A Thousand Son in Equestria Part 13 (Court of Stars)

>This can't be right.
>It can't be.
"Luna...what did I-"
>"You will address the Princess by her proper title, criminal!"
>You look down and glare at the guard, and he shrinks a little bit. The others tense up, and Luna's horn glows.
>Ouch.
>That....that hurts you. The fear and mistrust in their eyes. Fear, you were used to. But not from the ponies. Tzeentch help you, you never wanted to see fear from them.
>Luna's horn stops glowing as she sees you hesitate.
>"Anon. Will you peacefully submit to my custody?"
>You glance at her.
>Her eyes are begging you to simply lie down and submit. She doesn't want this to erupt into violence.
>The thing that hurts you the most is that she'd ever think that low of you.
"I will submit to your authority, Princess."
>You raise your arms, and Luna's horn glows, a rope of dark magic binding your wrists together.
>The guards lead you out of your house and into the sunlight.


>Anon, what's happenin! Why are they takin' ya away!?"
>You turn your head slightly, as Applebloom runs out of the house.
>Luna's reaction is immediate, her wings flaring defensively and her horns lighting up.
>The guards also grow tense, a few of them pulling what look like clubs with their teeth.
>They calm down when they see it's a filly, but tense up again when they note that Luna is not standing down.
>AB stumbles, confused, and your heart aches. That they'd fear you is agonizing enough, but that they mistrust a child, a creature who was once one of their own, that was heartbreaking.
"Applebloom...."
>"Anon, wha?"
"Applebloom, get the Crusaders. Go to Twilight's. Tell her...tell her I'm going to Canterlot. And...if you would, tell Miss Derpy Hooves what's happened."
>Applebloom attempts a salute.
>"Don't worry Anon! Tha Chaos Cru-Ah mean the Cutie Mark Crusader Superheroes won't let ya down!"
>That does not inspire confidence.
>Luna is eyeing you warily.
>You glare at her in disgust.
"You need not fear an assault from children, Your Majesty. I simply want my friends to know I am being arrested."
>Luna's eyes grow cold.
>"They are not simple children, as you well know, Anonymous. Now come, we will go by chariot."
>She leads you to a massive chariot, climbing in before you, before gesturing for you to sit across from her.
>As you settle down, you note the two Night Guards on either side of you hold spears in their mouths.
>The sight of ponies bearing weapons makes you a little sick as the chariot lifts into the air.


>The ride to Canterlot is mostly quiet.
>The guards refuse to speak, and Luna's glare could burn a hole through rock-crete.
>The silence is getting to you almost as badly as the glare, and you feel stifled and in pain as the Princess glares at you.
>The one Princess, out of the two, who you thought you understood.
"Will you at least name my accuser, Princess? Am I not owed that much, to know the name of the one who lays charges at my feet?"
>Her glare hardens.
>"Mine own sister accuses you, Anonymous. How could you? The things you did...."
"Do not play the innocent with me, Luna. I recall a story of endless night, and a pony banished to the moon."
>If her glare before was cold, this one is glacial.
>"I have paid for my crimes, Anonymous. And however fall I fell, I did not attempt genocide. I did not sacrifice innocents to monstrous Gods. I did not kill foals."
>The accusations hurt all the more because they are tru-
>Wait.
>Your fists clench while bound.
"Never in my life have I killed a child, Princess."
>She gives you a flat stare.
>"Not a mon'keigh child, I'm sure."
>WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY!?
>"We've arrived. Come, Celestia awaits us."
>She steps out of the chariot daintily, leaving you seated, jimmies disturbed, until a guard pokes you in the shoulder with a spear.
>You step out and hurry after the Princess.


>You hurry after the Princess, your long strides making up for her brisk trot easily.
>Heads turn as the both of you stride through Canterlot, the Princess and her prisoner.
>Unbeknownst to you, equine journalists have found their next big scoop.
>You're too busy trying to get a straight answer out of Luna.
>No matter what you say, no matter how much you ask, she does not answer.
"Princess Luna. Please. That word, where did you hear that word? From WHAT did you hear that word?"
>She turns to you as the both of you reach the palace.
>"We have had another visitor from where you came from, Anonymous. He has told us much. Things you have kept from us."
>She says no more, instead throwing the double doors open into Celestia's courtroom.
>There, the Princess of the Sun sits, glaring at you with hatred that only an immortal god-being can exhibit.
>While next to her....
>Next to her, a whip-thin, helmeted, robed figure reclines in chair of it's own, it's fingers steepled under it's chin.


>You make a sound like rocks grinding together, your wrists straining at Luna's bonds as you resist the urge to throttle the robed bastard seated in front of you.
>Things are suddenly very clear. The warning you wanted to give Celestia. The sudden arrest. The disturbance in the Warp.
"You filthy, knife-eared BASTARD."
>"Watch your tongue in my court, Prisoner."
>Celestia's horn lights up, and you can feel yourself being dragged forward, but you have eyes only for the Eldar.
"WHAT LIES DID YOU FEED THEM, YOU TRAITOROUS SWINE!?"
>Celestia's eyes light up in fury.
>"Anonymous, you will behave yourself or so help m-"
>The Eldar holds up a hand, and Celestia stops speaking.
>"Do not trouble yourself, Princess. I am quite used to being shouted at by Mon'keigh. It is perhaps their favorite thing to do when encountering Eldar, other than trying to butcher us, of course."
>The xenos gets to his feet, idly brushing off his robes. He looks at you pointedly, and you can SMELL the smugness radiating off of him.
>"As usual, their shouts are naught but air and hatred. Both blow away in time."
>Celestia releases her grip, and you fume silently as you fight to control your rage and keep from tearing this xenos to pieces.
>"Anonymous."
>You look up at Celestia.
>"We have brought you here, to my court, for a reason. You have...you have done much for my little ponies in the past, and I feel that I...owe you a chance to explain yourself."
"And what does that mean, Celestia?"
>Her face colors, and the Farseer speaks up from next to her, his masked face turned away.
>"It means you're going to be put on trial for your crimes, of course."


>The Eldar chuckles a little bit, as if at a private joke.
>"I think it's a waste of time, but dear Celestia has a kinder heart then mine."
>AND A WEAKER MIND. WHICH IS NO SURPRISE. EVEN THE QUEEN OF BEASTS IS STILL A BEAST.
>The following comes directly to your mind, and you start as you look up, your eyes meeting the Eldar's.
>You both know this will be no fair trial. You don't know how, but this xenos monster has it's claws deep in Celestia.
>You are going to die here, unless you come up with a very good scheme.
>Schemes are your specialty, thankfully.
>You turn and look at Celestia.
"A trial? Who then, will be the judge? I have no peers on this planet. If my plea is not heard, who will dispose of me?"
>Celestia's face is grim.
>"I will be your judge, your jury, and your executioner, should it come to that. Let us hope it does not."
>IT WILL.
>"I will be your prosecutor," says the Eldar, this time vocally.
"Then who will defend me?"
>Celestia's eyes ares till cold, and you can feel the sadistic glee of the Eldar Farseer, even if his face is hidden.
>Suddenly there is a crack of ozone and a flash of purple light, and you hear a presence behind you.
>"I will! Twilight Sparkle, Anon's friend! I-I mean if that's, uh, allowed, Princess."
>Yeah.
>You're going to die.


>Celestia's face lights up in a smile at Twilight's sudden appearance, and you feel the Eldar's displeasure and annoyance in the Warp.
>Ah, so that's something. Whatever the Eldar's doing, it's flimsy enough for Twilight to disrupt it.
>"Twilight Sparkle. I am proud of such devotion to your friend.....even one such as...Anon."
>The Eldar turns his head to look at Celestia, then back at Twilight Sparkle.
>THIS CHANGES NOTHING, MON'KEIGH. I WILL STILL WIPE YOUR STAIN CLEAN OF THIS WORLD.
>Bite my ceramite-clad ass, Eldar.
>His head tilts a fraction of an inch.
>A TELEPATH. FEEBLE, BUT STILL ABLE. INTERESTING.
>The ponies carry on, unaware of the silent exchange.
>"Princess, I'm not sure exactly what Anon did, but I'll still represent him in court. He's my friend! I'd be remiss if I didn't have his back."
>Celestia smiles warmly.
>"Very well, Twilight Sparkle. The trial begins first day tomorrow. Anon will be held in the Palace Jail until then. I will ensure that you have unlimited visiting hours with your...'client.'"
>Twilight grows pale and gulps when she hears she only has a day to prepare a case.
>You're so dead.


>You sit on your ass in a very, VERY tiny cell, watching Twilight pace back and forth in front of the bars.
>You have to marvel at her ability to wear ruts into things when she's worried.
>"Oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear I just don't have enough time I havn't even finished Equestrian Law Volume Six-"
"Twilight, I'm quite sure that whatever that rat bastard has cooked up isn't under Equestrian Law."
>"-and you're an alien so does that even apply to you and who was the weird guy in the dress is he one of you do you know him what if I screw up you might get banished, or you might be stuck her or sent to the moon or even..."
>She stops to take in a huge gasp of air, before looking at you, wide-eyed.
>"Executed!"
>This sets her off again.
>"Nop0ny's even been executed in centuries what if they bring it back for you Anon you're my newest friend I don't want to see you d-"
>You reach out, bending the bars of your cell slightly, before wrapping Twilight in a one armed hug.
>She stops ranting, her legs still swaying as you lift her off the ground in a gentle embrace.
"I have the utmost confidence in you, Twilight Sparkle. Be not afraid."
>She smiles, before hugging your arm back.
>"T-thanks, Anon. But I just don't want to lose you. Not when we're just getting to know you! I mean, Pinkie LOVES having you around, and Rainbow thinks you're hilarious! And Derpy...well, I don't even need to say anything! We can't lose you, Anon!"
"You won't. I promise. Just have faith. I will not be outsmarted by an Eldar."
>"Is THAT what he's called?"
"It's the name of his race. Be careful around him, Twilight."
>She gulps.Then she tells you the Eldar invited her to dinner.

						FARSEER'S PERSPECTIVE
>All was right with the world.
>You breathed deeply, inhaling "Equestria's" air as you stared at the night sky in your royal suite.
>Celestia had kindly provided it to you after your little talk.
>For a race of beasts, ponies were not all bad, you reflected. They even had potential. Like the Tau, or the Orks. They could be used.
>You decided then when you opened the Waygate and conquered this world, the ponies would be left unharmed. You would teach them, raise them up as servants and allies to your people.
>You look down and take a sip of wine, provided to you by one of Luna's servants.
>Disgusting swill, compared to what you usually drank, but it would do.
>You set down the glass, and your helmet snaps back around your face, just as Twilight Sparkle enters your suite.
>Right on time, as predicted.
>You gesture to a seat at the room's table, piled high with food for a pony's palate.
"Ah. Twilight Sparkle, a pleasure to see you. Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss."


>She takes her seat, respectfully waiting for you to begin before she digs in.
>You seat yourself across from her, gesturing for her to begin without you. She takes a bite of a flower salad before questioning you.
>"So...mister....erm.."
"Farseer will do nicely, Miss Sparkle."
>"Is this about the trial tomorrow?"
"Why Miss Twilight, you wound me! The mon'keigh creature that your rulers have locked up is my sworn enemy, that is true, but I would never invite you to my quarters to discuss his fate over food. That would be vulgar."
>You get a flash of something from her head.
>.....almost as fancy as Rarity.
>But that's all you get.
>You smile to yourself. No, you wouldn't discuss the case, but you never said anything about not twisting her mind so thoroughly that she had to be excused from her duties.
>Leaving Celestia with no way out of your manipulation and the mon'keigh sorcerer as good as dead.
>You draw the purple unicorn into idle conversation about Equestria, comparing it's sophistication and beauty with one of the craftworlds You then explain what a craftworld is, due to the unicorn's incessant questioning.
>As the two of you converse for a good half hour, lulling her into a sense of security, you reach out with your powerful mind, readying yourself to shred her thoughts to pieces.



>You find nothing.
>Your mental tendrils scrabble over her mind's surface, finding no purchase.
>You do, however, sense a familiar psychic presence. The mon'keigh, shielding her thoughts.
>The filthy creature must have placed a charm in her mind to keep you out.
>You briefly consider shattering the shield and twisting her anyway, but that amount of trauma would not be subtle.
>The unicorn would scream, and then this farce would come to an end.
>You don't want to have to commit regicide before the proper time.
>Abruptly, you rise from your seat, as Twilight gazes at you with confusion.
"I find I grow tired, Miss Twilight. If you will excuse me, I go to meditate. I will see you for the trial tomorrow."
>"Oookaaay then."
>She slowly trots out of the room, looking slightly miffed as you interrupted her mid-lecture.
>You pick up a wine glass with your telekinesis as she departs, idly inspecting the glass's surface.
>Well played, Mon'keigh. Well played.
>But that was simply my opening move. The game has only just begun.
>You give the barest hint of concentration, and the glass shatters in your grip.

						SORCERER ANON'S PERSPECTIVE

>You havn't slept since they've put you in the cell.
>You're too busy thinking. You just hoped the ward you put in Twilight's mind will keep her safe from that Farseer.
>Otherwise you might be doomed before you can begi-
>"Psssst. Anon, hey Anon!"
"Hmm?"
>You look up.
>Applebloom's on the ceiling, her wings held close to her like a bat as her hooves stick to the stone.
>Her face is uncomfortably close.
>Any lesser, non-Astartes man would have screamed and pissed himself.
>You only curse and jump in surprise.
>"Shhhh, Anon, ya gotta keep calm! We're gonna bust you outta here!"
>What.
"Applebloom, no, Celestia would-"
>"Don't worry, Anon, the Chaos Crusaders are on the job! We're gonna save ya! Now I gotta go, somebody's comin!"
>She disappears in a puff of flame and smoke, and your worries intensify.
>You spot Twilight Sparkle trotting up to your cell, her mane a disheveled mess.
>One of her eyes is twitching, and you worry you didn't save her mind at all.
>"Don't worry Anon! I've got this in the bag! I pulled an all-nighter in the Canterlot Library! I now know EVERYTHING about law."
"Equestrian law, maybe, but what i-"
>"EVERYTHING."
>Today, and yesterday, are not your days.


>You spend the last hours before the trial going over what possible crimes you could have committed while on Equestria, and come up with nothing.
>You even give Twilight a basic idea of what Celestia saw when she peeked into your thoughts when you first met her.
>None of it is enough to account for what you are currently being convicted for.
>Twilight's confidence appears to have left her, as she's back to nervous pacing and muttering to herself.
>"But this doesn't make any sense! HOW CAN YOU BE ARRESTED IF YOU HAVN'T DONE ANYTHING!?"
"Twilight. You need to stay calm, and stay focused. Whatever's happening, we'll figure it out. We need to."
>While Twilight was strategizing, you were worrying about the hole in Equestria's warp bubble. So far, nothing had noticed it, but the moment Chaos' eyes were drawn to this world, your perfect world would fall to the depredations of daemons. Khornites, Nurglites, even Slaaneshi would do their damndest to corrupt your paradise.
>This farce of a trial needed to end.
>The guards come and get you out of the cell, leading you and Twilight into a packed courtroom.
>Celestia, Luna, and the Farseer, a Triumvirate who's presence rustles your jimmies.
>You spot your friends in the stands, Derpy waving at you frantically along with Pinkie. Applejack gives you a more reserved wave, and Rarity and Fluttershy glare at you while sitting as far from Derpy as possible.
>Celestia coughs lightly, quieting the room.
>"Are we ready to begin?"


"We're ready, Prince-"
>"The defendant will let his representative speak for him."
>Celestia doesn't even look up as she interrupts you, busy examining what looks like a mallet.
>You growl quietly as the Eldar hides a laugh beneath a cough.
>Twilight, fortunately, is more composed.
>"My client and I are ready to begin, Princess."
>The Eldar crosses a leg beneath his robe and puts his hands in his lap.
>"As am I, Princess."
>"Very good then. Anonymous, born of Prospero. You are accused of attempted genocide, foal killing, studying dark and forbidden magic, treason, attempted regicide, and of being a threat to all ponykind. How do you plead?"
>Twilight turns to look at you, and you stare at her pointedly before she gets the message.
>"Oh...of course! Not guilty, your Highness!"
>The Eldar snorts, and Luna gives him a sharp glare. Celestia pretends not to notice.
>"Very well then. We will now hear opening statements from the prosecution."
>The Eldar gets to his feet with a flourish, turning to address both Celestia and the courtroom crowd.
>"For my opening statement, I would like to bring the court up to speed on the events of what Anonymous's race calls the Horus Heresy."
>You get a sinking feeling in your stomach.


>"The Horus Heresy, in which Anon's race turned upon itself, in a war that spanned most of the known galaxy."
>Many of the Canterlot ponies in the audience gasp at the word "war."
>"The war was started when one mon'keigh, the titular Horus, turned his back on the ruler of his race, their 'Emperor'. Horus felt unappreciated and hated for the war he waged in his ruler's name. So he plunged his own people into a murderous war in revenge against the Emperor."
>Luna stiffens, ever so slightly, and Celestia looks up from her mallet. Celestia knew vaguely about the Heresy, but not details. She hadn't pried that deeply.
>She didn't know what side you fought on, for instance.
>"Horus, in his depravity, turned his service to dark and evil creatures, that his kind worshipped as the "Dark Gods." Horus' followers sacrificed millions in the name of these Gods. Colts, mares, and foals were all killed in their name."
>The Eldar begins to pace, getting in the rhythm of his story, and his helmet settles on you.
>"Some of you may wonder why this is important to the case. After all, the Heresy happened to another race, more than ten milennia ago. It is important, my little ponies, because the defendant fought in that very conflict."
>"Under the side of Horus, against his beloved ruler. If Anon is willing to turn on the ruler of his own race, and commit such heinous acts against that ruler, what is to stop him from overturning the order here, and trying to depose Celestia and murder her, as Horus sought to do?"
>He addresses the ponies in the audience, and dark murmurs fill the room. Your friends are giving you confused looks, and Celestia looks ready to incinerate you.
>You keep your thoughts to yourself. It's Twilight's turn.


>Twilight turns and looks at you, nervous.
>You nod your head, and she hardens up. You both know she can do this.
>She trots up to stand in view of the court and Celestia, before raising a hoof.
>"The defense would, at first, like to say that the prosecution's opening statement is an irrelevant load of horseapples."
>Celestia's eyes widen in shock, and a nigh-invisible monocle pops off of Luna's eye.
>"Anonymous of Prospero has been a little...rough, integrating into Ponyville, no one can deny that, but he's done so much for us!"
>"He was at the front line when Discord broke free again! He helped us save our families from Discord's chaotic attacks, at risk to his own safety and sanity!"
>The passionate mare turns her head to look at the Eldar, and he tilts his head as he stares into her purple eyes.
>"The defense puts forward the notion that Anon fought in this "Horse Heresy," ten THOUSAND years ago. His reasons for doing so are known only to him. We know and judge him based on what he's done SINCE then. If his true goal was destruction and the death of our Princess, he could have acted when Discord was free."
>Without another word, the purple mare returns to your side.
>Celestia's still shocked, but a tiny smile is playing across her lips.
>Your friends are all beaming at Twilight, and she looks up at you, determined.
>Even after that alien attack, she's got your back.
>They've all got your back.
>Hope kindles in you. You can win this.


>The Eldar, unprompted, rises again, addressing the crowd.
>"Pretty words, Miss Sparkle, but pretty words cannot cover up the crimes this creature has committed. I call the defendant to answer my questions directly, with honesty."
>You step forward, hands still bound.
>" Let us go back further, before the Heresy, during your kind's... Great Crusade."
>You grit your teeth. You knew what was coming.
>"Tell us, Anonymous of Prospero, what were the goals of the Crusade?"
"To expand humanity's dominion across the stars, and unite it's long-lost colonies into an Imperium capable of standing against it's enemies."
>"And who were the Imperium's 'enemies,' Anon?"
>You stay silent for a moment.
>"I will remind you that you are bound to answer truthfully."
"Aliens."
>"What kind of aliens, Anon?"
"All of them. It was the Emperor's command that all xenos, all non-human life, was to be subjugated under humanity's command or destroyed, before it could do the same to us."
>The ponies in the crowd gasp, and Twilight is staring at you in horror. Celestia is growing cross.
>I HAVE YOU NOW, MON'KEIGH.
>Not quite, you cowardly bastard.
"I will remind the court that this is the same 'benevolent' Emperor that I, and my brothers, turned our backs on. He was a genocidal madman, a liar, and a narcissist who would have sacrificed us all on his alter of progress. I do not follow his command. I havn't for ten thousand years."
>The Eldar stiffens, and Twilight beams at you.


>The Eldar recovers, still surprised at such an obvious error on his part.
>"Be that as it may, we cannot ignore the crimes you committed after turning your back on your lawful ruler. Tell us of something more recent, Anonymous. The Battle of the Fang. In which, you and your kind slaughtered children on a world called Fenris."
>Celestia's frown had returned the second the Eldar mentioned 'lawful ruler,' and it deepens when he mentions the children.
>The court is silent.
"I slaughtered no children."
>"I will remind you that you are bound to ans-"
"I slaughtered no children, Eldar. I killed at the Fang, yes. All of my brothers did. What we killed were Space Wolves. The same Legion of Astartes who burned our homeworld to the ground, killed our families, and drove us into the Eye of Terror."
>The court remains silent, and Luna listens with interest.
"The day Prospero burned, I stayed in Tiztca and watched as my entire world was turned to ash. I stayed and watched as the city of Ptolem, where my birth mother and relatives made their homes, was reduced to an atomic cloud. I stayed and watched as the children of Prospero were vaporized."
>You hear a sharp, short gasp, but continue.
"I watched it all, Eldar, as the Wolves killed every child who lived on Prospero. I killed no children at the Fang. I killed Space Wolves, and those who had been recruited into the Space Wolves. I will not deny that."
>You and the Eldar watch the crowd's reaction as they take in the information. A few ponies have taken their own children and left.
>More are nodding along with your story. A look of understanding and...acceptance lies on Luna's face.
>The Eldar's fists clench.
>THIS IS NOT OVER, MON'KEIGH.
>"The prosecution has no further questions for the defendant."



>You return to your place at Twilight's side.
>Twilight stands up.
>"We would like to call a Miss Pinkamena Diane Pie to the stand."
>Pinkie bounces up, oddly serious after hearing your testimony. Her hair is flat as a board, and her smile is gone, a thin grimace of determination on her lips. Her eyes are blue ice, and they are glaring at the Eldar.
>"Miss Pie, would you say you know Anonymous?"
>Her eyes don't leave the Eldar.
>"Of course I do, Twilight. He's like my great friend! He loves cupcakes and parties and dancing and her certainly doesn't to things like hurting kids!"
>She spits the last at the Eldar, who remains unflappable.
>Twilight goes on.
>"Miss Pie, would you say that Anonymous is trustworthy?"
>Her eyes switch back to you and Twilight, and a smile slowly brightens that pink face.
>"I'd trust him with my life. AJ and Rarity trusted him with their sisters."
>"The defense has no further questions."
>"The prosecution has no questions for this witness."
>There's a shocker.
>What does that bastard have planned?



>Celestia finally replies, her expression unreadable.
>"Very well. Miss Pie, take your seat."
>Pinkie smiles again.
>"Okie dokie lokie!"
>"As our next witness to Anon's character, we'd like to ca-"
>The Eldar coughts, interrupting Twilight.
>"Excuse me, Miss Twilight. The air here, it's a bit thin for my species. A moment, if you would."
>Celestia looks at the Eldar with concern on her features.
>You hear the Eldar in your mind.
>3,2,1. AND. HERE. WE. GO.
>What are you...
>There's a rumbling from outside the palace wall, and you feel a sudden surge in the Warp.
>A section of the wall bursts open, with a triumphant cry of, "OH YEAH!"
>Applebloom, in her daemon-prince form, comes charging through the wall, wings spread. Her armor covers her from head to tail, and Sweetie's gaudy purple cape hangs from her shoulders. A stetson hat, made of warpfire, rests on her helmet.
>"DON'T YOU WORRY ANONYMOUS, DOOMBLOOM'S HERE TA SAVE YA! THE CHAOS CRUSADERS WON'T LET THIS INJUSTICE STAND!"
>Sweetie Belle, clad entirely in a blue, burning costume, rappelles from the ceiling, and Scootaloo, also in daemon form, comes riding in on her bike.
>Gods damnit, Applebloom. Gods damnit.
>You hear a voice from the stands.
>"A....Applebloom? Izzat you?"
>"OH PONYFEATHERS."
>Celestia's risen from her throne, wings spread.
>"What is the meaning of this!?"
>The Eldar rises as well.
>"Do you see, ponyfolk!? This monster commands the twisted creatures of Chaos to aid him in his time of need! He will kill you all to see himself freed!"


"Applebloom."
>"HUH, ANON?"
"This is exactly why I tried to get you not to interfere."
>The ponies in the stands are horrified, recoiling from the three daemon ponies in their midst.
>Applejack, ignoring their stares, jumps from the stands.
>"Applebloom, what the hay happened to ya!? Ah thought the elements cured you!"
>"UH, UH, I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS APPLEBLOOM IS. AH'M DOOMBLOOM, THA SUPERHERO! HEAR ME ROAR!"
>She lets out a howling roar that shakes the room.
>The smell of horse piss fills your senses as Celestia's guards soil themselves. Canterlot ponies flee from the room in terror.
>Applejack doesn't flinch.
>"Applebloom, dontcha lie tah me! I'll tan yer hide, you hear me!? Now tell me what happened."
>The giant daemon-pony lowers her head.
>"WELL, AH, SIS. THE ELEMENTS FIXED THE WAY WE THOUGHT, BUT, UH, WE COULDN'T TURN BACK. IT'S STILL US. WE'RE JUST.....BIGGER, AH GUESS. ANON SAID IT'D BE BEST IF WE KEPT IT QUIET SO PONIES WOULDN'T GET SCARED."
>The Eldar jumps on this opportunity.
>"Do you see!? He turned three children into twisted monstrosities, bound to serve him! This monster, and his abominations, must be destroyed!"
>Applejack looks at the Eldar dangerously.
>"You callin one o mah kin a monstrosity, Mister?"


The Eldar turns a contemptuous eye at AJ.
>"I only tell the truth, my unfortunate mare. Your 'kin' is an abomination, a daemon who does not belong in this world. It must be banished, along with Anonymous."
>Applejack crosses on foreleg, and gives the Eldar a smug look.
>"Shoot, if Anon's as dangerous as Applebloom here, I say we keep 'im. Sounds like he needs the protection."
>"YEAH! HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!"
>Applebloom glares at AJ, and AJ hugs her to placate her.
>Celestia clears her throat, another plea for silence, which even the 'Chaos Crusaders' obey.
>She directs her gaze at you, and at once, you know it's time to do or die.
>"Anon, I thought I told you that these fillies were to keep their...identities... secret. Why have you disobeyed me?"
"Princess, it's hard to handle three growing children. Doubly hard when your hands are tied up and you're tossed in jail while they're off doing who knows what."
>Celestia forges on with another question.
>"Farseer tells me that your people, even after the 'Crusade,' have made war on his, with the intent of wiping them out. Do you deny that?"
"You have seen my mind, Princess. The world I come from is a treacherous one. And the Eldar are known as particularly treacherous, in it. They will be your best friend one minute and stab you in the spine the next. We have seen too many tragedies committed at Eldar hands to be at peace with them. I will make no acts of violence against this one, not here in Equestria, but I urge you not to trust him. Do not make the mistakes that we humans did in trusting the Eldar."
>Celestia appears to think over your words, playing with the gavel.
>"Very well then, Anonymous. I have decided on your sentence."


>Celestia's face slowly grows into a smile, and she tosses the gavel aside.
>A burst of magic unbinds your wrists.
>"We declare Anonymous of Prospero to be clear of guilt. You have committed no crimes against my ponies, and show no threat of doing so. The Elements, my faithful student's trusted friends, all trust you."
>You grin behind your helmet, and shoot the Eldar a triumphant look.
>It's over, you bastard. I win.
>IT IS NOT OVER YET.
>Celestia is still speaking.
>"Our only caveat is that you and Farseer remain on at least nuetral terms until he finds a way to return to his peo-"
>"I'm afraid that will not be possible, Princess."
>The Eldar rises to his feet, sighing in annoyance. The Princess looks shocked.
>"I had hoped to excise the mon'keigh delicately, leaving this world in balance for the future. But the time for using the knife to remove this cancer is long gone. Bring forth the torch."
>Luna blinks at him for a moment, confused, as does Celestia.
>And then Celestia starts screaming.
>An ear-shattering screech rolls from the pony goddess' throat, and her eyes roll up in her head.
>Then they start to glow white.
>Celestia falls to all fours, growling at you and Twilight. Foam drips from her mouth, as if she was a rapid dog.
>The Eldar pulls forth his witchblade.
>"Time to burn, Mon'keigh."
>You put up your fists, both of your weapons back at your home.
"Right after you, xenos scum."
>The Eldar charges towards you as Luna tackles Celestia, and your race towards him, your feet pounding on palace floor.
>His blade rises, and your fist lashes out.
>You both aim for the head. This fight will be to the death.