Trials

Two days, two fucking days since Shadow had been arrested and thrown into this rotten cell...

His wings hurt, they were still chained to his sides, and he longed to stretch them out. His whole body still hurt, but thankfully he hadn't been beaten since the first night he got here, on the other hoof, he hadn't even gotten a shower or a decent meal either.

And then there was Rainbow...

He had no idea how she was, if she was okay, or was even still free, Then again, if Twilight had put him in here, then certainly Rainbow was being kept out of that. After all, it was one thing to arrest somepony like him, but to arrest the element of loyalty, no, that was probably near impossible unless you had damning evidence, which they didn't.

The sound of the cell door being unlocked and opened interrupted his thoughts. Rolling over in piss poor excuse of a bed, Shadow looked over, only to see somepony he had not seen for some time. "Hey.. It's prince Shining Armor.." Shining looked at Shadow with a mix of worry and disgust. Shadow simply chuckled. "Sorry about the smell, they haven't exactly allowed me many luxuries.. Like a decent meal, or a shower... So.. What are you doing here, Shining."

"I had to see if it was true.." Shining said, his expression stern. "Are you the Ranger?"

Shadow sat up, letting out a sigh. "Ponies have called me that, yes.." There was silence between them, and after a while, Shadow rolled his eyes at him. "Oh and I'm fine by the way, thank you for asking." Shining winced, seeing how roughed up Shadow was. "So other than asking something you already know, why are you really here? Bad news or good news?"

Sighing, Shining trotted closer to him. "A bit of both I guess.."

"Of course.." Shadow mumbled, annoyed.

"They are moving you to Iron Frost Prison.."

"What?" Shadow looked at Shining with wide eyes. "They are moving me to prison, what about my trial? What about my fucking rights?"

Shining looked at his friend with serious eyes. "They are claiming you are a security risk, and the local jail can't contain you."

"Bullshit!" Shadow exclaimed. "They are moving me in with all of those I've put in there, I'm dead if they find out I was the one responsible it."

"They are not going to tell them you are the Ranger, Shadow.." Shining tried, but Shadow just gave him a look of annoyance.

"Yeah, I'm sure something like that won't suddenly be leaked." He said sarcastically. "Did a judge agree to that?"

"Yeah, the papers was signed an hour ago, they are moving you later today.." Shining Explained, feeling frustrated that everything seemed to be out of his hooves, like he had no control about the process. "I'm sorry, I don't know how this happened.. You were not even supposed to be arrested, I was supposed to investigate, which meant, talking to you."

"But you're a prince, of the crystal empire now.. Which meant you had to inform the local guard force?" Shadow asked with an eyebrow raised. Shining sighed again, then nodded. "Like brother like sister I guess.."

Shining glared. "I had to inform them Shadow, what did you think? That you could just break the law with no consequences?"

Shadow glared at him. "No consequences? I got beaten, burned, stabbed, I risked my life for this fucking city. And where do you get off lecturing me about rules and law? Didn't I turn a blind eye when you snuck out of the barracks to meet with princess Cadance?" When Shining had nothing to say to that Shadow continued. "Yeah, thought so.."

After a moment of silence, Shining trotted away. "Listen, I can't stop them from transferring you, but I will make sure you get that lawyer. Your best chance is getting a pardon from princess Celestia."

Sighing, Shadow leaned back against the stone wall. "Thank you..."

Shining nodded. "No problem.."

Just as he was about to leave, Shadow called him. "Shining." He stopped, looking back at Shadow. "Tell Rainbow.. Tell her I love her.."

He smiled slightly. "I will.." He then grew serious. "Stay safe, okay?" And with that, he left Shadow in his cell, alone with his thoughts and misery.