartarus.

There was a vicious snarl on the good princess’ face, her ears were laid back and a growl could be heard. Celestia’s eyes glowed a sickening green with blue tendrils, her horn glowed black. A bolt of black shot out from her horn smashing the stallion against the bookshelves, he rebounded but the bolt smashed him back even harder. It snapped half of the vile fiend’s ribs along with three shelves, despite them being carved from the living tree itself.

Unlike Twilight’s attacks, the bolt continued pinning him in place, about three feet off the floor. Celestia knew just how much pressure to exert, the fiend couldn’t draw a breath, his eyes were bloodshot and were starting to bulge from his head, he was suffocating.

Somehow he managed to scream and cry like a little filly. His fear was so great he wet himself there in front of all those mares. A most macho display for such a large and tough stallion.

There was dark energy in the air like static electricity, as the black bolt continued to pin the stallion to the wall.

As Celestia advanced, the stallion couldn’t hope to get away. The years flashed by in an instant. All the ponies who warned him; his parents, teachers, coaches, employers and parole officers. One day he’d bully the wrong pony. He always assumed if it did happen, it’d be some pony the size of a buffalo, not a scrawny mare-lover partner of his disappointing daughter.

A pony who happened to have an entire deck of aces up her proverbial sleeve.

His mother had warned him one day he’d get his comeuppance, now he wished he’d paid attention to the calendar, for this was the day.

Celestia was seeing red, there was a ringing in her ears, the old battle lust was rising. Lowering her head, she lined up her horn to pierce the monster’s chest.

She was remembering how it felt to have her horn piercing her enemy’s body, the feeling of their beating heart against the tip of her horn, just before her horn pierced it. The heart quivering as the horn punctured and then continued to expand the wound. The enemy’s hot blood running down her face as their life ebbed away. With a flick of her great neck muscles the lifeless corpse would be thrown aside as Celestia lined up the next victim.

The feeling was actually sexually arousing.

But then Celestia heard a voice through her rage;

“Sister,” called Luna;

“Celestia!

TIA!

As much as you and I’d like, you can’t do it this way! It must be done legally, by the code you established!”

Celestia shot a look at her sister that Luna had never seen before, such hate, such anger. A shiver went up the blue Alicorn’s spine, she was almost afraid she was about to be the target. And with Celestia’s power and anger, she was unsure that she could properly defend herself for very long, even if she were still Nightmare Moon.

‘Thank the Maker Of Ponies,’ thought Luna, ‘it was I and not Tia who became Nightmare Moon.’

Then Celestia’s face softened, the anger and rage replaced with sorrow and remorse.

Celestia let Thunder Hammer crash to the floor mercilessly hard. He landed in the puddle of his disgrace.

He lay stunned on his back as the towering Alicorn’s aura dragged him to her, she stepped on his throat. He could tell, any more pressure and his larynx would be crushed.

“Mercy!” whimpered the bully.

Unfortunately for Thunder Hammer his plea only caused anger to rise in Celestia once more.

“How dare you!” screamed Celestia, “how dare you insult these ponies here. You who know no mercy now plead for it?

What mercy have you ever shown your wife and daughter? What mercy did you show Twilight!

Aren’t you alive?

That’s more mercy than you deserve! If I didn’t believe in the rule of law, I’d teleport your worthless head into deep space and your body to Tartarus!”

There was a shiver that went up the spine of most of the gather ponies, not just Thunder Hammer’s. Luna had never heard her sister threaten such a merciless act before.

Celestia looked over to where Twilight lay. Rain Shadow was trying to comfort her daughter as Cheerilee tried to comfort Twilight. Luna scanned Twilight’s body with her magic.

“She lives my sister,” said Luna, “I can control the bleeding and some of the pain, but she’ll need medical attention soon if there’s to be any hope.”

By now all the ponies had sufficiently recovered to think straight. They all gathered around Twilight.

“This won’t take long!” Said Celestia through clenched teeth and in a most threatening tone.

“Spike, go and get an ambulance. Have my cart take you,” said Luna.

“Yes Your Highness,” said Spike going out the door.

“I Celestia Rex do hereby call the High Court of Canterlot into session.

Rarity, will you consent to being court reporter?” said the princess with her foot still on the villain’s throat.

“My pleasure Your Highness.” Said Rarity, levitating a nearby parchment, ink and quill.

“Princess Luna will you act as bailiff, master at arms and if need be, executioner?”

The way the last word was spoken gave everypony there a shudder, Thunder Hammer especially.

“As you command, my sister!” said Luna scowling at the fiend under her sister’s hoof. Almost as if she was wanting to exercise the last office Celestia had mentioned.

“The rest of you ponies are to be witnesses to the proceedings to make sure everything is done properly. If you question anything, you’re commanded to speak up right then or face contempt charges, understood?” asked Celestia. “This is to be proper and legal, not a court of vengeance.”

All the ponies voiced consent.

Then Celestia cried out in the Traditional Royal Canterlot Voice, much louder than Luna’s, the walls and floor shook. She also addressed the accused in the royal ‘We’ to show the level of seriousness she was taking with him. Several ponies had to cover their ears.

Thunder Hammer cringed as if being physically assaulted;

“THUNDER HAMMER, YOU STAND ACCUSED OF TWO COUNTS OF ASSAULT, MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ASSAULT AND BATTERY, ATTEMPTED PONYNAPPING, PANDERING AND MOST SERIOUSLY; ASSAULT, RAPE AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.”

The last charge brought a look of confusion and fear to the brute’s face.

“TWILIGHT’S BROTHER IS MARRIED TO LUNA AND MY NIECE. THIS MAKES TWILIGHT AND HER HOUSEHOLD, RELATIVES OF THE CROWN. INCLUDING HER DECLARED LIFE-PARTNER, CHEERILEE.

ALSO, SHOULD TWILIGHT SPARKLE DIE BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTIONS, THEN AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MURDERING A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WILL BE ADDED. WHICH IS THE ONLY CRIME IN EQUESTRIA THAT STILL CARRIES THE DEATH PENALTY.

AND IT IS MANDATORY!

DEATH BY SLOW TORTURE.

IT’S BARBARIC, BUT IT’S USED ON BARBARIANS!

WEIGH YOUR NEXT WORDS WELL, THEY MAY COST YOU YOUR LIFE!”

Then through clenched teeth;

“How do you plead?”

‘Twilight Sparkle?’ thought the stallion, he recognized the name too late. He thought if he’d known who it was he was messing with he would have acted differently. This explained why he was now under the princess’ hoof…

Literally.

Celestia’s hoof slackened ever so slightly. Her gaze was almost too much to handle. The bully started to cry like a foal.

He looked around to see if there was any support.

“Rain Shadow?” Beseeched the stallion as he looked at his wife with a pleading look.

She only looked back in loathing and spit in his face.

Celestia’s voice returned to normal.

“Rain Shadow, I must ask you to control yourself or you’ll be held in contempt. I’ll not allow prisoners in the care of this court to be abused,” said Celestia, then looking back at the pathetic wretch beneath her, and in a voice that dripped with disgust, “no matter how much they deserve it!

We are waiting for your plea. We are immortal, but in cases like this, Our patience isn’t limitless.”

“Don’t I get representation?” asked the fiend. Hoping to delay this and thus the princess’ anger to cool.

“What representation have you left Twilight?” Asked the princess, “but if it will make you feel better, who do you think would represent you?”

Thunder Hammer thought hard, but the thought of who would represent him would not come to mind.

“Nopony?” asked Celestia.

The stallion shook his head.

“I’ll do it,” Applejack chimed in.

All the ponies, including Thunder Hammer looked at the mare astonished.

Applejack stepped forward and addressed the princess professionally.

“Your Highness,” said Applejack, “my client wishes to plead guilty to all charges and demands the full measure of punishment under the law. In fact he demands the prohibition of the death penalty be suspended this time and he demands it!”

Thunder Hammer turned pale.

“I withdraw my request for representation,” he said.

“Good one Applejack,” whispered Luna giving AJ a hoof bump.

“Very well,” said Celestia, trying not to be amused by this. “What’s your plea?”

“I did what I thought was best for my family,” croaked the liar.

Celestia’s voice rose again but not quite to the T.R.C. Voice.

“Do not confuse Our benevolent rule as proof We are somehow a naive simpleton!

Do you think you can convince Us, physically abusing Twilight Sparkle, Cheerilee and Rain Shadow and then raping Twilight Sparkle was for the best interest of your family? For the best interest of anything?”

Then Celestia screamed;

“Draw one more breath and make Us believe you!”

“She consented to the sex,” said Thunder Hammer, his voice almost a pathetic whine.

It was obvious he knew he wouldn’t be believed. But such was his character (or lack thereof) he couldn’t admit being at fault.

“No pony that badly beaten could consent to anything! And We know that Twilight would rather die than be unfaithful to Cheerilee.

Unlike you who abused your wife and used a broken and helpless pony for your sick pleasure! A pony who’s only offence to you was protecting a pony she loves and that pony’s mother, ponies you believed yourself to be above!”

Celestia’s voice returned to a professional level;

“Your lies insult Our August Self.

Would you like to call any witnesses to speak in your defense?”

“Rain Shadow, Cheerilee,” wept the wretch, “please help me!”

Rain Shadow looked at her husband, her face showed utter surprise. She was totally speechless because the brute would dare ask, even after she’d just spat in his face.

Cheerilee looked away from Twilight long enough to respond.

“After all the misery you’ve put mom and me through all these years? After the way you’ve treated me? Never expressing any fatherly love or care? Making mom and me live in fear of you every day. Shaming me and making me live a lie because of your bigotry. Causing me years of unnecessary loneliness and humiliation. Making me believe I’d have to live without love?

And with what you’ve done to the pony who loves me for me?

You now have the audacity to ask for me to defend you?

If Princess Celestia would let me, I’d kill you myself. But I don’t want to prove I’m your daughter!

(“I’d let you,” commented Luna.)

Know that you’re hated for the rest of your life, which I hope isn’t for very long!”

There was a silent moment as Cheerilee just glowered at the bruit, then she looked back to her darling laying before her.

“The testimony of your witnesses wasn’t very helpful for your defense,” said Celestia sarcastically. “Are there any pony or ponies in all of Equestria who’d say anything on your behalf. Anypony who could give a good word for you to this court which might help sway or soften Our judgment of yourself?

Name them and We will teleport them here right now.”

Thunder Hammer thought, there were so many ponies he knew, ponies he’d interacted with. But he couldn’t think of one who’d be willing to come to his defense. Not even his parents.

“We can see by the look on your face there are none.” Said Celestia, “more's the pity.”

“Why am I not surprised?” remarked Luna.

“If such is your defense then We must pass judgment without delay.

Thunder Hammer. You’re found guilty of all charges. You’ll be taken from this place to the lowest sublevel of the dungeon at Canterlot Castle. There you’ll spend the rest of your natural life in darkness without possibility of reprieve or parole.

The accounts of yourself, your works and all agreements and contracts will be expunged from all records, including marriage contracts and birth certificates. Thus freeing Rain Shadow and Cheerilee to lead normal lives without the threat of your memories.

The royal doctors will surgically remove your cutie marks. You are now an un-pony. You deserve no better.

The vision of Battle Goddess Celestia returned. She was looking at the wretch in a way he couldn’t hold her gaze. Then she spoke in a hollow, echoing and booming voice. It was almost impossible such a voice could come from a mere pony:

THAT IS UNLESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE DIES FROM YOUR ACTIONS, THEN SENTENCE OF DEATH WILL BE CARRIED OUT...

IMMEDIATELY!

AND KNOW THIS, IF THAT COMES TO PASS, I WILL BE THERE AND THE INSTANT BEFORE YOU DIE, I WILL TELEPORT YOUR USELESS, STILL LIVING CARCASS TO THE FLAMES OF TARTARUS PERSONALLY!

The vision faded for everypony except Thunder Hammer. The image, words and warning were burned into his brain and would haunt his nightmares for the rest of his life.

Absolute fear and dread wracked the fiend’s face. He’d had his way through most of his life by intimidation and by bullying other ponies. His hoof would always back up his demands and threats. He believed himself to be ‘untouchable’.

Now he was forced to face a truly untouchable pony. One he hadn’t the power to threaten or intimidate. He was truly being forced to ‘take his own medicine’.

Perhaps he may have acted differently if he’d known that before the very beginning of Equestria and the war for freedom that Celestia and Luna had led, the magnificent Alicorn earned and took the name;

Celestia Invictus;
The Unconquerable Pony Of The Cosmos.

Such were the demonic evils she’d put down and destroyed that Thunder Hammer, by comparison, was like the minor annoyance of a gnat.

Tears poured from Thunder Hammer’s eyes as he looked to his wife and Cheerilee.

But the two just turned their backs on him, hoping that they’d seen the last of such a poor excuse for a husband, father and pony.

For the first time in his life, Thunder Hammer regretted the way he’d treated ponies, especially his wife and daughter. He’d never believed his treatment of them would be his undoing. Now because of this, he’d lost everything. He’d even lost himself, doomed to be a no-name pony locked away in darkness for the rest of his life. Not even a cutie mark to identify him to any pony who might care, if there were any.

At this moment, he hoped that his daughter’s wish would come true and his life wouldn’t be long if he was to live life like that.

“GUARDS!” called Celestia in a voice which shook the library to its roots.

The guards appeared at the door.

“Bind him so he doesn’t try to fly away, then fly this thing to the castle and turn him over to the jailer along with the transcript of this trial. Send word to Baltamare to have the civil authority detain his forepony and have him brought to Canterlot to stand trial for accessory. Send a cart to retrieve his conspirator when you get to Canterlot.

At least this monster will have company in the darkness.”

“One of my carts,” said Luna.

Luna knew the shock factor her guard had on most ponies.

Celestia put a spell on the villain to immobilize him, and then levitated him out to the cart.

As he passed, Rainbow unleashed a wicked kick to the monster’s face. It knocked the monster out cold.

“Sorry Princess,” said Rainbow, “leg cramp.”

Rainbow wanted the fiend to have the last memory of the free world to be her hind hooves impacting with his face.

“See that it doesn’t happen again,” said Celestia. Her face was trying to hide her amusement at the act and the transparently lame excuse.

“Good shot,” whispered Luna.

Celestia lifted Twilight with her magic. In her forelegs, the princess cradled Twilight’s broken and violated body as she would a fragile foal, carefully as she could. Twilight barely opened her good eye and saw the princess, smiled and then her eye closed.

Cheerilee stood hugging Celestia and Twilight, her tears a torrent.

Celestia’s heart was breaking.

“My Darling, Darling Twilight, please hang on!” said the princess crying harder than Luna had seen her sister cry in centuries, not since Celestia had to banish her to the moon.

The hospital staff was unsure how to handle the ponies in the waiting room. The five ponies who were friends of the patient were well known in Ponyville. The teacher Cheerilee had taught almost every one of their children. But then there were the rulers of Equestria sitting as if they’d no other responsibilities.

This patient must be important.

As time went on, it got harder and harder to wait.

Cheerilee was trying to hold it together. Luna was sitting with her, holding her hoof and letting her lay her head against her. The princess was speaking low and soft to comfort her.

Luna had commanded the rest of Twilight’s friends to go home. Actually, with Rainbow, she had to threaten to have her guard physically escort (as in carry) her home. But Luna let Rainbow know she understood and if roles were reversed, she’d feel the same.

They needed to be rested if they’d be standing watch by Twilight’s side, should she pull through. She also promised any word on Twilight would be sent immediately. Only the princesses, Cheerilee, and Rain Shadow remained.

“Your Highness?” said Rain Shadow to Princess Celestia. She was still in awe of being around the ruling princesses. And impressed with her daughter’s and her partner’s relations with them.

“Yes?” replied the princess.

“Shouldn’t I be tried as an accessory also?”

“Normally the answer would be ‘yes’,” said Celestia quickly, a noticeable touch of anger in her voice. “You allowed many things to go on and yet you never tried to remove yourself or more importantly, your daughter from an abusive situation.”

Rain Shadow’s face reflected the acceptance of the guilt and shame the princess was expressing. It let Celestia know this pony was truly sorry and she did care for her daughter.

Celestia’s voice and stern visage softened;

“However, Twilight Sparkle could just as easily teleported your daughter and herself away, but she saw something in you she deemed worthy to risk her own life for. I’ve never doubted her counsel, so my judgment will be deferred until what time, if any, I’ve found evidence that proves Twilight wrong.”

The princess reached out a hoof and tenderly rested it on Rain Shadow’s withers;

"This isn’t going to be over soon. You’ve a daughter that’ll need support until Twilight comes through this.”

The princess gently pulled Rain Shadow to herself and embraced her as she and the mother cried.

Hours later, a doctor walked into the waiting room, nopony had prepared him for the fact the ruling princesses were waiting on him.

Needless to say he was shocked.

“How is Twilight?” asked Celestia.

“She came through the operations okay, Your Highness. There was a lot of internal bleeding and damage, broken bones had to be reduced and pressure on the brain had to be relieved...

“Yes doctor, I’m sure everypony did their best!” said the princess impatiently. “How is Twilight?”

The doctor swallowed hard, shamed by the princess’ chastisement.

“There’s an eighty five percent chance she’ll pull through this with a minimal of disability.”

The ponies in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

“Can we see her now?” asked Celestia.

“I’m sorry but she’s in recovery,” said the doctor, “visitors aren’t allowed in the recovery suite.”

Celestia was becoming annoyed, what had just happened and the wait had put her on edge. She was truly a gentle and tolerant pony, she never liked to push her position on anypony. But she was due a certain level of respect and privilege.

“I understand, but apparently doctor, you’ve forgotten to whom you’re speaking.”

Celestia nodded to Luna, Luna understood.

“Guards!” called Luna.

Two dragon-winged Pegasi in Palace Guard armor entered the room. Luna nodded in the direction of the doctor. They went and stood on either side of him. The doctor looked frightened.

“Apparently you misunderstood me, perhaps I should rephrase what I said,” continued Celestia,

“Doctor, you’ll take me, my sister, Twilight’s partner and Twilight’s partner’s mother to see Twilight;

NOW!”

Discretion being the better part of not being imprisoned, the doctor led them to the recovery room.

Later, in Baltamare…

Plumb-Bob was clearing away paperwork so he could go home for the day. He was looking forward to the weekend.

He’d promised his wife there should be some good news soon about getting their son together with a nice mare. Plus it’d been nice to have Thunder Hammer out of his mane for the last several days.

Still he had a nagging feeling what he’d agreed to with Thunder Hammer wasn’t quite right.

‘But what harm could come of it?’ he’d thought.

His wife was standing in the office with him, they had a nice evening planned and she couldn’t wait for her husband to get off work so they could go out.

That evening wasn’t to be...

The office door opened and the secretary stuck her head in.

“Mr. Plumb-Bob?”

“What is it Miss Bluebell,” responded the forepony, “I’m busy.”

“There’s ponies here that want to talk to you.”

“Tell them they’ll have to wait until Monday,” said Plumb-Bob smiling at his wife. “Just tell them to go away, I have plans.”

“I don’t think I can,” said Bluebell.

“And why not?”

At that moment the door was pushed open and the secretary stepped aside. There stood two Baltamare Police Officers. But more frightening, there were two dragon-winged Pegasus Palace Guards. They entered without being invited.

“Plumb-Bob?” asked one of the Police Officers.

“Yes?” replied the forepony starting to break out in a cold sweat.

Plumb-Bob’s wife started to shake uncontrollably, tears streamed down her eyes. She was afraid of something like this since her husband told her of his plans with the pony she couldn’t stand.

A Guard stepped forward.

“Plumb-Bob,” said the Guard, “I arrest you in the names of Princesses Celestia and Luna.”

“What are the charges?” asked the forepony’s wife.

‘What could Thunder Hammer have done to provoke this.’ Plumb-Bob thought.

He quickly found out.

“You’re charged with accessory to two counts of assault, multiple counts of assault and battery, attempted ponynapping and pandering. Also, accessory to assault, rape and attempted murder of a member of the royal family.” Said the other Guard.

“You’re accomplice has already been tried, convicted and imprisoned for life. Needless to say, Princesses Celestia and Luna are most anxious to see you,” said the other Guard.

“Imprisoned for life?” said Plumb-Bob.

“He, and if convicted, you will also face execution by slow torture if the victim dies from her wounds.” Said the first Guard.

Bluebell caught Plumb-Bob’s wife as she fainted.

Through the color of his coat it could be seen all color drained from his cheeks.

“Come along quietly now,” said one of the Police Officers.

‘They’re going to have to add murder to the charges if I ever get my hooves on Thunder Hammer,’ thought Plumb-Bob pointlessly.

Author's Note

Plumb-Bob was found guilty on all charges. However, Princess Celestia had pity on the stallion. He didn’t intend to enter into an agreement that would conclude in violence. He truly was acting on behalf of his family.
Plumb-Bob was sentenced to five years’ probation and 100 hours community service which he served without incident.