Chapter 36: Verdict
"And I can personally vouch for his loyalty. He's a patriot, and loyal RAF member."
Storm couldn't help but grin a little. He never knew he had this many allies. Soarin's testimony was great, but Spitfire was outshining him by far. She spoke with a conviction Shadow had never heard before.
"Thank you Major. No further questions."
Shadow lifted his head watched Grin retreat with a sigh, a look of obvious stress and nervousness on his face.
"Do you have any further witnesses or evidence to bring to the court's attention?" the judge asked, turning her gaze toward Armor.
"No your honour," Armor returned, standing up, "We're resting our case."
"Then it's in the hands of your peers," Fairfilly returned, "Court adjourned until a verdict is made."
As one, the entire courtroom stood up with the Judge. The room once again emptied, as onlookers trickled out of the cramped space. Storm watched Spitfire exit through a door on the side, saluting her as she turned to close the door.
The jury did not take long. Within fifteen minutes, they were back, and so was the crowd. The room became a din of discussion as the jury slowly made their way to their seats. As they finally all were in position, the bailiff began his first few attempts to calm the crowd down. After the first in vain attempts, he sighed.
Taking a deep breath, the bailiff shouted, "SILENCE IN COURT!"
In a single breath, everyone went quiet. Shadow watched as a single Juryman at the front stood up.
Clearing his throat, he began, "After careful deliberation, we find the defendant to be..."
Storm held his breath. This was it.
"Ahem..."
Shadow felt good about their case, but why the suspense? The jury was looking elsewhere, avoiding Shadow's gaze. They seemed tense.
"Guilty."
A sudden wave of nausea flooded Storm's head, as the word sank in.
"Foreman, is the vote unanimous?"
Shadow watched Armor stand up quickly.
"No, it was 7 votes guilty, 6 not guilty."
Storm couldn't believe his ears. Today had not gone as expected, but their case was still strong. Armor's office was ransacked, and the six legionnaires that were to be called to the stand went missing this morning. How did that not scream that he was being set up? And their witnesses' testimonies were all convincing and concise.
"Captain Storm."
Shadow stood up slowly, still looking at the floor in a dazed manner.
"Though I hesitate to sentence you, I must. You are to be incarcerated for life at Griffin's Head National Penitentiary on the grounds of high treason and conspiracy to undermine the crown. You will be escorted there via train tomorrow evening. Court dismissed."
The last bang of the gavel seemed to echo through the hall forever. The court session was over, as was Storm's life. Guards rushed about, clearing reporters and cameraponies away as Storm was led out of the courthouse. Flashes of light that would have normally blinded Shadow seemed like dim flickers. The world seemed to turn dark as they marched slowly through the gathering crowd of onlookers.
Time seemed to askew and odd. Shadow couldn't remember arriving back at his cell in Canterlot, but he did. Armor remained at the door, leaning against the wall silently as Shadow lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
He was in complete shock.
"I'm sorry Shadow. I won't let them get away with this. I'll launch a full investigation; you'll have to stay at Griffin's Head for a maximum of two years."
"It's already too late."
"No it isn't. I'm truly sorry, but I can't stay. I have an inspection in ten minutes. I'll try my hardest to work this through the system."
"It's impossible Armor. This was the perfect crime."
Shadow remained lying down, staring at the ceiling.
Not knowing how to respond, Armor left awkwardly. Storm was now alone, in a cold dark cell in a black, dilapidated dungeon. His allies were gone, spread thin. He was alone.
The feeling wasn't new to Storm. In fact, it was very familiar, but his recent gaining of friends made the affair seem much worse than he would have found it a few years ago.
A click down the hallway signalled the opening of the door. Sitting up, Shadow watched a familiar cyan Pegasus walk to the bars sheepishly. Behind her, a second Pegasus, magenta in colour, remained further in the shadows.
"Sorry, about everything."
Rainbow stared at Storm with large, ruby coloured eyes, full of fear and horror.
"No," Shadow responded, moving closer to the cell bars, "I'm the one who should be sorry. I put my trust in one too many ponies again, and I got burned. And now, I've dragged you along with me."
"Is there anything left to do?"
Shadow moved away from the bars, and leaned his head against the wall opposite the door.
"For me? No," he stated, his voice raspy, "I'm finished."
A dark silence clouded over the room. The sun itself grew dimmer.
"There is one thing you can do for me, however."
Turning around, straightening himself to his full measure, Shadow made his way back to the bars. The small window behind him created a halo of brilliant light. Dash could now see Storm wasn't as nervous as she had thought.
"Walker, Dash, I need you to keep fighting the good fight."
Shadow cleared his throat in the damp air of the dungeon.
"I need you to continue the squadron. Bravo must live on," Storm stated, "Don't let them take away the one good thing I've brought to this world."
"Yes sir," Walker responded quietly from the shadows.
A loud clang down the hall erupted, followed by shouting.
"Sorry Captain, visiting hours are over!"
Shadow nodded slowly at Walker and Dash. Walker moved away but Rainbow hesitated. She remained at the bars.
"Don't look back," Storm stated with a sad grin.
Slowly, he extended his hoof through the bars of his cell. Gently, he pushed Rainbow Dash's mane away from her eyes. Quickly, he ripped his gaze off of her, and moved to the darkest corner of the cell. Eventually, after repeated prodding and encouragement, Rainbow moved and followed Walker.
Sliding down the rough, cold bricks that acted as walls, Storm flopped onto the ground with a quiet splat. Staring blankly, he quietly began singing again.
"I don't want to set the world on fire…"
Pausing with a sigh, Storm rubbed his nose with a sniff.
"I just want to start…"
Shadow's voice wavered slightly as he continued the verse.
"A flame in your… heart…"