Strings of Fate

Chapter 2: Trial?

   Tempest stood at the train station, waiting for the train to arrive. Her thoughts couldn't help but wander to the conversation she had with Twilight that evening. She had seemed surprised and overjoyed at the thought of her staying at the Castle in Ponyville, but also a little scared.

   She can't be scared of me, right? Tempest thought, After all, she did save me and hung out with me during the Friendship Festival.

   But, that was a year ago, her other subconscious counteracted as she boarded the train to Ponyville. Things have changed. What if we're not friends anymore?

   She shook that thought away as she took her seat. Of course she and Twilight were friends still. What was she thinking? 

   As the train rolled from the station, Tempest noticed the cart she chose was mostly empty, and she was sitting in the back. She sighed and stared out the window.

   A few minutes pass by. Tempest had almost fallen asleep when she heard hoofsteps coming closer to her. She turned to see two ponies standing by her seat. One of them was a male unicorn, the other was a pegasus mare.

   "Well, well, well, if it isn't Tempest Shadow." The unicorn sneered.

   "What do you want from me?" Tempest dryly remarked.

   "We want justice for your actions." The pegasus said, "For some reason, the princesses have been letting you roam around Equestria without setting a trial date."

   Is this true? Tempest hid the surprise she felt behind a mask of annoyance.

   "Right." The unicorn confirmed. "So, since they haven't set one yet, we're going to take matters into our own hooves."

   The two ponies started creeping towards Tempest, which made her more annoyed. Do they seriously think they could best me in a match?

   "Why attack me, here and now, even though I've done nothing wrong today?" Tempest asked, with as calm of a voice as she could muster, "Wouldn't that grant you jail time as well?"

   The two ponies pause in their tracks. The unicorn scowled under his breath.

   "As monstrous as you are, you give a valid point." The mare muttered while gritting her teeth. "Come on, let's get as far away from her as possible."

   The two ponies trot to the other end of the car, leaving Tempest be. She rested her head on the sill of the window, watching the scenery flash by.

   If they're right, and the princesses haven't set a trial date for me..... She sighed. I fear if they go too long without setting one, the ponies might lash out, and Celestia knows what will happen to me.

   The rest of the journey was spent in silence. Tempest managed to stay awake throughout the trip to Ponyville. She stepped off the train, and with a final look back at Canterlot in the distance, she headed for the castle.

   It was nearly midnight before she heard the door to the castle open, and Twilight and Starlight had returned from the party.

   "Tempest?" She called, "We're back!"

   Tempest rounded a corner and greeted them. Twilight expression turned concerned as she gazed at Tempest, who honestly knew she looked like a hot mess.

   "Are you okay?" Twilight asked as she put her saddlebag down. "Did anything happen on the way back?"

   Tempest sighed. "I ran into a couple of ponies on the train back. They weren't exactly the nicest."

   Twilight took a step forward, her eyes glancing over Tempest as she said, "Did they hurt you?"

   Tempest took a step back in discomfort. "No, they didn't. I'm fine."

   Twilight's purple eyes shone in relief. Those beautiful purple eyes...

   Tempest shook her head as Twilight gave her a concerned look. "Are you sure you're okay?"

   "Anyways," Tempest dodged the question, "They told me you and the other princesses haven't set a trial date for me yet. Is this true?"

   Twilight's words came out very slowly, as if she was thinking of a good way to explain her answer. "We all agreed on not setting a trial date until after you've stopped your journeys. But, now that you're back..." Her voice trailed off, and she let out a sigh. "The truth is, I don't want to set a trial date for you."

   "What?" Starlight's voice echoed through the castle as Tempest stood there in shock.

   "Twilight, I'm a war criminal!" Tempest protested, "I can't just live my life knowing I haven't received a fair punishment. Besides, it's what the citizens of Equestria want."

   Twilight lowered her gaze. "Your trial date can wait a little longer."

  "Not by much. They might lash out, start riots against you, you name it! I don't want you or your friends getting hurt on my behalf."

   Twilight lifted her gaze and glared at Tempest which such furiousity it almost made Tempest visibly scared. "My decision is final." She let her voice bounce off the vaulted ceilings of the castle. "If they do start protesting, I'll decide what to do then."

   Without another word, Twilight walked away from the broken horned unicorn, her head still lifted to look commanding. Tempest felt nervousness clawing at her belly. She hardly heard Starlight coming up from behind her.

   "I have a bad feeling about this." The light purple princess stated, almost startling Tempest.

   "Me, too." Tempest nodded in agreement, not taking her eyes off of Twilight, who had rounded the corner. Only her hoofsteps gave away she was headed away from the two ponies. "I hope Twilight knows what she's doing. For all our sakes."