Author's Note

Warning: Tried to make the trial believable, read a lot of boring law stuff, but be warned, I am in no way a lawyer or have any expert knowledge on court cases. So even if I did study to make it somewhat realistic, don't expect this to be totally realistic.

Then again, if you are reading this you are probably already aware that magical ponies does not reflect reality to begin with.

All Rise

To Rainbow and her friend's dismay, not to mention Shadow's lawyer, the courtroom was filled to the brim with reporters, and on the outside even more. The royal guards cleared away for Rainbow and her friends, but the reporters still barked questions out at them, trying to get past the guards.

"Rainbow Dash! Is it true you have a relationship with The Ranger, also known as Shadow Bolt?!"

"Did you know he was the Ranger all along?!"

"Is your mane really rainbow colored?!"

A persistent reporter did manage to get through the line, hurrying up to Twilight, levitating a small recording device close to her. "Miss Sparkle! Rumors say you are the one who reported the Ranger to the city guard! Has your stance on The Ranger changed?!"

Twilight was confused, not sure what to answer. Luckily Shining Armor stepped close and pushed him away. "Back off or I'll make you swallow that recorder!" Looking back at his sister and the group, he waved them over. "Quickly, get inside!" He called, and the group hurried.

As soon as they got in and the doors closed, Silver Scribe looked to Shining Armor. "What the hell was that?" He growled, pointing to the door. "Nopony outside the ones involved in this trial was allowed to know, how do they know about Shadow Bolt, about the Ranger, about your sister, and about miss Dash?!"

Shining stepped back, looking nervous. "I have no idea!" He answered honestly. "Somepony must have leaked it."

"So what does that mean for Shadow?!" Rainbow asked, feeling a surge of panic.

"It means they leaked it to insure someone puts a hit on him, if it is not already happened." Silver Scribe said, cursing under his breath. "It means we need to put an end to this trial in record speed, like, today. The prosecution will want to drag it out, so it means the ball will be in my end." He sounded frustrated, and with good reason. "Fuck.."

Turning to the group again, looking mostly at Rainbow, he frowned. "This is going to be much harder now, if I can't convince them today, he is going to risk his life more than ever each day they take him back.."

Silver Scribe said it like it was, and Rainbow appreciated it. He seemed to really be invested in this case, and though she liked to know why, she was mostly worried for Shadow at this point.

Taking a deep breath, she calmed her heart and her nerves. "Do your best, please.." She said, not finding her usual spirit within herself. She was too scared, too upset to even come with a cocky remark. At that moment, she didn't even have the mental energy to think about Twilight and what she had done, at this point, it didn't matter.

Nodding, Silver looked to the doors of the courtroom. "Show time.."

The doors opened, and of course there was a lot of ponies present. Rainbow and her friends quickly found a spot to sit, as close to the defender's desk as possible, that way they could be near Shadow.

The prosecutor was young, just like Silver Scribe, and the two of them gave each other a polite nod, but their eyes seemed to show contempt. Perhaps they knew one another, Rainbow thought. She herself had that look whenever she was eyeing a rival, so she was pretty sure this was going to get nasty if the two of them were up against one another.

"All rise." The bailiff called, and everypony stood and went silent as the elderly judge walked in. "Court is now in session, the honorable judge Nightlight Gem presiding."

The mare sat down behind her desk, then after a moment looked out on her courtroom. "Everyone but the jury may be seated. Mr Gold Shield, please swear in the jury."

The bailiff nodded, trotted over to the jury stands and looked at them. "Please raise your right hoof." They did. "Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will truly listen to this case and render a true verdict and a fair sentence as to this defendant?" They all nodded and answered, 'I do', and so the bailiff concluded. "You may be seated."

As they sat down the judge took off her reading glasses with her magic and looked at the jury. "Members of the jury, your duty today will be to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based only on facts and evidence provided in this case. The prosecution has the burden of proving the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. This burden remains on the prosecution through the trial. The prosecution must prove that a crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. However, if you are not satisfied of the defendant’s guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists and the defendant must be found not guilty."

Pausing, the judge looked at her papers before continuing. "Today's case is the kingdom of Equestria versus the Pegasus Shadow Bolt, also known as the vigilante the media has named Ranger. The circumstances of this case has forced the court to disregard the hearing and go to trial, though not with my blessing.." She mumbled that last part. "The defendant is accused of the following crimes.. Aggravated assault, battery, kidnapping, burglary, arson and forgery.." She let out a breath, then looked down to Silver Scribe. "Defense, where is the defendant?"

Silver Scribe stood up. "Your honor, the prosecution has called him in to give a testimony, but in doing so he and the prison has made him wait outside, guarded, chained, and they intend to march him out right after. Violating his rights to be here."

The prosecutor stood, gaining him the attention of the judge. "Your honor, I would like to point out we are dealing with an extremely dangerous stallion, former special forces under her majesties armed forces. A stallion who has evaded the guard for a very long time. Someone who has spread terror into the soul of the country. We simply made sure we are all safe, your honor."

Rolling his eyes, Silver looked to the judge. "The case is not complete your honor, he is innocent until proven guilty. And even so, it is his right to be here by my side."

After a few seconds of thinking, the judge nodded. "The defendant will be allowed to remain in this courtroom. Now, is the prosecution ready?"

The prosecutor stood. "Yes your honor." He sat down.

"Is the defense ready?"

Silver stood, and nodded. "Yes your honor." And like the prosecutor, he sat down.

The judge put back on her glasses. "Then the prosecution can begin his opening statement."

The prosecutor stood. "Your Honor, members of the jury, my name is Midnight Justice, and I am representing the kingdom of Equestria, not to mention all the ponies of the country who has lived in fear. I intend to prove that Shadow Bolt, also known as the criminal, Ranger. Has committed the crimes the judge has just listed. The law is written for us to follow, when somepony breaks the law, it is up to us, the system to punish them, regardless of intentions... That is our role here today, as true guardians of justice.. Thank you."

Midnight sat down, and Silver stood. "Your Honor, members of the jury, my name is Silver Scribe.. As the prosecutor has stated, it is our job to find justice.. And he is right, but is the law as black and white as he makes it sound? Is it not our duty to at least try to put ourselves in their shoes? To try and understand the circumstances? What if a pony steps in to stop an assault? Should we punish the criminal? Of course, but should we then punish the pony who stepped in with the same eyes as we would the criminal? No.. We must be able to see, listen, and understand.. That's how we are able to find true justice, and that is what I will prove today, that my client has only acted for the good of the ponies of Equestria.. Thank you."

As silver sat down the judge spoke up. "Prosecution, you may call your first witness."

Midnight smiled. "Thank you, your Honor. I call to the stand Mr Shadow Bolt.."

Rainbow felt her heart beat faster, and a knot in the pit of her stomach tighten. Already there was a lot of murmurs and whispered, making the judge bang her gavel. "Order."

She reminded them, and they quieted down. That was at least until the doors went up and in marched four soldiers, each of them pulling on chains. In between them trotted Shadow bolt. His wings and legs chained, his body thinner, his eyes red from the lack of sleep, and they had even forced him to wear a muzzle. The sight made the entire courtroom gasp, the murmurs starting up again. Even the judge was stunned by the look of the stallion for a few moments before she banged her gavel two times and demanded order once again.

Silver looked outraged, Midnight looked smug, but Rainbow... Rainbow looked horrified, and although she would never allow it to happen normally, she could not help but let her eyes tear up. This was the first she had seen of Shadow since that night, and even though it was not that long ago, he already looked like he had been locked away for years.

Had they even let him sleep? Had they even fed him?! Their eyes met, and although they could not speak, so much was said in that short moment. All she wanted to do was to hold him, kiss him, take him far away from here so she could take care of him. He felt the same about her, and although they could not say it, their eyes told them everything they needed.

Silver was beyond angry, his client looked like he had been through hell, which he probably had. It was no doubt an attempt to make Shadow look as deranged and dangerous as possible, all a show for the jury.

The soldiers escorted Shadow to the stand, took off his muzzle, and secured him firmly to the chair. The Bailiff trotted up to him. "Please raise your right hoof." Shadow looked at him, then raised it as much as his chains would allow. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

Shadow nodded. "I do.." He said, his voice a bit hoarse, but still held the air of defiance and confidence it always held.

Midnight stood up, trotting closer to the stand. "Mr Shadow Bolt.. That is your name, yes?"

"Yes.."

"But that is not the only name you go by, so let's go with your most famous name. The Ranger."

"I never went by that name, the media called me that.." Shadow responded, mostly as middle feather to the prosecutor.

Midnight ignored that. "Of course.. But as you say, the media called YOU that. So that must mean, you are the Ranger, isn't that right?"

Shadow sighed, knowing it would be no use denying it. "Yes, that's right."

Midnight smirked and stepped back. "No further questions your honor."

Silver wanted to snort, but held it back. The prick was arrogant alright, was that all he really thought he needed? "The Defense may cross-examine the witness. " The judge announced, and Silver stood up, trotting towards the witness stand. "Mr Bolt, you have admitted to be the vigilante known as the Ranger, you do not deny this, and you do not deny you have done things that is crimes in the eyes of the law, correct?"

Shadow looked at him, then sighed. "No, I don't deny it."

Silver walked away again, speaking loud and clearly. "But would you mind explaining to the court why you did it? What was the motivation for it all." He turned to face him again. "Why did you become The Ranger?"

There was silence, every pony present listened with intense focus, especially the reporters. Shadow looked at the crowd, then for a moment, looked at Rainbow Dash. He wanted nothing more than to simply be out of here, and he knew there was a risk that that might never happen. Sighing, he looked at his lawyer.

"I was a guard, special forces, I have seen horrible things.. But I endured it because it was to serve and protect my homeland. But what I saw when I was home, I saw how our country was infected with gangs, crime rising, my fellow ponies scared to go out in the night. I did not understand why it was this bad.. So, being a former guard, it was easy to look into certain information only the guard forces had access to.." He took a deep breath. "I found out the guards were being paid off, not all, but a lot.. Enough that those who were not being paid kept silence for the fear of suddenly disappearing.. I did what the guard force could no longer provide, a sense of justice and safety."

"Objection your honor." Midnight said in a tone of annoyance.

The judge looked at him. "On what grounds?"

"The witness has clearly stated he knows what he did is crimes, he has admitted he is the Ranger. Motivations surely does not matter anymore. He is trying to slander our brave guard forces in order to justify his actions." Midnight explained, but Silver stepped in.

"Your honor, I am merely trying to establish what motivated my client. Being fact or not, this is what drove him, and the jury should be aware, as well as you so you can give a just verdict and sentence."

The judge thought about it, then shrugged. "Objection overruled."

Silver nodded. "As I was saying.. So, you felt there was something deeply wrong?"

"Yes."

"So action needed to be taken, you went out there to fight crime?"

"Yes."

"Do you still think there is something wrong within the guard?"

"Yes."

"Why are you so thin?"

Shadow hesitated for a moment, but then sighed. "Because the guards has only given me water.."

"Objection!" Midnight called again but the judge held her hoof up, allowing Silver to continue.

"So you are being abused then. Tell us, if we were allowed to have a doctor examine you, what would they find?"

Shadow did not hesitate now, he knew whatever he said at this point he would feel the fury of the guards anyway. "They would find marks from several beatings I've received since my arrest."

The courtroom let out a few murmurs, and Rainbow and her friends felt their eyes tear up again. Silver continued. "Beatings? Have they been beating you for no reason?"

"They beat me to teach me a lesson, or at least, that's what they tell me.."

"Objection! Your honor, the witness has already told the court he does not trust the guards, his story could be mere fabrications. There is no proof his injuries, if they exists, is not from him being restrained, which could be justified depending on his behavior." Midnight protested.

"Your honor, if you would allow me, I can prove violations and abuse has taken place." Once again, the judge allowed Silver to go on. Silver looked to Shadow. "How long have you had those chains around your hooves?"

Shadow had to admit, he was impressed with Silver, and so he had to keep himself from smiling a little. "Since my arrest.."

The court gasped, and Silver continued. "Not for one moment in those 16 days?"

Shadow shook his head. "No.."

Midnight was about say something, but the Judge spoke up first. "If that is true, then I would like his chains to be removed at once!" She barked, seeming angry. "His hooves must have marks, and if that is so, then I will be ordering an investigation."

The guards moved up and removed his chains, Shadow winced in pain as they were removed, and just as the judge had said, there were big ugly marks. The fur was almost gone, his flesh underneath was red, scarred even from the uncomfortable friction he had endured for over two weeks.

The judge frowned. "I will make sure this will be looked into." She stated and wrote a note.

Silver continued. "So, if my client can show so clear proof on his body, is it not possible the beatings are true?" He asked openly, then looked to Shadow. "When did you get to see a lawyer?"

"9 days after my arrest."

The courtroom gasped once more, and the judge looked livid. If it had been a normal case, the judge could have the charges dropped for such violations, but this was not a normal case, and Shadow's crime was undeniable. It could mean his sentence would be reduced, or the jury would be more sympathetic and let him have his pardon.

Silver knew this, and even he could not have predicted how blatant the guard was in their errors. It was almost too good to be true. "No further questions your honor, but I think it is fair to say, my client's rights has been violated, and I would ask the court to take that into account."

The judge made a note. "You may step down." She told Shadow, and he was escorted by the bailiff to his seat next to Silver. "Prosecutor. I would like to make it clear that the defendants rights has been violated in the most sadistic way I have ever seen. An investigation will be launched, and If I find you knew something, then you will be the one on that stand next."

"Yes.. Your honor.." The prosecutor answered, giving Silver a glare.

The judge sighed. "Let's take a break, 20 minutes.." Normally breaks would not happen so early in a trial, but with the tension in the room, the judge decided it was good to vent a bit and for everypony to get some air.

Many got up and left the courtroom, though Rainbow wanted to stay. Shadow looked back at her, but as her friends got up to leave, he sent her a smile and gave her a nod, wanting her to go and get some air as well. Sighing, she left with her friends, leaving an mostly empty courtroom.

Shadow sighed, looking to Silver. "So.. What happens now..?"

"What happens now? Well, they fucked up, big time.. More so than I imagined, so if everything keeps going this way, then you might be able to leave today.. Maybe.."

"But, even if I do get to walk away.. I will be hunted forever.." He cursed under his breath. "Rainbow would be in danger.."

"She would be so anyway.." Silver reminded him. "First things first, we get you out. Then we figure out what to do."

The bailiff came over with two guards. "Mr Bolt, if you need to go to the bathroom, it's probably best we get that over with now."

As weird as it sounded, Shadow could see the logic in that. He did not have the freedom to go as other ponies in here had. And so he simply nodded. "Sure.."

"I'll be here, don't worry." Silver smiled, then gave the Bailiff a nod.

Shadow was escorted to a bathroom soon after, he didn't really need to go, but it was best to get it out of the way now. The bailiff waited for him outside the stall, along with two other guards. Shadow simply liked to walk around with no chains, and he got to take a piss in private for once, win win.

The feeling of some relief quickly vanished as he got out. The bailiff was on the floor. The two guards smirked, then looked at him. "Look at that, the crazy Ranger attacked the Bailiff, and so in court.."

The other guard nodded. "You've made some ponies in prison very angry.. Time to pay what you owe.."