Chapter 42: A Goddess on Trial
The laws of Equestria, as they were over a thousand years before, were to be the standard for the trials. These laws were the last to be agreed upon by all the powers in Equestria, and were not tainted with the ways of the dark times over whose deeds they would now preside. The actual trial was to be conducted as swiftly as possible and with all necessary measures for public safety. It was to take place during the course of one night, if possible, so that the former Princess would not be needed to raise the sun during proceedings and therefore have an opportunity to escape.
Celestia rode to the Unified National Courthouse in Canterlot in a covered carriage that shielded her from large, unruly crowds that lined the roads as she rode by. Despite her guards, there was some disruption in security before they were underway that allowed a group of teenage colts to vandalize the carriage. “Trollestia” was spray-painted in blood red on the side, then crossed out and replaced with “Killestia” and “Molestia.” “Soul-snatcher” was perhaps the mildest label, accompanied by various other words which made her realize that the Equestrian language could be far more vulgar than she had previously thought. She had turned down offers to make other transportation arrangements, and it was from this verbal collage that she emerged at her destination.
Opposing mobs were held at bay by the security perimeter. A sign from one side read “I Detestia”. On the other side, a robed figure wailed, “Fools! Do not insult the goddess! You will all burn! You will not be admitted to the afterlife!”
From the approach to the courthouse, Celestia could see what was meant by “all necessary measures” even in the fading light: the “Even Justice” rifles of the rooftop snipers were there to protect their namesake in the face of a defendant that would be difficult to control if she resisted. She was ushered past a gauntlet of cameras and crystal balls into the side door of the marble edifice.
As she took her seat in the courtroom the wire frame and flickering lights of a disenchanting prism suddenly closed around her. The judge, a stately, bifocaled old colt, glanced up from the materials he was reviewing and explained, “A necessary precaution, I’m afraid.” The prosecutor smiled, pleased that his suggestions as to security had been taken seriously. Why, to think what could happen should such a magician become violent under accusations and sentencing…
To speed the trial, some unusual arrangements had been made. Due to the scope of the inquiry, the witnesses involved were numerous, especially those called by the prosecution, and they filled half of the courtroom floor. They would all be available to offer testimony and be cross-examined at any relevant time. Celestia had called for her friends and acquaintances from when she was Dusk: Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Trixie. Celestia had also requested Doctor Redheart and several experts on magical artifacts. The prosecution had filled hundreds of seats with nervous, mortified victims; grim, worn soldiers; and politicians whose expressions were unreadable. Both sides had asked Luna to testify, and she agreed to both.
Luna entered the courtroom once again. She had already faced her trial and was still Princess and Premier. Nightmare Moon’s atrocity had already been punished with a thousand years of exile by the revered Elements.
She had been charged with numerous lesser offenses since then, and cleared of most of these. Imperial and Republic intelligence reports surfaced that removed most of the suspicion that had been cast on her by the media. Luna was convicted of infringing on the rights of her citizens, bypassing the Senate’s authority on important matters, and knowingly issuing orders with terrible consequences.
However, in all of this she was more than vindicated. She was the one who gave her citizens rights as such, and had breached their freedoms to protect their lives. She was the one who purposefully lessened her own authority by founding her state as a republic, and had only acted outside of her role in moments of immediate need. While it was not always clear that she had made the right decisions, Celestia had forced her into terrible dilemmas more than once. The trial served to address the misgivings the ponies of the old Solar Empire had about her and to introduce them to her noble character for the first time.
Now vested with authority and privilege in the new Republic of Equestria, she entered the arena to fill a different role. She was a witness; she was security; and she was the keeper of certain items of material evidence. She had brought a led-lined steel case from the Vault and now willed it to roll in front of her as she crossed the room and took her seat front and center of the floor.
Twilight Sparkle attempted to keep up with the Princess, but she was stuck in a wheelchair and a tight ball of supporting friends. The tubes in her nostrils led to an attached pump that hummed softly as it assisted her breathing. She had not been able to attend Luna’s trial, but she was finally discharged from the hospital before this more dire examination. Some doctors said that she would never be able to live a normal life, but she and her friends would not accept that.
Rainbow Dash hovered over the wheelchair. “I know I said it before, Twilight, but that is an awesome scar! It has an epic scar story, too.”
Twilight looked up and added weakly, “It was a much better story with you in it.”
“No problem, just saving the world!” the heady captain bragged with her chest out. Her friends gave her a stare. Applejack adjusted her hat and looked up from pushing Twilight. “You know, saving the world with all of you guys,” Dash corrected.
They filed into their seats in the front row next to Luna.
Twilight turned to the Princess as much as she could. “Who’s on the case, are they good enough—” she paused for her lungs to fill, “What are her chances?”
The Princess’s eyes darted from judge to prosecutor before following Twilight’s insistent hoof to a vacant booth. “Oh, the defense attorney…” Luna remembered, and met the unicorn’s worried gaze to inform seriously, “He was very good. Celestia and he could not agree. I tried to stop her, but she dismissed him. She has decided to represent herself; due to her standing, she is allowed this, but I do not think it is wise.”
She moved on to review and evaluate the other players, directing her attention to the judge. “It was difficult to find a judge who is not biased, but I believe Thoroughgood only wants to uphold the principles of justice.” His black robe spilling out around the edges of his high podium, Judge Thoroughgood was an imposing sight, but there was something gentle in his eyes. Though his garment hid his markus adeptus, any who saw him could easily envision the fair scale on his flank. His mane had fallen out, and his exposed forehead held layers of wrinkles earned in heavy consideration. Together with his enormous white beard, these features gave him the appearance of a being that had been left behind by the guile and turmoil of the past centuries. “He believes justice itself is the highest goal, and that the law is its manifestation. He was also well suited for this case because of his studies of history.”
Luna finally permitted herself to consider the only pony who truly wanted to be seen in that courtroom—the prosecuting attorney. “That is Friedrich Champion. He is one of the most fiery products of my egalitarian legal reforms. He sees it as his duty to protect the weak by punishing the guilty. He no doubt intends to earn lasting fame and cement his reputation as a great voice for the common pony by tearing down the power that he distrusts.” They eyed the young lawyer as he stood proudly in a blue suit. His dark mane was styled with an overabundance of product to form a bristle of spikes; it could have been taken to be comical. In this setting however, as he stared doggedly at his target, its jagged, swept-back contour gave him an aggressive appearance
Applejack said what they were both thinking. “So they’re too good? That’s too bad.”
“Before the trial commences it is necessary to commit certain facts to record,” the judge solemnly addressed the crowd. Though it was just as much for the benefit of the cameras, he did not deign to look at these upstart technological intrusions into the ancient and hallowed realm of his beloved justice.
“It has been suggested that this trial is meaningless because this court is unable to punish the defendant, should she be found guilty. This presumed inability stems from the fact that the defendant, the former Princess or Empress Celestia, is required to fully raise the sun and sustain life on this world at its current level. Death, or removal of magical capacity, would prevent this requirement from being met and is clearly untenable. Banishment or imprisonment of any form which did not address the preeminent magical power of the defendant could be circumvented by said power. It is agreed that in such circumstances the defendant could force her release by refusing to raise the sun until her every demand, not limited to freedom, were met. It has been claimed that this court is incompetent to issue a verdict on one whom it depends for existence. The court admits that a verdict of not guilty would also be invalid should the court be found incapable of ruling otherwise.
“In light of this, many scientific and magical experts have been consulted to devise a method of punishment that could be implemented so that this trial may proceed with integrity. A combination of potions and forcibly administered therapies has emerged which could place any recipient in a semi-conscious, suggestible state. In this state the subject is unable to employ willpower or faculties of reason, but can be made to perform tasks on command. This process does not interfere with the magical endowment of that individual, so the defendant could be made to raise the sun from such a state. This process can be administered daily to extend this state over any period that is desired. The maximum penalty that can be enforced would be to put the defendant in this state indefinitely. It is to be noted that the permanent removal of thought from an individual is tantamount to intellectual death.”
All present are now made aware that this court is capable and willing to uphold any verdict that it may reach. The trial is now commenced.”
Then came the prosecution’s opening statement: “Now that the great monster of our times has been brought to light, we have the chance to show that justice truly applies to all, and that we need not live in fear of any. A great number of witnesses have been gathered to testify against the would-be goddess Celestia, but rest assured, many more could have been found. Indeed some of the events in question have been observed by and have affected nearly everpony in Equestria. With the magnitude and number of charges on hoof, many significant charges will not be mentioned. The prosecution will claim as its mission only to produce the most solid and severe charges, which are the best-documented and will determine sentencing. I beg the defense not to contest many of these cases, which are undeniable. In so doing, many of her helpless and ashamed victims, whose testimony is of the most fragile nature, will be spared further humiliation.”
“Yes. You’re right,” was her short and resigned opening statement. “I don’t want to hurt them any more,” she said regretfully from her glowing cage. Luna and Twilight whispered to each other with concern.
“Yes? Any more?” the judge inquired. He adjusted his glasses to peer over them with surprised eyes. “Not to be condescending, but the defendant is aware that anything she says will most certainly be used against her?”
“I know.”
Capitalizing on the moment, Friedrich pushed, “In order to spare the witnesses and complete the trial within the safe time period, the prosecution moves for the charges to be considered in sum, instead of separately, as one somewhat malleable charge.”
Judge Thoroughgood pointed out, “That is quite a shortcut, and may affect sentencing a great deal; however the defense must agree to these terms.”
“I agree,” Celestia responded quickly. “They should be considered in sum, with one punishment.”
The judge acknowledged the movement and signaled, “Let the defendant then be accused.”
The prosecutor produced a long list, and with his chest out, began, “The defendant, former Princess or Empress Celestia of the Solar Empire, is charged with innumerable charges including but not limited to—“ Champion drew a deep breath and ran the edge of his hoof theatrically across the entries, to suggest the magnitude of what was omitted, “—at least twenty-five counts of kidnapping and statutory rape; at least three counts of murder in the first degree; at least thirteen counts of murder in the second degree; at least three hundred forty counts of negligent ponicide; as well as war crimes: at least three counts of pointless attacks on civilian populations during military operations; and at least seventeen counts of international terrorism against targets not holding military, governmental, or industrial significance. Finally, although this is not a legally defined charge, the defendant’s demand of worship as a deity has resulted in massive philosophical and psychological damage to Equestria.”
Thoroughgood squinted as if pained and allowed a moment of silence for the casualties of these fell deeds. He then resumed his impartially watchful demeanor and proceeded, “How do you plead to these charges? Which charges do you wish to contest?”
In a soft voice, but not quietly, Celestia replied, “I will not contest them your honor. I committed all of these crimes and more.”
The judge raised his bushy eyebrows. “You have brought many witnesses and some evidence, but you have not called upon any of them. What is the meaning of this? Are you at this point pleading guilty, voluntarily and intelligently?”
“I am guilty,” she admitted, “but you can’t punish me.”
He squinted at her, this time with consternation. Surely she understood what he had already stated about the new punishment that was available. “I am not sure what you mean. May I remind you of the precedent that has been established before this trial. This court has already convicted many high officials and officers of the former Solar Empire of crimes against Equestria and has therefore sentenced them to the most severe of punishments.”
There were angry murmurs in the crowd and the bailiff indicated that the judge should make some concessions to the former Imperials on behalf of the court.
“It is irrelevant to this matter,” the judge griped as he digressed, “but the court is forced to note that a few members of the former Lunar Republic have also been convicted of such crimes.”
He continued from his previous statement: “The records show that some of these individuals claimed that they acted under your orders, and you yourself have attested to this fact. You yourself have claimed that you were responsible for creating a state of affairs that made such incidents inevitable. You have also confessed to a multitude of additional charges; these crimes being too numerous to repeat here despite their gravity. Since the court has administered the fullest punishment to individuals who were accused of lesser crimes and acted under your authority, how can the court now administer any lesser punishment in your case?”
“A crime can only be punished once,” she said matter-of-factly.
“That is true. After any court has carried out a sentence for a crime, further punishment may not be meted out again by any other court for the same crime. However, this does not pertain to your case, unless you are prepared to ENLIGHTEN the court and demonstrate otherwise,” he said with returning frustration and clear contempt. The use and emphasis of enlighten was an obvious jab at the former ruler, who had nearly redefined the word by her constant use of it.
“I was already punished,” she stated calmly. “I was stripped of my power and killed for doing all these things, just like I deserved. That’s what started the second war.”
The judge was not used to this line of reasoning and thought for a while before responding, “Do you mean to refer to the magical incident in the palace that temporarily caused you to be unable to raise the sun? The cause of it has not been determined, although it has been deemed by all experts to be so concerted an event that it cannot be an accident. An unknown force intentionally disabled you and caused your removal from power. In this new defense, you must therefore claim this mysterious force as a court.”
“I do.”
Thoroughgood found this point interesting enough to explore despite the other absurd elements of the claim. The prosecutor gritted his teeth, holding himself back to allow the respected judge to satisfy his curiosity. “While it would be difficult to justify this definition in technical and legal terms, pure reason shows that a greater force than yourself did pass some sort of selective judgment on you. Additionally, while this court cannot approve of an entity of which it knows nothing, the facts do demand the court’s respect. This entity’s actions have caused the reunification of Equestria and placed you and others who were above the law under the power of this court, displaying principles of universal justice. Although this kind of talk is not usually permitted in legal proceedings, in the face of all that has transpired, this court simply does not have the faith to deny the existence of higher courts than itself. Therefore this court recognizes this entity as worthy of consideration as a court. However, it is not understood that the defendant has been in fact punished.”
Champion’s veins bulged as Thoroughgood still refused to acknowledge the obvious.
“The removal from power of the defendant by the entity could be assessed as purely an intervention for the sake of the world to prevent further wrongdoing. It could be likened to apprehending a suspect and detaining the suspect until a trial could be held. In this view of the matter, the judgment of the ‘previous court’ is to deliver the defendant to this court for trial.”
Judge Thoroughgood was quite flattered that the discussion framed him as the mediator chosen by a higher justice. “Although this line of defense has been fascinating to consider, this court does not find the grounds to say that the defendant has already been punished.”
“OBJECTION! The defendant has just claimed that she is DEAD!” the prosecutor snapped, gesturing at Celestia as if at a loss for words.
This outburst brought the old judge back from his intellectual musings. He returned to that part of Celestia’s statement which he would not have even dignified with an answer in any lesser circumstances. “True, true. The defense will of course be FORCED to concede that you have not been punished with death, since you are not dead.”
“I don’t concede,” the great alicorn cryptically replied.
“But you must,” the judge insisted. “How can you take this position?”
She explained, “When most of me melted and boiled away at the palace, and I was left exposed—however much of me that is left from before—the sunlight burned me. From that point I could feel myself burning up slowly, and I continued to die from the inside with no hope of recovery. So the punishment that was given to me was death.”
The wrinkly old colt inquired, “Well, I do recall hearing something of these curious details, but how can you be so certain of your condition? I cannot accept your opinion as such, of course. The court must know more about the defendant’s health at that time.” Doctor Redheart presented a worn journal to the bailiff, who read the open page aloud.
“Medical report, Chief Medical Officer Redheart, NLRA:
‘The patient is in deteriorating health. Numerous undiagnosed pains are reported throughout the body. Stiffness of the joints has increased and the patient has less energy every day. Most disturbingly, the patient has begun to give off white substance that appears to be ash and smells of smoke, to exhibit burns on the skin, and has been observed to cough blood and ash. No condition is known that produces these symptoms. At this time the patient is untreatable and appears to be deteriorating to the point of death.’”
“Your honor, while this may be sufficient to establish that this condition was severe, this CLEARLY cannot be considered a fully applied death penalty,” Champion was quick to dismiss. “In the end, the condition was treated in the crystal cave ruins. Therefore, if this is some death sentence that was justly administered by the previous agents, it has been unjustly interrupted by treatment that defeated the intent of the sentence.”
“The magic chamber still required death,” Celestia informed. “Since someone would die for my crimes, it was a chance for a pardon, but it didn’t stop my sentence. I could only survive if somepony willingly died in my place.”
“A substitutive pardon?” Thoroughgood gave his beard a stroke. “Most unusual. But I was not aware of a requirement for willingness in the operation of the device.”
Princess Luna stood up and interjected, “I was in charge at that time and I stated that it would have to be somepony who was willing.”
“Witness testimony was not requested!” the judge pointed out, “but this court is invested in the content of what has been said so it will be addressed.”
“If I may, your honor,” the prosecutor began, unsure of his place since protocol had been breached. “Despite this requirement from the present authorities, this is not a true willing substitution due to the understood compulsion for somepony to make the substitution. If no one died to revive the defendant, the sun could not remain in the sky and therefore it can be more appropriately seen as a sacrifice for the good of Equestria, as is the interest of soldiers in battle. Might I add that this act by the unicorn, miss Rarity, cannot be a substitution for the death penalty, not only because of the compulsive nature of the situation, but also because Rarity survived unharmed. Only the threat of death was administered, but it was in fact hollow.”
Celestia protested, “That’s not true, your honor. I’m really grateful for what Rarity did, but I wasn’t talking about her. Some pony did die. A great alicorn. The author of the book died there for me.”
“The book?” Thoroughgood immediately questioned. “Are you referring to the magical artifact that led you to the device? How do we know that what you say occurred?”
“We found a page of the book there. When I looked into it, he showed me what he did,” she recalled reverently. “He was a great magician, and I think he built the device. I saw him give his life willingly there. He did it for me, just for me.”
The judge inquired with surprise, “This book showed you all that? Did it show this to anyone else?”
“No your honor,” she admitted.
“Objection! There is no evidence!” the prosecutor decried. “This is merely the defendant’s testimony, and bizarre testimony!”
“The objection is upheld,” the judge said, nodding. “The defendant could claim to have seen anything.”
“I further object that we do not know if this magic book is reliable,” the suave colt pressed his advantage.
“The book is the reason we’re all alive!” Celestia countered, showing her temper for the first time.
The judge pointed out, “I do recall from reading the case that using the book in the Vault led to the discovery of the facility wherein her ability to raise the sun was restored.”
“Allegedly, your honor, who else saw this, besides the suspect?” Champion insinuated.
“No one else read the book, your honor,” Celestia admitted, with a creeping anxiety. “But a page of the book was found there, and I was restored.”
“Just a page? How do you know it has anything to do with the book?” Champion again asked doubtfully.
“Luna,” she prompted.
Luna again stood and reported, “The curators of the Vault have subjected both to sci/magic screening. The materials and approximate age do align. The enchantment on each of them is identical. Nothing about the enchantment besides that could be determined in safe testing. It is of a type unknown to my experts.”
She presented documentation from the researcher in charge. The bailiff surveyed the sheets of data and technical jargon and took a breath. “Don’t, don’t read that,” Thoroughgood groaned.
“That may be, but the suspect was in custody of the book before that. She could have placed it there…” the prosecutor started to suggest.
The judge turned some irritation his way for the first time. “If that is true, that would mean she had prior knowledge of or even involvement in her own downfall. The defense has proved… unpredictable, but I did not think you would resort to such wild speculation.”
Champion leaned back from his forward stance and folded his hooves. “Whatever the book showed, Miss Rarity was the one who performed this mock substitution in real life,” he said scornfully.
Celestia shook her head slightly. “Rarity tried, but the crystals would not transfer her life into me.”
“And again, this is by the defendant’s word?” he prodded.
At the judge’s permission, the relevant witnesses spoke. “I’m still here, remember?” Rarity quipped, mildly indignant that she could have been forgotten.
Luna testified, “All of us who were there will attest that the operation failed when she was on the receiving platform.”
“Then how exactly was the defendant restored?” Thoroughgood asked her.
“There was a tremendous energy already at the site,” she recounted. “All the unicorns could sense it, and it caused the attached crystals to glow brightly. However, it could not or would not move while Rarity was present. Only when she was alone under the charged crystal in the sunlight was Celestia restored. Its power flowed into her; after that moment I could no longer perceive an aura from the device and the crystals no longer glowed.”
“So the life that was taken did originate in the past, as my sister claims,” Luna summarized. She revealed further, “Experts have dated everything in the cave to the same time period, but the energy felt to me as though it predated that kingdom by a great deal. I do not know if the energy could have been from a pony—though it is perhaps possible that it was from a strange alicorn—but it seemed akin to the Elements of Harmony in some way.”
The prosecutor demanded, “How do we know the author intended this for Celestia—who was not born? How could he have been aware of her crimes that she had not yet committed? Without full knowledge and intent, this is nothing like a substitution.”
“He knew me,” Celestia spoke surely. “When I first read the book, it accused me, just like I’ve been accused today. I think—no, I know that he is the one who unmade me.”
“We don’t know that,” Champion replied, falling back to his familiar position.
“The book knew me,” she insisted, and motioned to Twilight.
“I opened the book, but I couldn’t see anything,” Twilight spoke carefully. Her voice was quiet, but in her condition no one asked her to repeat herself. “It would only show Celestia.”
Luna added, “Indeed, the page we found now holds her image.”
Celestia marveled, “He knew me, and knew that I should die for what I’ve done. I didn’t think it was possible for someone like me to be pardoned, but I could not turn down his life.”
“He must have been some kind of madcolt!” the prosecutor accused. “He isn’t just at all if he’s letting such a monster go free.”
“I thought so at first,” Celestia granted, “but his energy, his heart changed me. I don’t think I could do all those things anymore. He was very wise, but I still can’t fathom such a sacrifice.”
“Objection!” Champion yelled. “This court can’t accept such an outrageous substitution! No sacrifice is worth enduring HER!”
Thoroughgood pondered all this. “That is certainly worth considering. Is the defense prepared to give an answer?”
“I am, your honor. He was a ruler too, and powerful enough to defeat me. The one who saved Equestria from my awful reign is as much of a hero as I am a villain. You don’t have the opportunity to deny the substitution…” she paused and attempted to contain her emotions.
“It’s too late to stop the substitution because he has already died.” She stifled sobs. “If you really recognize his judgment, would you hold in contempt a sentence a higher court gave its life to carry out? Will you not honor him?” She shook her head and cried. “It IS an outrageous substitution. I’m not worth his life! I… I don’t deserve this but—will you not honor him?”
“Objection,” Champion spoke again, this time with a calm finality. “The identity of this supposed substitute, as well as his status, intent, and even existence are based on HER reading of that book. None of this is factual!”
“If I may?” Luna requested from the floor.
The judge permitted her.
At last she pushed the heavy case into the middle of the room and opened it. Most of its size was due to measures of security and preservation. The book lay closed, resting neatly in an impression in the surrounding foam that prevented it from being jostled. Suddenly the bizarre artifact that was the focus of so much debate was among them. Many in the courtroom took a slight gasp. A weird awe filled the room as everyone stared silently. Some ponies quietly excused themselves.
“Friedrich Champion,” she addressed, “if you will not trust her reading of the book, perhaps you wish to examine it yourself.”
The proud prosecutor would not easily back down from a challenge. Logically, it would be better for his case for him to read it than for any sympathetic to the defense to do so. He stepped out from behind his booth, and Luna stepped back as he advanced to the enigmatic artifact. He gave the courtroom a confident smile and reached to open the cover.
He stopped with his hoof an inch above it. A chill crept up his foreleg. The earth pony could not stand the sight of the golden image on the cover. If what Celestia said was true, it did not show a unicorn but an alicorn, and one who had imposed his will on the whole world—exactly the kind of being Friedrich hated. Now this book, this enchanted thing, was waiting.
He turned abruptly and protested, “You can’t bring this in here! This is invalid evidence.”
“All precedent would demand that such evidence is valid,” the judge stated. “If we here cannot examine magical individuals, forces, and artifacts, then this court is not even capable of discussing current events.”
The prosecutor took a step away from it. “Yes your honor, but it—it isn’t evidence at all! It’s possessed! It could have shown her anything, and it could show anything now!”
Thoroughgood acknowledged, “This book does appear to be possessed of some form of intelligence. Just as the Elements of Harmony were recognized as delivering a ruling on Nightmare Moon, it may be considered as a witness as much as evidence. However, in either case, it is relevant to this examination and valid in this courtroom.”
Champion closed the thick case. “It’s too dangerous to open in this room. Send it back to the Vault where it belongs!”
“A prosecutor is not required to examine evidence personally,” the judge nodded.
“I will!” a voice called weakly from the floor. Twilight’s lungs filled back up with a hiss and she offered, “I can open it. I’m not afraid to look into it again.”
“Yeah, I can read it too!” Rainbow Dash added, not to be left out of bravery.
The other friends each agreed in turn, and Pinkie Pie did so exuberantly. When she remembered the formality of the event she sat back down next to Trixie.
“Trixie isn’t going to touch that thing!” the usually brash unicorn announced.
“Any of you could be permitted to read it, and be a witness as to its contents,” Thoroughgood allowed.
The prosecutor gave the front row a sweeping motion and scolded, “You were all brought by the defendant. They’re biased.”
“True,” the judge nodded. “However, this does emphasize that the problem is easily overcome. It would only be most proper for the book to be immediately removed to the evidence rooms and read by impartial investigators, perhaps curators of the Vault.”
“No!” Champion cried. His mind raced. He could not allow this extra tyrant in league with Celestia to extend his hooves any further into the present. “It—it’s a menace! It shouldn’t be read at all! Don’t let it be opened ever again! Can’t you feel it? It is too dangerous, too awful!”
“Mr. Champion, are you being affected?” Judge Thoroughgood asked with some concern. “Is your ability to prosecute this case compromised? One of your esteemed colleagues may replace you if necessary. Perhaps during the break that would be necessary to review the evidence, you could recover your nerve.”
“No, don’t take that recess,” the distressed prosecutor shot back. “It’s not right, don’t let anyone use that thing!”
“Are you actually refusing to consider the contents of that book as evidence or testimony?” the judge asked slowly, enunciating clearly.
“Yes!” Champion replied hurriedly. “Yes, your honor.”
“Are you aware of the ramifications of your refusal?” Thoroughgood asked with some disbelief.
“I don’t care!” he claimed.
“You do not care? At a crucial point in this case, with so much at stake, you do not care?!” This professed apathy offended the judge like few things could, and his demeanor became very severe.
Attaching himself to the judge’s podium the desperate prosecutor continued his impassioned plea. “No! It’s too dangerous! It’s with her! Who knows what it could do.”
“Very well,” Thoroughgood said threateningly. The judge pushed the intruding hooves away with his gavel. “Go back to your seat and listen while I explain to the court what you have just done.”
He informed the others, “If the prosecution refuses to examine evidence or hear a witness, it must concede the arguments the defense bases upon them. By refusing to consider the basis of the defense’s claims, it loses its power to contest the truth of those claims. Therefore, a number of claims will now be presumed true.”
The judge mulled over the state of affairs as they had been left by these events. After some consideration he spoke again: “What is not affected is the defendant’s claim to have been changed. The fact of her renewal is neither based on the contents of the book nor objectively verifiable. It is no more admissible than any defendant’s claims to have turned over a new leaf.”
The prosecutor stood back up to nod his agreement.
“Moreover, the court can no longer be concerned with these matters due to the fact that punishment has already been delivered for the crimes she is accused of,” the judge concluded. “Celestia, there is no basis for you to be held by any authority except for accusations of crimes committed at any time after your fall from power.”
“What! Your honor, how can you do that?” Champion complained impotently.
Thoroughgood did not answer but continued, “Of course, for the sake of Equestria, there is no way that you can be permitted to resume your position of authority. That would have occurred if you had been found not guilty. Since you have been convicted of tremendous and devastating abuse of power, it would be gross negligence to the safety of the population to allow you to have political power again in addition to your innate magical power. You are hereby prohibited from holding any political office for the duration of your life. Due to the magnitude of your personal ability, this measure would be ineffective were I not to add that it must be upheld with immediate utmost force without due process should authorities find it necessary for national security. This much may be contended against but I think it will stand: voting, or endorsing a candidate publicly, is also prohibited with lesser punishments, due to your cult following. In direct opposition to traditional Equestrian philosophy, it appears you are now just another pony, who also happens to raise the sun. Oh, I almost forgot, any delay in raising the sun may also be met with immediate force.”
“No pressure,” Celestia thought to herself. To Champion’s disbelief, she remained calm and apparently at peace with the ruling.
Defeat soured in the prosecutor’s mouth and he grasped for a way to salvage some of his honor—to retaliate. He gave her a cunning glance. “Your honor, shouldn’t the defendant also be prohibited from contact with magical artifacts?” he suggested.
“Quite right,” the judge agreed, “access to powerful artifacts is of course a privilege of heads of state and authorized personnel. More importantly, the defendant is not to have contact with any source of further power. Any such contact is fully and immediately punishable.”
Despite her reprieve, Celestia found herself suddenly distraught. “But what about the book?”
“Oh yes!” the old judge exclaimed. “The book is an excellent example. It has already been proven that, in the right hooves, it can change the fate of our world. When we consider also the Elements of Harmony, it is apparent that magical artifacts have played a pivotal role in crises throughout history. Under no circumstances is the defendant to read, touch, or even be near that book.”
“Your honor, please! He wrote that book for me, if I don’t read it—“ she begged.
“Silence! This is the sentence of the court, and it is final,” he said, with a pound of his gavel.
The judge motioned for exhibit C to be removed from the scene and secured. As Luna locked its case, she told her sister, “I am glad you will remain with us; and as far as this artifact, I think it is for the best.” The courtroom breathed more easily after Luna escorted it safely away.
Celestia was released from her prison, but remained fixed on the spot, staring after the book. Her heart sank with loss—until the six friends came to congratulate her on her victory. The spell of the terrible goddess had been broken, but Celestia had survived, and now she was free.