Sorry it's late, guys! I was going to upload it yesterday, but it completely slipped my mind! Anyway, I'm going to make another one of my famous assumptions in this chapter, I'll say that Equestria uses a similar legal system to the United States. Thanks again to Yoonicorn for helping with the editing shtuff!
-Knights of Haysead Ch. 6:
“Applejack, Ah’m going into to town for a little while. I’ll be back by dinner!”
Big McIntosh yelled back to his sister as he began to leave the farm. In his saddle bag was a note that he had received from his employers. It read, ‘Six O’clock at the coffee shop. Don’t be late!’ He wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to say to them. With the exception of his short disappearance a few days earlier, Green Hoof was acting completely normal. He hadn’t exhibited any outright suspicious behavior, except for the fact that he always seemed to be looking over his shoulder.
“Alright, Big Mac. Ah’ll be here!”
Green Hoof poked his head out of the barn. “Did he say he was going to town?”
Applejack turned towards back towards him. “Yeah, why?”
“I needed to grab something from the market. Wait Big Mac!” He ran off towards McIntosh at a semi-fast speed, leaving Applejack simply rolling her eyes.
As soon as he had broken her line of sight, Green Hoof stopped and quit his fake chase after Big Mac. Instead, he turned off on an alternate path heading into a garden which was right across the street from the local coffee shop. He found a position from which he had a nice vantage point of the building.
He knew exactly what was going to happen. He had grown suspicious of McIntosh’s constant vigilance over him. So, he decided to do some snooping and found some paperwork saying that somepony was paying the red stallion copious amounts of money for something called “Operation: Bolo.” Green Hoof could only assume what that was and who that somepony could be. Among the files, he also found a note which told McIntosh to meet them at the very building across the street. Green Hoof hatched a three part plan which he was about to execute.
Part one: Get rid of McIntosh and whomever the agent happens to be. Part two: Make up an alibi for McIntosh and report back to the Khazae as the agent. Part three: Destroy the Khazae from the inside. However, there was one flaw to his initial plan. Since his initial intrusion into their ranks, the Khazae were very keen on recognizing their own from a fake. He would have to mimic the agent’s personality perfectly or risk getting discovered.
As Big McIntosh approached the coffee shop, Green Hoof emerged from his view point and ran up to him.
“Hey, there you are!”
Big Mac was startled at Green Hoof’s sudden appearance, but more importantly he was afraid of him ruining the meeting. McIntosh began to look around nervously.
“W- What are ya doin’ here? Shouldn’t ya be back at the farm?”
“I had to do some shopping.” He pulled out a small felt bag. “Wanna see what I got?”
“C- Can’t it wait? I’m kind of busy…”
“Busy? You’re just standing around here. If I didn’t know better, I’d say…” Green Hoof decided to toy with McIntosh. Oh… my… gosh!” He gasped. “You’re on a date, aren’t you?”
“What? No!”
“That’s why you were so vague with Applejack.” He started to dance around like an idiot with a stupid grin on his face. “It’s okay, man. I won’t tell her. But here, I got a tip for you!”
Big Mac was about to pummel Green Hoof, but then he thought about it. If he just played along, he might be able to get him to go away. “Alright, you caught me. Just please don’t tell AJ!”
“Hey, I got your back.” Green Hoof looked around slyly. “Now follow me. I got a good dating tip for you. So, who’s the lucky lady?”
This stopped McIntosh’s heart. He thought about all of the potential mare-friends and crushes he had accumulated over the years in Ponyville. This included his sister’s plot to set him up with Cheerilee, but that thought made him cringe. “It’s… uh…” He looked at Green Hoof’s devious smile. “F- Fluttershy…”
Green Hoof had to hold back laughter. He was having too much fun with this. It was time to do what he had come for. He led McIntosh behind a bush and opened up the felt bag he had pulled out earlier. Big Mac stepped closer to peek inside. Before McIntosh could notice what was happening, the bag was shoved into his face. One breath of the special powder inside knocked him out cold almost instantly.
Green Hoof, or rather the changeling pretending to be Green Hoof then had to make two transformations. The first was into the infamous Twilight Sparkle. His only purpose for this was to use her magic abilities to teleport the now unconscious McIntosh to a predetermined location. Once that was done, he assumed McIntosh’s form and stepped out from behind the bush.
He coughed and mumbled to himself a few times to make sure he got the accent right. Half of Phase one was completed. Now all he had to do now was to wait for the agent to show up. He heard the clock tower ring in the sixth hour. This was the time when the agent would meet with McIntosh. He guessed they would probably be out of uniform to help stay stealthy.
The changeling’s eye caught a glimpse of rainbow-colored mane running quickly in his direction. He knew that this mare was somewhat affiliated with the Khazae. But could she be the agent? Would they send somepony like her? His question was answered when she looked at him and began walking closer. He discretely scooped up some of the noxious powder into his mouth, being extremely careful not to breathe any of it in. He exhaled directly at the approaching Rainbow Dash, who promptly collapsed.
Some of the other ponies in the area began to panic. The changeling spat on the ground, making sure to get rid of the foul-tasting poison in his mouth, before speaking. He ran up to Rainbow Dash, who was now limp and sprawled on the concrete. He put on as much fake concern as possible. “Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash! Stand back, Ah got to get her to the hospital!”
The changeling slung Rainbow Dash onto his back and heroically ran off in the direction of the hospital. But, as he had before, turned off at a different point and headed for another destination. He arrived at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Ponyville. It was owned by a hay company who had their headquarters in Ponyville, but that company had fallen victim to a bad economy years earlier.
After gently laying Rainbow Dash in a small crate, the changeling stole her appearance. He sealed the crate and locked the warehouse. He wasn’t going to kill them, at least not yet. They may become useful later. Maybe he could get a good ransom or something. But that wasn’t really important. What was important was that phase one was now complete.
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Upon entering the courtroom, Silent Step scanned the audience of staring eyes for a familiar face. He could pull out a few, including Rainbow Dash and her friends, Admissarius Rex, and a few arrogant reporters who had interviewed him during the two weeks leading up to the trial. Closed Case urged him ahead to his seat.
The bailiff, who was a corporal in the Royal Guard, addressed the crowd. “All rise for the honorable, Judge Fair Verdict!”
Everypony in the courtroom did as they were told, and the aged, white stallion entered the courtroom and took his place at the front of the auditorium-like court of law. He cleared his throat at began a prepared opening.
“You may be seated.” Once he saw that everypony followed his order, he continued. “We are here under the watchful eyes of Princesses Celestia and Luna,” gesturing to a royal seating section hanging next to the balcony seating, “To witness the criminal trial of Silent Step v The Sovereign Equine Republic of Equestria. The state will be represented by prosecutor Cold Justice.” The heavy-set black pegasus nodded at the mention of his name. “We will begin with opening statements from the defense. Counselor?”
Closed Case stood and, with a firm yet calm voice, began speaking. “Ladies and Gentlecolts of the jury, I stand before you today to prove to you that my client is innocent of the horrible charges he is accused of.”
Silent Step couldn’t help but sigh. ‘No shit, dumbass…’
“I intend to prove to you that somepony other than my client, brutally murdered the victim Sly Horn. And I intend to prove to you that my client is not, in fact, a member of any dangerous terrorist organization.” He took a pause before finishing. “Thank you.”
Fair Verdict transferred his view from Closed Case to Cold Justice. “And your opening statement, Mr. Prosecutor?”
Cold Justice stood in a similar fashion to Closed Case and began pacing in front of the Jury. He then went on to pretty much repeat what Closed Case said, but without the “not’s.” He rambled on about how he intended to prove that Silent Step was guilty of all charges. After concluding identically to Closed Case, the plaintiff was allowed to call their first witness to the stand.
Cold Justice looked over his papers before gazing up with a smile. “The prosecution calls the defendant to the stand.”
Closed Case turned to Silent Step and began to advise him. “Now, you don’t have to go up there, and I would advise that you don’t…”
“It’s okay, I can do this.” He stood and walked up to the stand.
The corporal-bailiff approached him and instructed him to raise his right hoof. “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”
“I swear”
“Mr. Silent Step, I would like to inquire… are you, or are you not a member of the Khazae assassin organization? Keep in mind that you are under oath.”
Silent Step took a deep breath. “I am.”
Closed Case nearly face-hoofed at Silent Steps blatant disregard for discretion.
“Now would you not say that you have just confessed to one of the charges against you?”
Silent Step kept a mundane expression. “Which one?”
Cold Justice raised an eyebrow, trying to see through to what Silent Step was doing. “You were charged with associating with a terrorist organization.”
“Yes.”
“And you just admitted to being a member of the Khazae assassin organization.”
“Yes.”
“Well, wouldn’t you say that is a confession?”
“Not to being a member of a terrorist organization.” The entire crowd was now completely confused. “The Khazae have never been officially recorded as a terrorist organization by the Equestrian Department of Domestic Affairs. And according to national statute 15.31, section B, article 3, and I quote, ‘Members of federally created offensive coalitions are exempt from charges pertaining to royal orders.’ And according to our friends at the Department of Domestic Affairs, the Khazae were never officially absolved of Royal Command. And while we do have our own hierarchy of echelons, we still are required to follow any orders from the Princesses.”
Closed Case’s jaw dropped. He quickly flipped through a law book on the table, finding the statute which Silent Step had quoted perfectly. “Holy Shit…”
Cold Justice was taken off guard by Silent Step’s sudden talkativeness.
Admissarius Rex, however, didn’t approve of Silent Step’s sudden admission of royal allegiance.
Cold Justice returned to talk to his small cabinet of attorneys. They started furiously whisper-yelling back and forth. Fair Verdict began to get impatient.
“Mr. Prosecutor, what is your response?” Cold Justice continued arguing. “Mr. Prosecutor…” He still didn’t respond. “Mr. Prosecutor!” This time, the judge repeatedly bashed his gavel on the bench, which caught everypony’s attention.
Cold Justice turned around and disappointingly announced the outcome of the argument to the court. “The prosecution has decided to acquit Mr. Silent Step of the charge of terrorism association.”
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Phase two, hopefully the easiest phase. The changeling had been studying Rainbow Dash’s character to prepare for his infiltration into the Khazae. He was a method actor and wanted to spend a day, or at least a few hours as Rainbow Dash to fully get into character. It seemed a little excessive, but he couldn’t afford to mess up once he was inside, his life depended on it.
The first, unstated, part of phase two involved reporting his progress to his leader, the Queen of changelings. He composed the letter in secrecy to keep away from prying eyes.
My Queen,
I have successfully taken the form of a Khazae agent. I intend to infiltrate their ranks once again, but this time, I will dismantle their forces from inside. Once the Khazae are gone, we will be able to once again emerge from hiding. Our only threat will be the Royal Guard, but I assure you getting past those daft pawns will be as easy as it was last time.
I will report to you again once I have gained the trust of the assassin party. If this doesn’t happen within two months, you may assume that I have been discovered and probably killed. You must send another in my place. We must continue to fight to bring down the Tyrant!
Faithful as always,
Sepulchre
Sepulchre sealed the letter and sent it to his Queen using a rudimentary dragonfire spell. Next was Phase 2.2, creating an alibi for Big McIntosh. He decided to play this into his day as Rainbow Dash. He began his trek to Sweet Apple Acres to announce Big Mac and Green Hoof’s temporary hiatuses. He used the time during the walk to decide what kind of absence McIntosh would be taking. He thought about using the story of the date with Fluttershy against him. But he felt that Rainbow Dash wouldn’t forwardly announce that to Applejack if it were real. He decided to re-use an old excuse, and say that he ran into an old friend, and had asked Rainbow Dash to relay that information.
Sepulchre was half-way through congratulating himself on his ‘great idea,’ when he was stopped by a familiar mare.
“Rainbow Dash! We didn’t get to finish out chat earlier.”
“Oh… Hey, Twilight…” He tried his best to look sick.
“Ooh, you don’t look so good.” It was apparently working. “Maybe we should talk some other time, you should get some rest.”
“Yeah, I was heading home now.”
“Well, I hope you feel better! I’m actually heading to Canterlot tomorrow. So if you want to wait until I get back, I should be free on Wed-”
“Yeah, sounds great.”
Twilight rolled her eyes continued her walk home. Crisis Averted.
Sepulchre continued thinking over the presentation of his planned excuse for Big Mac. The thinking continued along the road to Sweet Apple Acres. He arrived to Applejacks usual warm demeanor.
“Howdy, Rainbow Dash. How’re y’all doin’?”
“Fine, uh… Big Mac asked me to tell you that he ran into an old friend and won’t be home until tomorrow. So there’s that…”
Applejack narrowed her eyes at the familiar excuse. “Was there a green draft horse with him?”
“Uh… yeah. Spiky brown mane?”
“Yeah… well thanks Rainbow Dash…”
“Anytime!”
Sepulchre made a mental check on his mental checklist for ripping the Khazae to shreds. Phase 2.2 was now complete. But, before he went to try and convince the Khazae, he was going to Rainbow Dash’s house, he would get a good look at how she lived, and maybe that would help him get into character. Upon arriving at the cloud abode, he saw a mailpony struggling to make a decision.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but can you help me out here? I need to get this letter to that cloud house up there but, as you can see that’s going to be a bit of a problem for me.”
Sepulchre turned to him, then looked at the letter he was holding, and then the house itself. “That’s my house. I’ll just take the letter now, thanks!”
“Oh, well how ‘bout that!”
He handed Sepulchre the letter, which was addressed from the Royal Court of Canterlot. He read it over, noting that he had been called to testify for the defense. This would be the perfect opportunity to begin the destruction of the Khazae. If he could slip out just the wrong words to get Silent Step convicted, that would be a major enemy out of the way.
“He called her to testify? Oh, this just got so much better.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“B-Big Mac?” Rainbow Dash hadn’t heard very much of his voice, but she was pretty certain it was him.
“Rainbow Dash, What’s going on?”
“Um… I think I may have gotten us foalnapped…”
“Where are we?”
“Well, assuming you’re in the same situation as I am, we’re in crates in some kind of warehouse.”
“Are ya hurt?”
“No, I’m fine… Wait a minute! I was supposed to be talking to you. Why didn’t you help me?”
“Help you? Ah never even saw you.”
“But, the last thing I remember was…” Rainbow Dash was certain she had seen McIntosh before blacking out. The sudden realization hit her like a freight train. “The Changeling!”
“Beg Pardon?”
“What’s the last thing you remember before waking up here?”
“Uh… Ah was supposed to be meeting somepony at the coffee shop and Green Hoof came up and… Green Hoof!”
“Bingo! He’s a changeling, Big Mac. He just pretended to be a farm pony to hide from the Khazae.”
“How do ya know about all this?”
“I joined them… more or less, the point is, I know you’re the informant! The changeling must have figured it out and came after the both of us!”
“Wait… You’re the one Ah was supposed to be meeting?”
“Yeah, long story. Listen, we have to get out of here. See if you can buck out of your crate.”
“Ah can’t even stand up…”
“Shoot! We need some sort of plan! That changeling is probably out there impersonating one of us! Who knows what kind of damage he can do?”
This danger had just occurred to McIntosh. “Hold on!”
Rainbow Dash could hear him trying to kick from a supine position, but to no avail. “Ah can’t break through, whatever kind of wood this is, it’s strong!”
“Okay, well give me a minute, I gotta think of something.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Closed Case nearly fainted. Ten minutes into the trial, and Silent Step had already been acquitted of one of his charges. That was the one that he was worried about. He could definitely use the evidence he was given to prove Silent Step was innocent of the murder charge, but the terrorist organization was another thing entirely. They pretty much had to admit to it for their defense against the murder charge.
Cold Justice looked like he needed a break. “No further questions, your honor.”
Silent Step was instructed to step down and he returned to his table next to Closed Case.
“What the hay was that, Silent Step?”
“A little legal knowledge I had up my sleeve…”
“Why didn’t you tell me about that? I could have used that to get a mistrial. We could use the whole, ‘exempt from charges pertaining to royal orders,’ thing to get the whole case thrown out.”
“Yeah, except Sly Horn was not a target of a royal order. My colleagues and I have an idea of who might have killed him, and they weren’t under our command.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that? If we can find him, you’ll be exempt of the charges!”
Fair Verdict interrupted their conversation. “Counselor, you may call your first witness to the stand.”
“Yes, your honor. The defense calls Rainbow Dash to the stand.”
Rainbow Dash stood in the audience and made her way to the front of the courtroom. The bailiff closed the small gate, and stood in front of her. “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”
“Audiorō. I mean, I swear.”
Cold Justice quickly turned to the cartographer. “Let the record show that Miss Rainbow Dash first responded in Ancient Equestrian.”
Rainbow Dash blushed sheepishly at Silent Step, who was glaring at her. She mouthed, ‘oops,’ as Closed Case began his questioning.
“Miss Rainbow Dash, could you describe for the Jury, the events of the night of the 24th of Last Seed?”
“Well…” she began. “After accidentally stumbling upon the Khazae outpost in Ponyville, The Khazae were going to punish me in some way, but I don’t know what. Sly Horn left to go find Grey Wisp, who is another Khazae member. We waited for him to come back, but he never did, so the Khazae and I went out to search for him. After a while, I found his body on the rooftop. I called the rest of the Khazae over and Silent Step told me to go find Wisp. I found her, but by the time we got back, Silent Step had fallen off the roof.”
“Is that all?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
“Was my client among the Khazae in the outpost?”
“Yes, he was.”
“And did he leave the building to help search for Sly Horn?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Now, about how long was the time in between when you last saw my client, to the time you found the body?”
“I’d say about an hour.”
Silent Step went wide-eyed. ‘No way, she’s exaggerating!’
Closed Case waited a second before finishing. “No further questions, your honor.”
Fair Verdict nodded and turned to the prosecutor’s attorney. “You may now cross-examine the witness, Mr. Prosecutor.”
Cold Justice stood and walked up to Rainbow Dash. “Miss Rainbow Dash, you stated earlier, that the Khazae were considering punishing you for discovering there outpost. Now, did they threaten your life?”
Rainbow Dash looked apologetically at Silent Step. “Yes.”
“Yes, and you mentioned a mare, Grey Wisp, was it? Is Ms. Wisp in the courtroom today?”
“No.”
“Well, do you know where she is?”
“Probably back in Ponyville.”
“And one final question, is it not true that you are affiliated with the same organization as the defendant?”
“I acted as a consultant for a short time, but I am not officially a member.”
“I see. No further questions.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phase three, part one. Sepulchre would begin the destruction of the Khazae by getting rid of key individuals. The first was the blood martyr. With his guise hopefully perfected, he made his way to the Khazae’s secret lair. He entered the Curio Shoppe which housed the outpost.
“Wisp, I’m back.”
Wisp looked up to see Sepulchre with a disappointed look on his face. “That was quick… What happened?”
“I couldn’t find him anywhere. I looked around the whole area, but he wasn’t there. So, I went to Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack said that he was out.”
“Damn it! Now he’s either flaking on us or something really bad happened. Did you happen to see Green Hoof when you were at the farm?”
“No, she said he was with McIntosh.”
“Augh! That can’t be good! C’mon Rainbow, grab your cloak!”
Sepulchre yanked the red cloth off of the table next to him and quickly put it on. They exited the building. Wisp took to the sky and Sepulchre followed suit. They flew over the entire area but no sign of McIntosh or Green Hoof appeared on the ground below. Wisp turned back to talk to Rainbow Dash.
“Can you see anythi-”
She was cut off by a hard blow to the chest. The wind was completely knocked out of her. She tumbled toward the earth and landed hard on the very rooftop on which her accomplice had been killed.
Sepulchre re-took his true form and looked down upon Grey Wisp, who was wincing on the ground, clutching her chest. He kicked her once more with his right foreleg. “Well somepony got a little too trusting, didn’t they?”
“Sepulchre!”
“Now, we see what’s happening!”
“What the fuck did you do with Rainbow Dash?!”
“She’s… alive. It’ll be fun playing her part in court. I just hope I don’t let any sensitive information slip.”
Wisp got furious. She began to work past the pain and attempt to stand, but Sepulchre pivoted on his forelegs and bucked her back to the “floor.”
“I’m going to kill you, Sepulchre!”
“Au contraire, dear Wisp. It will actually be quite the opposite. What a coincidence as to our location.” He grabbed the scimitar from the sheath on Wisp’s waist.
“Nox bona, Canicula!”