Only Jasper, his friends, and a fussy Pumpkin, weren’t shocked to see Draco. Everyone in the room were quick to start bowing to the alicorn stallion out of respect, except for the sheep and his fellows as the alicorn was their friend, and Golden Wishes as she was still being restrained by the melon pony.

“I came here as soon as I had gotten your letter about some mare from Canterlot causing trouble, and I decided to bring some of my guards with me just in case anything were to happen,” the alicorn stallion explained. He looked at the scene of Melon restraining the noble mare, and put two and two together. The alicorn stallion trotted over to the two mares and looked down at Golden Wishes. “I’m guessing that this is the mare in question?”

The melon pony nodded. “Yeah. Ms. Golden Wishes here was a terrible customer,” she said. The melon pony ignored the noble mare’s scowling. “During the days she stayed here, she worked me around like she owned the place, which we all know she doesn’t, and after she checked out, she starts complaining a lot about the Inn, including wanting things to be better about the Inn when she returns like she expects the red carpet treatment. Then, when Jasper stood up to her for me and told her to leave, she attacked and hurt him.” She directed a hoof at Jasper. “Afterwards, she even threatened to use her own family’s power against everyone just because her family’s important in Canterlot.” Melon scoffed. “It was like she thinks we would be scared of her just by mentioning her family. Yeah, right.”

After hearing the melon pony’s explanation, Draco had become angry as another Canterlot noble was pushing ponies around just because of either their family’s job, how much Bits the pony was making, or how much power the pony’s family had depending on the location. Not only that, but the alicorn stallion’s friend, the sheep, had gotten hurt just for standing up for his own marefriend.

Golden Wishes looked scared at the expression the alicorn was making. The noble mare had decided to try and defend herself by explaining everything. “It-It’s not my fault. I was only telling them the truth,” said the noble mare. “My family is very important as we have helped all of Equestria with our products for generations. It’s their own fault for not realizing who they were dealing with.” Golden Wishes had thought that what she said might work enough to convince the alicorn stallion not to punish the noble mare.

Sadly, it didn’t work on Draco. “They are? So, they’re more important than everyone else?” asked the alicorn stallion, in a sarcastic yet angry tone. “The ones who build our homes, our roads, our towns, our cities, grow the crops, take care of the weather, help the community…”

He was going on a long tirade, listing every different thing, sounding angrier and angrier.

“And even help in politics? They’re that important?” finished the alicorn stallion, raising an eyebrow.

She didn't have an answer for any of his questions, except for the last one. “W-Well, no, but our family’s silk is popular. Lots of ponies buy it!” said the noble mare. “It’s how we became the most important family in Equestria.”

The sheep didn’t even know that that’s why the noble mare’s family was so important to begin with. He looked at the alicorn stallion. “Do ponies actually buy her family’s silk? I’ve been chatting with Luna a few times through letters and she doesn’t even mention the family or the silk ever, though,” said the sheep, wondering.

Draco, hearing the question, thought about how to best answer the sheep’s question. The alicorn stallion then noticed that everyone was staring.

After a few seconds, Draco sighed loudly, deciding to answer it fully and truthfully. He looked at Golden Wishes again. “I hate to say this, Golden Wishes, but you might as well know that actually…your family has been using your status as your husband’s parents’ daughter-in-law to force ponies into buying their silk products, and to also give them seventy percent of the profits from selling the silk itself,” the alicorn stallion informed.

That shocked the sheep and some ponies including the noble mare, while others weren’t shocked at all.

She couldn’t believe this. “B-But that’s not possible! That can’t be true,” said the noble mare. “It just can’t. Ponies buy our silk because it’s high-quality!”

Draco shook his head. “Ponies used to buy your family’s silk back then or had outfits or accessories made out of it and wear them every day, but at some point, ponies started wearing silk outfits less and only wore them during parties or galas. As a result, your family was making less and less money and were losing their status amongst the Canterlot Elite,” the alicorn stallion informed again, with a serious look on his face. “That was until the day when Silver Coin proposed to you that they took advantage of that to try and bring back up their status and become the number one elite family. After you and your husband got married, and like I said before, they used your status as your husband’s wife against the elite families of Canterlot, and even against other ponies in Equestria as well. As a result, they’ve made a lot of enemies over time.”

There was the sound of a scoff, causing everyone to look in the direction of where it came from.

One of the ponies, a scowling mare, was not surprised at the news. “Well, that’s no surprise to me. Her parents forced my fiance in Manehattan to buy some of their silk and to give some of the profits from it as well,” she complained. “Thanks to them, she’s having a hard time paying her rent and is still trying to save up for a wedding dress. She even has some left over since not a lot of ponies are buying the stuff, and now she can’t even get rid of it out of fear of retaliation against the store.”

It seems that the mare talking out seemed to inspire other ponies to complain about Golden Wishes’ parents.

A random stallion nodded. “Yeah. They did that to my best friend’s family, and now he’s working a second job just to make ends meet,” he said.

“Me and my husband’s son were one of their victims too. He couldn’t make enough money to keep his business around,” said another mare, angry. “He had to sell his business and move to Baltimare and now he’s a fisherpony. He’s even married to a ship pony, and now the two sell the stuff they catch at the docks just to make enough money to raise their foal. It’s thanks to those two that our son ended up like this.”

More and more started to complain until it turned into a deafening wave of anger and frustration. Golden Wishes was silent as she was letting it all sink in. The noble mare’s parents had been using her status to force ponies to buy her family’s silk but they were also stealing profits from other ponies, causing everyone to hate them, which also meant that lots of ponies hate the noble mare too because of that.

Draco had to calm the ponies down before something bad happened. “Quiet down, everypony. I think she gets the idea,” The alicorn stallion said loudly.

That worked as the complainers had quieted down now and were completely silent.

He looked at Golden Wishes with a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Golden Wishes, but they used you, their own daughter, to further their gluttonous, greedy natures of pride, envious of the other elite families’ status and power. Instead of trying to work harder and finding other ways to earn money legitimately, they had to resort to all of this,” said the alicorn stallion, in an apologetic tone.

The noble mare still didn’t say anything, not knowing what she could given the situation.

There was one thing that the sheep was confused about. “Draco, I barely visit Canterlot and don’t know about the elite families of the place, so I have to know, what does Silver Coin’s family even do anyway?” asked Jasper. “Is it something political-related? Also, how do you know about all of this?”

Draco nodded, understanding why the sheep wouldn’t know. “Well, Jasper. Silver Coin’s family are the ones who’ve been making Bits for Equestria for generations ever since the kingdom was first founded and their ancestor, Golden Bits, created the currency that everyone in Equestria uses,” he answered. “Ever since that day, he and his descendants were appointed as ‘Equestria’s Official Currency Minters’, and have been doing an excellent job at it too.”

The sheep looked impressed, but didn’t say anything, as to let the alicorn stallion continue talking.

“As for your second question, Jasper, Silver Coin’s parents came to us, complaining about their daughter-in-law’s parents. They explained everything and needed help to stop them, so Celestia said that she’ll have somepony gather evidence before having them brought in for punishment,” continued Draco. He looked unimpressed. “That was a few months ago, and so far, barely any evidence has been found as of late from her side. So, a month after the investigation had first started, I had decided to do my own separate investigation without Celestia knowing in case the couple hid any evidence that my sister’s investigator missed.”

Melon decided to talk as she’s been silent for a while. “How did the investigation go?” asked the melon pony, curious.

“After the investigation, with the help of some of my guards, we found enough evidence against them to have the two punished for the trouble they’ve been causing. I’m going to have them show up to answer for everything,” answered Draco.

He smiled. “Well, I’m glad that they won’t be able to escape from the punishment they’ll receive for what they’ve been doing to everypony,” said Jasper. Something popped up in the sheep’s mind as he had become curious about one more thing. “Draco?”

The alicorn stallion looked at the sheep. “Yes?” he responded.

“Is there anyone in Equestria that any of us might know or heard of that are from Silver Coin’s family or at least related to him?” asked Jasper.

The sheep knew that some ponies’ families in Equestria or in the world might be related to each other by distant ancestors, so it’s possible that there might be one or two families in Equestria who are related to Silver Coin.

The alicorn stallion thought about it and searched through his memories of the investigation. Eventually, one did pop up instantly in the alicorn stallion’s mind. “As a matter of fact, there is one name that the four of us, including my grandfoal and the others, have heard of, and this one is somepony who Dusk and Dawn have talked about a few times before from their time in school,” answered the alicorn stallion.

That made Jasper, Melon, and the unicorn stallion curious.

“Banan?” said Banana Pie.

“Who is it?” asked the melon pony. She had technically repeated what the unicorn stallion was saying without knowing it.

“One of the fillies who attends the school is in fact the daughter of his little brother. You all know her by the name of Silver Spoon,” answered Draco.

The three were shocked to learn that Silver Spoon is a part of the most important family in Equestria.

The unicorn husband smiled. “Ah. I see you all know my niece,” he said. “I haven’t seen my brother’s family ever since me and the wife came to see them during her birthday. How has she been lately?”

Melon, Banana Pie, and the sheep looked at each other with silent looks, waiting for one of them to tell the unicorn husband.

In the end, he decided to change the subject. “If your in-laws are using your family’s power after you two got married, then I guess that means that you’re the heir and therefore in charge of the whole thing, right?” asked the sheep.

It worked as the unicorn husband was distracted by the question and shook his head. “No, I originally was until last week when I gave up the position to my little brother. I believe that he’s better suited to be in charge than me, and I trust my sister-in-law’s family not to do what my in-laws have been doing,” answered Silver Coin, in a serious, truthful tone. “Also, I gave it up in order to take away the power from my in-laws, so now they can’t misuse it to bully anypony anymore.”

All of the noble ponies were surprised to hear the unicorn husband’s answer, including his wife.

“So, that means that they can’t force anypony to buy their silk or give up some of the profits anymore?” asked one of the mares, hopeful.

The unicorn husband nodded. “Nope. They won’t be able to do that anymore,” he confirmed.

Every one of the noble ponies felt ecstatic that Golden Wishes’ parents can and will no longer be able to force anyone ever again now that the couple were powerless. While everyone was cheering, Draco had his royal guards retrieve the noble mare from the melon pony and arrest her. The noble mare didn’t even fight back, even when the guards escorted her away out of the Inn.

Silver Coin was planning to follow both his wife and the royal guards, but he needed to do something first and looked at Jasper. “Back to my question: How has my niece been doing?” asked the unicorn.

Not wanting to waste Silver Coin’s time, the sheep decided to tell him everything since Silver would have found out sooner or later.

“Well, she and her friend, Diamond Tiara, bullies and makes fun of colts and fillies at her school who don’t have their Cutie Marks, and calls them blank flanks. She’s been doing that to the little sisters of two of my friends, to a filly who is friends with those two fillies, and even to Dusk and Dawn as well,” Jasper informed.

Silver Coin, after hearing about how his niece was being a bully towards those in school, hummed. The unicorn husband didn’t seem or look mad at all. He only had a stern expression on his face. “I see. Thank you for telling me this,” he responded in a professional tone. “I guess I’ll have a talk with her and her parents about it this weekend when I visit them.”

The sheep gave a small smile. “No problem,” he said.

The unicorn husband’s horn glowed, and then the bags belonging to him and Golden Wishes were levitated into the air with a silver-colored magic aura. Silver Coin trotted away, following after the guards and his wife with the bags floating along in tow.

The alicorn stallion looked at the three with a determined look. “I’ll let you know how it went with Golden Wishes and her parents after I question them tomorrow,” he informed. The alicorn stallion then looked at them with a serious face. “Also, let me know if there’s anypony from Canterlot who causes trouble here in Ponyville. Nopony should be able to do what Golden Wishes and her parents have been doing against other ponies.” He looked at the sheep, concerned. “And Jasper. You should get yourself a check-up after taking a magic blast to the shoulder.”

Jasper nodded. “Don’t worry. I will,” he reassured.

Draco smiled, happy to hear that. “Great. I should head back to Canterlot right now,” he said. “I’ll see you three again next time. Take care now.”

The alicorn stallion trotted away, closing the door behind himself while the three were saying bye. Some of the customers had left to go back to their rooms, while others went to the Dining Area to have some tea and snacks, or something else to eat, to discuss amongst each other of either gossip or plans to get back at the noble mare’s family for all of the grief they put everyone through.

The sheep looked at his two friends. “I should get going as well. Need to head for the Hospital,” the sheep informed.

That made the melon pony wonder about something. “Why don’t you just heal yourself with magic like you usually do?” she asked.

Jasper gave the melon pony a sheepish smile. “Well, I did just tell him that I’d go get myself a check-up. So, I should just do it anyway,” he answered. “Also, if I keep using healing magic to constantly heal myself so many times in such a short amount of time, my body would get too used to it, and that would diminish the effects of the healing magic over time.” A haunted look appeared on the sheep’s face. “Then, I’d have to go ask my other teacher for help to bring the effects back to normal, and I do not want to ask her for help. Especially after last time.” The haunted look on his face grew after saying that.

Both the melon pony and the unicorn stallion had confused looks on their faces.

She was wondering what happened to make the sheep make such a face like that. “Why? What happened?” asked Melon. The melon pony decided to ask about the ‘other teacher’ comment later.

Unfortunately, that question brought back memories that Jasper wished that he could forget. “I can still remember the screams that echoed through the place, and they were all mine. It was so terrible and so horrible, which is why I will not allow myself to get healed by her ever again after the last time she healed me,” thought the sheep. The sheep shook his head and looked at the two. “You don’t want to know. Trust me.”

“Banan?” said Banana Pie.

She knew that prying wouldn’t work and decided that Jasper will tell them one day when he feels like sharing. “Alright, Jasper. Just know that we’ll be here to listen,” said the melon pony.

The unicorn stallion nodded. “Banan,” he agreed.

The sheep smiled. “Sure thing,” he said.

Banana Pie, seeing as how there were ponies waiting to be served some food and drinks, had to leave back to the Dining Area quickly to take their orders. There was a whiteboard stand off to the side of the Dining Area’s entrance that displayed today’s lunch special as ‘Cucumber, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwiches with Mayonnaise or Dill Sauce, and a choice of fries and drink’. Melon had decided to add daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials to the diner to make it more interesting. The melon pony had even gone to some store and bought the whiteboard stand as well to make the daily specials known by those who are staying over at the Inn.

The sheep, after making sure that the foal was doing okay, grabbed the stroller and was about to head for the door. “Anyway, I’ll see y–,” he said, but was then interrupted.

GROWWWWLLLLL!!!

The sheep’s stomach was loud enough to be heard by both Melon and Pumpkin, causing the two to laugh.

The melon pony smiled. “Sounds like you’re hungry, Jasper. Come into the Dining Area and order something to eat,” she said.

He was kind of surprised. “But only customers can eat in the Dining Area,” said the sheep.

Melon trotted over to behind her front desk before grabbing a random second floor key and tossing it to Jasper, who caught it in his hooves.

The melon pony put down a sign on the desk that said ‘Out To Lunch’ before trotting back over to the sheep. “You and Pumpkin can stay here the night. After all, you shouldn’t try and fly while being injured,” she said. “You can even pay for the room later if you want to.”

“True, but-” he said, but was then interrupted again.

Melon went past the sheep, then grabbed the stroller, pushing it towards the Dining Area. “I won’t let my sheepfriend fly back home injured and hungry. You can visit the Hospital after you finish eating, and from the looks of how thin you look, you’ll need a lot to eat,” she said.

Jasper looked at himself and did agree that the sheep did look different than he originally was as the sheep was a lot thinner, but that was because he was too busy raising a foal while doing commissions at the same time.

The sheep wanted to argue, but decided to give up in the end as there was no use arguing with his marefriend.

He sighed loudly. “Fine,” surrendered the sheep.

Jasper followed after Melon and the foal into the Dining Area, wondering how good those sandwiches on the daily special tasted.

Author's Note

Looks like Golden Wishes learned about what's been going on involving her parents and her family's business. It may be the end of their reputation in Canterlot after all the trouble that's been caused by them.

So, now that this chapter has been uploaded, Phantom Pony chapters will be uploaded soon at some point. Then, Zombie Pony, FoE: Toxic Sludge, and Freshly Baked Goods all in that order.

The Psychopath proofread this chapter.

Comments are welcome.