A/N: So, I'm not very fond of The Trial episode. I don't like Gutsy's treatment of Sniff's character. I don't like how Sniff is portrayed as simply being greedy and lacking any depth compared to other characters. I don't like how that episode ends with Sniff being given character development by someone else through magical empathy. I don't like how there are little to no consequences for Moomintroll's misbehavior. No one calls him out for being a jerk and few are the moments of self-awareness in which he asks himself "what am I doing?", which leads him to become a better person, but the series just pretend he became better, they tell us that Moomintroll is this nice and kind and friendly adorable fluffy character who does wrong sometimes but it's alright, he is growing up and he is good.

The fic you're about to read was done by improvisation, written out of spite, love, appreciation and I'm not going to say this is better than canon. I mean, if canon didn't exist, then this fic wouldn't exist, right? Well, hope you enjoy and have a nice day!

...

[It's night. Full moon at Moominvalley. Carrying a lamp, Sniff wanders through the forest until he finds a small cave, whose entrance is illuminated by lunar rays.]

Sniff: "Hello?... Moomintroll? Snufkin?... Is anyone here? I guess it's only me. Just me and nobody else. It's better that way. Is it, really?"

[Sniff stares curiously at a few drawings on the cave's wall. One particular drawing caught his attention, but he didn't know why.]

Sniff: "What is this? It appears to be a mountain. It could be anything else, I don't know. What have Moomintroll and Snufkin been up to lately? Did they have a meeting here or something? Did they tell stories to each other? If that's so, Why wasn't I invited?"

[After reaching the lamp near the wall, Sniff tried his best to recognize the drawing.]

Sniff: "Hmmm... A roofless castle above a mountain at the end of the world... I probably heard something about it before. A bedtime story for children, maybe, but when was the last time someone wished me a good night? I can't remember, not when all my good memories are buried under the unpleasant ones."

[Sniff's eyes turn away from the drawing. He places the lamp on the ground as he explores the rest of the cave.]

Sniff: "And who's responsible for that, may I ask? Why, Moomintroll and his friends, of course! 'His friends'... Which doesn't include me, at all. I'm always left out from their conversations, their thoughts, their memories. It's like I don't exist, like my existence means nothing to them."

[Bitterly, Sniff walks without a purpose, not knowing what to do apart from finding something that his eyes can't see.]

Sniff: "What if they didn't invite me here because this is the place where they mock me behind my back? Well, they don't need to keep their views of me a secret because they already treat me that way when I'm by their side. They just can't take me seriously, not when I'm the one they always make fun of. Like, whenever I try to be funny like they do, or when I try to be funny in my own way, they accuse me of being annoying, obnoxious, irritating... All bad adjectives one can think of. And they must think I'm too dumb to know what an adjective means!"

[Upset by his own words, Sniff fails to notice a hole in front of him, into which he falls.]

Sniff: "WAAAH! Ouch... Who put this hole in here? If it's trap, then it's too small for the likes of me. A hole of worthlessness, hah! That doesn't suit me, at all!"

[Without any effort, Sniff manages to crawl out of the hole. He checks the hole with a lamp to see if there's anything he hasn't seen yet.]

Sniff: "It's empty. There's nothing here. Nobody digs a hole for nothing, unless they want to find something... Or to hide something. What were you trying to hide away from me, Moomintroll? Is there anything else to hide when you've insulted me for who knows how many times? I've even lost count of how often I've been ignored or silenced or simply forgotten by those I considered to be my dearest friends."

[Unknown to Sniff, an ordinary hat, at first glance, is looming behind him, as if listening to his worries and waiting for the moment when he lets his guard down.

Sniff: "Huh? That's weird. I can tell I'm not the only one here..."

[All of sudden, realizing he isn't alone in the cave, Sniff turns around to see what troubles him. A hat lies on the ground, its presence exuding a mysterious aura.]

Sniff: "Hey... I've seen it before. I know! There's no comparison! It's the odd-looking hat that I found on a hike a few days ago. Well, Snufkin and Moomintroll found it... And they kept it here, away from me. Why? I was also there! I did not find anything, but I was there. I wish they knew how important it is for me to be there with them, but... Am I that important?"

[The hike brought back painful memories. If there was anything good about it, Sniff would probably forget it, since the bad things always stood out from the rest.]

Sniff: "Moomintroll didn't allow me to wear this hat. Eh, 'it's far too grand for a little animal like you, Sniff!'... 'Sniff only ever thinks of himself'... 'I wish he could imagine how other people feel sometimes'... Well, does he know how I feel when he says those things about me? It makes me sad, you know, and I don't want to cry in front of him to prove that I can feel the same things as he does. That would make me feel worse about myself than I already do."

[With the hat held in hands, Sniff stood still as he decided what to do next.]

Sniff: "There is something sinister about this hat, I can feel it. It wants me to wear it... But I also want to wear it. It's my choice! Hehe, I wonder if it'll just fit... Forget what Moomintroll said, he was being jealous. Well, I'll show him who's the little animal, the small creature his family took care of when no one else wanted to."

[Carefully, with hands trembling in fright, Sniff places the hat on the top of his head. To his surprise, it fits perfectly.]

Sniff: "Hah! See? It fits me just fine! Now, what Moomintroll would say if he saw-"

[Before Sniff could complete his sentence, the hat swallows his head entirely.]

Sniff: "AAAH! Who turned off the lights!? It's so dark here... I don't like it! I don't like it at all! Get off me! Get! Off! I don't like it... I don't want it! Just get off me, please!"

[A panicked Sniff struggles to take the hat off of his head. When he does so, the silhouette on the wall reveals that he has changed.]

Sniff: "What... Happened... To me? Who's that? Is that... Me? Did the hat... Do this?"

[For better or for worse, it's hard to tell how Sniff really feels about the sudden change, as his face is unseen and only a single laugh is heard. He appears to be taller than he normally is and is wearing some clothing. When he touches the top of his head, a new hairstyle emerges.]

Sniff: "Ooooh... That's nice. Very nice."

...

[Meanwhile, at the Moominhouse, Thimgumy and Bob are lying upon the dinner table, ready to unlock the suitcase to reveal its hidden contents they've been protecting so far. As soon as they do so, a single precious stone is all there is to be seen through the eyes of Moominmamma and her son, Moomintroll.]

Moominmamma: "Oh my... Is that a ruby?"

Moomintroll: "Yeah. It seems so, mamma."

Moominmamma: "Quite big, isn't it?"

Moomintroll: "It really is."

Moominmamma: "And it's very bright. I've never seen a ruby glow like this."

Moomintroll: "They usually don't do that."

Moominmamma: "You're right, unless this ruby is something else. Something special, I'd say."

Moomintroll: "A special kind of ruby?"

[For a moment, Moominmamma takes her time to look away from the ruby as she stares at Thingumy and Bob.]

Moominmamma: "So... You said you two were going to show us your love?"

[Thingumy and Bob nodded in unison as they held hands with each other.]

Moominmamma: "I see it. It's not just a beautiful gem, darling, but a beautiful sign of love."

Moomintroll: "A sign of love..."

[Moominmamma stares at the ruby in awe, noticing the pink light that emanates from it getting stronger the more she pays attention to it.]

Thingumy: "Tell us what you see inside."

Bob: "Please do tell! We trust you."

Moomintroll: "Do you trust us?"

Thingumy: "You offered kindness, we show ours."

Bob: "What we receive must be given back."

Moominmamma: "Oh, I'm flattered. What do you see, Moomintroll?"

Moomintroll: "Me? What about you, mamma?"

Moominmamma: "Well, words may not be enough to explain it, but I'll try."

[A close-up of the gemstone; Moominmamma is no longer in the room as reality itself changes around her.]

Moominmamma: "I see a vast nebula with no boundaries... I think I might get lost in it, but then I picture a house like ours. The walls are white. All of them are painted white. There are no portraits hanging on the walls because everyone I care about is before my presence and having supper outside. They are here with us, not just Moominpappa and you, but Little My, Snorkmaiden, Mrs. Fillyjonk, Sniff... Everyone I know is laughing and having a good time as we enjoy the food and live together side by side. What do you think?"

Moomintroll: "It's not the same thing I see, but... Pretty neat."

Moominmamma: "Can you describe what you see?"

Moomintroll: "I'll try."

[Moomintroll appears to be mildly concerned. As he stares at the ruby, his worries do not fade away, but rather they increase until it becomes unbearable for them to stay.]

Moomintroll: "I feel my very being disappearing within the ruby's boundaries. The walls are closing in, but there is nothing solid. So much emptiness, and yet I like it. But I like being myself, so what's going on? I don't want to fall, and I keep falling... Falling until I reach the bottom. I hope there's an end to this, but there is not. It feels like an eternity. Should I keep going or should I stop? To give up or give myself to these strong sensations?"

[Back in reality, Moomintroll takes his eyes away from the ruby. He refuses to look at it any further as he talks to Thingumy and Bob.]

Moomintroll: "Now I understand. What I saw, what I felt... Sealed secrets never meant to be revealed. Is that... Your love? For each other? You've been hiding it from everyone all of this time... A love like no other. But why hide it? Is it because it's something unusual? Something we may not quite understand? A kind of love that no one deserves to experience? If that's so, you may be right. I... I tried to take it away from you, so... I'm not worthy of something that isn't mine. I don't deserve your love."

[Leaving the room in slow steps, Moomintroll goes to the living room. Moominmamma follows him.]

Moomintroll: "I really screwed up, didn't I? To invade their privacy like that... What was I thinking? It wasn't my right to do such a thing. Just when I thought I grew up, I still behave like a child at times. I thought those two were trying to take my place in the family, so I tried to take their love away to make it even."

Moominmamma: "But my dear... Love is meant to be shared."

Moomintroll: "And I did a great job sharing the opposite."

[Moomintroll sighs as he moves upstairs. Turning around, he sees his mother.]

Moomintroll: "Will you ever forgive me for that? What if I commit the same mistake again?"

Moominmamma: "Everyone commits mistakes, my son. Remember when I hired Misabel to be our maid? I usually don't care much about other people's opinions, but when Mrs. Fillyjonk said that our family was messy and untidy and in need of organization, that really affected me. Although Misabel was a nice company, her presence and my concerns about how others view our way of life has almost ruined this family. So you see, whether you're an adult or a child, no matter how old or wise you are, no one is perfect."

Moomintroll: "Guess we still have a lot to learn... But what am I supposed to do? A single apology to Thingumy and Bob won't be enough."

[Out of the blue, three loud knocks in the front door are heard. The first one startled Moomintroll and Moominmamma; the second got Thingumy and Bob to lock their suitcase out of fright; the third prompted Moominpappa and Little My to rush out of their rooms.]

Moominpappa: "Who in their sane minds would be knocking the door at this time of the night?"

Moominmamma: "I'm not expecting any visitors."

Little My: "Whoever it is, it must be important. Well, it better be, or else they'll have to deal with me."

Moomintroll: "Don't be so rude. What if it's Sniff?"

Little My: "He may be silly, but he wouldn't do that. And he's not so subtle."

Moomintroll: "Well, it could be Snorkmaiden then?

Moominmamma: "Guessing won't lead us anywhere. Why don't we just open the door to see who it is?"

[Moominmamma proceeds to open the door. To her surprise, and everyone else's, it was The Muskrat who stood there.]

The Muskrat: "Good evening, house-dwellers."

Moominpappa: "Pleased to meet you, Muskrat. Why aren't you asleep?"

The Muskrat: "A good question, and allow me to answer it. Owls don't go to sleep at night, but rather, they watch others fall asleep. The philosophers of the world are like owls, you know..."

Little My: "So, are you here to watch us?"

The Muskrat: "Not really. On my way, I came across something terrible."

Little My: "Was it your reflection?"

The Muskrat: "You could say that she is a perfect mirror. We see the worst fears we carry with ourselves in her. The fear of every living creature is of becoming who she is."

Moomintroll: "She who?"

The Muskrat: "Who else?"

[Behind the Muskrat stood a lonely figure whose touch froze anything on her reach. It was... The Groke! Immediately after seeing her, Moomintroll closes the door.]

Moomintroll: "The Groke!? Why is she here?"

The Muskrat: "Why do Grokes exist? Or is there only one Groke, as far as we know? I don't have a clear answer."

Moomintroll: "I'm afraid you won't find it out tonight. We have more important things to do, like-"

[Before Moomintroll could finish his sentence, Thingumy and Bob yell as they run away with the suitcase.]

Moomintroll: "Where are they going?"

Moominmamma: "Our poor guests... They must be afraid of The Groke."

Little My: "I think I know why she is here."

[Thingumy and Bob squeal as they rush to the kitchen door. Determined to escape, they fling open the door and soon find themselves before The Groke's presence. She offers a steady gaze, one that is said to penetrate the very soul of those who stare at it for too long. Terrified by what they see, Thingumy and Bob go back to the living room. They attempt to go outside but The Groke is blocking the way. In a moment of carelessness, Thingumy and Bob accidentally slip on the ice trail, letting go of their suitcase. As Moomintroll and the others arrive at the scene, The Groke sheds an accusatory moan, pointing at the suitcase taken by Thingumy and Bob, who slide off the ice. Swiftly, Little My and Moominpappa lock the door, preventing The Groke from getting in.]

Moominmamma: "Are you okay?"

[Thingumy and Bob do not answer. Instead, they hide behind Moominmamma, where they feel somewhat secure and away from danger. During all this, The Muskrat drank some coffee, seemingly oblivious to anything.]

The Muskrat: "It seems we've been given a temporary solution."

Little My: "Okay, so what do we do before she freezes us all?"

Moominmamma: "Maybe we should talk to her."

Moomintroll: "Talk to her? Are you kidding?"

Moominmamma: "I'm not. Everyone is treated fairly in this house."

The Muskrat: "Really? Even thieves?"

Moominmamma: "What do you mean?"

The Muskrat: "It seems to me that The Groke made her appearance in order to recover what is rightfully hers, and I don't mean our lives, because it's not her intention to take away what belongs to us... But rather, what belongs to her."

Moomintroll: "You mean the suitcase?"

The Muskrat: "Quite obviously, it is."

[The door begins to freeze as The Groke threatens to come inside. She only has eyes for Thingumy and Bob, who are still in hiding.]

Moominmamma: "Why is The Groke interested in this suitcase? Is it really hers, or yours?"

[Once the question was raised, Thingumy and Bob's reaction is to reply in unison. It's unclear which one of them said "Yes" or "No".]

Sniff: "Everyone wants a place to belong, and it's only natural for someone to strive for material possessions!"

[Shouting from afar, Sniff walks into the Moominhouse, surprising everyone with his unexpected visit. Moomintroll is puzzled by seeing his friend, albeit in a different shape.]

Moomintroll: "Is that you, Sniff?"

Sniff: "Yes, that's me."

Moomintroll: "Uh... What have you been up to? You don't look like yourself."

Sniff: "Oh, so you've noticed? Tell me, what do you see?"

Little My: "Other than our impending doom at The Groke's hands, I see that you are a bit taller."

Sniff: "Correct. And what else?"

Moomintroll: "Is that a wig on top of your head?"

Sniff: "It's not a wig if it's natural, see?"

[Sniff's golden locks shine in the light with a glimmering appearance. He seems to be very proud and confident of his new self.]

Little My: "Sure, and why are you wearing a gown?"

Sniff: "It's a dress, not a gown, but it's easy to confuse both so I don't blame you for your ignorance."

Moomintroll: "What happened to you, Sniff?"

[Sniff goes to the window to contemplate the sky outside.]

Sniff: "Such a beautiful night, isn't it? Have you seen the blessed moon that lies above us? Today, I had a realization about myself and the way others perceive me. You know, the full moon is symbolic of change, so it was about time I experienced that change."

Moominmamma: "That dress looks great on you."

Sniff: "Oh, thanks!"

Moomintroll: "Was it the Hobgoblin's Hat that did this to you?"

Sniff: "What hat? Who's this Hobgoblin fellow? There are no hats, although I may have worn a hat once in my life. It did wonders to me. Hat is right... I mean, THAT is right, hehe."

[Teased by his friend, Moomintroll is not content. He squints at Sniff in search of an answer.]

Moomintroll: "Don't be a fool. I know what you did."

Sniff: "So what?"

Moomintroll: "It's a cursed hat, Sniff! I wore it before and it changed me into someone I did not like."

Sniff: "You're talking about yourself, about your experiences, but what about me? You haven't even bothered to ask me how I feel, but that's to be expected from someone who has always put yourself above everyone else. A few days ago, you said I couldn't wear that hat because it was far too grand for the likes of me, and now you're concerned about its curse? As if you ever cared!"

The Muskrat: "Forgive my interruption, it's an interesting discussion you two were having just now while I was enjoying my coffee, even though it's useless, like all things on this mortal plane, but The Groke is still here."

Sniff: "Right, The Groke... How could someone ever miss you?"

[Quickly and smoothly, Sniff reaches the door covered in a thin layer of ice to observe The Groke. He is immediately seized by the fear of being frozen, but he doesn't run away.]

Sniff: "Oh, Groke... Why can't they see you for what you are? A victim, of course! I know, right? For many times you've been offered warmth, but never the chance to feel it, to hold on to it and claim it to be yours truly. Such a pitiful way of living... I feel your pain, and I see that you found a reason to not feel pain anymore, and yet they robbed it from you."

Moominpappa: "How do you know The Groke was robbed?"

Sniff: "Call it a sixth sense or life experience, if you like."

Moominpappa: "Anyway... We can't find out to whom this suitcase belongs to based on conjectures and mutual feelings."

Little My: "How about we kick some-"

Moominpappa: "No, let's be reasonable. All parties deserve the right to be heard according to the law. A trial is what we need."

Moomintroll and Moominmamma: "A trial?"

Moominpappa: "Indeed! A trial is a fascinating and intricate process in which a diverse group of respectable citizens come together to carefully consider all aspects of a case in order to deliver a fair verdict and establish the culpability or innocence of the individual in question."

Little My: "Is that it? How boring."

Moominpappa: "It's the only way to solve this awkward situation without resorting to violence."

Sniff: "Besides, none of us stand a chance against The Groke. I'm not being a coward when I say it, just aware of what she's capable of."

Moomintroll: "When and where will the trial take place, papa?"

Moominpappa: "How about tomorrow at three o'clock in the afternoon? The court will meet at this exact time in the garden, near the lilac bushes. Is that clear to everybody?"

[All of the people in the room nod in agreement. Moominpappa then turns to The Groke's direction.]

Moominpappa: "How about you, madam? Is it fair enough?"

[The Groke moans in return as she moves off into the woods.]

Moominpappa: "I think she said yes."

The Muskrat: "Well, I must be going. I appreciated the short-lived existence of this coffee's flavor."

Moominpappa: "See you soon, Muskrat. We're counting on your participation at the trial."

[A faint sound of a door closing is heard as The Muskrat leaves the Moominhouse.]

Moominpappa: "Alright... We'd better sleep to calm our nerves and restore our energy."

[Still shaken, Thingumy and Bob struggle to go upstairs. Moominmamma guides them, offering some comfort with her words.]

Moominmamma: "You don't need to be scared. The Groke won't hurt you."

Little My: "How can you be sure? What if she betrays her word?"

Sniff: "To betray someone is to lose one person's trust, and The Groke has already lost so much. Why would she be willing to lose that trust, which is the closest she had ever come to being welcomed by a warm, cozy feeling that has been denied to her for so long?"

Little My: "Isn't it strange that you, of all people, put yourself in The Groke's place?"

Sniff: "You mean it doesn't suit me? Like this dress, this hair, this height, this new me..."

[Sniff turns at Moomintroll. His neutral expressions give way to resentment.]

Sniff: "Are you happy now? Do you think I'm still the same poor little Sniff who's glad to be humiliated and bossed around every day, as if I could not do a single thing on my own? Well, take a better look!"

Moomintroll: "Wait, Sniff!"

[Moomintroll is about to say something, but it doesn't matter as Sniff completely ignores him by closing the door.]

Little My: "What a fever dream."

Moominpappa: "A fascinating turn of events, I must say."

Moomintroll: "This is ridiculous... The suitcase, the Groke, and now Sniff. What is going on anymore?"

Little My: "It's the full moon, I guess."

Moomintroll: "I don't think so."

Little My: "Whatever. I'll go to my room, close my eyes and dream of electric Hattifatteners."

[Little My leaves. Only Moomintroll and his father remain in the room.]

Moominpappa: "What's the matter, Moomintroll?"

Moomintroll: "It's Sniff. I know it's him, but I don't recognize him as I used to."

Moominpappa: "He certainly looked different from usual. Is there any problem in being different every now and then?"

Moomintroll: "No. It's the Hobgoblin's hat. It made me talk, act and feel different. Everyone thought I was another person who got rid of Moomintroll."

Moominpappa: "Oh yes, the Myroomian fellow. But that was you, first and foremost."

Moomintroll: "Yeah... Mamma will always know who I am. But how about Sniff? Despite knowing him for ages, I still don't know who he is, or what he'll change into."

Moominpappa: "Change is a constant in life and, like most things in life, we have no control over it. Somehow, whether we like it or not, we crave for changes to occur. Some of them shape us forever, like maggots turning into butterflies, while others seem insignificant, like growing a centimeter every day, but they have meaning in their own right."

Moomintroll: "I know, but when change concerns a magical hat with the ability to transform their user into whatever they desire, though... It doesn't come out naturally, does it? Was it the hat that changed Sniff, or Sniff himself who wanted to change into what he is? Or is he a she? Do men wear dresses? I don't know! Everything is happening so quickly that I'm losing pace."

Moominpappa: "I wish I could discuss this matter, but it's not the time. We need some rest. Tomorrow will be quite a long day."

Moomintroll: "It will, for sure. Goodnight, papa."

Moominpappa: "Goodnight, my son."

[Both Moomintroll and Moominpappa go upstairs to their respective bedrooms. From a distance, Sniff watches the Moominhouse in silence.]

Sniff: "A trial, he said. I don't know what that is, but it seems important. Is it like a marathon? Whatever it is, it'll make me important if I'm in it. So much happened today, right? I sewed this dress, I brushed this hair, I am tall like a building and I sort of sympathize with The Groke... There's no way it could have been better, or is there? I wish I had a house. A burrow or a cave would do for me. Anything but a tree, I'm not sleeping on a tree branch during a stormy night. I deserve better than that, I... I see I'm alone. I'd like to rest in the Mooominhouse, but I'm still upset. I wish I had parents who looked after me. They do, but where are they? Why don't they call me? Where are their letters? Would they still know I'm their son, or daughter, or whoever I am right now?"

[Reduced to a silhouette in the wild, Sniff later drifts off to nowhere as the full moon stands still in the sky, radiating its beams across the valley.]