“...and while the evidence towards motive is circumstantial, you must agree the crime was not committed in the heat of passion. No, a grudge brought the defendant to our town. Her actions were purposeful, with malice aforethought. It is for this reason that I insist that the harshest punishments must be applied. In fact, precedent in Equestria v. Tirek indicates that in cases of treason and high crimes against—”

“O-objection,” a voice squeaked.

Twilight whirled to stare daggers at the yellow pegasus. Fluttershy sunk lower in her chair.

“Sustained,” the judge said. “Miss Sparkle, you will cease speculation on sentencing.”

“Yes, your honor.” She rested her hoof on the table, waiting for it to cease shaking.

“Over the past two weeks, we have presented extensive evidence, supported by expert testimony confirming the validity of our forensics. You have heard from multiple witnesses to establish the actions of the accused that day. Yet, despite the heinous nature of the crime, I would like to ask that the jury lay aside emotion, leave behind naturally inflamed passions, and deliberate solely on the grounds of logic. There is no room for revenge today. We simply want justice to be served.”

Twilight let the words hang in the silence of the courtroom for one long moment. Her eyes cut across, to the mare sitting next to Fluttershy. The defendant. Trixie.

Noticing the attention, Trixie’s lips curled in a sneer, but sweat beaded her coat. For once in the trial, a sliver of doubt cracked that facade of arrogance.

Twilight was so busy staring at Trixie that she barely noticed as Fluttershy stood and murmured something too rushed together to understand.

“Miss Fluttershy, please speak up,” the judge cut in, and Fluttershy screwed her eyes shut, shivering.

Her mouth opened and closed without making a sound. She finally worked up the courage to say, “The defense rests.”

Fluttershy was almost seated again when the judge’s gavel banged down and she jolted back upright, face aflame. As they all rose, Trixie glared, not at the judge or Twilight, but at the jury box, where a row of ponies watched impassionately.

“Very well,” the judge intoned. “The case is now submitted to the jury for deliberation. You will have as much time as necessary to come to a decision on the charges brought against the defendant, Trixie Lulamoon. You will consider only the testimony presented in this courtroom, and any communication or influence from outside parties is strictly prohibited.”

Twilight watched as the jury filed out of the room. One member caught her eye, and the corners of her mouth twitched up, ever so slightly, as Rainbow Dash’s head tilted in an equally circumspect nod.

It was something that Twilight had wrestled often over recent long nights. Was it worth compromising her integrity to make sure justice won out? She was all too familiar with the flaws of the judicial system, how innocent ponies found themselves punished yet guilty ponies walked free only to commit the same crimes again. She could easily justify each compromise to herself. Only a pony as kind as Fluttershy would have even taken Trixie’s case. It wasn’t a deliberate sabotage of the defense to guide that into happening. And Rainbow Dash? She had just as much right as any citizen to be on the jury. But still...

The jury filed back in even as she still wrestled with the doubts weighing on her mind. Her heart pounded. Surely, for a result to come that fast had to have meant it was a simple decision. As expected.

Rainbow Dash rose, facing the judge. “Your honor, the jury has reached a unanimous decision. We find the defendant, Trixie Lulamoon…” She stared straight ahead, not looking in Twilight’s direction. “Not guilty.”

Twilight didn’t hear the gasps and rumbling from the audience. She didn’t hear the jubilant braggadocio from Trixie or the murmured congratulations from Fluttershy. She sank down into her seat, her head resting on the table in front of her, unable to process anything in the shock of the moment.

That was where Rainbow Dash found her, long after everyone else had left the courtroom.

Twilight wouldn’t look at her. “Why?” she whispered. “I did everything right. I— I had the truth on my side. Is this punishment? For doubting that justice would run its true course?”

Rainbow Dash paused for a long moment, weighing her words carefully.

“Twilight,” she said, “I don’t think she lost the library book on purpose.”