Six days.

Rainbow spent six days in the cell. If she had gotten bored on the first day alone, then she was little more then a husk by the end of the sixth day. The turnkey came twice a day; to give her her dinner, and her breakfast. She never got anything else; no books, nothing to keep her occupied, and her food was always the watery carrot soup, and maybe a loaf of bread. It sucked. She would kill for a Daring Do book, or even something decent to eat. Honestly, wasn't this punishment enough?

Finally, on the morning of the seventh day, the turnkey opened the door. When she didn't here the clink of the bowl, she looked up to see that at the door wasn't the turnkey. Instead, two fully armored royal guards stood in the doorway. The one on the left held a set of chains, while the other clutched a spear in his wing.

The one with the chains said, "Hold still. Resist, and my friend here will not be so conversational."

Not really in the right mental state to respond, she just let it happen. The earth pony clamped the chains around her, while the pegasi guard watched. Once the chains were in place, the other guard lowered his spear, and said, "Alright. Follow Brick Wall. Any funny business, and I won't be gentle with this thing."

So, she followed the earth pony guard out of the cell. He lead her down a hall lined with other cells, yet it didn't look like any of them were occupied. At the end of the hall they took a left, then a left, then a right, until finally coming to a set of stairs. After going up them and out a sturdy looking door, she was back in the castle proper. The two guards then began to lead her down the corridor.

They walked for a long time, going down corridor after corridor. Rainbow slowly grew more worried, even if she didn't show it. What if I aren't convincing enough? There is a lot against me, and...What am I thinking? My friends should stand by me. Stupid brain.

Finally, after walking for what felt like two miles, they finally came to a large set of double doors. Another pair of guards stood outside, both with spears. Engraved on the door was the Equestrian seal, and above the door was a plaque that read: Royal courtroom-Convict entrance.

"Got no 'Awesome pony' entrance, eh?," Rainbow quipped. None of the guards laughed, or even smiled. In fact, they seemed to be getting annoyed. The two by the door pushed them open, and her escorts pushed her inside.

It was a massive room, rivaling even the throne room. Next to her entrance, she saw a podium, with another one on the other side. In front of both of them, was another massive podium. This one had four large seats, on which were seated four ponies. The ones in the middle seats were the princesses, with two unicorns in large curly wigs and black cloaks in the seats on the edges. Next to the far podium was a series of seats, all of which were filled with ponies. Among them was a very angry looking Shining Armor, a few maids and guards, and her friends. On her side was a similar set of chairs, yet most of these were empty, save a few. Her parents, Scootaloo, a few of her co-workers, and Spitfire were the only ones.

Princess Celestia, sitting in the inner left seat, commanded, "Bring forth the suspect." The way she said it made Dash shiver from an unnatural sense of dread. This feeling wasn't helped by her being called 'suspect', not her name.

The two guards led her down in between the two podiums in front of the judges stand. Unseen from the entrance, due to its lower position, was another platform. Yet another set of armed guards stood next to it. After they brought her down to this lower platform, her chains were bound to several locks that held her in place. Locked in place, she stood still, being forced to look up to see the others.

Celestia said, "Order." Once the other ponies were silent, she elaborated, "We are here for the case of Rainbow Blitz Dash vs the state. She stands charged with 'Assault of a member of the royal family', and 'resisting arrest.'" Looking down at Rainbow, she said, "How do you plead?"

"Not guilty!", she yelled instantly. "She did something to Twilight, and I-"

"What are you talking about!?", shouted a voice from the other side. Looking over, she saw it was....Twilight? She stood there, looking perfectly fine. In fact, she looked better then fine; she looked refreshed and full of energy. In specific, angry energy. "Cadence and I just talked, then went out to talk to you! I just had a headache, and you bucking attacked her!"

Princess Luna, in the royal canterlot voice, yelled, "ORDER! THERE WILL BE ORDER!"

Once again, silence prevailed. Then Princess Celestia, still in her cold voice, said, "May the prosecution step forward."

A pegaus mare stepped up onto the left side podium. She had a dark grey coat, a light cyan mane, and a lawbook for a cutie mark. She said, "Well, I don't really know why we're doing this since she is obviously guilty, but alright. The prosecution calls forth royal guard corporal Void Gazer as witness."

One of the royal guards stepped up next to the pegasus. Said pegasi asked "Mister Gazer, where were you the night of may 14th, 1002 ANM?"

The unicorn guard answered, "I was on guard duty at the north entrance, waiting for the second sentry on duty to come."

"And what happened?"

He shrugged. "Not much for most of it. Just a normal sentry duty. Then, about sunset, I saw Ms. Sparkle run up toward me, and told me that her friend had run off to attack Princess Cadenza. I was skeptical, but when the other sentry came I told him about it, and we went off to check on it."

"And what happened when you got to the Princesses room?"

"We saw the door was shut, and I knocked. I then heard a loud crash on the other side, and knocked down the door. I then saw Ms. Dash attacking the princess. I fired a stun spell, which caused her to fall into the bed. I told Ms. Sparkle to go get some help, while I tended to the Princess. When the others came, I, well, told Princess Celestia what happened, and was ordered to bring her to the dungeon."

"Can anyone vouch for your story?"

"Oh yeah. The other sentry that came, Poisoned Apple. Ms. Sparkle. Princess Cadenza. Even the Captain and the Element Bearers."

The pegasi prosecutor. "We have a present witness, as well as several sources to back it up." After cracking a smug grin, he finished, "The prosecution rests."

Several hours of silence later, It was time for Rainbows testimony. She was now very concerned. Her defense lawyer had a very weak argument, while the prosecutor had an incredibly strong one. Even Twilight had testified against her, stating a false version of what had happened at Donut Joes. Finally, Rainbow could speak.

Her platform was raised up with magic, becoming level with the judges podium. Celestia said, "Rainbow Dash, a case has been made against you. You may now defend yourself. Do so. What, Happened?" No matter how much she had heard it during the trial, that voice always made her shiver.

In an instant, Rainbow began to speak. She explained all of what happened. Cadenza asking her to leave, Twilights catatonic state, the glowing eyes. Before she could finish, Celestia said, "All of this is irrelevant. Did. You. Do. It?"

"W-well, yes, But I-", she started. However, Celestia raised her hoof.

"That is enough", the cold voice answered. "The council will now judge the evidence we have been given. All may retire. Sargent." As the guard pony whom she directed that last bit to snapped to attention, she said, "Take her to one of the suites. Depending on her punishment, it may be her last time in a comfortable bed. Dismissed."

Rainbow was unbound from the platform after it was brought back down to it's original level. The two guards that led her from the dungeon led her back out of the convict entrance, and back down the hall. They led her to a random empty room, and opened the door. She walked inside, still bound in her chains, and heard the door shut and lock behind her. She didn't even react. She was too stunned. She just walked to the bed, and collapsed onto the comfortable, fluffy mattress and fell into the realm of sleep.

It would be the last rest in a comfortable bed, or even a proper bed, for many years.

Note: I know jack-shit about the court system. So, this is just my best guess as to how it works. Please don't get angry at this.

Anyway, Happy New Year!