The train ride was agonizing for Twilight. A million thoughts raced through her head at a million miles, “Have the fillies kept their word? Or will I be greeted back home with pitch forks and torches, worse yet, Celestia will have heard by the time of my arrival?”, “What of these stories are correct? What if my whole life, my whole purpose was all based upon wretched lies?”....”Of all the ponies I would loved to be with right now, it's the one I hurt—based on hearsay! What have I become?”

She pondered these troubling questions, distracting herself from the commotion around her. When she finally could see Canterlot as the train began to slow, her heart sank and her stomach churned. It felt different for some reason. Part of her was trying to squash the seemingly absurd conspiracy theories she had so recently obsessed over, and the other was fidgeting about her head, throwing question upon question at her uneasy mind at a relentless pace. Sweat could be seen collecting at the base of her mane. She made her way through the streets, simply waving to the guards as she made her way to Canterlot Castle.  

The halls seemed hollow, the ceilings seemed higher, the whole journey from the main doors to Celstia's throne room seemed so long and so imposing, the unicorn's heart pounding faster still as she approached the door.

“You may enter now Ms Sparkle,” one of the guards addressed in a husky voice, “Her highness wishes to speak to you.”

Twilight found it incredibly difficult to push the door open, her hoof trembled wildly, a lump shot up in her throat and she found it difficult to breathe. She made her way into the throne room where Celestia awaited. It was dimly lit, windows shuttered. The only real source of light were fair sized torches that lined the sides of the room. Celestia sat on her throne, an unreadable look on her face. Spike was not there. This couldn't be good.

“Twilight.” She began, passing the formal introductions, her voice flat, another bad sign. “I have taken some time to asses our—recent incident. I have reviewed it with the royal council and we have reached a verdict.”

She paused for a moment, unsure herself if she wanted to do this. She had to, she commuted to the decision of the council upon hearing Spike's plea (a complete lie). They were all overcome and blinded by emotion, there decision was made without the consent of the accused.

“The council demanded banishment, what you did was unacceptable Twilight. It would be one thing if this were somepony else--” The princess acquired a hint of anger as her voice started to rise, disappointment building. “He was your child Twilight....you had a duty—no, an obligation to care for him! Not only did you fail, not only did you cause immeasurable emotional and physical harm to such a helpless and dependent baby dragon—You lied. You lied to me Twilight, my most faithful student has become a heartless, cold, liar.”

Every impulse in her brain was demanding she object, make her case known, plead for a hearing, have her voice heard. She could get Applebloom here. She had it all planned out. However, her heart and her body were paralyzed, brought on by the stinging, painful words.

“All of this considered, I do not have the heart to banish you, you have done immeasurable good for the ponies of Equestria, however, this cannot go unpunished. I was able to negotiate something all parties, including the victim found appropriate.”

Celstia's horn began to shimmer, only slightly as she stood up and took a few paces forward.

“The council has ordered that you be stripped of your magic and your contributions to Equestria erased. “She choked up on the last bit, all the memories together, the defeat of Discord, Nightmare Moon, and a host of others. This was going to hurt her more than anypony, this decision was going to haunt her conscience forever.

“From my heart, I do not wish to do this Twilight, all things considered I wish we could hear your side, I insisted we have a fair trial, the emotion was too strong, including myself. It only took the calls of blasphemy, among other things. From my mind however, it is my duty to maintain law, order, harmony in this land. A violent act such as this, regardless of it's cause is immoral and inexcusable.”

Twilight bowed her head. The last internal assertion to counter, to deny this fallacy was silenced by the knowledge that her punishment could have been and could be much worse.  “I understand.”

Celestia stalled one last time, a small tear escaped her eye as her horn began to glow brilliantly now.

“I, Princess Celestia, hereby declare Twilight Sparkle, to be defaced from the articles of history, to be stripped of her magical power, and to be dejected from her title as the 'Element of Magic'.”

As she said this, Twilight's horn began to glow, the same spark that once initiated the bondage and release of the great power that was summoned by the Elements Of Harmony. She could feel her horn, it grew cold and felt heavier than normal, her mane frayed some, and she felt a tinge of emptiness inside her being.

When it was all said and done she had collapsed. She felt drained, weak, and powerless. She barley noticed the guards who escorted her out rather briskly, she didn't seem to take much account of how she was herded onto the train bound for Ponyville, she cared not for the sights or sounds that composed the ride home. She felt nothing now, nothing but pain.

The crusaders sat in Scootaloo's room, busying themselves with a variety of board games and books. They had promised Twilight they wouldn't speak to anypony about what they had heard, thought she hadn't explicitly forbade them from discussing it amongst themselves. Or so they assumed.

“Ah wonder what kind a cutie marks we'd get fer saving Equestria!” Applebloom pondered aloud,

“I'm sure mine would be something awesome! Like maybe a sword and shield, symbol of the fearless filly who would topple the empire and bring peace to all--”

“Wait a minute! How come you get a cool cutie mark and we don't?” Sweetie Belle interjected.

“Come one Sweetie Belle, let's face it.” Scootaloo snorted, “You're not really much of a fighter—or really anything. You'd just cower in the corner while I kick flank and save the day!” Scootaloo wasn't really thinking, the splendor of envisioned glory taking pace ahead of consideration at the moment.

“I am too—a fighter!” Sweetie Belle wasn't sure how to prove this but she wasn't one to be pushed around, by her niece no less.

“Ah think Scoot's got a point Sweetie Belle.” Applebloom stated matter of fact, “Ya ain't never been much of a brave filly, ya don't like gettin' dirty, or hurt, or anythin' that isn't fluffy an' boring.”

Sweetie Belle's heart sank, here she was being downsized by her two best friends. Her ears fell flat as she pondered a defense,

“Yeah and you're not really one to come up with any cool ideas,” Scootaloo added, “It's always me and Applebloom that have to come up with the cool stuff. We want awesome cutie marks not lame girly ones.”

Sweetie Belle again was saddened, why were her friends doing this? They teased her every now and again and she could take it but this felt different.

“I am too tough!”  Sweetie Belle thought out loud. A mistake.

“Oh yeah?” Scootaloo glared at her, “Prove it.”

Sweetie Belle darted her eyes around, she needed something to attack, something that she could take out her pent up anger on. Then she saw it. It had a purple mane, an orange coat, tiny wings, and a stupid smirk plastered on its face.

She pounced on the feathered filly, bringing her to the ground, swinging wildly, missing half the time, and hitting the other, her hooves equated to rabbit paws in Scootaloo's mind, the only hurting she endured was from fits of laughter as the whit filly giving it her all—which wasn't much.

Sweetie Belle was flung on her back, Scootaloo was on top of her now looking down with that same smirk, her mouth deforming as bursts of uncontrollable laughter threatened to bust her muzzle open. The pinned white filly began to cry, this was humiliating. Scootaloo was supposed to be her friend—no, family. Family didn't do this to each-other, but she figured she did have one advantage on the orange filly who was living it up with her facade of power and dominance.

Applebloom sat and watched, unsure of whether to stop this whole thing or stick out till the end. In pursuit of entertainment, she chose the later.

“Look at you, acting all big and strong Scootaloo.” Hissed Sweetie Belle through tears, “Y-You think you're so tough now huh? How many times have I had to coddle you like a baby because you couldn't handle being lonely! You needed me, you couldn't last a night without me! You act all powerful now, it's all a joke, you were scared of my sister!--Rarity! It took Auntie Sweetie Belle cuddling you like a whiny little foal for you to even think straight!--”

Scootaloo got off her friend and backed up, she was stunned. All her secrets were pouring out, her dirty laundry was being shown in all their glory. Sweetie Belle's chest swelled with pride as she stood up and  smiled,

“You're gonna be in big trouble Scootaloo.” Sweetie hissed. “When I tell Rarity what you did, she's gonna let me take all your toys, and then you're gonna be grounded!”  

Part of Sweetie was slightly shocked at this nagging, assertive side of her, the other was damn proud of herself. She was finally sticking up for herself and putting Scootaloo in her place.

Scootaloo's gaze of disbelief became a glare of anger. Sweetie had gone too far, making out for a foal was one thing, but going so far as to get her in trouble over nothing? Talking down to her? She wasn't going to take it, and Sweetie Belle wasn't saying anymore.

The filly leapt at Sweetie with all her might and had her on her back again, this time though her hooves were anything but at her side, they were bombarding Sweetie Belle's face, one of her forehooves jabbed into the unicorn's stomach. She pulled her up by the name and winded the unicorn who stumbled back into Scootaloo's bed-frame. Blood was trickling from the fillies nose as her attacker approached for another swing.

“Scoots! Stop!” Applebloom dared not move but she feared her friend was out of control, she had snapped.

The assault continued, Sweetie Belle held her hooves in front of her face as Scootaloo continued to beat her. The pegasus eventually grew tired of the punching bag and converted it to a rag doll, holding the feeble filly by her forehooves and spinning around before tossing her into a pile of toys on the other side of the room.

Scootaloo didn't have a chance to pounce again, a large white hoof stood in her way, Said hoof belonged to a very, very upset unicorn.

“Scootaloo!” Rarity growled, she had seen the last bit, she had seen the blood on her sister's face and was this close to knocking the orange filly unconsciousness.

“That is enough! What in Equestria would justify you—hurting my sister! After all she has done for you! There is simply no excuse for this young lady!”

Scootaloo sat on her haunches, she kept her head low as the high came down and she began to realize what she just did. Behind the fuming mare was a bleeding, defenseless filly, tears freely flowing down her white coat as she lay in the mess, sobbing fiercely,

“You so much as move and you are out of this house do you understand?!” Rarity roared as she went to tend to her sister, she whisked her away to to washroom, shooting an angry glare at Scootaloo before leaving the room.

Scootaloo kept her gaze to the ground, a trace of blood remained on her hooves. She began to shake uncontrollably as tears of her own began to take form. Applebloom slowly walked to her and had a look of disgust on her face.

“Ah can't believe you'd do that—why you ain't any better than Diamond Tiara!”

“Applebloom, I—I didn't mean to, I didn't know...” The filly was mumbling, her head remained low.

“Didn't mean nothin'?” Applebloom lectured, “Horseapples! Ya still did it an' that's all that matters! Ah thought you'd know better after what ah said 'bout mah sister but obviously ya don't listen!” With that the farm filly stomped out of the room to go check on her friend.

After what seemed like an eternity, Scootaloo left her room. Nopony had come to see her following the incident, she wanted to apologize, she wanted to do whatever she could to make things right, she felt like a monster and she hated it. As she made her way down the stairs, she could hear them, talking. Rarity was the first to acknowledge her presence.

“What do you want Scootaloo? I don't believe I told you you could come out.”

Scootaloo simply ignored her and set her eyes to Sweetie Belle who was now facing her. There were no bandages, and the only bruise resided on her right cheek, glaring on her white coat.

“I'm sorry.” Scootaloo said dejectedly,  “I-I didn't mean to hurt you. I--”

She fell silent for a few seconds, looking at her hooves before facing Sweetie again.

“I love you. You were right. If it wasn't for you I'd be a sad sappy mess still living in the club-house. I had no reason to do this to you I just—you just really hurt my feelings. I was just kidding around and you had to belittle me.”

She wasn't too pleased with that last line, it was more of a complementing thought that wasn't supposed to come out.  As she looked down at her hooves expecting coarse words from Rarity, she was instead wrapped in a tight hug, two little white hooves were the culprit.

“I'm sorry too Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle sniffled a bit, her bruise was still throbbing. “I shouldn't have said those things in front of Applebloom. We both messed up.” They both faced each-other since their altercation, one face had a look of shame, the other a look of understanding. Sweetie Belle stood up high on her hooves and lightly kissed Scootaloo on the forehead.

“I love you too.”

Rarity's heart simply melted at the sight, what was once resentment and total anger had morphed into a mixture of bittersweet happiness and satisfaction. This certainly was a better ending than she had planned for.

Applebloom looked at this scene before her and she thought of her own sister, the damage she had done to her. For the first time since the whole thing, she pondered that her own sister may be feeling the same way Scootaloo did, ashamed. She wondered if she was maybe too scared to come out and say it, perhaps she figured all of Ponyville knew of what she did and didn't want to face it. A ping of guilt hit her which prompted her to shift those thoughts aside and live in the here and now.

Scootaloo's face was beet red, she still stood, face to face with “Auntie Sweetie Belle” who forgave her for quite possibly the worst thing she had ever done. She was a true friend indeed.

“I wonder if the princess would apologize, you know, for the things she did.” Sweetie Belle mused out loud, forgetting her sister's presence. She froze when she did. If the fur on her face were not white, it would've been so then.

“What do you mean Sweetie Belle? What ever did Celestia do?” Rarity was curious now.

Scootaloo, if nothing more than to score a few more appeasement points, stepped in front of Sweetie Belle, hoping to stop this before it started.

“N-nothing, totally nothing Rarity. It's—uh not Princess Celestia, we're uh... were making up a story!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle agreed, “A story about a...uh...”

“A different princess!” Applebloom interjected, trying to save flank. It didn't work however, the mare's suspicions were piqued, and her still unsettled mood was not letting this go.

“Girls, why do I have the feeling you're not telling me something?”

“Twilight told us not to—dammit!” Scootaloo face-hoofed at her stupidity.

“Twilight what? Girls! I don't like secrets, not at all, now speak up! What is it that you were referring to? Must I go to Twilight?”

“NO!” The three fillies shouted, the sheer force of the sound pushed Rarity back an inch or two. She knew something was afoul now, and she was going to find out.

“Well then one of you ought to spill the beans, spreading nasty rumors about her highness is simply unspeakable! Of all ponies, Twilight no less!” Rarity now loomed over the three fillies who were huddled together, unsure of what to do now. They were cornered.

“Can we go up to my room?” Sweetie Belle asked, Rarity had a stream of customers that started around this time of day and they didn't want this to leak more than it was already about to, they were going to feel enough shame from this.

They made their way to Sweetie's room, glancing into her room to the large window by her bed, Scootaloo could see the sun starting to set, it was getting late and she was certainly growing tired.

The door was shit behind them, and Rarity took a seat at the door, assuring the fillies wouldn't make a break for it.

“Now girls, let's start with what if anything the Princess herself would be so inclined to apologize to us, her subjects for. And how you know about it.”

“Well....it's kind of a long story sis,” Sweetie Belle started.

“Please Sweetie Belle, we have all the time in the world.” Rarity wasn't going anywhere. Next Chapter: Call to Action Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 36 Minutes