Trials

Everything was blurry, though after a beating that was to be expected..

Slowly coming to his senses, Shadow opened his eyes, noticing the darkness of the room straight away. He was still chained, but now he was sitting, and not laying on the floor while five guards were, "laying down the law", as they called it. He still had a bitter taste of iron in his mouth, and his body hurt all over.

As his vision cleared he noticed he sat in front of a desk, on the other side was another stallion, he was in a uniform, and on the table was different papers, photos, and files. It was then that he realized, he was in an interrogation room.

"Good, you're awake." Said the stallion, who was still masked by the shadows of the room. The only light was provided by a single lamp on the desk itself. Shadow was not fully clear headed yet, he had no idea what time it was, how long he had been here, or if Rainbow was okay. He could hear the stallion move some papers. "Hmm, Aggravated assault, assault and battery, kidnapping, burglary, arson and forgery...." He placed the file on the desk. "You've been busy Mr Bolt, or do you prefer Ranger?"

Shadow smiled a little, clearing his throat. "I never went by that name... It was an invention by the press.."

The stallion chuckled. "True enough, but you never denied it."

"I never had any intention of talking to the media.." Shadow replied, to which the stallion said.

"Or get caught, I imagine.. You can thank Twilight Sparkle for that by the way." Shadow felt his muscles tense, his eyes flicked to him for a second before quickly looking away. The stallion chuckled again. "That's right, Ranger, you were sold out.."

"Don't I get a lawyer?" Shadow interrupted, his voice bitter.

"Oh, we are just having a friendly chat, we are looking for a lawyer in the meantime, but just so you know." The stallion leaned closer, revealing part of his muzzle and his eyes, but nothing else that made him recognizable. "Don't expect of walking away from this in one piece.." The two locked eyes, both of them glaring at one another. "Now then, first things first.. Did you have anypony helping you?"

"No." Shadow replied straight away.

The officer snorted. "Really? You wanna play that card? What about your little marefriend?"

Shadow did not hesitate, or look away as he answered. "She's got nothing to do with this.."

"I'll be the judge of that.." He chuckled. "But for now you can take it easy, we have you, so there is not any major interest in her." He opened a file. "Let's see here.. Shadow Bolt, 26, Pegasus, former royal guard, former special forces, on track to become a Wonderbolt, but never finished.. Hmm, then nothing." Looking back up at him, he tilted his head. "You seem to have a good record, your future was bright, why discard it like that to become a criminal?"

"None of your business.." Shadow growled.

"Oh no no, you see, it is my business. Not only did you humiliate the corps, but you you were one of us. I want to know what made you snap like this." He leaned back a little. "What did you learn?"

Shadow's eyes widened, before he thought he was simply dealing with some pissed off guards, but now he understood. He was being held by those corrupt guards who had taken bribes. He felt like spitting ay the officer, but instead he growled a bit more. "I snapped because of ponies like you.. You're disgrace to the uniform.."

"Really?" The officer chuckled. "You think I'm a disgrace do you?" He sat up a bit more, and before Shadow knew it, a hoof made contact with his face, not only punching him, but forcing his head into the desk with a loud smack!

"ARGH!"

"Let me tell you something, Bolt." The officer snarled, holding Shadow in place. "We do what we fucking have to! You think you're the only colt or filly scout spouting nonsense like this?" He pressed down on his head harder. "You humiliated us, but do you think your little crusade is going to stop us?! Like the others, you will simply vanish, but in your case, you are going to be public humiliated, painted as a fucking villain, and then get stabbed, beaten, and slaughtered as soon as your enemies learn who you are in prison, do you get me Bolt? You're done!"

He finally let go, letting Shadow slump back in his seat. "Take him back to his cell!"

"Sir!"