Author's Note

I did not know what all would happen here. It happened, and I only knew part of this. Some of it surprised me. Some of it did not.

I hope you all enjoy this and think that Justice was served!

Sentenced

When Thunderlane heard what had happened, he was angry.

No, that wasn’t right. He was infuriated. Somepony had taken away his free will, his joy. She had taken, in essence, his stallionhood. A small part of him that he did not realize was there seemed flattered that he had been chosen from every pony else, but he would not see that. Could not acknowledge it underneath his rage.

They now stood in the throne room of Canterlot Castle. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood there, eyes casting down judgement as they listened to the story told to them by Spitfire, by Twilight, by his fellow Wonderbolts. They did not ask him about what happened. At least, not yet. Before they did, they asked Mesma for hers.

At first, Thunderlane held to his anger, pressed it close to him like a heating pad in the winter. But as her tale wove on, expelling her loneliness, her frustration, her upset, her desperation, he felt it lessening. He was still angry. But his anger was no longer a raging inferno. It had become a bonfire. It still warmed him, lit him up from the inside, but did not encircle him like a Hearth’s Warming wreath. He did not condone her actions. Not by any means. But now that he understood her motives, saw her darkest moments, he couldn’t help a pang of sympathy from pinging through his chest. He listened to her as she apologized for her actions, acknowledged that she could have done things a better way. And then, listened as she said she would accept whatever punishment the Princesses thought correct.

And then, Princess Celestia turned to him. “What do you have to say about what happened, Thunderlane?” She asked him.

He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. His mind drew a blank on what to say. His memory was unhindered now, and he could remember every moment he had spent with her. But she never hurt him. She never tried. She only tried to take care of him.

He tried to remember his mother. Had she ever showed him that kind of attention, that kind of caring? She had played with him, disciplined him, and met his physical needs. But he could never remember her holding him in any way, showing him any affection beyond the occasional hug. She still cheered for him during his races, sure, but she hadn’t ever been so emotionally open- not with him, his father, or his little brother. Even as a foal. In an odd sort of way, Mesma had somewhat filled a void of his own.

“Princess Celestia,” He began, “I am angry about what happened. I’m angry that Mesma did what she did without my consent. I’m angry that her actions could have cost me my job.” He said. He paused for a moment, thinking everything through, and then he spoke again. “But she never hurt me with bad intentions. She only ever tried to care for me. She actually did a lot of things for me that my own mother never did, and to an extent it was kind of nice, not having to be in charge for once. And even though I’m angry, and hurt, and so many other things, I think I understand. Desperation makes ponies do crazy things. I think that kind of rejection seriously destroys ponies. If I had been rejected from the Wonderbolts I don’t know what I would have done. One rejection is bad enough, but she dealt with several major ones in a row. And honestly, I don’t know how she’s still standing here, because I don’t know if I would be after that. I think she deserves some mercy. Because maybe if some pony had shown that to her, like Spitfire did, maybe she wouldn’t have done this in the first place.”

The Princess gazed at him for a long moment. Perhaps searching for something in his eyes. Then, she seemed to make a decision, and nodded. Then, she looked at Mesma, who’s face was both bewildered and contrite.

“Mesma.” Princess Celestia’s voice was commanding. “I have heard everything that you and the rest of these ponies have had to say. And I have something to say too.” She paused. “Despite what you may think, princesses do make mistakes. We are not immune to failure. And I made a mistake with you, by sending you away. I cannot help but feel partly responsible for what happened here. Perhaps if I had tried harder to help you, none of us would be here. So I apologize to you for failing you, and to you, Thunderlane, for my hoof in your troubles.” Celestia’s face was apologetic.

“Thank you, Princess.” Said Thunderlane. Mesma was too stunned to speak.

Then, the Princess’ face grew serious again. “However, Mesma, you have committed serious crimes. I charge you with brainwashing, coercion, and an attempt at foalnapping. I have not decided upon the full extent of your punishment. However, I have decided upon part of it. You are hereby sentenced to two hundred hours of community service. I will decide later on what you will do and where you will serve it. To add to this, you will be sent to Tartarus for-“

“Princess, wait!” Thunderlane interjected. Celestia looked surprised at the interruption, and he hurriedly went to explain himself. “We promised we would get her the help she needs. She can’t get help from being locked in a cage. I think that would only make it worse for her, with no pony around but other criminals. If she’s sent there, if she’s isolated from everypony else, how will that help her?”

Princess Celestia stared at him for a second, perhaps seeing something in his expression. And then, she spoke again. “Thunderlane is correct. I will not sentence you to Tartarus. I sentence you to mandatory counseling, psychiatric monitoring, and evaluations. That is all for the sentencing.” She said.

That made Spitfire raise a brow. “Is there something else, Princess?”

“I wish to speak with Mesma alone.”

Spitfire nodded, and she, Thunderlane, the rest of the Wonderbolts, and Twilight, all left the room.

Thunderlane did not know what happened after that. And he would not know for a long while. But when he flew home, he felt satisfied that Justice had been served.