Cover art for chapter 4 of “My Little Ponys’ The Count of Monte Cristo”.
 
And quite obviously, this is the exact moment when Shining Armor/Dantes is charged with both High-Treason, AND Murder. With the sneaky assistance of his henchman, Guild Carderousse (as he was basically meant to be), Tirek plants a dagger with some tomato juice splattered, and dried all over it to make it look as though it has blood on it - right in Shining’s own coat pocket. On top of that, Tirek also revealed the letter Empress Moon gave to Shining. Now, much to his obvious horror, he is being framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
 
And we all know how this ends, don’t we?
 
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Shining smiled in relief at this. “Yeah, you see? Like I told you, i’m innocent. I’m an honest stallion like my father, and I would never do anything that would jeopardize myself, or any around me. Surely you can believe that now, Tirek.”
 
“Hmm………maybe.” Tirek said, sounding surprisingly calm, despite the fact he’d found no evidence to suggest otherwise. That’s because when he turned around to look at the coat rack hanging on the wall next to the door, he saw Caderousse giving him a thumbs up which he made sure only the centaur could see before flying away. He then moved over to the navy coat which belonged to Shining. “Or maybe we simply haven’t been looking in the right place.” He picked it up in his hand, and began searching the pockets - intentionally avoiding all pockets save for the one he was about to reach in, just to build up suspense. “After all, when one searches for something, they always end up searching in the wrong, larger places….” That was when he reached in, and pulled out two items which made Shining’s eyes widen, and his blood run cold: Empress Moon’s letter……….and a small dagger with “blood stains” on it - which had only been berry stains sprinkled on by Guild. Looking at these two made Tirek smile ever so deviously, it almost encompassed his whole face, revealing all of his spear-like teeth. All while his blank, yellow eyes shimmered with glee. “We often forget the little things in life…….don’t we, Shining Dantes?”
 
Shining absolutely couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He had no idea how something like a dagger could have gotten into his pocket like that - and yet, there it was. But what really hurt him more was when he looked to his friends, and family. All of them were as confused, and shocked as him. Yet he also saw there was a hint of uncertainty in their eyes. They just had no idea what to say, or how to feel about this. This made tears begin to form in his eyes. “No, please! It’s-….it’s not what it looks like, i swear! I can explain the letter! And I don’t even own a dagger! That’s no…………….That’s not mine!!!” He looked to all of them for someone to give their support. They really wanted to. Even now, they believed he was innocent. But what could they say that could defend him now? He saw this, and his heart was already breaking further. Especially when he looked into the sorrowful expressions of his parents. “Mom…….dad………please. I’m innocent. I promise i’m telling you the truth.” He then turned to Twilight. “Twily….you believe me, don’t you?”
 
“Of course I do, Shiny.” Twilight said, but with a defeated tone, she said, “But…..I don’t know what to do.”
 
His head shook slowly, and he was distraught. He knew exactly what was going on: the ponies he knew had no idea how to help him now such incriminating evidence had been revealed. Even Twilight couldn’t do anything to prevent what he knew was about to happen, because she had no influence in equestria’s laws, alone. His eyes then met Cadence’s at that moment. To his fortune, he saw that she had no doubts. That she DIDN’T believe him guilty. His smile became a sad one in response. He was at least glad the mare he loved still had faith in him. But the moment was ruined by the sound of Tirek’s fake sniffling. He pulled out a hankie to wipe away the “tears” in his eyes, and put on a voice of fake sympathy. “It truly is tragic, isn’t it? It appears one never really knows what exists within another heart. And while you have my sympathies, Mrs. and Mr. Dantes………i’m afraid that justice must still be carried out.” His tone then turned back to one of cold, unfeeling calculation, which instilled fear in Shining’s heart. Yet it was the centaur’s next words that killed him. “Shining Dantes: ex-Colonel, and ex-general of the Equestian Military. It is with a heavy heart that I officially place you under arrest for treason, suspected conspiracy…….and suspected murder. Seize him, men.”
 
A group of Gargoyles then approached Shining, who backed away from them, and moved towards Cadence. “No! You can’t do this! I’m innocent! I’m not a murderer OR a traitor! I~~” The Gargoyles cut him off when they began to overwhelm him. Both of his arms had been grabbed ~~ but not before he reached out to Cadence. His eyes drowning in tears, and desperate to hold her before she was taken. In response, she took his hoof. That same desperation in her eyes. The both of them - as only equestrians can do - held on as tightly as possible as the Gargoyles pulled on the unicorn. But eventually, one of them did separate their hooves, and began to drag him away by his arms. Even as he struggled to get out of their grip. “Let…go of me! I’m innocent! Why won’t you believe me?! Look, ask one of the other soldiers!” His head perked. “Ask Lieutenant Colonel Sombra! He can vouch for me!”
 
“Lieutenant Colonel Sombra is unavailable at this time, Dantes.” Tirek said, pulling out one of his cigars. “Which, unfortunately, means the current evidence speaks for itself.” A puff of smoke escaped his maw, and he deeply sighed. “But don’t be too down………..perhaps the chief prosecutor will be merciful to somepony like you.” Another smirk. “But I wouldn’t count on it.” He nodded to the Gargoyles, and they continued dragging Shining out of the house. “No, please! Tirek, don’t do this to me! I didn’t do it! I’m innocent! TIREEEEEK!!!” were his last words before Shining was dragged out of the house. Passing by a smiling Caderousse, who watched with glee as Shining was placed into a prison carriage designed to hold unicorn prisoners. His family, and friends all ran out the door after him. All of them were now openly crying for this horrible tragedy. Shining himself could only look upon them with his own teary gaze of sadness. They may have been powerless to stop this, but they DID still care for, and believe, him. It just hurt to see someone so close to them have this happen to him. Seeing Cadence so sad hurt all the more. But there was nothing he could do. He could only lower his head in despair, and sit down as the carriage moved on. Cadence wept even harder than Shining’s parents, and sister. And when Tirek emerged from the house, she flew up to him with a desperate, pleading expression. “Sir Tirek…..i’m begging you, don’t do this! I know my Shining better than most: i know he’s innocent! Somepony must have been setting him up! If you could only give him a chance to-”
 
“I AM sorry, my dear Mercedes.” Tirek said, in a much softer tone than he had used before. “But it’s long out of my hands. This was brought to Villefort beforehand - it was he who ordered the arrest. Now, your fiance’s fate is in HIS hooves.” Without paying any heed to the alicorn, or other ponies and dragon below him, he breathed out one more puff of smoke before he extinguished in on his own tongue, and then ate it - much to their disgust as belched a little. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to the Prosecution hall for the hearing. With my status, as well as he who performed the arrest, i am obligated to attend.”
 
“At least take us with you - please!” Cadence pleaded.
 
“I am sorry: only those officially part of the hearing are allowed to participate. This is a private matter. Simply pray that Neighsay is merciful to your stallion.” He then began walking away. Leaving a group of heart-broken ponies behind to wallow in their newfound grief…….and guilt for allowing doubt to stay their hand. Now, they had lost any chance of helping one of their closest friends get out of a growing, nightmare scenario. “And this was supposed to be a happy day.” Pinkie said sadly, as all of them went back inside. All…….except for Spike. For in his mind, he felt an even greater sense of guilt than his friends. And he wanted to make up for it any way he could - even if it meant risking also getting arrested. Fortunately, he could always count on his wings to help him out. It especially helped when he saw Tirek just now entering the street. However, he noticed that there was a griffon standing right next to him. One he didn’t recognize, at first. Until Tirek revealed his name. “Good work, Caderousse.”  
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(And yes, that is Tirek’s magical aura holding both items in the air.)