My Little Pony: Of Misadventures and Fantastic Machines

Chapter 3: A Trial and a Verdict

The colt found himself staring again at the awkwardly shaped cobblestone that made up the wall opposite to his bed. He had long lost track of time but it felt like it had been days. It was an experience he never got used to but one he had known before. Sitting in the dungeon with only the maddeningly constant drip from some unknown puddle was like it was in his memories, the memories he’d rather not remember. He was alone in this hall of the expansive underground dungeon, the part reserved for criminals of heinous acts of treason and in some cases even murder. He knew though he wasn’t alone in this labyrinth of a jail. When the guards had led him in he had seen the more petty criminal population and there was at least one guard pony who sat in front of the only exit of this wing of the dungeon, guarding its single prisoner.

He sighed miserably and immediately the sound bounced off the many stone walls, sounding so much louder than it really was. He had been in this silent purgatory since his mistake to help the mare in need. The moment it became apparent to the guard Pegasi that the carriage could not be found they had turned to him. Without so much as a question they had tossed him into the dungeon to wait for hours to be taken out to be interrogated. They asked him questions that he could give no answer to. Why did you help kill the Doge? Who were your accomplices? Where are they now? Give yourself up, confess.

Each time they asked Bear he always gave the same response and stuck by the same story. It seemed like the interrogator was beginning to believe him until his past deed caught to him. The platinum robbery that he had unwittingly helped in had turned up again, since the death of the Doge Bear had neglected to mention the incident. In honesty it had mostly slipped his mind the moment he was accused of murder and even if he did remember he wasn’t sure if he would have said anything anyway considering the trouble he was in already.

The other day a pony had seen Bear exit the alleyway where the break in had occurred and though he didn’t have the stolen goods in his possession the fact alone that he was involved with a robbery and a murder was incriminating enough. Things looked bleak for him already and Bear wasn’t sure if he was going to get away from the granite block this time.

The sound of the heavy wooden door at the end of the hall opening caught his attention. There was a brief exchange of words before two different sets of hoof steps made their way down to his cell. Getting up from his bed he went to his cell door and waited for whoever was coming, although he already had a good idea on who it was. The guard pony appeared, upset over being disturbed from his doing nothing. “You got a visitor prisoner,” he said and promptly left, revealing the visitor he had. Arty looked like a wreck with his mane in dishevel and his eyes bloodshot but he still offered his incarcerated friend a smil.

“Arty? What’s going on out there?” Bear asked but shied away when he realized his selfishness in wondering about his own sake when his friend looked to be in distress. Arty paid no attention to that though, he instead sighed and two sat down on the cold stone ground. “Well its going better than I had originally thought it would. Since I found you’ve been put in here I’ve been working on your behalf. I spoke to the guards and got the whole story from them, ignoring of course the blatant assumptions they’re making.”

“Assumptions? Like what?”

“Stuff that they can’t back up so don’t worry about it. Doesn’t help though now that they have you with a potential robbery. I managed to talk to the judges in charge of your case this morning after I stayed up all night getting together a case for you. I managed to get that robbery as a separate case unrelated to this one so we’re clear of that for now.”

For a moment the two of them sat in silence until Bear asked, “aren’t you going to ask if I did it or not?”

“What’s the point of asking a question I already know the answer to? You didn’t do it; the guards just want to use you as a scapepony since they couldn’t find the mare that actually did it. Right now they’ve got nothing against you.”

“Then why bother with me? Shouldn’t they be searching for that mare then?”

“My thoughts too, but… keep this to yourself, I don’t think the guards tried all that hard. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time I think and they jumped at the opportunity.”

“What do’ya mean they didn’t try that hard?”

“Everyony knows the Doge wasn’t all that popular and the conglomerates were getting annoyed with him. I don’t want to say anything about it but I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a hand in all of this. Greedy the lot of them, you know what their concern was this morning? Whether to continue to New Lunar Year celebration or not, it’s like they completely forgot somepony just got killed. On top of all that I heard the princesses themselves were coming to the city after they heard about what happened so they’re probably panicking and hoping to rush you to an early grave.”

“What’s your plan then?”

“If they refuse to see the lack of evidence they got then I’ll have to stall them until I might be able to appeal to Princess Celestia if she gets involved. You still have friends out there Bear so don’t worry, we’ll get you out of this.”

Bear sighed, “Yeah… I got no doubts on that mate. How many times has it been that you’ve had to bail me out of a situation like this?”

“As far as I know you’ve never been accused of murder before-“

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know that isn’t what you mean and the number of times I’ve helped you out doesn’t matter. You’ve got more important things to keep in your mind right now. Get some rest mate, your trial starts tomorrow morning.”

“Seriously? What time is it now?”

“About two at night. Just sleep however much you can and remember what I told you- just tell the truth and I’ll handle the rest.”

The next morning was chaos. Bear had been woken up early and his mind was still slow to comprehend what was going on. The moment he left the dungeon to go to the courthouse he was assaulted by a large crowd of ponies. It was like a dream of some kind as the majority of the ponies jeered at him and called him a murderer. Some faces that he recognized and others he didn’t though were calling to his defense. The scene passed by quickly as the guards shoved him into a barred carriage to be shepherd off to his trial.

The courthouse though was just about the same scene. The mood seemed tense as he was led into the crowded courtroom. Two tables were set up before seven judges, one table sat Arty by himself while the other had several grim faced lawyer ponies. Bear tried to search for other friendly faces in the crowd and spotted Mr. and Mrs. Dawn sitting near in the front row behind Arty. They looked worriedly at Bear and the work horse felt shame rise in his chest. To be in such a situation and to put the old couple through this made the pony want to punch himself. Besides the old couple Bear saw no other friendly faces, only the few angry gazes, most ponies though were looking at him as if he was some foreign creature that had stumbled into their world. Somehow this disturbed Bear more than the glares.

Arty was preoccupied with a shouting match between himself and the grim faced lawyer ponies that made up the prosecution; Bear couldn’t make out what they were saying but both sides seemed offended over everything the other said. The judges ignored them for the most part until they spotted the guards lead Bear in. The center judge grabbed the gabble in his mouth and hammered it down upon the desk before them. Slowly the yelling subsided with the lawyer ponies and Arty silently glaring at one another. In that tense silence Bear walked down the short aisle. He took a seat next to Arty and tried his best to look brave, he doubted though anyone could be fooled by his guise.

“This courtroom will call to order,” The center Judge called out in a booming voice. “Bear Maynor stand up to hear your charges.”

Bear did as he was told, cringing at the sound of his hated surname but standing tall nonetheless.

The Judge continued in his booming voice, “Bear Maynor you stand before this committee on the charges of conspiracy to murder the Doge of Bronze Galloptry, aiding and abating the escape of a fugitive of the law, and treason against the peace of Bronze Galloptry. Say your plea.”

Arty growled and muttered, “I thought we got rid of that treason charge, skies damn that Judge and his conniving ways, scheming no good…” he went off into muttering as Bear spoke his plea, “Not guilty your honors.”

“Sit down then and let us get this trial underway. Prosecutors your opening statements and Mr. Artivius I expect you to keep your temper in check here, I know about your past behavior in court. I will not have you making a mockery of a trial this serious.” The Judge pointed his gabble at Arty who looked disinterested. Arty though was far from disinterested. He scowled and spoke back, “Your honor I say again this trial is baseless and its prosecution is a mockery! I ask again how many of those lawyers are by the state and which ones are owned by one of the conglomerates involved in this trial!”

“Watch yourself Mr. Artivius Felix; you are trekking on thin ice already. Prosecution say your opening statement before the defense decides to speak his mind again.”

The next few hours were a battle of words. After both sides gave their opening statements the prosecution opened with the evidence that they had gathered against Bear. The inexperienced pony that rarely ever saw the inside of a courtroom besides to see Arty was terrified and at times angered by the vehement lies or falsehoods that they gave. Each time that their evidence was given Arty skillfully dismantled it until all that remained was useless information or obvious lie but it was clear to the Pegasus that he was still fighting an uphill battle. At least several of the judges on the stand Arty knew to be in the pocket of conglomerates who would rather Bear be convicted and to let the incident die into obscurity with the Doge. Unless he dismantled the evidence carefully and fully for the court room’s observers to see he would be giving the judges an opening to give the verdict that they wanted rather than the just one. It was slow but Arty made sure to do his best and at most he only gave a scowl when he was angry, keeping his outbursts to a minimum as best he could.

It was late evening by the time the judges were done listening to both sides and Bear wasn’t very confident. The judges had made little reaction to any of the news they had been given all day, they only stopped to ask more questions or to ask the lawyer ponies to keep their voices civilized. They spoke quietly to each other but never did they betray their thoughts. Finally though the center judge asked Bear to stand up and answer some questions. He did his best answer under the judges’ scrutiny but even then they did not seem satisfied.

Then a question came that caught even the veteran lawyer pony Arty off guard, the center judge placed his hooves together and looked Bear in the eye, “So tell me Mr. Maynor, what would you say if we were to sentence you now to life imprisonment or the executioner’s axe?”

For a moment Bear wasn’t sure that the judge had even asked such a question, the bluntness of it even seemed to alarm the high and mighty elite caste of Galloptry ponies. He tried to look to Arty but the other pony quickly gestured for Bear to keep focused on the judges.

“Well,” he began, “I’d say you’d be sending an innocent colt to his doom for a heinous crime that he did not commit.”

“What would you say to the fact that Galloptry’s Justice Committee has sent ponies more innocent than yourself to such a fate.” Even at this the other judges had to look at their grim faced leader.

“I wouldn’t have much to say that I think you would care to listen to your honor.”

“Then what would your rebuttal be, what alternate fate would you give yourself?”

Bear thought for a moment for the best answer. “I assume innocence is not an option in this question. Then I would say banishment from Galloptry. Even if I were to be found innocent I would leave this city.”

“Out of guilt?”

“Out of shame. I’d no longer wish to live in a place where I cannot be trusted anymore.”

The courtroom went into a frenzy of whispering over this, Arty meanwhile was looking sadly at his stoic friend. The judges conversed with each other until one of the judges on the far left spoke, “Are you suggesting Mr. Maynor a self-imposed exile?”

“I suppose I am.”

“Well then,” the center judge said, “I think we have a solution here. With Mr. Felix’s skills in the law and the sheer lack of evidence the prosecution has given us we agree that your innocence in this matter is clear. Despite this your future still looks bleak as some of my compatriots know all too well.” Some of the other judges shifted in their seats uneasily under their leader’s glare but said nothing. The Center judge continued, “there is also the matter of the robbery you committed the day before which will likely not end well even if it was such a minor incident. Therefore I want to strip away the charges upon you and avoid judgment from this committee as long as you go through with this exile of yours.”

“High Magistrate this is unheard of!” One of the judges upon the right spoke, he being one of the judges that had shifted uneasily earlier.

“I care little for what you or the Conglomerates have to say in this, it is heard of now the moment I said it. What say you Mr. Maynor?”

Bear spoke despite his friend’s attempt to protest, “I would agree to this.”

Arty looked shocked at his friend but said nothing as the verdict was given. He slumped back into his seat while the prosecution tried to voice their opinion on this matter. Even the rest of the courtroom was in a mild uproar.

The gabble struck and silence reigned again. The Center Judge spoke, “Then hear my verdict Bear Maynor. You are hereby banished from Bronze Galloptry. Should you remain for longer than a week then this trial will continue and no leniency will be given, should you return this trial will continue and end with your imprisonment, and upon these terms your charges shall be dropped- all of them- and you will go a free man with a free conscious. Gather your belongings boy for should you stay too long you will find the welcome of Bronze Galloptry’s Conglomerates less than welcome. Go in peace. This trial is adjourned.”

Chaos reigned again with ponies jumping from their seats and the prosecution attempting to get the attention of the judges. Bear wandered over to an angry Arty. “I could ‘ave got you better.” Bear looked sadly at his friend, “At the risk of your career? I couldn’t do that to you. Besides I want this. I’m tired of this city, I’m tired of its people, and I’m tired of the intrigue and the crime. I’m done with it all.”

“Well-spoken Mr. Maynor.” The two turned to see the Center Judge approach them. Somehow he had slipped out of the squabble that the judges were having with one another and the prosecution lawyer ponies. Arty was quick to speak, “Your honor I want to continue this trial, I’m sure if you just saw reason and look-“

“Save your breath Mr. Artivius, I know that Mr. Maynor is innocent. Under that committee though his trial would have dragged out until he either confessed just to get out or be executed, such is the corruption that has bled into the city here. Whether you realize it or not I am saving his life. He will receive no rest here in Bronze Galloptry, the moment those guards brought him to the dungeon his life here was effectively over. I am offering him a way out, a way to safely go where the Doge’s death would not reach him.”

Arty did not relent though, “Well what if we brought this to the Princesses? They would see this as the scam it is and be merciful.”

“You honestly think you would get the chance to speak with the princesses? No, Bear would have been wiped away before the princesses could speak to him. I don’t even know for sure if Princess Celestia understands how deep the corruption goes in this place; it doesn’t matter though for you Bear. Your time here is over and you should move on.”

Bear bowed his head, “I want to say thank you your Honor, this might not be the ending I wanted and I can’t say I’m happy about any of this. Yet I think you’re right. I need to get out of the city.”

Arty scowled at Bear, “idiot, giving in so easily.” Before Bear could say a word to his friend the Pegasus had slammed his briefcase shut and was working his way through the crowd in the courtroom out the door.

“Arty wait!” the colt called out.

“Let him go Bear,” the Center Judge said, “he’s never lost a case this big, not like this. Give him time to cool off, that was just his temper speaking. You though need to get ready to leave while you still can.”

Bear nodded solemnly but when he turned to the judge he saw the grim faced pony had gone back to the other judges. Bear was left to his thoughts amidst a sea of chaos. He wasn’t sure what to do anymore, he wanted to leave but he wasn’t about to leave without seeing Arty again. He needed to explain to his friend why he did it or at least leave on good terms. Knowing how his friend’s temper got that could be a problem.

No matter what though the colt would be leaving Bronze Galloptry, hopefully for good, by tomorrow morning once he was prepared to go with what little possessions he owned.