//------------------------------//
// Turnabout Trouble 
// Story: The Jack of All Trades 
// by Lord Zalgo 
//------------------------------//

Phoenix laid quietly in his cell as he waited for the guards to take him to the courtroom. He was taken to the dungeon of Canterlot castle immediately after he was arrested before being transferred to the Canterlot Courtroom Detention Centre. Phoenix’s eyes opened as he heard hoofsteps approaching his cell. He sat up to see not guards like he was expecting but the two princesses standing outside of his cell. He stared for a moment before standing respectfully.

“We heard about your... confession. Did you really...?” Celestia began, but couldn’t finish.

“I’m afraid so, Celestia. I did murder him.” Phoenix replied shamefully.

“Dost thou intend to defend thyself?” Luna asked, hopefully. Phoenix looked slightly surprised before speaking.

“The reason I came forward was to receive the judgement I deserve and finally put this to rest.” Phoenix replied, ignoring Luna’s new speech style. The princesses looked sombre for a moment before looking back to him.

“I will be presiding over the trial. I wish I could help you but...” Celestia trailed off regretfully.

“You’ve got to follow the law. I understand.” Phoenix replied soothingly. The princesses sombrely walked away, presumably to prepare for the trial. Phoenix watched them leave and felt all the more guilty to make them feel that way. The minutes that passed were somewhat agonising as Phoenix tried to mentally prepare himself for the trial. It was after twenty minutes when two guards opened his cell. Phoenix instantly rose to his feet and allowed the guards to chain his legs and place a magic lock on his horn, then allowed them to escort him to the courtroom. The closer they got, the clearer Celestia’s voice from the courtroom.

“Bailiff, could you please bring in the defendant?” Celestia instructed. Phoenix was then escorted inside and walked to the witness stand.

“Defendant, please state your name and occupation.” Celestia instructed softly.

“My name is Phoenix Fortesque and I’m a student councillor.” Phoenix politely replied.

“Do you have any statements to make before the prosecution begins?” Celestia asked.

“...No. I don’t.” Phoenix replied. He then looked out at the ponies in the gallery. His eyes eventually met an entire row of ponies he recognised. Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Cheerilee were all present and that alone elicited a small smile from the stallion.

“Very well. Prosecution, you may begin.” Celestia said. The light grey furred stallion with the dark grey mane in the magenta suit then rose from his seat.

“Thank you, your honour. If it would please the court, I would like to move immediately to my first witness.” The prosecutor said.

“I see no problems. Does the defence have anything to say about this?” Celestia asked the light blue furred stallion with the black mane in the royal blue suit.

“The defence has no objections, your honour.” The stallion replied.

“Very well, I hereby call my first witness.” The prosecutor said. Not long after, the doors opened and a new stallion took the witness stand while Phoenix was kept under supervision at the defence table. Upon seeing the stallion, Twilight gasped while the rest of the girls looked confused.

“I didn’t realise how alike they look...” Twilight muttered to herself.

“Twilight, who is that guy?” Applejack asked. Before Twilight could answer; the silence was cut by the prosecutor’s voice.

“Witness, please state your name and occupation.” The prosecutor instructed.

“My name is Cloud Fortesque and I am the mayor of Canterlot.” Cloud replied.

“And what is your personal connection to the defendant?” The prosecutor asked.

“He’s my younger brother.” Cloud answered.

“And you witnessed the murder of your father?”

“Yes, but...”

“But what?” The prosecutor rudely interrupted.

“I’d prefer it if the incident wasn’t referred to as murder.” Cloud announced bringing confusion to everypony.

“Well, what would you prefer it be called?” The prosecutor asked.

“Self defence.” Cloud replied. The prosecutor was taken aback for a moment before composing himself.

“Are you trying to insinuate that the defendant was only protecting himself from the victim?” The prosecutor asked sceptically.

“Yes. Our sister and I saw the entire thing and I know that he was merely trying to stop our father from murdering him. There is nothing further that needs to be said. Our father dragged him outside by his mane and tried to murder him with his revolver.” As Cloud finished, the ponies in the gallery began to murmur in complete synchronicity. Prosecutor Bluequill seemed to begin sweating as the new information came to light.

“W-well, I’m afraid unless you can give proof of that, I move that the court won’t take what you say as evidence.” Bluequill said.

“Objection, your honour! We can’t disregard Mr Fortesque’s testimony just because it doesn’t suit the prosecution!” Mr Edgepoint objected.

“Agreed. Movement denied. The witness’ testimony will not be stricken from the record. Do you have any further comments to make, Mr Bluequill?” Celestia asked after banging her gavel. Mr Bluequill didn’t answer immediately.

‘This isn’t going well! I need to do something or I’m going to lose the case! But, I only have one more witness.’ Bluequill thought frantically.

“No further questions, your honour. I’d like to call my second witness.” Bluequill said.

“Very well. Mr Fortesque, you may leave. Thank you for your time.” Celestia said pleasantly. Cloud nodded before standing and walking back to the lobby after sharing a look with his brother and exchanging a nod. Moments later, a mare walked through the courtroom and sat at the witness stand. She had a grey coat, a dark grey mane and tail, a treble-clef cutie mark and bright lavender eyes; matching Cloud’s.

“Witness, please state your name and occupation.” Bluequill said.

“My name is Octavia Fortesque and I am the cellist of the Canterlot Royal Orchestra.” Octavia said with an expression that masked Cloud’s. Stone-faced.

“And what is your relationship with the defendant?”

“He’s my big brother.” Octavia replied, causing Bluequill’s stomach to turn.

‘Well... shit.’ Bluequill thought.

“So, you are the sister that Mr Fortesque mentioned in his testimony?” Celestia asked.

“Indeed, I am. Now, I assume that you have some questions for me?” Octavia asked.

“...Did you hear Mr Fortesque’s testimony from the lobby?” Bluequill asked weakly.

“Yes, I did.” Octavia replied.

“Does your testimony match his, or do you have any further details to add or change?” Bluequill continued weakly as sweat began to pour from his face. Octavia thought for a moment before turning back to Bluequill.

“No. My testimony matches Cloud’s. Was there anything else?” Octavia asked.

“...No.” Bluequill sulked as he sat down and placed his face on his desk. Nopony dared to move.

“Uh... Defence, do you have anything to add?” Celestia asked unsurely. Mr Edgepoint slowly stood.

“Uh... No questions, your honour.” Mr Edgepoint slowly sat back down. As he did, three stallions walked into the courtroom. Two of them were royal guards holding the chains that shackled the third stallion. He was a young stallion. He didn’t look any older than late teens or early twenties. His coat was a pale yellow, his mane and tail were scruffy, long and pure white, his cutie mark was that of an open tome and his eyes were a bright gold despite the black bags under them.

“Ah, he’s finally here. Cognito, could you please tell the court if this witness did indeed see what she claims she did?” Celestia asked. The shackles made quiet noises as the small stallion moved, but they seemed to echo through the entire room.

“What is it that she claimed to see?” Cognito asked in a somewhat lifeless voice.

“Miss Fortesque, please state your testimony.” Celestia asked.

“Everypony in our house was asleep, but we were awoken by Phoenix’s screaming. Cloud and I emerged from our rooms just in time to see our father drag Phoenix outside by his mane. We ran down the stairs and stood in the front doorway as we saw our father aim his revolver at Phoenix’s head. Phoenix fought back while both Cloud and I were rooted to the spot. Eventually, Phoenix tried to get the gun away from him, but the gun fired and killed our father. Phoenix panicked at his mistake and ran.” Octavia explained. Celestia turned her attention from Octavia to Cognito. Cognito also turned his attention from Octavia and returned Celestia’s gaze.

“She’s telling the truth.” Cognito said simply.

“Hold on! How can you be so sure?! Why would the defendant run? Only guilty people run!” Prosecutor Bluequill objected.

“Well, he was seven at the time, you narrow-minded buffoon.” Octavia said, annoyed.

“And he can be sure because he can read her mind.” Celestia said.

...

The silence was practically palpable.

“W-what? You... don’t truly believe that do you?” Bluequill asked.

“I’m inclined to believe him. I’ve been putting more research into it and it seems that there are parts of his brain that are different that the average brain, which is believed to be what gives him his psychic abilities.” Celestia explained, which led Phoenix to think to himself for a moment.

‘Abnormality in the brain, huh?’ Phoenix thought.

“From the testimonies given, and the lack of evidence to declare otherwise; I see no reason to hold off the verdict any longer.” Celestia said.

“Wait, your honour, I object!” Bluequill objected.

“Overruled.” Celestia replied simply, causing Bluequill to sit back down and continue to sulk.

“I hereby find the defendant, Phoenix Fortesque not guilty of murder and clear him of all charges.” Celestia declared before banging her gavel. After the guards released Phoenix, they took Cognito away. Phoenix’s thoughts lingered on the strange stallion before meeting his friends as a free stallion. Phoenix took the opportunity to introduce Applejack and his friends to Cloud and Octavia. It was merely an introduction as both Cloud and Octavia were on a tight schedule with their careers and needed to get back to them. As the group were getting ready to take the train back to Ponyville, Phoenix straddled behind.

“What’s up, Feenie?” Pinkie asked.

“...I need to ask Celestia something. You guys go back to Ponyville. I’ll get the next one.” Phoenix said.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight called out to him. Applejack walked to Phoenix and embraced him as they said goodbye.

“I’ll see you in a bit.” Phoenix said as he embraced her back.

“You can count on that.” Applejack said as they let go of each other. Phoenix watched as the girls boarded the train and waved goodbye as it was leaving the station. Phoenix then walked back to the castle and caught Celestia walking towards the throne room with Luna.

“Celestia!” Phoenix called out, causing the princesses to turn their heads.

“Why, Phoenix. I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon after the trial.” Celestia said, pleasantly surprised.

“We’d like to congratulate thee on that by the way.” Luna interjected politely.

“Thank you, Luna. But, I came looking for you to ask a favour of you.” Phoenix said.

“Oh? And what would that be?” Celestia asked curiously.

“I’d like you to scan my brain for the same abnormalities that Cognito has.” Phoenix said, bringing the princesses to silence.

“...Well, that eliminates the need to ask you.” Celestia replied.