Across The Pond

"Oh my, that sounds just awful Twilight" Fluttershy said, concern heavy in her gentle voice.

Twilight Sparkle had just told her friends about the time she spent in what the Arena called the 'Bloodworks.' Twilight sighed before continuing.

"That isn't what has me so upset" Twilight said, looking at her friends. Her friends stared back at her in commencements, they didn't think it could get much worse. "It's true that place was scary but that wasn't all of it" Twilight began.

"They threw me into a large circular pit with a layer of sand on it. They wanted me to fight. To, kill" Twilight shuddered at the last word.

Her friends exchanged concerned glances and Twilight continued. "I was scared, I probably wouldn't have gotten out if Vallius didn't jump in from out of nowhere."

"Now hold on a sec" said Applejack. "Ain't Vallius that guy who sold you to those cat people?"

"Well yes he did, but he didn't know. Only three people have even tried to help me and two of them are dead" Twilight said, hanging her head.

"One was that Ra'Zahmirr fellow that had promised to do everything he could to get you home, one is this Vallius man, but who was the third?" asked Rarity.

"I don't know his name, but he jumped into the Arena with Vallius" Twilight told her. "When they came to my rescue the demanded the fight be fairer so they send out more fighters. I was given a shield and a dagger. I was behind my shield for most of it so I really could see what was going on" Twilight told them.

None of her friends had anything to say, so they remained quite and allowed Twilight to continue. "There was this archer. She kept shooting arrows at me, I couldn't do anything any I was getting weaker. If I had waited any longer I wouldn't have been able to hold my shield up and that would have been it."

"What happened?" asked a very concerned Rainbow Dash.

"I took the dagger and flung it at her with my magic. I didn't expect to do much damage, if any at all. But when I turned the shield so I could get a look ... "Twilight trailed off, she looked away but didn't close her eyes for fear of the haunting image of the archer in the sand would return.

Before any of her friends could say anything to comfort her there was a knock at the door.

Twilight sighed and Rainbow Dash opened the door. Before the door was even fully open Rainbow Dash gave a curt "what do you want?"

When the door opened an Imperial guard stood there for a second, his brain making sense of what he was seeing. He was told the guest were unique but this was ridiculous.

"Well?" Rainbow Dash said impatiently.

"Oh, I'm sorry miss. The Blade leader Strillian has called an emergency meeting and you are all in a position where you are permitted to be there" said the guard. "At your earliest convenience please gather in the Council chambers. Everyone will be awaiting your arrival." After saying his peace the guard left.

Twilight was still looking down.

"Ya know we don't have to go if you don't want to Twi, we can just miss it" Applejack suggested.

"No, he said they were waiting for us, might as well see what's going on" Twilight said weakly, giving her friends a smile.

Even though they all knew the smile was fake they decided to go along with it and started to make their way to the Council chambers where they were taking during their first time in the city.

Once they had entered the large room each of the six ponies took a seat at the large round table. At the table sat Strillian, four other Blades, and the Emperor.

"Um, where's Vallius?" asked Twilight.

"That's actually why i asked for the meeting" answered Strillian.

"What do you mean?" asked Twilight.

"Well I came to this city with a small squad of five Blades. Now I only have four" Strillian began.

"Oh my, how awful, what happened?" asked Rarity.

"Well, simply put, we have reason to believe he was killed in the Arboretum, with a dagger, by Vallius" Strillian said evenly.

"Why would you even suggest such a thing? Vallius has been nothing but helpful since I've met him. He is more comment to the Empire than anything else, why would he even do it?" Twilight demanded.

"There is a beggar who claims to have been attempting to sleep in one of the bushes saw the whole thing. And this beggar is absolutely certain it was Vallius" said Strillian flatly.

"Where is Vallius? He should have a chance to defend himself from these claims" Twilight said.

"Well now that is the question. Where is Vallius? I asked around and none of the guards have seen him for the last few days. I checked his room and he packed up and left. This, coupled with the witness' testimony makes it pretty clear in my mind what happened" when Strillian said this he almost spoke at Twilight rather than to her. He was becoming impatient with the unicorn in denial.

"I don't believe you. Vallius is a good guy, he would sooner die than kill someone on his side" Twilight said indignantly. Despite her words her faith was shaken. 'How could you Vallius. Was it really an accident I was sold into slavery? Was Ra'Zahmirr the only one who was genuinely trying to help me? Twilight thought to herself.

"You are right. From what I'm told Vallius is a very loyal man. But what if he was never loyal to the Legion to begin with? Further investigations will start and, until there is no doubt in my mind who killed one of my men then the investigations will continue. But the odds aren't looking too good for Vallius. I'm sorry" Strillian said.

"Emperor Mede, what do you think of all this. I mean Vallius was like your right hand man, the one you personally assigned missions to right? If he was really against the Empire wouldn't he have just attacked you when you two were alone?" asked one of the Blades.

Emperor Mede sighed and said "I don't know. I just don't know anymore." He then ran his fingers through his hair and thought 'I really messed up here, didn't I?'