>>LAST TIME
>SLUTBRA DEFEATED THE ROYAL GUARD USING THE SECRET ART OF COCKSUCKING
>THEN USING THE ART OF LEGALESE, ATTEMPTED TO PLEASE YOU!
>SUDDENLY TRIXIE!
>SUDDENLY SHINING!
>GOOD END!
>TWILIGHT JUST HAD TO RUIN IT.
>YOU GOT SUCKED INTO A CRYSTAL, BUT WERE SAVED BY THE POWER OF LOVE
>SLUTBRA HAS BEEN STOLED!
>ENTER FRAMEWORK THE STUFFY
>YOU BECAME ONE WITH AN ELDRITCH CRYSTALLINE ENTITY
>SAID ENTITY IS USING YOUR MIND!
>YOU ARE THE MESSIAH, NOT A VERY NAUGHTY LITTLE BOY
>MAYBE
>THE CRYSTAL PONIES ARE USING YOUR SOUL AS A HUGBOX
>CADENCE IS DRAINED FROM OVERSTIMULATION
>SHINING IS BEING QUIETLY TROLLED BY THE WHOLE
>YOU'RE HEART IS HURTING LIKE HELL
>AND NOW
>CADENCE WANTS TO TALK
>NOTHING GOOD CAN COME FROM THIS
 
>SIT REP
>The sun is setting
>You're being hugged by a large number of ponies trying to soothe the agonizing pain in your heart.
>Shining is frowning, and seems to be trying to kick something under the table.
>And Cadence is sitting up, and looking at you with a stern look.
>"Anonymous, we need to talk about Slutbra," she says, sternly, stone faced.
"What do we need to talk about?" you choke.
>"Darling, you need to learn to take a step back with her," she says, diplomatically.
"Wh-"
>"Look, I undertsand that you love her," she cuts in "and that she's going through some ...phases... in her new position, but you must understand that she's still Sombra, to a degree. And while she may act with ... slightly skewed interests now, she still may be a threat. After all, she went straight to the Crystal Heart without prompting. She could have really done some damage to all of us,"
>You look at her, frowning slightly, eyes slightly narrowed.
>"As such, I really think you should use caution when you're around her," she says, simply. She leans in and looks in your eyes, "I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't get hurt, Cadence," you say, "I very much doubt that Slutbra would-"
>"Not deliberately," she cuts in, again, "But she is very persuasive with you. You're a lot softer on her than we are, and she can exploit that,"
>You open your mouth to respond...
>And then think back to this morning, however long ago that was.
>Good lord today has been a long, long day.
>You remember back to when she was able to convince you to let her suck your cock.
>You remember when she drank ... that out of you
>You remember how she manipulated you into using a leash with her around the castle.
>And you remember when she was heartbroken under the table and ended up delaying you and Shining to spend time with her.
>She IS a cunning bitch, that much is a given.
>And she DOES tend to manipulate you into doing things.
"While I'll give you she is a manipulative bitch," you reply, thoughtful, "I still don't think that she'd hurt me. I think the main issue is that you two are too hard on the poor bugger,"
>Cadence blinks, incredulous, "Too hard!?"
>Is she serious?
"Well yeah," you state, "think about it - he's recently been turned into a mare. He's had to deal with not only having the very core of his being and sexuality altered against his will, he's also had to deal with everything about him being defiled and his identity comprimised. I think realistically I'm the only one who can understand that,"
>"Anonymous, seriously, think about-"
"Cadence, he's a LOT more like me than you give him credit for," you cut back in, "and I'd HATE to be in that situation. It'd destroy me, as you said so back in Twilight's Therapy Time,"
>"Yes, but She's. Still. Sombra." She emphasizes, "You're too naive Anon, too reckless. I'm afraid that something bad will happen to you if you get too close to her,"
>This pone.
>This pain in your chest, actually, but mainly, this pone.
"I seriously don't think I'm that naive Princess," you grind out, "but what I DO think is that you lack the ability to compromise,"
>Cadence narrows her eyes at you
>"Lack the ability to compromise. Coming from you," she says, darkly, "Half the time I want to do something you argue about it just as hard-"
"-because you don't COMPRIMISE." you finish, "If I don't fight you for it, tooth and fucking nail, then you just do it, regardless of whether Shining or me wants it!"
>You have no idea where this rage is coming from.
>Yes you do, that empty void in your chest.
>Cadence is frowning hard now.
>"Well I'm sorry if I can't have anything I like!" she replies, tartly
"I'm not saying that-"
>"OH YES YOU ARE," she yells, "It's EXACTLY like with the apartment, and how you HATE pink. Well I LIKE pink, Anon! Why can't I like pink!"
"When you go completely OVERBOARD with it, you loon!" you angrily reply, "A small amount of pink - sure, okay. But recolouring the entire bloody apartment the same bloody colour is madness! You take things to ridiculous levels, and that's why I HAVE to argue against it, to pull you back! Lord knows Shining won't!"
>Shining, whose head has been swivelling between the two of you, jumps slightly.
>'What?" he squeeks out
"Shining, you're pretty much whipped; I mean, when was the last time you actually argued for something with Cadence without immediately rolling over for it?"
>"I am not!" he says, offended
"Oh yeah?" you snarl, "Remember when you said that you hated the colour pink? And when you argued with Cadence, you simply let her turn you pink and the apartment as well? Heck, half the time when we're arguing you don't DO anything,"
>"But Shining LIKES pink, Anon!" says Cadence, rolling her eyes, "He just likes to play around sometimes,"
"Oh Really? Hey Shining, in all honesty, do you like it when the entire apartment is pink?"
>Shining is sweating slightly, wide eyed
>"Now, now Honey," says Cadence, smiling softly, "You can be truthful, and tell ANonymous that he's obviously wrong and you like the pink,"
>"Er," Shining says, looking between you and Cadence
"Shining, please, you're going to have to stop sitting on the fence like you always do," you state, "And tell her the truth,"
>"It's okay Shiney," she soothes, "just say that you like the pink, and this entire silly thing will be over,"
"Yes Shiney," you sneer, "it'll be all over, and you'll be stuck in a pink apartment you hate. Again. Tell the turth!"
>"Um," says Shining, grimacing, his pupils pinpricks as they whir betwixt you and Cadence.
>"Don't worry about Anonymous, he's just cranky," she dismisses, "you can tell the truth about how you like pink,"
>You don't see Shining make a wierd strangled  cry, torn between his normal passivism and the turth
>You don't hear Cadecne triumphantly declare Shining agreed with her.
>All you hear is 'Just cranky'
"Just Cranky," you say.
>Cadence looks at you sharply
>"Well Anon-"
"JUST. CRANKY." you say.
>The ponies that were hugging you slowly start to crawl off you and back the fuck away.
>"Anonymous," scolds Cadence, "You need to-"
"TELL ME CADENCE. WHY AM I CRANKY!?" you inadvetendly yell.
>The light around you darkens, and shadows lengthen - the sun must have finally set.
>Cadence and Shining cringe a bit
"Maybe it has to do with the fact that two ponies that I love, don't give a flying FUCK about the third pony I love, nor the fact that I now have a giant fucking pain in my fucking chest that isn't going the fuck away!?"
>You're crying again.
>This fucking hurts so much.
>Cadence blinks
>"It's not?" she says, simply. She hardens "Anon, you're going to have to bear it,"
"WHY." you loudly say.
>"Because..." she stops, then starts again, "Because there's nothing you can do," she says
>Your eye twitches
"Nothing I can do!?" you strangle out, the turth of it tightening your chest.
>"Yes Anon," she replies, "Nothing. Slutbra has to answer for her crimes. Twilight is the only one who can help her now,"
>The pain increases
"But what if she fails?" you say
>"Then Slutbra will have to go to jail for however long she is charged for," Cadence sighs, "You'll have to accept this,"
"But Trixie said she was going to do certain illegal things in order to pimp out Slutbra for her own purposes," you reply
>Cadence scoffs, "That's unlikely,"
>You turn to Shining
"Tell her Shining, tell her what Trixie said about the whole 'cart of misery and despair'," you say
>Shining nods, slowly
>"She DID say that," he acknowledges, glad that the argument has died down slightly, "She said she was going to use bribery to turn Slutbra into her personal whorse and make her life miserable,"
>Cadence rolls her eyes, "I doubt Celestia or Luna would allow something like that,"
>You rub your chest a bit
>It doesn't ease the pain
"Well, they DID try and sell me down the river. Repeatedly," you say, 'And orchestrate things against me. I wouldn't put it past them,"
>"That's absurd Anon," she snorts
>She hasn't allieviated your fears.
>Nor the pain in your chest.
"Can't we just....just... I dunno," you search, desperately, "go down and check up on them during the trial? Make sure it's legitimate?"
>"No." Says Cadence, "You're not going down there just so you can do something stupid to save Slutbra. You have to put more faith in Celestia and Luna. They may move in mysterious ways, but it alwasy works out in the end. Take you and us, for instance: in the end, we ended up pretty good,"
"Yeah, but how much of that was Luna and Celestia?" you reply, "How much of that was them wanting us to be happy, and how much of that was them simply looking out for themselves?"
>"That's unimportant, what is important is right now, you need to stay here. With us," she stresses, "You've just undergone a very strange and unusual change, and I can't say with any certainty what would happen if you were to leave."
>No way.
>She's saying you should just leave Slutbra to her undeserved fate, and instead stay up here and have your mind repeatedly invaded by the Whole and your soul repeatedly invaded by random ponies, so Cadence can simply lord over both you and Shining and Shining won't help you and your chest is really, really hurting-
>She reaches out and touches your arm
>"You need to calm down, Anonymous," she soothes, "You need. To stop."
"Stop what?" you say impertinent.
>Cadence points behind you.
>You turn and observe how the sun is still just above the horizon, but it's warmth is muted.
>All the crystal around you, in the walls, on the ground, in the furniture and cutlery, even the art on the walls, has turned a midnight dark, and been horribly warped, turned into strange, distorted spirals.
>The crystal continues to turn and distort, anger and hate sparkling.
>The tall buildings are beginning to grow long, and slender, reaching out like strange, unusual crackling trees.
>You swear you can hear a strange hum, quite unlike the one much earlier before the Church of the Shard
>That was joyous
>This is dark, foreboding.
>And the eyes are fucking everywhere, like globulous, glossy stars.
>And not a pony can be seen.
>What is more disconcerting is how the crystal reflects only you.
>Each facet, each shimmering fractual reflects only you.
>You turn back.
"Not my fault," you say quickly
>YES IT IS.
>Dammit.
>"Shard. You need to calm down," says Framework.
>You jump a bit.
"Where did you go to?"
>"I ended up following a crystal pony that looked like my mother halfway up the street," he sighs, "before you started to do all of this," he gestures around, sadly, "Please, you need to just slow down,"
"How!?" you cry, "I don't know what I'm doing, and all I can feel is this pain and I can't, I just, I can't-" you stammer
>Everythings beginning to go a very agonizing black
>"Shard?" cries Framework
>"Anonymous?" says Cadence, standing up
>You fall of the chair, onto all fours, clutching you aching chest
>Shining quickly appears beside you
>"Shard, what is it?" says Framework, his deep baritone reverberating inside you as you feel a pressure on your shoulder
"I want...Slutbra," you choke out.
>You hear Framework gasp, followed by the sound of cutlery tinkling and breaking.
>"Anonymous, stop being childish," crieds Cadence, sounding distant, "heartbreak doesn't hurt THAT much, not when, not when you have two, two other ponies..."
>You can hear her crying
>You struggle to look up at her
>You see the lines on her face as she looks down at you past the knocked over table.
>"When you have two other ponies who love you," finishes Shining, his voice distant but his muzzle soft against your neck.
>Your hand stops clutching your chest, the ache throbbing and deep.
>"I don't want Slutbra to come between us..." hiccups Cadence, "I just...I want us to be happy, even if..."
>The silence is agonizing
"..even if we can't get Slutbra back." you growl.
>"Please, I'm sorry Anon, I'm so sorry, but, we're here, right now..." says Cadence. She adds in a small voice, "Why don't you care about us?"
"It's...not hard to worry about you two...when you're both here..." you grind out, "But Slutbra...she's in danger..." you gasp, "I'd feel this way...about either of you two. You know I love you...but I love Slutbra too...and I can't just LEAVE her behind,"
>You use Shining to get a better look at Cadence, who looks surprised.
"Please...help me..." you ask, pitifully
>Cadence looks down at you, teary eyed.
>She takes a shaky step forwards and comes down.
>You feel her warm lips gently meet your forehead.
>She leans back up, smiling sadly.
>"I will help you, Anon," she says, "But you can't do anything in this."
>You look up at her, dejected
>"Don't worry," she soothes, "I'll go down with some of the Crystal Empire's best legal experts, and we will help Twilight in any way we can," she sighs, "That's the best we can do, Anon,"
>You open your mouth, then close your mouth, then open it again,
>You want to do something more
>You want to go down there and get back your Slutbra, dammit
>You want to go down there, wreathed in fury, the light of your soul protecting your magnificence, and take back what is rightfully yours
>But you know that this is the only way.
>The pain in your chest subsides a small amount.
>It pains you, but all you can do is nod.
"Thank you Cadence," you say in a small voice
>Cadence nuzzles you again, and in an instant takes to the skies.
>Out of nowhere the Eucalyptus-Spanish guitar waitress appears, rights the table and hoofs you a hot chocolate
>She gives you a sympathetic look, nuzzles you, then quickly trots off.
>AS you watch her leave you notice the crystal return to some level of normalcy, but that ominous hum remains.
>And shadows roil and bubble behind the eyes, like stars hinting at impossibly large creatures dancing in the void.
>And they continnue to watch.
>Staring.
>Glaring.
>Malevolent.
>Waiting.
>Judging
>You shake your head, dispelling the feeling.
>Shining grabs a chair, and collapses into it, drained.
>"Why did you do that to me, Anon," he asks, annoyed and dejected, "Why force me to...choose between Cadence and..."
>You roll your head to look at him.
"I'm sorry Shining, but....you do need to stand up to Cadence, sometimes."
>Shining looks down at his plate.
>"But I love her, so much Anon. I just can't..." he trails off.
>You sigh, then choke a bit.
>Fucking ow.
"I know." you admit, "I'm just in a lot of pain here, and..." you sigh, "I guess I was trying to share it so I wouldn't feel it,"
>Shining looks at you, startled
>"You're...you're really in agony, aren't you?" he says, sounding surprised.
>Is. This. Pone. Fucking. Serious.
>You hope to convey these complex thoughts with your face.
>The way Shining frowns implies you were partially successful.
>Not the whole 'call a fucking ambulance' sort of reaction, but close enough.
>Framework immediately appears in your vision and tentatively puts his hoof to your chest.
>That baritone reverberates inside you while Framework grimaces, in obvious pain.
>"Shard, there's something wrong," he says, removing his hoof.
>Oh god dammit
>"What's wrong now?" groans Shining, frustrated.
>"There's something missing," replies Framework, worried, "Something of your Perfection, Shard. No wonder you're still in pain."
>"What!?" says Shining, stunned
>FRAMEWORK IS RIGHT.
"Dammit get out of my HEAD, WHOLE!" you yell
>Something large and impossibly ancient not too gently jams itself into you.
"NO."
>It bleeds out of your mouth, your body not wholly your own.
>The muscles in your face contort, pulling far too hard, your body feeling like a coiled spring.
>Framework jumps, while Shining recoils in horror.
>Something toys with the hole in your chest.
>Fucking Ow!
"I SEE NOW. THERE IS SOMETHING MISSING. YOUR SOUL...IS INCOMPLETE."
>Framework boggles.
>"The Whole?" he whispers, before bowing low.
>Shining approaches, unsure of what to do.
"IT MUST HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE EQUESTRIANS USED THE HEART MAGIC TO PULL YOU OUT OF THE CORE."
>That old thing seems the touch the gaping wound, pushing painfully deep, as your limbs shake, your muscles straining in odd directions.
>You knock over the hot chocolate, spilling the hot brown liquid across the table.
"SOME OF IT MUST HAVE JUMPED TO THE 'SLUTBRA', AS YOU ALSO HAVE SOME OF THE 'SLUTBRA' INSIDE YOU. WE THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS THE PART OF YOU THAT WAS ABSENT, THAT NEEDED TO BE FILLED BY OUR COMPLEMENTATION, BUT WE WERE WRONG."
>You begin the shake violently, agony racing through your body, sweat dripping off your face.
"IT IS LITTLE WONDER YOU ARE IN PAIN AND AFRAID: YOU ARE NOT YET FULLY WHOLE. WE MUST RECOVER THIS PIECE. WE MUST BE WHOLE. I CAN ASSIST, BUT THIS WILL BE ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR."
>Suddenly the thing leaves you, and you collapse onto the table, gasping, the pain in your chest muted again.
>"What was that!?" you hear Shining cry
>"The Whole," you hear Framework whisper, reverently
"Fucking ow." you say, rising somewhat, and failing
>You're pulled up into a sitting position with that familiar deep baritone
>Yeah, that's getting kind of annoying.
>Framework looks into your eyes.
>You FEEL his frown.
>"I hope Cadence gets Slutbra back," says Framework, turning to Shining, "I fear her apbsence may be irreparably hurting Anonymous."
>Shining quickly comes over and hugs you.
>"I'm sorry," he moans. He sighs deeply, "Dammit it feels like I can't get anything right, I can't, I'm just running back and forth and you've turned into something and I can't help you..."
>Poor bastard
>You hug him back.
"You're helping plenty," you murmur into his neck.
>He coos, quietly.
>Slowly the crystal returns fully to normal as the waitress reappears, haands you another hot chocolate, then promptly joins in nuzzling you with Shining
>The ponies start to reappear on the streets, simply walking and talking and going about their lives, and the underlying menace has dissipated.
>The feeling of joy and transcendance is gone, however.
>The number of ponies coming over to make a hug pile is much smaller, which you're fairly happy with.
>You like being with Crystal ponies, just not half a million of them simultaneously.
>You'd be content, just sitting here, however...
>"Did the Whole say anything about the Lattice Pardox?"
"No," you reply, tiredly
>THAT PARADOX ISN'T A PARADOX; IT IS SIMPLE FACT THAT IMPERFECTION EXISTS IN AN INFINITELY REPEATING LATTICE...
"Yes," you reply, groaning.
>The Whole has been using you to communicate theological and crystalline discussions with Framework
>Most of this stuff is well over your head.
>Matrices, point particles and lattices, pattern fractuals, Chaos Crystal Theory vs. the Divine Number...
>It's giving you an immense headache absorbing the information and trying to translate it to Framework.
>Framework gets in your face again.
>You look at him.
>"And?" he asks
>You roll your eyes.
"They say that the repeating lattice doesn't repeat infinitely, and that it's only an approximation," you guesstimate.
>Framework humphs
>"But then what about the observed evidence - it HAS to-"
"The evidence itself is an approximation of the structure," you sigh, "Hence the observed and the theory meet, despite not actually being true. The theory is based on observation, but the underlying features are more complex."
>Your hand idly strokes through the tail of a grape-flavoured dancing hall pony.
>"Well, how complex?" asks Framework
>You groan internally.
"Very, very complex," you guess.
>IT IS. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CRYSTAL...
>Oh god dammit
>...AND THIS WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME...
>Oh god fucking dammit
>...AND A LOT OF REASONING...
>Framework sits, expectant.
>You want to shoot yourself in the head.
>Before the Whole starts up, you're saved from the enevitable expositional onslaught by sparkling light outside the cafe.
>You turn and see two shapes materialize out of yellow and sky-blue sparkling
>"Anonymous! We have much to discuss!" states Princess Luna
>"Yes Anonymous," adds Celestia, "We have much to talk about!"
>She happily trots over to your left and sits at the table.
>Luna trots over and sits on the right side of you.
>She looks at the ponies around you, and blinks.
>"Now Anonymous, we have to talk about certain things!" declares Celestia
>"Yes, certain, lgeal things," says Luna, poking one of the crystal ponies.
>"Indeed! But firstly, we must give you our congratulations!" says Celestia
>"Yes! Well done!" cries Luna, tearing her eyes off the ponies and on to you.
"What about?" you ask, warily
>"Well, becoming the Crystal King, of course!" she states
>"How could we disregard one of our most favourite subjects attaining such a high rank!" adds Luna
>"And such an impressive one, fair king!" adds Celestia, smiling.
>Framework boggles.
>"How did that happen?" he asks
>You narrow your eyes at Celestia
"How did you find that out so quickly?" you ask
>Celestia simply scoffs
>"Why, because of my dear student Twilight. She's fairly busy at the moment, and wanted my advice on certain things - something to do with a case that I just so happen to be judging!" smugs Celestia
>"And I am refereeing, in the accordance of the noblest art of Shell!" adds Luna
>What.
"You're refereeing a court case?" you say, the concept seeming somehow absurd and right for this strange land.
>"Yes indeed, Noble King!" says Luna, "Twilight is very confident she will win against Trixie,"
>"Ah, and she also has Princess Cadence helping her with Write Wright and Pencil Pen, two of the most formidable lawyers in the Crystal Empire," adds Celestia
>"But this isn't just about the legals, it's about the Game!" says Luna, excited
>"But not entirely," says Celestia, turning to look straight at you
>"Ah yes, I do believe that some things need to be...stated," states Luna, leaning in to you
>You warily lean back slightly, frowning
>I DO NOT LIKE THESE PONIES, ANONYMOUS. THEY SEEM LIKE A PAIR OF A CRAWLERS.
>For once I heartily agree, Whole
>"While talking to the Defendant..." says Celestia
>"One 'Just Sombra', alias Slutbra, I believe dear sister," says Luna, business-like
>'Yes, while talking to Sombra, it came to my attention that his original intention was to give you the title so that you could change the law," she laughs
>"Change the law? How absurd!" adds Luna, chuckling darkly.
>"Yes, and - hear this - he said something about the Cake Budget being affected as well!" says Celestia
>"How shocking!" mock-gasps Luna
>"Indeed dear sister!" says Celestia, "And according to my dearest pupil, she was able to stop Just Sombra from doing such a thing personally, but a certain King had the ability to do so!"
>'Wait, when did THIS happen?" says Framework, surprised.
>She turns to you, her expression turning darkly
>"So, Anonymous, you wouldn't happen to be thinking about changing the law, yes?" she states
>"Changing the law would be a grave undertaking, specifically the Cake Budget," says Luna, gravely
>"Yes, the Cake Budget. It is fairly important," says Celestia
>"Very Important" corrects Luna
>"Extremely important," Celestia adds
>You roll your eyes.
"So this actually has nothing to do with reform, just the Cake Budget," you say
>"Not at all," says Celestia dismissively
>"And by no we mean yes, yes it is." says Luna, "The Royal We cannot, and will not, have you tampering with the Cake Budget."
"At all?" you say, rubbing your head
>"Not even a letter," says Luna, firmly.
"So, I can't-"
>"No, Anonymous. We can't have you messing with our ... little luxuries." admits Celestia
>"And future pirate consorts - we plan on keeping our emotional investment, thank you very much," adds Luna.
>"So, Anonymous, do we have your word you won't change the Cake Budget?" says Celestia.
>"Don't be silly sister, of COURSE he won't change the Cake Budget!" laughs Luna without humour, "The consequences would be terrible!"
>"Catastrophic!" Celestia gasps
>"Horrendous!" cries Luna
>That's ominous
>"I mean, think about the sheer downfall of society!" declares Celestia
>"And all the ponies that could be harmed by such a destructive action!" ventures Luna
"Seriously?" you deadpan, "The only ponies affected would be the nobles and you two,"
>"Not by the Law itself maybe, but what would happen if the Royal We were, not allowed our normal outlets," says Luna, gravely
>"Why, we may even have to try and correct the Law, forcefully!" gasps Celestia
>"And think about all those crystal ponies who may have to pay for such a drastic mistake," says Luna.
>"Why I can think of a certain one in Canterlot right now!" says Celestia.
>Dear lord.
>Did they just-
>YES ANONYMOUS. THEY DID 'JUST'.
>...
>Just what?
>IT APPEARS THAT OUR WIT HAS PASSD BEYOND YOUR CAPABILITIES.
>'So please, King Anonymous, think about what ... may occur, if you touch the Royal Cake Budget." says Celestia, smiling motherly.
>"I'm sure you'll find the correct course of action, Honoured Lord," adds Luna.
>You stare at them.
"Seriously, you're doing this," you say, mildly shocked.
>"Doing what, dear Anonymous?" says Luna
>"Why, I feel you should have nothing to fear - after all, we're simply giving certain possiblities..." says Celestia
>"Scenarios, ideas, it's not likely to occur..." ventures Luna
>"If the Cake Budget, and indeed the Law, remains as it should be," finishes Celestia
>There's an unsettling silence.
>"WELL, dearest Anonymous, I fear that we have run out of time," announces Celestia
>"Yes! For in mere minutes we have a trial and duel to referee!" declares Luna
"A few minutes!?" you say, stunned
>"Yes, and now, farewell!" Celestia disappears into a shower of sparkles that dance on the non-existant wind.
>"Farewell Crystal king!" says Luna sarcastically, promptly POOFing off.
>You sit there, stunned.
>"Did...did that just actually happen!?" declares Framework, 'Did they seriously threaten Crystal Empire and the Shard!?"
>Shining is sitting there, wide eyed.
>"They, they did!" he says, "I can't believe that, that Celestia would go so far..."
"I would," you say, darkly
>THIS MUST BE RECTIFIED. OUR PERFECTION CAN NOT BE SULLIED BY THESE IRUELUM AND ARAELUM.
>By what?
>"This can't go unanswered," says Framework, "To do so would be to invite further insults in the future, as well as the possibility of our citizens being harmed."
>He turns to Shining
>"Prince, could you go to your sister and assist her in the Shell game? This may assist in winning the legal battle,"
>Shining shakes off the shock, and looks at Framework
>"I could, but I don't have much time..." he says
"Please Shining," you say, "Every little bit helps,"
>He looks at you, nods, and in a flash, disappears.
>You sigh
>Framework gingerly walks over, then puts his hoof on your shoulder.
>"Everything will be fine, Anonymous," he FEELs.
"Yeah, but...I still want to be there. I still want to help."
>Framework simply shrugs
>"Sometimes you have to put your faith in something, Anonymous," he says, "and hope it goes alright,"
>He walks over and sits in Luna's chair
>"Besides, we can just watch what happens on the television,"
>We can?
>As you think about why the hell they'd broadcast a court case like that, two ponies quickly stop hugging you, and jog off.
>WHAT IS THIS TELEVISION?
>It's a thing that shows you what is happening elsewhere.
>They quickly return with a set, made from, of all things, crystal.
>They quickly place it on the table, and Framework uses his magic to tune the set.
>WHAT ... IS THIS ... THING?
>This is the television, you think back.
>Framework focuses, twiddling the knobs.
>Unfortunately, all you're getting is static.
>After a few minutes, Framework sighs
>"I can't get a picture," he says, "Maybe if we got-"
>THIS IS A SILLY THING.
>The ground bubbles and roils.
>From the bubbling emerges a screen of clear crystal
>It flickers, and an image of the courtroom suddenly appears.
>It looks not like watching a screen on a television, but more that you're sitting at a window, looking down over the stands.
>Stands?
>In a courtroom!?
>You see several banners and hear cheering ponies.
>SUPERIOR CRYSTAL TECHNOLOGY!
>You espy Celestia in a silly wig, up on the bench, looking down imperious through a pair of small wireframed glasses.
>wtf
>Luna, meanwhile, is wearing a black and white striped shirt, a black cap, and is holding a whistle between her teeth.
>There's two desks on opposite sides of the room, facing each other.
>Twilight sits at one, surrounded by mounds of papers and notes and despeerately reading through parchments.
>Trixie sits at the other, the desk clear, and simply glares at Twilight, smirking.
>Slutbra is chained up a la Hannibal Lector, and is looking very depressed.
>You see the backs of Cadence and Shining's head down the front near Twilight, along with two other crystal ponies.
>A microphone descends from the ceiling, and Celestia grabs it with her magic
>She politely coughs, clearing her throat.
>The crowd grows quiet.
>"Ladies, and gentlemen" she says, softly, "I'd like to introduce you to..."
>There's a THOOOM of fireworks and sparkling magic from the bench.
>"THE GRRRRREATEST COURTROOM THROWDOWN OF THE CEN-TUR-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" she yells, gleefully
>The crowd goes wild.
>These fucking pones.
>You idly reach out and grab some sugar gems out of a bucket.
>You look around, the hugging ponies now entranced with the screen.
>Even Framework, remiss of close contact with you, is leaning on you, te get a better look.
>You turn your head, and watch as ponies are begin to grab seats to watch the unfolding drama.
>You turn back to the screen, as Celestia throws the tiny glasses into the crowd, and puts on a pair of sunglasses to the sound of whoops and hollers.
>You sigh, sadly.
>These fucking pones.
>And they're in charge of Slutbra's future.
>These.
>Fucking.
>Pones.