Princess Celestia and Prince Artemis leaned over the parchment and gave it a quick read. Prince Artemis’ eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze to a trembling Prince Blueblood, but he said nothing.

Princess Celestia turned an ice cold glare on the trembling unicorn and demanded “Nephew, you might want to explain yourself. Now”

Prince Blueblood cleared his throat a couple of times, but found himself unable to speak under the furious gaze of the three alicorns.

Princess Celestia said “Well?”

Prince Blueblood looked up at her “It’s all a mistake, Aunt Celestia. That wasn’t supposed to be submitted to any of you.”

Prince Artemis actually laughed “Oh, I’m sure it wasn’t.” The laugh suddenly stopped and turned into a glare. “I highly doubt you wanted me to know that you are planning to force my sister to send me back to the moon.”

The ponies in the room, aside from the group in front of the throne, gasped in horror.

The guards, both Night and Day, glared at Prince Blueblood and shifted into a ready stance. They forced themselves not to simply pounce on Prince Blueblood. They really wanted to run him through with their spears for the threat made to their prince, but held themselves back, waiting for an order from Prince Artemis or one of the Princesses.

Prince Blueblood actually choked “I-it isn’t like that, Uncle Artemis, I promise!

Princess Celestia said “Then, explain”

Princess Twilight stepped in, “Perhaps now would be a good time to mention that we were in the throne room for a couple of minutes before you noticed us this morning and heard everything you said.” She paused, to let that sink in “Do you need a reminder? Let’s see, you said something about how you were going to deal with the Commoner Princess in order to keep her from helping Artemis again. I know that is what you call me, when you think I’m not around.”

Prince Blueblood blanched “Oh”

Princess Celestia cut in “I’m still waiting for an explanation, Blueblood. And I’m running out of patience.”

Princess Twilight thought for a second. “Since he’s clearly having trouble answering your question, Celestia, maybe he’s like to get used to speaking again by answering one of mine. Do you think you can do that, Blueblood?”

Prince Blueblood dumbly nodded, suddenly not able to say a single word.

Princess Twilight nodded “Very Well. When I arrived in this very room last night, Artemis was focused solely on you. What did you do to drive him to that point?”

Prince Blueblood audibly gulped

Princess Twilight glared at him. “You get to pick which one to answer first, but you do have to answer both questions. Oh, by the way, I don’t have nearly as much patience as Celestia does. You might want to start speaking soon.”

Prince Blueblood swallowed, nervously. “Y-yes, princess”

He swallowed again and looked at Princess Twilight. “Last night, I came to Uncle Artemis’ Night Court and demanded that he relinquish control of the moon and give up his title as prince.” He grew bolder, when he wasn’t stopped, and continued in a louder voice “The answer to Aunt Celestia’s question is similar. The reason why, is that he doesn’t deserve to be a prince. He returned to Equestria, after being gone for 1000 years and tried to take over again, and was forgiven, just like that? Then, he was immediately made a prince, simply because he is the brother of the Princess? He doesn’t deserve any of this. I should be ruling as the Prince of Equestria.”

Before anypony could do or say anything else, Princess Celestia surrounded Blueblood with her magic. “You call yourself a prince but that is simply because you are a distant descendant of Princess Platinum. You have done nothing to earn or show that you deserve the power you have, let alone what you are trying to take from my brother. I hereby strip you of your title and position. You are under arrest for treason and conspiracy against the crown.”

As soon as those words left her mouth, two of the guards in the room, one Day and one Night, rushed forward to detain him. She released her magic as soon as the guards had him restrained.

Blueblood glared up at her as he struggled against the guards pinning him down. “You can’t do this to me!” he shouted “I am-“

“Silence!”

The ears of everypony in the throne room (as well as the castle, and quite possibly the whole of Canterlot) were now ringing, as the Royal Canterlot Voice, which came from 3 different mouths, echoed throughout the entire castle.

Blueblood looked up and froze. All three alicorns were glaring at him with their wings flared and horns glowing. He then looked above him and saw a bolt of dark blue magic hovering over his head. Surprisingly, he grinned. This is perfect, he thought, you’re going to do my work for me! Attack me! Then Aunt Celestia will have no choice but to send you back to the moon! Forever this time!

Everypony in the throne room watched in shock and awe as Princess Twilight stepped closer to Prince Artemis’ side and nuzzled into his neck. The sudden contact caused him to blink and glance over at her.

“Please” she said, so softly that only he could hear her “Stop”

He did just that. He released the magic that he had built up and let it dissolve. He then turned to her and returned her nuzzle as he took deep breaths, allowing her presence and scent to calm him. Princess Celestia chose that moment to drape a wing over her brother’s back and nuzzle him as well.

Princess Celestia was the first to speak up. “Blueblood, you tried to dethrone my brother. You also planned to force me to send my brother back to the moon. Regardless of what you may think or feel about it, he is one of your rulers and this will not be tolerated.”

“Guards, please take Blueblood to the royal dungeons and put him in one of the anti-magic cells. Oh, and Blueblood? This is as much for your protection as a punishment. How do you think the rest of Equestria will react when they find out what you have done?” Princess Celestia shook her head, “As much as I’m sure my brother would love to deal with you right here and now, we have to go through the legal process. Your accomplices, as detailed in your plan as well as in accordance with what we witnessed this morning, are also under arrest.”

Princess Celestia took a deep breath. “Guards. Take them away, before one of us does something we might later regret. As for the rest of you, we are going to end Day Court early, I hope you understand. Please bring any concerns you have to Day Court tomorrow. Twilight?”

Princess Twilight nodded and cancelled the spell she placed on the doors, allowing them to open.

Nopony looked even remotely upset at Day Court being closed early. The ponies in the room watched as members of the Day Guard enter the throne room and escorted the conspirators out on the way to the royal dungeons. Then they looked to the throne to see three alicorns that looked to be very angry and upset. Deciding that it would be best to let them calm down and relax, they quietly left. They also decided that this could not be kept quiet. They would spend the rest of the day spreading the tale of what they had seen as well as what Blueblood had tried to do. They would also use this time to come up with a plan to cheer up their prince.

Next Chapter: Chapter 9 Estimated time remaining: 36 Hours, 17 Minutes