A Renewed Ending

Sunday, January 2, 1008 A.L., Gryphonia

Celestia looked over the second human she had ever seen before. He was, unlike Jason, healthier looking. His hair, a wavy brown, fell loosely around his head and his sapphire eyes glanced around the room, finally locking onto her. He, too, wore the same style of clothes as the other gryphons, only made to match his body style. She wasn’t sure, but she felt like he was younger than Jason. The expression on his face was a serious one.

However, it was the Gryphonian ambassador who spoke first. “Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. Greetings. It is agreeable to see you again.”

Celestia slipped flawlessly into her negotiation persona. “Ambassador Geoffrey, it’s been far too long.”

“Indeed it has,” Geoffrey replied without a hint of venom. Still, Celestia didn’t doubt that there was a hidden anger within him with regards to the closing of the borders. “May I introduce Gregory Graystone, one of the members of our Convocation.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Graystone,” Luna said first.

“Yes, a great pleasure,” Celestia said.

The human looked at both of them with a placid expression before he inclined his head at them both politely. “Greetings, your highnesses,” he said in a soft, even tone.

“I would say ‘I trust your trip here was uneventful’,” Geoffrey said after a few tense seconds, “but as you can see, we have our first nor’wester of the season raging outside.”

First? How many of these storms have they had? Celestia inwardly frowned. “It was definitely eventful, and I am sorry for our unannounced arrival.”

“It’s not an issue,” Geoffrey said, “after all, we’ve weathered these storms for centuries, so we can deal. Well, why don’t we get seated and begin this session?”

“Hey, are the other representatives not coming?” Ginna asked as Geoffrey and Gregory made their way to their seats.

“They’re technically not full fledged members of the Convocation,” Gwendolyn said, “and we didn’t want to force them to come out in this storm.”

Geoffrey grabbed the pitcher of bliss and poured himself one before passing it along to Gregory, who silently poured himself one before placing it down. “Well then,” Geoffrey said, “I know how much you two prefer to start on negotiations right away, so what is it that the Convocation can do for you?”

“Well, as you may or may not have already heard,” Celestia began, “we have reopened our borders.”

“Ah, yes, I heard about that the moment I arrived in Gryphonstone,” Gregory said as he quietly sipped on his bliss. “A shame, too. I was actually hoping to visit.”

“In hindsight, that was a foolish mistake,” Celestia admitted. “We reacted out of fear of another potential attack by the changelings. I assume you know about that?”

“We did hear about the changeling invasion of Canterlot and their destruction of Ponyville,” Geoffrey replied, sounding genuinely pained. “Such a tragedy. Still, at least nopony was killed. That is still correct, isn’t it?”

“Thank the Maker for that miracle,” Luna said.

“At any rate, the borders are now reopened, so if any of you wish to visit, you are more than welcome,” Celestia said, giving Gregory a small inviting smile.

“I will consider it,” he said with a polite nod.

“Now then,” Geoffrey said, “onto the matters at claw. You are not the first to come seeking an alliance with us. How may we help?”

Celestia cleared her throat. “We have heard tell of a certain…I don’t know whether the word would be plant, or construct, that you have in your continent. I believe it’s called a houseoak?”

“That is a quite popular export of ours,” Gwendolyn said with a smile. “Are you seeking only that from us?”

“No, we actually wanted certain produce that you can grow in your fields only,” Celestia added. “I have a list of the products I am aware of that can be better grown here than anywhere in Equestria.” She pulled out a scroll and placed it down on the table before using her magic to duplicate it for everycreature there.

Everyone took their scroll, broke the seals, and opened it to read it through. Celestia also made copies for herself and Luna, so the two of them opened their scrolls as well. Celestia just wanted to go over everything one more time as a refresher. Not only did the scroll explain what they were hoping to gain, but Celestia had placed what they could offer in exchange. She knew of the gryphon taste for oranges and orange juice, and Equestria’s southern farmlands had plenty to spare. There were other foodstuffs they could offer as well, along with access to certain precious minerals and ores that could be useful in their rebuilding process. Not only that, but she also was planned to offer assistance in the form of ponypower and experienced construction workers to aid in their reconstruction efforts.

Aside from houseoak seedlings and the products, Celestia and Luna had both brainstormed on what else they could hopefully ask for from Gryphonia. Once upon a time, Gryphonia had a species of insect known as giant bees. Their honey was a true delicacy for ponies, but from her information the gryphons couldn’t stand the stuff. They were common in the northeastern portion of Gryphonia.

That was not all, however. Celestia and Luna knew of creatures known as slimes. They were amorphous blobs that could devour anything they ate. They were not very smart, from what Celestia remembered, but they were rather docile and could be trained. Celestia remembered one slime she had known during a visit to the Imperium. It had been a dark gray slime which was a friendly soul. All slimes were able to create, or rather excrete, a very fertile soil or very pure water.

“Hold up, you’re asking for slimes?” Gregory asked in what sounded like surprise.

“Yes, yes we are,” Celestia said.

He turned to Gwendolyn. “Are slimes those transparent blobs that can eat anything and dissolve them into nothing?”

“I…have read stories about those sorts of creatures who supposedly lived in caves to the north of the continent,” Gwendolyn said, “but I always dismissed them as myths.”

“They are no myth,” Luna explained. “My sister and I have seen them.”

“Why would you want them?” Geoffrey asked. “I have never even heard of such a creature.”

That confused Celestia, but not wanting to create mistrust between her and the Convocation, she explained. “They’re amorphous blobs that can devour anything they eat, dissolving it into nothing. They produce fertile soil and pure water.”

That caught the attention of everyone there. Gregory turned to the rest. “If these slimes still exist, they could help us with our foul water problems,” he said with a hint of excitement.

“Do you think they still exist?” Gael asked.

“Gwendolyn, could you research this further?” Geoffrey asked. “This kind of creature would be a Makersend if they do exist.”

“I’ll need my unofficial assistant to help, but I don’t think that should be a problem,” Gwendolyn replied.

Gregory chuckled. “Gallus seems to have taken a liking to being your number one assistant,” he said.

His choice of words caught Celestia’s attention, but she chose to ignore it. Instead, she said, “From what little I know, they are an asexual species, as well. In their mating period, they devour a lot and then split into younglings.”

“If they’re still around, you’re only asking for…ten,” Geoffrey said as he looked over his copy of the scroll. “Will that be enough?”

“There is plenty that these slimes can eat near Canterlot,” Luna explained. “Ruins, for example.”

“Are you talking about Ponyville?” Gregory asked somberly.

Celestia nodded. “There is plenty of burned debris that would be perfect for ten slimes, and they would become a hundred or more during their mating season. I was unaware that they had become lost to time, so if you are unable to find any, then we can make do.”

“I see,” Geoffrey said. “I am aware, though, of the giant bees you mentioned here. Their honey is quite the delicacy, but we don’t have the Imperial Beekeepers anymore. Only they were able to tame the giant bees and gather their honey. It’s a rare treat for anyone to find a wild hive and harvest the honey from it. I’ve only ever gotten a single taste.”

“I can look for any information on them when I have the time,” Gwendolyn said.

“Thank you in advance,” Gregory said with a warm smile towards the gryphon hen.

“In any case,” Geoffrey said, “the other things you’re requesting from us, like the houseoak, may be a bit harder to export now. The amount of seeds we have is not enough to handle exporting to four nations.”

“The source of our information about houseoaks will probably want to remain anonymous,” Gwendolyn said. “Their information is more than we have on them now, but when this nor’wester is over, I’ll go talk to them.”

Celestia nodded, noting how Gwendolyn had been been careful not to reveal the sex of their source. “That’s understandable,” she conceded.

“As for what else you’re asking…blissberries, sweetgrass hay, and all the rest, we won’t be able to export many of those until the harvest next year,” Geoffrey said, “or perhaps even the year after that. Our farming infrastructure will be undergoing a major restructuring. Also, if we find the slimes you mentioned, we may need them first for their water and soil production abilities. Sweetgrass hay might be an exception because there’s plenty of that we have in the midwestern plains.”

“With that in mind, it may be some time before we can produce enough of what you’re asking for to trade,” Gregory added.

“We understand that,” Celestia said.

“As for what you’re offering…” Geoffrey began as he looked at the list again, “there seems to be little issue, except maybe for ponypower.”

“That would put you in a position of power over us,” Ginna said with a small frown.

“That was not the intention,” Celestia said.

“Maybe not, but it certainly feels like it,” Gregory said with a frown of his own.

Celestia nodded. “I am sorry for how our offer appears insulting,” she said, “we never meant for that to be the case. If you don’t want the help, perhaps we could provide some instructions on some of our construction methods that might help anything you build last?”

The Convocation exchanged a few glances, then after a few moments, Geoffrey said, “Are you sure about that?”

“Our nation has six basic principles, and one of them is generosity,” Celestia said. “I am well aware that in recent times those principles have been called into question.”

“Hmm, I see,” Geoffrey said somberly.

“And you wish to show the world how magnanimous you are by offering this to us,” Gregory said in a slightly accusing tone. “A publicity stunt, is it?”

Celestia immediately shook her head. “Not at all!”

“Hmm…and how can I trust that?” Gregory asked.

“Now, now, Gregory, take it easy there,” Geoffrey said in a reassuring tone. Gwendolyn, who was sitting next to Gregory, also put a claw on his arm, squeezing gently.

Gregory slowly closed his mouth and nodded. “Alright,” he said.

“Even if it is a publicity stunt, you can’t deny that what they’re offering us can be helpful in restoring our continent,” Geoffrey said, seeming to chide their human member.

Gregory gave a small smile and nodded. “Yes, of course. Sorry.” He inclined his head quickly to Celestia.

“No need to apologize,” she said, waving her hoof dismissively. “My sister and I are well aware of how this looks, but I can assure you we have no negative intentions towards your rebuilding nation.”

“I believe I know you well enough to vouch for how true that is,” Geoffrey said. “Rest assured, everyone, the princess here does seem to want to help.”

“Back to the topic at claw,” Gwendolyn said quickly. “You aren’t the only ones who have reached out to trade with us. We have agreements with three other nations, and another one aside from you has reached out to us for future negotiations.”

“We may need more time to consider this, especially with winter here,” Geoffrey concluded. “We can’t do much with the weather being as harsh as it normally is.”

“Gryphonia does have harsh winters even in our southern regions,” Gael explained. “Makes it hard to do any kind of farming.”

Celestia had to remind herself that the gryphons had no means of controlling their weather. They could stand on clouds, of course, but moving them required more magic than that. “We understand that,” Celestia said, “and we are willing to wait. Some of what we’re offering isn’t yet available, either. The oranges, for example, have already been harvested and sold in local markets across the kingdom.”

“Forgive me if I’m wrong, but don’t you have lakes full of fish?” Gregory asked suddenly. “I’m sure you’re aware that gryphons eat plenty of fish.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “I was aware, but I was also under the impression that your fisheries are one of the areas where you’re doing well.”

“Saltwater fisheries,” Gregory corrected. “I’ve been told that many of the freshwater lakes here are nearly depleted of fish.”

“Are you asking for us to transport fish to these lakes to repopulate them?” Luna asked.

“It’s not an unreasonable request,” Celestia said. “I think we can agree to that. Freshwater fish are plentiful where we are, but we should still leave some for the carnivorous animals in our kingdom.”

“That’s completely understandable,” Geoffrey said.

There was silence for a bit, a tense silence. Then, Geoffrey spoke again. “In regards to another matter, may I ask what those chests are for?” the ambassador asked, gesturing to the many chests in the corner of the room.

“Ah, they are gifts for you and the Convocation,” Celestia said without hesitation. “We have a tradition where we bring gifts whenever we open new negotiations with other nations.”

“Ah, well, would you mind if we all take a look at them?” Geoffrey asked, “and also, why are the five chests there separate from the rest of them?”

“Those five are directly for…Lord Graystone,” Celestia said, keeping a subtle eye on Gregory to see his reaction.

His eyes darkened as he slowly stood. “Mr. Graystone will do,” he said evenly. “None of this ‘Lord’ stuff, if you please.”

“Oh, of course, Mr. Graystone,” Celestia said.

Nodding, he turned and walked over to the five chests. Each had a key in the locks, and he unlocked them and opened them. Those other gryphons who were present walked over and began unlocking the other chests while those who weren’t simply watched, actually moving the chairs as if they were in the same room. Celestia watched curiously as the gryphons examined the chests full of talons, ancient gems, and even a few gryphon weapons.

“What is this?” Gregory’s voice asked, this time with some slight enmity in his tone. Celestia turned and saw him holding up a handful of coins in his hand. He brought it back to the table and poured them onto the table. The jingle of coins echoed through the ancient throne room. “What is the meaning of this?” He locked eyes with Celestia, sapphire eyes narrowed at her.

Something in his stare seemed to resonate with her, as if it was an instinctive fear that ran through her. She forced herself not to react to it as she replied, “Like I said, these are gifts.”

“Gifts…” he repeated as he picked up one of the talons. He then reached into a pocket and pulled out a small coin purse, setting it down and opening it. He pulled out another coin and looked at them carefully, as if comparing them. “Geoffrey, what are you seeing over there?” he asked without looking away from the coins in his hands.

“More talons than I have ever seen before,” Geoffrey replied.

Gregory’s eyes narrowed as he put his own talon back into the coin purse. Then, he simply tossed the new one onto the table. “How long have you had these talons in your possession?” he asked.

“They were payments we got in previous trade agreements with the former Imperium,” Celestia replied.

“That long, huh?” Gregory mused as he began picking the talons back up. “So why return them as a gift now? Why not earlier when Gryphonia was suffering through its own economic downturn? Why not let this money go to better use to help restore this continent?”

Celestia knew she had to choose her next words very carefully. “I did actually discuss this with my counselors back then,” she admitted, “but we were worried that a sudden influx of wealth would only make the situation worse. We wanted to help and even sent over diplomats to try and help, but they were turned away.”

“That part is true, Gregory,” Geoffrey said as he returned to his seat. “It was a chaotic time during the end of the Imperium. The last king had fled with his family and taken money from the treasury with him. Pony diplomats did come, but from what I was told and from what Gwendolyn and your friend Gallus have reported from their studies, those diplomats were not looked favorably on because of their superior attitudes towards us and lack of trying to attempt to understand our ways. They failed to adapt their approach to helping. Otherwise, I think the gryphons of that time would have gladly accepted help despite the loss of our pride.”

Celestia frowned. This wasn’t what she had heard. “I was told by the representatives I sent that you immediately turned them away.”

“It would seem this is a classic case of ‘he said, she said’,” Gregory said as he returned and sat down at his chair. “However, you had plenty of opportunities after that to help. I can’t help but think this is some sort of bribe.”

Celestia felt her heart sinking at this. Luna had been correct. She thought she’d been trying to do a good thing, but she had miscalculated. “I never meant for it to seem like a bribe,” she said.

“Really?” Gregory leaned forward. “How do we know that? Also, how do we know you haven’t sent some sort of spy here to look us over?”

“Easy there, Gregory,” Geoffrey said with a disarming smile, “you’re scaring our honored guests.”

Gregory leaned back. “Ah, I guess I am letting my emotions get the better of me again. Sorry, Geoffrey. And to you as well, your highnesses.” He inclined his head to her.

“There is no need for apologies,” Luna said. “We know this looks bad on our part, but we can assure you once more there are no hostile intentions here.”

“My sister is correct,” Celestia said, keeping her face placid while her mind raced. Surely, none of them could know about Special Agent Sweetie Drops and her unanticipated partner, right? “These gifts are yours regardless of what you decide here. You could reject any partnership or agreement with us and those would all be yours.”

“Ah, and the personal gifts to me have nothing to do with trying to make up for your failures with the only other human in this world, correct?” Gregory asked with a bit of a bite to his words.

That caught Celestia off guard. “You know about Jason Wright?” she asked softly.

“Enough to know that if I had blindly gone to Ponyville like I wanted, I would have experienced the same as he did,” Gregory said with a dark frown. “Anyway, you didn’t answer my question.”

“Gregory…” Geoffrey said warningly.

“No, it’s alright,” Celestia said, quickly recovering herself, “it’s a fair question, and one deserving of an answer. I admit, when I heard the rumors that there was another human on Equus, I took notice. When I heard the rumors that there was one in Gryphonstone, I wanted to know more.”

Gregory nodded slowly, then turned to Gwendolyn. “Is it ready?” he asked.

Gwendolyn nodded, then reached into a bag and pulled out a small gold circlet with red gems encrusted all around it which she placed on her head. The gryphon closed her eyes and Celestia watched the hen muttering something softly. A soft swirl of magic appeared in an empty area of the room, only growing in size. Suddenly, two figures appeared to hover in the room above the magic, then they materialized fully before falling to the ground in an undignified heap. Well, one of them did. The bright teal unicorn named Lyra Heartstrings was lying on her side, groaning from the sudden fall. However, Special Agent Sweetie Drops had made use of her training and swiftly turned to land on her feet.

Before anyone could make another move, Celestia saw a glint of silver, and to her shock Gregory was now leveling something directly at Sweetie Drops. She knew what that had to be: a firearm. The same type of weapon that the changelings now had in their possession. Only this one looked much sleeker and smaller than what she had seen. There was a clicking noise as Gregory pulled back on something, not taking his eyes off of the agent. “Now then,” Gregory said, eyes narrowed at the two ponies who had somehow been teleported into the room, “Special Agent Sweetie Drops and Lyra Heartstrings of Ponyville, what brings you here? Spying on us for something, are we?”

Celestia rose in alarm. “Mr. Graystone, please don’t hurt them!” she pleaded, all pretense gone from her. She had no idea how they had been discovered so quickly, but she didn’t want any unnecessary bloodshed. She quickly rushed forward and stood between the two ponies and Gregory. “They were only following my orders, so please don’t harm them!” she pleaded.

Gregory didn’t move for a bit, then he lowered the gun in his hand. “Well, Geoffrey, everyone, what should we do with them?” he asked.

“Oh no, this was your idea,” Geoffrey said with a chuckle. “You make the decisions here.”

Gregory grinned, then put the weapon away in a holster by his side. “Gwendolyn, tell the city watchtoms outside to bring these two guests to a private room and provide a suitable meal for them,” he said. “And then, maybe we can get some more truth out of our honored guests here.” He looked at Celestia, the smirk still on his face. “Shall we continue?”

Celestia stood there, stunned. Had he planned this somehow? She slowly and wordlessly walked back and sat down. Sweetie Drops and Lyra were silently escorted to the door by Gwendolyn and handed off to the guards outside, then she returned to her seat. Geoffrey’s smile was gone, replaced with a frown of his own. “I am surprised and disappointed by your highnesses,” he said in a somber tone. “To think that you would send spies here.”

She felt rather chastened by the sudden turn of events. “I truly apologize,” she said.

“Don’t apologize, explain yourselves,” Gregory said, leaning forward. “If you really wanted to know about us, you could have skipped all of the subterfuge and approach us. Or were you afraid because you learned that I am a human. One in a position of power like Jason Wright?”

Celestia flinched, but she lowered her head moments later. “I admit, I was…concerned,” she said. “I didn’t know if you had heard about what happened to Emperor Wright, and I wasn’t sure if you would try and take some action on his behalf.”

“Then you’re an even bigger fool than I took you for,” Gregory said. “You immediately judged me, just like Ponyville did to Jason. Only now, you aren’t under Discord’s influence, are you?”

“Please do not be too hard on my sister,” Luna interceded. “She has been under an increasingly alarming amount of strain and stress as of late.”

Gregory glared over at Luna, then exhaled slowly. “Under your current circumstances, I can understand your caution,” he said as he leaned back, “but why not send someone ahead to talk to us? Why all the secrecy? Why the lies? Isn’t honesty one of your six principles?” To Celestia, he didn’t sound angry, more curious than anything. Perhaps even a little hurt.

Celestia took a breath and exhaled slowly. “Concerned wasn’t the right word. Worried is closer to it. Like I said, I feared you might act against us.”

“Act with what?” Gregory asked. “We don’t have a standing army, our continent is rebuilding now, and there’s not much we can do against you. Unless you were talking about economically.”

“That was my fear, yes,” Celestia said, shame laced in her voice. “As a princess of Equestria, my duty is to protect those under my reign. I make no excuse for my actions, though. You are correct that I should have come to you without pretense.”

Gregory stared at her for a while, then sighed and relaxed back in his chair. “So it wasn’t Gryphonia you were scared of, it was me personally,” he said. “Still, you have something wrong. I’m not in charge of the Convocation. I’m only a member of a larger group.” He stood. “I move to end this meeting early so we can all go back and cool our heads. We should all come back when the storm is over and look at things with a fresh perspective. And by all, I mean the representatives from the other nations as well.”

“I second this,” Geoffrey said, standing and nodding.

Celestia watched as the other members stood and agreed with Gregory’s motion. She and Luna both stood and nodded. “Thank you for seeing us, and once more, I’m sorry about the deception. I hope that this won’t tarnish any future relations between Equestria and Gryphonia.”

Gregory turned to her, walked over, and offered her a hand. “As long as you are open with us in the future, I see no problems.”

“None of us do,” Geoffrey said.

Celestia looked at the extended hand, then back up at Gregory. She reached up her hoof, placing it in his hand. He clasped her hoof and shook it.

For the first time in a while, she held hope in her heart.

Friday, January 7, 1008 A.L., Equestria

Blueblood looked over the latest report from their agents in Gryphonstone. Whatever storm had been raging in the city had broken the day before. Beside him, High Life leaned against him, reading along with him. “So,” he said, “my aunts made their move. They met with this Convocation.”

High Life took the report from him, reading it over more carefully. “This is just what we need,” she said with a smirk. “We’ve gathered all of the other evidence. Now it’s time…”

Blueblood sat up in his bed and nodded. “High, gather the House of Lords and a copy of the lawbook. It’s time.”

Count Fancy Pants sat in his traditional seat with his wife Countess Fleur De Lis along with the mare he was courting to become the second wife in his herd, Countess Noblesse Oblige, both sitting on either side of him. Noblesse was a unicorn from the Prance vassal state. She was a dark blue unicorn with silvery white mane and tail. She had lovely reddish pink eyes and her cutie mark was a solid gold circle with a blue flower inside it. Next to her was another noble who shared many of their beliefs.

Baroness Scarlet Pimpernel was a light pink unicorn mare with bright pink curly mane and tail with light blue eyes and her namesake as her cutie mark. She was born, to Fancy’s knowledge, in the small territory of Britmane, a small landlocked vassal state of Equestria located to the northwest of Prance. She was ten years younger than Fancy, Fleur, and Noblesse, but she was definitely a strong-willed mare, raised right by her predessesor, the Baron Primrose. “What are we doing here?” she asked in her Britmanish accent.

“I wish I knew,” Noblesse said in her Prench accent before turning to Fancy. “What do you think, mon ami?”

Fancy shook his head. “It’s an emergency, was what the messenger told me when they came.” Fancy, Fleur, Noblesse, and Scarlet were all at Fancy’s mansion when the message had come in for an emergency House meeting. The messenger had seemed to be in a hurry, so they had all quickly prepared. However, they had been in the chambers for over half an hour and the heads of the House had yet to arrive.

He knew why, though. This was a power play that Prince Blueblood and High Life did often. Although half an hour was a bit longer than normal.

“Could this have anything to do with the princesses visit to Gryphonstone?” Fleur asked softly.

“Hmm…it was a simple diplomatic visit that they decided to perform in person,” Fancy said. “I’m not sure why this meeting would be about-”

The door opened just then, and the prince and marchioness stepped in. This caught the attention of everypony there, and the other nobleponies went silent as the two walked up to their positions. When they both took their seats, they looked over the room. Their expressions were grave, which put Fancy on alert. Finally, Blueblood exhaled. “Fillies and gentlecolts of the House of Lords,” he began, “Marchioness High Life and I come before you today with some upsetting news regarding our exalted princesses.”

This made Fancy’s blood freeze. He focused his ears forward, as did his three companions. High Life’s face was just as grave. “We cannot be certain about things as they stand now, but the princesses actions as of late have been concerning. Nopony here, I’m sure, would ever think that their actions as princesses of our great nation are anything less than exemplary, but in recent months, their actions have been somewhat erratic.”

“That alone is understandable,” Blueblood said. “Ever since the invasion of Canterlot and the destruction of Ponyville by the changeling emperor, it would stand to reason that they would be under a large amount of stress. However, that is not all that we have found.”

High Life spoke next. “As everypony here is aware, the princesses have gone to Gryphonstone personally to speak to a new government body that has been established there. What most of you, if not all, don’t know is that they were spotted carrying a large amount of chests to the train with them when they left.”

Fancy’s eyes widened, and his wasn’t the only one. Many others looked around in shock at this revelation. Blueblood continued. “This has been corroborated by a large number of witnesses including the servants who helped to pack up these chests. These witnesses revealed that they were packed full of a large number of talons and other objects from the princesses personal vaults. Now, the talons are not something we can use due to international money laws, as you know, but the other objects that were packed were worth tens of thousands of bits, if not more.”

High Life held up a piece of paper. “Under the authority of our prince here, an audit was performed, and we found that the castle treasury is nearly depleted after all of the aid we have given to try and stop our current economic depression. However, their personal vaults have more than enough to put a stop to this crisis. And what do they do days after opening the borders? They leave to foreign lands.”

“It’s no secret that foreign imports are important,” Blueblood said, “but this move shows that they may be growing less fit to rule this kingdom.” He shook his head with a convincing sadness, but continued. “I know most of us have lost money due to this crisis and we have spent much to attempt to alleviate the suffering to others caused by the depression.”

This felt incredibly flimsy to Fancy, but he continued listening. High Life held up something else, this time it was a file stuffed with papers. “This isn’t all that we have discovered,” she continued. “In this folder, we have documented evidence of other instances in the past few years where the princesses actions have been questionable at the very least. Here, we have copies for you.”

She raised her horn and it glowed. With a flash, folders appeared in front of everypony. Fancy quickly opened it, reading over a few of the reports quickly. The changeling invasion during Princess Cadance and Captain Shining Armor’s wedding, only trusting a young and clearly unstable Twilight Sparkle to stop Nightmare Moon, sending her and her friends to the Crystal Empire when it returned, the initial meeting with Jason Wright, and many other incidents. Fancy was stunned by the amount of incidents involved. While most involved Princess Celestia, there were a few involving her sister in recent days, such as the one time when she purposely infected herself with a tantabus. That stunned Fancy, because in many cases, the tantabus could kill its host.

He decided to speak up. “Your grace,” he said, holding the folder up, “I notice that you haven’t gathered enough evidence against Princess Luna.”

“That is indeed correct,” Blueblood said with a solemn nod. “However, I have here a medical report after she self-infected herself with a tantabus. The magical scans showed that her time banished had a negative effect on her psyche. Her body also aged in mere months. When she was banished, she was only a few hundred years old, but now? Her body is biologically as old as it would have been if she hadn’t been banished. Princess Luna is only several years younger than her sister.”

“What are you saying?” a noblepony from across the room asked.

“I'm saying,” Blueblood said, “that it’s potentially time for the princesses to step down.”