Preparations
I've never been a real 'morning person'. Rarely have I ever woken up feeling refreshed, no matter how long I've slept - although on the bright side, it's only half-the-time that I wake up feeling totally ruined, which is better than most people I know.
Sadly, it seems that today will not be starting well.
Waking up and not feeling worn-out is a pretty good feeling. It's wholesome, and leaves me 'satisfied', for lack of a better word. It's like I've done something right during my rest that's allowed me to actually have a restful sleep.
Unfortunately It seems that I apparently didn't fulfill this enigmatic requirement last night, and it's for that reason that I forget that I'm not in a bed, and oafishly roll right onto the floor.
"Ugh," I grunt as I land on my side, immediately cursing my own forgetfulness. "Damn."
Still feeling a little drowsy, I pick myself up off the floor and turn around, trying to get my bearings. This sort of thing seems to be happening far too often lately.
The clock on the wall informs me that it's just past seven in the morning, a claim which is backed up by the bright early-morning sunlight flooding in through the wall-to-ceiling windows my lovely suite boasts. Twilight's still fast asleep on her own couch, which doesn't surprise me. The lavender mare was so exhausted last night, I wouldn't be surprised if she slept through to midday. After all her hard work, I think she's earned the break.
"Ehh..." I sigh slowly, before turning and tossing my blanket back on the bed. "I need a drink."
On those words, I shuffle away from the center of the lounge and into the kitchen, looking for the teabags. Tea doesn't carry the same kick as coffee, but I like the taste a lot better.
After a considerable amount of rummaging I manage to find what I'm looking for, pull out two mugs with freakishly large hoof-sized handles, and start boiling the jug. Twilight probably isn't getting up any time soon, but if she is then I don't want to be the only one enjoying a hot drink.
A few minutes later I have two mugs of hot - but admittedly bland - tea, both of which I carry back to the lounge, humming quietly to myself.
I deposit Twilight's drink on the coffee table and proceed to move out onto my suite's balcony, still humming quietly to myself. It'll be nice to have some early-morning quiet before the day gets busy... and my guess is that it is going to get busy. We probably have a lot preparation to do before the trial.
I sigh quietly, abruptly ending my tuneless humming. I'll be seeing Trixie again tomorrow, and that's not going to be easy. It's not like I'm angry about anything at the moment, but when I'm seeing her, there's no way that I'm not going to feel anything - not after what she did.
What's going to happen tomorrow, anyway? I still have no idea how the Equestrian legal system functions. My only hint so far is that the investigation only took a week... and that's not much of a hint. How big will the jury be? How long will it take?
"You made me tea?" The sudden question from a now-awake Twilight question knives through my head, decimating my thoughts instantly as I jump in surprise and turn to face her.
"Sorry!" the mare apologizes quickly. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's fine," I reply, recovering quickly. "I, uh, didn't think you'd be up for another few hours. You were pretty wrecked last night."
"I've never been able to sleep in," Twilight responds in turn, taking a sip of her tea and moving up to stand next to me. "Thanks, by the way."
"Eh. It isn't very good tea." I deny her thanks. "I couldn't find the sugar, and I didn't leave the teabags in long enough." I glance down at the mare's still tired eyes. Of course she couldn't sleep in. Why on earth would she want to be well-rested?
The problem is; if Twilight keeps getting as little sleep as she's been getting our nightly conversations are going to continue to involve me doing all the talking, her acting odd, and will keep ending with Twilight sleeping on my couch.
That reminds me; Twilight really was acting 'off' last night, and it was a different kind of 'off' than it would have been if she'd just been tired. I'm not entirely sure how to peg it, actually. Maybe she really was just so exhausted that she wasn't acting like herself.
"So... I guess we should get breakfast," Twilight pipes up, interrupting my reflection.
"Yeah, and showers." I nod, brushing aside my thoughts for future consideration. "I don't want to spend all of today smelling like yesterday."
Twilight gives a slight smile at my half-assed joke, and then turns away. "In that case, I think you should have your shower now, and I'll run down to the kitchens and pick up breakfast."
"Sounds like a plan." I chirp unnecessarily, also turning my back on the vista from my balcony. "And let's hustle. We've got a hell of a lot to do today."
***
The suite is a complete mess.
Seriously. It's a total sty. Twilight has laid out what could be hundreds of papers in the center of the lounge, Rarity's taken up both my room and the upstairs dining area with her sewing equipment in order to produce the "most absolutely perfect suit for the public eye", and Pinkie Pie's completely trashed the kitchen as she and Applejack bake treats for the after-trial party (Because there will be no time for the preparation tomorrow).
The day's been pretty slow overall - although it's still been packed. Maneworthy dropped by to give me a quick examination, followed a little while later by Detective Lockhooves and Thunder Glider. All four of us and Twilight spent a couple of hours going over the trial and had lunch, before the Detective and Thunder both left to take care of their own preparations. Maneworthy stuck around for an extra hour simply for the sake of hanging around with us before leaving to work on the medical report for the trial.
Aside from working on my own testimony - which hasn't been as depressing as when I first dictated it to Spike - I've taken time to chat with the others, clear up my religious preaching from last night with Twilight, and provide input on the suit Rarity's putting together. She's taken every last one of my measurements again to account for the weight I've gained since she provided my first batch of clothes, and is creating the new kit from scratch. It's rather flattering, actually, that she'd take so much time to put together a brand new suit for me - even if it is also helping her Boutique. It's also generous of her, although I've technically paid her in full for both this suit and all my other clothes. She just doesn't know it yet.
The only ponies today who haven't really done much are Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, who have been out on the balcony sunbathing and making friends with the local birds respectively. That's pretty predictable for Rainbow Dash, but I think that Fluttershy was spending most of her time out there due to her extreme timidness around me. That's something that might take some work.
Right now, I'm utilizing the two earth ponies' temporary absence from the kitchen to ogle of the tasty-looking apple-based confections they've cooked up - all of which but the most sugary ones I can now eat, according to Maneworthy. They're really looking fantastic, and judging from how many of them there are we're looking forward to a great turn-out at the party. That's good, because tomorrow's going to be a grim day. A good party at the end would really save my mood.
I actually got quite a shock earlier today, when Twilight mentioned to me that the entire trial would be over in a day. Something of this scale would be dragged out over several weeks - if not months - back on Earth, but in Equestria the presentation of arguments, the verdict and the sentencing all take place on the same day. I suppose that would be the product of a legal system that rarely has cases as massive as this. Twilight still hasn't briefed me on the details of how tomorrow is going to play out, but I'm finding it nerve-racking to know that by this time tomorrow we'll be done. Finished.
"Oh, Jacob dear." Rarity pipes up from my side, startling me from my strange activity that is a cross between food-stalking and day dreaming. "I believe that your suit is nearly ready. Would you like to come give your final opinion before I finish up?"
"Hmm?" I turn sharply to face the cream unicorn, feeling perplexed as to why everyone's been approaching me like this today. Maybe it's because I keep phasing out, which puts me in a position for it to happen. "Oh, sure."
"Wonderful." Rarity smiles and turns to the stairs, trotting away from me. "I'll just run up and make sure everything is in perfect order."
"Right." I call half-heartedly, before reluctantly abandoning the piles of confections - which Pinkie honestly could have left to the kitchen staff. I suppose it just wouldn't be a Pinkie party if she hadn't hoof-made all of the treats herself (With some help from Applejack, of course).
"Oh! Uh, Keys!" Twilight looks up from her many papers as I pass the center area of the suite, inexplicably tripping over her words. "Is there anything you need?"
"I'm just going up to give my final approval of Rarity's suit." I shrug. Twilight can't really do much until I sit back down with her, so why not get her opinion as well? "You wanna come see it?"
"Sure!" Twilight smiles, hopping off of her couch. "And then we can finish up your testimony."
"We can." I smile slightly in return before we both start to casually walk over to the stairs, dawdling at an extremely slow pace. "So I was wondering if you'd be able to explain something to me."
"I'll give it my best shot." Twilight giggles quietly. "What do you want to know?"
"Uh, well I was just wondering..." I shrug my shoulders again, trying to visually indicate that I'm talking in a broad sense. "How is the trial's going to proceed tomorrow? What's Equestria's court system like? Et cetera."
"Hmm... okay..." Twilight clears her throat as we reach and start climbing the stairs to Rarity's makeshift sewing room. "Well, I'm warning you now that tomorrow is going to be a very long day. The more complex a case, the longer it takes... which means that we'll be convening at six in the morning and carrying through as long as it takes until everything is finished. There's a half hour intermission for lunch, and a ten minute intermission every two hours. If you ask me, we could carry over into a second day, which would be an actual first for Equestrian courts."
"This really is a big case, isn't it?" I question quickly before the mare can continue. "I mean, if none have ever crossed the one-day mark..."
"Well, there have been bigger cases, but none of those could be prosecuted," Twilight replies with a smile. "Nightmare Moon's attack, the Changeling invasion, Discord's coup. All of those were dealt with long before any sort of court case could be made out of them."
"Ah." I nod. "Okay. You were saying?"
"I was saying... uh..." Twilight pauses for a moment. "Oh right; so we'll be starting at six in the morning, and we'll be presided over by Princess Luna and two of Canterlot's Justices of the Peace. For any other case of this size it would be Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance, but whenever one is unavailable a Justice of the Peace is substituted in. Obviously, Princess Celestia and Cadance are being substituted because they're too personally involved in the case."
"Right. A one day case with Luna and two judges presiding," I repeat back Twilight's explanation in as simple a statement as I can condense it to. "What about a jury?"
"Juries are only used for normal cases, like property disputes or thievery claims," the purple mare replies quickly. "When we get up to trials where somepony's life has been severely affected - like yours - then the princesses are the only deliberators."
"Huh. A system like that would never fly on Earth." I comment. "But we don't have any omniscient, omnipotent beings as our rulers."
Not acknowledging my input with anything more than a nod, Twilight presses onward. "Once both sides have given their arguments, the deliberators will go into seclusion until they reach a decision. Normally any cases that are deemed important enough for the princesses consideration only require a deliberation of ten to twenty minutes.... but with our evidence, it shouldn't take much longer than that."
"So that's it?" I question bluntly. "We present all of our evidence in one day, and then wait for Princess Luna and two judges to decide?"
"In a nutshell, yes." Twilight nods. "Although how long the trial takes really depends on what defense Trixie is preparing. For all we know, her family's lawyers could have cooked up something long and elaborate to try and save her - although there's nothing that will."
"Uh huh..." I nod slowly. For a place like Equestria, I can see why this system works. It's such a low-crime society that there's never been a need for the princesses to develop a legal system as extended and convoluted as the ones on Earth. It's not perfect, but it's pretty close. I wonder if Trixie can plead unfit to stand trial for any reason. "And one final thing..."
"Yes?"
"What punishment is Trixie facing?" I look down at the lavender mare as our slow climb brings us close to the top of the stairs. "What could she get at the end of all this?"
"Uh..." Twilight purses her lips. "Well, for a crime like this the lightest punishment she's looking at is banishment. Worse than that is imprisonment... but the heaviest punishment she can receive is to be petrified."
"Petrified..." I whisper the word. I know what it symbolizes - what it means. If she's petrified, Trixie will be just like Discord; another statue in Celestia's garden. "...By the elements of Harmony."
"Yeah." The mare nods awkwardly. Talking about Equestria's most brutal punishment doesn't exactly make for a light-hearted conversation.
"That sounds awful for everyone involved." I comment quietly.
Twilight looks away, not answering. I'm not entirely sure what she's thinking, but I'd bet that it's something regarding the recapture of Discord. Put that moment in a more grim and realistic context than a children's show, and it becomes rather gritty and... unpleasant.
We take that last few stairs up to the dining area in silence, having managed to thoroughly murder our conversation with such a grim subject. The spell is broken, however, by the excited alabaster mare waiting for us at the top.
"Oh, excellent!" Rarity chirps as we arrive, smiling broadly. "I was wondering where you'd gone."
"We got caught up talking about the trial. Sorry." I reply sheepishly as I take another look at all the stuff she's brought in. There's two sewing machines, a pair of 'tall' mirrors that don't quite reach my head, and piles upon piles of fabric - most of which rarity wouldn't have used. It's like someone just picked-up and threw a fashion show at my dining room.
"No matter, dear." The fashionista turns away from us, looking to the dining table. "Now, your clothes are all laid out, for your consideration." A touch of apprehension enters her voice for the final three words of her sentence, as if she thinks that I'll actually reject the suit she's sewn
"I'm sure it will be spectacular." I glance at Twilight, who just shakes her head slightly at me and mouths 'later'.
I shrug at her, and then move to follow Rarity. "Okay then. So what have we got?"
"Here you are."Rarity shifts to the side, presenting me with a view of my suit for tomorrow.
The coverings are a dark - and rather pleasing - blue, while the undershirt is a nice white. There's brown shoes - still without laces - and a grey-blue necktie. Overall, I'd relate it to an expensive-looking business suit. It looks nice; formal and not garish, which was something I had worried about. Obviously, Rarity does understand that stallions - or men - look better in more simply designed clothing than the extravagant kits she created for mares.
"So what do you think, dear?" Rarity asks, a tinge of nervousness to her voice.
"I think it looks perfect," I reply promptly, trying my best to say what Rarity would want in a reply while trying to fathom why she would be even slightly nervous about my response. "The blue is a good shade, the entire thing's tastefully simple, and I'm sure that it fits like a dream."
"Would you like to try it on?" The fashionista steps towards the clothes, her horn lighting up.
"No thanks." I wave a hand for her to stop. I would try the suit on normally, but right now I really want to get back downstairs and get through the last part of my testimony. "I'm positive that you'll have the measurements right."
"Why thank you. I'd like to think so," Rarity smiles with false modesty. "I dare say it should be perfect for the proceedings tomorrow."
"I agree." I turn to Twilight, who's hanging back awkwardly. "What do you think, Twilight?"
The lavender mare quickly steps up, placing herself between me and Rarity to get a good look at my new suit.
"I think it will look very nice," she speaks after a short pause. "The colors look perfect."
"Thank you." Rarity smiles at Twilight. "It's good to know you both approve."
"Not hard to. It's a good suit." I take a step back, scratching awkwardly at my arm. I just want to get back downstairs so that me and Twilight can finish up. "But, uh... well, now we need to get the last of my testimony done."
"Oh, I understand." Rarity turns her back on the dinning table as Twilight moves to stand beside me, still glowing from our compliments. "Dear me, you've been going over that all day. You both must be dying to get it finished."
"Exactly." I shrug while Twilight replies with a vindicated 'yes'. "So... without trying to be rude, we'll leave you to it."
"Go right ahead. We can all talk more over dinner anyway." The alabaster mare smiles sweetly at the two of us. "I'll just lay these out in your room for tomorrow."
"Thanks." I nod as me and Twilight turn around and walk away, descending the stairs back to lounge.
"Okay." I glance at the lavender mare as soon as we're out of earshot. "So what was all that? Why was she acting nervous?"
"Yeah..." Twilight sighs. "Rarity's been very nervous about making clothes for you. She's worried that humans could have different ideas than ponies when it comes to fashion, and that you might hate the stuff she's producing."
"That's all?" I scoff. "Oh, that's just ridiculous. Even if I did dislike the clothes she's making, I wouldn't be too fussed. I need clothes and she provides."
"That's exactly what I said." Twilight chuckles as we disembark at the bottom of the stairs and move over to the couches. "Now then, where were we?"
I glance around the suite. Pinkie and Applejack have moved back into the kitchen - why, I have no clue, considering that they're all done with the baking - while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have both come inside to escape the failing daylight. It's nice to have them all here.
"Keys?"
"Huh?" I turn back to Twilight. "Oh, right. I think we were going over the second part of the Gala performance."
"Are you feeling okay?" Twilight raises an eyebrow at me as we sit down on the least cluttered of the sofas. "You've been kinda distracted today."
"I'm fine," I reply quickly. And I am fine. I just keep getting distracted thinking about the trial, among other things. There's no need to explain that to Twilight, though. "You're always asking me that, you know. Let's just get this out of the way, shall we?"
"Right." Twilight nods, looking slightly concerned. "But Keys; If you ever have a problem, you can tell me about it."
"I'll keep that in mind." I smile slightly, picking up the last page I was reading before we took a break. "Now Twilight, the testimony."
"Right." Twilight grins sheepishly, before picking up her own page.
While she finds her place on the paper, I take a second to glance out the window.
The trial is tomorrow. I've got my good friend Twilight to help me, and the support of the rest of the Elements of Harmony, despite what their personal opinions of me may be. Trixie's going up against me, two Elements and a princess - and from what I hear, she's got most of Equestria against her.
It's been a long time - almost a full month, in fact - since the day that I was ripped away from everything I knew. So much work from so many ponies has gone into what tomorrow will bring. It's been so long coming, but it's actually here.
The trial is tomorrow.
And I'm ready.
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Ah, nice, good exposition. Let's us know what going on and lends credence to a much more heavy chapter later. Also, first.
1979691 One of the only reasons to resent the inclusion of an Author's Note feature: I can no longer first-block my readers, which I made a point of doing every chapter.
When you say filler, I see it as necessary filler to go into what to expect of the trial, I'm just happy for a new chapter
1979698
Oh, c'mooon... It's not that annoying is it? Fine, I'll refrain from it. But seriosuly, this is a good chapter.
SWAG!
This chapter was fine. No big glaring amazing points, but no big flaws either.
Also, you should probably know that "like the Piano Man" has become a compliment for authors writing about dark things in Equestria, off the top of my head A Cog in the Machine, plus you've managed to win Aegis Shield's approval and endorsement, which isn't lightly given. I know we commentors constantly bitch and complain, but no one ever argued about anything they weren't passionate about. I think it's safe to say your writing is successful.
Or you think you're ready. Just wait till you see that bitch again.
1979751 I know. It's nice to know that an author as successful as Aegis Shield likes my work.
And "Like the Piano Man..."
...
I like that. I like that a LOT.
"..I was saying... uh..." Twilight pauses for a moment. "Oh right; so we'll be starting at six in the morning, and we'll be presided over by Princess Luna and two of Canterlot's Justices of the Peace..."
Luna has to be closer to the rough and tumble justice of a thousand years before. Tartarus! It was practically yesterday for her! I'd wonder if Celestia recusing herself was a back-door means of making the punishment far worse that it would in modern standards. 
Oh, Trixie is SO boned!
I glance around the suite. Pinkie and APplejack
SWAG!
This is a really nice lead-in to what is sure to be a nothing less than epic chapter. I actually didn't foresee Petrification as one of the possible punishments she might get, that's rather dark... I like it. I can only imagine that this trial won't go as easy as they hope, I'll admit I have no idea what to expect either. I eagerly await the conclusion to all of this with bated breath.
Enjoy your vacation, this will suffice to tide me over until next chapter.
APplejack?
Really good chapter! Continue.
Why petrification? They are just sentencing her to an eternity of not being able to move and most likely aware. (that seems to be the fandoms consensus on what happens when petrified.) It would be a kindness to just kill her if they don't banish or imprison her
1979922 PYRAMID!
I'll hold my reaction till after the trial. I have a feeling that Trixies Lawyer is going to be pulling out all the stops.
1979963
Here's hoping for suprize assasins!
Not quite as scathing of an entry as the other recent chapters, even though this one was mostly filler. At least it had fewer grammar slips than the last few chapters (sowing machine, APplejack, dinning table, and a missed comma here and there).
I'll save commentary on characterization slips to instead comment on something else you should keep an eye on. Watch your use of what many refer to as LUS. Cliches like 'lavander unicorn' and 'alabaster unicorn' are so heavily overused that it should be avoided if possible, and yet they are used frequently here.
1979978
I'm going to go with racist judge's. Only one is going to be a Princess. That's my guess.
1958115 Big Mac can pull a friggin house. The ponies crash into rocks after getting smacked by a dragon and the ROCK breaks!
These ain't your kid sister's ponies. They're made of GOD-MODE!!
PS: THIS STORY IS NOT ABOUT BILLY JOEL!!! The REAL Piano Man's drunken vengeance shall be upon you all!
1979698
"Once both sides have given their arguments, the deliberators will go into a conclusion until they reach a decision."
Typo?
If this is "mere filler", make the most of it. I've seen worse action scenes. You've done a great job portraying pre-trial jitters, and if Jacob's worried about phasing out, well it's natural. PTSD manifests in several ways, including seriously wandering attention. At least once the trial's over, he can move on.
Unless you're going to give us a plot twist worthy of a Soap Opera trial? General Hospital was good for those.
Misspellings/incorrect words:
Instead of "conclusion", you meant "seclusion". Or possibly "conclave". How do the judges and Princesses get there, jumping?
Sowing machine? (cringe) Auto-correct is not correct.
Other than those two, I saw nothing to complain about.
1979776 Well, this is a heinous crime, and I have no doubt there's a vindictive streak in Celestia somewhere.
After dealing with Discord, I'd be surprised if not.
Luna might not go for petrification. Putting Twi and company through something that traumatic would make a mockery of the concept of justice, and effectively punish the Element Bearers. No way I could see that. Banishment is worse, IMO. You're totally and completely ALONE. The ultimate "time out". As Luna knows better than anypony.
Man all those punishments suck! Given a choice I would go with imprisonment(at least family could visit) or banishment (start your life over). Petrification sounds worse than death. What if you're conscious and aware for all eternity?
Yay its coming up soon! The trail!
OMG! So is Luna less involved in the prosecution of the pony who tried to kill her niece Cadence and friend Twilight?!
For as we know, she could be already in "Queen of Hearts" mode
...obviously, Keys is conflicted.
Awaiting further releases.
Why do I get the feeling that Trixie is going to get away with all of this?
What are the odds that Trixie's lawyer will pull some kind of 'changeling defense?'
Also, if Trixie gets banishment and it isn't explained exactly what happens to her, I'm going to assume that a Gorilla takes her in as a pet. Because why not?
1963618
Sounds about right on the size guesstimate of 3'+.
I compare the ponies to the cows they walk beside in-show, that places them about the size of the miniature horses and the American Shetlands I've worked with before. Secret Heart was about 30" at the shoulder and as much a diva as Rarity.
If she didnt like you, and you manage to anger her, she will find a way to hurt you.
1979784
doubt it. I legit asked Cloud what kind of ending he's gonna put out and he said realistic. (Ie trial = success and Trixi's outta there)
Unless he lied to me....He didn't lie to a supernatural assassin did he?!
Spoiler alert:
Trixie is going to be sentenced to be petrified, and Jacob will end up regretting the decision to proceed with charges and saving her.
Just you wait and see.
1980684 The worst thing you can do to Trixie, right here: "And I will hug her and hug her, and pet her and pet her, and I will name her George..."
1981045 There's one fly in the ointment there: Keys isn't pressing charges.
IRL, the State presses charges in criminal cases, which this is. Cloud already mentioned this being the case a few chapters ago.
1981023 You're a Crow, not a Snake. (Wait for it...)
1979968 It's just a bunch of {quote}s and {/quote]s
1980327
Is that when Keys and the Mane 6 go on a hike to the location at wich Trixie will receive her punishment?
1981510 LOL meant trial :P
Pinkie and APplejack have moved back into the kitchen
Spot the error!
One day?! Obviously that's for the reader's convenience. It would suck to have to read a bunch of chapters on just the trial of course but still...just one day? Oh don't get me wrong, that's fine; speed it along, just not what i was expecting. Although I'm not in the mood for a sudden John Grisham style fanfic.
Also, the possibility of trixie's punishment: that caught me off guard a little bit. banishment, imprisonment, imprisonment at the place she was banish to, hell; even a whipping and a crucifixion to top it off .... but petrification? wow, i never thought of that. wow. using the elements of harmony.... her crimes were awful but to put her on the same scope as nightmare moon and discord? i doubt it. Yeah that may happen but wouldn't that be a little too harsh? better off just giving her a quick and painless death.
The next chapter; that's it then huh? wow, to think it's finally coming to an end. well, my only complaints were that he didn't play the piano as much as i would have liked and the relationship between him and twilight wont be explored much if at all and lastly, flutters never warmed up to him and that breaks my heart.
Other than that, this has been a great story. Sucks that it has to end but all good things must come to an end. I await this coming end with bated breath, anticipation and a bottle of whiskey. If I smoked then there'd be a cigar in there to but i don't. Disgusting habit.
1979922
at least
next time you do something like this
Center the
hi
Too bad Equestria doesn't have those either, or Trixie would of never of been able to take down one of the Princesses, and keys would of been both recognized, and rescued on sight, if not before hand.
Also, that scene where the sisters complained about forgetting what humans are would never of happened. Also of course, that little issue in the epilogue where it was implied that Luna was severely traumatized as a foal, but of course Keys doesn't know that.
1. You put in an extra 'N'.
2. You forgot a period.
1. You forgot to add a space between your quotation mark and Rarity.
2. While you remembered to indent, you neglected to add a gap before starting a new paragraph.
Should probably be 'modesty,'.
1. That's a thought right, not just part of the narrative? I just wanna state that it really feels clunky placed there, especially since there's no indicator.
2. Again, only one 'n' in words like that. English is weird that way, while there is two in 'Dinner', 'Dining room' only has one.
1.Twilight and I
1. You capitalized one too many characters. (See what I did there?
)
You have to quit hating on yourself. Your doing wonderful on these chapters and we are not going to hate you. We love and tolerate the shit out of you everyday, and you have to calm down. No one is going to hate you. We love you man, and remember that.
1982759 never.
1983741
you know something
you are right
is fucking...
i am laughing so bad at this shit...
i try to make i pyramid but fail so wrong
teach me your ways master
cant stop laughing
for real
is just to fucking helarious for me judging your pyramid knowing that i cant even make one my self
1983758 You should have listened during your studies, young padawan.
Great chapter as always, oh and before I forget....
MMMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Good Chapter. Nice to know exactly what the rules are for the trial. Their trial system is very reminiscent of the Ancient Greek trial system, the two parties show up, present their evidence arguments to the judge or judges, then there's the verdict and then everyone goes about there merry way; and yes it took the sum total of a day. In fact, that's all you had no more no less. Mind you this is a gross simplification but it's got most of the important things there. Anyway, this is going to be interesting. If we're going for realistic here then what we want to happen might not happen the way we think (i.e she might be found guilty of something, whether or not it is something major is anyone's guess at this point) but based on what I've read there's enough blame to go around to more than just Trixie here. Now before you jump on me for that statement, consider all that has happened and everything that has led up to this point. Personally, I see more grey than black and white with this case. If I may make one observation, there are three things that are not clearly defined that could determine the outcome of this case more than any evidence that's there; some of which is circumstantial at best (for more info on what I mean read my post in his new year's blog or just pm me as its waaaay too long to put here). Those three things are: Keyes' status in Equestria and how much of the law applies to him as the injured party (is he a citizen, does he have immigration status, does he have natural rights, or is he just an alien from another world who endured a terrible ordeal but has no legal rights? These things have some merit as that can change the argument being made here), the legality of forced servitude (technically he is monetarily paid for what he did, he just didn't see the bits until after the fact) and lastly what is legally right and morally reprehensible. This last one is extremely important as what is morally wrong is not always unlawful (a fact that could also change the argument here and potentially lessen the charges). The converse is also true and has the same effect. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the end, either way I doubt this will have a complete happy ending.
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TO THE MOON!!!
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Since this is completely ignoring the issue of attempted murder of Elements of Harmony, A Princess, and a mare who is practically Celestia's daughter, I shall try to present a valid reason why Princess Luna is obligated to curb-stomp Trixie in a legal fashion.
Trixie has perfomed slavery on a free-willed, thinking being in a means specifically outllawed for Unicorns against Pegasi and Earth Ponies and tortured him because no one was there to tell her "no!" It dos not matter wether he is a legal citizen or a recognized species, its a blatant attempt to skirt an ancient law covering pony on pony slavery.
While it might be expected of the lower races outside Equestria to enslave each other (as long as they leave Ponies alone), Ponies are a powerful force all their own. They can be unstoppable, dangerous taskmasters to beings with 0% magic resisitance if they fall into darkness like that.
This is a path the Princesses would want to stop at all costs, especially after Trixie traumatized Cadence into a dangerous depression and doubt in her fellow Pony.
If an example is not made, and made in an unforgettably horrifying manner that sticks in Pony's minds. The Princesses might wake up one day and find an army of copycats has brought hundreds of humans to the world, dodging immediate punishment by doing this in a mine in the badlands, or boldly parading them around as the latest fashion in butlers, maids, valets, and personal aides.
Other unicorns will ask why they cant take Minotaurs or Griffons as slaves.
What if at least one Earth raided for slaves finds a way to track them and come on a rescue mission?
Even if an invasion is unlikely, they must speak to the future generations about what is wrong and what is right, period! On up to meeting aliens and how would the aliens view them? How the aliens find they treat other races may save or doom Ponykind.
Even if its not morally reprehensible to begin with, Trixie has made herself a historical figure, and the Princesses will ensure it is not a happy tale, but one to scare children with and make them think as adults...