Chapter 31
There was silence in the courtroom, as what few ponies in the stands gasped and pointed. Tracy could only hope they thought those charges were as outrageous as he did. No one dared speak, until Princess Luna finally rose from her throne, glaring across the room. “Equestria declines to prosecute on the charge of interdimensional incursion and criminal destruction of property. With no charges, the court—”
Discord cleared his throat loudly. “Excuse me, Princess. But I wouldn’t want this body to perform a preventable error. I believe I was the party that suffered the destruction of property. Also, the charge of trespassing is self-evident. It was my worldgate, and these three are evidently in our universe. Ergo, the facts are present.”
Princess Luna’s wings flared momentarily, and it seemed as though she might start yelling at him. Then she slumped back to her throne. “Very well. Strike the interdimensional incursion charge, we shall examine the other two. This court accepts the evidence for trespassing. Does the defense have anything to add?”
Tracy shifted nervously under the sudden attention of a room full of creatures. His friends watched him, all three terrified and desperate. If he didn’t say something, one of them probably would. At least he knew how Equestria worked.
“My roommate and I are the tenants of the property they entered,” he said, his voice quaking under the pressure. He hesitated, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Neither of us want to prosecute them either. We’d rather just forgive them and send them home.”
“Irrelevant,” Discord called, his voice taunting. “You did not invite them onto the property, or else you would have violated the contract. As they were not invited guests, it is up to me as the owner of the building to decide. I would like charges pressed against these lawbreakers, Princess. To the full extent of the law.”
It was hard to see from across the room, but was the princess rolling her eyes at him. “Very well. What evidence do you have to present to the court as to the destruction of property charge, Discord?”
His chair jerked abruptly, landing with a crunch of snapping wood. Yet the chair kept holding him at about the level it should. Discord snapped his claws, and an oversized photo appeared in the air beside his chair.
It showed exactly what Tracy would’ve expected—the door pried open, lock hanging mostly out of the wood. “As you see, Princess. Honored guests of the court. These three destroyed my home to enter.”
The Alicorn nodded, turning her attention on the defendants’ table. “Did you do this?”
“I did,” Marshall said, his voice so quiet that Luna had to ask him to repeat himself. “I broke in. The others didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Hmm.” The princess nodded to the stenographer, and his keyboard rattled for a few seconds in silence. “Does the defense have anything to add?”
Tracy felt that hopeless weight all over again. But a few conversations with Rose weren’t going to prepare him for this! He wasn’t a lawyer just because he could read over a contract!
“Well, uh… one thing.” He rose from his chair, pointing across the room with a wing. “The property the defendants allegedly destroyed is located in another universe, not Equestria. Don’t you, like… not have jurisdiction over that or whatever? Seems like Discord should try to recover damages there.”
Luna glanced across the room at the unicorn in white. “Is there any precedent for prosecuting criminal acts that didn’t occur in our universe?”
The pony’s eyes went wide. Books all around her opened of their own accord and she flipped through one after another. What she could be getting from them so fast, Tracy couldn’t even guess. But it didn’t take her long to shake her head. “No, Princess!”
“The court finds in favor of the defendants as to the charge of destruction of property, and the cause is vacated due to lack of jurisdiction.”
She raised a wing, silencing Discord before he could start arguing again. “Careful. Don’t try this court’s patience.”
He folded his claws again, furious eyes fixed on Tracy.
“However, the evidence for trespassing is sufficient, and I find the defendants guilty. As to the sentence…”
Her horn glowed, and there was a faint flash of light in the air beside her. A stack of papers appeared there, one that Tracy could guess at even if he couldn’t see the writing to be sure. “Equestria does not recognize your attempt to rewrite criminal law with regard to third parties. The penalty you suggest in this document is irrelevant.”
The night princess spread her wings wide. As she did, her mane seemed to catch a wind Tracy could not feel, shining with starlight brighter than anything coming from overhead.
I’m watching a goddess run a small claims court.
“Equestria fines these three creatures twenty bits each, or fifty hours of community service each. After which, they will be returned home with an injunction against further trespassing.” Something flashed in the air beside her, though her own horn was dark. A thin white sack appeared just out of reach, wrapped with a little sun around the top. It landed with a meaty metallic rattle on the throne. “Oh look, a third party has elected to pay their fine. How unexpected. Clerk, finalize the record and get this ridiculous case out of my courtroom.”
She flopped sideways into her throne, digging around in a little basket at the side holding sheets of paper. Her next case, maybe?
Tracy slumped back into his seat, finally relaxing. He barely understood what had just happened, but one fact was clear. They weren’t even going to be asked to pay a fine they couldn’t—it was taken care of. His friends could go home, and they could put this nightmare behind them.
“The court’s decision as to the case of three unknown Outsiders is concluded, and the—” The unicorn began. She didn’t finish, because Shane rose from his chair, crossing halfway to the throne before he finally lost his nerve. “Wait! Princess, uh… please don’t send me back!”
What the hell are you doing, Shane? We won!
Guards on either side of the throne reacted instantly, gliding to block his path about halfway across the room. “Remain where you are, pony,” they said. “No closer.”
“Here he goes again,” Anton muttered. “If we go to jail over this, I’ll kill him.”
The night princess looked up, dropping her reading onto the chair beside her. She gestured with a wing, and the two guards retreated. “What are you talking about, pony?”
Shane’s bravery melted under her gaze. He slumped onto his haunches, and muttered to himself as he spoke. Despite his incredible size here in Equestria, an Alicorn still made him seem small. “I’m the real reason all this happened. I ran into Equestria because I was trying to escape that place. Please let me stay here. I’ll dig ditches, I’ll pick fruit, I’ll flip burgers. Anything, but… don’t send me back.”
“Don’t send you back,” the princess repeated, eyes narrowing. “To a realm so terrible that you would do anything to stay away. Your friends don’t seem to share your sentiment. If it isn’t something about where you came from, then it must be something you learned about Equestria. What was that?”
Now even the bored ponies from the audience were paying attention. How boring were things usually in the night court?
“I, uh… I’m sorry, I’m sure Equestria is… fantastic. But it is about not going back.” Even Tracy couldn’t watch it. He could only imagine what the princess must be thinking. “I don’t have any life waiting for me back there. I crippled myself with debt to get a degree I never finished. I’ll be struggling to survive that mistake until I die. But here—it seemed like a fresh start.”
It’s that bad? Tracy stared, as silent as the rest of the court. But at least he could understand Shane’s complaints. It was exactly why he’d gone somewhere local, even though the degree wasn’t likely worth much. It didn’t cost much either. But what was student debt to an alien?
Princess Luna looked back. “Finalize the record,” she said. “The court takes a ten-minute recess.”
Some of the crowd scattered, giving Discord’s seat the widest possible clearance. Though… he didn’t seem to be using it anymore.
“Don’t think I’ll forget this,” said a voice from Tracy’s other side, so close he nearly fell out of his chair. Discord stood there, apparently without having ever actually crossed the throne room. “Nothing happens today, but I’ll remember.”
“They’re my friends,” he said, as bravely as he could. “I had to.”
Discord laughed. “We’ll see how long you feel that way.” He vanished.
Tracy rose from his chair then, crossing towards Shane. He wasn’t the only one—Luna herself had already reached the bottom of the throne. The night princess’s expression was unreadable, looking Shane over without a word.
“Contact between realms is a rare and delicate thing, pony. Once in our history, we misused our magic, viewing the other realms as an infinitely vast waste-disposal to banish creatures we could not otherwise defeat. But that realm was home to creatures who paid the price for our hubris.”
“I’m not dangerous,” Shane muttered. “I’m just bad with money.”
“More than that,” the princess corrected. “It sounds to me like you’re the victim of an injustice, but not one this court is qualified to rectify.”
“You could let me stay,” he suggested. “I’ll do whatever you want, like I said. I’ll take whatever horse-civics you ask. I’ll memorize your pledge of allegiance and go to your churches. Whatever it takes.”
The princess chuckled, looking to Tracy instead. “Child of Night,” she said. “Tracy. You are this creature’s friend?”
He nodded. “He’s telling the truth, if that’s what you’re asking. All that can really happen.”
“Not that.” She glanced back across the room, where Anton and Marshall were still in their seats, watching fearfully. Maybe they thought this victory would be taken from them, and they’d be sent to jail after all. “It’s cruel of my sister to play this game. But the judgement is mine to make, so I have to ask. You’re from the same realm as… Shane?”
He nodded. “We grew up together, in the same town. Didn’t separate until school.”
The princess considered for another few seconds. “I heard very highly of you from one Roseluck of Ponyville. It would be easier to think your friends were of similar character if they weren’t standing in my courtroom.”
“Yeah.” He ran one hoof along the stone floor. “Shane, are you sure about this? There are ways out. You don’t have to run away to another universe.”
Shane glared back, defiant. “Easy for you to say, Tracy. You made it. You don’t have to gloat about how much better you are—I know. But I’ll do better the second time. I haven’t seen much of Equestria yet, but I know it’s better than the place we left.”
Princess Luna was silent for a few moments more. “I’ve learned through sad experience that ponies rarely value something that is given. It must be earned, then it will be cherished. I will not give you sanctuary here in Equestria. I will, however, offer you the opportunity to earn it.”
Her horn glowed, and something levitated all the way down from the throne towards them. The white cloth bag, clanking with bits. “What if I misplace these bits? Would you serve the hours you and your friends owe to Equestria—150 hours. Is coming here worth that much to you?”
I get it. That’s smart, Princess. Scare him out of this insanity the way none of us could.
“Yes,” Shane said. “I am a stranger—I don’t know how to support myself here, or the way to be a good citizen here. But I’d work anyway.”
“One more thing.” She raised one hoof, silencing his excitement. “As there is no relationship between our realms, this decision will likely be permanent. I will find a place for you to work with a skilled mentor—far from Discord’s worldgate. Do you realize the sacrifice that entails?”
Shane glanced past her, back to the defendants’ table. He considered for a few silent moments, then nodded again. “I hoped I would still see Tracy, but… I understand.”
“Then say your goodbyes outside my courtroom, and wait for my personal guard to fetch you.” She turned away, muttering to herself as she climbed her throne. “See what sister thinks of this.”
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so was celestia involved in this from the start is she partner in crime with discord?
I bet the bits came from Celestia.
Far from the worldgate? Does that mean he is sent to the crystal empire or is it more ironic and shane is send to live with Twilight?
Well, that Isn't ominous at aaall...
Uh oh! Tracy better read that contract REAL closely! Cause it seems like he's ticked off Discord, and I'm sure there's more than ONE dangerous loophole or requirement hidden in that document...
On the other hand, he seems to have ticked off Discord... But this whole situation reeks of some sort of long-con and devious planning. Which is a touch odd for a god of chaos, but whatever.
Well, isn't that an interesting twist... and is Discord actually upset or is he playing games?
Nothing with him is ever as simple as it appears...
10406134
Well, the story is called Fine Print, so it's reasonable to assume that ambitious writing will let the story continue to revolve around that, rather than just using it as a convenient setup.
10406129
I would say "Ponyville" is in no sense "Far from the Worldgate", unless there's a restraining spell to keep him from it.
----
So, in regards to the Court Record, it seems Twilight and the rest will have proof that they come from a Non-Equestria-Girls world.
Hmm... Sticking him in the Equestria Girls gate and stuff could be even better?
Well. That's certainly worth looking into. If Tracy can get an actual attorney to look over the contract, he may be able to find out how much can be meaningfully enforced.
Granted, criminal law and contract law are two very different subdisciplines...
And I'd hardly expect Discord to be a good sport about it. He's only going to use the law so long as it benefits him. And I imagine the trial taught him the wrong sort of lesson.
Luna's ruling is fair and just as far as I can tell. An unconventional way to get out of student debt, but an effective one... as long as no one asks any awkward questions on Earth. Especially when the next loan repayment comes due.
And I can only imagine what Tracy's othr friends will do going forward. There's also the question of what Roseluck thought of the proceedings; goodness knows there's no predicting how that mare's mind will interpret anything Tracy does.
Dang. Looks like this version of Discord is more evil genie than fun-loving trickster.
I mean, I was under the impression that he was pushing the whole prosecution angle because it would be entertaining, but it looks like he's actually angry that Tracy sabotaged him on a technicality.
Is this just Tracy's perspective, or is Discord legitimately upset that he's been deprived of the opportunity to have humans in his debt?
Hmm. And what does Celestia have to do with this?
10406145
You really can't just disappear. I had this line in one of my stories in response to a human who wanted to stay in Equestria.
Tracy and his friends would be the focus of an investigation if Shane disappeared.
So much for Discord fixing your door.
Oh and for technicalities Discord could always go to your place of business and say your apartment isn't in town actually, and you can't get another apartment due to the fine print. So no job and good luck paying the rent now.
10406126
Wouldn't surprise me if there was some type of bet on between Sunbut and Dizzy. But sucking in extra-dimensional travelers (i.e. Tracy) seems a bit much for her to go along with.
10406183
the same mare who groomed twilight to take her job as princess and never even asked her if she wanted the job
Well, that’s certainly quite a change. Earth does kind of suck though, especially compared to such a magical and progressive place.
Also...why do I get the feeling that Discord is going to sabotage the gateway now? Either make it not change him back, or only change him part way...
Something occurred to me, aren't their regulations against opening portals to other worlds? Not to mention a requirement to register said gates.
Luna has also effectively nullified the contract on the Equestrian side of the gate by ruling that they had no jurisdiction beyond their dimension. That means that any contract or agreement made outside of the jurisdiction of the Equestrian court has no legal binding within Equestria. Not that it does Shane any good if he ever wants to go home. Still, though, Discord must be furious.
10406173
He might take up a job in Equestria. With the flower sisters, or something.
I love how done she is with Discord's games. I think she wanted it to be over more than anyone.
Discord's a lawyer. I knew he was evil. (snerk)
You should see her in the Karoke bar.
Starswirl's Universal Trash Disposal spell has caused so many problems... One thing it can't fix is Shane's debt, which I suspect the Sun and Moon will not allow him to simply skip out on, or Equestria could be besieged by 'debt-tourists' in the future. (which is actually an issue with immigration here too)
10406204
His lease is for payment in dollars. There is no exchange rate.
10406210
Get some moonshine into her and she sings, well not exactly like an angel, but it is an experience one won't easily forget.
Actually debt-emmigration into equestria would get them a lot of our best and brightest. Assuming they adopted a no extradition policy, I could see governments here trying very hard not to allow people to leave.
10406145
This is actually a really bad way to get out of a student loan debt. The way those things are written a loan made by a private company without death discharge protections, That is provided there is a death certificate, the loan may get rolled over to anyone who cosigned. There are some protections but it varies state to state. In this case where the person just simply vanishes the cosigners will be on the hook until such time as a death certificate can be issued. And despite the many protections, companies like Navient systematically go after the families of deceased loan holders.
You know, it's good to see Luna doing some princess work.
10406173
Karen in HR: "So, Mr. Discord. You're telling me that this building, 2735 Main Street, is not in town? Despite having a zip code that indicates that it is in town as well as the fact that I'm looking at the address on Google maps right now and seeing that it is, in fact, in town. You're instead telling me it's in a magical pony universe and that Mr. Maxwell is a thestral. Do I have that right?"
It's clear that Luna is not in the least amused by Discord's antics and finds the whole thing a waste of her time. I'm sure that Celestia would be interested in hearing about Shane and would have her own opinion about it altough I'm not sure what Luna means with her sister playing a game. If anyone is playing a game it would be Discord.
And here Discord learns that even contracts with the devil have no force unless upheld in court?
Now the precedent is definitely set though: Equestria has no legal say in what happens in Tracy's home universe, therefore he has no more official recourse against whatever Discord may cook up for him back on Earth – I doubt most human judges would recognize crimes committed through magical means...
Well that went better than expected but it left Discord quite miffed.
Very odd that Tracy was forced to be the primary defense. Did they not actually have a real defense before him?
Seems Celestia has an agenda.
We do note that the crown didn't invalidate the session by declaring the contract inapplicable. Unfortunate, but we suppose Discord didn't want that either. So many games being played...
Keep going! ;)
Well, lack of jurisdiction certainly won the day but I doubt it's a loss for Discord. If anything, it's gotten more interesting to him. Would've have thought Lovebutt was behind this. Sunbutt was an amazing twist.
Oh Shane, would you have enslaved yourself to Discord to escape Earth and reach the pony lands? I suppose it would have been boring if Discord "chose" you instead.
It should have been that simple, really. Only problem is... Discord isn't in it for the money.
I'm all for fresh starts too but this is a life-changing decision made on the spur of the moment. And you've certainly made a first impression to the people with that stupid break in.
That's gonna bite Tracy in the future.
10406145
If Shane had a cosigner, I would absolutely bet that person would be pissed off enough to hunt him down. I would too.
10406173
That or he won't renew the contract at the end. Sort of important if you really want to keep dating Rose.
10406308
Did they even need one? Best princess was already 100% done from the start and had no intention of giving discord anything other than a quick dismissal. Why bother the poor public defender and waste everypony's time?
10406321
Well it was obvious that her initial attempt to dismiss it out of hand (hoof) failed, so we would say a token effort would have been nice. Obviously we are not a lawyer, but it seems to us if there was a prosecution there should be a defense....
10406233
This. There are serious repercussions to disappearance, and almost no fic ever attempts to address them...
10406197
Wouldnt he break his own agreement contact
10406342
From chapter 2
Note that they WILL assume appropriate form on entry, but only MAY return on exit.
What injustice? I just see consequences for a series of moronic decisions.
Bruh wait till Earth hears about this...
10406173
I fear that Discord does have something to that effect, planned.
10406240
Don't forget that Discord made Tracy's car fail towards the beginning of the story, what's to say he doesn't use his powers in another manner, perhaps to the effect of Tracy losing his job.
10406315
Playing the long game doesn't sound like Discord but maybe that will be part of his revenge.
10406308
Very perceptive of you, at least I think you are, it does seem like there's more than one game being played right now.
Discord, SHUT UP. you were owe repairs o nthe physical door. YOU chose to make this place in two worlds
Oh geez, breaking up friendships is Discord's specialty. Good luck, Tracy.
10406225
Try to make equivalent in gold? Like, solid gold bars. You don't always have an easy access or salary in given currency... OH, Tracey can do it himself. Get salary in bits, exchange for precious metals/gems, and then exchange them for currency, right? Especially if he does it "sneaky-beaky like", somewhere where he wouldn't be questioned for lack of markings on gold, etc...
10406228
Either that, or criminal underworld will go to this place, where they will either establish empires, or find their "calling" in unicorn horns and all other matter of knick-nacks...
10406365
Difference is he would either have worked himself in a position, or have someone brainwashed to make decision. Real person WOULD question why someone should stay or be terminated.
Like Lunar said.
If he wants Tracye to lose a job he has three options.
1) Be an employee in a decision making layer himself. That would allow him to proerply fill out documents about "finding out" that Tracey "lied" about living at an adress.
2) Make a claim to the company that Tracy "is not being truthful", and doesn't have an apartment. This is where a company must investigate, to not be in the wrong. They will check, and unless Discord plays dirty by hiding documents(not sure if there is an online regitre for the street Tracey is on), they will find that Tracey DOES LIVE there. Anyway, there will be an investigation whether Tracy lives there, or someone else, or if this adress exists at all. And unless Discord cheats(hides/removes portal/makes sure Tracey cannot confirm that he lives there) - they will find that adress exists and Tracey lives there.
3) Discord brainwashes/forces a person in chrage of investigation to make a certain call.
So yeah, second option is most likely to happen, and Discord needs to be an outright cheater to show that Tracey "doesn't live there". Well, he needs to cheat in all three options, just to get Tracey kicked from his job.
10406328
Drives me up the wall.
I love how Luna gives exactly zero fyays for either Discord’s shenanigans or Celestia‘s long games. Good on her for refusing to be a pawn in anyone’s scheme.
Heh, imagine traveling to another universe to escape student debt. Unorthodox to be sure, but very effective.
10406166
Only if someone does look after him. If he really has no one to look for him it'll only be good debtors. To say he skipped town after meeting then would the true and would mean the end of the trail.
Student debt in the US is rather cruel indeed...
If we have Earth side court drama now, I think Discord should settle for cost of repairs to the door instead of trying to ignore American laws. Discord's Contract would literally be deemed illegal, especially the perpetual servitude clause (human trafficking). Not to mention that we do have well defined punishment recommendations for breaking and entering that don't lead to that.
As for Discord choosing to kill Tracy as revenge, I remember his little magic video he showed Tracy when getting Fluttershy a gift; having unexplained circumstances to an alleged accident sometimes draws more attention to a case. Would Discord like to face our brand of Justice?
Here is to hoping Tracy doesn't get saddled, no pun intended; with more headaches.
can't say that I'm too impressed with him. As far as reasons to permit immigration go, "I borrowed money I had no way of repaying in order to fail to earn a degree, and now I want to bail" seems a remarkably poor one.
Indeed, as other commentators have pointed out, that debt isn't going to just vanish, it's going to go to collections, and from there it will turn into a missing-persons case. That means trouble for his friends, for Tracy, and for his family. Everyone but him really. Is he even planning on explaining this to whatever family he has? How does he intend to explain this?
Loyalty, amirite?
Faugh, making life-changing decisions based on emotion and impulse seems like a regular habit for him, I'd want some serious evidence that he intends to make a committed effort of this.
Interesting how Tracy is standing by his friend in the name of Friendship, which is Twilight Sparkle’s specialty, and a huge part of Fluttershy’s life. I wonder how they both would react to Discord’s casual dismissal of Tracy’s commitment?
I would expect some Royal Canterlot Voice browbeating and couch-sleeping might be in Discord’s future.
Still wondering how Discord isn’t in trouble for renting his Equestrian property to an illegal alien. Also how he’s trying to enslave his friends. And the fact if a contract is signed under duress or you don’t actually understand what the contract entails it’s rendered mute, so when Tracy signed and didn’t understand half the shit in the contract, like literally not knowing what some of the terminology means because other world, it should be rendered mute. Pretty ballsy of him to even take it to court.