“WHAT?! The changeling queen is suing the town?!” Twilight shrieked.

“That’s what I said!” The mayor shrieked in equal intensity.

“Why? After all she’s done to us, to Canterlot, to Princess Celestia herself? What right does she have to be upset with us? Why is she suing the town, anyway?” Twilight asked.

“Defamation of character, according to her letter of intent. Something about what happened last week during Nightmare Night.”

“Is this because more than half our foals dressed as changelings? Why would that make her so mad?”

“I’m not sure, Twilight. Her letter just said defamation. My best guess: she seems to think that we’re giving her and her race a bad name.”

“I’m pretty sure she did that to herself after the whole ‘Invasion of Canterlot’ thing.”

“Be that as it may, the town is still being taken to court. I had hoped that since you and your friends dealt with the changelings before, you could do it again.” The mayor requested.

“Well, one: my friends and I may have helped, but ultimately, it was my brother and his wife that beat them. And two, defeating them in a straight fight isn’t like defeating them in a courtroom battle. Like I said, I’m not a lawyer.” Twilight said before she mused for a moment. “But I know someone who, at the very least, may be able to help. And I can guarantee he would love nothing more than to take down the changeling queen.”

“Please, do whatever you can.” The mayor begged.

With a nod of affirmation, Twilight turned tail and galloped back to her home as quickly as she could. When she got there, she ran into Spike. After being informed of the situation, Spike’s eyes narrowed in anger.

“She has the nerve to sue us after everything she did?!” Spike growled.

“It looks that way. But I have an idea. There’s a certain somepony who knows a thing or two about law. Somepony who was personally wronged by the changelings and would probably love a shot at revenge.” Twilight replied.

“You don’t mean…”

“I do. Spike, take a letter.”

Spike got a quill and parchment ready as he prepared to copy down Twilight’s words.

“Dear Shining Armor…”

As soon as he finished reading his sister’s letter, Shining Armor fled from the Crystal Palace and boarded the first train to Ponyville. He wasn’t about to let anypony mess with his sister or the town she lived in. Least of all the one who had nearly ruined his wedding and conquered Canterlot.

As he sat on the train heading to Ponyville, Shining went over a few old law books he still had in his possession. Even though his primary skills and talents revolved around being a guard, he knew a couple things about law and due process. One of the requirements for becoming Captain of the Royal Guard was that he had to be able to defend the princesses, as well as their subjects, in any sort of battle. Even if that battle took place in a courtroom. As such, part of his training involved taking some classes on law and how to handle a court case. Particularly in being a defense attorney. He was by no means a top billed lawyer, but he was at least adequate enough that he was still promoted to Captain. Shining never thought that he would have to use those skills, but he still retained the necessary information. As the train neared Ponyville, he mentally prepared himself to defend Twilight and her town from whatever the prosecution wanted to do to them.

The fact that said prosecution consisted of the one who nearly ruined his life and tried to hurt some of the ponies he held dearest to his heart certainly had nothing to do with his conviction. Nope. Not at all.

The second the train pulled into the station, Shining Armor was the first to get off. He galloped towards his sister’s home as fast as his legs would carry him. It wasn’t hard to find her home. It was a rather unique looking building, after all. Once he arrived, he pushed open the door and let himself in.

“Twilight? Are you here? Twiley?” Shining Armor called out.

“Shining Armor? Is that you?”

Twilight made her presence known when she descended down the stairs of her home. As soon as their eyes locked, the two siblings ran towards each other and put a hoof around the other in a hug.

“Yes. I made it, Twiley. I wish we could have caught up again under better circumstances, though.” Shining said.

“You and me both. But still, I’m glad you’re here, Shiny. Do you think you can help us?” Twilight asked.

“I do. I’ve been going over some of the old law books I was given in training and looking at the information you gave me in your letter. I think we have a decent case against Queen Chrysalis.”

“I hope so. We almost lost to her once. I don’t want to think about what will happen if we actually lose to her this time.”

“I won’t let that happen.” Shining said with conviction. “I won’t let her hurt you or anypony else ever again if I can help it. It was bad enough that I let it happen once. That I let her foalnap and impersonate Cadance, brainwash me, leave us completely unprepared for invasion, and turn me against you in the worst way possible.”

Twilight noticed that her brother’s expression turned sad as he said the last part of that sentence.

“Are you still upset over that? I told you, I forgive you. It wasn’t your fault she got inside your mind. And it wasn’t the smartest move on my part to run in making accusations without any real proof. Nopony blames you for what happened at the rehearsal.”

“I do. I should have seen what you saw. I should have known Cadance wouldn’t act that way normally. At the very least, I should have heard you out instead of just getting mad and casting you out. I shouldn’t have left you at the queen’s mercy. It still haunts me to think of what might have happened if you hadn’t found the real Cadance.”

Shining Armor’s head hung low in shame as he spoke. Twilight pulled her brother into another hug in an effort to make him feel better.

“You may have made a mistake, but I still forgave you for it. I still love you. And if it means that much to you, we can talk about it again. But let’s do that later. After we’ve wrapped up this trial.” Twilight said.

Shining Armor stood up straight and regained his determination.

“You’re right. Let’s get through this. When does the trial start?”

“In five days. Just enough time for the prosecution to get their case together.”

“Then we need to do the same. Tell me everything that you know. Starting with what you didn’t cover in your letter. After that, lead me to the Mayor and anypony else that may be involved.”

"Alright. the first thing you shuld know is about what all happened on Nightmare Night..."

Five days later, the inside of the Ponyville courthouse was jam packed. As was the outside of the courthouse. Everypony wanted to see what would happen with this case. To know all the juicy details.

Outside of the crowd of spectators, the first group to enter the courtroom was the jury. To ensure a fair a trial as possible, it was agreed that the jury would consist of six ponies and six changelings. The six ponies, named Berry Punch, Carrot Cake, Cheerilee, Time Turner, Cloudchaser, and Roseluck, sat awkwardly amongst the six changelings, named Kevin, Arista, Cornicle, Delilah, Sclerite, and Thorax.

After that, the defense entered the courtroom. Mayor Mare sat at the table on the left side of the courtroom. Shining Armor sat next to her, preparing various papers for his case. Next in was the prosecution. Everypony was surprised to see Queen Chrysalis herself walk into the courtroom without any sort of disguise. Not that she could have used a disguise anyway. A magic barrier was placed around the courthouse that prevented any pony or changeling from using any magic until after the trial. When Chrysalis saw Shining Armor, she glared angrily at him. A look Shining returned without hesitation. Representing Chrysalis as her consul was a changeling drone by the name of Pharynx.

Once everypony was seated, the bailiff, a burly Earth Pony in a guard uniform with a pair of handcuffs for a Cutie Mark, walked forward.

“All rise. The honorable Judge Chief Justice will be presiding over this trial.”

As everypony in the courtroom got to their feet, the judge, a middle aged unicorn wearing a black robe and powdered wig with a gavel for a Cutie Mark entered the room and took his seat.

“Be seated.” Chief Justice ordered.

Once everypony sat back down, the judge began speaking again.

“We have gathered here to hear the trial of Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings v. The Town of Ponyville. Mayor Mare, you and the town of Ponyville stand accused of defamation of character by way of slander. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty, your honor.” Mayor Mare replied.

“Very well then. Let the trial commence.” Chief Justice said as he banged his gavel.

Author's Note

In case you can't tell, I'm one of those people who didn't think that Twilight was given a proper apology for what happened to her in Canterlot Wedding Pt. 1. So I wanted to put in a bit that at least implies that she was given one after the fact.

Also, the idea of Shining Armor being the defense attorney in this case is one I got from the story The Trial of Fluttershy Flutters. Cute story. Check it out if you get the chance.