The Defense is Ready, Your Honor*

“Are you sure you can do this?” The princess of the night asks you as you button up your crimson red shirt. The “this” she is referring to is a court case that will begin in a few minutes, with you as the defense attorney. You thought that your trip to Manehatten would be relaxing, but here you are, getting ready to defend some mare you’ve never even met.

“I can do this.” You say to her, although maybe you were saying that to yourself. You’ve never defended anyone in court before. Sure, back in school, you were the best the debate team had, but this was the real deal. You’ve been fascinated with debates and law since your junior year of high school, and even considered prosecution as a career. At least you weren’t being baptised by fire.

“Do you remember everything I’ve told you about how the court works here?” Luna asks. The worry in her voice is apparent.

You do remember her going over what the court system was like. It was only an hour ago. Basically, it is near identical to how court systems on Earth worked. One judge, one prosecutor, and one defense attorney. You lucked out that the ponies decided to model their court system after human mythology. Even though it was not all the same, it was close enough for you to be comfortable.

“Can you go over the case details with me one last time?” Luna insists.

“Sure. This cello player-”

You were interrupted by a loud banging on the door. Shortly after the third strike, a deep voice shouted, “The Defender is to be summoned to the courtroom at once!” Luna gave you a concerned look, while you tried to show confidence.

“One last thing, human.” Luna said as you made your way to the door. “Most ponies spectating today’s trial have never even heard of you. How you act today will forever set the kind of reputation you have with the ponies of Equestria."

Something about the way she said that made you stop in your tracks. You didn't consider that. This was the first time you will be attending a public event that wasn't a social gathering at Canterlot Castle. Even then, those were highly exclusive gatherings; the only pony you spoke you was that purple unicorn that wouldn’t stop asking you questions. You remained frozen for a few seconds before you felt Luna’s hand on your shoulder.

“No pressure, though.” She says as she forces her most genuine smile. “Just remember that my sister and myself will always accept you back into the castle.” You don’t know how she does it, but no one could calm your nerves more easily than Luna. Even your close friends back on Earth couldn’t do it as well as she could.

“You better get going. Meet your client.”

“Yea.” You say to yourself.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

This was not what you expected a courtroom to look like, especially in downtown Manehatten. From the outside, the building has the modern look any suburban city would, but inside, it felt like you stepped through a time machine. The floor and walls were grey stone, riddled with cracks. You were not sure if the cracks were aesthetic or just poor upkeep. There was no gallery or jurors box, at least not on the main floor. The public sat on the second story, where the seating resembled a theatre. Few places the public was seated were separated by a few steel fences, but most areas were open.

Across from you, the prosecutor. He stood behind a mahogany desk, nearly identical to yours. Behind him, there were two banners. The banners were painted dark blue and had a black trim. Taking a second to look behind you, you notice you have near identical banners. The only difference is that yours were white with yellow detail. Looking back at the prosecutor, you take a moment to read his appearance. He had a dark green coat with a white mane. He wore a three piece suit, and every piece was white. It must not be easy to find clothes that go with a green coat. The prosecutor stood at attention, full of confidence. You couldn't tell if he was mocking confidence so he could intimidate you, or if he truly felt that he would win this case before it begins.

It took a second for you to remember why you couldn’t spot a Juror’s Box. There was no Jury. The judge was the jury. Normally, this would upset you since one person could be easily swayed with enough emotional appeal. However, maybe it wouldn’t be all bad. After all, the judge was-

“The trial for Octavia Melody will now begin!” Celestia said as she brought her gavel down to her sounding block. Octavia, that was her name. You look over, next to the judge’s tower. There she was. She was in her own wooden “room”, only thing is that there were prison bars around and above her, like a cage. You recall Luna explaining that all accused were to stay in that cage. It stopped unicorns from using magic, pegasus from flying away, and earths from kicking in a pillar and bringing the room down. You can understand why they would take this precaution, but that doesn’t mean you were all for it.

“Defender, are you ready?” The judge asks.

“The defense is ready, your honor.” You say. You’ve said that line so many times before.  Except this time, it was the real deal.

“Is the prosecution ready?”

“...”

“Prosecution?”

“What is the meaning of this?” The prosecutor says. His voice makes you do a double-take on his appearance. His voice was low and gritty. Looking again at his stance, his arms were folded and his eyes were closed. “Arrogant bastard.” You thought to yourself.

“Last I heard, the Defender failed to show up to the courthouse. I was not aware that his replacement would be the first thing that crept out of the Everfree Forest.”

“I am a human, not from this place. However, I assure you that I am fully capable of defending the accused.” You state.

“I do not care if you are capable of doing it. The accused has not requested that you defend her, and you do not have the permission to defend.”

“I have been granted right to defend by Princess Luna, and if the accused does not want me to defend her, she hasn’t spoken up about it.” As those words leave your lips, you look over to the accused. She is looking at her feet.

You notice the prosecutor grip his sleeve. You’re proud that you’re able to get to him

“The prosecution shall keep their personal comments to himself." Celestia stated nonchalantly. “I have been told beforehand about the appearance of this Defender, and as he has stated, the accused has not had any objections thus far.”

“Very well. Either way, this trial shall be over soon enough.” He opened his eyes and looked at you. His eyes were orange, and in contrast with his dark green coat, it almost looked like they were glowing.

“Prosecution, are you ready?” Celestia asked once again.

“The Prosecution is ready, Your Majesty.”

“Your opening statement, if you’d please.”

“Three weeks ago, The Canterlot Orchestra started auditions for their next season. Octavia Melody showed up in hopes of playing cello for the orchestra. She made it in, however, somepony who outperformed her got the first chair. For those of you who are unaware, First Chair means you are the better player. Since First Chair has a much higher pay than any other seat, Octavia Melody grew jealous, as any normal pony would.”

It was at this time you notice that he was not speaking to the judge, we was speaking to those sitting in the gallery.

“Last week was their first show. Just after it ended, everypony left; well, everypony except Octavia Melody and the first chair cello player. Octavia’s jealousy got the best of her, and she struck the fellow cello player in the back of the head with a blunt object, her cello case. This is said case.”

The prosecutor reached behind his desk and lifted a cello case. If you weren’t blind, you could clearly see that it has been dented at the body.

“A passing security guard found the dead body half an hour later. Eyewitnesses have stated that Octavia was the only one that stayed behind with him. Octavia Melody was arrested shortly after.”

“The Defense has a few questions, Your Honor.” You say as the prosecutor retreats behind his desk.

“Granted.” Celestia says.

“What is the name of this cello player?” The most obvious question.

“It’s in the autopsy report.” The prosecutor says, not directly looking at you.

“...and where is this autopsy report?” At least now he is looking at you, except it is a look that guarantees that you two will never be friends.

“Look under the desk.” He states, almost like a growl.

You look under your desk to find a folder. Pulling the contents out, the first thing you notice is the autopsy report.

Name- Long Bow

Age- 26

Cause of Death-Blunt force trauma to the back of the neck.

The other papers in the folder were the crime scene photos.

Looking at the first photo, you see the dead body on the floor, face down. Blood pooled around his head on the left side. Since the photo was taken above the body, looking down, you’re not able to see much other than the body. You can see the bulge from his wallet in the back pocket.

The second picture was the cello case as they found it. It was leaning against a wall.

“Where was the cello case found?” You speak up, staying focused on the photo.

“The cello case was found in Octavia’s closet in her bedroom.”

This is not looking good. You think to yourself as you look at the final picture.

In the last picture, it is a full view of the crime scene. For the most part, things look undisturbed, except for the body and police tape. Since there is not much to see, you quickly glance through the photo and set it back with the others.

“My next question, has the case been dusted for fingerprints?” You ask.

“What are you talking about?” The prosecutor asks.

“Fingerprints….” You say again, he probably didn’t hear you very clearly.

“Your Majesty, do you have any idea what it is talking about?”

“I do not. Can you please elaborate, Defender?”

“Fingerprints. When your fingers come into contact with an object, the grease leaves behind a unique print that is etched in your skin so tha-”

“We have fur over our fingers.” The prosecutor cuts you off.

Crap.

“Are you done?” The prosecutor asks.

“No further questions" You couldn’t think of anything else to ask him at the moment.

“Good. Guard, if you may please call the witnesses in.’

Witnesses?

As if to answer your own question, four ponies walked into the courtroom and stood behind a desk that was facing the Judge.

“Objection!” You state. “We can only hear the testimonies of each individual witness!”

“Objection., Your Majesty. We will be here all night if we were to do that.”

“Y-Yes, but to get a true verdict-..”

“This is the way it’s been done and it is the way it will continue to be done.”

“B-But-”

“Your Majesty, we do not have time for this. May we please continue with the trial?"

“Defender, I apologize, but he is right. This is how it works here in Equestria."

“V-Very well, Your Honor.”

Dammit, this is going to be hard.

“Witnesses, your names and occupations, please.”