Princess Celestia was busily working on the usual royal business of running Equestria. It was getting late, and Celestia was just starting to wrap things up and prepare what was left for her sister Luna to deal with, when Luna and a group of guards who seemed to be escorting two bedraggled looking yellow unicorns with red manes. The two were so similar looking the only way to tell them apart was a thick moustache that one wore. “What is the meaning of this, dear Sister?” Celestia asked Princess Luna.
“It has been requested by the general populace of Equestria that we, the Princesses adjudicate and sentence these two ponies for their considerable misdeeds.” Explained Luna.
Celestia was taken aback. “It has been many years since a criminal case has come so far up the courts as to warrant royal adjudication. Who are these Colts, and of what do they stand accused?” Celestia asked.
A guard stepped forward and stated with a bow, “These two called Flim and Flam your Majesty. Their charges are numerous including 34 counts of fraud, 37 counts of food poisoning, 12 counts of impersonating officials, & 50 counts of theft.”
Celestia was visibly shocked. “Serious accusations indeed. I believe Princess Twilight and her friends have written about these two in the past.” Celestia said. “Perhaps it is best to let her handle this.” Celestia suggested to her sister.
Princess Luna agreed by saying, “It would be good for Princess Twilight Sparkle to be exposed to such royal duties.” Luna turned to the guards and ordered them, “Gather all the records regarding these two and send them to Princess Twilight in Ponyville.”
Celestia ordered, “...and prepare the prisoners for transport to Ponyville.” Celestia turned back to her work and began to write. “Now I must notify Twilight at once” she said to Luna while she wrote.
Moments later a content looking Twilight Sparkle sat reading in her throne room when she was roused by the familiar sound of Spike belching out a message from Celestia from across the room. A queasy looking Spike caught the message mid air and waddled across the room to bring it to Twilight. “Thank you, Spike.” Twilight said taking and reading the letter.
“What does it say?” Asked Spike.
Twilight looked up from the letter wide eyed and said, “We’re going have a trial, Spike.”
When Twilight was a little Filly, and Celestia’s new protégé, she had witnessed a royal adjudication first hoof. Twilight had also extensively studied Equestrian law in her time under Celestia, thinking she would likely need it. So this was not a task Twilight felt altogether unprepared for. Still, this was unexpected. Twilight knew she had a lot of work ahead of her, and she hasn't been so excited in a long time.
“Get my law books, Spike.” Twilight ordered. Spike rushed to the Castle library. Twilight in the meantime went out to get the Mayor and her friends.
Later that afternoon Twilight and the others met in the throne room. The Mayor asked, “What is this about, Princess Twilight?”
Twilight replied, “The Unicorns Flim and Flam have finally been caught and changed for numerous crimes. Because of the severity and amount of crimes for which they are accused, it became a matter for Royal Adjudication. A task which has fallen to me. As Princess I will review all the evidence, hear arguments from legal advisors, and decide their guilt. It is my prerogative to confer with others about my decision so my friends will sit with me in Judgment. All except for Applejack and Pinkie Pie
Applejack stood agape, obviously insensed about being singled out. “Why can't we Twy?”
“Yeah, Why not?” Whined Pinkie.
Twilight, putting a hoof on Applejack’s back. “You two and your families stand amongst the accusers.” She explained. “The trial would not be considered fair if you did.”
Applejack nodded in surrender to the prudence of this.Pinkie on the other hand looked confused and said, “The Pie family has never had problems with Flim and Flam.” Pinkie said bouncing.
Twilight shook her head as she looked at Pinkie and said, “It was the Pies that finally managed to catch the Brothers while allegedly trying to steal some crystals with magical properties from their rock farm.”
Pinkie Pie stopped mid air and conceded, “ Okie dokie lokie” as she floated back down.
“Mayor, we will need Ponyville’s cooperation to ensure the trial goes smoothly. I would also ask that you take Applejack’s seat, you civic experience may prove invaluable.” Twilight said turning to the Mayor. “As for Pinkie’s stand in I ask Starlight to join me.
Starlight, looking sheepish asked, “Is that such a good idea? After all it wasn't that long ago that I was in the wrong.”
“If anything, that makes it a better idea. If anyone would want to give these Colts the benefit of the doubt it's someone who has been there. I need ponies that may endorse their innocence as much as I need ponies endorsing their guilt.” said Twilight sagely. “Now we all have a lot of work to do so I suggest we get to it.” Said Twilight.
Flim and Flam arrived along with eight royal guards. They were to be held under lock and key in one of Twilight's Castle’s smaller rooms under constant guard. With them came over forty cartloads of records concerning their various alleged crimes. Over the next several days a steady stream of witnesses from across Equestria came. Few of them on Flim and Flam’s behalf.
Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, The Mayor, and Starlight Glimmer all poured over the evidence. They listened, and rechecked everypony’s testimony. Raibow Dash mostly goofed off, but still managed to notice details that the others missed. Weeks went by as they went through every charge leveled at the Flim Flam brothers.
Finally it came time to listen to the arguments of the advocates. Again they went over every charge and the corresponding evidence. The Colt advocating conviction worked hard on every charge. Likewise the mare advocating on behalf of the Flim Flam brothers gave her all in her defense of her clients. Twilight took almost a full extra week to deliberate.
Celestia came from Canterlot when she heard the verdict was in. Celestia was impressed with what she has heard about how Twilight was handling the Royal Adjudication. Twilight had obviously studied more law than Celestia had realized. “Perhaps she thought it would prove useful if she became an advisor or some other official when her studies with me had run their course.” Celestia thought to herself as she found a seat in Ponyville town hall. “She was always destined for so much more than that” Celestia thought to herself with as smile as Twilight and her panel took position on the make-shift deus.
“May the defendants please rise.” Announced the Mayor Mare.
Twilight began, “I, Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, find the Defendants guilty on 27 counts of fraud, 13 counts of food poisoning, 4 counts of impersonating royal officials, and finally 33 counts of theft. The Defendants have been found innocent of the remaining counts due to insufficient evidence.” Sentencing will commence tomorrow at noon. With that the proceedings were adjourned.
Flim and Flam hung their heads in surrender. Their advocate ushered them kindly to the guards who escorted them back to the Castle.
Twilight approached Celestia as the crowd thinned between them. “Princess Celestia, I didn't expect you. I am glad you came, though.” Said Twilight as she stopped in front of Celestia. “I know you wanted me to handle this, but would you mind giving your opinion on sentencing.
“Of course, I am very proud of how you have handled things so far.” Celestia said with visible pride.
Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash across the room and loudy requested, “Please fetch Applejack and the rest of the Apples.” Rainbow darted off in a rainbow colored streak.
“Why did you do that, Twilight? You have taken such pains to avoid the appearance of favoritism.” Celestia asked as they began toward the Castle.
“Not here Princess, I have an idea of what to do with Flim and Flam, but we need the Apple Family’s willing participation.”
About two hours later, Twilight's panel met in the Castle throne room joined by Princess Celestia and the Apples. Twilight began to outline what she had in mind for the Brothers. The Apples were incredulous, at first. Granny Smith was particularly skeptical. Applejack was quiet, which made Twilight nervous.
Twilight asked, “Applejack, what do you think.”
Applejack replied apprehensively, “I don't trust those two as far as Granny Smith can buck’em, but I think it's worth a go.”
With that, Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom all nodded in agreement.
“So it's decided.” Said Twilight.
Celestia added, “There will be a garrison of Royal Guards placed in town. They will be under guard for as long as you deem necessary. Besides, it's high time Princess Twilight had some guards of her own.”
With that all adjourned for the day. Everypony went about their business. Celestia stayed with Twilight as they discussed other matters.
The next day the Adjudication was convened once again in the town hall. The Mayor once again bid the accused to rise. Twilight began, “While traditionally, crimes that rise to the seriousness of requiring a Royal Adjudication, usually warrant time in Tartarus, I've decided that is not in this case.” Flim and Flam appeared visibly relived. Twilight continued, “instead, Flim and Flam are to serve time Laboring for the Apple family with the hopes that they may eventually learn the value of honest hard work. They will be affixed with magic binding talismans to prevent their use of magic. They will be guarded for however long the Apple family deems it necessary.” Twilight focused on Flim and Flam making sure they were listening, “I suggest you to behave and do try and learn a few things.”
With that, the Flim Flam brothers were taken away, and the trial was over. Celestia couldn't be more proud of her former protégé. Celestia returned to Canterlot confident that she nor Luna could have handled the matter better themselves.