//------------------------------// // Chapter 44: Trial of the Century // Story: The Private Scrapbook // by Cadabra //------------------------------// Chapter 44: Trial of the Century Smithy wasn’t sure what to think when three strong guards approached her cell. This was the moment she had been waiting for, but how it was being played out was intimidating. The head guard was a unicorn with a mean streak. He sneered down at her as he lifted a set of leg chains with his magic, an expression that showed he was looking forward to detaining his pesky prisoner. “Granny Smith,” the head guard said as he used his unicorn magic to shackle her in chains. “It is time to stand trial for your crimes.” Smithy could not hold back a gasp as the shackles clasped her wrists and ankles. Once detained, she was dragged along the floor by two strong earth pony guards. Other prisoners cheered, spat, cat called, or threw things at her as she was dragged past their cells. It felt like she was having this done more for show than to be put on trial. After being dragged several humiliating miles to the palace, Smithy was thrown down before a red velvet curtain. She could hear voices on the other side of the curtain, one of which was the musical voice of Princess Celestia. She remembered the day that the princess pulled back that curtain to reveal her father when he went to trial, and now it was her turn. Nothing Smithy had ever done in her life could prepare her for this moment. She could not suppress the nervous butterflies that she felt in the pit of her stomach as she waited to be revealed. It felt like an eternity before she heard the princess’s dainty hoofsteps coming her way. The minute the curtain was opened, Smithy was blinded by the flashes of hundreds of cameras. In the midst of the flashes, the princess looked more like a regally blurry outline. Even amidgst the excitable courtroom chatter and the whining of the camera flashes, Princess Celestia's voice could be heard clear as day. “Granny Smith,” Princess Celestia said in a serious tone. “You have made some very bold statements to the press, and are being charged with libel against one of my most esteemed members of my royal household. I am giving you the chance to plea your case. Are you ready to begin?” Smithy could barely move in the presence of the royal princess. She remembered how Celestia had towered over her as a child, but this time she did not look nearly as pleasant as she had once remembered. All that she could say in response was a dumb little ‘uh huh.’ Princess Celestia turned without so much as an acknowledgement to the prisoner and began trotting back to her throne. “Bring the prisoner before me,” she ordered to the guards. Doing as they were instructed, the guards deposited Smithy before the royal throne. She was greeted by another series of camera flashes as she sat. Beside the throne stood a vindictive looking Carpet Bag along with several other political figureheads. She even noticed what looked to be old members of the Faction of the Stud. From where she sat, it looked like all of the important ponies were sitting miles above her. The first to speak was Senator Carpet Bag. “Granny Smith,” he declared in a dynamic speaking voice. “We have all read of your illegal exploits in the newspapers over the years. The antics of you and your comrade in arms have become a regular newspaper serial. Some even consider you a folk hero of sorts, even an off color brand of entertainment. Your partner in crime wrote a similar story to the scandalous Hoofington Post, but this article that you somehow found a way to get published while waiting for your trial for lewd and drunken behavior is beyond me, but this has gone too far!” Smithy watched as the article was revealed from an evidence bag, followed by the article that Crab Apple had written to the Hoofington Post. She couldn’t help smirking at the display of theatrics that had gone into the presentation. “Since when’s writtin’ a sin?” she replied with a capricious demeanor. A low rumble of laughter could be heard around the room, which was quickly extinguished by a hard look from Carpet Bag. “It is no sin to take a quill to paper,” he replied calmly, watching as the reporters scribbled what was being said. “However, what you did falls under libel, also known as defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures, as told by Mr. Webster in his well known dictionary.” Carpet Bag was talking over Smithy’s head, and he knew it. He could tell by the dumb look on her face that he was going to be able to talk the trial in his favor. This was only made better by the media’s support. “How do you plead?” he sneered. Smithy stood to her full height in an attempt to look stronger, a gesture that the newspapers were eager to get snapshots of. “Not guilty,” she declared amidst the sea of snapshots. “I wrote what I knew to be true. I wrote ‘bout the slavery of zebras in this here kingdom, and I wrote ‘bout how and why y’all brought ‘em here in the first place.” Carpet Bag didn’t miss a beat as he brought out the prized piece of evidence in his favor. “So from what you are saying, you are blaming me of being nothing more than a slave runner?” he accused. “With no proof to your name, you are saying that I am responsible for the suffrage of innocent migrant workers who have come to this nation to better themselves. You do realize how ridiculous this accusation sounds, don’t you? A respected senator cashing in on innocent lives? For shame!” Shame was the last thing Smithy was worried about. She had become desensitized to it during her time in Foalsom. “Ya wanna go on 'bout shame?” she replied in an aggravated squeal that excited the court reporters. “Why not talk ‘bout buyin’ zebras from them griffon merchants back when Cloudsdale went on strike? Ya bought ‘em up to use fer irrigation diggin’ so ya’d have somethin’ to tax. And why not add how much y’all liked havin’ them zebras 'round and why y’all decided to keep ‘em after they made yer lives so much easier? They got so popular that y’all started pocketin’ bits from tradin’ ‘em on the market like common produce!” Carpet Bag was well known for both ending the Cloudsdale strike and for making peace with the Griffon Kingdom, two tasks that many thought impossible at the time. With that kind of victory under his belt, he had to come up with a good story to tell the press to make it all sound respectable. Having made that story his legacy, he was prepared to tell it again. “The zebras are our allies,” he calmly began his retelling. “We made a peace treaty with them during our time of disagreements with the Griffon Kingdom, and the zebras were prepared to help us in our quest for peace. They enjoyed their time with us, and several wished to stay and extend their time helping us. They come to this nation looking for a dignified profession compared to their savage lives in their homeland.” This was a flat out lie, and Smithy knew it. “They’re forced here by a triangular trade system!” she hollered. “The griffons capture ‘em up from Zebrica, ship ‘em here, get what they need from us, and sail on home fer more! Merchants here in Equestria call it the Middle Passage! Y’all can ask any merchant in Horseshoe Bay!” Princess Celestia could see that the debate was getting heated, and the last thing she wanted was to see a fight break out in her royal halls. Several times she had seen a minor disagreement turn into an all out brawl the minute somepony threw a chair, and the last thing she needed was a repeat of this behavior with the media so present. “Ease yourselves!” she commanded, a demand which was quickly followed. “Granny Smith, these are very serious accusations you place upon my senator. This is a story I have never heard before in my royal court. Have you the evidence to back it up? What is your source for this information?” Smithy’s mouth hung open as she thought about what she was going to say next. “I uh…” she began, trying to think of the best way to phrase what she was on her mind. “Well, it comes from some ponies I know. I've been workin’ on gettin’ slaves outta Equestria fer years, so it’s hard to pinpoint all mah sources.” Carpet Bag objected to the reply. “You have no sources?” he denounced, standing in just the right way that the photojournalists were eager to get a shot of their own to add to their articles. “And yet you are eager to write such a jarring accusation? It is easy to see that these are lies!” From the crowd came an objection. “No it ain’t!” came the familiar voice of Crab Apple. Smithy’s head went right up as she tried to figure out where he was in the crowd. She watched as a zebra came walking forward, a zebra who looked an awful lot like Crab Apple. “Don’t mind da war paint, your highness,” he said as he tried to wipe the painted disguise off. “I had ta get past da guards or I’d be in chains too. See, it comes right off.” It wasn’t coming off. Instead it just smudged all over his face. Smithy rested an embarrassed hoof over her face at the spectacle Crab Apple was making of himself. The guards rushed on Crab Apple to detain him, but Princess Celestia stopped them from capturing him. “Let him speak,” she commanded. “You must be the Granddad I have read so much about in the newspapers. You've gained quite a splash in the gossip columns.” Crab Apple stood satisfied with his smile obscured by his smudged make up. “Dat’d be me, your majesty. Name’s Crab Apple,” he replied proudly, making sure to shoot Smithy a sideways wink to show his support. Princess Celestia noticed the exchange between the two ponies, and so did the media. “Very well, Mr. Crab Apple, you may testify on Granny Smith’s behalf,” she agreed, the court erupting in surprise and awe at the princess's decision. “Be aware that you will be held in contempt of court following this trial, for there are also warrants for your own arrest. A separate trial will be held against your crimes. Do I make myself clear?” Crab Apple held out a hoof of contrast. “Gotta better idea,” he replied, the courtroom gasping at his bold disregard of royal command. “Me and Smiddy here are partners in dis, as I’m sure you’ve read in da papers by now. Why not try us both togetha? Save yourself some time and headache. Whadda you say? It's obvious dis media circus is annoyin' you, 'cause you hold your breath a little when they get all excited.” The courtroom rumbled with excitement as a few more camera flashes went off. Princess Celestia was getting tired of the ever roaming press in her castle never giving her a moments peace, so the idea of getting the media out quicker by just doing one trial was very appealing. She hadn't realized how obvious it was that they were bothering her, but now was not the time to state the obvious. “We have an agreement,” she said, smiling slightly at the advantage Crab Apple had presented her with. “In the mean time, please wipe that ridiculous make up off of your face.” Celestia ordered for a slave she called Alabaster to bring a water basin and towels up to Crab Apple. Alabaster was an old, well dressed zebra who walked slowly with a limp. He bowed low to the princess as soon as his task was completed. “Will there be anything else, your majesty?” he asked, his head bowed so low that his nose touched the floor. Princess Celestia waved a dismissive hoof to the slave in front of her. “Thank you, Alabaster. That will be all for now,” she replied nonchalantly. The old zebra rose slowly from the ground on his old, creaky knees before exiting the room. Smithy helped Crab Apple with the face paint he had disguised himself with. “Yer a right idiot fer doin’ this,” she smiled as she wiped the black and white smudges from his face. Crab Apple returned the smile as he dried his face with a towel. “Fogetta ‘bout it,” he replied. “Besides, you got da trial by actin’ like an idiot in dat speakeasy. Least I can do is stand up here with my partner in crime.” The conversation was cut short by Princess Celestia’s ladylike throat clearing. “You had evidence to support Granny Smith last time I checked,” she replied impatiently. The last thing she wanted was more interruptions. Crab Apple snapped back to the reality he was about to face. “Yeah, I do,” he replied sternly. “Senator Carpet Bag here did a lotta dirty dealin’s back in da day when my dad was still alive. My dad had dis gang called da Faction a da Stud. Ever heard a them?” The princess shook her head at the question. “I have scanned over the name in the newspaper,” she replied. “I have heard more about the gang you are a part of, a group that calls themselves the Brotherhood of Steeds. What do these street gangs have to do with the accusations your partner has brought upon my senator?” Crab Apple held a calm hoof out to stifle the princess. “I’m gettin’ ta dat,” he replied rudely. “Your senator there was lookin’ for a way ta save Equestria from war with da Griffon Kingdom like any good pencil pusher would do. Well, Cloudsdale wasn’t helpin’ anypony out, so he was lookin’ for cheap labor ta help solve your problems. While talkin’ ta delegates in da Griffon Kingdom, he noticed how da zebras were waitin’ on ‘em hoof and foot, just like your Alabaster there. Him and my dad go way back, and he knew he could depend on him and his gang ta force some zebras ta work for Equestria just like they did for da griffons. They struck a deal with some griffon merchants, and next thing you know we got slaves diggin’ ditches.” Princess Celestia was aware of the zebras who had dug the essential irrigation ditches that helped end the Cloudsdale strike. “I would hardly call them slaves,” she replied in her senator’s defense. “We treated them well and made sure they were well accommodated. When the peace treaty was signed between Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom, I made sure to personally thank the zebras who put so much hard work into saving our nation from war. The zebras chose to stay and serve us, one of them being my loyal servant, Alabaster. More have immigrated to our fine nation after that unfortunate incident, which has helped Equestria flourish as a beacon of commerce. Senator Carpet Bag has seen to it that we continue to thrive by being the head of immigration.” Crab Apple could not suppress sarcastic laughter, which Princess Celestia did not appreciate. “Da perfect alibi!” he said as Smithy nudged him for his brazen behavior. “Now other than you, who does he gotta report himself ta? Who does he work with on a regular basis? Who backs him up?” The courtroom irrupted with gasps and flashes as Carpet Bag objected the accusations. Princess Celestia overruled the objection. “Please answer Crab Apple’s questions, senator,” she said to move the trial forward. Carpet Bag’s nostrils flared as he approached the smirking Crab Apple. “Your father was a good man,” he said rather dramatically. “He cared deeply for this kingdom and for the ponies who lived in it. You must miss him terribly.” Crab Apple rolled his eyes at the senator’s display. “Cut da filibusterin’,” he replied. “Just answer my questions already. Your fan club’s waitin’ with their cameras and quills.” The senator cleared his throat as he shot Crab Apple a dirty look. “I report to my fellow members of Congress, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Equestrian treasury, and of course to our esteemed Princess Celestia,” he explained with a flourishing bow at the last statement. “As for who I work with on a regular basis, that time is taken up by the Department of Immigration, the Immigration Travel Bureau, registration at the Horse Shoe Bay Immigration Port, the Department of Job Placement for migrant workers, and the Department of Revenue. So as you can see, I am kept very busy.” Crab Apple whistled low as the senator rattled off different departments. “Pretty names. Must be an election year,” he retorted, receiving a unanimous chuckle from the courtroom reporters. Smithy rested her hoof on her forehead at the comment, embarrassed that her trial was becoming something of a joke for the newspapers to write one-liners about. “I hate to interject,” she said in her defense. “While mah partner here is bringin’ up some mighty fine questions, I gotta ask 'bout some of these here departments yer talkin’ ‘bout. What is it they do, and how well do they treat slaves? I mean ‘immigrant workers?’ I hear some folks die on these here trips over the ocean.” Carpet Bag objected to the accusation, which was overruled by Princess Celestia. “Do explain, senator,” she said. “I have never actually heard all of the information about these departments due to my busy schedule. The accused have peeked my interest.” Carpet Bag bowed to the request as he thought up the best way to sugar coat it for the princess. “First let me begin with the main hub, known as the Department of Immigration,” he began. “It is here that we keep records of those who wish to employ zebras and those looking to become employed. The Immigration Travel Bureau is in charge of transporting the migrant workers to Equestria, and they are made up griffons from the Griffon Kingdom. This department was essential in the peace making process during the unrest we had between kingdoms, and continues to help keep this peace and aid migrant workers to a better life here in Equestria. The Horse Shoe Bay Immigration Port is responsible for the unloading of passenger migrant workers and making sure that they are properly registered. The Department of Job Placement makes sure that those who enter our fair kingdom are placed with those looking for workers. The Department of Revenue makes sure our fine griffon merchants are paid well for their efforts.” Feeling pleased with the answers, Princess Celestia turned to the accused. “Does this answer your questions, Granny Smith?” she asked. Smithy shook her head, having a feeling that everything Carpet Bag had said was for his own benefit. “Ya say ya’ve never heard much 'bout these here places,” she said. “I’m guessin’ ya’ve never seen ‘em either, right?” The princess shook her head at the question. “I have not seen them,” she replied honestly. “What would it prove to see them? I trust my government, and they would have no reason to go against my kingdom.” Smithy rose to her feet before continuing, feeling confident that she had found something worth investigating. “Iffn’ ya ask me, yer majesty,” she said, adding a respectful bow for good measure, “what I heard outta all that ramblin’ was nothin’ but marketplace gab. Why, I betcha hooves to hindquarters these here departments ain’t as nice as they sound once ya get yer eyes on ‘em. I sure would like to see some of ‘em fer mahself.” Once again, Carpet Bag objected. “Do you see what they are doing, your majesty?” he protested. “They are manipulating you to their twisted ways by wasting your time and precious resources in suggesting going on a wild goose chase all over Equestria. They clearly do not have a case. They are fugitives after all, and have been breaking the law for years.” Princess Celestia could see by how the case was being presented that her senator had a much stronger case. She felt that he had the best interests of herself and her kingdom at heart, and that the prisoners were doing nothing but try to drag the case out even further. At the very least, she was glad that Crab Apple was stupid enough to turn himself in so eagerly and that her guards would have less work on their hooves. “I must agree with my senator,” she said, listening to the gasps of the press and the flashes of their cameras. “Until better evidence is presented before this court, I find you both guilty of libel. Guards, take them away from this throne room.” Crab Apple’s plan had failed, and he began to panic. “Don’t let him do dis, your highness!” he hollered as shackles were placed around his wrists and ankles. “He’s lyin’ ta protect himself! He doesn’t care about anypony but himself!” Smithy watched as the guards hit Crab Apple over the head to quiet him before dragging him away. She turned to the princess, who had a hard look on her face. It scared Smithy to see the princess who she always thought of as fair and just looking so coldly at her. Guards gathered around Smithy and lifted her up to take her to her cell. The journalist ponies crowded around her with questions as she was lead away from the throne room. Smithy held her teary gaze low and didn’t answer any of them as the guards took her away.