//------------------------------//
// The Crime and Punishment 
// Story: An Alternative Ending 
// by ultrapoknee 
//------------------------------//

[Canterlot Judicial Hall.]


Discord can honestly say that it is the first time he wishes he was not the center of attention. Many reproachful eyes are watching, waiting for the truth of his involvement. He was counting on his little ruse to work, that he would take the fall and his friends could be free. But, he did not account for the Gjallarhorn or Jason's resolve for justice. It's why hiding away in his realm was a good idea at the time. With another sigh, Discord begins to speak.

"I wasn't lying when I said I bring you here was relating to Twilight's experience with humans. But, it wasn't to pick at the scab. It was to help her deal with that issue by showing her that not all humans are imperfect. I believed that if she was going to be a princess - one that could fulfill the needs of everypony - then she couldn't have any resentment that could impair her judgment. So, I reached beyond the veil to find a human and bring them to Equestria. That human was you, Jason,"

"You made the website that brought me here to help Twilight be a better princess?" Jason said with an undercurrent of rage. 

"Well, I didn't know exactly how my spell was going to manifest on your side, but it worked regardless,"

Jason was seething now. He knew precisely how this correlated directly. It was the same as when Discord united Equestria's villains to help Twilight with her doubts about Equestria's sole ruler. "Of course. It makes so much sense now. You fucked me over to help that one be a better ruler for Equestria. But, you did it in the ashine way possible, just like in the show,"

"W-What do you mean?" 

Discord flinches when Jason touches the horn again. This time, the elements were in Canterlot. Unlike the previous memories, no one was familiar with these current events. The mention of a coronation threw everyone present for a loop. Discord eventually came onto the scene. He gripped his reptilian leg as his body was covered in dirt and debris. "Oh! My aching metatarsals! You know you forget how convenient snap travel is,"

"Wait, did you just say you walked here? On foot?" Spike asks.

"Yes. Actually. And I have a confession to make. You see, I might have made the tiniest boo-boo. All very well-intentioned and noble on my part but--"

"Get to the point, Discord," Applejack said.

"You remember that whole thing with King Sombra? That was slightly my fault, and by slightly, I mean that I brought him back..."

"You did!? But why?!?!" Rarity exclaims.

"Well, it seemed like a good idea then, so I brought back three other villains, who are now on the loose and not big fans of yours. So, uh, my bad,"

"Wait, I never did that!" Discord hollers as the memory ends. "You can't seriously try and pin events on me that I haven't even considered! That's like arresting me for a crime I was only thinking about doing!"

"It's not to show your guilt!" Jason snarls. "It's to compare what you have done to me! It's precisely the same concept. You are going off behind everyone's backs with a solution you think is best for the situation when, in reality, it is beyond fubar. No one fucking asked you to rip me from my home to help Twilight get over being a bigot. A trial she failed spectacularly!"

"I only had the best intention like in the memory. I-I never knew things would go so wrong!"

"Good intentions are the surest path to hell!!! What were you expecting to happen, huh? That Twilight would see me, and we would be instant friends? Or that Pinkie would have one of her famous welcome parties? All I got from that visiting Ponyville was pain and misery. So, at what point did you notice things were going wrong? Was it when I was sleeping homeless on the streets? What bout the lightning strikes that left me half blind or the buck that shattered my ribcage?! The flash mobs were always a fun time too! Maybe, you missed my new place of residence in the fucking cave with manticores! Tell me something; in what part of your social experiment would you intervene? When shit hit the fan, why did you not get me out of there? Why was there magic on me preventing me from leaving? Why erase everyone's memories?"

Discord looks down in shame at Jason's inquires. "I wasn't keeping an eye on the things. There was no reason to believe that the capital of friendship would treat you so poorly. If they can accept somepony like me, then I doubt any creature couldn't make friends with them," The element all seem to deflate at how badly they proved Discord wrong. "Never in my wildest dreams would I believe any of what happened to you was done by the ponies in Ponyville, let alone the elements. But here we are. I did check up on your progress near the end. But I never found it in Ponyville that day. I saw you thanks to the residual chaos magic inside of you. I believe some chaos magic got stuck in you when you crossed over to our dimension. I never gave it a direction or purpose. My only guess is that since I frequent Ponyville quite often, the magic inside was drawn to the other signatures around town. Thus, you were drawn to it as well. Back in my realm, I tried sending you back home. But I realized I don't know where your home is. It's like finding a needle in a haystack,"

"And what about their memories?" Cadance asks.

Discord could not face anyone at that question. "After I returned to Ponyville, I noticed Jason was on Applejack's farm in the middle of the night. At first, I thought that perhaps it was a sleepover while all of you got to know each other. Fluttershy would be gushing over the fact of an exotic creature. Pinkie would try to mack friends. Rarity would do her fashion thing, and so on and so on. Instead, when I followed my residual magic to him, Jason was hanging by his neck from a tree with the girls just standing before him. I couldn't believe it. What led you to go to such extremes? I did not know, but I knew that whatever happened must've damaged Ponyville by a large margin. Suicide was not a concept ponies could handle. So, I took away everyone's memories of you,"

"How very convenient for them. Let's spare the ponies the mental anguish of knowing they drove someone to end their lives. Their weak constitution can't handle their guilt!"

"I am sorry for--"

"You're not sorry because you made a mistake. If that were true, you wouldn't have erased their memories. You wouldn't have run away when I came back. No, you are sorry because this is it. You and they got caught with your hands in the cookie jar. Now, Daddy is here with his belt. I overheard what you and Fluttershy discussed at the Gala, how you wanted to make amends with the other rulers. That tells me you did something unsavory to them as well. So, why don't you share with the rest of the class?"

"I don't see how that is relevant," Discord says.

"I believe it is very relevant. It does concern us, after all. And your guilt is clear for all the see. There shall be no more hiding it!" Queen Novo said harshly.

"W-Well, initially, I wanted to mend some bridges that I broke with each of respective kingdoms after some introspective thinking of my actions when I was a young Draconeuus. You see--"

"How about you start with what you did and cut out all fluffy squeaking!" Grandpa Gruff said.

Discord sighs as he pulls out a list. "Okay, for the griffins, I put all their positive moral aspects into that precious Idol of Boreas. I thought it would be funny to know that all your decency would disappear as soon as somepony stole it. I significantly decreased their intelligence for the diamond dogs because of this one diamond dog know-it-all. I made the desert surrounding Saddle Arabia-- a prank on the ruler of that period. I made the staff the storm king wielded that lets him control Alicorn's magic. I was drunk on poison joke juice at the time. That's also why I was absent during his invasion. I cursed the zebra's to only speak in rhymes. And, the dragons' I messed with their internal emotional spectrum so their bodies would respond to their emotional state. I was bored that day and decided to wing it,"

Many of the creatures from the kingdoms Discord brought up were in an uproar. The judges all are wearing a look of disgust and rage. "You scum!" Ember snarls, with flames licking her lips as she says this.

"T-That cannot be! Rhyming is considered sacred and free!" King Zekia said.

"I had always been told stories about how Saddle Arabia was once a giant oasis. It was more fertile than even Equestria. And you robbed us of that as a prank!?" Shifting sands said in outrage.

"You took my nation's decency and threw it into our idol. No wonder my griffin folk acts greedy and indifferent! Whatever happens to you, I wholeheartedly agree with it!" Grandpa Gruff squawks as all the Judges agree.

"So, in the end, you still prove yourself to be a plague," Luna said with a shake of her head.

"It is regrettable, Discord. Sadly, we are at this point now. Mister Wirght, I believe you can carry out your sentence now," Cadance said in disappointment.

"I got the answer I wanted from you. You're all guilty of many crimes that would be grounds for execution!" Discord and the defendants went pale at Jason's words. "But don't worry. Unlike your sorry excuse of a legal system, I'll ensure my punishments fit the crime. Let's start with the big mastermind of this shit show. Discord!"

Discord feels all the saliva dry in his mouth. "Yes...?"

"For a creature that revels in chaos, you have given your allegiance to Equestria. In my world, the disorder is natural. It is tied to no loyalty, but its own. I mean, there is no guiding force like you to give chaos direction. It flows freely, and the rest of us must adapt to how it goes. You, on the other hand, give all your powers to Equestria. You did so at the behest of Celestia's absurd plan to reform you using Fluttershy as a means to an end. But that reformation was never genuine. If that were the case, you would've told the Princesses about the plunder vines or removed them yourself. You would've never sided with Tirek and betrayed everyone. You also had plenty of time to fix all those horrible misdeeds you did to the other nations and their people. But, no, you were fine with what you did. You were fine with letting everyone wallow in ignorance,"

"I was going to try and make amends..."

"And, it would've been either meaningless or conditions along with it. The fact of the matter is, Discord, you are nothing but an immature brat that constantly plays with fire. How can the world be safe and free of the fate I suffered when you can wield godlike power with the whim of a foal? No more. Your punishment will be as follows; you shall forever be stripped of your chaotic magic. You will know what it feels like to be like the rest of us; powerless, average, normal!" Discord's eyes widen with horror at every word. "Ha, you could say you would be just like any other human. But I won't insult my species by actually turning you into one. You will also feel the same pain I felt for the past three years in that same amount of time. You will feel a dull ache from dusk to sunset that mirrors all my wounds. However, at 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm, and finally midnight, the pain will spike as if it had just been dealt to you. After three years, the pain will stop, but the dull ache will remain for the rest of my natural life. A permanent reminder of your actions against me,"

The Gjallarhorn begins to glow as Discord hunches over in pain. "W-Wait! Where is my magic going?! You can't remove it from this dimension! Chaos needs to exist here!"

"It's going someplace where you will never have access to it again. But it will still be present in this world," Jason puts his hand to his back and turns away from Discord as he suffers. That was one down and seven more to go. Standing before Celestia, the princess of the sun, felt a nervousness she had not felt in some time. "Princess Celestia. One can say that you are perhaps the most decorated ruler in the world. You kept Equestria going for over a millennium. But your peace comes with a hefty price that other creatures besides ponies must pay. Non-ponies are just one step above being slaves, thanks to your laws. Spike the dragon is nothing more than a pet in the eyes of Equestrian rules. At the same time, you maintained peace, you could've changed all that, but you did not!"

"I did the best--"

"Your best was faulty and insufficient. It was manipulation at the best of times, especially when it came to these six to your right," Jason said more forcefully as he cut Celestia off. "The elements list of crimes goes further than merely what they did to me. Yet, you always gave them a pass. You always bailed them out, made excuses, or outright ignored the glaring laws they broke. But, you always had the nerve to charge anyone else that was not the bearer of harmony—no more. Your punishment is as follows. You will no longer be acting senior princess of Equestria!" There were several gasps from both sides of the courtroom at that proclamation. "I will give you one week to get your affairs in order. After that, you no longer be a ruler of Equestria!"

Celestia hangs her head down in shame as a lone tear drops down her cheek. It was a small comfort that her mane was blocking it. Initially, Celestia chose Twilight as her future successor so that she could retire gracefully. A thousand years of rule has finally run its course. It was time that she rested and started living as a mare instead of a princess. But, now that choice is gone. Now, she will forever live in disgrace. The soon-to-be former princess begins to feel the Gjallarhorn's magic enforcing Jason's punishment. "If I am to be deposed, who will rule in my stead?"

"Don't be so self-centered. Your sister is right there. She's due for the millennium of ruler she missed out on because of you! Cadance could always come to the capital. Hell, even Blueblood can rule. It can be anyone as long as it is no longer you!"

Celestia nods and goes back to sulking as Jason stands before Applejack. The farm pony allows a large gulp while Jason glares at her. "You know, I had thought about putting Wynnona down for the attack command you gave her,"

"Please! Please don't do that! As you said, I made her do it! Please! She has been a part of the family since I was a filly. We need her on the farm to warn us against the Everfree critters! Please, don't hurt her. I'm sorry!" Applejack begs.

"Spare me. But I am not heartless. I'll leave her be so long as the apples promise to give her proper obedience training," Applejack looks to Granny Smith, who nods vigorously at the terms. "Good. Now that leaves you, Applejack. Honestly, I can have you rotting in the dungeon for the rest of your life for the pain you caused. Instead, just like Discord, you will feel the same pain you inflicted upon me. You will feel your hooves shattering your ribcage at the same time I specified earlier. This will continue for three years, and there will be a dull throb as a reminder for the rest of your life. A visible mark of your hoofprint will sit over your coat in the same spot you hit me for all the world to see!"

Applejack immediately clutches her barrel as she groans in pain. The magic from the horn left an exact imprint of her hoof over her ribcage. The pain was dull since it was not noon, but Applejack still had tears in hers. "H-How - Urk - will I get any w-work done on the f-farm?"

"I miss the part where that's my problem," Jason moves to Rainbow next. He can still see the defiance in her eyes while he holds contempt for her. "Rainbow Dash. Most of what I had in mind for you is already done and by your doing. But, to make sure it sticks. You will never terrorize those on the ground again. Your wings shall be worthless until you genuinely apologize for your actions. For the next three of yours, you will experience that same lightning strike again at the same time I said for Applejack and Discord. You will feel every awkward twitch and every involuntary muscle spasm in between as I do. And the dull ache shall remain for the rest of your life. You shall be like the character of Icracus. He was cocky and arrogant to think he could fly close to the sun. His wings burned off as a result,"

Rainbow attempts to make a retort, but the Gjallarhorn's magic begins its effect. She only grunts a painful wheeze after that. "...Urgh!!!"

Moving to Fluttershy, the timid pegasus wilts slightly under Jason's gaze, but she maintains eye contact. "W-Wait, not her, please!" 

Jason lazily looks at Discord blankly before turning back to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy. I am deciding to give you back your cutie mark,"

"You are?" Fluttershy said in confusion. The magic takes hold of her as her cutie mark returns. No one knew what to make of this change of heart.

"Yes, it is essential for your punishment. For you, your punishment will be as follows; you shall never come into contact with any animal again. Any critter near you will become scared and run away from you. For the next three years, you will no longer be able to understand any animal at all. And ponies will hold a distrust to your opinions save for your friends and family,"

Fluttershy breaks down in tears as the magic takes hold of her again. Jason's punishment was harsh in that he gave her cutie mark back but muted her voice to her critters. Despite being a herbivore, they will treat her like a plague and dangerous predator. It was the same way she treated Jason. Seeing Fluttershy cry, Rarity snarls at Jason. "So, it's my turn now. Go on, then. Get your revenge. You can't do any worse than I haven't done to myself. Apparently. Even though there are those far more deserving and guilty!" Rarity glares at Discord.

"Are you done?" Jason asks, uncaring of Rarity's words. "And, I believe I can do worse. Rarity, for your punishment, you shall only be allowed to sell your product outside Equestria's borders! There shall be nowhere within Equestria where you are allowed to sell clothing! Any business you have now is to be shut down!"

"No, you can't do that! I'll lose too much just selling out of the border. I haven't established myself yet!" Rarity wails.

Uncaring to her plight, Jason goes on. "Furthermore, for the next three years, you shall always speak your intentions to anyone you meet. This way, we'll curb your manipulative nature so that your rose thorns will not any victims of your charms like Spike,"

Rarity joins Fluttershy in crying, albeit with more dramatics, as Jason stands before Twilight. Twilight is currently feeling smaller than she ever did before. She could not hide her trembling. "Jason--"

"Twilight Sparkle! As for your punishment, you are to be stripped of your title as a princess. You will not have a say in any political matters. You will not engage in any diplomatic sessions. You will be like an ordinary citizen with no aid or stipend from the crown or any other royalty! Your Alicorn magical reserve shall be dampened to match that of an average unicorn again for the rest of your life. For the next three years, however, you shall not have access to your magic. You will know what it is like to do things as an Earth pony. Finally, you will also announce all your faults to any new creature you meet. It will be up to them if they want anything to do with you after that!"

Twilight hangs her head low as the Gjallarhorn takes effect. She suddenly felt frail. She could feel her magical reserve but only access a fraction of it. She begins to weep, just like her friends. All of her accomplishments are now undone. All because she went in the opposite direction of her title. All because she let one terrible experience poison her viewpoints. Jason leaves the defendant's bench and faces the courtroom again.

"Now, for the last guilty party,"

"There's more? Who else did you have in mind?" Luna said. Her voice had some apprehension as she thought she was a target now.

"Yes, the citizens of Ponyville. Discord's admission reveals that none of them were affected beyond having their memories erased. They all had a choice to be better than the example Twilight showed. But instead, they went above and beyond to outdo her. The punishment for them is as follows; fifty percent of Ponyville's earrings shall go to me for the next three years as compensation for my pain and suffering. I want all the installments in bits. If there is any refusal to my terms, those same businesses shall fall under misfortune until they inevitably shut down! And, every time someone enters Ponyville, they will gain the knowledge of all their xenophobic tendencies to spare them from it. Everything they have ever done to any non-pony shall be forever known to the public,"

The Gjallarhorn sent out one last magical pulse beyond Canterlot and struck Ponyville. Luna feels the pulse die down. She looks to Jason and sees the Gjallarhorn slowly fade away while Chrysalis joins his side. She seems to the defendants with varying degrees of sadness in their hearts. With a sigh, Luna bangs her gavel. "The condition of the Gjallarhorn are met. The Tribunal has not concluded. FI there any closing statements either party wishes to share, please speak now,"

"..." None of the defendants went to speak. They were either too preoccupied with their sorrow or dealing with the pain.

"...and the prosecution?"

"...You were all once my heroes. My idols. My hope was when Susie died. But xenophobia and specism tainted you! It corrupted you at your core without you ever realizing it. Maybe, if you're mature enough, you can learn from this. Or, maybe you won't. Regardless, I want nothing more to do with any of you. Justice is served. I'm done!"

Jason turns to the door and begins to walk away. "Thank you so much for being such gracious hosts. This has been fun. Ta-ta," Chrysalis said with a coy smile. No one did or said anything in response as the pair left the courtroom.