I'm Still Here

by Ribe_FireRain


The Custody Battle

Today was the big day of the court trial. The day that would define the future fate of the young filly, Scootaloo.

Rainbow Dash had pitched her idea to Twilight, and, while the unicorn was happy to help out, she had her doubts over the princess being able to offer her assistance on such a busy schedule with her royal duties. Thankfully, she had sent word back saying that she’d be delighted to offer her assistance for her number-one student. Her mind was doubly made up once she had been given a summary of the situation she’d be aiding by making her presence known, and the pure disgust the story of neglect and abuse brought to her made her feel sick on the inside.

The trial was due to take place in Canterlot’s Royal Court, a place of solving disputes and disagreements between two parties for over a hundred years. It had been a court of law since the day Canterlot had existed on the map, and it was a grand and picturesque establishment that matched the magnificent and formal decor of the great city it was built in. Needless to say, it had an outstanding reputation due to its faultless selection of judges that laid down the law with an iron hoof, thick brow and stern authority.

It was in Canterlot Royal Court that the trial was set to begin, with an hour to go before the fate would be decided of the filly in question and on everypony’s minds. Everypony was anticipating a good result, and talk about the presence of Canterlot’s very own Princess Celestia being there amped up quite a stir around the city. If she was going to be there, spectators knew right off the bat that the trial was beyond important.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Violet Snowdrop, Scootaloo and the rest of the ponies were all gathered together in one of Canterlot’s many dining establishments, seated together around a large table. The place they were in was, like the rest of the city, grand and very royal, constructed of white marble columns with elegant carvings and curves and deeply-coloured walls. This place, Marecino, was fitting the bill for Canterlot’s hoity-toity reputation.

Purple-coloured walls, mahogany tables with velvet-cushioned booths and stools, an open counter at the front, large windows peering out into the busy, classy streets of the city and classy, posh waiters and waitresses. Marecino had a pleasant vibe to it, and although the coffee was on the higher end of the price tag range, Rainbow Dash didn’t mind paying for her friends and Violet Snowdrop. Violet, being the sweet, young thing that she is, politely declined, deeming it not necessary, but, as Rainbow put it, ‘’You’ve been bustin’ your rump for me and Scootaloo, so I figure I owe you a little somethin’, right?’’

They were all discussing the trial that was about to take place, and conversation ranged from enthusiasm for the outcome of the session to words of concern for how it was going to play out. The biggest part of the conversation between the friends was congratulations over Fluttershy’s and Rainbow Dash’s announcement about their planned adoption of Scootaloo.

‘’Awe, Dashie, you’re such a softie!’’ Pinkie Pie had told her, giving her a playful nudge and a wink. ‘’Who knew that there was a sensitive heart beating beneath all of that pride, huh?’’

‘’That’s positively darling, darling!’’ Rarity said, making a little baby face at Rainbow Dash, touched that she’d be willing to go so far for somepony she cared so dearly about. ‘’I do admit, though, dear, how do you plan to finance all of the possible expenses? I mean, you did buy the coffee, so…’’

‘’Hey, don’t worry, Rare,’’ Dash said with a grin, taking a sip of her own mug of coffee. (Really, for the size of a regular coffee, which was roughly the same as a double-shot expresso in Canterlot, she did feel a bit cheated on the prices.) ‘’It’s in the bag! Don’t worry about a thing! You especially,’’ Rainbow glanced down at the orange filly sitting beside her, giving her a smirk.

Scootaloo was still a little too young for coffee, and Dash didn’t expect her to enjoy the bitter taste all too much of the high-caffeine drink, which, quite frankly, was strong enough to make Applejack buck trees for a year without tiring out. Instead, Scootaloo had her hooves gently placed around a mug of hot chocolate, which she gave an occasional, tiny sip, so minute that it almost seemed that she had turned into a mouse.

Great, as nice as it was of her to want to adopt me, I still feel like a burden, Scootaloo thought. As if that wasn’t enough, now I’m going to be burning a hole through her pocket?

‘’Well, I, fer one, am plum tickled that y’all are willin’ to do this fer Scootaloo, Dash,’’ Applejack said, sitting across from the filly. ‘’Why, I admit, I wasn’t thinkin’ that you’d be the type to adopt, y’know? I’m still surprised that ya decided to go ahead an’ set up a court trial!’’ Applejack said, but Dash gave her a quizzical look.

‘’And what’s that supposed to mean?’’ Rainbow inquired, bemused by her friend’s comment. ‘’AJ, from you, of all ponies, I can’t believe you’d say that! You know what pain and suffering Scootaloo’s been through, and I couldn’t allow it to continue, so of course I had to do something about it!’’ Rainbow felt hurt by Applejack’s words, literally feeling insulted by her, her, of all ponies.

‘’I’m jus’ sayin’, I never thought y’all would go this far, but I’m happy fer what y’all are doin’, and I admire ya, sugarcube. If not fer yourself an’ Fluttershy, who know’s what’d happen?’’ Applejack said, defusing the situation, and Rainbow’s face quickly declined back into a neutral expression.

AJ, I swear, you are just rubbing this in, aren’t you? One of these days, you and me are going to have a serious fall out. If I didn’t know any better, you’re doing this on purpose!

‘’Um, alright, then,’’ Twilight began from her seat at the far end of the booth, sitting on the outer edge opposite Pinkie, before this could escalate someplace ugly. ‘’So, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, how do you think it’ll go?’’

‘’Um, I’m pretty nervous, actually,’’ Fluttershy spoke up after placing her coffee cup back down, licking some of the beverage from her upper lip. ‘’What if we lose?’’ From beside her, Rainbow Dash nudged her and she held her shoulder.

‘’Hey, come on, Shyster, don’t worry so much! We’ll be fine! With Princess Celestia backing us up, what could go wrong?’’ Rainbow Dash said, trying to remain confident for the outcome of this court session, but there was a tinge of noticeable anxiety in her voice. She was confident, but she wasn’t so self-assured that she was deluded of the possibilities that might come up.

‘’Hey, Dash?’’ Scootaloo piped up.

‘’Yeah, squirt?’’

‘’Um, if this works out, do I…do I call you Mum?’’ Scootaloo asked, giving her a puppy-like look, the same expression she had given her upon running into her in the hospital, measuring up to the same amount of misery. Scootaloo had no clue where this arrangement would place her with Dash and Fluttershy, and, if the mares were honest, neither were they.

Huh. I’m not sure, actually, Rainbow Dash said to herself, thinking inwardly, perplexed and unprepared for the question. I’ve,,,not really thought about it. But why should it change anything between us?

Rainbow Dash turned to face Fluttershy, seeing that she was also perplexed by the question, and Rainbow’s eyes were wide, pleading, asking Fluttershy, ‘’Please, help me out here!’’. Fluttershy didn’t know what to say, and she gave Rainbow a helpless look, shrugging her shoulders, and the other mares around the table exchanged the same expression.

‘’Um, Violet? A little help here?’’ Rainbow Dash asked, noticing that the social worker had been uncharacteristically quiet from where she was sitting, just beside Rarity. Violet Snowdrop brushed back her mane as she thought, having dealt with this issue before, a surprisingly frequent occurrence.

‘’Scootaloo, do you think it should change anything between you and Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy?’’ She asked the filly in her soft and caring voice, her tone so heavenly that each word spoken felt like a kiss against the cheek.

‘’Well…I’m not sure. Rainbow Dash is like my big sister and Fluttershy…’’ She trailed off, looking at the butter mare, not certain where she stood and how she viewed her relationship to her. ‘’Fluttershy’s like the mother that I wish mine was,’’ She said, not knowing how to better place her.

Upon hearing this, Fluttershy’s face warmed and she gave a modest blush, flattered that she viewed her that way. Violet smiled, too, and the ponies around the table all appeared to be touched by the sentiment.

‘’And do you want it to change how you think of her?’’ Violet asked her, and the filly became thoughtful for a moment.

‘’No, not really,’’ Scootaloo said. ‘’But I do enjoy spending time with her, and she’s always so nice and kind to me.’’

‘’Oh, well, it’s my pleasure, Scootaloo,’’ Fluttershy said softly, giving the girl a soft smile. ‘’I’ve had plenty of experience taking care of my injured animal friends, so it’s no big problem, sweetheart,’’ She said, and the filly gave her a thankful and appreciative smile at that.

‘’Yeah, that’s my girl,’’ Rainbow Dash gave the butter mare a nudge in her chest with her elbow, and Fluttershy gave a cute eep! at the jab. ‘’Fluttershy’s, like, the best caretaker ever! And she’s super amazing at giving massages, too! She helped fix my wing faster than ever, didn’t ya, Shyster?’’ Rainbow asked her, smirking coyly at how much the mare beside her was blushing.

‘’Aw, come on, I was kiddin’,’’ Rainbow said, giggling, noticing the bashful expression taking over the mare’s features, and she hugged her. With her chin resting on Fluttershy’s shoulder, Rainbow’s face was in Rarity’s direction, and the royal blue eyes of the pearl-coloured mare caught Dash’s attention.

Rarity knew what Dash was doing, and she was a professional when it came to reading signs and viewing between the lines in one’s demeanour towards another. She gave Dash a knowing flicker of her eyelashes and a sly smile, hinting silently at her, and she couldn’t help but wonder if there had been any new developments in this crush of hers.

Rarity, without speaking, asked through her keen eyes, ‘’Are you an item yet?’’, and Dash’s face blushed dimly, thankfully going unnoticed by the others.

‘’Not yet, Rarity,’’ Dash transmitted her words back silently. ‘’And try keepin’ it low, will ya? Don’t let the others suspect a thing!’’

Taking the hint, Rarity nodded in understanding, but it was clear that she wasn’t about to let this one drop so easily. Oh, that Rarity does enjoy her teasing and her queries into the oh-so-mysterious cloud of bliss and joy known as love, doesn’t she? If she can’t experience it for herself with her own Prince Charming, then teasing and delving into the love life of others was the next best thing for her!

So long as she doesn’t poke into mine too often, we shouldn’t have an issue, Rainbow Dash thought, knowing how much that unicorn loved snooping around for some juicy gossip. That mare can’t learn to keep her trap shut with the other girls sometimes, unlike Pinkie Pie. At least she knows some restraint.

‘’So, Violet, now that we’re meeting you for the first time, where are you originally from, if you don’t mind me asking?’’ Rarity inquired, and the social worker gave her a welcoming expression, happy to oblige with filling her curiosity.

‘’Originally, I’m from Cloudsdale, but I’ve since moved to Manehatten along with my line of work,’’ Violet said, but then she paused for a moment, becoming bashful as she stared down at the steaming mug of strong coffee between her hooves. Her cerulean eyes of heaven watched the trails of steam waft up to the air. ‘’It’s kind of a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?’’

‘’Oh, please, dear, I insist! Do go on!’’ Rarity said with bright eyes, and then the pair entered a long conversation, most of the ponies in the booth taking the time to tune in on this new friend of Rainbow Dash’s.

While the others were occupied with that, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Scootaloo were all sat together to entertain themselves for a while. The court session wasn’t due to open until another dragging forty-five minutes, so they might as well find something to do to pass the time.

‘’Hey, Fluttershy? Can I ask you something?’’ Scootaloo began, and the butter mare she had come to view as somewhat of a surrogate mother figure brightened, happy to offer her ear to the filly.

‘’Why, of course, Scootaloo. What’s on your mind?’’ She asked eagerly, hoping she would be of some help.

‘’Is it possible to, you know, communicate with animals, even if it isn’t necessarily your special talent?’’ Scootaloo inquired, and Fluttershy blinked, not sure how to answer that properly. She, being naturally gifted with her wild woodland companions, never thought about it as a side trait, given that it was something that only she herself knew she could do, at least, to the best of her knowledge.

‘’T-That’s, um, unexpected,’’ She said honestly. ‘’You mean as in a pony that can understand and speak to animals in the way I can but…not as a special talent?’’ The filly nodded slowly. ‘’Huh, I don’t know, but I suppose it’s possible. Maybe some ponies do have the ability to communicate with them, but very few can. Why do you ask?’’

Scootaloo became curious but a tad childish, knowing how daft it must have sounded inside of her head to ask such a thing. It wasn’t the normal type of thing she would ask of a pony, the contemplative side being so open and mysterious as a whole. Ever since her encounter with that hummingbird in Fluttershy’s cottage, the concept of animal communication had interested her and captured her imagination.

‘’I think that I, um, might be able to speak to and with animals,’’ Scootaloo said, not knowing how else to come out with it, but when the words left her mouth, Fluttershy’s eyes became excited and vibrant, keen to know more.

‘’Oh, you did? You can speak to animals, too? How do you know, and how long for?’’ She asked, now intently interested, intrigued by the filly’s experience.

‘’Your hummingbird, the green one, he…he kinda made fun out of me when I was at your cottage, back when me and Dash first moved in,’’ She said. ‘’I’ve known since then.’’ Fluttershy gave her a confused look.

‘’Mr. Hummingbird made fun out of you?’’ She asked with a raised brow, frowning. ‘’Oh, I’m sure he was only playing around, sweetie. He’s a sweetheart, really, but I might need to have a word with him when we get back if he’s not been very nice to you,’’ She said. ‘’He didn’t upset you did he?’’

‘’Only a little bit. He told me that…’’

‘’Psst!’’ A hiss sounded behind Rainbow Dash’s head, causing her ear to twitch at the sound of it. She felt the breath of the owner touch the back of her neck, and she jumped slightly in the back of her seat.

‘’Psst! Dashie!’’ The voice of Pinkie Pie said, from the empty booth beside the one all of their friends were occupying. Rainbow gave Pinkie a scowl and she knitted her brows at her.

‘’Pinkie! Don’t you know better than to scare ponies?’’ She hissed at her, voice a low, hushed scold.

‘’Sorry,’’ Pinkie asked, poking her head up from behind Dash, definitely not shady at all. (Sarcasm detected.) However, she went unnoticed as the other ponies were lost in their individual conversations. ‘’Quick, come over, I need to talk to you,’’ She said, and she was instantly grabbed by the shoulders and swiftly yanked into the booth with Pinkie.

‘’Hey!’’ Dash squirmed as she was firmly planted on her rump next to the party mare, her poofy mane bouncing with her swift movements. ‘’You coulda given me some warning before doing that!’’

‘’Sorry, Dash, but I want to talk to you,’’ She said, her grin never once leaving her face as she pulled Rainbow Dash closer to her, scooting her along on the velvet-cushioned booth seat, to the point she was almost touching her muzzle.

‘’Whoa, hey, too close, Pinkie! What do you want, anyway? Why are you being so clingy?’’ She asked, lightly shoving her away from her personal space, feeling suffocated. She never minded a hug, but with Pinkie Pie, a hug normally meant a death penalty by obnoxious hugging of the bone breaking variety.

Pinkie acted covertly, glancing left and right in rapid, darting movements, as if expecting somepony to be spying on the two of them, and she leaned in towards Dash, her hooves against the steel table in front of her. Pinkie beckoned Rainbow to move forward with a hoof twirling in the air, and once she was close enough, she asked Rainbow Dash,

‘’I’ve been watching you,’’ She whispered to the cyan mare, and before Dash was able to ask her what she was talking about, she added, ‘’You and Fluttershy.’’

That knowing, teasing smirk on Pinkie Pie’s girly, smooth lips provoked Dash’s heart, and she immediately felt her cheeks flare up in a rosey fire. She hadn’t anticipated that the pink mare would pick up on such a thing, but she was apparently not oblivious to the small hints and pointers sparking electricity between Rainbow and Fluttershy.

‘’You what?!’’ Rainbow almost exclaimed, eyes going small. ‘’Pinkie, you knew?’’

‘’Well, duh,’’ Pinkie said with a roll of her eyes, thinking that it should be obvious. ‘’It’s not that hard to pick up on, y’know? First, I notice how you look at Fluttershy and then I noticed how Fluttershy looks at you, but I thought to myself, ‘nah, it’s nothing,’ but then I saw how you two were acting when you were talking with each other, and then I thought—-‘’ Pinkie gasped for effect. ‘’Maybe they do have feelings for each other! See, I can tell because of how close you two always are, the fact that you’re sharing a house together, you’re both always together, you let Fluttershy give you massages and——‘’

Rainbow Dash shoved her hoof into Pinkie’s jabbering mouth, putting an end to her incessant waffling.

‘’Alright!’’ Dash said through her teeth, hoping that nopony heard any of that. ‘’Just stop talking so loud!’’ She pulled her hoof from Pinkie’s mouth. ‘’How long have you known?’’ She demanded.

‘’Oh, I’ve known for a long time,’’ Pinkie said with a coy smile. ‘’Since Scootaloo’s tenth birthday party.’’

You have got to be kiddin’ me! Dash mentally groaned. Pinkie Pie’s known about it for THAT long?! What else has she picked up on that I know nothing about?!

Rainbow Dash was flabbergasted, completely speechless, mouth partly agape. She felt as if The Friendship Express train had rammed her and sent her tumbling beneath its iron wheels. She felt her entire body become numb, almost paralysed by the pink mare’s knowledge of her affection for Fluttershy.

‘’Aw, Dashie, it’s alright,’’ Pinkie Pie began upon noticing the mare’s gobsmacked expression, gently closing her hanging jaw for her. ‘’I haven’t told anypony yet. Not unless you want me to,’’ She told her. ‘’I just wanted you to know that I’m very happy for you both! To be honest, I was kinda putting my money on Applejack instead of Fluttershy, and I owe Roseluck and the rest of the Flower Ponies bits for losing the bet, but I’m still so, so, so, so happy for you!’’ She gave Dash a warm, tight hug.

You’re joking, right?! Okay, so not only did she assume Applejack and I would get together, but she also had a betting pool with Roseluck and her friends going on as-well? Me and Roseluck are so going to have a chat when I see her again…

‘’So, what’s the plan? Are you gonna marry her, huh, huh, HUH?!’’ Pinkie asked ecstatically, likely already planning wedding scenarios in her twisted, warped mind of unthinkable craziness. Rainbow Dash backed away from her and blushed profusely.

‘’What, are you out of your mind?!’’ She squeaked. ‘’It’s too soon for that! Besides…we’re not exactly together yet,’’ Dash said in a depressed, sad tone, ears drooping slightly. Her words made Pinkie’s joy die down, too, and the mare became genuinely concerned.

‘’Huh? You’re not?’’ She asked her delicately, now becoming level with the cyan mare, calming herself down to the point where she was trying to be attentive to her friend rather than smother her with random questions. She was sincere and open-eared, eager for her friend to assimilate.

Rainbow Dash sagged and plopped her chin onto mahogany table top, eyes dim and glancing at Pinkie with self-pity. She looked like she had been slugged in the gut, and her facial expression was etched with internal turmoil.

‘’Pinkie, she told me she doesn’t know if she feels the same way about me.’’

‘’Wait, what?!’’ Pinkie said in a hushed tone, her surprise almost catching earshot of the others in the booth next door. ‘’She said that? That’s crazy!’’

‘’Yeah, but that’s what she said, Pinks. Fluttershy and I, we…we might not work out. And I’m scared that she’ll say no,’’ Rainbow admitted, pulling herself back up and resting her head in her hooves, facing an astonished Pinkie sadly. ‘’She knows I like her, too. It drives me crazy thinking about her.’’

‘’It’s alright, Dashie,’’ Pinkie consoled her, scooting up so that she was making contact with her, and she threw her hoof around Dash’s shoulders, offering her best support. ‘’If I know Fluttershy, she probably likes you, too, but she just doesn’t know it yet. You know her better than anypony, Dashie, so you should know that she only needs time to understand that she loves you, too. She’ll come around, you big softie,’’ Pinkie embraced the lovestruck cyan mare, and Dash found herself to accept it, returning it.

‘’Thanks, Pinkie Pie, but…what do I do if she says no?’’ Pinkie Pie gave Dash a reassuring look and she pursed her lips.

‘’Trust me, she won’t, Dashie. She cares about you too much to say no,’’ Pinkie said so surely and confidently, as if she had a magic mirror that peaked into the future and she had the power to tell what would be, what shan’t be and how it’ll be.

Pinkie’s Pinkie Sense hasn’t steered me wrong yet, Dash thought, skeptical about Pinkie’s words, no matter how assuring they might be. What if she’s right? But what if she’s wrong? Grr, this is stressing me out so much!

‘’Hey, Pinks? Listen, do you Pinkie Promise to keep this quiet? I don’t want anypony to know about this yet. It’s bad enough that Rarity knows!’’ Dash requested, and Pinkie performed her signature gestures.

‘’Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!’’ She finished her ceremonial gestures and she saw Dash smile gratefully.

‘’So, now that that’s out of the way…you thought that me and Applejack were going to get together? What gave you that crazy idea?’’

Pinkie Pie didn’t say a word. She instead sat with her hooves in her lap, clasping them together and staring Rainbow Dash straight in the eye, giving her a half-lidded expression. Her lips curled slightly into a faint smile while she watched Rainbow and she said,

‘’The AppleDash fans have spoken.’’

*** *** ***

‘’I’m so nervous!’’ Fluttershy fretted, practically shaking in her little horseshoes, biting her hoof between her chattering teeth. ‘’This is so scary!’’

The ponies were all inside of Canterlot Royal Court, and their session was due to start in only five minutes. It was likely going to be brutal and incredibly tough, the most grinding and gruelling time of all ponies’ lives.

Rainbow Dash was out of the area, on her way around to take her place before the session could begin, along with Scootaloo, and that left Fluttershy with Violet Snowdrop. Everypony else from their group of friends were already seated inside of the courtroom, as were a number of respected individuals native to Canterlot and its high society, including Princess Celestia.

‘’Calm yourself, Fluttershy,’’ Violet soothed her. ‘’Take deep breaths and exhale slowly,’’ She instructed her, and Fluttershy did just that. It seemed to do the trick, and Fluttershy slowly regained her composure. ‘’Feeling better?’’

‘’Y-Yes,’’ Fluttershy breathed. ‘’Yes, very. Thank you,’’ She said, now able to speak properly. ‘’I’m sorry, Violet, I’m just so anxious about how it’s going to go! There’s going to be so many ponies watching!’’ She began to shiver again at the idea of being in the spotlight of all of those staring pairs of eyes…

‘’It’s alright, Fluttershy. Relax, you’ve got nothing to fear,’’ Violet told her, her voice so inviting and soothing that Fluttershy instantly found herself to be lulled by her words. ‘’Pretend that nopony else is there aside from you, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. Can you do that?’’

‘’Y-Yes.’’

‘’She makes you feel safe and happy, doesn’t she?’’ Violet asked boldly, and she noticed and sensed Fluttershy’s body tense at her inquiry. Nonetheless, the butter mare didn’t intervene.

‘’Yes.’’

‘’And you care about her, don’t you?’’

‘’Yes.’’

‘’Then do it for Rainbow Dash. You can do this, Fluttershy. You have to make it through this, for both Scootaloo’s and Rainbow Dash’s sake. They need you, and they’re counting on you.’’

‘’You’re right,’’ Fluttershy said with a loud, deep and long sigh. Her eyes became steely. ‘’I can do this. I can do this, Violet. And we’re going to win!’’

‘’Ah, there you go, Fluttershy! That’s the can-do attitude that we need today! Are you ready to get in there and win Scootaloo’s guardianship?’’

‘’Yes!’’

‘’Good. In that case, stick by me once we go in there. You need to remember that there is no backing out once we step through those doors. I’ll be right next to you if you get nervous. It’ll be okay,’’ Violet Snowdrop said professionally, a chat she’s gone through many, many times in her career. Sometimes, ponies just need to be shown a little kindness.

*** *** ***

The main courtroom was impressive. Like the rest of Canterlot’s buildings and architectural designs, it too was built from white marble and expensive hardwoods, including mahogany and oak. Being as old as it was, the building had been given a few makeovers to spruce it up into a more modern standard, but the original walls, floors and decor were left unaltered and intact, lest ponies not forget a part of their history.

The smell hung in the air, too, the slightly musty scent that only age can bring about, and it was hanging out with another aroma in the air, one that smelled like fresh wood shavings and varnish, a result from the new renovations. At best, they were implemented perhaps a few weeks ago. It wasn’t overwhelming, but rather only just noticeable, and it was a rather pleasant scent. It constantly reminded you that you were inside of a court of law.

There was a semi-circle seating area, in the shape of a horseshoe, that bent around the back of the courtroom and hugged the walls, enough so that the seating area overlooked the main floor where the judged and the judger were to stand. Like any other courtroom, there was a stand for the witnesses to come up to speak their side of the story under oath, placed next to a high-standing podium which the judge was going to be standing to carry out the session and there was a secretary’s box next to that.

For the case of Princess Celestia’s visit, she was escorted by two of her stallion Royal Guards, clad in their gold-plated armour, one on either side of her, and they were all residing on the far right of the room. Celestia was sat upon her portable royal throne, her seat that dictated her position of authority and power in the magical land of Equestria. She was awaiting the start of the trial.

The rest of Rainbow Dash’s friends were seated in the spectator’s area, all together in a small cluster, three on the back row and three on the middle row of the three-row horseshoe. Only a few other ponies were present while they waited for the session to start, and more were due to arrive shortly.

Sitting up front behind an oak desk on the far right side of the room before the judge’s podium was Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, awaiting the arrival of Fluttershy and Violet Snowdrop. They were unable to begin without them both, and they all required Violet Snowdrop’s invaluable assistance and her notes if they were to have an argument.

Violet and Fluttershy were heading up the walkway that passed between a wide split in the horseshoe seating accommodation to meet up with Rainbow and Scootaloo. While they were walking, Violet gave the butter mare a gentle nudge and offered her a comforting smile.

‘’Remember; stay strong. We’ll all win this if we stick together,’’ She told her, and Fluttershy nodded to her.

They both entered the main floor and took their seats next to Rainbow and Scootaloo, and both ponies looked their way intently, relieved that they were finally at the scene. Rainbow spoke first.

‘’Finally! What took you guys so long? We were worried that we’d have to start without you!’’

‘’I’m sorry, Dashie. I got a little nervous,’’ Fluttershy said meekly, blushing dimly. Rainbow gave her an agitated look.

‘’Now’s not the time to get cold hooves, Fluttershy! We’re almost ready to start! Get your head in the game, will ya?’’ Dash then turned to face Scootaloo, talking to her, but Violet and Fluttershy didn’t hear what she was saying.

‘’Don’t worry, it’s only because she’s as nervous as you are,’’ The social worker told her. ‘’It’s completely normal and understandable, I assure you.’’

‘’Hey, you four!’’ A voice called. When the ponies sitting at the same table heard the voice call to them, they all turned around to peer over their shoulder to find the owner of the voice. Rainbow Dash and Violet recognised the voice instantly.

It was Miss Harshflow. She was still wearing her black business suit with the white shirt underneath, her face just as bright and as friendly as ever while her eyes sparkled. She came beside the table and she briefly hugged Violet Snowdrop.

‘’Hey, Snowie! Long time, no see!’’ She greeted her associate and best friend. ‘’So, today’s the big day, huh? And how are you, Rainbow Dash? It’s been a while since our last encounter!’’

‘’Miss Harshflow! Good to see you,’’ Dash greeted her, pleased to see her again. ‘’What’re you doing here? I didn’t even know you knew about this trial!’’

‘’Snowie told me,’’ She momentarily glanced down to Violet with a smile. ‘’I thought I’d come along to offer my moral support. Oh, and you must be Fluttershy!’’ She extended a hoof to the butter mare, whom slowly and shyly shook her hoof. ‘’I’ve heard so much about you. And this last pony must be young Scootaloo,’’ She directed her attention to the orange pegasus, giving her a friendly expression. ‘’And how are you doing, little one?’’

‘’N-Nervous,’’ Scootaloo replied softly, not quite sure how to feel about being here, knowing that she was going to be in close proximity to the monsters known as her parents.

‘’Oh, well, don’t you worry, young one. We’ll all get you through this, I promise. Violet’s just the pony you need on your side to win, believe me. If there’s one mare I’d trust to give me assistance, it’s my Snowie,’’ Miss Harshflow said comfortingly, giggling with her best friend. ‘’Well, you all take care. Hooves crossed that this goes well, we’ll all be praying for you.’’

Miss Harshflow, after giving her kind words, headed up to join the rest of Rainbow Dash’s friends in the horseshoe, seating herself to await the trial’s beginning. And it was in good timing, too. The clock, an ancient-looking thing that had been kept pristine through the use of restorative magic, ticked by through the remaining minute.

Just another minute and we’re stuck here until we’re done, Rainbow Dash thought. Celestia’s sake, I’ve not been this nervous since I became a Wonderbolt! I can literally feel my hooves jittering about under the table!

Rainbow’s heart was thumping harshly, so loud she could hear it thump, pump and cathunk in both her eardrums and behind her ribs. It was beating so hard that it actually hurt, and she was half-sure of having a heart attack. Rainbow Dash could handle most forms of stress induced by peer pressure, but this, oh, this was on a whole new level!

Rainbow flinched lightly as she felt something lightly touch against her leg, and she blinked before looking down to her lap, seeing that there was a hoof touching her. She looked up to meet the comforting gaze of Fluttershy, her eyes so radiant and calming as her oasises of bright, warm turquoise flooded her with a stabilising soothing.

Fluttershy easily noticed how much Rainbow Dash was internally launching a firefight between her nerves and her rationability to think with a clear head. Upon entering those heavenly pools of glistening euphoria, Rainbow Dash found herself to be feeling calm and mentally restored, finding peace. She smiled at her dear friend and Fluttershy smiled back.

Beneath the table, Fluttershy’s hoof wrapped around Rainbow Dash’s own hoof, and she gave her a gentle squeeze to show her support. The pair of friends remained like that as the seconds ticked by on their final countdown to the time of judgement, and Rainbow Dash mouthed to Fluttershy, ‘’I love you.’’

‘’I know,’’ Fluttershy mouthed back. Although silent, the words sent Dash’s heart into a fluttering haze of tickling butterflies and girly glee. She needed it dearly, to hear her say that, and it eased her nerves instantaneously, and it was in good time, too, for the trial was about to start.

The judge had emerged from a pair of heavy, thick mahogany doors to the far right of the main floor of the courtroom, followed by his secretary. The secretary was roughly the same age as Rainbow Dash, or perhaps a year or two older, and her coat was a marble blue, her mane a done-up silver while her eyes were a strong and assertive copper. She clearly had a lot of experience at this job, as emphasised by her confident and firm posture and physique.

The judge himself was a strong-bodied stallion whose authority instantly washed over the room at his presence, and it became clear that he was a well-respected representative of the law and the justice that it demanded. Rainbow Dash felt intimidated by him as his heavy hoof steps echoed throughout the acoustics of the courtroom, en-route to his podium in the high stands.

His dark-coloured coat, a soot-like colour, was clad by a judge’s black robe and his black mane was adorned by a traditional judge’s white-coloured, powdered wig. As he approached his stand and he took his place behind the podium, his steel-coloured eyes gazed out over the crowd gathered today to witness the trial commence.

‘’All rise,’’ He commanded of the audience, his voice firm and powerful, the tone of a leader against a flock of loyal sheep. Everypony did as instructed, slowly picking themselves up to their hooves. ‘’I am Judge Iron Staff. Today, we are all gathered to pass on judgement to those whom broke the chain of authority laid out by Equestria’s higher powers of authority, and we are going to be allowing a hearing that’ll determine the fate of those in question. Today will be the trail of one Scootaloo, and her parents, Silver Star and Hardy Wetwool, versus a request for guardianship from Bearers of The Elements of Loyalty and Kindness, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.’’

The judge passed his eyes over the two mares, taking in their features, noticing their confident demeanours while they politely waited for the judge to continue speaking. A part of him seemed to be flattered to be aiding two representatives of The Elements of Harmony in his very own courtroom, but his mind soon switched back to the task at hand. They were just two regular ponies that were seeking justice from the system, and the judge was here to deliver.

Judge Iron Staff then addressed the young Scootaloo, whom was noticeably cowering slightly in her seat, and the respected judge offered her a soft, reassuring smile as he took her in. So young, so naive of the world, so neglected. Her eyes said it all, the pain she was swimming in, and it had become second nature to detect such sorrow after a long career in this line of duty. Cases that involved young, neglected and or abused children always stabbed harshly at his heart.

‘’Please, be seated,’’ Judge Iron Staff then asked of his audience, and they all did as they were requested. He then turned his head to his left where a second pair of large, heavy doors were situated, and he asked, ‘’Bring out the accused,’’ His powerful voice carrying. And then the doors opened, a couple of authority figures from Canterlot Police Department escorting in a shackled and scared-looking Silver Star wearing a blue-coloured jumpsuit.

She shuffled along as the chains restraining her hooves and preventing her from making a break for it clanked and scraped against the floor, the sound of the heavy links resonating. Her features were unkempt and frazzled, as if she had spent a rough night in the slammer. Her eyes were pale and dim, gazing around the courtroom, her eyes landing upon Rainbow Dash’s.

Celestia, rough night at the inn, Silver? You look terrible, but you deserve it for what you did. After today, I’m going to see to it that you never step hoof near Scootaloo ever again. End of the line.

Rainbow Dash gave her a dirty look, one that she felt clearly transmitted her disgust at her, and she couldn’t help but add a smirk into the mix, happy that she had been shackled with the threat of becoming a jail bird. She was finally about to get her due, and Dash hoped with every ounce of her being that Silver Star knew it.

Silver Star hardly had the nerve to glance down the line and look her own daughter in the eyes before her sentence was carried out. A part of Silver Star felt like she didn’t owe it to her to plead with her little girl, that she had no right to so much as glance at her, that it would be wrong to even think of attempting to make peace with her. Not after what she’s done.

The CPD ponies directed the mare over to the witness’s box, where she was forced down into a seat beside the judge’s high stand. She felt her heart give an audible throb behind her ribs as she began to expect the worst out of this case, knowing how it was going to end, no matter which way she tried to sniff it and alter her tale.

‘’State your name,’’ Judge Iron Staff commanded her, and the mare nervously coughed into her hoof. She turned her head shakily a few times, staring out over the faces of the ponies present to watch her burn behind their judgemental gazes of steel. Rainbow Dash’s friends, such as Pinkie Pie and Applejack, especially gave her dirty looks of pure and utter disgust and resentment.

‘’S-Silver Sta-Star,’’ The mare answered meekly, hardly audible and mousy.

‘’Louder,’’ The judge commanded her once more, and the mare obliged, albeit, with greater hesitation.

‘’Silver Star.’’

‘’Silver Star, mother of the victim, Scootaloo, and wife to the also accused, Hardy Wetwool, you have been accused of the crime of child abuse and neglect, as according to a testimony given by both the victim and friends of the victim,’’ The judge read from a bunch of papers on top of his podium, reading the details contained within their fibres, statements written by Violet Snowdrop. ‘’How do you plead to these claims?’’

‘’N-Not guilty,’’ Silver Star said almost immediately. That caused a series of chatter to arise amongst the spectators, especially the close friends of Rainbow Dash, and the cyan mare herself became agitated by this claim.

‘’You big liar!’’ Rainbow Dash barked at her, shoving herself out of her seat and slamming her hooves against the table, causing Fluttershy, Scootaloo and Violet to flinch at the sudden movement.

‘’Order in the court!’’ Judge Iron Staff banged his mahogany gavel against his podium a couple of times at the outburst, but he was not angry at the disruption. He instead gave a calm yet understanding glance to the cyan mare, giving her a firm look. ‘’Miss Rainbow Dash, before we move on into the area of judgement, everybody is entitled to have the right to a hearing. Understood?’’

Rainbow Dash’s lips silently moved for a couple of seconds, as if thinking about making some retort to further express her disgust, but, as she had been told before, there was a time and place to vent her anger, and neither was now. That was sure to come later, so she bit her tongue and pushed back her rage before slowly receding back into her seat.

‘’Yes, your honour,’’ She grumbled.

‘’Thank you. Now, Silver Star, in the most detail as you can manage, would you please mind explaining to this court why it is you believe you are not guilty of the crimes filed against you?’’ The judge requested of the accused mare, and she momentarily landed her eyes upon Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy was disgusted to her core by the mare, but she wasn’t making her true feelings known. She instead held a neutral and patient expression, keeping her mouth shut and her mind and ears open to hear her side of the story. Rainbow Dash was still giving her a dirty look, not one to overlook any and all tricks she might have jammed up her sleeve to talk her way out of this one, because she was not going to get off easy if the cyan mare had her say in the matter. She had waited for this day for so long to have it end so suddenly and not in her favour.

‘’I didn’t do it,’’ Silver Star said to the court after swallowing a lump in her throat. ‘’I did not abuse or neglect my daughter, your honour,’’ She defended herself, not making an effort to sound pleading or desperate. Judge Iron Staff raised his brow at her questioningly, hardy making it seem like he believed her, because he didn’t. He’s played this game before.

‘’Is that so? Well, Miss Silver Star, according to my notes given to me by the social worker assigned to your daughter, Miss Violet Snowdrop, a respected pony in the business, it would appear that you don’t understand the severity of your actions,’’ The judge said neutrally, sifting through some of his notes before reading out a few of the listed details.

‘’’Scootaloo was abandoned by her mother and father when she was eight-years-old, left to fend for herself when her parents left her to move away without her. Scootaloo has since had no place to stay, as she has secluded herself into a clubhouse on her friend’s farm where she has lived for two years all by herself.’,’’ The judge read out loud.

The ponies in the audience gave a round of gasps along with murmurs of disgust and shock at the details. For most, this was the first time that they had heard such a dreadful act that was due to a young pony’s parents being neglectful of their child’s well-being. To ponies like Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie, whom were hearing the details in greater depth than before, it was heartbreaking and anger-inducing.

‘’’Scootaloo was traumatised by the abandonment to the point where he unofficial guardians, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, after taking her in, had mentioned the filly experienced night terrors relating to her mother and father abandoning her’,’’ The judge continued reading, and Silver Star bit her lip at these accusations, herself not knowing the extend of the damage she had inflicted upon her daughter, whether they were intentional or not.

‘’According to these notes, Miss Silver Star, the trustful words of Violet Snowdrop don’t hold any reason to be misjudged. All of these claims were spoken directly from the mouth of your daughter through a series of one-on-one counselling sessions, and the list goes on,’’ Judge Iron Staff flicked through multiple pages to emphasise his point, and Silver Star gulped. ‘’Young Scootaloo, if you would please, are these statements you made in any way fabricated?’’ He asked, addressing the young filly.

Seeking guidance, the young filly glanced with uncertain eyes up to Rainbow Dash, and the cyan mare draped a wing around her shoulders.

‘’Go ahead, Scoots,’’ Rainbow encouraged her. ‘’Just tell him the truth.’’

‘’N-No,’’ Scootaloo confirmed, and the judge smiled at her for her honesty.

‘’Thank you. And what say you, Miss Silver Star? Do you have anything to say, anything at all, to this court to defend your case and the charges placed against you?’’ Judge Iron Staff inquired, eyes shifting over to the convicted mare in the blue jumpsuit. The guilt flowing throughout her system was enough to lower her self-disgust to stop her from trying to defend her case. She knew there was no way out of this.

‘’Mmm-mmm,’’ She hummed sadly, her lips quivering as she glanced up, her heart sinking forever deeper into the pit of her stomach while her gall bladder began to itch, threatening to spew up a storm. Silver Star’s misty eyes gazed up like an abandoned, whimpering puppy left stranded in the rain as she looked towards where her daughter was sitting.

‘’I’m sorry, could you repeat that, please?’’ The judge requested, unable to take her incoherent response for an applicable statement of clarification for what had been asked of her.

‘’No, your honour,’’ She said, wanting nothing more than to keel over and die if it meant she would be free of this shame.

Scootaloo, as she met her mother’s gaze, became quite flustered by the nerve she had to so much as glance at her being. At the same time, she was glad that she owned up to what she did, and, no matter how hurt and betrayed the filly felt by her actions, it meant a lot to her that she owned up to her mistake. Even still, she had yet to pay her back for all of her suffering, and, if she had any love left in her heart for her, she’d go quietly.

‘’Wait!’’ Scootaloo suddenly called out, surprised at the volume of her own voice as she threw herself half-out of her seat, raising one hoof in the air whilst the other supported her weight on the table in front of her. All eyes in the courtroom immediately set themselves on her, and ponies began to mumble amongst themselves at her outburst.

‘’Yes, little filly?’’ The judge asked her, allowing this slight inconvenience. The filly scratched at her forehoof as she eyed her mother, wonder building up inside of her heart, an ache of curiosity.

‘’Why did you leave me like that? You still haven’t told me why you did what you did! Mum, don’t you love me?’’ Scootaloo asked, wounded, but that compared nothing to how Silver Star’s face shifted as she was asked the inevitable question that was sure to be shoved into her guilty snout.

Oh, Scooty, I should have known that you’d ask me that, Silver Star thought. There was no excuse, and her daughter wanted answers. In her current position, there was no way that she saw out of it, especially underneath the crushing system of authority that was working swiftly against her.

‘’It wasn’t my choice,’’ Silver Star said, tearing up. ‘’You’re my only daughter, Scooty, and of course I still love you. You’re my little girl, and there’s no excuse for what happened between me and your father. If there had been any other way, I wouldn’t have allowed this to happen!’’

‘’What ‘other way’? You left me! You left me!’’ Scootaloo cried, now angry, blood boiling. She pushed herself forward on the table, and Rainbow Dash had to firmly hold her by her hips to restrain her from proceeding any further. ‘’How could you?! Because of you, I had to survive on the streets, and I was so scared that I couldn’t even bring myself to tell my friends about it! But, you know what? It was a mistake that I was glad to make!’’ Scootaloo pulled herself out of Rainbow Dash’s grip and she stood on the table in front of her, able to address the entire courtroom from this angle.

‘’These ponies cared for me more than you or dad ever did! They took me in and cared for me, gave me someplace to sleep and eat, out of the cold of the streets, and they treated me like family. That’s more than you ever did for me,’’ She said, turning to face Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, both mares smiling warmly at her, touched by the sentiment. ‘’And it wasn’t just them, it was all of them,’’ The filly’s orange hoof motioned towards the rest of her friends in the horseshoe. ‘’All of them treated me like I belonged and showed me that I mattered, which is more than I can say for you,’’ Scootaloo spat those last words at her mother.

At the last part of her monologue, ponies in the courtroom gasped while others began to chatter, and the filly felt a massive weight lift off of her chest as she vented her internal steam war out, years of pent-up hatred. For just one filly, she was surprised how much hate and spite she had stored within her, and it was brewing up a storm that led to more negativity and bitter emotions than she knew, feelings she hadn’t experienced before. She knew nothing of their existence, but, after saying that, she felt good on the inside, saying what she had wanted to say for so long.

Silver Star sat with her mouth hung partially agape, and she gave a slight twitch here and there. She couldn’t believe her ears or that her daughter had said such a dreadful thing. As a mother, it stung worse than any insult that any other pony might toss in her face. And it made her angry.

‘’I hate you,’’ Scootaloo finished off her monologue, and she scowled at her now-glaring mother. Silver Star’s face was no longer sympathetic or even the slightest bit courteous, all of the respect, kindness and reserved energy she was known for non-existent. She growled audibly at Scootaloo and the rest of the ponies in the courtroom, especially at Violet Snowdrop.

‘’How dare you?!’’ She snarled like a rabid dog, thrusting herself over the stand she was in, the chains restraining her rear and front legs giving an ear-piercing rattle as she lunged. If it weren’t for them, then she would likely have darted over towards the mare she was glaring at. ‘’You put her up to this, didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU?!’’

‘’Rainbow Dash didn’t do anything!’’ Scootaloo defended her idol. ‘’Leave her alone!’’

‘’And you, you’re a little brat! After all of the things me and your father did to make you happy, including giving you that crappy scooter, how dare you disrespect me?!’’ Silver Star spat at her daughter, eyes now glaring, and she was so full of an overwhelming rush of adrenaline that it was like she was immune to the cumbersome weight of the chains around her legs.

The pair of CPD constables that had escorted her to the stand had rushed back onto the scene to pull her back and to restrain her in case things turned uglier. Even still, it didn’t stop her growling, and she was so enraged that she attempted to bite and nip the guards whenever they got close enough to her strong jaws.

‘’Hey!’’ Rainbow Dash hollered. ‘’She’s your daughter, you irresponsible wreck!’’ She chastised her disapprovingly, mortified that a mother would have the nerve to trash talk her own offspring like that. ‘’Scootaloo’s a wonderful little filly, and you and your pathetic husband would have known that if you took the time to notice sooner rather than later! If that’s how you treat your own flesh and blood, then maybe you should have never thought about becoming a parent! I, for one, am never going to forgive you for what you did to her, and I’d sure as Celestia do a better job of raising her than you did!’’ Rainbow Dash fired her shots with deadly, bitterly-dressed bullets in rapid succession, venting her own pent-up enragement.

‘’Dashie’s right,’’ Fluttershy joined in, picking herself out of her seat to join Rainbow Dash by her side, placing a hoof against her back whilst she touched the other against Scootaloo’s. ‘’Scootaloo has made some remarkable progress in coming out of her shell, and, with Violet Snowdrop’s help, she’s come so far in getting her life back on track, and we’ve all been doing our best to reverse the damage that you’ve caused,’’ Fluttershy scolded the mare with an equal bitterness.

Silver Star, ganged up upon, became even more enraged, the jugular in her neck so tight and pronounced, bulged with her strong and heavy heartbeat, her skin tense and about ready to split. There was no room for rationality in her heart for the mare in front of her, and the only thing she was able to think about was how nice it would be to plunge a dagger into her heart or to take a swing at her pretty, little cheeks.

‘’Shut up!’’ She snarled, spitting in the process while she struggled and wrestled against the constables trying to hold her back. ‘’You and your little filly-fooler marefriend! You wanted this to happen, didn’t you? Do you honestly think that I don’t know what this is about? I bet you only want the support money once you adopt my child, and you’ll discard her once you get what you want, won’t you? Isn’t that right, you dirty little birdie bitch?’’

Everypony in the courtroom gave a loud, powerful gasp at the usage of that last word, and Fluttershy, being the target of said word, held a hoof to her wounded heart behind her chest while her eyes shrank. Never, not in the years that she’s lived, has anypony ever uttered such a disgraceful, dirty word against her innocent being. And to be accused of only wanted to take custody of a child purely for financial gain was so far beyond insulting and discriminating that it wasn’t even worth trying to describe the sheer level of disgust and hate it conjured.

‘’Well, I never!’’ Rarity was heard in the background, mortified as she glanced between the rest of her shocked friends.

‘’Landsakes, how can a mother cuss in front of her own kin like that?’’ Applejack wondered, tongue stuck out in distaste.

‘’Oh, how dare she call Fluttershy that?! Not only is she a no-goodie-good-four-shoes, she’s also a meanie-mean-pants!’’ Pinkie Pie said, infuriated by what she had heard. Anger wasn’t one of her most frequent or common of emotions, but hearing another mare call her best friend something as discriminating and as dirty as that word made her insides crawl.

Violet Snowdrop had pulled Scootaloo closer to her, and, although Scootaloo was still young and not too experienced with the dirty word pronounced by her mother’s tongue, she knew what it meant. Violet had shielded her ears as she hugged her against her chest, a pre-caution in the event that any more swears were swapped.

‘’Hey! Don’t you ever speak to my marefriend like that!’’ Rainbow Dash shot back as she practically rammed her snout up against Silver Star’s, thrusting herself out of her seat behind her witness’s table in one powerful lunge. Her magenta eyes were glowing so brightly with an unholy hatred that they appeared like radioactive orbs, capable of burning through the most heat resistant materials.

Rainbow Dash has been angry, peeved, even, but this, this was by far the angriest she had ever been in her entire life, and all it took was for one dirty, unforgivable word to be uttered against the pony that she loved so dearly. If anypony in this world was going to badmouth Fluttershy like that, it was going to be from Rainbow’s own lips, not from some child-neglecting, foul and unethical mare who didn't know how much of a good thing she had until it was gone. Rainbow, with every ounce of the rage flowing within her, had ever sense to pick up and discard this sorry excuse of pony-shaped excrement out of the nearest window.

‘’Nopony badmouths my friends like that, and they certainly do not get to insult my marefriend! If you’ve got anything to say to anypony, you can say it to my face, and I’ll be glad to break your snout any day of the week, you low-life scumbag!’’ Rainbow Dash growled viciously at her, her word filter completely disintegrated and allowing the worst parts of her to break through. ‘’You have no right to call anypony out on who they are or what they’re all about, and you know nothing of how much an amazing pony Fluttershy or Scootaloo is! Those two ponies mean the whole world to me, and they’re both too good for somepony as unappreciative and dishonest as you!’’

Rainbow Dash was pulled back by a magical force emitted by Twilight Sparkle’s horn, and, while the lavender unicorn was stunned at how harsh Rainbow Dash’s words were, she mentally agreed with her. She had pulled her back from Silver Star’s muzzle, and she had entered the main floor of the court, and she was now standing beside her protege, Princess Celestia.

‘’You know what else, Silver Star?’’ Rainbow Dash began again. ‘’I feel sorry for you,’’ Silver Star’s face became blank at that, confused for a moment, and her eyes faltered, once again becoming reasonable. ‘’You had such a beautiful and loving daughter and a perfect life, and what did you throw it away for? You had ponies in the world that cared about you, and one of them is over there,’’ She motioned towards Scootaloo, cradled in the hooves of Violet Snowdrop. ‘’I love both of those ponies like they are my own family, and they give me a reason to live, for more reasons than just one. After everything that we’ve been through together, nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to make we want to give up on either of them. Even if one of them begins to hate me one day or if we never talk to each other again, that won’t change the way I feel about them, and it’s a feeling I wouldn’t trade for anything in this world.’’

‘’I used to spend my days with my head stuck in the clouds, and I was always so alone and trying to find meaning in my life. I don’t know what your reasons are for what you did or what few good things you tossed out of the window, but I’m telling you, there are things out there worth fighting for, even if it means putting your own neck on the line. Sometimes, you just have to see things from another perspective and think with a clear head, and it took me a number of years and a few months to figure out for myself what that sense of meaning was in my life,’’ Rainbow Dash said, turning around to face Fluttershy and Scootaloo.

Fluttershy’s face was so warmed and touched by the heartfelt speech that Rainbow Dash had given, and her eyes were large and shimmering, as were Scootaloo’s. Violet Snowdrop’s lips were upturned into a small smile, and her vibrant cerulean eyes gave Rainbow a proud expression, moved by her words. She always loved it when ponies, friend and families reconciled and spilled their feelings for perusal. It was not an easy feat, to find the correct words and place them in a delicate arrangement that appropriately expresses one’s personal afflictions, empathy, sympathy and honesty.

Pinkie Pie was tearing up, and her eyes were ready to sprout two twin fountains, being the emotional character that she is. She was so soft and sensitive on the inside, and it was moments like these that always triggered her, but it wasn’t because of the touching sentiment that Rainbow had given, it was because of the admittance of how she felt about Fluttershy.

She used the word! She used the word! Pinkie Pie chanted inside of her head. She called sweet, little Flutter-Butter her marefriend! You go, girl! That’s my Dashie!

The other pony that knew about Rainbow’s affections for her timid, nature-loving friend, Rarity, held a sense of pride in her heart for the cyan mare. She wasn’t one for cheesy, over-dramatical emotional tangents, but, credit where it was due, she had no clue how much of a sensitive sweetheart Rainbow Dash was. The only insight she had on a personal level with the usually brash and self-assured cyan mare was the day she came into her boutique to inquire about romantic feelings and managing through ‘the signs of love’, as Rarity put it.

Situations calling for dire circumstances, such as the one taking place, were always a green flag when it came to making such personal and or private emotions arise. There was always a perfect moment or scenario for them to crawl out into the open, seeping into view for the ponies that were meant to hear or see hints of affection, and Rarity was so proud that Rainbow Dash had chosen now to come clean.

‘’Them,’’ The cyan mare finished, still looking over to Fluttershy and Scootaloo’s forms. Twilight had released her from her magical grip, and she wiped a tear from her lavender eyes. Princess Celestia, the ruler of this great nation, had also become tearful, and she wiped her eyes, also.

Rainbow Dash, as she stared into the turquoise eyes of Fluttershy, losing herself in their vibrancy and the love that they displayed, she smiled tenderly, and her heart gave a throb. The butter mare, over the moon, gave Rainbow a soothing and alluring expression, one that could only be described as bedroom eyes, half-lidded and sweet, holding a high appeal to the desires of the cyan mare’s heart.

The one thing that had captivated Fluttershy’s heart was when Rainbow defended her honour, just as she had done back at Flight Camp before the big race that landed her her cutie mark, the day her destiny was revealed. Rainbow Dash had called her her marefriend, and the fact that she went as far to stretch her mental restraint, knowing that Fluttershy’s mind wasn’t yet made up about returning the affection, it meant a whole lot to her that she’d still say it.

She loves me so much, Fluttershy thought. Rainbow Dash really does love me so very much, doesn’t she? Aw, my sweet little Dashie, I…I don’t know what to say! Oh, my, how can I ever repay you for defending me like that?

Scootaloo’s eyes were moist, and tears were streaming silently down her face, but her lips were pulled into a small smile. She had always looked up to Rainbow Dash in a religious type of fashion, but to hear that she declared her a part of her family, despite not being related by blood, meant the world to her. The part where she had said that she and Fluttershy gave her a reason to live was only icing on the already very sweet cake. The flavour was one of heavenly worthiness.

Judge Iron Staff, as authoritative and as stern of a pony as he might be, was teary eyed, and he gazed down at the cyan mare, proudly smiling at her. He cleared is throat, catching the attention of everypony present in the courtroom, the moment passing and the spectators soon coming to remember that they were in a court of law.

‘’Ahem, yes, Miss Rainbow Dash, we do all thank you for that inspiring and lovely speech,’’ He began, regaining his firm and commanding tone. He glanced between Rainbow and Silver Star for a moment. ‘’But, given that this case is not yet over, I must ask that you retake your seat immediately,’’ He requested.

Rainbow Dash’s lips parted for a moment, thinking about making a retort, but she wisely remained silent and obliged, knowing that any wrong move further than the ones pulled today might prove degrading to her case. She seated herself back down beside Fluttershy, and Scootaloo hopped onto her lap to hug her barrel, giving her a friendly cuddle of thanks, and Rainbow Dash happily returned it.

I wish you were mine, Scoots, Rainbow Dash thought. If you were, then we could have avoided this whole mess. I love you, kid.

Twilight retook her seat, too, awaiting the judge to continue before any more disruptions could take place. Judge Iron Staff cleared his throat yet again and he picked up his gavel, placing it down on the podium before him in preparation for his final verdict.

With all that he has learned and heard today in his very own courtroom, Judge Iron Staff’s need for a jury to make up his mind for the fate of Silver Star was completely unnecessary. With the evidence handed to him by the trusted Violet Snowdrop, verbal admittance from Silver Star, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, there was no doubt in his mind for what conclusion he wanted to deliver.

‘’By order of this court, I, Judge Iron Staff, hereby declare that Silver Star, under the offence of child abuse, neglect and an attempted act of violence in a court of law, is to be sent to prison for fifteen years without parole,’’ And then the judge raised his gavel and he slammed it down against his podium, making the verdict non-negotiable.

Silver Star’s eyes shrank for a brief moment, shock washing over her as her judgement was finalised and laid out before her. Just like that, with the bow of a tiny gavel that possessed such a massive impact, her life was deemed to change forever, anything and everything she might have had of any significance to her diminished in seconds. Her life has just been erased.

Silver Star, her rage once again returning, her eyes becoming marble-like and grainy, glared cold daggers dripping with deadly, pure venom into Rainbow’s magenta eyes. The very psychotic gleam in her eyes that was the result of a pony that had snapped on the inside sent shivers slivering up and down Dash’s spine, and she had never known that a pony was capable of appearing as heartless and sociopathic as Silver Star was being right now.

‘’I’ll get you for this. I’ll get all of you!’’ She hissed beneath her breath as she was being escorted out by the constables, practically dragging her along with her, all the while, her cold eyes affixed upon Rainbow Dash’s.

‘’Send me a postcard when you get there,’’ Rainbow Dash picked at her already-rustled feathers a little more, satisfied of the judge’s verdict. And then she was escorted completely out of the sight of the ponies in the room, brought back through the doors whence she had came, about to be transferred over to prison.

‘’As for you two,’’ Judge Iron Staff then addressed Rainbow and Fluttershy, giving them both stern and expectant expression, furrowing his brow. ‘’Under these unique circumstances, and given that we have only brought justice against one of the convicted in this case, by the power invested within me, until the other offender is found and brought to trial and before further action can be taken, I hereby declare that you may have a provisional custody of Scootaloo.’’ He then banged his gavel.

There was a round of cheers the instant the gavel hit the podium, and everypony present in the courtroom was jumping for joy. The sudden eruption of sounds of celebration was so loud that it was deafening, and literally every single pony began hugging each other and hopping about in place, screaming and ravishing in the sweet, sweet glory of the justice system.

Pinkie Pie had grabbed Rarity by the shoulders and yanked her into the air with her, bouncing hyperactively in place as she hugged her bone-crushingly tight. The pear mare, as fearful as she was for having her bones rendered down to power, showed no resistance, but she did gently hug her friend back.

‘’We did it, Rare! We got it in the bag!’’ Pinkie cried for joy. ‘’And Rainbow Dash is in love with Fluttershy! The prophecy is fulfilled!’’ Pinkie said, but Rarity was taken aback by that last part.

Oh, Pinkie, dear, you’re such a random soul, so much so that it’s adorable at times, Rarity thought inwardly, somehow finding her friend’s antics to be amusing.

At the front of the courtroom, Rainbow Dash was tackled by Scootaloo, and she locked her into a bone-crushing hug, almost trying to merge her being with her own DNA to intertwine them as one being in the same body. Rainbow Dash rubbed the filly’s back while she was pressed against the floor on her back with the orange-coloured ball of joy pinning her down, and she cuddled her with loving arms.

‘’Oh, Rainbow Dash, can you believe it?! You’re gonna be my guardian! I can’t believe it! Thank you so much!’’ Scootaloo said frantically, eyes watery and her lips beaming with a smile, and Rainbow Dash hugged her, ruffling up her mane.

‘’You’re worth it, kid,’’ Rainbow Dash told her. ‘’And don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for, right?’’ Rainbow said, and Scootaloo wiped her eyes.

‘’You’re more than just my friend, Rainbow Dash: you’re my family,’’ The little filly said, and her words, although small, warmed the cyan mare’s heart in the same way that Fluttershy’s voice gave her butterflies.

‘’Come here, you,’’ Dash pulled her in for another hug before giving her a noogie, and, once she was finished, she was pulled to her feet by Fluttershy. The butter mare stood still in front of her while her eyes glistened with pride and accomplishment, but there was something else behind them that Dash was having a hard time placing.

Fluttershy’s cheeks were lightly flushed, tinged with a very rosey shade of pink that was only just noticeable, and Rainbow Dash was lost in her eyes, the rest of the courtroom and the cheers of the ponies in it becoming mute. She was lost in the world of pleasant turquoise again, a heavenly hysteria that made Fluttershy the sole purpose of her existence.

‘’We won,’’ Fluttershy breathed. ‘’We won, Dashie.’’

‘’Yeah. We did,’’ Rainbow breathed, feeling her heart beat behind her ribs. It was strange; the noise in the room was deafening, but the small sound of her heart pulsing behind her ribs was the only noise she could hear.

‘’Dashie…I had no idea that you felt so strongly about us. Or me,’’ Fluttershy said, her tone sweet and flattered. The mare gave Rainbow a seductive expression, her teeth lightly biting her lower lip on the left side whilst she half-drooper her eyes, and Rainbow Dash found herself to be blushing at the sight.

You’re so hot, Rainbow thought. Fluttershy, you mean the world to me. I have no idea what I’d do without you around to keep me sane. How boring would my life be if I never met you that day at Junior Flight Camp?

‘’Oh. Well, I do. And I…I meant it, too. You mean so much to me, Fluttershy, and I, um….I love you,’’ Rainbow Dash said, not used to this mushy stuff, fearing that she was making a mess of it. And so, you could imagine her surprise when Fluttershy’s hooves lightly grasped Rainbow’s cheeks and she pulled her forward.

Fluttershy stopped only centimetres apart from Dash’s lips so that she could gaze into her eyes for a moment. Her warm, pulsing vanilla-scented breath became known to Dash’s muzzle, and she found it to be intoxicating.

‘’I love you, too,’’ Fluttershy breathed seductively. And then she closed the gap.

Fluttershy’s lips pressed lightly against Rainbow Dash’s own, and Rainbow’s entire body went into a state of shock, causing all of her muscles to seize up at the contact. It only lasted for a second when her brain was processing what was happening, and once Rainbow realised that Fluttershy was kissing her, her muscles relaxed once more and she melted into it.

Fluttershy’s lips were exactly as Rainbow had dreamed of them; soft and tender, so comforting and firm. They weren’t too thick nor too thin, and they perfectly moulded into Dash’s own lips, and the aroma of the vanilla from the creamer Fluttershy had in her coffee before the trial lingered on her breath and on her tongue. It was so irresistible that Dash found herself to be wanting so much more out of it, and she applied her own pressure back to deepen the kiss, wanting to ravish the moment as best she could.

Oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh, oh, my gosh! She’s kissing me! I’m being kissed by Fluttershy! Fluttershy’s kissing me! Can you say ‘dream come true’?! Rainbow Dash’s mind said, rolling around in a sea of euphoria. The amount of pleasure she was in at the moment was beyond comprehension, and she immediately thought that it should be illegal to feel so good!

Fluttershy was apparently enjoying it, too, a little more than she should, and she moaned into Dash’s mouth. She had secretly wanted this to happen so much earlier when Rainbow had started to develop strong feelings of affection and desire for her, and she had wondered and fantasised what it would be like to kiss another mare. Her conclusion? It felt wonderful.

Oh, my! Dashie’s lips are so smooth! Wow, they taste so good! Why didn’t we do this sooner? Fluttershy thought in amazement, astonished by the bliss she was getting out of this kiss. She was milking this moment for all that it was worth, and having the chance to savour Dash’s lips was causing all of her lust to seep out of the naughty corners of her mind, thoughts she had only recently discovered.

Rainbow and Fluttershy had both leaned into it, and the world had slowed down to a crawl around them, insignificant to them at this time, and they didn’t care to acknowledge anything else but each other. Right now, Fluttershy was the most important thing to Rainbow Dash, and she didn’t want this moment to be ruined.

By the time that the pair had finished their eager, passionate smooch, they both pulled away to stare each other in their eyes, gazing lovingly into them. Rainbow Dash’s cheeks were aglow, as were Fluttershy’s, and they both savoured the final moments of their very first kiss together, the closing chapter to all of their fantasies and contemplations of what it would be like to seal the deal.

Oh, man, if this is what love feels like, then sign me up! I never want it to end! Rainbow Dash thought. This is it, isn’t it? This is what true love is like! I’m in love with Fluttershy, and she’s in love with me, too! Aw, yeah!

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash blinked as they realised something. It had become quiet. Too quiet. They both turned their heads simultaneously to face the horseshoe where the ponies that had been watching the trial were seated. They were all staring at them with mouths hanging widely agape.

They had witnessed the whole kiss take place.

The blushes on both Rainbow’s and Fluttershy’s cheeks deepened, engulfing their entire faces. What made it all the more embarrassing was the Princess Celestia was also among those of whom had witnessed the kiss take place. As if it wasn’t bad enough having your best friends catching you sharing a kiss with your best friend, but royalty, too? Oh, how awkward.

‘’Aaaaand you owe me twenty bits,’’ Pinkie Pie broke the silence, nudging Applejack’s side. The farm pony gave a disgruntled mumble beneath her breath and she took off her hat, taking out a small sack that was concealed beneath it and tossing it at Pinkie before replacing it. ‘’Tee-hee! See, I told you so!’’

‘’Ugh, how does she know these things?’’ Applejack asked Rarity, and Pinkie shoved her face between the two, grinning widely with a winning smile.

‘’Always bet on blue!’’ The pink mare said, satisfied with the results.

‘’What? But that—-‘’ Applejack began, only to be stopped by Rarity’s hoof touching her shoulder.

‘’Applejack, dear, let her have this one,’’ She said, and the farm pony gave a huff.

‘’Oh, right, well, um, I think that we’re all finished up here,’’ The voice of Twilight Sparkle spoke up, picking herself out of her seat and attempting to bail her two friends out of this awkward situation that they found themselves to be a part of. ‘’Excuse me, Judge Iron Staff? Are there any further matters to discuss?’’

‘’No. We’re all finished here until further notice. Everypony is hereby dismissed,’’ The judge then lowered his gavel for a final time, ending the court session, to which everypony had taken their leave.

Once the ponies had all filed out, most of whom were swapping gossipy conversation about these new events relating to Fluttershy’s and Rainbow Dash’s attraction to each other, only Princess Celestia, Violet Snowdrop, Scootaloo and the other ponies were left.

‘’So, um,’’ Rainbow Dash began awkwardly, not knowing how to start a conversation after what had just transpired. ‘’What now?’’

‘’'What now?' Are you kidding me?’’ Pinkie Pie asked, somehow perplexed by how Rainbow could ask such a thing. ‘’Now we celebrate, that’s what! We’ve got to do something to celebrate you and Fluttershy finally getting it on, is what! Oooh! How about a pre-pre wedding planning party?’’ She asked, shoving her snout into Dash’s muzzle, only to be shoved away.

‘’What?! P-Pinkie! Too soon!’’ She said in a hushed tone, sucking breath between her teeth, beyond embarrassed. She already felt humiliated that everypony saw them kiss during the middle of a celebration, and it made her nervous for how others were going to react once they caught ear of it outside of the courthouse!

‘’I, for once, am delighted for you all,’’ The regal voice of Princess Celestia spoke up, and everypony turned to face her, the alicorn that stood as a symbol of hope for their great nation. ‘’Moreover, I’m proud by how you all stood beside each other today, and I was incredibly moved by your touching monologue, Rainbow Dash,’’ The Princess complimented her subject.

‘’It was nothing,’’ Rainbow Dash said modestly, not wanting to be made a fuss over. ‘’These two ponies mean everything to me,’’ She motioned to Fluttershy and the little filly, standing next to Violet Snowdrop.

‘’No, it was quite something,’’ Princess Celestia said, smiling with that radiant set of gleaming white, pristine teeth of hers, so bright they were like a substitute for neon signs. ‘’The love, affection, support and friendship that I’ve witnessed here today is the kind that Equestrians everywhere should all learn to enjoy, and you three show a very strong example,’’ She commended them. ‘’And you, Rainbow Dash, I must commend for your display of extraordinary valour against Silver Star and her discriminating behaviour today.’’

‘’She deserved it,’’ Rainbow Dash said bluntly. ‘’I only wish that we knew what happened to Scootaloo’s father so we could put this case to bed for good.’’

‘’Not to worry, my little pony, for some of my best representatives and scouts are currently on the constant lookout for his whereabouts as we speak. If anypony will find him, it’ll be them. And by the way,’’ the Princess started, a thought coming to mind. ‘’I wasn’t entirely aware that I had become an expression, an appropriate one, at least.’’

Rainbow Dash blushed, but she didn’t have any time to respond before she felt a tug against her hoof. She looked down to view Scootaloo, looking up to her curiously.

‘’Rainbow Dash? Who’s going to be supervising us?’’ She asked her, and Violet Snowdrop injected her voice into the conversation.

‘’That’d be me. As a social worker, and considering that my job here isn’t quite finished, I’ll be the one supervising you all until Scootaloo’s father is found and brought to trial. For her safety as well as yours, too,’’ Violet said, and Rainbow Dash smiled warmly, as did Fluttershy.

‘’It seems that you’re becoming a part of the family already, huh?” Dash nudged her shoulder, pleased by the idea of getting to spend time with the mare to get to know her better. She’d be more than grateful for her company, especially after she helped in getting one of Scootaloo’s parents behind bars.

‘’Oh, and that reminds me,’’ Violet then pulled out a small sack from underneath one of her wings, the same type as Applejack’s, and she handed it over to Pinkie. ‘’I also had placed a bet,’’ She said with a sheepish blush.

‘’Somepony’s gonna be eating cake to-ni-iiight!’’ Pinkie Pie said in a sing-song voice as she stowed away the tiny bag of bits into her springy, pink-coloured coiff. Rainbow Dash’s eye twitched as she stared at Pinkie, bemused that she had managed to convince her social worker to partake in her childish bet.

‘’Oh, come on!’’

And from this day forward, the ponies all left the courthouse, not as friends and mutual acquaintances, but as a big, happy family.

~ Fin ~