//------------------------------// // The Trial of Sin // Story: Earning Freedom // by Daxisle //------------------------------// The Trial of Sin Noise, noise enveloped the throne room as dozens of ponies conversed in on both sides of the red carpet that lead up to Princess's thrones. Sin stood with his head bobbing from drowsiness, he hadn't slept much from the night prior and that did nothing to help his mind in order to form an adequate defense against who ever was going to be prosecuting him. He looked around the room again. The brown clad pony recognized some of the faces in the crowd. Mostly those he had seen arrested with out charge, and perhaps some witnesses who had observed the event for themselves. He took comfort, even if it was minor, in the fact that he at least had others to reference and support his defense. Spike was standing by him looking bored, he let out a yawn before he spoke. "Hey, have you sen Mac? I can't find him in the crowd anywhere." "I'm afraid Macintosh will not be joining us today." Called Luna gleefully, as she began trotting forward. "He's had a." She paused and gave goofy grin. "Long night to say the least." She gave a wink and giggled before ascending to her throne beside her sister. "Honestly Luna," Celestia rolled her eyes. She whispered something to her sister, causing Luna to blush and wave a dismissive hoof. "Come now sister, just because you spend all of your nights alone doesn't mean we all must." Her eyes trailed around the room, seeing the dozens of ponies gathered to prove as whiteness. "When might the trial begin?" "Now!" Cried the solar goddess slamming her hoof onto the marble floor, prompting everypony to be silent while she spoke. She announced the reason for the gathering and thanked all the ponies for their attendance, granting a few sympathetic and nervous smiles. After everyone was orderly and silent, she directed her accusing gaze to the defendant and cleared her throat. "Sin, if you would be so kind as to remove your goggles? It's much easier to trust your words if you don't look like your hiding anything." Sin's eyes narrowed beneath the lenses. He hated to remove them, he hated having his eyes exposed for any reason. He even slept and bathed with the eye protectors on, and now he was being asked to remove them. Sin considered the option for a moment; on one hoof, he could refuse and face the consequences of a probably guilty verdict, if not, immediate detention. On the other, though he would feel vulnerable and self conscience, it would give a good impression to the goddess, and maybe even a more lenient punishment. The defendants hoof found it's way up to his reflective specticals and he pulled them down to his neck. Celestia grinned in arrogant triumph at the ponies complacency, not one of the malicious, but one of a mother who had finally gotten her child to do as they were told. Though her sister furrowed her brow and looked very interested in the hidden stare Sin always had. "Thank you." She chirped sitting back. "When the prosecution is ready. I shall hear your opening statements." Two unicorns dressed in ties and collar cuffs stepped forward from the crowd, the first an orange mare with wild purple mane, and the was a stallion with the colors of the mane and coat switched from his counterpart. Though, he was caring a brief case, a large one. The stallion used his magic to envelop the case in a purple glow and proceeded to open it and dig out the first file. After her passed it off to his associate and stood quietly while the prissy mare spoke. "Thank you, Princess." She said, he voice every bit as uppity and snobbish as her turned up nose implied. "Equestria was founded on the laws that the princess's Luna and Celestia had proclaimed since it's formation. Those laws have lead us to great prosperity and peace for a thousand years." She turned her attention to the defendant. "Mr. Sin has not only gone against these great laws that help us to keep those who are a danger to society locked up, but has made it abundantly clear that he fancies himself above it." She turned her attention back to the courtroom. "His actions of releasing those being held in custody firmly reflect his disrespect for her majesties and the laws that have made our country happy and prosperous. It's anyponies guess as to who he shall release next, and I ask the princess now, could you allow him to release a pony who would kill again?" An audible gasp filled the court room. Sin sneered, this mare was already playing hard ball? Well, the accusation against the princess couldn't have done her any favors at least. He watched as the prosecuting pony walked back to her place before the princess and announce the rest of the prosecution. Celestia nodded to Sin for his rebuttal. "Thank you. The laws of the land have indeed made it a prosperous and beautiful place, prosecutor." Sin's calculating eyes zeroed in on his opponent. "However, they are not perfect. It is not common practice to incarcerate an individual who has done no wrong in Equestria, at least, I hope that would be an accurate statement." He smirked at the scowl that appeared on the mare's face. "For those within your law who would seek to abuse their power, along with all others, there is a responsibility with the citizenry to rectify such gross misuse. Not only from the citizenry, but in the name of sentience and... uh-" He faltered, the words escaping him. The stallion shook his head and regain his concentration. "And morality. I have broken your laws I admit, though, I admit no guilt in any wrong doing." Sin shot the mare one last satisfied smirk before resting himself. And with that, the prosecution brought forth a witness. Sin's eyes narrowed for a moment at the thought of the prosecution having time to prepare statements while he had none, though; he was more than certain his ability to improvise and adapt would be enough to see him through. The first witness was a white unicorn pony he recognized as a guard from Trottingham. The alabaster stallion stood before the princess with the prosecuting mare asking him to tell his story about his experience with Sin's antics. After, the crowd gasped at what they had heard. Allegedly, the pony Sin had given the named 'cross bow' to, was previously accused of foal napping and had earlier been incarcerated for the offense. A small smirk twisted on the defending stallions muzzle as the prosecution went to rest again. Sin walked up to the stallion and began his own series of questions. The stallion nodded to his name and occupation, he affirmed that the escaping convict had shot a bolt at the guards pony and escaped the holding area. Then, Sin inquired about the outcome of the trial for the foal napper in his previous run in with the law. After the witness explained that the pony was released from jail and sentenced to seven months of community service, Sin looked to the princess who nodded in the affirmative with a knowing smile. "So, the individual paid for his crime then? Justice was brought to him for kidnapping the foal?" Sin quipped, his dead eyes looking directly into the white stallion before him. The stallion's features became visibly uncomfortable though he nodded in the affirmative. "Than for what reason, If I may ask, was said stallion imprisoned for?" The white stallion gulped, his lavender eyes darted from side to side, though once they locked onto Sin's own, his irises shrunk. "He... He was arrested f- f- for" he trailed off into a low mumble. "I'm sorry?" Sin's ear twitched, "I don't think the court heard that." "OBJECTION! He's intimidating the witness." Called the prosecuting mare. "She has a point." Celestia called, prompting Sin to back away slightly, his knowing grin unaffected. "My apologize your majesty." Sin closed his eyes, satisfied with his strategy. He pushed the issue again, but with a little less force. The testifying stallion cleared his throat and explained that the pony in question, had been apprehended on charges of loitering. Though his nervousness and lip biting portrayed an all to clear indication of dishonesty. "Is that right?" "I'm afraid it isn't." Celestia commented from atop her throne. Her eyes narrowing onto the white pony below. "I've had a full investigation called in on the matter after it was reported by an... intimidated apprentice colt that a weapon was found in the cell." Celestia shook her head. "My personal guard had found no documentation on the matter," She opened her eyes again and narrowed them unto the stallion once more. "Which is one of the most fundamental actions taken upon arrest." The white guard stood dumbstruck, though not as flabbergasted as both Sin and the prosecution. "You're helping me?" "You're helping him?!" The alicorn smiled gently, almost apologetically. "Well, I hadn't given Sin adequate time for preparation. And as he is technically not a citizen of Equestria, I am obligated to assist him in any way I can, so long as it's the truth of course." Sin watched with a satisfied grin as his opponents face changed from surprised to a mix offended and terror. She quickly began conversing with her associate. Celestia shook her head and dismissed the witness back into the crowd to be dealt with later. If his hunch was correct, Sin already knew the the outcome of this whole ordeal, and the judgement and assistance the sun goddess would give. The next hour dragged on with four more witnesses coming up for their testimony, each first being questioned by the prosecution mare, than questioned by Sin. Save the first pony. Though only one spoke the truth and admitted that their respective holding pony was not charged upon arrest. The rest, as Sin predicted, had their lies called on by Celestia. Mentioning that her personal guard had investigated the situations and spoken with witnesses behind the local law enforcements back. Mentioning how reports from citizens themselves to foolish officers, informed her of the Though, it struck Sin as odd. The princess had already known about the faux arrests made and had the sense to send those she trusted to investigate the scenes. Why hadn't she called for the arrest of them if she knew they were guilty of a crime? The stallions thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of the throne room opened by an all to familiar crimson giant of a pony. "ehehe, s'rry." Big Mac chuckled nervously as he entered. Sin noted the all to satisfied smile, and lethargic kick in his step. Sin shook his head as he witnessed a blush and wink between the two. "YOU!" Mac shouted, his satisfied grin turning sour. Sin followed his friends trail of sight and found the very guard that had arrested Macintosh on his first day in Ponyville. The unicorn's eyes shot wide as Macintosh began his charge, frightened ponies jumped and rolled to get out of the stampeding stallions way. "ORDER!" Celestia bellowed slamming her hoof on the arm of her throne. "ORDER IN THE COURT!" Her words went by with out consequence, Macintosh dug his hoof into the scruff of the unicorn's neck, holding him firmly in place as the crimson farmer pony bore his teeth, his eyes wild as the flashbacks of the dark cell and the deal this pony tried to strike came to mind. The oaken unicorn flinched as his aggressor pulled back his hoof to strike... ORDER! Celestia bellowed, once again demonstrating her Royal Canterlot Voice. A pin dropping could be heard in the throne room, ponies were frozen in place. Nopony dared move a muscle lest they face the wrath of the unamused princess before them. Finally, Luna broke the statue ridden atmosphere by descending the stairs and walking through the maze of still petrified citizens until she came face to face with a still enraged Macintosh. Gently, she grabbed his retracted hoof and helped place it on the ground, immediately the stallions face softened and he was lead by the lunar goddess to the front of the room where Spike stood. "Now," The white alicorn continued, acknowledging her sister was not going to rejoin her. "May we assume with out further interruption?" Her tone agitated. The prosecution began whispering to each other again. After the room became orderly and organized again, the uppity mare hung her head. She knew the trial hadn't been going her way since Celestia had ripped the rug out from under her with the first witness. She gave the sun raiser a look and let out a sigh. "Your majesty, if I may. It seems like you have already made your judgement and chosen a side in this case." She explained in a defeated tone. "Why do you continue it?" "Because," Celestia said with a motherly smile. "This is as much about your ability to convince me of your side, as it is about his innocence. I've already decided on a great deal, Uppity, however your current task is to find him guilty. And I have yet to determine if you can do that." SIn furrowed his brow. So, this 'Uppity', aptly named; is on some sort of trial herself to prove something to Celestia? Poor girl... Uppity took a calming and reinvigorating breath and nodded before she turned back to the remainder of the crowd. "I assume you've already heard everything you need to from them as well?" Uppity asked rhetorically. Celestia answered in the affirmative. The prosecuting mare turned back to Sin and her eyes narrowed. "It seems that all that's left to do is argue about how you're guilty then." Though the upper-crust and snobbishness of her voice hadn't yet returned. Sin knew that Uppity was gathering her confidence and whits. A small tingle of excitement rolling up and down his spine. The populist he debated yesterday hadn't been much of a challenge, though this pony he knew was far more intelligent. And in a debate, with intelligence, came challenge. "And I don't plan to allow you to walk out of here with out destroying anything close to a case you could make for yourself." She said with a dead pan glare. Sin smirked. "Madam please. I was a politician back in the Federation.You don't get where I've been by being sloppy." The stallion tilted his head up slightly, "I've stood literally, alone against many bills that I didn't like. And in a few hours time since the bills bringence to the floor, I've made it so not even the sponsors of he legislation wanted anything to do with it. You truly think you have a chance?" He turned his head slowly away from the mare, even if his words didn't intimidate her, the fact he wasn't paying attention to her reaction would probably get her railed up. As snobby and professional as the unicorn may have been, Sin knew a rookie when he saw one. "Alright Celestia, cards on the table." Sin called looking up to the pokerfaced princess. By Tapio's beard this mare changes her mood quickly, maybe she's bi-polar? "You sent your agents to investigate the incidents where I was involved, found through one way or another, that there had been foul play but didn't arrest them. You've assisted me in my defense even though most arbiters are supposed to be neutral during any and all disputes." He took a breath. "And now you're telling me that the decisions have already been made in pertinence to this case? Why even bother having this trial?" The aforementioned alicorn gave an innocent smile. "Because, I want to know why you think you're innocent." Her eyes shifted over to her agitated and appalled subject than back to Sin. "Uppity is anything but incompetent, and from what I've seen of you, Sin, the same is true. As I've said, this is just as much about testing her abilities as it is your actual judgement." Sin quirked a skeptical brow. "So what you're telling me is: This whole ordeal is such a joke, that you are actually using it to test this young mare's argumentative abilities?" A small bit of amusement bubbled when from the corner of his eye, he caught Uppity scowling. "You're being here is a very unique opportunity." Celestia explained, ignoring the blatant insult against her judgment. "You're not one of my subjects, so I have no reason to think you'd hold back. You are a politician from an egnigmatic and isolationist country, and you've proven that you're an intelligent and well spoke pony. Uppity is going to be my main prosecuting agent for cases that I wont be able to personally attend. She's proven herself on many occasions, though; not many have offered her the kind of challenge you can." Sin dwelled on the notion for a moment. Had the princess truly held his abilities in such high regard? Was there an ulterior motive? He hadn't gather nearly as much information on the crown as he would have liked, and he berated himself for that enough already. Though he couldn't think of anything, Sin felt in his gut that there was more at play here than the princess was leading on. Surly there have been better arguments brought before her, She's the monarch of a country. Surly she didn't actually expect him to believe that he was the only one who could offer her personal prosecution a challenge. "Very well." Sin turned back to his opponent, a pair of eye shooting daggers for him. "I'll play your little game... When you're ready." The mare cleared her throat, though shaken, it was apparent she wasn't beaten. "Then I shall finish this with a kill shot." Sin pressed his lips at the words, though not word for word, it was similar to a phrase he used when he provided an argument that no one would be able to refuse. As nervous as he was about her next words, he couldn't deny the fact that he had been looking forward to at time where he would be on the receiving end of a such a proclamation... And rip it to shreds. Though he found himself with a blank mind as the mare basically reiterated her opening statement. Emphasizing that there were laws in this land, and that those laws must be respected and abided by for the good of pony society. After a long winded speech about the order of society being maintained by law, and how those who brake said deceleration should be held accountable, the mare let out a sigh. "The prosecution rests." "Is that really all, Uppity?" Celestia asked concerned. "It's more than obvious who's side you've already taken your majesty." Uppity huffed. "Frankly, as much as I take pride in my position in your court and I would love to see him get his just deserts, there is relatively little else for me to say." She shook her head. "Little else?" Sin quipped drawing her attention. "You're letting your pride get in the way of your work. There is plenty else you could have said, mostly emotional arguments, but still plenty else. Never the less, I'm here to defend myself." Sin spoke briefly, though his words struck everpony in the room. "Life isn't black and white and no law can make it that way. Simply because a law exists doesn't mean it shouldn't be gone against if it's tyrannical." He looked directly at the prosecution, her un-enthused gaze meeting his own. "And if there is an innocent behind bars simply because a law protects those who put him in there, than you will be damn sure I'll do everything in my power to fight the law, even if it requires breaking it." With that, the liberty stallion closed his case and looked to the judicator for his verdict. Celestia cleared her throat. "Will that be all?" Both the ponies below nodded their head in the affirmative. "Very well. Sin, I, Princess Celestia, do here by find you the defendant-" A bit of a bad cliff hanger and lack luster chapter here. Sorry, things have been rather unnerving as far as my creativity goes for the last couple of days. With the elections drawing closer, Turkey playing dance dance with Syria, and the U.S. economy the way it is. I've been stressing myself out trying to keep up. Not too much I can do about it, though; I'm one of those guys who likes to keep a close eye on the bigger picture. So, sorry if my writing suffered to much for it... Ok, I also had to rewrite this chapter after FIMfiction logged me out before I could save for some reason. I hate having to rewrite anything, and that also might have played a factor.