Chapter 6: Conflicted Feelings (Part 1)

Everyone, including the freed Princesses, watched as Shining Armor and Cadance were lowered to the floor. They smiled, and embraced. "That…was…awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, breaking the silence. Everyone, except for Onyx, Catania, and Twilight, gathered around the couple.

Onyx looked at his wife, who had barely suppressed anger in her eyes. She looked at him, placing one hoof on his, a gentle plead in her eyes. His face softened and he nodded. He strode forward and cleared his throat. Everyone turned to look at him. "Although Cadance seems to be healed, I believe it best if she went to the medical wing to be checked over. After all, none of us, save for," he glared pointedly at them, "my wife and Twilight, knew where she was or how long she was there."

Princess Luna nodded. "I agree. She should be seen by them."

"But Auntie Luna, what about Shining?" Cadance protested.

"He can wait." Luna said firmly. She softened. "Twilight, Onyx, and I will accompany you, dear niece."

"Alright…if you think it best." Cadance relented. After giving her fiancé one last, tender nuzzle, she walked over to Onyx, who led the way out, Luna and Twilight following. However, as soon as the doors closed behind them, Catania turned to the others, her anger clear in her violet eyes.

"Well, looks like we were right." Catania said, an edge to her voice.

Everyone looked nervous. "Catania, please." Celestia began.

"No! How could you six," Catania said, looking at Twilight's friends and Spike, "choose to believe somepony you've never even met before over somepony who's been a true friend to you! I thought you were supposed to be the Elements of Harmony! And yet Fluttershy, the Element of Kindness, turned up her nose without an ounce of compassion. Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, seemed content to let her wallow in misery. Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty, didn't even hesitate to abandon her! Rarity, the Element of Generosity didn't take time to understand her. And you, Applejack, as I understand, have an older brother yourself. Yet, you didn't understand Twilight's position. Imagine yourself in her place! And if I was told correctly, she practically raised you, Spike!" All of the Element wielders and Spike lowered their heads in shame. Catania spoke the truth.

Catania sighed. "You chose to believe a pony you've known for less than three days, instead of a friend you've known and trusted for two years. You disappoint me. You're supposed to work together to preserve what Equestria stands for. And yet you treated Twilight with blatant disregard. It fell to me, a pony she'd known for less than three days, to comfort her. How the hay do you think that made her feel?!"

She looked at Celestia. "And you, Princess!" She spat. "You're her mentor! For the moon's sake, you always act as if she's your daughter! And yet, when she needed you to listen to her the most, you turn away!" Celestia winced, feeling ashamed. "You seem to trust her to be your "attack dog". But on important matters…" Catania shook her head in disgust.

She turned to Shining Armor, who looked nervous. Her facial expression softened to one of disappointment. "Oh, Shining Armor…I thought she was your LSBFF…" She said quietly, sadness in her eyes. But her next words hit him hard. "So much for being her BBBFF." Shining looked at the ground. Had Catania yelled had him, he could not feel much worse than he did right now.

She turned so she could see them all, her horn beginning to crackle with pale purple magical energy. Everyone watched her warily as she said calmly, "I must ask each of you on behalf of everypony who has some sanity left in this kingdom…WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THINGS SACRED AND RIGHTEOUS WERE YOU ALL THINKING?!" At her yell, a shockwave erupted from her crackling horn, throwing them all back, even Celestia, who had been caught off-guard.

Various exclamations sounded as they all landed and skidded on the floor. As they got back up, groaning, Catania sighed. "That felt good." She said contently. She looked at Shining Armor. "As to Cadance…I want you to tell her." Shining Armor looked ready to protest. "She deserves to know why no one looked for her and how Twilight and I found her." She said, cutting off Shining. He sighed and nodded, unable to argue with that logic.

She turned her head to look at them all. "I'm sorry, but this needed to be said. I have nothing against you. But I doubt the same can be said for Twilight. What you did didn't hurt me…it hurt her." She turned and began to walk away. Before exiting, she turned to look back at them. "Honestly…I wonder how you can live with yourselves right now?" She said quietly.

As she closed the doors behind her, everyone exchanged nervous glances. They knew they had to fix this…but how?

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Now you know how Catania feels...now how about Twilight herself? Stay tuned!

*That shockwave Catania did is her special talent. Whenever her emotions (especially anger or happiness) run high, that happens. It's how she got her cutie mark: the flower and the gem are both beautiful, but the fire rising from it shows that even the most beautiful things can be dangerous.