Author's Note

Obviously equestrian court is not like human court and I will not be getting into the nitty gritty of it since this will probably be the only ark that uses the court system unlike other world building items. Also this takes Place at the same time as the Previous chapter.

Ch35.1 The Trial begins.

Celestia tried to get comfortable upon her courtroom throne, it was nowhere near as nice as her primary one. Something she had done specifically to keep herself awake during long trials. Today however was the trial of Dawn’s grandparents and his aunt which she would have no trouble focusing on. I would much rather be at my school teaching. Instead of dulling out justice? Never. Celestia could feel the sarcasm dripping off the wordplay.

She finally found a good spot as other Nobles and Citizens alike began filling into the courtroom and filling up the jury box. Due to the nature of the crimes and her involvement she was unable to pass judgment only oversee the trial.

“All rise for the honorable justice Princess Celestia Sol.” She hated when her full name was used by the bailiffs. After a wave of her wing all of the ponies sat back down for the start of the trial.

As soon as everyone was seated the guards brought in the three accused, their lawyer following behind. The prosecutor was already in her position.

“Today we begin the trial of Onyx Star, Evening Flare, and Evening Frost." The prosecutor began. "These three ponies along with two who have yet to be captured are accused of..." She took a breath, shocked at what she had to announce to the court. "Foalnapping, Slavery, and Murder of their fellow ponies and other creatures of Equestria." She continued to read off more charges. Why must we sit through this farce, we know they are guilty.To show that the law works even without us.You and your bleeding heart.

A few ponies from the Public seating stood up and left the courtroom looking sick or angry after the full list of charges were read out.

"Lies." Onyx Star yelled out.
"Slander." His Daughter joined.
Evening Flare remained quiet though shot her daughter a look. She had a plan.

"How do the three of you plead?" Celestia spoke with as neutral a tone as she could muster.

"Not guilty!" Onyx and Frost yelled
"Guilty by coercion." Evening flare stepped away from her two family members who looked stunned. Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"If you wish to plead separately you will need your own lawyer as you will not be receiving your own trial." Celestia spoke slowly.

"I understand." As she spoke a lawyer she had prepared secretly joined her side, one who had been waiting in the public seating.

Buck!/Buck. Celestia sighed.

As the trial proceeded the Crown presented plenty of evidence to convict all three ponies for life. Unfortunately names such as Dawn's and Lyra's were included in the case even if struck from the official record word of the trial had already spread to the press. Why haven't you abolished free press again?Some days even I don't know.

So far it had only been the prosecution presenting their case and now it was time for the defendants.

"I call my client Evening Flare to the stand." Her lawyer announced. They were given the option to go first as she had pled guilty. "Now Flare. You Say you are guilty but only by association, Excuse me, coercion is that correct?"

"Yes." She kept her answers to the point while Onyx Star glared at her, Evening Frost gave her a hurt and confused look.

"And could you please tell the court why you are calling it coercion?" Her lawyer asked.

"Because while I did do many of the things I was accused of. I was forced to do it!" She lowered her head and began to fake cry. "My herd mates Onyx Star, Gilded Moonrise, and Gilded Sunrise forced me to do all those horrible things. I mean what Pony could ever foalnap a child? I was even forced to birth a child for Onyx Star yet, I love my daughter with all my heart."

"Liar!" Onyx yelled out before being pushed back into his seat by the guards and a silence spell placed around him.

"The worst part is they brainwashed my poor Evening Frost into believing everything they did. If our other Daughter Morning Dew hadn't run away when she did she probably would have ended up just as delusional as my Evening Frost." Yes her tears were fake and so was most of her testimony, but the love for her daughter was real. Everypony else could rot for all she cared so long as her Frost got away.

Frost looked confused by what her mother was saying. She wasn't brainwashed. She loved all four of her parents and would do anything for the family just like her mother should be doing.

"So let me get this straight. You feared not only for your life but the life of your own child so had to continue to do what you did?" Her lawyer really played up the emotions of her testimony.

"Yes and I deeply regret my actions." Flare lowered her head again and splayed her ears back.

Celestia looked towards the jury box. These fools are eating it up.I am afraid you might be right.

A few more questions were asked by both her lawyer then the prosecutor. Once She stepped down from the witness stand, Flare's lawyer presented evidence that she was forced into her actions. Most of it was fabricated or only half true but it worked for her. Even the prosecutor had a hard time fighting her claim as most of the evidence was for the herd as a whole not any one pony.

The entire time Celestia watched the proceedings she had to restrain herself from jumping the mare as next up was her husband and daughter.

"Your honor before we move on I would like to ask that Frost be given the chance to change her first Plea." Flare's lawyer presented to the court.

"All three of you come to the stand." Celestia ordered.

All three lawyer's conjoined at the front of the court and a silence bubble was erected.

"This is highly unusual princess." the Prosecutor spoke first.

Flare's lawyer raised a hoof. "But not illegal as she was mostly charged with accessory as the herd's daughter. Honestly Morning Dew should be here as well considering the charges upon my clients daughter."

Onyx's lawyer shot the mare a look. Her job had become so much harder now that her client's wife had accused him of the very crimes he said he didn't commit and was turning their daughter against him as well.

Celestia rubbed her temples with her hooves. Flare's lawyer was correct, it was not illegal to change a plea during the course of a trial depending on the charges. Especially when it was a plea being changed from not guilty to any form of guilty.

"We leave it to the mare in question, her mother can't answer for her as she is well into her adult years and of sound mind." Celestia spoke up. "As for Morning Dew She was already acquitted of any minor crimes by the statute of limitations and never accused of any major crimes so leave that be." She said the last part while gritting her teeth.

"Fine." Onyx's lawyer said.

"This is agreeable." The prosecutor stated.

"Of sound mind is in question still but we accept." Flare's lawyer conceded.

Celestia lowered the bubble and all three bowed then returned to their spots. "Evening Frost, you are being given one chance to change your plea. What say you my little pony?" You're really giving her the chance?Even I can't argue that she might not have been brainwashed from a young age.

Evening Frost looked between her father and mother. For the first time in her life she had to pick a side. So that is what she did.

"Very well. You have chosen. Let us continue."