Utopia

Ambrosia's cell had become well known to her. Very well known. The same nicks and scrapes in the stone floor, the same old scratchy floral bedsheets, probably picked out by some old crotchety mare who didn't care for thread count. Same old meals, day after day. Although sometimes it was a little better. Sky Graphic had managed to send her down a meal that was different at least twice a week, and it had made this a little more bearable.

She was still seething over Bubbles' betrayal. At first, she was almost inarticulate because of it, first from sorrow, then from rage. She took to swearing and damning the young pegasus she'd taken in under her breath for hours at a time, inventing new swear words whenever she felt so inclined. It was a filthy past time, and one not fit for a lady, but one she did anyway. It helped her harden her heart towards her adoptive daughter. She'd thrown her lot in with Gild, and she'd never forgive her for it.

But, over time, that rage waned, and she slowly began to despair. She never got any visits from anypony outside, and was convinced Gild had left her to rot down here. He had had the decency at least to release her girls at least, save for young Golden Thread, who was the only visitor she did get. Ambrosia remembered when Thread had been leaving, she'd told Ambrosia that she was being released, and her records cleared. She could work hard, become a model again if she wanted.

Ambrosia had told her to go for it, and follow the dream.

Thread had asked about Ambrosia's, and then left.

Zukra and Zubari had forsaken her. Her budding Guild of Thieves had forsaken her. Her Girls had forsaken her. And worse, Bubbles had forsaken her. This was when the Despair gave way to grief, and grief to contemplation. Her bitterness never faded, but she began to think. And think hard. And, when she considered her actions over the past year or so, she couldn't blame Bubbles for leaving, or betraying her. She'd grown cold, and had spoken low about her people. Dropping them like that... like they were nothing? That was low, even for her. Worse, accusing Bubbles of betrayal, when all she'd done is voice her opinion on how Ambrosia had changed. She began to hate herself, and began to eat less. She was thinner now, and she hated that too.

Then, she got a visit from Sky Graphic. He looked tired, ragged. She didn't hear him, at first, but the sound of the door opening and the hushed whisper of 'five minutes, or it's your ass!' tipped her off, and she turned from the barred window. Graphic was in his armour, without his helmet or spear, looking reproachful.

"I'm sorry it took me so long," He apologised quietly, "I've been bogged down with work... Princess' have me running errands and messages from here to halfway to Hammer Rock."

Ambrosia didn't speak, at first. She just walked over to him, slowly (And rather guiltily enjoying the look of fear on his face as she did so) and, after a moment's regard, nuzzled up under his chin, and pressed herself against him firmly.

"It's okay..." She mumbled sadly, "Nopony's found time to visit me. I'm sure Gild's seen to that."

Sky paused, then sighed.

"It's getting to you, isn't it?" he asked, "The walls, the cage. The food."

"The worst thing, honestly, is the bedsheets," She replied blandly, "Whoever picked them out has horrible choices in linen."

Sky laughed, honestly laughed, and Ambrosia was heartened at the way it took the stress and age away from his face. He nuzzled her affectionately, "I did miss your wit," He admitted, "And I'll be sure to tell the Princess that."

"Good, she can hire a new linen picker then," Ambrosia giggled. Sky snorted.

"Not likely," He replied, "She picked them herself."

Ambrosia paused, then shuddered.

"Oh my... I'd hate to sleep on her bed."

Sky laughed again, and for a few minutes, life seemed bearable again. But it wasn't to last.

"Amber," He said softly, "About the trial..."

She sighed, "Oh, you had to ruin your visit with talking about the wretched thing, didn't you dear?"

Sky flinched, but swallowed his indignant reply, and continued, "It's soon. Amber, do you have a defence? An attorney perhaps? There's a good one the guard know well, used to work here in Canterlot. He lives down in Ponyville now but, if I send him a letter-"

"No decent defence attorney would take my case willingly Sky," Ambrosia's morose voice interrupted, "It's fairly cut and dry. I'm pleading guilty to the drug charges, claiming they were my little collection. An amount of illicit and non-illicit drugs, including anything from hallucinogens to Aphrodisiacs, available in the case that my Star faced crippling debt, and I'm forced to sell them to keep it running. To save my girls from the street."

She smiled sadly, and looked out the barred window, drawing Sky to look out as well, "No... No defence attorney in their right mind would allow such a straining of the truth. I will defend myself my dear, and whilst I know I will go away for some time, I'm hoping that, for the good of the girls, I can have the star remanded into the custody of somepony I think I can trust with their safety and livelihood. Princess Luna, Perhaps. It's rumoured she has a soft spot for the poor and outcast."

"Down in her Garden of Shadows?" Sky laughed softly, "I've heard the song. It's a lullaby for foals, nothing more."

"Sung by the lady of the night herself," Ambrosia corrected gently, "Worry not. I may take the fall, but I won't drag you, or my girls, down here with me. That, I can promise you."

~*~

Bubbles would be lying, if she said she was looking forward to returning to Gild's home. And it's not like she could avoid it either. The medicine, according to the note she'd received, had to be administered daily for a week at least, maybe longer. If it even worked. For all she knew, Bubbles could have killed him. If she had, she'd have some very stern words with Zubari, that much was certain.

As it was, standing at the threshold of the manor house, hesitating before the door, Bubbles did admittedly entertain the thought of running away. Perhaps not the best idea, but it might save her being hanged for treason, right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Regardless, it was too soon for her liking when she arrived at his less than humble home, and she swallowed her panic, or tried to. it didn't work too well.

Well, you're already here...

She pushed the door open and crept her way inside. It wasn't her normal mode of transportation, creeping, but it seemed a bit appropriate given the circumstances. She was noticed by a few of the servants as she skirted through the halls to Gild's room, but if they had any questions, they didn't voice them, although she was sure she could feel some rather nasty looks following her rump as she went, burning into the back of her head and neck. Arriving at the doorway, she wasn't surprised in the slightest to see it wreathed in blue light, the unicorn guardsman, Arc she remembered his name as, casting some form of magic over it. On the opposite side of the exhausted looking unicorn, Velveteen stood at attention, wing blades clasped solidly over her beautiful wings, giving her a fearsome warrior princess-esque look. Bubbles fought down another wave of irrational jealousy.

"Guardsponies," She said tiredly. Arc started, the field flickering for a moment, before standing up straighter. Velveteen merely turned to face Bubbles.

"Ma'am," She said shortly, Arc swallowing and adding his own greeting afterwards in a small voice. Bubbles smiled at both of them.

"I want to thank you for doing this," Bubbles told them, trying to keep the nerves from her voice, "You've both gone above and beyond the call of duty."

Arc swallowed, and spoke. His voice was hoarse, tired, "It's my pleasure. The food was excellent as well."

Velveteen's face barely twitched, but after a moment, "Permission to speak freely, Ma'am?"

Bubbles felt her heart fall, and she nodded in response. Velveteen took her helmet off, shook her mane free, and sat down, turning he fierce gaze upon Bubbles.

"I'm not sure one unicorn will be enough to hold the captain should he require more days off," She said bluntly, "Arc is one of our best, and he's struggling by himself. I would suggest a shift change, or swapping me out for another unicorn."

Arc flushed, and suddenly was very interested in the wall. Bubbles though relished the wave of relief.

"I will consider a lunch break," She replied, "One hour, where Butler takes over guard duty. Will that be acceptable? I don't want anyone knowing of Gild's weakness that doesn't need to."

Velveteen looked a bit sceptical, but nodded her assent. Bubbles smiled.

"In that case, you're both dismissed. I'll let you know if we need your help tomorrow. Thank you both for your trust, and your time."

"Thank you for the extra pay," Arc laughed, letting his magic field fade, "It's welcome, and a bit needed."

"With all due respect sir," Velveteen replied acidly, "Perhaps less money spent on books would see you live with more food."

Arc flinched, but didn't reply. Bubble's eyes narrowed.

"I don't suppose the pair of you are a couple, are you?" She asked slowly. Arc's eyes shot open wide, and he shook his head emphatically. Velveteen looked as though Bubbles had just slapped her.

"N-no Ma'am!" Arc told her emphatically, "There's no fraternization between the guards, it's a rule that's been in place and enforced for almost three centuries!"

"Besides," Velveteen grumbled, "He has his heart set elsewhere. Like his books."

Bubbles, rather astonished, watched the pair left. Arc definitely didn't seem to be terribly capable of standing up for himself. How he became a Guard First Class was beyond her. Whereas Velveteen was walking all over him.

Strange. Shouldn't she be in his position?

Shaking her head, Bubbles reminded herself that that didn't matter at this point, although she'd bring up the possibility of investigating the pair of them later, and talk to him about the rules concerning fraternization between the guards. Didn't seem fair to her. But that would all come after she opened this door, and confronted the horror that was going to be Gild's wrath.

Unsurprisingly, Gild was wide awake, and sitting at his desk. His brow and mane were sweat soaked. Even the feathers of his unbandaged wing was soaked, the feathers bedraggled. He looked up slowly as Bubbles entered the room nervously.

"Bubbles," he said slowly, painfully. Bubbles winced.

"Gild..." She replied guiltily.

"You locked me in my room, and somehow convinced Butler to keep me in here, and then posted two of my own guards to my door to keep me in, one of them a unicorn. Clever. I could expect nothing less from Ambrosia's daughter."

Another wince from Bubbles, and she looked at her hooves, shame faced. But she didn't speak.

"Before I have you violently ejected from my home," He continued, "Care to tell me what manner of horrible poison you tried to kill me with?"

"It... wasn't a poison," She mumbled. Gild narrowed his eyes.

"Speak up," He commanded angrily, "I want to hear your guilt."

"It wasn't poison," She repeated, a little louder this time, falling on her haunches and still looking resolutely at her hooves, "It wasn't poison at all. It wasn't even dangerous."

"It burned my flesh from the inside out!" Gild yelled suddenly, angrily, "I was in agony for hours! All day, all I could feel was horrifying pain, the likes of which you could never begin to comprehend!"

"It was an ointment!" She cried, tears flowing down her face as she looked at him, "It's... It was meant to help your wing, to stop it spreading, maybe even help it recover! I didn't know how much it was going to hurt, you have to believe me!"

"There is no cure!" Gild roared back, leaping over his desk (Keep note, this isn't the desk in his study, which was quite a bit heavier and larger) and advancing on Bubbles, "You think I didn't look? You think I never searched? It doesn't exist! "

"But it could!" She insisted, teary eyed still, "It could be made! I called in a few favours, begged and paid through my nostrils, everything I had, to get the jar of this ointment! I wanted you to be better! I don't want..."

She fell silent, and Gild still seethed with rage.

"What Wench?" He demanded angrily, "Don't want what!?"

"I don't want you to die," She choked out, and the wind was knocked right out of his sails, "I don't want the stallion I love, the first I've ever really loved, to die because of a deed he should have been rewarded for. If that means paying for your medicine with my life, I'll do it. And I made Butler help me... Please don't punish him. I... I never wanted to hurt you... but the poison is fire, and... I didn't know how bad it'd be."

Gild's rage had fled, leaving him empty, and feeling utterly, utterly horrid. This pit of despair lent way to guilty horror, and then affection as he sniffed, stepped forward and hugged Bubbles gently. Bubbles didn't complain, sobbing into his shoulder uncontrollably as he, quietly, apologised over and over again, promising her he'd never get that angry again. Not at her, and kissing her neck every so often as a gentle touch of loving attention to help her along. He'd made her cry once.

He'd never do so again.

~*~

Two week of agony later, and Gild was back at work, just in time for the trial, the next day. Bubbles at his side as he looked over the work she'd done over the past fortnight. The guard rostering was identical to what he'd done, because she wasn't confident enough to do so herself. Nothing bad seemed to have happened though, and the few complications she had been forced to deal with seemed to have worked out quite well.

"It appears that you've kept my guards well in hand," Gild congratulated Bubbles warmly, "Well done. It looks like I'm lucky, that I decided to hire you huh?"

"I tried my best, that's all I can say sir," She replied formally. She was at work after all, and her relationship with Gild had to be downplayed in the work environment. Technically, she wasn't a guard, which meant that technically she could very well date Gild without repercussion. But for the sake of professionalism and such, they'd decided that they'd keep their love life out of work environments.

"Your best is adequate enough," He admitted, "Given a little training and time, you'd make quite a warrant officer, or captain in fact."

Red faced, Bubbles accepted the praise silently. Gild still had the bandage around his wing, and the ointment was still on his wing, but he had insisted it no longer hurt enough to constitute not returning to work. After his praise, the pair of them returned to work as usual, with Bubbles sitting at her cheap desk in the corner of his office. Hours passed, and the silence between the pair got oppressive as the next day's consequences, or potential ones, started weighing on both of their minds.

"... I won't be holding any facts we've dug up back Bubbles," Gild said quietly after turning down a request for a raise from one of his guards, "I know you still care for her, and I know you don't want to see her in prison but..."

"She's brought this on herself," Bubbles replied shortly, "I don't agree with your methods perhaps, but I don't think she deserves too much leniency. That said, I do want to talk to you about that. Later, at home. Away from prying ears. It's... It's important."

"I hope it's not to make me be nice," He mumbled to himself, "She's a criminal."

"We'll see," Bubbles' acidic reply made him look up at her in surprise, "When we get home."

Gild frowned, but didn't argue with her. Some things just weren't worth arguing over.

~*~

SIX HOURS BEFORE TRIAL

Ambrosia watched the goings on outside her cell with passive interest. The morning was just broaching, and the faint movements of life, save for the intoxicated or still partying, were stirring. She could see the odd lights turning on in the streets, a few doors opening quietly and closing just as quietly as stallions and mares went to start their early, and no doubt essential, jobs. She even watched in mild amusement as a stallion kissed his wife goodbye, and then turned the corner into the forelegs of another mare. That'd be an interesting conversation to have when she found out.

All the while, she considered her position. What she would do when the time came. The Trial was only a few hours away. She had no concept of time in this place. Minutes blurred into hours, into days, into weeks. Well, that's how it felt anyway. With a sneer, she took note of a guard scolding a starving looking pony in the entrance to an alleyway.

"Heartless fool," She muttered to herself. And he was. She'd seen him do this several times, and it had disgusted her each time. Despite this, she'd never seen the Night Guard do so. In fact, she hadn't seen the Night Guard do anything foolish or selfish. Perhaps it was because they were new to the game. Perhaps Luna was sterner with their actions' consequences. Perhaps they were just better ponies. Amber didn't really know. Not that it mattered. She knew, as a point of fact, she was being judged under the watchful eye of Princess Celestia, and not her sister.

~*~

The courtroom was immaculate. But that didn't mean it was pretty. The seat in the middle of the room could swivel, so the accused could see the pony talking to them at any given time from any given position in the room. Around said chair was a desk, save for the back of the chair, which was open so one could enter the chair. All around the centre was a crowd of seats. The Jury's seating. It was here the multitude of ponies deemed 'of peer' to the accused would be seated to assist in judgement of the accused.

Bubbles hated it all. Most of all, she hated the dais at the front of the room, hated the chair that sat above them all, complete with mahogany desk to match the plush monstrosity. This was Celestia's chair. The chair of the judge. Beside her would sit the official archivist, who would record the entire ordeal on the typewriter situated on the desk. On the other side was where the Evidence keeper, normally a junior archivist, would seat themselves, with all the evidence under their hooves. This time, however, Gild had decided to be that pony, to prevent the possible tampering with of evidence. He didn't want his case ruined, even after Bubble's had a chat to him at home. A talk that would remain behind closed doors.

It was also the reason she couldn't sleep, and had found herself here.

As an official member of staff, Bubbles was given clearance to most of the castle. The fact that she was, essentially, Gild's second hoof ensured she was also treated with the utmost respect. She'd come far in the short time since she'd turned her surrogate mother in to face her fate. Started to enact her plan, as it were.

She hadn't realised how stressful this whole situation would be. She knew it'd be hard, knew things might not turn out how she wanted them to. But maybe, if she could just figure the last part of this out...

"Most ponies prefer not to linger in this place," Came a quite voice behind her, making her jump and spin around. Princess Luna, the Dark Princess of Night, stood in the doorway, looking around the abnormally golden room, "Tis a face of Justice, and fear. What brings thee here, little Skyborn one?"

Bubbles sank instantly into a bow, her knees shaking. She'd just been greeted by royalty.

"I-I-I," She stammered hopelessly, "I-I was just..."

The clip-clop of metal shod shoes silenced her again, but the gentle touch of said hoof on her shoulder made her stop, though whether in fear or in ease, Bubbles was unsure.

"Relax thyself," Luna spoke again, "Thy reasons art thou own, We would not presume to force thee to speak upon that which brings such sorrow to thy guise. Rise, and seat thee at mine side."

Bubbles swallowed heavily, and straightened up, looking fearfully at the princess and... You know, she's not so scary. She had a kind smile on her face, one that spoke of understanding. With another gulp, Bubbles straightened fully and, slowly, turned and seated herself beside the Lunar Princess, much to Luna's delight.

"Thou art the first to do thusly," Luna told her brightly, "We thank thee. Thy respect is most appreciated."

"One would think ponies would rush to do as you ask my Princess," Bubbles replied slightly nervously, "To please royalty, perhaps to get in your good graces."

"Nay," She responded, looking languidly around the room again, "Many insist their company doth not suit those of my sister or I's status. Tis unfortunate indeed that I doth find it difficult to refute them after such fawning."

Bubbles smiled a little and looked at the floor, kicking a hoof.

"I understand. Being treated like you're above the reach of anypony else..."

"Others react with fear," Luna continued as Bubbles paused, "And seek retreat, afraid I will punish them simply for being within mine presence, like I still channel the dark spirit that once controlled me."

"They are fools," Bubbles replied darkly, "To judge you for things beyond your control, and a millenia past."

"Thy words comfort me skyborn, pray tell, what is thy name?"

"Bubbles," Bubbles replied, "Daughter of Ambrosia, personal assistant of Gild."

"Ah, the daughter of she in the dungeons," Luna said softly, "She who dreams of pain in the world, and doth work to help those she can."

"That's her, yes," Bubbles said hesitantly, "She's to be judged here, in a few hours."

"I hath read the reports," Luna admitted, "Possession of illicit substances. Tis unfortunate thy mother is to be judged upon the current system."

"The current system?" Bubbles looked at Luna, confused. Luna was looking at her sister's chair in distaste, the emotion curling the corners of her mouth and narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.

"In our time," Luna explained, "Those addicted to substance were not sentenced as criminals, but as those who need help. Thy mother would have been given options towards psychological assistance."

"Oh, Ambrosia didn't use them herself," Bubbles admitted, "She wouldn't touch the stuff if her life depended on it."

Luna returned Bubbles' gaze suspiciously, and Bubbles flushed and looked away.

"Pray, what use doth thy mother have for them then?" Luna asked forcefully. Bubbles swallowed.

"They were a contingency plan," She said, "For if we fell into hard times financially. They can sell for a lot."

Luna's frown was oppressive in it's weight upon Bubbles' head and shoulders. For a long moment, Bubbles thought she was going to call out her lie. Bubbles was good at misleading ponies. She'd been lying for Ambrosia for years. Not in the books, those were all accurate, but she had lied about so many other things. The Drugs had just been one of them.

"A curious backup plan, but I suppose that thy mother is prisoner in modern society."

"Aren't we all."

~*~

The morning was chilly. The draft through the castle was even colder, and the marble floor was so cold it hurt Ambrosia's hooves as she was marched through the castle, a pair of guards flanking her and an unhappy Sky Graphic leading them. She'd been made 'presentable' by a young maid of sorts, who had been sent down to the cell with warm water, shampoo, conditioner and a myriad of other care products, including a brush and small pair of scissors to trim off split ends. She'd been nice enough to Ambrosia, if not a bit nervous, and she'd done a good job.

Ambrosia walked with her head held high, walking with confidence and a quiet dignity that someone in her position simply shouldn't have had. She didn't let anyone know how her hooves were hurting her. The armour clad guards wouldn't be merciful about it. Most likely, other than Sky, they wouldn't care. Their stonewall attitudes had been a point of pride of their order for generations. They weren't about to change now. And she wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

The court room was silent as she was escorted inside, the majority of those required for the trial already within. She saw several familiar faces, none of which made her feel particularly reassured. But, regardless, she kept her head high. They would not see her break down. The little rock of fury she'd kept in her stomach during her time in the cell gave he discipline enough to not break, and she seated herself in the centre chair, surrounded by the jury of 'her peers', which she noticed were mostly older stallions and mares who had probably never set hoof in a brothel in their lives, believing it to be heretical or some nonsense.

A cleared throat brought the entire court's attention to the figure of a skinny looking Ochre unicorn stallion, sitting in the chair of the official archivist meant to record the entire goings on of the court. His name was Fore Sight, and he was a guard that, for some reason, never rose above the rank of lieutenant and had instead gone to try and advance his career as an archivist. It hadn't worked, but now he had the reason to brag he was at the Princess' side quite often.

"If I might have you attention please," He called imperiously over the silence, "I welcome to the court Captain Gild, Head of the House Guard, City Guard and second in Command of the Celestial Armies of Equis, and his assistant, Bubbles, Civilian ranking."

Sure enough, Gild, clad in full dress armour, entered the immense room from a side door, and took a seat where the junior archivist in charge of evidence normally sat. This spread a bit of a murmur, but it was silence once again by Fore Sight, who cleared his throat.

"And, welcoming her back to her court room, I introduce Princess Celestia, Guardian of the Midday Sun, and one Half of Equestria's Eminent Diarchy. All rise in the presence"

All the time he was speaking, a quill was scribbling furiously but neatly away at a stack of parchment he had before him on his desk, recording his every word, and every event. At the conclusion of his introduction, a pair of doors behind the dais opened and, clad in full golden regalia, Princess Celestia strode into the room in all her glory. Everyone in the court rose. Save for Ambrosia, who remained firmly and rebelliously seated. Techincally, this was an extreme breach of protocol, and considered incredibly disrespectful, however Celestia, after looking at Ambrosia, dismissed it, and stopped Fore Sight from issuing strangled orders. The doors to the court room slammed shut with a boom, and now, Celestia spoke.

"This court is now in Session," She declared, "Let naught but the truth be spoken, lest our guiding principles of love, tolerance and harmony be disrupted by heinous misdeeds."

Ambrosia tried not to laugh, successfully.

"The accused, one Miss Ambrosia, has the right to have her charges read to her. Lieutenant Sky Graphic, Please read the charges."

Next to her, Sky swallowed, and reached into his armour to pull out a sheet of paper.

"Your honor," He began, "The accused is charged of possession of illicit narcotics of various natures, three counts, and one count of refusal to cooperate with law enforcement. Anything else we found within the accused's place of business and residence, the 'Golden Star' brothel, was legal."

"Thank you." Celestia settled back into her plush seat, "Miss Ambrosia. At this time, I have been alerted that you wish to represent yourself, am I correct?"

"Yes, you are," Ambrosia replied coldly, "I have decided to represent myself in this legal dispute."

"Thank you for the clarification. I would like to ask, at this time, how do you plead to three counts of Drug Possession and one count of Refusal to cooperate?"

"Guilty," Ambrosia replied stonily, much to the interest of the court, most who reclined back in their seats before looking back up as she continued, "To the drug charges. Refusal to cooperate with law enforcement is not something I am guilty for. In fact, I'd like to reply with the simple answer of 'There are no true laws under your City Guard.'"

The court room, previously murmuring in quiet interest, went dead silent, and Celestia's previously neutral gaze turned stony.

"Do you have anything else to say?" Celestia asked darkly. Beside her, Gild swallowed, and beside him, Bubbles shook her head imperceptibly at her mother. Ambrosia ignored them all, and stood from her chair.

"Too much," She replied as icily as Celestia had, "To be had in a short conversation. Let me share a few stories with you, your majesty , that you should better understand your failures."

Beside Celestia, Gild hid his face in his hooves, and Bubbles stared, mortified. The Jury, and those attending, started to speak, but were silenced by the loud bang of Celestia's hammer on the gavel.

"I will have order in my court!" She called, and they went silent. Celestia's gaze returned to Ambrosia, who stood defiant, "Continue, if it has relevance to this case."

"This has relevance to every case!" Ambrosia insisted, "Do you know what prompted the raid on my establishment, Celestia?"

The courtroom's outraged mumbles at her blatant lack of respect underlied the tense moment shared between business owner and monarch.

"Nothing," She continued to the unanswered question, "Nothing prompted it. Save the whim of your Guard captain. Fine. So be it. However, the lack of warning I received which, according to equestrian law, must be at least twenty-four hours in advance, was absolutely appalling, and absolutely illegal."

It was at this point that Gild spoke up, "Your honour, in light of her statement, I would like to add my own in defence of my outfit."

"You may speak."

"We had, earlier that day, agreed in parliament, as according to law, that a new movement to pass raids on businesses that had more than one recorded case of complaint concerning criminal activity could be raided without warning in order to catch them unawares, so as to not allow them the time to conceal their criminal actions. This was built on the basis that the business must first have knowingly taken in a pony with a criminal record, of which Miss Ambrosia has countless of-"

"To get them off the streets, and into a home where they can learn how to survive without stealing!" Ambrosia snapped, only to be silenced by the sound of the gavel again and a glare from Celestia.

"Continue, Gild."

"As I was saying, Ambrosia has hired countless ponies, mares in particular, off the streets, and many have criminal records. The only reason we raided it in the first place was because of complaints of money missing from their purses, leading to a possible mare named Caress, whom was arrested a few times for theft and is, according to her medical records, a Kleptomaniac, so whilst she may not have been able to help herself, theft is theft."

"Thank you Gild," Celestia smiled at him warmly, "For the clarification of this fact for the court. We acknowledge this as fact and record it for the basis of this hearing."

Ambrosia tried not to grit her teeth, "Fine. But did he tell you he authorized the raid before the movement was passed?"

Gild froze, so did Bubbles, and the court buzzed with intrigue again, much to Celestia's annoyance, but it wasn't the gavel slamming down this time that silenced them, but Ambrosia's powerful voice, "He authorized the raid upon my home, my Star, fourteen minutes before the law was passed in which he was allowed to authorize it! He broke his own law with his own impatience!"

Celestia turned to Gild, who swallowed. Heavily.

"Is this true, Captain?" She asked slowly. Gild nodded slowly.

"It is true I set up the raid beforehand," he admitted, "But I had strict orders for them to wait for my signal. Lieutenant Sky Graphic was in charge of the raid, if he moved beforehand, it was not on my orders."

The court turned it's scrutiny upon Sky, who swallowed this time, almost feeling his heart in his throat.

"I... I was told by one of the ponies under my command, Shatter Shield," He spoke clearly, but nervously, "He had received a missive from Gild, a go ahead on the raid. Shatter had never lied about such things before..."

"Mistake though it may have been," Ambrosia said coldly, "The fact is, he broke his own law-"

"Through no fault of his own," Celestia spoke over Ambrosia, "You are correct, it was before the time, however there was a raid, and they found your substances, and that leaves you in a bind because this would have happened regardless. Due to the practicality of the new policy, I will overlook this once. Does the court agree?"

There was a general murmur of consensus, and Ambrosia bristled.

"What about when one of his ponies sexually assaulted one of my girls?" She growled, "What justice is there for this act? What justice for Caress, the little pegasus, who was raped in her own bathroom, by one of your guards?"

"It was only recently I was made aware of this action," Gild answered her softly, speaking into his little microphone, "And when I was made aware it was Shatter who did this, I made a report to the Princess. Shatter Shield himself was found dead two nights after the raid, we suspect it was a religious murder of some semblance and we, the Princess and I, have elected to pay both for Miss Caress' hospital bills, and release the pony we took into custody concerning the believed rape along with a formal pardon and apology from the crown and myself."

Ambrosia was silent, for a long time. And when she began to speak again, her voice was quiet, but angry, "I sat in that cell for more than a month," her words silenced everyone, slipping like burning silk threads into their ears and searing into their minds, "In that time, Princess Celestia, you had four major addresses to your precious Canterlot. Each time, I watched as, an hour before you were to arrive, all glorious in your gold and gemstones, your guards cleared the way. I was disgusted."

She raised her voice, and her head, to face Celestia directly, in terrifying defiance, "Your guards, if you can call them that, are less than equine. The homeless, the ponies you ignore and step around to avoid dirtying your pretty little hooves, are yelled at, intimidated, or assaulted, to remove them from your glorious presence, to get rid of them before you arrive so all you see is a pretty, perfect little painting of your precious little Equestria, and your pretty little Canterlot, all picture perfect and full of happy ponies."

"I watched as one of your armoured brutes pulled a scythe on a poor stallion who was digging for food in a garbage can outside of a sweet shop," She continued, voice rising, "I watched another pull a little filly out of a cardboard box, a filly without a home who was making do with the best she could, and throw her out of the alley before demanding she leave the area. I watched as your legion of hired thugs threatened to beat a mare to death if she didn't remove herself from the shadow of your dais. And you have the gall, you All have the gall, to call me a criminal?"

"Ambrosia," Celestia began, "I'm going to give you one warning-"

"No!" Ambrosia snapped, pointing at Celestia, "I will give YOU a warning, Princess! Eventually, the poor will Rise up against these injustices! They will not stand your posturing, your pride or your brutality against those too weak and frail to stand up for themselves against their brutish captors! Your regime is segregating the populace, and breeding hatred in the lower income society, and it's breeding hatred in those ponies towards you because Your Guards represent Your authority!"

Celestia jerked back as though struck, outraged by the accusations, but Ambrosia wasn't finished.

"I have seen a few diamonds in the rough of your horrible clan of tyrants," She snarled, "And, though I hate to say it, Gild was one of them! Lieutenant Sky Graphic was one of them! Another one, a grey unicorns with a dark mane, stopped the scythe wielder from threatening any more ponies. Gild bought three of them lunch before moving them! Nicely!"

She pointed now at Gild.

"My hatred for this excuse for a pegasus runs deeper than I can ever hope you to comprehend," Her voice rang off the golden vaults of the ceiling like a bell, "But my respect for his acceptance for those less fortunate of him makes me respect him," She looked back at Celestia, "More than I could ever respect a ruler who doesn't bother to pay attention to the crimes her own employees are committing, the atrocities in her own city. I take the poor, the outcast and the criminals who fight and steal for a living off the streets, give them a job, a home! I have put more fillies and colts through school than any of your orphanages have in probably their lifetimes, and it's all because I care! I take pride in my work, and yes, perhaps I did have illicit substances, but if the Star began to sink, could I rely on your system? The one that's now backstabbed me for doing what I thought was right? What I thought had to be done? To keep my girls safe, to give them a home and a place to come back to, somewhere to sleep at night when it's too cold to sleep outside with nothing but a newspaper blanket anymore?"

"If this is justice," She finished darkly, "Then I no longer stand as an Equestrian citizen."