//------------------------------//
// Houses of Cards and Glass (Edited and Rewritten) 
// Story: Ryuuzan, a Gryphon Silenced 
// by Kimono-Gryphon 
//------------------------------//

Celestia banged her gavel as the entire hall reacted to Sahmek's statement in shock. "Order in my court! Everypony, calm down or I will clear the hall and declare a mistrial! Wind Shear, gather Swan Song along with both Councils and meet me in my chambers. Now!"

Wind Shear stood and saluted, then gathered Swan Song and escorted both attorneys to a private side room, away from the hall. 

The hall itself was suddenly abuzz with quiet chatter, with some ponies looking up to where the gryphon's were seated. The gryphons, for their part, seemed to be just as shocked and confused about Sahmek's acknowledgment as everyone else. All the Baltimare emissary could do was stare blankly toward his lap in silence.

As soon as Celestia entered her chambers, she began rubbing her hoof against her temple, trying to quell a headache before it ruined her mood further. She paced in place as she gathered some tea in her cup and took a soothing sip just as a knock on her door announced Wind Shear's arrival. 

As soon as all four ponies faced Celestia, the Princess's eyes turned a menacing magenta as she stared down Swan Song as she stood beside F. Hay Baily. "Swan Song, you are dangerously close to causing not only a mistrial, ending in your group's guilt, but also an international incident between the Gryphon royalty and Equestria. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"It's only the truth, Princess." Swan Song Song smugly responded, nearly grinning from ear to ear. "I'm certain you would want all 'your little ponies' to be honest."

"Honesty is one thing, but cold-hearted statement designed to hurt another pony is quite different." Celestia snapped back. "I will not tolerate any snide remarks from you here, or in the great hall. One more outburst like that in my presence and I will haul your plot off to the dungeons underneath this castle for contempt!"

"Oooo is the widdle pony pwinncess getting angggwyyy?" SwanSong chirped, her voice as soft as sawblades, dripping with venom. "Afwaid I might hurt your feeewwings?"

"For Faust's sake, shut your trap you damned mare!" F. Hay Baily frowned. "Be warned, I will not bail you out of the dungeon if you keep making trouble for yourself."

"Fine, it will keep me away from those incompetent morons you are currently defending. You aren't even smart enough to know when you aren't even in control of your defense argument." SwanSong leveled her eyes at the defense attorney, swishing her tail as she tossed her head, dismissing him. "Instead of trying to defend me, you should try to protect yourself first."

"Wait a minute, what do you mean, 'protect yourself'? " Celestia looked from Swan Song to F. Hay Baily, growing more irritated by the minute. "Tell me you aren't involved."

Swan Song just grinned like a cat that got the mouse cornered. "Oh I'm not going to hold your hooves Princess as you try to figure this out yourself. But in the future F. Hay Baily, you really need to find an assistant to hoof write your questions for you. With as much bits you make every month in fees, i'm certain you can afford it. Well with all the consulting fees from the EMMRS meetings you had with a certain Somepony every two weeks. Check 'all' the paperwork Princess, F Hay Baily's hoof writing is 'everywhere'."

Swan Song then sat herself down, smiling. "Ok, your Highness, I will be a good little mare for your little trial. You can even check with that dear element bearer you have sitting beside you. She will verify everything I say is true." Swan Song even fluttered her eyes, better than Rarity ever could. 

***

Back in the great hall, Celestia tapped her gavel once more, the ponies gathered in the hall quieting down to hear the trial continue.

"Prosecution, we will continue with Ryuuzan's testimony, unless you are finished with your questioning him." Celestia passed her gaze to F. Hay Baily. "Remember what I said earlier, short leash."

F Hay Baily stood and set his jaw, arranging his notes and paperwork. "Ok Ryuuzan, you stated earlier that you had gotten that paperwork from Swan Song's desk and hid it inside your collar correct?"

Ryuuzan had nodded an affirmation, but eyeing the defense attorney cautiously.

"Meaning you had stolen those documents, you knew those documents belonged to Swan Song. You would expect us to even believe your half cooked, hair brained concoction of a story. You want us to believe you, trust you when you stole evidence that clearly did not belong to you. Now instead of a star witness, you are reduced to nothing more than a common thief, correct?

Ryuuzan had started signing, then thought for a moment as he dropped his brow. "I was in fear for my life, as I stated earlier. I had to bring some kind of evidence with me, showing what my mother had stolen from Dr. Clear Mind first. So if you wish to point hooves at thieves, look at your client, my mother, first."

"You say you were harassed by the guardians here, under guard here at Canterlot Castle. Prosecution said it is from members of the Ponies for Purity group?" F Hay Baily smugly appealed to the court, walking away from Ryuuzan. "Tell us here in the court if you can identify anypony by deed, or voice that has harassed you while you were in WhiteTail Woods, or here in Canterlot Castle. I want you to point any pony here."

Ryuuzan had thought for a moment, then spelled out his answer. "No, I cannot identify anypony by sight, but in hearing any voice I can." He then pointed directly to the defense attorney himself. "You were the one that told ponies to whistle, or sing 'Ring around the Rosie' in the newspaper. And you were also in Whitetail Woods, with my mother. You both had entered the kitchen just before I was chained upstairs that night. You were both chatting about Swan Song liking your son, Dr. Clear Mind, and I replied in sign language, I was surprised you even had a son. I remember you asking my mother what I said, from the glare she gave. She told you what I signed, and you laughed replying "At least he isn't a mute freak of nature like you are."

"Council, Approach the bench." Celestia stood at her bench, then leaned down. As soon as Quill Feather and F. Hay Baily were side by side. Celestia pointed her gavel at the defense attorney and did her best to keep her voice low. "F. Hay Baily, I am stopping your cross examination of Ryuuzan right here as he just identified you not only from telling my guardians to harrass him by members of your group. But he also just testified that Dr. Clear Mind is your Son. You leave me no choice but force you to recluse yourself as Defense Attorney for this case!"

"Princess, you can't do this. There is no other attorney that has the experience that I do." F Hay Baily gruffed angrily, refusing the Princess' order. 

"Then you leave me little choice." Celestia replied as she stood up and looked to another one of her guardians. "Guardian Fleet Wings, place F. Hay Baily under arrest for contempt of court. He is defying a direct order from myself to recluse himself from this case he has been shown a direct involvement with the case as Dr. Clear Mind is his son. He is now formally relieved of all duty from court, escort him to the dungeons." 

As Fleet Wings clicked cuffs onto F. Hay Baily's ankles. Celestia also directed Quill Feather to request another defense attorney from the castle legal defense department. 

Within a few minutes, another pony entered the hall, dressed in a tie and collar, and took the defense attorney position. "Pardon my lateness Princess, and to Quill Feather, I was on my way here to watch the proceedings, when I was notified by guardian at the office of your requesting my services.  However, I was delayed as my husband was ill this morning. My name is Equal Scales, representing Canterlot Castle's public defense office. Is all the defense paperwork on the table here in order? I will do my best to continue the case for the defense." 

"All the paperwork, Quill Feather does have, matches yours, but there are additional papers here in my possession I can allow you to review, from Ryuuzan the Gryphon at my bench. You are free to have a copy, as I copied them magically for you before you arrived." Celestia pointed out to the new attorney, her voice back to being firm but neutral, handing her copies of Ryuuzan's forms from his collar. "The previous attorney F. Hay Baily was held in contempt, because he was found out to be involved in this case directly, as his son, Dr. Clear Mind is charged with murder as being in charge of a group calling themselves Ponies for Purity."

Quill Feather stood up and asked, looking at her list of witnesses. "Princess, didn't you ask for Swan Song to testify earlier? We the prosecution would like to question her further about what she said earlier this morning."

Celestia nodded, as Equal Scales nodded as well, not having any problem with it. 

"Prosecution calls Swan Song. Please come forward." Quill Feather read off her notes, and readied the questions as Swan Song was sworn in. 

"You do recall Swan Song, Your agreement in chambers, should I take precaution and have you noted as a hostile witness? Or will you keep your word that you will behave?" 

"I promise I will keep my word." Swan Song replied as she stared at both the prosecution and defense tables. "Bring the questions.”

Quill Feather adjusted her glasses as she read off her hastily written notes, and started the questioning of the mare at the testimony seat. “Ok, from the top, please state your name and residency for the court.”

The pegasus mare closed her eyes for almost 10 seconds, and then let out a calming breath, opening her eyes as she gathered her thoughts for her portion of the case. Seemingly making peace with herself.

“Swan Song, residing at Canterlot Castle, Jail cell 27, Equestria. Former address was 147 Hearthstone Lake, WhiteTail Woods, Equestria.” The pegasus mare answered plainly, using the same tone as if she was reading from a dinner menu. 

“Age and former occupation?” Quill Feather had allowed the silence from Swan Song. 

“39, although it is not polite to ask for women’s age.” Swan Song did flash a small smile, but continued nonetheless. “But I was employed as Registered / Charge Nurse at Equestria Magical Mental Research Services building, located just outside of North Canterlot, Equestria.” 

“What was your job duties at EMMRS?” Quill Feather responded with a further question, and writing down replies. 

“I was charged in the care of patients that stayed at the facility. Making reports, individual care for any emergencies.” Swan Song had looked to the defense table as her new attorney had watched, making their own notes. “My duties had changed after 2 years there, as EMMRS had received their first gryphon patient there, and then two more after that following year.” 

“Who ordered the changes to your schedule and duties?” Quill Feather seen Apple Jack lean close and mutter something into Princess Celestia's ear, and nodding. 

Swan Song responded plainly, looking toward her boss. “Dr. Clear Mind, he had known I had given birth to a gryphon, from a previous relation I had.”  

At this point, Celestia tapped her gavel and instructed both Prosecution and Defense councils on a point that Swan Song mentioned previously. “Please note, I must instruct you Swan Song, and both councils I ‘Must’ keep the identity of the gryphon private during Swan Song's testimony. , as to not create an incident between the Gryphon Nation and Equestrian crown. However, if Queen Esmeraldes will allow it later, please let me know in private to discuss the matter further after Swan Song’s testimony. This is already a touchy subject. Do we all understand this?” Princess Celestia looked for an affirmation from both attorneys and tapped her gavel again. “Ok, please proceed.”

“Thank you, your honor.” Quill Feather had nodded, after having a concern she had when Swan Song testified previously. “Since we have Ryuuzan's testimony and the matching paperwork from Dr. Clear Mind, I will not need to ask the same questions about any family structure. However, I will ask mainly about the connection between Dr. Clear Mind, the care of the gryphons at EMMRS. Understood?”

Swan Song simply nodded. “Fine by me.”

“Please tell the court of how many gryphons ended up under your and Dr. Clear Mind's care.”

“Eighteen Gryphons total. Including the first three I told of earlier.” Swan Song looked to the defense table, and locked her eyes on Dr. Clear Mind.

“And how much time was spent working with each gryphon?” 

“About one month, as per orders from Dr. Clear Mind's plans.” Swan Song told, as she looked to her attorney who waved to her to continue. “After a month, the gryphon was eliminated, and disposed of, per cremation. And the same time was given one month each. Arrival, stayed in care for a month, then elimination and cremation.”

“Objection your honor. How does Swan Song know when each gryphon arrived at EMMRS? Isn't that under patient administration?” Equal Scales had stood up. 

“Actually I can answer that directly, as Dr. Clear Mind told me three days before each gryphon arrived. To ready the room for each to arrive, and make sure I had the prescription ready for the end of each month. The medicine mix was from my own mix, which was lethal and stopped the heart after being injected into the neck artery as they slept.” Swan Song smiled as she seen Dr. Clear Mind start to squirm. Swan Song then pointed to the box Pinkamina Diane Pie had brought in and placed at the Prosecution table. “After the patient was eliminated and cremated, all was left was the beaks of the deceased gryphons. And since they were all exiles from the Gryphon Nation, there was no family to notify of the remains.”

“Dr. Clear Mind was the fabricator of the plan of eliminating the gryphon patients?” Quill Feather had asked, making a face as the notion of gryphons being put to death didn't seem to bother the mare currently on the witness stand. 

Swan Song shook her head. “Actually, Dr. Clear Mind had help from myself and his father just after the first gryphon was eliminated. F Hay Baily had drawn up the entire plan to be reimbursed for the gryphons through the Crown, calling it The Equestrian / Gryphon Reacclimation Project.’ F Hay Baily had met with Dr. Clear Mind before the second and third gryphon was admitted to EMMRS.”

Quill Feather asked a follow-up question. “How much was the amount reimbursed to EMMRS and Dr. Clear Mind for each gryphon?”

“From what I remember from that meeting, $250,000 bits for each gryphon.” Swan Song chirped when she rubbed her hooves together. “All those bits, split between each Dr. Clear Mind and his father F. Hay Baily. ! remember seeing the check when F. Hay Baily bragged about it, and set up a separate account to earn interest for each payment.”

Celestia again grasped her gavel and banged it on her podium. “Council, please see me in my chambers, we will be taking a lunch break and meeting. We will reconvene in two hours back here in the Hall”

…..

Once outside her chambers, Princess Celestia led the two attorneys to the prison cells under the castle, meeting up with F. Hay Baily as he sat in his bunk inside his cell. 

"Your highness, you aren't about to listen to the ravings of a mad mare?" F. Hay Baily tried reassuring the sun princess.

"I only listen to the evidence that I have been shown, but it sure seemed Swan Song had plenty to say about you." Celestia narrowed her eyes at the gruff stallion. "Consider yourself now under charges of crimes against the crown. Guard, place F. Hay Baily under arrest. Your license to practice law has now been permanently revoked as of noon today !"

Celestia pointed her left hoof right at F. Hay Baily's face and did not blink. "Quill Feather, please start on F. Hay Baily's financial assets from his law firm officially locked down and under forfeiture to the crown's financial and legal department. Your personal wages, life savings, and any assets from your firm will also be frozen, gone through with a team of hoof selected accountants who specialize in this sort of job, You are Finished !"

"Your highness, you can't be serious !" F. Hay Baily stammered, his expression appearing close to his having a stroke. "I have six ponies that work there, and my family I am responsible for. This will devastate my family along with six of their own."

"Maybe you and your son-in-law should have thought of that before murdering the 18 gryphons that perished a EMMRS." Celestia shot back with enough venom in her voice to kill a manticore. "Eighteen gryphons 'perished' at your son-in-law's facility. I'd even bet my hooves that you didn't even give them or their lives a second though when you cashed in those 250,000 bits EACH ! I am so tempted to have you grovel for forgiveness from the Gryphon Queen, who is on her way here right now."

Celestia's eyes glowed a menacing deep red-violet as she voiced, stamping her hoof into the floor. "Under Crimes Code: Loss of Life statute chapter 4. [When one pony has been convicted of planning or executing the death of another pony or citizen residing or visiting inside Equestrian Territories, the convicted shall lose all rights to any wages, property, wealth of land, and monetary savings and be paid to the victim if they survive, or surviving family members of the victim upon conviction of the perpetrator and or associates also charged.] And not only that, since your firm was so versed in the 'Legal' use of the Letter and Law of the Crown', your firm shall also be closed and the net worth shall be examined, and those monies shall be accessed in fines back to both the Crowns of myself and the Gryphon Rulership if she agrees. Basically, I take attempted murder and murder or loss of life 'VERY' seriously in my lands and territories I rule over F. Hay Baily ! You SHOULD have known better !"

The sun goddess advanced toward the defense attorney with a voice of absolute authority. "You plotted and planned a scheme that defrauded my crown of bits paid to EMMRS. Bits that will cost you everything. I hope it was all worth it.”

*****