AN: I do not own anything... MLP belongs to Hasbro, and Cupcakes, Rainbow Factory, and Pegasus Device to their respective owners

A Trial and Tribulation

The next month went by fairly quickly as both sides gathered the nessesary evidence and witnesses, more so for the prosecution than the defendants, and every attempt at a plea bargain was shot down. Finally came the big day, judgement day. Everypony that could make the trip, including Leafy's parents, Shining Armour and Princess Cadence, was in attendance. Cadence found it odd that none of those taking the stand spoke of acknowledged Shining, but decided to save that question for the recess. She also found it odd Shining seemed nervous, but evertime she inquired about it, he simply said he was nervous about Twi. The trails were split in half, with Leafy, Rainbow, and Pinkie's trial being the morning session and Luna, Celestia, and Twilight's being the following afternoon. The first one called up to the stand was Leafy.

"Do you Princess Leafy Confetti hereby agree to say the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you Celestia?" The judge asked when Leafy was seated on the stand and had her right front hoof raised.

"I do your honor."

"Good, now the charge initially brought against you was aiding and abetting a criminal, but due to some recent evidence you are also being slapped with first degree murder. How do you plead to both?"

"Not guilty to the first charge and as for the second, that rapist had it coming. It was justice served so not guilty."

"We shall see if the jury agrees..." The lawyer representing the prosecution said stepping forward. "Now look, first charge is simple, you helped the Dashes escape and housed them so you are automatically guilty for that so I don't know why you pleaded not guilty despite being caught red hoofed."

"I am innocent until PROVEN guilty." Leafy smarted back earning a few snickers from the audience until the judge threaten them with contempt. "Besides, everypony knows that the treaty that was agreed to when the Rainbow Factory started using criminals instead of pegasi who failed their flight exams included a clause liberating Rainbow and Pinkie from all past crimes up to that point against ponykind. So in reality this whole trial is a waste of every taxpaying pony's bits."

"Of course you would say that considering you are on trial. Yes, the treaty did say that, but notice the wording used. You just said it yourself Leafy, crimes against ponykind, so by using criminals from different kingdoms breaks the laws in those places. Considering you are a worker there yourself makes you guilty by association." He then covered his mouth realizing he accidently said the hidden trump card.

Leafy slumped in her seat and the room turned dead quiet. "Holy buck...it was all a massive set up..." She said in disbelief.

The judge then slammed on the gavel. "10 minute recess to discuss this change in events." The judge, jury, and lawyers then were called in the back but everypony in the courtroom stayed in their seats until Cadence called over Leafy, Rainbow, and Pinkie after Shining excused himself to go stretch his fetlocks.

"Say you three, how come you have been ignoring Shining Armour?" Cadence asked in a hushed whisper.

"Because he is the pony who betrayed us and led the arresting officers to us by using that spell he uses to know where Twilight is at all times."

Cadence looked crushed. "I'll be right back..." She said as a few tears escaped her eyes and she trotted outside, finding Shining under a tree and her sadness turning into pure fury. "So you sold them out huh? I can't believe you did that, what the buck was the cost...Dash told me so since her antielement is betrayal you aren't getting out of this one..."

"30 pieces of silver...was gonna get you a true wedding ring to make up for the Chrysalis fiasco."

"No...it didn't cost you 30 pieces of silver...It cost you that, plus your sister, your wife, and your unborn foal due to your selfishness...goodbye Shining Armour, I hope you enjoy the damage you've done, Discord would be proud of you. You will have the divorce papers upon returning to the Chrystal Kingdom and immediately exiled, stripped of all rank, and banned from the military forever." With that she started to trot off but Shining stopped her.

"Please give me a chance to fix this..."

l"Hmm...alright, but I get to do a punishment of my choosing afterwards. By the way, you only got 5 minutes and your time starts now." Cadence then returned to her seat and Shining went straight to the judge.

"This better be good Prince Shining Armour otherwise I am gonna have YOU arrested." The judge said fuming since Shining interrupted the private meeting.

"It is your honor and I only got 5 minutes to fix this before my wife leaves me. I know who is behind all this, the diplomate from the Griffion Kingdom is who bribed me." He then put the bag of silver coins on the desk. "Run a DNA test if you have to, his and his aide's claw marks will be all over them."

"Wait a second, the Griffin Diplomate's daughter is Gilda..." One of the jurors stated.

"Now it makes since, she used her dad's political pull to finally extract revenge on the Dashes..." The judge said standing up. "Thank you Shining, return to your seat and this will be over soon I think since the jurors have already reached a virdict I believe. Meanwhile, I am gonna have an arrest warrant issued for Gilda, her dad, and his aide for causing a conspiracy, crimes against those in political asylum, AND against the Canterlot Royalty." Shining returned to his seat and nodded to Cadence. 10 minutes later, due to Leafy's murder charge and had to explain that incident, all the charges against the ponies had been dropped and them acquitted.

"Thanks for doing what was right B.B.B.F.F." Twi siad with a smile. "You are forgiven."

"Thanks Twilly, just glad all this is-" He then paused as he heard his stomach growl. "Why do I have a sudden craving for pickles? I HATE pickles..."

"My punishment for you is you are gonna feel everything I feel until AFTER I give birth." Cadence said with a dark snarky grin that made Shining's blood run cold as Cadence teleported them both away.

"Well since all this is over, can we go home now?" Leafy asked Rainbow and Pinkie who both nodded but Celestia and Luna stopped them both before they had the chance to leave.

"Come stay at the castle with us, after all, it has been a long time since mine and Tia's daughters and adopted granddaughter were in town." Luna said with a soft warming grin but Leafy slightly blushed. They all then teleported to the castle where, for the first time in a long time, they all felt relaxed and at home.