Chapter 4: Judgment Day

[...]

“Judgment Day?”

sigh “Take a deep breath, Alex. Let’s review the different scenarios and possible outcomes one more time….”

As I sat upright on my bed, this was it. The day a verdict would be declared for what transpired over three weeks ago. Of course, I knew this day was coming since the trial began, but now, it made me feel mixed emotions.

For one, anycreature that spoke out against the trial would likely have been ostracized for their vocal opinion. And in Equestria, especially nowadays, information like that travels fast and can’t be allowed.

“Fuck,” I cursed under my breath. “...I wish she were here. I need her comforting hugs….” My eyes slowly teared up as Skystar’s image flashed through my mind. The hippogriff princess was my everything here and was the light to the darkest days.

But, with this trial heavily focused on my actions, which she wasn’t present to witness, it was also a huge reason why Princess Skystar wasn’t in attendance. Her biased opinion that I was an honest and merciful individual would have clouded the judgment of the council and everycreature else.

Not only would it be a bad look for her, but it would also have been a bad look for her mother. Queen Novo, leader of the hippogriff nation in Seaquestria, was a member of the council judging the trial. Her opinion of me had already been swayed after learning that I could transform into various forms.

She voted guilty. I just know it, my mind told itself. And in retrospect, most of the members were, in all likelihood, going to be voting guilty. It was evident then, knowing that any innocent vote for me would have been heavily scrutinized and looked into.

Knowing Princess Twilight voted me innocent was a step in the wrong direction. As I lay in that medical bed, I couldn’t help but think about why the princess of friendship had done that. Why put yourself through all that trouble just for it to not matter? my mind inquired internally.

Snapping back to reality, I shook my head again as reality struck my brain again. I will be found guilty of these charges, and that’ll be it. I lay back against the mattress as my arms flopped overhead. Nothing to see here, just executing a rare creature and dooming the rest of the specie-

I sat up quickly, my heart rate increasing with each short breath. “Oh my God,” I prayed quietly. “What would happen if another human suddenly appeared in Equestria, like Anonymous? How would their life turn out? Would they be ostracized, captured, tortured, and executed without hesitation? Banished to the Great Blizzard Barrier and left to die in exile? No questions asked?”

My mind continued to cry as I thought about the past nearly two years I had gotten to know Princess Skystar. There was a lot to look forward to, and we shared some great memories together. To sum it up, spending time with her was…fun.

“How long do you think the fun would have lasted?”

Probably forever. My body had shown it didn’t age here in Equestria, with the watch identifying it as an ‘imbalance correction’ to my presence in this world. When I learned about my inability to age, I wondered if back on Earth, where I disappeared from, time had stopped.

Was it waiting for me to return? I thoughtfully prodded.

“Was there a way to know from your current state?”

I don’t…I don’t believe so. It was quite the predicament, and I had no choice but to try and make a living here. And it felt like everything was going right for me….

But, alas, that was left in the past. Now, I was back in a newly built, yet hastily made, tower room in Canterlot’s Royal Castle. I was given less freedom to move, and the shackles binding my wrists together were new.

At least my hands could still grasp each other and allow my thumbs to fiddle around with the watch. But, as I shifted the watch’s screen to let me look at it, it remained blank. Devoid of power and energy, the watch may have been completely corrupted and dead. There was no way out now, and I would have to let destiny arrive soon.

“Focus, Alex,” I tried telling myself, shaking my head. “The trial will end today, and you get a chance to say something. Anything you say today will have extra significance in how you will be remembered. So put meaning into it, and leave that audience questioning what they have truly done.”

Nothing could shake away our guilt, the left side of my mind miserably cried out.

We didn’t do anything wrong! the right side barked back. We did our job! It’s their fault for not realizing the issue firsthoof.

I can already hear it, the left side continued. The Commander is coming for us….

“Speaking of which, wasn’t the Commander supposed to escort you to the throne room?”

Yes. But, the bigger question was whether or not the stallion wanted to get this over with right away or prolong the inevitable with a conversation. A conversation that would revolve around a certain lunar alicorn and Shifting enacting revenge for something I didn’t know had happened.

Well, no time like the present, I thought as the sound of distant hoofsteps reached my ears from beyond the door. Taking a deep breath, I rolled my shoulders back and relaxed, closing my eyes to meditate my worries away.

Don’t worry, Alex, I thought to myself. He hasn’t heard my side of the story yet. If he allows us to speak our minds, Commander Shifting may find a reason not to do anything rash to us now.

I blew out a sigh as the seconds ticked away. sigh “And no matter what the Commander does,” I silently exhaled, “don’t let him get under your skin. Stay cool, Alex….”

========================================<>========================================

I know why I am here, I thought to myself as I reached the top of the long staircase. With the trial set to resolve today, escorting the convicted human to the throne room would be the least of my worries.

There was something else I needed to speak with the human creature about since he decided it would be better not to talk to me for three whole weeks. It was considered very personal, but both Luna and I were worried about it.

Reaching the door, I motioned for the Day Guards stationed there to disperse and leave me to talk with Alexander. But, instead, all four guards didn’t budge, tilting their heads in confusion.

“Commander Shifting,” the first guard addressed. “I-I don’t think that’s a smart idea…sir.”

“With all due respect, Commander,” a second guard said, “the human has been unruly in his mannerisms and behavior lately. He hasn’t even accepted his breakfast for the day.” I looked across the floor and raised an eyebrow.

“Then where is the plate?” I replied in question. The guards shifted slightly, making me slap a hoof to my face.

“Should I be positioned outside the window as a precaution, sir?” asked the only pegasus guard on duty. The rest of the guards there nodded in agreement as I shook my head.

“That won’t be necessary, Private Colin,” I confidently answered. “After all, he can’t move that far in there.” This statement made the guards snicker shortly before I cleared my throat. “For now, all four of you are dismissed.”

As the pony guards began to shuffle away from me, my ears perked, catching some of their conversational whispers.

“Yeah, that’s true…he can’t move, haha.”

“I think I heard the human curse a couple of times because he couldn’t access that bookshelf or his stupid little desk.”

“Dude, why didn’t you speak up about that earlier? We could have ensured he would never do that again with a couple of hits upside the head….”

“Hey, hush! Don’t say that no-”

“HEY!!” I called out loudly, quickly pivoting to face the four Day Guards. The stallion guards stopped and hastily lined up against the nearest wall. Snapping to attention, they all looked straight ahead, resisting looking at me as I approached.

“Is there something anypony would want to admit about the human’s treatment, or mistreatment, since his incarceration?” I inquired with frustration, passing by each of them one by one. “I have the reports hitting my desk daily, whisperings and bits of conversations leaking into the Canterlot media and nobility about it.”

The four guards said nothing as I continued my rant. “It’s a true shame and disappointment that Canterlot’s top guards, THE DAY GUARDS, have to act in such a disgusting and putrid manner,” I barked, causing some to flinch in fear. “His actions don’t give you the right to act like tha-STAND UP STRAIGHT, PRIVATE!!”

I glared at the guard farthest away from me on the left, who immediately straightened up. Some before me were trembling, my eyes looking right into theirs.

“I don’t like continuously filing paperwork, dismissing all the rumors flying rampant around Canterlot about the Day Guard’s mannerisms,” I exhaled in frustration. “If I have to hear from anypony about my ‘lack of leadership’ and reinforcement of rules one more time, not to mention being called a ‘laid-back’ unicorn, I will guarantee you that there will be another place you will be made useful.”

The stallions continued to stand at attention as I aimed to conclude my message. “Don’t make me have to repeat this to you. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!”

“Yes, Commander Shifting Sands!” they exclaimed in unison.

“I am not joking,” I said bitterly. “Do I look like a clown to any of you right now?”

“No, Commander Shifting!”

“Then stop acting like one! All of you!” I shouted back. “Do I make myself absolutely, perfectly, crystal clear on what I am saying? Because if not, I will ask you to leave. Clock out, go home, and do not return to the castle. Matter of fact, don’t ever step hoof in Canterlot ever again. I will not be a witness to this Day Guard crew stoop so low ever again. GOT IT?!”

“YES, SIR!!”

“DISMISSED!!”

As the guards shuffled quickly and exited down the long winding staircase, I regained my composure, taking a few deep breaths. Then, turning to the wooden door, I reassuringly reminded myself of the task at hoof.

sigh Alright, Alex, I thought with a sigh. Don’t make this difficult for me today. One issue is already challenging enough to resolve, but more than 3 on the same day?I relaxed my shoulders as I ignited my horn.

“Please,”I pleaded under my breath. “Just…cooperate and speak to me as if we were equals. Please, help me help you, old friend. Please….”

Turning the door handle to the room, it elicited a loud creak! before fully opening, allowing me to step through into Alex’s room.

========================================<>========================================

“Heh,” Alex, the human, chuckled as he peered over to me. “Was that little speech meant to intimidate me, Commander Shifting Sands?” I exhaled and closed the door behind me with my magic.

“Alex, I-I…th-that’s not what I intended it to be tak-”

“Then what of it?” The human interjected, bringing his hands up and pointing the finger at me. “You and I know good and damn well that they’ll return to the same behavior as before as soon as they are out of your watchful eyes. And there is no getting around that.”

I knew the human had a point, but I closed my eyes briefly and let out another sigh.

sigh “Is this how we are starting this game of yours today?” I asked, shaking my head with a frown.

“I don’t know,” Alex shrugged, “are you all done playing checkers? Because I’m still playing chess….”

“Hmmm,” I hummed to myself before side-eyeing the human. His fingers were fiddling around as he continued to stare at me. “You think this is a game then, don’t you?”

“Wel-” Alex stopped. He closed his eyes, and his head hung low. After a few tense seconds of silence, Alex began laughing while shaking his head. Then, pulling his head up, he wags his finger and says, “Nope. Not getting me this time.”

“Tch! Believe I was trying to do something?” I inquired with raised eyebrows. “Might I remind you, Alexander, why you are he-”

“Why you’re here, blah blah blah," Alex interrupted, mocking with both of his hands as he imitated two talking puppets. Surprisingly, he didn’t continue the act for long, dropping his hands and head down while looking at me. “Commander,” Alex asks lazily. “Be honest with me because your letters haven’t been as of late. Why do you keep switching sides?”

I tilted my head toward him and continued to stand in place. “I don’t know what you are insi-”

“Oh, come the fuck on,” the human frustratingly snapped. Alex’s demeanor changed to that of vindictiveness. “Don’t start that cookie-cutter crap now.”

I stood there and stared at the human. My mind was churning as I pondered whether to drop it and get him to the throne room now. Alex is an intelligent individual, but his emotions can get the better of him at times, I thought. His attitude is starting to get on my nerves, though.

“Trying to think you’re still my friend after how you all betrayed me?” Alex implied.

“We? WE?! What about you?” I barked back. “How do you think we feel after you betrayed us?”

“I don’t think about how you all feel because you didn’t.” Alex pointed his finger again at me. “That’s the issue! I did what I was supposed to do then, and afterward, none of you considered my point of view or even thought, ‘You know what? We should ask him how that happened.’ Instead, I got yelled at…and YOU put the cuffs on me, dammit!”

Alex bit his lip in frustration as I shook my head. “You’re not the same Alex I used to know,” I admitted as I trotted toward the human. His eyes came up and met mine as I exhaled. “And it’s not going to work. I know what you’re trying to do…provoke a reaction out of me.”

“Hmph,” Alex smiled, clapping his hands together. “Well done, Commander. You won my game. Ready to finish this?” His head lowered as his eyes continued to be trained on me.

“No,” I replied shortly. “And, please. Don’t even try to attack me. Because it’ll just make this harder for you.” I stood a body length or two away as he relaxed backward on the bed. Then, putting his hands up, he smiled and shook his head.

“I can’t do anything anyways, Shifting,” Alex confessed. His shoulders shrugged as he looked away from me toward the wall. “At least you guys built the room again. Not the first time, but it won’t be the last.”

“No, it will be,” I replied coldly, with the human turning his head toward me. “The Crown has already decided it would be best to cut our losses and destroy this tower entirely. It will see no more use following these events and gives us more area to plan and develop the Canterlot Castle grounds.”

scoff! “I hope y’all build a statue of me in the garden you plan on making,” Alex scoffed, his attitude reverting to a condescending tone.

“And why, in all of Equestria, would we do that?” I inquired irritatingly. “What did you ever do to deserve it?”

“I saved y’all from doom….”

“Yeah, no,” I disagreed, shaking my head. “Unfortunately, that’s all the time I had to talk with you about all of this.” sigh “And it looks like I just wasted my time trying….”

chuckle “If you say so," the human chuckled creepily. Wait a second, my thoughts said, doing a double-take. Why are you…laughing about this?

========================================<>========================================

“So, how’s Princess Luna?” I remarked, looking over at the Commander with an unnecessarily smug grin. It felt like I touched a susceptible nerve within the Commander as the ageless stallion stared at me hard. I know you are capable of killing me, I deduced within my head, so let’s just go for the direct hit here and now.

“Funny you mention that,” Shifting replies, a smile dawning on his face. “Luna’s feeling much better and stronger than ever. She took that nightmare scenario within your dream bubble like a champion…which she is.”

“Really?” I inquired with intrigue. “From what I had heard from the good doctor, your alicorn seemed to collapse in the throne room, majorly exhausted after those events. The problem was, I just found out about it after…” ahem! “...I woke up.”

“You won’t believe this then, Alex,” Commander Shifting said, his head turning to meet my gaze. “After Luna was transported to Dr. Borealis’s medical center, you know what she did?”

I shook my head, causing him to chuckle. “Luna got up and brushed it off like it was nothing,” Shifting answered. “So much so that when Emperor Nacreous escorted her back into the throne room, I thought I was dreaming. She ignored everypony else in that throne room, trotting up to me.

“And you two kissed, I assume?” I asked, knowing the answer. The Commander nodded, the memory most likely replaying in his head. Aww, ain’t that adorable, I thought. You two are sooo perfect for each other, aren’t you?

“Did you have a problem with their relationship?”

No. I don’t know how to describe my reaction when I discovered Shifting Sands and Princess Luna to be a thing.

“You seem bitter about it….”

We’re not bitter about it, my mind replied in unison. Just…we’ll save it for later, okay?

“And that’s when we heard the blast.” My eyes widened, waking me from my stupor as I looked at the Commander. “You know which blast I’m talking about, right?” Shifting inquired cheekily. “I can see it in your eyes, Alex. It sure is a painful memory to relive, isn’t it?”

`“AAUGHH!!”

“Wha-”

BANG!!`

sigh “It would seem as though you’ve flipped the tables, dear Commander,” I shrugged, still shaken by those events. “I-I thought….”

“Thought I wanted to avenge Luna getting jumpscared by a few monsters?” Shifting interrupted. Face it, Alex. Not only did Luna not get hurt all that much, but you also made The Crown’s bond as a team grow stronger.”

“Hmph!” I scoffed, a small smile growing across my face. “That was the plan….”

I noticed Commander Shifting shift uncomfortably to his right. His head tilted in confusion, taken aback by my quick admittance. “What did you say?” Shifting whispered with suspicion.

========================================<>========================================

“I said that was the plan all along,” I repeated louder. “You know what I am trying to do, right? I want all four of you. ‘The Crown of Canterlot,’ at full strength and compatibility? If all four of you work as a team, you would virtually be unstoppable to any threat made against Equestria.”

“So,” the Commander initially responded, “what you are saying is…you want to battle all four of us at our absolute best? To test this theory of yours that nocreature could stop us?”

I nodded my head before letting it fall, lazily staring at Shifting Sands. “Well, you still couldn’t stop one…so let’s test it. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. All four of you versus me. I would love to see how long it would take to hold me back before I pick each of you apart.” That part of the last sentence rolled off my tongue, implying malicious intent as I grinned at the unicorn.

Commander Shifting took a step back. His jaw hung in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the words that came out of my mouth. “You are so sick in the head,” the ageless stallion replied softly.

“Maybe I am,” I admitted before rolling my shoulders back. “Or maybe that’s what I want you to think of me. Maybe, I’ve always been like this since day one, but never showed this side of me.”

“Now that’s not true, Alexander!” Commander Shifting snapped, frustration building in his voice. “Don’t lie to me here! You’re the same individual that once told me, ‘Mama didn’t raise no liar.’ Remember that quote?”

That much is true. I remembered thinking fondly of that phrase. Momma truly didn’t raise a liar in her house.

“Ever since I have known you here in Equestria, I know how you carry yourself in public and behind the scenes,” Shifting detailed. “For almost 18 months, I’ve seen you dissect situations carefully, getting to the root of the problem before making conclusions. How you held yourself accountable and were always a consummate professional.”

I looked at him as he took a shuddering breath in. “Alex,” the Commander slowly said, “this isn’t ‘you.’ The you from before this whole situation, the one we got to know one by one? That’s the real ‘you.’ This Alex sitting in front of me? It’s your mind trying to deceive us into thinking otherwise.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Believe what you want to believe, Shifting,” I exhaled, clasping my hands together while giving the Commander a wink! “Just saying.”

The Commander trotted over to the chain latched against the opposite wall. The unicorn used his magic and severed the chain from the wall, letting it fall with a thunk!

“Don’t even think about running now, Alexander Walkerson,” Commander Shifting commented. A chill ran up my spine at the mention of my full name, my eyes widening in surprise.

“Did you just-”

“Yes, I did!” the Commander barked back. He activated a rune with his horn, resulting in a portal magically materializing next to me. “Don’t think for a second that this will be a cakewalk for you to weasel your way out of. Princess Celestia has made it abundantly clear to you: step out of line, even once…and your death will be slow and painful.” I cringed at the thought as he continued.

“Make a mockery of anycreature or their nation sitting on that council,” Shifting warned sternly, “and you best hope your ‘God’ saves you. Because they wouldn’t hesitate to call for it right then and there. Do I make myself absolutely, positively, crystal clear, Alex?”

The Commander was practically fuming as I took a deep breath in and exhaled. I shook my head before replying to his question. “Yes, sir….”

sigh “Good,” Shifting sighed, ushering me to move forward. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“After you, Commander,” I told the stallion, directing him with my hands.

Commander Shifting turned to me, smiling unnervingly. “No…after you, prisoner….”

========================================<>========================================

“Everycreature, please take your seats! Today’s proceedings will begin shortly! Thank you!”

This was it, I mused internally. Judgment Day. The day that the trial of Alexander Walkerson vs. Equestria was to end.

After being delayed due to extenuating circumstances, it was made abundantly clear they didn’t want to wait any longer. They dragged me out of the medical lab belonging to Nacre-I mean, Dr. Borealis, and I was thrown back into the shoddily rebuilt prison room.

I spent weeks upon weeks renovating that room to make it acceptable to live within. Making sure the plumbing was readily available and adequately working, smoothing out the living space to ensure no bumps in the floor, and adding the furniture.

It didn’t even look like it anymore, missing a shower in the bathroom and being given just a bed, bookshelf, and writing desk next to the window. Then, one blast of fire from the older alicorn princess took all that labor and hard work.

“Before we conclude the trial of Mr. Alexander Walkerson vs. Equestria,” Princess Celestia’s voice rang out into the throne room, “we shall do one final roll call for all the members of this council.”

This is going to be boring, I thought as I sat there beside my ‘so-called’ pony lawyer. He was motionless as the roll call began.

“How did you pass the time for this part?”

Here’s the fun part. The roll call allowed me to guess who voted guilty and for those I believe had given me a chance. Of course, I expected it to be 14-1 guilty since Princess Twilight admitted she voted innocent, but it was still a fun game. Other than trying to write out my statement now due to procrastination, I was silent as Celestia read off the names.

“Well, walk me through it. Who made up that council?”

“Prince Rutherford, of Yakyakistan?”

“Yak here, Your Highness!” the large yak responded, his voice booming in volume. This guy was the leader of the yaks, a race of creatures living high up in the mountains of the Frozen North. He tended to be loud and had a very short fuse. However, I got along with him very well.

“How so?”

Through our appreciation for classical music, my friend. Out of all the composers I had introduced to the yak leader, Stravinsky was his favorite. Unfortunately, my mind knew he had voted me guilty.

“Queen Novo, of the Hippogriff Nation?”

“I am here…Princess Celestia,” the hippogriff leader replied, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

Hah, I smugly thought. The Queen sees me guilty as sin. She is nonchalant in her attitude and very egotistical. She was very hostile toward me when I was introduced to her for the first time nearly two years ago.

“Really? Now that’s a story I have to hear.”

One day you will, the left side of my mind replied. Well, when the band I joined, ‘The X-Perience,’ rocked the audience at my first Grand Galloping Gala event, needless to say, everycreature loved the performance we put on.

Everycreature, except Queen Novo. However, her daughter, Princess Skystar, liked our music so much she may or may not have developed a crush on me. And that may or may not have had an unintended consequence on the inability to establish an alliance between me and Queen Novo.

Despite that, the hippogriff leader cares about the safety of her kingdom first, keeping this so-called ‘magic pearl’ out of the wrong…hands.

“‘Magic pearl…thing?’ I’m confused, Alex.”

We’ll explain it later, the right side of my brain chimed in. Just listen to the roll call.

“Prince Haakim and Princess Amira of SaddleArabia?”

“We are here, Your Highness,” the two horses said in unison.

Now these two were somewhat of an enigma to me. And they were actually horses, my guy.

“But I thought you said that horses in this ‘Equestria’ world were called ponies?”

After meeting them for the first time, I was confused as well. After a few more visits, I got to know them better, and Prince Haakim was a calm, well-mannered, and somewhat reserved creature to know personally.

And honestly, I couldn’t blame Prince Haakim for my initial reaction to learning of his kind’s existence. They were a country rarely visited, and he wasn’t open to inviting me to observe the city. After a while, he did open up and had me visit the palace, but they remained shrouded in a veil of mystery ever since.

Despite all of that, I thought with a frown, both of them probably voted me guilty. Maybe Haakim saw me as innocent, but Amira was perhaps pressured into saying ‘guilty’ regardless.

“Is Star Swirl the Bearded here?” Princess Celestia asked, looking to her right.

“In your presence, Your Highness,” the old unicorn gruffly replied.

This dude, I thought. I didn’t understand at first ‘why’ he disliked me when I first met him, but then it became apparent once I talked to Twilight about it.

It wasn’t because of WHO I was, but who I WAS.

“That doesn’t make any sense to me….”

There’s a clear difference in what I am emphasizing. Star Swirl didn’t know who Alexander Walkerson was as an individual. Rather, he knew about the ‘human’ species all too well. And because of something that had happened in the past between humans and Equestria, he felt like I was one of them.

So, following that meeting, I viewed him as the old-timer who couldn’t get a decent trim on his beard and wore outdated clothing, akin to medieval times. And I knew he saw me as guilty in this scenario, I thoughtfully prodded, scratching the itch in my neck.

hiss “Ow,” I whispe-

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, of Ponyville?” Celestia remarked with hostile emphasis.

“...Here, Your Highness….”

========================================<>========================================

My heart sank at that point as I looked up in shock at the young alicorn princess seated a few seats away from her former mentor.

The Princess of Friendship, leader of the Main Six and Headmare of the School of Friendship in Ponyville, slumped her head forward in guilt. It was as if Princess Celestia had personally shamed her for trying to protect me, and the once confident alicorn was now a shell of her former self.

At that moment, I actually prayed for her future. If she has to inherit Canterlot and be the ruler of Equestria, I remember thinking, God, send her your might. She’s going to need it…badly!

“Lord Gestal, of Griffonstone?” Princess Celestia continued.

“Present, Your Highness.”

Why are you here? I thought annoyingly. The griffons don’t even have a leader.

“Wait, they don’t have a clear-cut leader? How does that country run then?”

The leadership in the Griffon Empire had dissolved to just eleven nobles and lords presiding over the entire land of Griffonstone. Lord Gestal was the most considerate and organized of them all, even though he could occasionally be seen as ruthless in his mannerisms.

A burly griffon sporting a classy suit, tie, and thin glasses, I knew how he viewed me from the get-go, especially after my visit to the territory to test my superwatch’s abilities.

“Dragon Lord Ember, from the Eastern Lair?”

“Here, Your Highness,” Ember replied before looking at me and glaring in my vicinity.

Fantastic, I thought. Acting just like the Queen from earlier.

“Tell me about her a bit.”

Even though Ember is the Dragon Lord of the dragons and wyverns, not to mention being one of the kinder rulers on the council, Ember does get rather stubborn against individuals who don’t respect her title. Especially those who refer to her as a ‘wittle pwincess.’

You can bet that if somecreature mocked her title like that, she would kick their ass the second she got the opportunity. But, seeing as in the past I had butted heads with her multiple times in ‘friendly competition,’ I felt she voted against me because of our history.

“That’s totally biased and unfair, Alex.”

Doesn’t matter. This is the world of Equestria and its judicial system, or whatever it’s called. I am an outsider to them, a creature who accidentally came here.

“Prince Thorax, of the Changelings?”

“In attendance, Your Highness,” the changeling leader replied cheerfully.

This guy, I exhaled internally, slouching back into my seat. Don’t be such a suck-up little prick now.

“What did he do?”

Thorax was once a member of the changelings, a species in Equestria that was hostile under the rulership of ‘Queen Chrysalis.’ I saw more of them recently because now they’re ‘reformed,’ except for the Queen.

The new leader, Prince Thorax, is a very timid leader, only able to regain his confidence as he learned and helped his species understand their new roles. He is sometimes frustrating to talk with, but I never quarreled with him about anything.

However, judging by his cheery and suspiciously friendly demeanor today, I have no doubt that he voted guilty against me, dooming me to being at the mercy of these last two.

“And they were?”

“Princess Cadence and Commander Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire?” Princess Celestia inquired, looking to her left this time.

“We are here, Aun-I mean, Your Highness,” Princess Cadance corrected herself mid-sentence.

“Wait a minute. Did you say…?”

Yup. That’s Princess Celestia’s niece. And her husband, who is also Princess Twilight Sparkle’s older brother.

“Seriously? They were on the council too?”

A whole family affair, yep. And the reason is that they are the rulers of the Crystal Empire, a separate country in itself, even though it is to the north of Canterlot.

Protectors of the crystal heart, which keeps their land safe from the Windigos, and they have a newborn alicorn baby that will inherit the throne once they retire.

“Yeah, you got screwed. Even I’ll admit that.”

No shit, huh? my mind questioned in frustration. What was your first guess as to how we got messed over today? Because we have four ‘big name’ creatures to point to.

“And those would be?”

========================================<>========================================

“And now, for ‘The Crown of Canterlot.’ Commander Shifting Sands?” Princess Celestia announced.

sigh “Here, Your Highness,” the timeless unicorn sighed, raising his hoof.

I won’t bore you any longer with who they are since they are traitors to my friendship with them. The stallion put his hoof down and looked at me with a disapproving look.

I nodded and whispered to my lawyer. “Can I have a piece of paper and a pen?”

“Yes, one moment, Mr. Walkerson,” the pony replied, fetching the supplies as I stared straight ahead. Then, exhaling silently, I grabbed the paper and pen from his magical grasp. Placing it flat on the table before me, I wrote my statement.

“Princess Luna?” Celestia continued.

“We are here, dear Sister,” the lunar princess replied, with a chorus of cheers suddenly filling the hall. I shook my head and tried to ignore it, but that thought came back to my head.

Great. Now I'm for sure going to be dead, I admonished internally. Not only is the lunar alicorn princess healthy, but the crowd is making it clear that I am weak for thinking whatever happened would work. It wasn’t your fault, Alex. You can’t control the horrific nightmares that plague your mind.

“Emperor Nacreous Thunderwing?” Celestia asked, a cheerful tone coming out as she said the last name of her special hippogriff.

The Emperor shook his head and chuckled. “Ready,” the ageless hippogriff replied sternly.

I continued to write legibly on the paper as my lawyer nervously tapped my shoulder. Finally, I looked over at him and shook my head. “I’m trying to finish this so you can say it out loud for them to hear, okay?” I reassured the pony lawyer. Nodding his head, he returned to his papers as I continued writing.

“And myself, Princess Celestia. I am, to nocreature’s surprise, here,” Celestia commented. The throne room dissolved into an audible chuckle, which frustrated me.

After a few more moments, the entire council was seated as I finished the final statement I had thought up.

And if you’re counting at home, that’s a possible 13-2 verdict vote. So, in conclusion, I was going to be condemned to die a slow and painful death after this trial concluded today.

“Speaking of which, how did the rest of the trial go?”

Patience, my friend, I smugly thought. We will get there when we get there.

========================================<>========================================

“Okay. So, let us proceed to the ending of this trial,” Princess Celestia announces. “The verdict was agreed upon three nights ago. But, unfortunately, there was a major concerning situation that happened then that we have now resolved. Therefore, there will be no further interruptions from here on out.”

The crowd of creatures attending the trial behind me started murmuring very loudly.

“Can’t escape your judgment now, ‘hyu-man,’” one exaggeratingly snickered.

“Make him suffer how Luna did,” another creature called out.

Man, y’all can kiss my a-

“Now, before we announce the verdict,” Celestia steered the trial back to the matter at hoof, “does the defendant have any last remarks or pleas he would like to make clear to the council?”

All eyes in the throne room seemingly turned to me, and I remained sitting upright. Most of the council members were staring directly into my soul, wishing I said ‘no.’

Finally, my lawyer stood up. Clearing his throat, he declared for the room to hear, “Yes…yes he does, Your Highness.”

The crowd behind me groaned very loudly. I smiled to myself, closing my eyes and keeping myself calm.

sigh “Very well,” Celestia exhaled. “Is that Mr. Alexander Walkerson’s statement you have?”

“Yes, it is, Your Highness,” the lawyer replied, tugging at his neck collar for a moment. “And it is imperative that this be read aloud for today’s ending.” A chorus of boos filled the throne room, causing Celestia to hit her gavel several times.

“Silence!” Celestia shouted, the crowd slowly dying down in volume. “You may proceed with reading the defendant’s final statement to the council.”

ahem! “Thank you, Your Highness,” the unicorn replied. Then, clearing his throat, I sat back and relaxed my shoulders as the lawyer beside the table began reading my letter.

========================================<>========================================

`”To quote my one friend from the Earth I came from: ‘Hot Damn! You in a world of trouble.’

I didn’t ever think that in my 25 years of existence, I would have to create and deliver a final plea for my life in a courtroom that charged me with treason. Come to think of it, no one wants to do that. Nocreature ever thinks that’ll happen to them.

But, as I reflect on my life, the one that I lived and had to go through, a couple of constants occurred throughout my tenure in life. And those are as follows:

Number 1: I never tried to kill anyone because it goes against my religious beliefs.

Number 2: I did my best to always tell the truth. Because, even though a lie can travel far, its legs get cut down ever so slightly. Meanwhile, the truth chases after it, eventually catching up and dooming the lie to suffer.

Number 3: To my mother, I made you proud. You were the one that got all of your children through school, believing in their right to an education. I was one of them, and I have to say that with two Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Music Performance, I made it. And I love you for everything you’ve done to nurture me and teach me right from wrong.

Number 4: For my brothers, you taught me what family meant. Being there for me, cheering at every basketball game, and sticking up for me when times got tough. You were unselfish in every aspect of being a sibling. I love all of you and will take your wisdom with me to the end of time.

Number 5: For my school, I can’t thank them enough. They helped me find an environment to teach, a place to make a name for myself again. But it wasn’t about the money, fame, or countless hours I used up to prepare for lessons and teach music in that band setting. It was for the kids…it always was about the kids. They deserve an education, and truthfully, they should know what music hides within its stellar notes. Beauty, compassion, drive, power, a statement….

That’s what it meant to me. That’s what my life’s work meant to me. To be there, working hard and putting in the time and effort to keep my life going.

But now, that has come to pass. This place…a land I thought would welcome me and keep me company while I suffered thinking about the life I left behind…it was all for nothing.

As I sit here, a former basketball superstar, who willed his team to a national title in the most dominant statistical season a player has put up, is being sent off to God’s kingdom. A place that will welcome me with open arms and will genuinely bless me with eternal happiness and joy.

My future was meant to be given to my children, but they won’t have one. And that’s the crying shame I worried about. A life that doesn’t exist because of another. A life that we don’t know what will become of them because someone didn’t listen. A life I will cry myself to sleep about now…because they won’t exist. And neither will I.

No one knows the amount of disrespect it takes to break me, but they do. And I want you to know this one thing. I don’t care what happens to Equestria after my time is up. It’s on you. I did what I could to protect this world, putting my life on the line to ensure you could wake up the next day alive.

I remember that lesson my father taught me. ‘Son,’ he said, ‘cherish every day and live it to the fullest. Because you don’t know if one night you will fall asleep and never wake up again. God might one day take you with him in your sleep…so every time you wake up? Thank him for blessing you with this gift. It’s why we live in the present.’

And to the one creature that didn’t care what others said about me. To the one that wanted to know me as an individual and not for the creature I was perceived as. To the lady that actually ‘liked’ me and wanted to spend time with me….

To Princess Skystar. I’m sorry. I couldn’t save myself. And I couldn’t keep you safe. I wish you a bright future and pray to God that you will survive his Judgment Day. Because the Lord is coming…and I won’t be alive to protect you from it. I don’t want this to be taken as a joke because it’s not, but…”`

========================================<>========================================

sniffle “...I love you. Signed, Alexander Walkerson….” the pony lawyer concluded, bowing his head and taking his seat beside me. I looked at him and motioned for the paper, giving it to me with a shaky hoof. After placing the paper down, I offered the stallion a fistbump, his hoof softly hitting mine as I chuckled under my breath.

The room was silent. Not a single creature moved, nor did the council say anything. I put my hands on the table and looked up at them with a smile. The only one that stared back at me was in the middle of it all, Princess Celestia. I shrugged and waited for the silence to be broken.

“And when di-”

“Mr. Alexander Walkerson? RISE!!” Celestia’s booming voice reverberated against the silent walls of the throne room. I stood up slowly and faced her with a small smile.

“Okay, maybe I should stop talking.”

“Let me ask you one question, Mr. Alex,” Celestia said, the coolness in her voice disappearing. “And I will grant you the chance to answer. Do you believe you are absolved of guilt in all of this? After what was witnessed by everycreature in Canterlot and Ponyville?”

I stood there and contemplated my choices. Then, after a few seconds of everycreature waiting for a reply, I shook my head. Most creatures on the council stared at me, their eyes widening in shock.

“Then why say that you are not guilty? Why are you defending yourself no-”

“Because I wasn’t given a chance until now,” I said softly. Princess Celestia tilted her head in confusion as Twilight lifted her hoof.

“I didn’t quite hear tha-”

“I SAID!! I wasn’t given a chance until now!” I said, my voice getting louder. The crowd behind me began murmuring again as I glared at Princess Celestia. “So you gon-”

SLAM!!

Princess Celestia stomped her hoof down so hard that it made every other council member jump back slightly by sheer force. At that point, something snapped. Be it her patience or the wooden structure up there, it made my legs buckle for a couple of seconds.

“You want a chance?!” Celestia shouted back at me. “You had your chance! That little insignificant statement of yours WAS your last chance!” I stood up and looked at her as her mane flowed faster. The hippogriff emperor next to her backed up, unable to calm her down.

“YOUR GOD DOESN’T EXIST, ALEXANDER!!” Celestia yelled. “You and your kind made him up to give yourself an excuse to do anything, and everything you thought was justifiable! Here, in Equestria, nothing is fable or fiction! We must abide by LAWS, and you have broken countless laws across your two-and-a-half years in Equestria!” Then, the princess took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before glaring at me again.

“The worst part is, we absolved you of any blame and consequence,” Celestia replied in a much softer tone. “You were excused for everything you did. You were treated with the utmost respect, and, in my opinion, we ‘spoiled’ you.” My eyes widened as my mouth hung open.

“Alex?”

At that point, my fists clenched momentarily as my head tilted down. I glared at her, my breathing growing heavier as my shoulders lifted and fell continuously. I tried to think my following words carefully, but I tuned my mind out of it as I prepared to address Princess Celestia with force.

“Pri-”

“YOU ARE DONE SPEAKING!!” Celestia exclaimed, her Royal Canterlot voice echoing into the throne room’s walls and ceilings. “There will be no more statements made from you! The council has decided on your judgment already, and I see no need to delay it any further than we already have. Your little stunt in the dream world only further proves your guilt.”

I stood there as my eyes slowly fell to looking at the floor before me. I said nothing as my fists opened up, shaking in rage and fear. My lawyer tried to get me to sit down, but I didn’t budge.

“With a surprising vote of 9-6, this court has found one Alexander Walkerson from Earth guilty on the charges of: capital murder to a creature of your species; attempted murder of a high ranking official; the damage of property equal to half of Canterlot and a third of Ponyville; conspiracy against ‘The Crown’ by attempting to cooperate alongside the former human turned golem known as Anonymous; AND TREASON against ‘The Crown Of Canterlot!’” Celestia sounded off on the verdict. My fingers fiddled as I slowly sat down, with my back hitting the chair’s backrest silently. I continued to look straight ahead as the solar alicorn continued.

“Your punishment has been decided,” Celestia declared. “Tomorrow, promptly at 8:00 am sharp, you will be subjected to the death penalty! You will no longer reside in this world! Nocreature in this world feels any type of mercy towards you, and, as you once said to us, YOUR GOD WILL NOT HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL!!”

Wait a damn minute, my mind realized as I stared at the whole council. Squinting my eyes, I tried to figure out something. Who voted me innocent? Which five creatures on this council, other than Princess Twilight, voted me innocent?

“Were you ever going to find out?”

Probably not. There isn’t a shadow of a doubt I’ll never know who did vote for me to be innocent, and it would be eating at my mind tonight as I tried to sleep.

“Oh, my goodness….”

“ALEXANDER WALKERSON, YOUR JUDGMENT IS FINAL!!” The final line I heard from Princess Celestia registered and nearly destroyed my eardrums as I closed my eyes.

It was all over. My ‘life’ was over.

Nothing to do but go to my true home….

“Now what?”

Princess Celestia seized her gavel and raised it above her head in her magical grasp. It trembled as I sat there, silently waiting for the clack! sound to make it official.

“Come on, man. You gotta do something!”

What point was there to make? the left side of my mind cried, realizing the end was near.

We can’t do anything, the right side solemnly uttered. It’s over….

“Something had to have happened afterward, right?”

“...”

“Right, Alex?!”

This was it. Grandpa, my final thoughts cried out as I opened my eyes and looked toward the ceiling. I brought my shackled hands to my chest, beating my right fist into my sternum. Then, pointing my index finger up, I bowed my head as a tear rolled down my cheek.

I’m coming home, Grandpa.

“COURT IS OFFICIALLY ADJ-”

BOOM!!!

Author's Note

Hey guys, Harpy here!

Fiesty today, aren't we? I can't thank you all enough for being very supportive of this story.

Hopefully Alex survives long enough to enact his master plan.....and for you all to learn his backstory. But that's for another time. Have a great day, and I will see you next time!

-Harpy

Edit: I revised this chapter on May 27th, 2023. Hopefully, the attitude and tone of this new version will satisfy the story's perspective from now on. And these revisions do not affect the storyline past chapter 7. It only is focused on correcting the tone it first gave off when initially released.