Double Trouble

by StormLuna

Justice is Served

A Discussion With Celestia

After heading out into the hall to discuss what their punishments should be, Luna decided to get some suggestions from Starlight. She asked, "Starlight, they committed crimes against your friends, against the pegasus Fluttershy, they broke into your home, stole books and then turned your home into a teacup. What would you advise their punishment should be?"

Starlight was shocked that Luna would ask her for suggestions given that she was not nearly as close with her as she was Celestia. She replied, "Well if it were up to me, I'd send them to the moon for a thousand years." She saw Luna giving her a scowl when she brought that up and corrected herself, "Ok, I'd send them to the sun for a thousand years AT LEAST."

Luna gasped in shock that Starlight would suggest this, "Starlight, I know you are very angry over what they did but what they did does not warrant banishment!"

Starlight replied, "But they turned Moondancer's glasses into snakes, making her unable to see. They transformed that pegasus's rabbit into wolverines, "she became more frantic as she continued, "they broke into my home and stole my books, both of which are technically government property, and they turned my home into a teacup! They need to be punished and be punished severely!"

Luna stood there in thought for a moment before replying, "Starlight, yes they need to be punished but we need to be more rational in our way of doing so. We can't go strictly off of emotion."

Starlight suggested, "Very well but I do think we need to separate them since they worked together."

Luna gave her a smile, "That is a good start but I'm sure you're thinking about more than just that."

Starlight continued, "Yes, I think that they need to be imprisoned, have horn caps placed on them and if there is any spell to cause them to forget how to do the transfiguration and duplication spells that would be good."

Luna could see the point of imprisonment but the others did bother her. She asked, "Starlight, you seriously think that casting a spell to make them forget those spells is a good idea and you really think horn caps are necessary?"

Starlight replied, "Look, unless they no longer know those spells, they will simply cause trouble again once they are released and Trixie apparently knows how to unlock doors so if you want to keep them locked up, horn caps will be necessary."

Luna could see where Starlight was coming from and conceded, "Very well, even though I am the princess, we shall run your ideas by my sister and what she decides will be final." Luna pointed her hoof towards Celestia's chambers and ordered, "Follow me."

Starlight knew that with her being so close to Celestia and how she let her make all those decisions when it came to dealing with the delegates, that she may very well act on her decisions.

When they headed into Celestia's chambers, they found her laying there coughing and looking downright miserable. Starlight rushed to her and asked, "Celestia, are you ok?" She then embraced her and continued, "I'm so sorry, I guess I shouldn't have left so soon."

Celestia gave her a weak smile and replied, "It's alright Star*cough cough*, Starlight."

Luna approached her bed and said, "Well perhaps it was best that she did because when she got home, she discovered a couple of unicorns causing a lot of mischief and breaking laws."

Celestia tried to sit up and asked, "Oh? What was it you discovered Starlight?"

Starlight replied, "Well when I got home, I discovered a couple of unicorns from my past, Trixie Lulamoon and Sunburst casting spells. Trixie cast a spell that turned the library into a teacup and then Sunburst duplicated it multiple times."

Celestia shot up and asked, "Wait a minute, the ones who failed their remedial magic exams managed to do complex spells like that? How in Equestria did they do it?"

Starlight replied, "I was wondering the same thing until I brought them up here and they admitted that Trixie broke into the library and stole some magic books. Apparently they stole them, studied them and somehow managed to learn them."

Celestia said, "Ok, we know they apparently managed to be able to grasp something other than stage magic but other than doing what you have told me, what else have they done?"

Starlight replied, "Well they also turned Moondancer's glasses into snakes, rendering her unable to see and they turned a pony's pet rabbit into a couple of angry wolverines and got a great amount of joy out of her distress."

Celestia developed a scowl on her face when she learned this, especially with what they did to Moondancer. She growled, "Ok, were Moondancer's glasses restored, were the books returned and what came of that pony's rabbit?"

Starlight replied, "Well Moondancer got her glasses back, the library is fine now but I think they still have those books and unfortunately for that pony who lost her rabbit, the wolverines ran off so she lost her pet."

Celestia sat there in thought and gave Starlight a smile. Luna saw this and asked, "Sister, what are you thinking? Are you thinking of some sort of punishment for them?"

Celestia put her wing around Starlight and replied, "Actually yes, I am." She then turned to Starlight and continued, "As long as you don't go wanting to banish them somewhere, feel free to hand down whatever types of punishment you see fit."

Luna immediately objected, "Sister, you can't be serious! We are the princesses and she is just your protege." She saw a glare developing on her sister's face and continued, "I know you think highly of Starlight and I know she took care of those economic issues for you but to give her the power to hand down prison sentences, I think that is a bit much."

Celestia replied, "Luna, she has it in her to make rational decisions and I know she will hand down justice but not be excessive."

Luna sighed, "Very well big sister."

Starlight leaned over to Celestia and whispered, "Where are the horn caps? With everything they have done I'm thinking some time without magic should suffice."

Celestia replied, "They are down in the jailers office in the dungeon."

Starlight said, "Good, I can put them on them on the way to their cells."

Celestia yawned, "Good now go and take care of their punishment." She laid back down and continued, "I'm going to get some rest."

As the two left Celestia's chambers, Luna couldn't help but be frustrated with her sister. She figured that she would give her the authority to sentence them instead of giving Starlight authority that she felt she may not be ready for.

---

Justice is Served

When they returned to the throne room, Sunburst and Trixie were standing tall, certain that Princess Luna would not punish them too harshly. Trixie figured that if she were respectful that perhaps Luna would go easier on her than what they initially decided. She bowed and asked, "Princess Luna your Majesty, what have you decided our punishment will be?"

Luna gave her a nervous smile and replied, "Well, we went to discuss it with my sister and she has decided that Starlight will do the sentencing."

Both Trixie and Sunburst gasped, "What? Starlight is going to be sentencing us?"

Starlight gave them a smile and replied, "Yes I will, Celestia gave me the authority to do so just like she gave me authority over economic matters during her illness so I would advise you be respectful because I can make things worse if you're not."

Not only were they in a state of shock, but so were her friends. Twinkleshine was the first to say anything, "Really Starlight, Celestia gave you the authority to do this?"

Minuette exclaimed, "That is so cool, Judge Starlight!"

Starlight nervously laughed, "Well in this instance." She developed a more neutral look on her face and turned to Trixie and Sunburst. She began, "Sunburst, from everything I understand you are the one responsible for transforming that rabbit into a wolverine, duplicating the snake that was Moondancer's glasses and duplicating the teacup that was my library to make sure it would be hard to find the original, I have no choice but to hand down a decent sentence, not horrible but decent."

Sunburst mocked, "Ooooh, you have to hand down a decent sentence! What are you going to do? Are you going to put The Brilliant and Amazing Sunburst to death?"

Starlight glared at him and growled, "Don't test me, I can make it worse if I wish." Her voice returned to normal as she continued, "I have decided first that you and Trixie must be separated because of what you have done. The other things you have done are all illegal and causing undue stress upon that pegasus is what will hurt you the most."

Sunburst laughed, "Oooh, hurting that pegasus's feelings will hurt me the most."

Starlight rolled her eyes and handed down what she felt was sufficient, "I have decided that because of everything you have done, that you will serve one year in the dungeon and during that time, you must wear a horn cap so you can not unlock the door and escape. After you have finished your sentence, I have decided that you will be on supervised probation for one year and must check in with Princess Celestia every day so it may be in your best interests to take up residence here."

Sunburst was in a state of shock because the sentence was not as harsh as he thought it would be. He asked, "Really, that's it?"

Starlight replied, "Yes, that is it." She then turned to Trixie and continued, "And now what to do with you."

Trixie sneered, "Oooh, what is Celestia's favorite pet going to do to The Great and Powerful Trixie? Is she going to burn her alive, is she going to throw her into Tartarus, is Celestia going to banish her to the moon?" She then pointed her hoof at Luna and laughed, "Or is Little Miss Luna going to banish Trixie to the sun?"

Luna gave her a deep scowl, leaned down to Starlight and whispered, "Starlight, while I am not fond of Celestia giving you the power to do this, I would like to suggest that you punish her for disrespecting me."

Starlight gave here a smile, "Consider it done."

Luna smiled as Starlight began, "Trixie, out of the two of you I have decided that you have done the worst. You duplicated the wolverine, you transformed Moondancer's glasses into a snake, you turned my library into a teacup, you broke into my library, you stole books from it AND you disrespected Princess Luna. For that you must be punished and it will be far harsher than what I gave Sunburst."

Trixie lit up her horn and fired energy at both Starlight and Luna causing Luna to grasp her in her aura and yell, "How dare thee fire energy at thy Princess of the Night!"

Starlight added, "Oh and let's throw attacking Princess Luna into the sentence."

Trixie began screaming, "You can't do this! You can't do this to The Great and Powerful Trixie!"

Starlight rolled her eyes and sighed, "You know what Trixie, while I will issue most of the sentence, I believe it is only right for Luna to hand down what attacking her is worth."

Luna asked, "Really?"

Starlight replied, "Really." She turned back to Trixie and continued, "I have decided that for everything you have done, you shall serve a sentence of three years and six months. During this time you will wear a horn cap and upon your release, you will relocate to Ponyville and serve two years of supervised probation where you will check in with me daily. Also, you will be required to get a job because I certainly don't want you living off the government."

Luna added, "And for attacking me, I have decided to add an additional three years and six months in the dungeon and an extra year of supervised probation under the same terms Starlight issued upon you."

Trixie gasped, "What? The Great and Powerful Trixie has to be under your hooves for ten years?"

Trixie lit up her horn again but was quickly restrained by Starlight. Starlight asked, "Keep this up Trixie and you'll get ten years in prison and I'm sure Luna could use a personal maid after that."

Luna got a huge smile on her face and agreed, "I most certainly could."

Starlight changed the sentence, "Very well then, after your seven years in prison, you shall be Luna's personal maid for as long as she deems you necessary."

When Luna heard this, she was partially happy but still disappointed that she would have to wait seven years for her maid. She leaned down to Starlight and asked, "Starlight, could you just take that jail time and change it to time of her serving me?"

Starlight realized that Luna did have a good idea and again changed the sentence. She pointed her hoof at Luna and said, "Princess Luna, she is all yours. She shall be your personal maid for as long as you see fit, even if it is for the rest of her days."

Trixie screamed, "What? The Great and Powerful Trixie has to serve her for the rest of her life?"

Starlight replied, "That is up to Princess Luna." She pointed her hoof at Luna and continued, "Your Majesty, she's all yours!" She then stomped her hoof on the floor twice and finished, "Court is adjourned."

Luna grabbed Trixie in her aura and began to carry her off so she could let her know everything that she would have to do. Starlight grabbed Sunburst in her aura and said, "Come on Sunburst, the sooner we get this started the sooner we can get it done."

Her friends began to follow her but would stop when Starlight continued, "Ladies, you can't follow me down into the dungeon and besides, I think it would be best if you headed back home because Celestia didn't look good when I saw her so I may be staying longer than I thought."

The four became sad but understood where Starlight was coming from. Lyra sighed, "Alright, we hope to see you home again soon though!"

Starlight replied, "Don't worry, I shouldn't be gone for too long."

Her friends turned around and headed for the exit while Starlight intensified her hold on Sunburst and began to carry him down to the dungeon. As she passed the jailers office she headed in, got a horn cap, placed it on Sunburst's horn and enchanted it so she could be the only one who could remove it and this did not sit well with him.

He shouted, "You're enchanting that thing?"

Starlight replied, "Yes, I am. I do not want there to be any risk of you removing that cap on your own nor do I want some goody-good guard who may feel sorry for you setting you free." She again grabbed him in her aura and took him to the darkest part of the dungeon and threw him in his cell. She slammed the door and continued, "You know, this could all have been avoided....."

Sunburst sneered, "Yeah it could have if you would have been a better tutor and not done a half-way job to make sure Trixie and I failed!"

Starlight rolled her eyes and grunted, "Give it a rest."

Starlight headed out of the dungeon and decided to go up and check on Celestia to see if she would need to stay in Canterlot for a few more days. She knew that with Luna now having her own personal maid, that she would have a whole lot more to take care of.

---

Checking on Celestia

After getting Sunburst locked up, Starlight headed up to Celestia's chambers. She knocked on the door and asked, "Celestia, may I come in?"

Celestia replied, "Yes, you may."

Starlight headed in and noticed that Celestia was actually looking worse than she did earlier. She sat on her bed and again apologized, "I'm sorry for leaving this morning, when I saw that you still didn't look good I should have stayed."

Celestia replied, "No need to apologize Starlight." She sat up and asked, "So what did you finally decide on when it came to Trixie and Sunburst?"

Starlight replied, "Well Sunburst will be in the dungeon for the next year and then after that, he will be serving one year of supervised probation where he has to check in with you on a daily basis."

Celestia's ears perked up and she commented, "That seems rather lenient but I respect your decision, what about Trixie?"

Starlight got a slight smile on her face as she replied, "Well I was going to give her three and a half years in the dungeon and then two months of supervised probation where she will check in with me but then she disrespected Luna and then she fired energy at both of us."

Celestia's jaw dropped open. She gasped, "She did what? She attacked both of you? So what is her sentence for that?"

Starlight began to snicker, "Well Luna decided she wanted a personal maid so I gave her the sentence of being Luna's maid for as long as she wants her, even if it is up to the end of her days."

Celestia pouted, "Not fair! My sister gets a personal maid but I don't?"

Starlight got a huge smile on her face and laughed, "Tell you what, once you feel completely better I will go get Sunburst out of the dungeon and you can make him your maid if you wish."

Despite feeling lousy, Celestia got up and cheered, "Yes, I'll have my own maid! Woo-*cough, cough, cough*. Celestia sat back down on her bed and continued, "I guess I shouldn't have done that."

Starlight replied, "Probably not but given the state you are in, I'm not only staying here by your side since Luna has a lot on her hooves now, but I'm staying in my old room across from you in the event you need me."

Celestia put her wing out, pulled Starlight close to her and replied, "Thank you Starlight, you have no idea how much that means to me." She then began to giggle, "It will be kind of like it was in the old days except you'll be the one that's there for me."

Starlight laughed, "That it will." She stood up and continued, "Now if there is anything you need, let me know."

Celestia asked, "Can I have some cake? It would make me feel so much better!"

Starlight asked in return, "Chocolate with strawberry frosting?"

Celestia replied, "Yes, that and some cider would be great!"

Starlight headed out of Celestia's chambers and said, "Very well, give me some time to bake that cake for you."

As Starlight headed out to the kitchen, she hoped that Celestia would improve quickly but vowed to herself that until Celestia felt completely better, that she would stay in Canterlot and take care of her so that not only would she not have to return again so quickly but so she could get Celestia's new maid out of the dungeon.

Comments

[Dxinsider]

LOVE IT! Trixie and Sunburst being servants to the Princess. Prefect!

[StormLuna]

8682770

I initially was simply going to have them be locked up but then having them be in servitude to the princesses crossed my mind and I decided to throw it in at the last minute and that was a literal decision with Sunburst, being Celestia's maid at the very last minute.

[FictionalNightmare]

Wow, I feel like with Starlight and Sunburst’s history, Sunburst wouldn’t think Starlight failed them on purpose, I don’t know how Sunburst could have formed a grudge against Starlight at all, because, unlike Trixie, Sunburst uses common sense, he wouldn’t make claims without evidence, and I don’t know how Sunburst could have gotten this boastful, it doesn’t make sense to me,

[StormLuna]

9704321

Here is the thing, Trixie was able to convince Sunburst that Starlight didn't help them as much as she could have. Given they both failed, they forged a friendship after leaving the school and given Trixie's dominant personality, it didn't take a whole lot for her to convince Sunburst that is what happened.

[FictionalNightmare]

9704442
Huh, feel like it would take more than that, but the story’s still good,