Chapter 21
-- Hearing --
Three days had passed since the incident in the forest. Princess Twilight had given the students a break from classes to rest after what had happened. Some parents were upset about what happened, some even pointing their hooves at Trail and Zecora for leading their children into danger.
But Rainbow Dash quickly shot down any of those grievances. She assured the parents that their children were in no danger at any time. Trail was thankful for her support. He had not been at his best these last few days.
The guardians of Comet’s friends were also furious about the incident. Twilight had received letters from Queen Novo and Prince Rutherford, both were very upset about the incident. Not so much upset with Twilight, but with the one who caused the incident. Tourmaline, he was in a lot of trouble.
Princess Celestia replied to Twilight's letter in a matter of hours, furious with the colt. She vowed that she would track down Lord Rhinestone and order him to come to Ponyville for his son’s hearing.
The hearing, which was this afternoon. Twilight had been preparing ever since Celestia’s reply. She was nervous, having never really done anything like this for her school. She had hoped she would never have to do this. But Tourmaline needed to be held accountable for his actions.
Another thing that made Twilight nervous was Lord Rhinestone. She had never met him personally, but she had heard enough about him from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. He was business, and only business. He owned most of the gem mines in Equestria, making him a very wealthy pony.
She could only hope that he could set his son on a better path.
“Alright Comet, one more try.” Starlight said, giving her student encouragement.
Comet scrunched up her face as she concentrated on the new spell. Her horn glowed as sparks came off it, the amount of magic a bit more than she was used to. But she kept at it, and a shimmer of lights washed over her.
When the lights faded, she opened her eyes to see the effects of the spell. Well at least it didn’t blow up in her face immediately. But with this kind of spell, it would be up to Starlight to tell her if it worked or not.
Comet turned to her teacher, “How’d I do?”
When she saw Starlight, she was still sitting in the same spot she was in all morning. Resting on a lawn chair on their back porch, comfortable and relaxed. But her expression made Comet’s eyebrow raise. She had her hoof to her mouth, like she was trying to hold back laughter.
“What?” Comet asked.
“Look behind you sweetie.” Starlight said between little snorts and giggles.
Comet looked behind her as she was asked and saw nothing, she didn’t understand what was so funny. As she looked around more, she finally saw what Starlight was laughing at. She looked where her rump and hind legs were supposed to be, but found that she could see through them.
Comet jumped and began to panic, she could still feel her legs, but something must have gone wrong with her spell. Starlight was still in her chair, laughing out loud now.
“I’ve never seen somepony get it only halfway before!” Starlight said before laughing again.
“Miss Starlight, it’s not funny! Comet said, still panicking a little.
After a few more seconds of laughing, Starlight started to breathe again, “I’m sorry sweetie. That was just a first for me.”
Starlight’s horn flashed a little, canceling the spell around Comet and returning her back half to normal. Comet pouted at her teacher, but eventually gave a little giggle.
“Everything alright out here?” Trail said, coming out the back door.
“It’s alright Trail, Comet just had a bit of a hiccup with an invisibility spell.” Starlight said.
“Oh, that seems pretty advanced. My little girl is moving up in the world.” Trail chuckled.
Comet kicked at the ground, “I wanted to learn spells that could help me and my friends out. I know it wouldn’t work against a basilisk, but other beasts, it might help.”
Trail smiled and went to his daughter, “Still feeling guilty about the incident?”
“Just a little. I want to get better at magic so I can protect people like you and Aunties.” Comet said, still kicking at the ground softly.
Trail brushed the top of her head with his hoof, “I know you’ll be a great mage someday sweetheart. After all, you’ve got one of the best magic users in the world teaching you.”
Trail turned to look at Starlight over his shoulder, who was rolling her eyes at the two.
“Flattery will get you nowhere Trail. Now Comet, I think that’s enough for now.” Starlight said.
Comet nodded and moved to her own chair on the back porch, “So how much longer before the hearing Daddy?”
“A few hours, though I imagine Princess Twilight will want us all there early. You sure you want to be there for this Comet?” Trail asked.
“I was part of it, and so were my friends. We should be there to give our own accounts.” Comet said.
Trail nodded, “Alright then. Go get cleaned up, and then we’ll head to the castle.”
Comet nodded and ran inside, out of sight. Trail then looked to Starlight, who had a concerned expression.
“You worried about her too?” Trail asked.
Starlight didn’t answer right away, letting out a sigh before she did, “Yes. So much happened on that trip. They could have died Trail, all because of one colt.”
Trail moved up to her, “I know. I don’t like it either, but if she and her friends want to face this, we shouldn’t stop them.”
“I know you’re right. I just hope that this Lord Rhinestone isn’t the type of pony I think he is.” Starlight said softly.
“Tourmaline won’t get away with this. Whether his father punishes him or not, his days in that school are over.” Trail said confidently.
“That is for sure. I just hope it ends at that.” Starlight said, starting to get up from the chair.
Trail quickly moved to offer her a hoof in getting up, to which she giggled and accepted it. After she was back on her hooves, she gave him a smirk.
“You know, you’ve been quite the gentlecolt lately. As much as I appreciate it Trail, you don’t have to. I’m fine. Just because my magic isn’t 100% recovered doesn’t mean I’m made of glass.” Starlight said.
Trail rubbed the back of his neck, “I don’t think of you like that Starlight. I just can’t help but worry a little. You got pretty banged up out there, and I can’t help but feel the need to help you until you’re 100% again.”
Starlight’s smirk grew into a genuine smile, “Trail, I do appreciate all you’ve done these last few days. Inviting me to dinner with your family, buying me coffee, and being a great friend.”
Trail blushed a little, “It’s no trouble Starlight. Like I said, I felt like it was right, especially after you risked so much to protect Comet and her friends.”
For some reason, a feeling came to Starlight. One she couldn’t quite put her hoof on. For a second, it felt like… disappoint?
“Oh, it’s no trouble Trail. I couldn’t let them get hurt. Now let’s get inside.” Starlight said, turning to walk inside.
Trail was confused for a moment, but decided that he’d just go with it.
Trail, Comet and Starlight moved through the front door of the castle, making their way to the throne room. As they made their way through the halls, they spotted Comet’s friends all waiting outside.
“Hey!” Comet yelled out.
All of them immediately turned their heads to see their friend and quickly moved to join them halfway. They all said their greetings, hugs were exchanged and the feeling in the hallway got so much brighter.
Trail and Starlight couldn’t help but smile at this.
As they watched the children, two more figures approached them from behind. Trail turned to see who it was.
“Ah sisters. There you are.” Trail said.
Tala and Zala both sat next to the two ponies, Tala on Trail’s side while Zala was on Starlight’s.
“Greetings brother, I trust we are not late?” Zala asked.
“Not at all. The hearing isn’t due to start for another thirty minutes.” Trail said.
“Good, no way am I missing this. Where’s the brat?” Tala asked.
“Tourmaline has been confined to his dorm until the hearing. Rainbow Dash should be fetching him now.” Starlight said.
“Tala, remember our talk. No talking out unless it’s necessary. Princess Twilight has enough on her plate dealing with a noble.” Trail said.
“Don’t worry bro, I won’t cause a scene. Unless he starts one first.” Tala said, smirking at the end.
Trail shook his head, and hoped that she would behave herself.
Comet and her friends had all settled down and were in a circle, talking about the hearing that would be starting soon.
“It’s almost time. That rich brat is finally getting what’s coming to him.” Smoulder said, pumping her fist.
“As much as I don’t like to talk bad about anyone, I agree with Smoulder. This has been a long time coming.” Ocellus said.
“Yona agree, Mean Rich pony finally getting kicked out!” Yona said, stomping.
“Not exactly how I pictured us getting rid of him, but it works. I honestly didn’t think he had it in him to do all those things.” Sandbar said.
“Neither did I. Who knew a little rich snot could be so stupid? I mean, sending us into a basilisk nest?” Gallus said.
Silverstream shivered, “I still have nightmares about it. They are really scary.”
Comet hugged her hippogriff friend, “Don’t worry Silverstream, it’s dead. And we probably won’t see another one in the forest anytime soon. They tend to be very isolated.”
Silverstream let out a sigh of relief at her words.
“Comet is right kids. Basilisks will only be around their own kind during mating season, and that won’t be for another decade or so.” Trail said.
Another sigh of relief washed over the group of friends, even Starlight looked more relieved at the words. But the relief was not long lived, for Rainbow Dash came around the corner shortly afterwards, Tourmaline right beside her.
Smoulder and Gallus growled at the sight of the unicorn colt, the rest of the group joining in with their own angry expressions. The colt wore an equally angry expression, like he was being led through an angry mob.
The doors to the throne room opened up at Rainbow’s arrival, Rarity appearing as soon as it was fully opened.
“Rainbow, bring Tourmaline inside. The rest of you may come in as well, have a seat on the right side of the room, we have prepared seating for you.” Rarity instructed.
Rainbow nodded and escorted the colt inside, but not before he could deliver another hateful gaze towards Comet and her friends. Comet scowled back at him before walking with her friends inside. Trail and his sisters followed Starlight inside as well.
The throne room was large, bigger than Trail had imagined it to be. The thrones in the center each had the cutiemarks of their occupants on the back. The six mares sat in them with stern looks on their faces, unmoving as Rainbow brought Tourmaline in front of the large table in the center, just across from Twilight. After he was seated, she flew to her seat.
Trail and the rest of the group moved to the rows of chairs provided by the teachers, making themselves comfortable, or as much as they could be in this type of situation.
Twilight cleared her throat, “Tourmaline Rhinestone, you stand here before us for your transgressions and crimes against your fellow students. This hearing will determine your guilt through the evidence provided by us and our witnesses. Do you have anything to say in your own defense?”
Tourmaline remained quiet and after a moment he looked like he was about to speak, before the doors to the throne room burst open.
“Son, do not say a word!” A stallion bellowed as he and a mare came through the door.
The stallion wore a very expensive suit, adorned with several pieces of jewelry, gold, and silver. His cutiemark was that of a diamond with a magnifying glass. His coat was the same shade as Tourmaline, as was his mane, but with some different shades of gray showing his age.
The mare also wore a suit, with glasses resting on her nose. She carried a briefcase in her magic, looking very professional and uninterested.
“Lord Rhinestone, thank you for joining us. And who is your friend?” Twilight asked.
“Greetings Your Majesty, this is my lawyer, Tally Mark, she will be representing my son.” The Lord said as he bowed.
Twilight did not return the bow, “Very well then. We have only just begun. Please have a seat.”
Rhinestone sat down to the right of his son, while Tally sat to his left.
“Your Majesty, may I request that the charges be known to us in full?” Tally Mark asked.
“I was just getting to that Miss Mark.” Twilight said before clearing her throat.
“Tourmaline Rhinestone stands here accused of recklessly putting his fellow students in danger, as well as a member of my staff. On top of that, several members of the student body and my staff have brought forth grievances against him. This includes bullying, several absences, a lack of respect to his teachers, and unconfirmed actions outside the school.” Twilight explained.
After a moment, Twilight continued, “Only a few days ago, our school had a field trip in the Everfree Forest. We had hired experts in the forest to scout out a safe location for our students to learn about the environment safely. When broken into groups, Tourmaline used an illusion spell to trick his guide Mr. Trail Blazer and leave the activity.”
“Before this was discovered, he then made his way to the group of friends led by Counselor Starlight Glimmer, using another illusion spell to lead the group away from the designated path and deeper into the forest. When he was discovered by the group, a basilisk appeared as they had been driven into it’s hunting grounds. Tourmaline then teleported himself away, leaving his fellow students and Starlight Glimmer to the mercy of the beast.” Twilight continued, looking up from her notes to gage the reactions of the stallion and his lawyer.
They seemed unfazed by the story, so Twilight continued.
“After he was discovered by Trail Blazer and the rest of the staff, the students were led back to the school by the zebra, Zecora. Trail Blazer and my friends found Starlight and her group, as well as the griffin Sky Claw Tala, who was holding the beast at bay. Trail Blazer, along with Tala and their sister Zala defeated the creature, with only a few ponies receiving any injuries, including Counselor Starlight Glimmer who suffered from near magic burnout.”
Rhinestone and Tally Mark still looked unfazed by this. As Twilight finished, she allowed them time to speak their minds.
Tally Mark rose and began to speak, “With all due respect your highness, from the story I have been told, it sounds like you are accusing my client of attempted murder.”
Twilight shook her head, “That is not the case. As he did not know the basilisk was in the area, I do not think it was his intention for anyone to be hurt.”
Tally Mark continued, “But your school went into the Everfree Forest, a place so wild and untamed that no official mapping or exploration has ever been accomplished. Why pray tell your highness did you put your students at such risk?”
“Are you trying to pin the blame on Twilight!?” Rainbow Dash yelled out.
Tally Mark was calm as she looked at the pegasus, “I would never accuse royalty of such a thing Miss Dash. I am merely stating the fact that the threat of the forest was inevitable.”
“We had experts scout out that part of the forest for a week before the trip!” Applejack shouted.
“Yes, experts. A zebra who has no official occupation. Such a credible source.” Tally remarked.
Twilight immediately lit up her horn, “I will not tolerate racist remarks like that in my castle! Especially towards a good friend of mine!”
Tally Mark immediately went into a bow, “My apologies Your Highness. I did not mean to offend. I simply meant that the forest is extremely dangerous and is not a place for children.”
Rarity spoke up, “While Zecora’s expertise on the forest should be enough for anyone, I would also like to remind you of Trail Blazer’s assistance in the matter as well. As he is a world renowned explorer, who has ventured into several dangerous locations.”
Tally Mark and Lord Rhinestone both looked over to Trail Blazer, who had been sitting with the group, silently enraged by the defense these two had given so far.
“Yes, Mr. Trail Blazer. Tell us, did you know there was a basilisk in the forest?” Tally Mark asked.
Trail stood up, “I did. But the area Zecora and I chose for the trip was well out of its territory.”
“So you admit that you brought students into a forest with a dangerous creature lurking about?” She remarked.
“As I just said, the students were in no danger. Not from the basilisk or any predator.” Trail shot back.
“Your Highness, with all due respect. I think the problem here is the fact that students were brought to the Everfree Forest in the first place.” Tally Mark said, ignoring Trail’s statement.
“I’m sorry Miss Mark, but I do not agree. We are learning more and more about the forest every day. Trail Blazer here is even doing research for another of his survival guides. The children were in no immediate danger.” Princess Twilight said calmly.
“No immediate danger, but there was danger nonetheless. You and your school put students in danger for a field trip.” Tally declared.
Everypony on the thrones gasped, shocked that this mare would make such a statement.
Twilight soon grew a look of rage, “I will not stand here and have you accuse my school of endangering my students, when your client’s son put them at risk with his own actions!”
“Actions of a child, you are responsible Princess Twilight.” She said calmly.
“He is old enough to know better! His being a child is not enough of an excuse for his actions!” Twilight bellowed.
Tally Mark adjusted her glasses, “On another note Princess, you said Tourmaline used illusion magic to not only escape Trail Blazer’s watch, but also fool Miss Starlight Glimmer and an entire group of students.”
Twilight took a breath, “That is correct.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Now I cannot speak for the magical skill of Mr. Blazer, but your Counselor Starlight Glimmer was a personal student of yours, am I correct?” Tally asked.
Twilight blinked in confusion, “Yes, why?”
“Please explain to my client and I, how a full grown mare of such magical talent could not notice a colt’s illusion spell until it was too late?” The lawyer asked.
Everyone in the room gasped at that. Starlight was taken aback, looking like she was just shot. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but her words fell short. She hung her head, not able to look at anyone.
Trail was furious, “How dare you!? She was not expecting any illusions. Illusions are designed to be undetected!”
Tally Mark did not seem fazed by his outburst, “Regardless of whether she was expecting it or not, she did not notice it until it was too late. I wonder about your teachers Princess if they can be so easily fooled by a child.”
Trail was posed to tackle this mare for saying such things. But before he could voice his disdain for the mare, Princess Twilight’s voice rang out around the room.
“ENOUGH!” Twilight yelled out in her royal Canterlot voice.
“I will not allow you to insult my friends. Do I make myself perfectly clear!?” Twilight yelled.
Tally Mark’s face grew a look of fear for a moment before she composed herself and backed up behind Lord Rhinestone.
“Now to you, Lord Rhinestone.” Twilight said, looking darkly to the stallion.
Twilight flared her wings out in fury, “On top of everything he did in the forest, I have had several complaints about him. To which I sent several letters to you Lord Rhinestone, requesting you to talk to your son. All were ignored and nothing came of it.”
Rhinestone simply looked away.
“Your son has not participated in any school activities since he came here. Nor has he even put effort into any of his classes outside my magic course. So tell me Lord Rhinestone, why did you send your son to my School of Friendship, if not to learn about friendship?” Twilight demanded.
The Lord simply turned his head, his expression one that portrayed his arrogance and lack of interest in the conversation.
“Very well then. I had hoped that you would simply tell us, but now you’ve forced my hoof. Spike, the letter please.” Twilight said, looking at her dragon assistant.
Spike quickly pulled out a letter, allowing Twilight to take it up in her magic, unrolling it in front of her.
“This is a letter from Princess Celestia, detailing your son’s attempt to enter her School of Gifted Unicorns in Canterlot. According to her, your son passed the entrance exam but was soon disqualified.” Twilight said.
“How in Equestria can that happen?” Applejack asked.
Twilight answered immediately, “By tampering with the results of the test to give himself the highest score. Had he not done this, he would have passed. But he only had the 5th highest score. So tell us Tourmaline, why did you do this?”
Tourmaline glared at the Princess, but hung his head when his father cleared his throat.
“Princess Twilight, I don’t see what this has to do with our current situation. I do not appreciate you bringing up my son’s past failures in front of all these ponies.” Rhinestone said, his tone haughty.
“I did not want it to come to this Lord Rhinestone, but if you will not acknowledge the fact that your son has an unhealthy obsession with being top of his class, and a lack of respect for his fellow students, I will force it.” Twilight said.
“He has been racking up tardies, absences and complaints since he got here. The incident in the forest was the last straw.” Rainbow Dash said loudly.
“I agree. This ain’t a magic school, it’s a friendship school. If he doesn’t want to learn friendship, then he doesn’t deserve to be here.” Applejack said.
“We built this school so everyone could make friends, even if they had a hard time doing so. But he has shown he doesn’t care about friendship.” Fluttershy said.
“Yeah, he is a bully. We’ve had students who want to quit because of him.” Pinkie said.
Rarity turned her head, “I would think a noble’s son would know better.”
That got Rhinestone to look her way with a glare, making the mare flinch back.
Twilight immediately drew his attention to herself, “Lord Rhinestone, it is clear to all of us that your son has no interest in friendship. While I had hoped to talk about working with him to fix things, I now realize that it would do no good.”
She cleared her throat, “I will not press charges against Tourmaline, as he is a colt. But due to his actions, he is expelled from the School of Friendship.”
Rhinestone shot a glare at the Princess, but quickly composed himself and cleared his throat.
“I didn’t think I’d ever hear the Princess of Friendship give up on a student.” He said, smirking.
Twilight was unfazed, glaring daggers at the stallion.
“You will be allowed one day to collect Touramaline’s belongings from his dorm. After that, you and your son will not be welcome here again. I hope that you can help your son to be a better pony in the future. Now I ask you to leave.” She said sternly.
Rhinestone was shocked, but once again composed himself.
“Very well then. Come along son, Tally. We shall take our leave.” Rhinestone said.
Tourmaline followed his father and the lawyer to the door, but before he moved through it, he turned to look at the Princess over his shoulder.
“Word of advice Princess. Do not make an enemy of the Rhinestone Family.” He said darkly.
Before Twilight could retaliate, Rhinestone closed the door to the throne room.
Everyone inside the room was speechless at what just happened. And while they had gotten the result they wanted, why didn’t it feel like a victory?