Sparkler, Light and Dark came in for a landing in front of the courthouse in Maretime Bay. They were there for one reason. Copperbottom’s trial. “Hopefully this won’t take long.” Light commented.
“I hope we never have to deal with that hag again.” Dark said.
“Don’t worry. In…” Sparkler checked her synchronized watch. “3 days 12 hours, she’ll never be able to find you ever again.” She assured them.
“Do you think Twilight will say yes?” Light asked.
“I’m not sure sweetie. But she’ll definitely hear me out.” Sparkler said. “So all the cards will be on the table before she makes a decision.”
“Ok.” Dark responded.
“Morning Sparkler!” Sparkler saw Foxtrot trot up to them smiling.
“Morning Foxtrot, where’s everypony else?” Sparkler asked.
“At work. Only one of us is needed to represent the Medley Deli in this.” Foxtrot explained. He smiled at Light and Dark. “You two alright?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Light said.
“We just want this over as soon as possible.” Dark said.
“Don’t worry. The amount of evidence against Copperbottom, she’ll surely be convicted.” Foxtrot said. “Now, I gotta find Case Cracker.” He said as he walked away.
When Foxtrot Sparkler and her two batpony charges went to go inside the courthouse, until another pony called out. “Excuse me! Pony with Horn and Wings. Got a minute?”
Sparkler turned and saw a Pegasus in armor. She glanced around, making sure Haven wasn’t there. The Pegasus approached. “Do not worry. The now former Queen is currently sitting in a jail cell in Zephyr Heights.” He said.
Sparkler’s eyes widened. “She’s been deposed?” She asked.
“Zephyr Heights did NOT like what she did yesterday.” The Pegasus said.
“Serves her right.” Dark said.
“Yeah.” Light said.
The Pegasus nodded. “I just thought I’d come over and introduce myself. And inform you that should you ever come back to zephyr heights, give me a call.” He said.
Sparkler smiled and nodded. “Thank you…”
“Magnus Sentry.” The Pegasus introduced himself. “I believe you know my ancestor Flash Sentry Ms. Medley.”
Sparkler gasped. “You…” She blinked.
“Direct descendant.” Magnus responded. “Proud history of Royal defense…though apparently I ended up with the WORST Royal figure ever.”
“Can’t argue with you there.” Sparkler responded. “What’re you doing here in Maretime Bay?” She asked.
“I was asked to come witness the trial representing Zephyr Heights. Light and Dark are an offshoot of pegasi after all.” Magnus responded.
“They didn’t like hearing one of their own was attacked.” Sparkler deduced.
“Nope.” Magnus responded with a chuckle.
Light, Dark, and Sparkler chuckled as well. “Well, we better get in there.” Sparkler said. The four of them entered the courthouse.
Soon, Sparkler, Foxtrot, Light and Dark sat behind a table in front of spectators. Copperbottom and her own attorney sat behind the other table, and Sparkler could tell that Copperbottom was only holding back from attacking because her attorney probably told her NOT to. Just try something you sorry excuse for an egg donor. Give me an excuse to do some REAL damage. Sparkler kept thinking. She almost WANTED Copperbottom to try something just so she could put her in the hospital in self defense. How ANY mother could possibly do such a thing is WELL beyond me.
“All rise for the honorable Judge Law Firm!” Said a court attendant.
Everypony saw the judge take his seat. “Good morning everypony, this court is now in session.” Everypony sat down. “Today is the case of Copperbottom VS The Medley Deli and Sparkling Medley. Copperbottom alleges that Sparkling Medley foalnapped Light wing and Dark wing and then prevented her from taking them back. And the Medley Deli collaborated with her to ban Copperbottom. Is that correct?” He asked.
“Yes your honor.” Copperbottom’s attorney said.
“And in turn, the Medley Deli is countersuing seeking damages for Destruction of property and abuse of an employee by Copperbottom and coupled with that, they are also alleging that Copperbottom gave up her rights to Light Wing and Dark Wing by abandonment, and then attempted to murder them.” Law Firm said.
“That is correct your honor.” Case Cracker responded.
“Well then this should be an interesting trial. Ms. Copperbottom, if you will please take the stand and present your case?” Law firm asked.
Copperbottom sneered at Sparkler before taking the stand. Sparkler could already see what was coming and braced herself for the lies.
The lies did not disappoint. Copperbottom essentially said that Sparkler took Light and Dark away from her when they were in Crystal Cove, and then when she found them at the Medley Deli, she attempted to get them back, only to be banned by staff to prevent her from recovering her kids. Oh, and to make it even better? Copperbottom provided no evidence to back her claims. Probably thinking her word was enough. Oh is her defense gonna break down on the spot. Sparkler thought.
Light and Dark, as they were listening to Copperbottom’s lies, were absolutely resisting the urge to scratch her with their newfound claws. To do SOMETHING to her for all the lies she was spewing, and for everything else she did to them. I don’t care what the courts say, there is NO WAY in Tartarus we are EVER going back to that hag. Light thought. He and Dark already talked about it and if the courts, for some ungodly reason, sided with Copperbottom, they’d just pull the disappearing act. They’d rather live on the lam than go to a mare who very clearly expressed her distaste for them.
After about a half hour of nonsense and Copperbottom faking a sobfest, she returned to her table with her attorney. Law Firm nodded. “Thank you Ms. Copperbottom.” He said. “Sparkling Medley, you may now take the stand.” He said.
Sparkler nodded and took the stand. Case Cracker followed her. “Ahem. Now, Ms, Medley. If you will please share your side of the story? From the time you found Light and Dark?” He asked.
“Gladly.” Sparkler responded. “It all started when my son first discovered Light and Dark in an alleyway in Crystal Cove, being put down because of their appearance.” She said.
“So you DID find them in Crystal Cove.” Case Cracker said.
“Yes. However I have never met Ms. Copperbottom in my life until I encountered her in the Medley Deli—“
“LIES!” Copperbottom screamed and slammed her hoof on the table. “You know full well I was RIGHT there you old hag!”
“Ms. Copperbottom! Control yourself!” Her attorney hissed.
“I agree with that suggestion.” Law Firm responded. “Ms. Copperbottom, you will control yourself or I WILL hold you in contempt of court!” He said.
Copperbottom grumbled and sat back down. Sparkler continued. “An officer from Crystal Cove brought me and Light and Dark to the orphanage where they lived and it was decided that I would become their foster—“
“They were not in an orphanage! They were with me!” Copperbottom interrupted Sparkler again. “She’s spewing out lies and nonsense and everypony here knows it!” She growled.
“Ms. Copperbottom! This is your second strike. One more and I will be forced to hold you in contempt of court!” Law Firm warned. “I suggest you heed this warning!”
When Copperbottom again sat back down, Sparkler continued. “My first interaction with Copperbottom was two weeks ago when she was a patron at the Medley Deli, I was her table’s waitress.” She said.
“A bad one too.” Everypony heard Copperbottom say under her breath.
“That is beside the point.” Sparkler responded to that. “It does not matter if I was a bad server or not, what matters is what happened when I seated my family at the table that we reserved for them. It was a large party so we had to seat them at our largest table. Ms. Copperbottom had been badgering me to move her party to the larger table even though I repeatedly told her I couldn’t. That it was already reserved. Copperbottom then decided to begin harassing the patrons at the larger table, which included my foster children Light and Dark.” She said.
“Harassing?” Case Cracker asked.
“I did not hear the beginning but by the looks of it she had gone over there to demand they give her the larger table. But what I DID hear was her berating Light and Dark for how they look.” Sparkler responded. “I walked over to get her to stop and that’s when she confessed to me that Light and Dark were her biological kids that she very much intentionally abandoned. It very quickly escalated to the point where she magically grabbed every sharp utensil she could and sent them flying towards Light and Dark, with the obvious intention of ending their lives.” Sparkler said. “Fortunately their deaths were prevented and from what I was told, Copperbottom went crazy and trashed the restaurant, forcing it to shut down for repairs.” Sparkler concluded. “That’s where the story ends. I only met Copperbottom on that day in the restaurant and I do in fact have legal guardianship over Light and Dark as a foster parent.” She said.
“Thank you Ms, Medley.” Law Firm said before dismissing her.
Case Cracker called Foxtrot to the stand while Sparkler returned to her seat. Light and Dark clung to her and she wrapped her wings around them protectively. Foxtrot went on to explain what happened the day of the incident at the restaurant and it lined up with what Sparkler had said. Copperbottom didn’t interrupt him but did make snide remarks here and there.
After Foxtrot, Case Cracker then called up Somepony who identified themselves as the officer that facilitated the transfer of Light and Dark to foster care. He confirmed that Sparkler did indeed hold the proper paperwork to foster Light and Dark. Only serving to further disprove Copperbottom’s claims. Finally, after the officer went back to his seat, Case Cracker addressed the court. “I would now like to share with this court a digital record of the incident as caught on CCTV cameras and the recording devices The Medley Deli employs in its name tags for this exact purpose. I would like it noted that the audio from the recording devices and the video recordings have been combined to ensure zero question as to who said what when.” He stated.
“Objection! Would that not constitute tampering with evidence?” Copperbottom’s attorney asked.
“This combined recording was hoofed over to officials after the combining. Therefore this is its original form.” Case Cracked countered.
“Play the recording.” Law Firm responded.
Case Cracker nodded and played the footage. With the mic recordings attached, it revealed everything Copperbottom said and did. And the most horrifying thing was that it clearly showed that Copperbottom showed no remorse for her actions.
The recording soon ended and the room was silent. Case Cracker spoke up. “As you saw, there was a clear attempt to end lives that day.” He said.
“Yes. It does very well appear to be the case.” Law Firm responded. “Ms. Copperbottom, the evidence presented goes very much against your testimony. And given that you have failed to provide evidence in your favor, I have no other options but to rule in favor of—“
“Isn’t my word enough?!” Copperbottom interrupted him. “Your honor, I am their biological mother! I should be allowed to take them back from that foalnapper!” She growled.
“Ms. Copperbottom. You have surrendered your rights to the two boys by intentionally abandoning them. And what’s more, we just witnessed you very intentionally try to MURDER them. I am sorry but even if you never abandoned them, I cannot in good conscience allow them to go with a pony as prone to anger as you. This court rules in favor of the Medley Deli and Sparkling Medley. Ms. Copperbottom is hereby ordered to have no contact with the children, and is ordered to pay 50,000 bits in damages to the Medley Deli. Furthermore, there will be a jury trial for the criminal actions of Ms, Copperbottom.” He slammed his gavel, making it official.
Light and Dark smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. It was now by court order that their Egg Donor permanently lost them.
Copperbottom meanwhile growled at that. “Objection! You cannot split up a family!” She growled as she whipped her head to stare daggers at the three. “You. You did this!” She growled as she charged right for Sparkler and the kids.
Sparkler lit her horn and captured Copperbottom in her magic, preventing her from ever coming near them. She held Copperbottom until Hitch and Apple Brittle, who were waiting in the back of the room, could tackle and restrain her. Law Firm slammed his gavel for order. “Order! The charge of Contempt of court is now applied. Ms Copperbottom, you should be ashamed of yourself.” He told her.
Copperbottom fought to keep from being cuffed. “No! Those are MY kids! They’re coming with me!” She growled.
“They are not your kids anymore.” Law Firm responded simply as Copperbottom was dragged away.
With that out of the way, the courtroom started clearing out and Sparkler breathed a sigh of relief. And that’s that. She said.
“Ms Medley. May I talk to you for a moment?” Judge Law Firm asked.
Sparkler blinked before nodding, what did the judge have to talk to her about.
Judge Law Firm walked out from behind the stand and nudged his head to gesture her over to the corner. Sparkler followed him. “Is there something you need from me?” Sparkler asked.
“I understand that you do not have long before you return to your proper place in time.” Law Firm said.
Sparkler’s jaw dropped. She was NOT expecting that. “I—I don’t.”
“Sparkler. Most of Equestria may have forgotten about the old world. But there are those of us that have heard the stories. I am well aware of the fact that you were flung to this time by accident.” Law Firm responded.
Sparkler blinked. What Law Firm said made sense. “Please don’t tell anypony!” She hissed at him.
“My lips are sealed. I just wanted to inform you that if you wish to take Light and Dark back with you, you’re gonna need to fill out some paperwork. Otherwise Light and Dark are technically still registered with our foster system.” Law Firm informed her.
Sparkler blinked before it dawned on her that Law Firm had a point. “What do I need to do?” She asked.
“Only one way to get Light and Dark out of the system.” Law Firm said.
Sparkler’s mind came up with what Law Firm was talking about. “Adoption.” She said.
Law Firm nodded. “You and your lover are of course free to put them back up for adoption in your time. But unless you adopt them here in the present, there’s gonna be legal Tartarus to pay when Foster Care decides to drop in.” He said.
Sparkler glanced back at Light and Dark, before nodding. “They’ll have to agree won’t they.” She said.
“Some things never change.” Law Firm responded.
Sparkler took a deep breath and nodded. She went to get Light and Dark, and within the hour, Light Wing and Dark Wing were legally her adopted children. On their way home, Sparkler glanced at Light and Dark.
“You two do understand why this has happened?” She asked.
“It’s the only way Foster Care will take us out of their system.”
“Allowing you the legal ability to take us back with you.” Light and Dark responded.
“Yes. I still need to talk to Twilight.” Sparkler said.
“Sure.” Light said.
“But Uhm, we’re gonna just enjoy this as much as we possibly can…official mom.” Dark responded with a chuckle.
Sparkler chuckled and wrapped them up in her wings. “Enjoy it while you can.” She said.
To be continued…