Chapter 35: Taking the Witness's Stand

"Alright, call your next witness Grin."

Shadow sat once again in court. He was shackled, listening half-heartedly to the vague, muddled testimonies of various weak witnesses. So far, the presentation of evidence had been very uninspiring, but there was a lot of it. He hadn't recognized a single name, let alone a single face.

"Thank you your honour," Grin responded, nodding to Judge Fairfilly, "I call to the witness stand, Lieutenant Colonel Gallant Gallop."

Storm's ears snapped straight up, stiffening like soldiers at attention. He couldn't believe his ears or his eyes. A familiar shape took the stand. It was him.

After being sworn in, Gallop turned his gaze to Shadow, staring at him throughout the court session. Shadow felt anger and a sense of betrayal rising within him.

"Colonel Gallop, in your own words, what happened on the night of August 6th?" Grin asked as his opening question.

"Well, I attended the Grand Galloping Gala, in the company of a civilian named Rainbow Dash. Part way through the night, I was approached by Lieutenant Storm."

"Captain Storm, Lieutenant Colonel," the judge corrected.

"Captain Storm," Gallant stated, frowning, "At this point, I had maybe three drinks, but not enough for me to be very affected. I didn't antagonize him in the least. He approached me whilst I was on the dance floor. I was actually in the midst of eating a grape when the first kick landed. Good thing I managed to spit it out… Anyway, Storm proceeded to attack me. After moving away defensively, I was seized by legionnaires, whom proceeded to open my jacket. A knife was placed in my jacket pocket. This was apparently enough cause for my hasty arrest by the royal guard. I was framed by Captain Storm simply because I got too close to his, 'special somepony'. She was a bitch anyway."

Shadow felt his anger rising to the point of no return. Clenching his teeth, Storm attempted to calm himself down, breathing heavily. Noting his obvious anger, Armor quickly acted.

"Objection!" he shouted, standing up, "I will not stand for slander!"

"Sustained," Fairfilly agreed, "Don't do it again Gallant."

Sighing, Gallop nodded. Stepping toward the witness's stand, Grin turned to the jury.

"Well, there you have it. Storm not only framed Gallop, but assaulted him. Of course, we cannot know this for sure, but I have a feeling that we will quickly find out the truth. No further questions, your honour."

Now it was Armor's turn. Moving to the stand, he began his interrogation.

"Lieutenant Colonel, you stated that your knife was in your jacket pocket, correct?" Armor asked, pacing to and fro.

"Yes sir," Gallop responded mechanically.

"Which pocket?"

"Sir?"

"It's a simple question. Which pocket? Left or right?"

Gallant hesitated.

"Ah, of course. I forgot!"

Shadow eyed Armor as he moved back toward the table, picking up a folder with his magic, reading it as he moved back to the stand.

"This report here, from the night of the arrest, states that you did not have it in your jacket pocket. In fact, you had the knife in sheath, that was sown directly into the jacket."

"So?" Gallant returned, "Most of the officers I know carry a knife on them, and usually have their jackets modified."

"Yes, but you claimed it was in your pocket."

"I must have remembered wrong," Gallop answered.

"But you had a strong enough memory to recall that you were eating a grape when you were first attacked by Captain Storm? I find your story a little hard to believe Colonel."

Gallant looked over at Grin nervously. Grin avoided his gaze, looking down at the table. Shadow smiled from across the courtroom. They had them.

"I solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me Celestia."

Shadow was quite nervous. Crowds were never particularly an issue for him, but this was different. The witness's stand was slightly uncomfortable to sit in, and he could see everyone watching him.

"Captain Storm, please recall August 6th."

Shadow nodded at Armor, answering, "Yes sir."

Taking a deep breath, Storm began:

"Well, we arrived at the Gala late. Major Spitfire and Captain Soarin' were both with me, attempting to aid me in stopping Gallant's assassination attempt."

"If I may interrupt," Armor stated, "Where did you find out about Gallant's assassination plot?"

"I was MIA for a few days, after my entire unit was decimated at Fillydelphia. During the operation, we captured a Chrysalid Officer, and interrogated him. He gave us the name of Gallant. After escaping what was left of the city, I returned to Ponyville the day before the Gala to search for Lieutenant Dash. She was already in Canterlot with Gallant at this point. I entered Lieutenant Dash's house, and was assaulted by Lieutenant Colonel Crystal, whom was lying in wait, apparently anticipating my move. After being attacked, I managed to power through her spells, and overpower her. She revealed Gallant was at Canterlot with Lieutenant Dash in tow, and gave me a general idea of Gallop's plan. I was later approached at the night of the Gala by Captain Razortooth, whom revealed in full the plot to assassinate her majesty."

"Ah, thank you for clearing that up Captain, carry on."

"After arriving, I was approached by Captain Razortooth, as I said. He told me of Gallant's plot and bid me to stop him, as it was apparently determined to be a bad idea. I searched the hall, eventually spotting Gallop. I wasted no time, attacking him quickly, without him even getting the chance to see me. He was not eating anything at the time, and looked like he was trying to make his way toward her majesty. I bucked him quite hard, sending him across the floor. He pointed for guards to arrest me, but I countered his order. Captain Armor proceeded to ask why, and I explained. It was decided that my story made a lot of sense, and he was arrested."

"Then?" Armor prodded.

Sighing, Shadow blushed and continued, "I then proceeded to confront Rainbow Dash about some harsh feelings that had been set out prior to my disappearance. Following that, I made a speech to win her over, and was awarded a medal of honour Princess Celestia herself."

"What medal in particular?" Armor questioned, narrowing his eyes.

Shadow raised an eyebrow and responded, "The Sun of Equestria."

"The Sun of Equestria," repeated Armor, "That's the highest possible medal a servicecolt can obtain, is it not?"

"One of them, yes sir," Shadow answered, nodding slowly.

"Hmm... that's very high praise. But, in the end, it's not my place to argue with her majesty's thoughts on the character of anypony. No further questions."

As Armor moved away and sat down, Shadow could see a slight smile peeking through his usually serious face. The jury was murmuring slightly as Grin rose to cross examine Storm's testimony. Moving toward the stand, he stared at Shadow for a brief moment, before beginning.

"So, Captain Storm, you're sticking with your story?"

"It's no story, it's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing-"

"But the truth," Grin finished Shadow's sentence in annoyance, "Ah, well we will see now won't we. You mentioned a one Colonel Crystal. What was her first name?"

"I never found out, I encountered her maybe three times for a brief moment, aside from my combat with her," Shadow answered, biting the inside of his lip nervously.

"Ah. Do you know how common the surname Crystal is?"

"Very."

Grin smiled as he took a few steps back, half turning toward the jury.

"So why didn't you arrest Crystal when you had the chance? At Miss Dash's?"

"Its Lieutenant Dash now, Mr. Grin," Shadow stated, "And I didn't have time. The train was already at the station, and I needed to get to the Gala ASAP."

"Ah, well I would like to point out that there is no report of a Colonel Crystal ever being arrested. In fact, there is no evidence of a Colonel Crystal ever being stationed in Ponyville. Ever."

Storm's eyes widened, "What?"

"Objection!" Armor shouted, "I have at least six legionnaire witnesses whom can vouch for Colonel Crystal's arrest."

"Witnesses are nowhere near as strong of evidence as a report Captain," Grin retorted, smiling evilly.

"Overruled, Captain Armor. You can bring this to the court's attention next session," Fairfilly stated coldly.

"Now," continued Grin, "You also stated that you were MIA, once again. Did you have any contact with changelings during this time?"

"Aside from a avoiding patrols, and capturing the changeling officer prior to going MIA, no."

"Ah. No further questions."

Shadow cringed as the bailiff slowly led him back to the defendant's table. He wasn't sure now what was going on, but a reassuring glance from Armor calmed Storm's nerves. As court adjourned for the day, Shadow was led out by guards, and escorted back to Canterlot Castle. On the way, Armor joined the escort.

"So what was with the smile during my testimony?"

Armor turned and looked at Storm for a moment, before answering, "Unlike Grin, I don't point out the obvious, or attempt to skew the jury's view by using words like 'monstrous' or 'evil'. I rather plant a seed of doubt in their mind. Today, that seed was her majesty personally awarding you a medal."

Shadow grinned as Armor explained. Now he saw it.

The seeds of doubt were sown. They would win tomorrow.