As Rarity was giving her speech. Everyone in the room paid close attention to her. They just listen to her go on as she spoke about actions and consequences. Which some in the room even agreed with her, due to their own mistakes of the past. But things were more different for Princess Celestia. For she had been giving Rarity’s speech. Far more attention than normal. So far nobody else notice it, nobody else could see the true meaning behind the story the trio told, or Rarity’s speech. On the surface it doesn't look like anything out the ordinary was going on. But the sun princess knew better. After all she have seen this trick before.

Celestia shifted her gaze towards Raven. Who just sat there in her chair doing nothing special except listening to Rarity? Raven quickly noticed Celestia looking right at her and shifted her own eyes. So, their gazes met. They just silently stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.

”Raven, you didn't!?” Celestia thought worriedly.

As if she was able to hear the Sun monarch's thoughts. A devious big smile began to form on Raven’s face. Celestia’s eyes widen in horror at the confirmation of herself being right and it was in that moment she knew. Discord was fuck.

---

Celestia just sat there in chair as beads of sweat began to roll down her face as she stared in fear at the glasses wearing mare. Raven stared back in return with a smug grin on her face, silently chuckling to herself.

Everyone was too fixated on Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow’s tales about action and consequences, to notice the two glancing at one another as if trying to read the other thoughts, but it wasn't necessary. Just the look on the other one face alone was enough to tell them exactly what the other was thinking, but for Celestia there were still questions that plague her mind. She could clearly see the cake incident story for what it truly is in this situation. Raven is using the incident as well as the lessons learned from it to attack Discord from a different angle.

Sure, stealing a bite of an important cake, isn't on the same playing field as bringing back multiple villains to attack Equestria. Nor are the consequences that came after, but that wasn't what Raven was trying to say. She wasn't trying to compare the two incidents.

Celestia thought back to what Rarity said moments ago.

“Still. I learned my lesson.” Rainbow and Fluttershy both nodded in agreement. “What the three of us did was wrong in more ways than one. We knew it was and we chose to do it anyway. We were cruel, we betrayed the trust of our friends, for our own selfish reasons, and were willing to sit back and let others take the blame for what we did. And when we were found out. We actually believed that by simply apologizing and feeling remorse for something we purposely chose to do. Will get us off the hook just like that.

Celestia took her sights off Raven as she clenches her teeth at the fact that Raven planned for this. She's using the cake incident to point out the similarities between the three cake stealers and Discord for choosing to do something they knew was wrong and did it anyway, but there were still more questions that needed to be answered. It's clear as day to see the basics of what Raven trying to prove, but they’re still some plot holes in her logic. Celestia takes a moment to think about all this to herself.

“So basically, this entire conversation is about how actions has consequences. And that forgiveness ISN'T easily earned?

Okay, I do get that. And I see why Raven wants Discord punished in some way. Considering that she isn't as forgiving as the rest of us. I mean, his whole plan did cause this tragic mess in the first place. But what I don't understand, is why! Why are you doing this in the first place, Raven?” Celestia cast a quick glance back at the mare in question. Raven was just sitting there silently laughing to herself. No doubt laughing at how nobody else had figured out her little game. How she cleverly set them all up from the start, but Celestia knew, not at first, no, but she had her speculations.

Everything started out fine enough, but then spiraled off course since Raven revied Spike, so to speak and she's not talking about the crazy kiss the two shared, but everything after that. From revealing she was Spike 13th admirer, to explaining how the original 12 could have easily figured out that Spike was the one sending the letters, to bringing up the MMMMystery on the friendship express fiasco.

Throughout it all, Celestia could only wonder as to why they suddenly drove off course from the reason they all were here in the first place. It was only till Rarity, Rainbow, and Fluttershy spoke about what happened between them the Cakes did Celestia began to put the pieces together and the second the sun monarch saw that devious smile on Raven’s face, she knew all too well that Raven had planned for all of this, before the meeting even began.

She knew just what to say and when to say it. When the meeting started, she put all focus on Discord and his crimes, and how he should be punish along with Tirek and Chrysalis.

"I get what you're saying Ms. Shy, I do but I'm afraid I can't simply ignore what Discord did and put it behind me like the rest of you. As I said before Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow may have killed Spike but it was his actions that led to such a thing to be possible in the first place." Raven lean forward and place the elbow of her forelegs on the table and clasp her hooves together. "If both Chrysalis and Tirek are monsters for the things they done." She turns her sights to Discord. "Then no doubt Discord is the same. A monster who doesn't care if someone got hurt and is willing to use a child for his goals." Raven raised an eyebrow. "Sounds familiar?"

That caught everyone off guard as silence was Raven answer.

Raven shook her head. "Just face facts. Discord deserves to be punished just the same as Tirek and Chrysalis are going to be and I don't see how any of you can prove different."

That's when Celestia realized that it wasn't yet revealed about Raven’s role in all this. Everyone who had showed up to the meeting after being called by Twilight, don't yet know that Raven plans to defend Chrysalis and Tirek in court. Right now they only thinks she's just trying to get Discord tried and punish, nothing more, and Raven hadn't made a single attempt to tell everyone.

Then there was Spike’s resurrection. Raven already knew for the past three weeks that Spike was visiting from heaven everyday and already made plans to revive him. She just needed an opening to do so.

"I'll tell you how!" Argued Smolder. "I won't deny what Discord did is wrong, I won't deny that he did play a part in Spike's death but despite all that Spike still found it in his heart to forgive him and ask us to do the same for he knew Discord didn't mean for things to go the way it did, he knew that all Discord was trying to do was help and that's why he forgave him its why we went and fulfilled his final wish and if you are truly his friend you would do the same as well."

"His final wish means nothing if he knew just what kind of a monster Discord truly is!" Raven argued back.

"Except you're wrong! Discord is not a monster and we all know that!" Everyone else in the room (excluding Discord) all nodded. Agreeing with Smolder. "And if Spike himself was here he'd tell you the same!"

And that was it, the opening Raven created for herself to bring Spike back. Which led to her revealing that she is also an admirer of his, which led to the whole proving how the other 12 admirers could have easily guess that Spike was their secret admirer.

Raven laugh. “Haha, I knew he couldn't possibly be Purple Bear’s real father. Especially after hearing that bogus story about how he lost Spike’s egg, HA! That made my day. So good on you Smolder for helping expose that faker.

“Oh, umm, thanks! It was no big deal really.” Said Smolder.

Raven sighed. “I would have done it myself, but I had a train to catch and was needed back to Canterlot after I finish my business with Mayor Mare and only had just enough spare time for a quick meeting.” Raven shrugged. “Although it is rather funny that both he and Spike do have one thing in common. They're both terrible at covering their tracks when it comes to trying to throw people off their trail, both couldn't hide a secret of their own to save their lives. Which is why they were both so easy to expose.”

“And how the hay was Spike easy to expose?” Asked Rainbow.

Raven gave Rainbow a quizzical look. “Seriously!? How the hay did you guys not figure it out? Like I said, Purple Bear is terrible at covering his tracks. He left behind clues that made it obvious it was him. For me it was as simple as just finding the shop where he bought the envelopes and speaking to the owner and I know all about your visit to the same shop, Rainbow Dash. Purple bear told me about your investigation into the matter and even with the evidence and clues you had before you. You idiots still couldn't see how obvious that Spike was the admirer the whole time.”

“Oh yeah, then how about you prove to us, how exactly we could have known?” Asked Smolder.

Raven grin at that. “Alright Ms. Smolder. I’ll explain to you all, exactly how easy you could of figure out that Mr. The Dragon was the secret admirer, and it won't take much effort, no need to bring my “A” game into this.”

That grin, Celestia knew from the start that something was off about it, but nothing came to mind at the time. Raven wanted to talk about the secret admirer thing. All so she can bring up MMMM.

“So in conclusion. If you all had questioned Spike. Seeing how he’s the only one you know who haves Gabby’s address and even speak to Gabby herself. You would of came to the solution that Spike was the one sending the letters. Just as I did.” Raven shakes her head disappointingly. “Which Is why I am very disappointed in you, Twilight Sparkle.”

“W-what did I do?”

“You didn't conduct a proper investigation. Like you did seven years ago.” Raven exclaimed.

“What investigation?”

Raven horn glowed and a image of a cake appeared. “Remember the Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness—or as Pinkie nicknamed it, MMMM."
Y

Another image appeared, replacing the last one.

“The large cake that Mr. and Mrs. Cake made for the National Dessert Competition here in Canterlot. The same cake Pinkie was in charge of and responsible for its transport.

Y

Another image appeared.

“The same cake that Mr. and Mrs. Cake put hours upon hours of their lives into making and was absolutely worried that it would have gotten ruined during the walk to the train. After all, transporting a cake as big as that is always the most stressful part.”
Y

Raven glared at Twilight. “Do you remember now?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes!”

Raven relaxed and adjusted her glasses. “Then you also remembered what happened to the cake.” Raven replace the previous image with a new one. “After all it was you who discovered that someone had token multiple bites out of the it.”

Again, she knew what to say and when to say it, only this time she purposely directed her comment at the one she knew she’ll get a strong reaction out of and it just so happened to be the one she needed for her plan to move forward.

“And it was YOU who conducted a proper investigation. By having Pinkie retrace her steps, which led you to clues that help solve the case and reveal that three of your asshole friends were the culprits.”
Y

Raven shakes her head in disappointment. “So why didn't you do the same thing when trying to figure out who the secret admirer is. I was able to do it so I know that you are capable of doing the same.” Raven slams her hoof on the table. “So, explain to me why you didn't investigate properly, Detective!”

Twilight just sat there nervously in silence for a bit. Trying to think of something to say. “W-well.......I-I........You see-”

Twilight was interrupted by none other than Rainbow Dash. Who had shot up from her seat and glared at Raven angrily?

“Mother of Faust, Rainbow! Can ya’ll scream any louder?” Said Applejack.

“Sorry!” Rainbow said to her friend. Before turning her attention back to Raven. “Anyway, did you just call me, Rarity, and Fluttershy a bunch of assholes, you son of a bitch!?”

Raven also shot up from her seat and met the cyan pegasus glare with her own. “Yes, Rainbow. I did. You three are a bunch of assholes for what you did to that cake.” Raven points at RD. “You're supposed to be the element of loyalty. Yet you betrayed your friend trust by sneaking behind her back to eat some of it.”

Rainbow Dash! Of course, she wouldn't just sit back and let someone mock her or her friends that way and being one of the ones who took a bite out of MMMM! Only made things easier for Raven. Which all led to the three cake stealers telling their story about how the Cake’s didn't just forgive them for doing something so stupid and the final nail on the coffin was what Rarity just said.

“Still. I learned my lesson.” Rainbow and Fluttershy both nodded in agreement. “What the three of us did was wrong in more ways than one. We knew it was and we chose to do it anyway. We were cruel, we betrayed the trust of our friends, for our own selfish reasons, and were willing to sit back and let others take the blame for what we did. And when we were found out. We actually believed that by simply apologizing and feeling remorse for something we purposely chose to do. Will get us off the hook just like that.

Celestia knew exactly what Raven was trying to say, she could see the hidden message in the similarities between what the trio did compare to Discord. Even so, she still doesn't understand why! Why is Raven doing this? Why is she so hellbent on taking down Discord?

Yes, he did what he did and yes, he shouldn't have done it, but he was only trying to help everyone, he didn't mean for things end the way it did. He apologized, he felt genuine remorse for actions, unlike Tirek and Chrysalis, and yet Raven wants to help those two, even after everything they've done.

So why is she helping them? Why does she believe they are the victims and Discord the villain? Why would she side with the one who literally laugh at the fact that her beloved Spike is dead and shit on his grave?

“Why, why, why, why, why!”

“Celestia?”

”Why, why, why, why, why!”

“Tia, what’s wrong?”

Everyone in the room stared at the sun monarch, as she kept repeating the word Why! over and over and over again. Everycreature was confused and wondered what was wrong. All except of glasses wearing unicorn, who just sat there in her char with smug grin on her face.

”I do love it when a plan comes together,” Raven thought to herself.

As Celestia kept up her mantra, she slowly turned her sights to Raven. Once the two eyes have met, Celestia spoke.

“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS RAVEN? WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING CHRYSALIS AND TIREK?”

That got those who didn't know what Celestia was saying, really confused. The looks upon their faces were priceless.

Raven chuckled. ”Now the real meeting, can finally begin.”

To be continued.

Next Chapter: *IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE* Estimated time remaining: 3 Minutes