//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: OBJECTION! - The Hero's Return // Story: My Little Pony: Clash of Dragons // by RobtheMorpherPony //------------------------------// The Main six, the CMC, Spike, Society Ember, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Rumble, Spyro, and Cynder were with the royal sisters. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN NONE OF US CAN DEFEND HER?!" Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs in the Canterlot royal voice. "It is as I said. The high court has made it clear that none of those gathered here are allowed to defend the former dragon lord." Celestia said. "What even is this high court stuff anyways? This certainly did NOT exist last I checked." Cynder said. "There were a group of ponies who believed not everything I did was for the best. And I almost lost my right to rule over ponies because of this group. However, a middle ground was reached: A group of five ponies would be elected and at any time, could override my authority just to make sure I would never abuse my power as a ruler of Equestria." Celestia explained. "And unfortunately for me, this was one of those times." She added. "But who is that guy whose prosecuting Blue Ember? I don't recognize him." Spyro said. "His name is Chancellor Neighsay. Up until the former dragon lord's challenge against Cynder, he has tried desperately to banish all non-ponies from equestria's boarders forever." Celestia said. "But he has always been shut down by the high court. That is, until that moment." She added. "...Smolder's release papers..." Twilight realized. "He's using that of all things as proof that all non-ponies should be banished from Equestria's borders." She added. "And if that former dragon lord gets found guilty, that's exactly what will happen." Luna said. "But if you ask me, I believe that Chancellor Neighsay has found a way to rig this in his favor." She added. "What do you mean sister?" Celestia asked. "Let's face it: Outside of those here, who on earth would make sure that Ember would be found not guilty just so none of the Society can be banished from Equestria forever? Because I wouldn't put it past Chancellor Neighsay would easily bribe any lawyer from Equestria into losing on purpose." Luna said. Twilight's eyes went wide. "That bastard. He's got covered every possible angle. Is there really nothing we can do?" She asked. "Twilight darling, language! The foals are in the room." Rarity said. "Sad as it is to say, I don't think there's anything we can do. The only way we can beat this is if a miracle occurs." Celestia said. The doors suddenly opened. "It's a good thing I like making miracles then, huh?" A male voice said. "! No way..." Rainbow Dash said. It was Rob. "Rob, how did you find out about this?" The wonderbolt asked. Spitfire followed suit. "I may have had an inclinling this would happen. And I figured there was no better 'un-biased third party' then Rob Snowden himself. Thankfully, I had a little help. That Dr. Krono guy never really left." Spitfire said. "And he's not going to be the only one on that former dragon's side that I've brought alongside me." Rob said. "...The defendant; while not having a degree; has a fair point, Chancellor Neighsay." The high court's main speaker said. "How do we know that you haven't paid off every single possible lawyer in Equestria just so they would lose on purpose." She added. "Hmph. So, what if I do? What does that change? We can't have a trail without her having a lawyer. And if the high court drops the charges labeled against the defendant, then the ponies of Equestria better start thinking about the next High Court election." Chancellor Neighsay said. "After all, not having a proper trail so we can get these charges straightened out properly would reflect badly on the current members of the high court." He said. There were many ponies in the gallery that were in agreement. "ORDER! ORDER!" The speaker said. Great. He's backed the high court into a corner. Either a proper trial takes place, and these charges are addressed in the here and now; or the charges are dropped, and after the elections later this year, the charges are brought up again with the exact same circumstances as this time, only that high court would learn and pretty much throw the book at me. Chancellor Neighsay has every angle covered. The bastard. He's basically assured his victory no matter what. Blue Ember thought to herself. "It seems then that this court has no choice. Either a proper lawyer who can't be bought comes forward and defends Blue Ember, or we will have to find the defendant guilty of all charges in leu of a proper defense attourney." The speaker said. "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! If you did that, then that would just lead you into the same situation." Blue Ember said. "Oh, but I would be getting what I want in the end either way. Face it, you can't win dragon; even if a lawyer who can't be bought by me were to come forward, I would still win against them." Chancellor Neighsay said. "My case is solid. There's no hope for you." He added. "OBJECTION!" Suddenly Rob entered the courtroom, followed by four beings. The Main Six, the royal sisters, the four dragons, and the foals all were seated in the gallery now. "There's Dr. Krono." Twilight recognized the tiny devil-isk creature immediately. "And that white alicorn stallion is that Creator I told you about. He's chummy with Princess Celestia." Rainbow Dash said. "But what's with the purple flying pig thing?" Spitfire asked. "Hey, I recognize that Tsukaimon. That's Tex." Scootaloo said. "What's a Tsukaimon?" Rainbow Dash asked. "We'll tell you after the trial." Diamond Tiara said. "...Where exactly did you go, Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich asked. "Well if you know him, he has to be a good...whatever he is." Twilight said. "But my main concern is that giant walking statue." She added. "It reminds me of the human world." The purple alicorn said. "You mean where Sunset Shimmer is?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yes. That." Twilight said. "Chancellor Neighsay, your policy is unethical and not at all how the country of Equestria should be upheld to. The fabric of this country is changing. So, you better change with it, or you risk Equestria becoming so dependent on itself, that you ruin the very foundation of the nation you live in to begin with." Rob said. He produced an Attorny's badge. "...Which is why I am here to take down your policy of discriminating non-ponies once and for all." He added.