Trial of the Century!
By Jonathan “KnightMysterio” Spires
All characters copyrighted to their original owners. If you like my work, please support me on Patreon! Contains spoilers for the Equestria Girls short, Mirror Magic.
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Canterlot Court...
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Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat behind the judges podium, looks of concern on their faces. The arrest had come as a complete surprise to everyone involved.
“To think that she would be accused of this,” Luna said.
“I have to admit... I'm rather disappointed,” Celestia said. “Twilight said she had been making so much progress in her lessons.”
Luna nodded. “Nevertheless,” she said. “We are minded to give her a fair trial.”
Celestia nodded, turning to the gathered jurists. “Today we are bringing judgment against our fellow pony!” she declared. “Swear, in the name of Harmony, that your judgment will be fair! That you will listen to the evidence both sides present, and consider it fairly! Do you so swear?”
The ten ponies in the gallery, in perfect unison, said, “In Harmony's name, we swear!”
“Then let the defendant come forth!” Luna declared.
The doors opened, and the guards came in, leading a pale-furred unicorn with a purple, blue-streaked mane. A magic-blocker was on her horn, and her hooves were shackled. The guards brought her forward, sitting her down at the defense table. To the astonishment of the princesses, she seemed to be annoyed rather than contrite.
“Bring forth the prosecutor and the advocate!” Luna intoned.
The doors opened again, and two figures came in. On one side was a world famous prosecutor and his team. His white mane was neatly combed, and his orange coat stood out brightly against the grim darkness of the trial house. His cutie mark was a scroll, and if you were close enough you could see the primary six tenants of Equestrian society written on them.
His name was Strict Justice. And he had never lost a case.
On the defense side, however, was someone surprising. Twilight Sparkle, carting a large supply of papers in her magic.
“Twilight?” Celestia asked.
“I firmly believe in my client's innocence, your highness,” Twilight said. “That being said, due to the fact that Princess Luna is on my witness list, I submit a formal request that she recuse herself from being the judge of this trial.”
Luna blinked. “Twilight Sparkle, are you certain of this?” she asked.
Strict Justice looked thoughtful. “If she's going where I think she's going with this,” he said, “then I have no objections. As I will be calling you as a witness to the prosecution.”
Luna frowned, turning to Celestia. “Can they do that?”
Celestia nodded. “They can,” she said.
Luna scowled. “Fine, fine... I recuse myself from duties of judgment in this matter,” she said, teleporting away.
Strict Justice stepped forward. “And I must ask you to recuse yourself, Princess Celestia,” he said. “There is a potential conflict of interest, due to one of my witnesses.”
Twilight blinked. “Wait, which witness?”
“Sunset Shimmer. Former student of Princess Celestia, currently acting in an unofficial capacity as ambassador to another world,” Strict Justice said.
“WHAT!? How do you even know about her?!” Twilight demanded.
“Records that you yourself submitted, Twilight Sparkle,” Strict Justice said. “I must confess, you spared no detail in your studies of the other world. It was... intriguing...”
Twilight facehooved. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of that before.
After a brief hiatus to find a new judge, the trial resumed. The judge, a severe-looking dark-furred unicorn mare named Final Decision, called the courtroom to order.
“This trial is for one Starlight Glimmer. The charges are multiple counts of mind-control, including forced mental reformatting spells and puppeteer spells, both illegal. In addition, you are also charged with unethical manipulation of Cutie Marks...”
“OBJECTION!” Twilight shouted.
Final sighed. “Your highness...”
“There are no laws against the manipulation of cutie marks on the books! While Starlight's actions on that front cannot be denied, as there are no written laws AGAINST the manipulation of cutie marks, she cannot be charged with that!” Twilight declared.
Final blinked. “...Are there really no laws against it?”
Celestia, from her private box in the audience, shook her head. “Unfortunately not. Miss Glimmer's actions cannot be denied, however there is no legal precedence for them. We are in the process of revising the laws. However, due to the fact that Starlight Glimmer has essentially redeemed herself for those particular acts a thousand times over by playing a major role in stopping the second invasion by Chrysalis and the subsequent redemption of the changeling race as a whole, she will not be charged for that.”
Starlight sighed in relief.
Final nodded. “However, that does not exempt you from the mind manipulation charges,” she said. “Understood?”
Starlight squeaked in fear, nodding.
“Good. Strict Justice, present your case,” Final said.
Strict Justice stepped forward. “Your Honor. Good ponies of the jury. It is my intention to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Starlight Glimmer did willfully and maliciously use mental manipulation magic against other ponies. She subverted their will to her own personal ends, and irrevocably altering them. I will also be presenting others who have suffered mental manipulation, including a previous victim of Starlight Glimmer's. This will prove that she is indeed guilty.” He nodded, and sat down.
Final turned to Twilight. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, present your case,” she said.
“Thank you, your Honor,” she said, standing up. “While Starlight Glimmer does have a dark past, she is doing everything in her power to make up for it. She's not an evil pony, not by a long shot. She's not without issues, for sure, but those do not make her a villain. I will show that Starlight Glimmer is a heroic, loving mare who deserves to be found innocent of these crimes. I would not let her stick so close to me if I didn't trust her with my life.” She bowed to the jury, and sat down.
Starlight whispered to her. “Um, technically, during my cult leader phase, I was pretty much a villain...” she said. Twilight hushed her.
Final turned to Strict Justice. “Do you have evidence to present?” she asked.
“My witnesses are my evidence, your honor,” Strict Justice said.
“Very well,” Final said. “Call your first witness.”
Strict Justice nodded. “The prosecution calls Rapey McButtfuck to the stand,” he said.
A mare in the audience sobbed, several members of the audience shouting in outrage. Final pounded her gavel angrily, glaring at Strict Justice. “ORDER!” Final shouted. “ORDER, damn it!”
“Your honor, Rapey McButtfuck is one of the most notorious sexual predators in Equestria!” Twilight protested.
“I am well aware of what Mr. McButtfuck has done. However, he is VITAL for my case against Starlight Glimmer!” Strict Justice insisted.
Final bit her lip. “...This better not turn into a fiasco, Strict Justice. Contempt of court will be the least of the problems I inflict on you if it does.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Strict Justice said, his expression neutral.
“Bring in the witness,” Final said.
The doors opened, and a stallion in bluejeans and a light blue shirt came in, his mane styled up in a large afro. He looked at the ground, his face filled with regret, and his hooves were cuffed. The courtroom was dead silent, everyone save the poker-faced Strict Justice casting glares Rapey's way. He took the stand.
“In the sisters' names, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” the bailiff asked, raising one hoof.
Rapey nodded, raising his hoof as well. “I do so swear,” he said in a soft, gentle, soothing voice.
Strict Justice came forward. “Rapey McButtfuck,” he said. “You...”
“Actually, that's just the name I gave myself when I was committing my crimes,” Rapey said. “Kinda silly name for a serial rapist, looking back, but honestly, I thought too much of myself back then anyway... My real name is Hard Look. Can you call me that, please?”
“Very well, Mr. Look,” Strict Justice said. “Describe your encounter with Starlight Glimmer.”
“Yessir,” Rapey said. “Well... I had just cornered a mare named Trixie Lulamoon and was about to have my way with her when Starlight burst in. I said some... improper things, and Starlight cast some kinda spell on me. It... well, it plum hurt like the dickens. But when it was through, I realized what I had been doing was wrong. That's why I turned myself in, confessed to everything, and had myself made into a eunuch.”
Every stallion in the room flinched. “Err... Yes,” Strict Justice said. “Would you say that your current behavior is contrary to your previous state of mind?”
“Well yes,” Rapey said, “but...”
“And that this current personality you possess was forced on you against your will by the defendant?” Strict Justice said, his expression firm.
“Technically speaking...” Rapey tried.
“Yes or no, Mr. Look,” Strict Justice said.
“...Yes,” Rapey said, giving Starlight an apologetic look. Starlight just glared back at the forcibly brainwashed rapist. Trixie was still in therapy after what he had almost done to her. If she had been a second slower...
“Thank you,” Strict Justice said. “No more questions.”
The judge, the reformed criminal on the stand, Twilight, and the more law-savvy members of the audience all stared at Strict Justice. Twilight, a smile coming to her face, stood up and went to Rapey.
“Mr. Look?” Twilight asked. “Without going into detail, what would you have done to Trixie had Starlight not intervened.”
“...She wouldn't have been able to talk, as I fully intended to remove her tongue,” Rapey said. “I was also thinking about cutting out her eyes and... well... It's a good thing Starlight showed up when she did.”
Starlight snarled.
“Of course,” Twilight said. “Do you regret your actions?”
“Terribly,” Rapey said. “All those mares I hurt... They didn't deserve anything of what I did to them. All because of the fact that I had a talent for sexual predation and felt compelled to use that talent. It's why I wear pants now, so I don't have to look at that horrible reminder of what I was.”
“Would you say that your life has improved since the spell?” Twilight asked.
“No, not my life. But all of Equestria is better off with me behind bars,” Rapey said. “I'm a changed man, your Highness. I watched a lot of Peat Moss, that famous painter... he inspires me. The peace in his soul... I can't escape the sins of my past. But I don't hurt anypony anymore. Now, I just paint happy little trees.” He thought for a moment, and added, “Not WELL, mind you, but still, better than assaulting mares.”
“Of course,” Twilight said, heading back to her seat. “Thank you, Mr. Look, that'll be all.”
“May I go back to prison now?” Rapey asked. “It's taco night tonight.”
The judge nodded slowly, confused out of her gourd. “You are dismissed, Mr. Look...” she said.
As the rapist-turned-painter filed out, Starlight grumbled. “No regrets,” she said softly. “I don't regret turning his brain inside out.”
“Hush,” Twilight said.
“For my next witness,” Strict Justice said, “I call Miss Dollface.”
A little, blue-coated, yellow-maned filly with a doll-shaped cutie-mark on her flank was led in, her parents taking their place in the audience. The little pegasus held a doll in her forelegs, blushing nervously. The bailiff came up to her.
“In the Sisters' names, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” he asked, raising his hoof.
“Yes,” the filly said, raising her hoof as well.
The bailiff stepped aside, Strict Justice coming up to her. “I know this will be hard, sweetie, but I need to ask you questions about the night of the fire.”
Final leaned over, smiling at her pleasantly. “Take your time in answering, dear. We know it was a traumatic experience for you, so you don't need to press yourself.”
“Thank you,” Dollface said quietly, hugging her doll.
Strict Justice took a deep breath. “Miss Dollface. On the night of the apartment fire that destroyed your home, did someone use a puppeteer spell on you?”
Dollface nodded. “Yes sir. But...”
Strict Justice interrupted her. “Did you have any control of your body at all?”
“N-no, but,” Dollface tried.
“Was your body's control effectively stolen from you by this spell?” Strict Justice asked.
“Y-Yes, but...” Dollface said, confused.
“Thank you,” Strict Justice said, “that will be all. Your witness, your Highness.”
Twilight looked at Strict Justice thoughtfully, and then got up, smiling at Dollface apologetically. “Firstly, Miss Dollface, I want to apologize in advance. I do not wish to traumatize you, however I need to do this to make my point,” the alicorn said, stuffing a wadded up piece of paper into a coffee mug.
Dollface bit her lip, realizing where she was going with this. “It's o-okay...” she said nervously.
Twilight nodded... and set the wadded up piece of paper on fire. Dollface whimpered, huddling down into the witness chair and shivering.
Final looked at Twilight in alarm. “Your Highness...”
“This is necessary to make my case, your Honor,” Twilight said. “I assure you I'm going somewhere with this.”
Final looked over to Strict Justice, who simply sat at his table with a neutral expression on his face. The confused judge shook her head. “...Very well,” she said. “But be careful, your Highness.”
Twilight nodded, turning to Dollface. “Miss Dollface, please walk towards the defendant's table,” she said.
Dollface just stared at the fire in the cup, paralyzed.
“Please walk towards the defendant's table,” Twilight repeated.
Dollface shivered softly, curling in on herself a little as she started to hyperventilate.
“Twilight, she's had enough!” Starlight said, a concerned look on her face.
“I'm inclined to agree, your Highness!” Final said.
Twilight extinguished the flame. “Apologies, but I needed to make a point,” she said. To Dollface, who was visibly relaxing now that the fire was gone, she asked, “You have crippling pyrophobia, don't you?”
Dollface nodded. “Yes ma'am. My whole life,” she said.
“On the night of the fire, you couldn't move at all, could you?” Twilight asked, smiling gently.
“No ma'am,” Dollface said, shivering and hugging her doll. “I was too scared. I couldn't make my legs work.”
“If Starlight Glimmer hadn't cast the puppeteer spell on you, as well as a spell to see through your eyes so she could guide you out of the house, you would have burned to death. Correct?”
Dollface nodded, smiling. “Miss Glimmer saved my life. She got me out of there when nopony else could reach me,” she said.
Starlight smiled warmly.
“In other words, if Starlight hadn't used her spell, you wouldn't be here right now,” Twilight said, grinning.
“Yes ma'am,” Dollface said, the filly smiling gratefully at Starlight. “I owe her my life.”
The jury murmured to each other. Twilight nodded. “Thank you very much,” Twilight said. “And I'm sorry for the fire in the cup. You can go now.”
Dollface fluttered down, and started to leave. Before she did, though, she flew over and hugged Starlight. A few 'aaawwws' came from the audience. Final looked to Strict Justice, who said nothing. She shook her head as Dollface left, wondering what Strict was up to.
Once Dollface was out of the courtroom, Strict Justice stood up. “The prosecution calls Night Glider to the stand.”
“Uh oh...” Starlight said, hunching down in her seat.
“It'll be okay,” Twilight said. “I think I've figured out what's going on.”
A dark-furred, white-maned pegasus came in, smiling nervously at Starlight. She took the witness stand, and took the oath of honesty. Strict Justice came up to her.
“Miss Glider. You are a founding member of the former cult known as Our Town?” Strict Justice asked.
“Yes sir,” Night Glider said. “Me, Starlight Glimmer, Double Diamond, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor all were the first settlers of Our Town.”
Strict Justice nodded. “Did Starlight Glimmer use brainwashing to get you to accept her blasphemous anti-cutie mark philosophy?”
“It wasn't brainwashing for us, it was hypno-the...” Night Glider started to say.
“Yes or no? Did Starlight Glimmer manipulate your thoughts and emotions in any way, shape, or form to get you to accept her anti-cutie mark philosophy?” Strict Justice asked.
“...Yes, technically,” Night Glider said, glaring at the man.
“Thank you,” Strict Justice said, going to sit down. “Your witness.”
Twilight didn't stand up. “Night Glider. What is your special talent?”
“Perfect darkvision,” Night Glider said. “I can see perfectly in almost total darkness. I'm currently the Chief of Police for Our Town.”
Starlight grinned upon hearing that. Twilight nodded. “What you said earlier... it implies you and the others joined Starlight's cult willingly.”
Night Glider nodded. “We did. I... don't approve of the more extreme things we did, and Starlight did get powermad near the end there, but at the start of things, we truly believed in what Starlight was selling.”
“Why?” Twilight asked.
Night Glider sighed. “Our backgrounds. None of us had really happy lives growing up. Sugar Belle's family, both accountants, disowned her for having a talent that didn't follow the family tradition. Double Diamond was a skier who was born in a desert town to a couple of rodeo stars. You can guess how well that went over. Party Favor's family were scientists and denounced Party Favor's talents as frivolous and useless. And me... I was born to a family of Orthodox rock farmers.”
There was a surprised outburst from Princess Celestia. “And you're still alive?!”
Everypony looked to Celestia, who looked embarrassed at her exclamation. “Apologies, but... Orthodox rock farmers are notoriously cruel to their children. They refuse to let them learn talents that are unrelated to rock farming, actively work to suppress emotions, usually through physical violence, and in the past have beaten to death children who weren't Earth ponies. I outlawed the practice of Orthodox rock farming years ago.”
Final blinked. “It's really that bad?”
Twilight nodded. “I've done research on the subject. My fellow Element of Harmony bearer, Pinkie Pie, comes from a Progressive rock farming family. They follow the old traditions of rock farming, but they also don't stifle their children if they get talents unrelated to rocks. When it became clear that Pinkie's talent for parties would do her no good on their rock farm, they arranged for her to live in Ponyville with a baker named Carrot Cake, who's a cousin of the patriarch of the Pie family. One of her sisters, Limestone Pie, has a talent for drink mixing. They got her a job at a tavern in the town closest to their farm. Progressive families, like the Pies, would find Night Glider's family repugnant, an insult to rock farming.”
Night Glider smiled weakly. “And they'd be right in doing so. My family bound my wings for most of my life, trying to pretend I was an Earth pony. I had to teach myself how to fly, and even then only at night, when my parents weren't watching. When I manifested my talent in adulthood, saving my mother's life, my father became infuriated and tried to beat me to death. It was by random chance that Starlight Glimmer and Double Diamond came, getting me out of there before they could kill me. I... wasn't really all that fond of my cutie mark, so I didn't need much convincing to go along with the plan.”
“But you've since come to embrace your talent?” Twilight asked.
Night Glider nodded, smiling. “Yes. But I never forgot what Starlight Glimmer did for me. She may have done it in the wrong way, but she helped me find meaning in my life. And in a way, not having my cutie mark for a couple years made me appreciate it even more. For everything she's done to help me, I will always be grateful to her.”
Starlight Glimmer was smiling, tears in her eyes. “Night Glider... thank you...”
Final looked over to Strict Justice, who had stayed silent throughout the whole thing. “Your Highness, do you have any more questions?”
“No, your Honor,” Twilight said.
“Miss Glider, you're dismissed. Princess Twilight, Strict Justice, my chambers NOW,” the judge said, leaving the bench. Twilight Sparkle and Strict Justice followed her, Final Decision slamming the door to her chambers behind her.
“What the Tartarus are you doing, Strict?” Final said, glaring at the prosecuting lawyer.
“My job,” Strict Justice said, keeping his face perfectly neutral. Twilight and Final both thought at the same time that he'd be an invincible poker player. “I am presenting my case to the best of my ability in an attempt to convict Starlight Glimmer.”
“Horseapples!” Final said. “You're throwing the case!”
Strict quirked an eyebrow. “Can you prove it?” he said.
Final flinched. She glanced over at Twilight, briefly considering that Twilight may have bribed him. But no, she wasn't that sort, she knew. “Not legally, not yet,” she said. “But you're sacrificing your integrity as a lawyer by doing this. Your reputation.”
Strict's face remained impassive. “I am doing everything in my power to convict Starlight Glimmer,” he said simply.
“And that's your final word on the subject,” Final snarled.
Strict just stared at her.
“Nggh... Fine,” Final said. “We'll see how much of a career you have after this.” She shooed the two lawyers out of her chambers, retaking her seat. “Next witness?”
Strict Justice stood up. “Your honor. My next two witnesses will show the traumatic nature of spells like the one used on Mr. Look. I call Princess Luna Nocturnyx, the Lady of Night, to the stand.”
The doors opened, and a nervous Princess Luna stepped through. Princess Celestia watched pensively as her sister took the stand and a variation of the oath.
Strict Justice came up to Princess Luna. “Your Highness. You were subjected to two forms of mental manipulation, correct?”
Princess Luna frowned. “Our jealousy, loneliness, and loathing became the Nightmare entity, yes. We do not know of this second manipulation of which you speak, though.”
“I am referring to the mental purge you underwent at the hooves of the Elements of Harmony,” Strict Justice said.
“...You are not serious,” Luna said incredulously. The audience and jury had similar looks of confusion on their faces.
“The Nightmare, as you call it, was a corroding influence against your better nature, yes? It violated your mind and turned you into the murderous entity Nightmare Moon, yes?”
“Yes, but the Elements...”
“The Elements of Harmony forcibly violated your mind, reverting you to your previous form. Yes?”
“Where are you going with this?” Luna said, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes or no? When the Elements of Harmony were used on you, your mind was forcibly transformed without your consent?” Strict said.
“Technically speaking...” Luna started.
“Yes or no?” Strict interrupted.
Luna fumed at the interruption. “Yes.”
“Thank you,” Strict said, sitting down. “Your witness.”
Twilight didn't get up. “Princess, how do you feel about my friends and I using the Elements of Harmony on you?”
“Grateful,” Luna said, smiling. “You cannot imagine what it was like to have the Nightmare inside you, the living embodiment of all your darkest impulses poisoning your thoughts, driving you to insanity. The Rainbow of Light was cleansing. I felt free for the first time in a thousand years.”
Twilight nodded. “No further questions,” she said.
Luna nodded, getting up and huffing at Strict in irritation as she left. Strict stood up again. “I call my final witness. Sunset Shimmer.”
Celestia brightened visibly, smiling benevolently as a golden unicorn with fiery red hair walked in. Sunset smiled up at Celestia, still a little nervous. After all, she still hadn't come back to reconcile with Celestia officially yet. Although that smile did give her confidence... She looked over at Final Decision, and blinked.
“Something wrong?” the judge asked.
“...Do you have a sister?” Sunset asked. “Named Abacus Cinch? Because you look just like her.”
The judge chuckled. “Ah, dear Abby. My twin sister, yes. You've had the 'pleasure' of meeting her?”
“Her counterpart in the world I've been living in,” Sunset said, chuckling. She took the stand, and took the oath. Strict Justice came up to her. “Tell us about yourself, Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset sighed. “I was a former student of Princess Celestia... and a raging egomaniac. When shown a magical mirror that made it appear that I was an alicorn, I became obsessed with that. That obsession ruined my relationship with Princess Celestia, causing her to, rightfully, expel me from her teaching. I fled through the magic mirror, which was a portal to a world filled with bipedal creatures called humans. I was turned into one of them, deaged physically into a teenager.” She then summarized her adventures, how she took over the social life of Canterlot High, stole Twilight's crown, only to be defeated by Princess Twilight and the human counterparts of the Elements of Harmony.
Before she could continue, Strict Justice interrupted her. “Yes. The Elements... When you put on the Crown, your mind was forcibly altered by it, yes?” he said.
“That was more corruption than mind manipulation,” Sunset tried to clarify. “Plus there was an issue of...”
“Yes or no will do,” Strict said.
Sunset frowned. “Yes.”
Strict nodded. “And when the Elements were used on you, your mind was altered yet again, against your will. Correct?”
“I had been turned into a demon!” Sunset protested. “The situation merited it!”
“Yes or no, Miss Shimmer,” Strict said.
Sunset sighed. “Yes.”
Strict nodded. “Thank you,” he said, going to sit down. “Your witness.”
Twilight stood up, smiling. “It's good to see you here, Sunset,” she said. “Is everyone back in the other world okay?”
Sunset nodded. “Yeah. We had Apple Bloom's birthday party recently, and...”
“Save the small talk,” Final said.
“Sorry, your Honor,” Twilight said. “Sunset Shimmer. What did the Elements of Harmony do to you?”
“Pretty much the same as Princess Luna,” Sunset said. “In addition to showing me exactly what I did that was evil, why it was evil, and what my victims felt like. The evil was purged from my soul that day. And I'm grateful for it.”
Twilight smiled. “In regards to Starlight Glimmer's character... You recently had her over to visit your world, yes?”
Sunset nodded. “Yeah, and she saved our butts. A new villain had arisen. She wasn't anywhere near the threat level of the previous villains my friends and I had encountered, including my own demonic form, but I sadly came down with a case of situational incompetence and was captured. Starlight, despite having her own magic nullified due to her transformation to human, defeated her and saved us all. I really owe her one.”
Twilight smiled. “Thank you, Sunset Shimmer. No more questions,” she said, heading back to her seat.
Sunset started to leave, only to be levitated up to Princess Celestia, who hugged her happily. “So I take it I'm forgiven?” Sunset asked softly. Celestia nodded, the two mares hugging each other.
Strict Justice stood up. “The prosecution rests, your Honor.”
“As does the defense,” Twilight said.
“WHAT?!” Starlight said.
Twilight just smiled.
Final facehooved. “Okay... Closing statements?”
“None, your honor,” Strict Justice said.
“Just a short one, your honor,” Twilight said, standing up and turning to the jury. “I won't deny that Starlight Glimmer is a bit triggerhappy. But mind control spells by themselves are not evil. They are tools. Only the person using them can be evil. Starlight Glimmer used her magic for good, saving a filly's life and preventing an evil stallion from hurting anypony else. She's innocent. That's the truth of the matter.”
The jury conferred quietly among themselves for a few moments. “...Your honor? Can we consider a lesser charge?” asked the jury foreman, a bright orange unicorn.
Final frowned. “Such as?”
“Reckless magic usage,” said the foreman.
Final headdesked. “Sure, fine. Let's just get this farce of a trial over with...”
“Then we the jury find the defendant guilty of reckless magic usage,” the foreman said.
Final shook her head. “Sentence is one year of community service, which I'm sure Princess Twilight will personally supervise. Status quo preserved, case closed, get the hell out of here.”
Honestly, nopony could blame her for the breach of decorum. Starlight, for her part, was just glad to be out of trouble. When Twilight removed her horn restraint, she unlocked her cuffs herself. “Well, that was a fun waste of time,” Starlight said sarcastically.
Twilight giggled. The two mares walked out of the courtroom, where Strict Justice was being yelled at by a distraught-looking mare with a white coat and a sheep cutie mark. Her makeup was running badly.
“You said you'd get her convicted! You said you'd get that mare convicted for violating my Hardy's brain!” she shrieked.
“I did what I could,” Strict said. “I lost.” His expression remained neutral.
The distraught mare slapped Strict and stormed off in a huff, leaving him rubbing his jaw. Twilight and Starlight came up to him, Twilight casting a healing spell on his jaw.
“Are you going to be okay? Who was that?” Starlight asked.
“That,” Strict said, “was Rapey's very foolish, very naive wife. She is convinced of her husband's innocence, and was the one who pressed charges against you.”
“Oh joy,” Starlight muttered. “Another crazy woman who hates me...”
Strict chuckled. “I wouldn't worry about her,” he said.
Twilight frowned. “Why did you throw the case, Strict?” she asked.
Strict flinched. “Well, it was rather obvious...” he said. He then gave Starlight a stern look. “I don't approve of you. From what I've read about you, triggerhappy is an accurate description of your personality. I believe Princess Twilight forgave you too easily. However...” His expression became pained. “...Rapey's third victim was my daughter.”
“Oh no...” Twilight said, gasping.
“I'm so sorry...” Starlight said.
“Don't apologize,” Strict said. “You stopped him from hurting anypony else. You saved the Lulamoon mare from being his next victim. As far as I'm concerned, you're a hero. And Rapey's idiot wife can go buck off.”
Starlight grinned. “Thank you... I know your reputation's going to take a hit for this.”
“Indeed,” he said. “And truthfully, if any other lawyer had been on the prosecution, they would have crushed you. Asked better questions. Be grateful that I insisted on taking the case myself.”
Twilight looked pensive. “He does have a point. I was honestly scared as of how this could have gone, Starlight...”
“I had a personal stake in this,” Strict said. “I wasn't about to let the mare who stopped my daughter's killer be punished by that monster's wife. Enjoy your freedom, Starlight Glimmer. Now if you'll excuse me, I must prepare myself for the inevitable lawsuit.”
Strict Justice calmly strode off, leaving Starlight and Twilight alone.
“Well...” Starlight said. “That... could have gone worse.”
Twilight nodded. “I think we deserve a break after this,” she said. “Wanna grab Sunset and Night Glider and go get something to eat?”
Starlight looked over to Sunset, who was blushing in happy embarrassment. Celestia was STILL hugging her wayward student. “If we can pry Sunset away from Celestia,” Starlight said, grinning.
Both mares chuckled. It had been a difficult day, but thankfully, it had ended well all around.
THE END
