Unforeseen Consequences - Welcome to Griffonstone 5

>“Senator Goyri, before this meeting officially begins, I must ask you a simple thing. Keep those blatant lies to yourself. I assure you, they will be all for naught for your cause.”
>Unlike you who immediately got fired up after hearing the council’s pretention to charge money for that false claim of arriving late, your mom Luna stood her ground, powerful, unmoving and always serious.
>Which was also a complete opposite from how the council reacted. Goyri was absolutely fuming while the rest of his goons murmured frantically among themselves.
>It was all funny to you, and under different circumstances, you would surely laugh at them and maybe compliment it with a nice remark. However, given the seriousness of the circumstances, as well as your own mom’s attitude, it was probably for the best if you kept a stoic face for the time being.
>When Goyri finally decided to hush the rest of his council, he tried to act as offended as possible, maybe to make your mom falter in her position “Accusing this honorable council of lying without any sort of evidence? Princess Luna! How dare you! Do you even know how Griffon law punishes such transgression?!”

>Of course, that silly attempt to make your mom trip failed miserably. She remained powerfully serious as she narrowed her eyes and bluntly replied “You know very well that I am speaking the truth, Senator Goyri. Otherwise, you would not be be wearing the proper garments that your customs demand for a meeting like this, but your beak would not be covered with the seeds you had for breakfast.”
>Knowing how flimsy his lie was, Goyri nervously flinched and looked to his comrades in hopes to get an answer to your mom’s words. Unsurprisingly, that never happened, the rest of the council collectively shrugged, making him to look like an even bigger fool.
>Your mom elegantly took a seat at the gold and silver table that was placed in front of the tall podiums where the council was and finished by saying “I ask you once again, keep these tactics to yourself. I do not have any desire to face your so called punishment again. It would be a great disservice for everyone in Griffonstone if I launch you through the ceiling like last time.”
>Oh, so based on your mom’s words, you could deduce two important things. One, this “punishment” was having to face Goyri or maybe a member of the council in a small battle. And two, the hole in the ceiling didn’t happen because a bomb fell into the building, Goyri found out what happens when you try to challenge the anger of the night.
>With these small discoveries in mind, you went and took a seat by your mom, always making your best effort to not burst out laughing. Which had mixed results, you didn’t laugh, but you sure as heck had a mockingly grin on your face the entire time.

>You could see Goyri’s left eye twitching while he gave your mom the meanest of looks, but like the arrogant jerk that he was, Goyri simply cleared his throat and dismissively waved his claw at your mom “W-We will overlook your transgression this one time. But just because it’s time to begin with the negotiations.”
>Your mom smiled satisfied with this small victory and leaned forward on the desk. She then changed her expression back to that stone serious and said with an imposing tone “We have come today with the express purpose of discussing the terms in which Princess Twilight Sparkle shall be released from her imprisonment. We shall do this by employing diplomatic negotiations between our two kingdoms. I, Princess Luna, along with Prince Anon shall be representing Equestria”
>Goyri let out an annoyed huff and rested his head on his old claw at the same time he disrespectfully rolled his eyes “Bah! We all know why we’re here and who is who! Let’s cut the fat and talk about how the crimes that pesky little Princess did!”
>You were ready to jump at that idiot’s throat, but once more, you were stopped by your mom’s absolute professionalism. She didn’t react at the provocation in any way, instead, she simply continued with her strategy “Very well, then. The first question I must ask is what crimes Twilight committed, as well as where is the evidence that shows her culpability.”
>The entire council shared malicious glances, murmurs and snickers among themselves. Goyri tried to act as if he was offended by slamming his claw against his podium “What crimes do you ask?! Princess Luna! Your little princess not only tried to destroy the museum that this council erected in honor to one of our most important Kings and caused public unrest! She also had the cynicism of confessing everything in a letter!”

>Your mom looked at Goyri right in the eye, while her expression was still serious, you could notice a mix of disgust and anger in her face “I assume that this confession is the one that you described in your letter, Senator Goyri. If so, the information that you describe does not match with the one in the letter that Twilight personally sent to Canterlot.”
>In a new display of his blatantly fake act, Goyri started to shake in anger as he slammed his claw once again “That’s because she was lying, I tell you! That bratty princess wanted to bring down the museum that this council spent so much bits on! And when she knew we would not allow her crimes, she tried to run and hide from the law!”
>Well, this hasn’t been going for too long and you already found a hole in their narrative. A pretty big one at that. You only need to point that to your mom and see how she works her magic.
>Or you would have done that if it wasn’t for your mom immediately picking up the fact that you wanted to make a suggestion “I shall stop you there, Senator Goyri. Prince Anon wants to point out something in relation to your comment.”
>Goyri turned his disgusted gaze to you, and made his annoyance even clearer when he rolled his eyes and frustratingly placed his wrinkle-riddled face on his claw “Bah! Do it quickly! I’m not feeling like tolerating what a dumb kid has to say!”

>Gotta admit, you thought that Goyri would immediately try to stop you from talking or even demand that you were kicked out from the meeting due to your age, but… that reply was less demeaning than what you expected.
>That in your book, was basically giving you carte blanche to not only destroy his incredibly weak argument, but also do it with your awesome smug style. Which was awesome because you were more than eager to bring the smug hammer upon the council. Thing is, your mom kind of shot down that possibility… for all the good reasons.
>“SENATOR GOYRI! WHO DO YOU DARE TO CALL A DUMB KID?!” That was the first time since you set hoof on Griffonstone that you saw your mom getting angry. Heck that was actually wrong, she was absolutely furious.
>Her anger was so much that when she stomped her hoof on the golden table, it not only melted on contact but a blue shock wave was sent through the entire court, knocking every member of the council off their seats.
>Of course, when Goyri went back to his seat he tried to talk down your mom “Have you gone mad, Princess Luna?! Do you know what this act means…?”

>“SILENCE!” He couldn’t finish his sentence, as your mom made the entire court to tremble under her voice “SENATOR GOYRI, YOU SHALL DEMEAN THE MEMBERS OF EQUESTRIAN ROYALTY NO MORE. KEEP THE INSULTS TO YOURSELF AND GIVE THIS MEETING THE IMPORTANCE IT DESERVES!”
>It was hilarious how much fear your mom put into Goyri and his goons. So much that the council went back to whispering among themselves, probably discussing what it would be the best course of action when dealing with a furious alicorn.
>It didn’t last long though, in fact, they did it for just a couple seconds as Goyri turned to you, cleared his throat and addressed you with a still rude, but more polite tone “V-Very well! Prince… Anon, was it? Say your part! But make it fast… I doubt any of us wants to stay here more than necessary!”
>With the golden table now gone, you decided to get closer to the podium. You looked up to the council, always with a huge smirk on your face.
“Well, necessary is kind of a vague word, don’t you think? Especially when your little rant has more holes than Chrysalis’ legs”
>Goyri’s face became red in anger as the old feathers in his chest puffed enormously. He then let out a hoarse bawk and slammed his claw on the podium “Are you comparing me with the Queen of the changelings?!”

>Alright, he already took the bait. Which was way easier than you though. Since your mom didn’t stop you, you supposed that you were more than free to make these idiots to crash and burn.
“Ah, Ah! You mean EX-Queen of the changelings! Thorax is their new leader, and let me tell you, despite his constant indigestions, he’s doing an actual decent job. Anyway, no of course I’m not comparing you to her! Chrysalis actually knows how to lie!”
>Goyri was furiously shaking, he was glaring at you so hard that you thought his eyes would pop out from his skull. “I warn you, Prince Anon! This court won’t tolerate any other insult!”
“Good! Because the same goes for us! So tell me Senator, because I’m very curious about this. Why would Twilight even need to run away? She’s not exactly weak, y’know?”
>Goyri angrily raised his claw to protest “Because…!” But he quickly realized that you had backend him into a corner, so once again, he started to whisper and plot with his goons.

>You could see them laughing maliciously before Goyri turned to you with a victorious grin on his face “Because, she wanted to finish destroying our glorious museum! Our proud griffon army captured her in the act! That princess had no chance, I tell you!”
>At that point, you felt a bit dumb for what you said before. Your mom was right. You shouldn’t have forgotten about your own skills. Outplaying the council turned out to be super easy for you.
“You see, that’s a lie. Stop doing that! You’re not good at it! You see, Senator, I don’t know if you got the memo, but Twilight is an alicorn, and alicorns are very powerful ponies. If she really wanted to destroy that museum, then no griffon would’ve been able to stop her.”
>Deeply offended by your words, Goyri looked down at you with an arrogant frown “I’m afraid that you underestimate the proud griffon army, Prince Anon”.
“And you underestimate the pony who almost beat a super-charged Tirek. But let’s say that part was somewhat true, I mean Twilight is in jail right now, right? So she willingly surrendered to you. Maybe because she didn’t want to hurt innocent griffons who were following orders. Even when she knew that the charges were false and no one actually tried to destroy the museum.”

>Goyri slammed his claw on the podium once more and barked to you “Where do you want to get at, Prince Anon?”
“I thought I was being obvious with that, but alright. Guess I need to polish my detective speech. Okay, senator, this is the thing. Destroy is actually a very specific word, and that wasn’t mentioned in YOUR letter that we got. So you either show us evidence that Twilight actually wanted that museum destroyed, or we’ll be taking Twilight back to Canterlot right now.”
>An incredibly wide grin started to appear in Goyri and his goons’ faces. “Evidence you say? Well Prince Anon, this council will be more than happy to oblige with your request!”
>Despite having the clear lead, you fell right into the council’s trap. You couldn’t even begin to tell how awful you felt at that moment. It was like a huge hole had opened in your stomach.
>Your mom seemed to have thought the same, since she immediately used her magic to pull you towards her. You could see her eyes filled with worry, but before she could tell you how much you screwed up… well, maybe an apology would make things less bad for you.
“I’m sorry, mom. I know you trusted me on pulling this off nice and clean, but… I dunno what to say… my mouth got the best of me and I-I…”

>Your mom rolled her eyes as she placed her hoof on your mouth in a less than gentle manner. She then leaned closer to you and angrily whispered into your ear “I swear on every star in the night sky that if you pull this self-deprecating act one again, then I shall ground you until you turn three hundred years old!”
>You wanted to protest that since from your perspective, you had basically screwed over not only the negotiations, but maybe even the whole relationship between Equestria and Griffonstone.
>But your mom didn’t let that to happen. She pressed her hoof slightly harder against your mouth, and whispered again, only that this time, with less angry and more kindness “Listen well, my child. While your aggressive style of negotiation still lacks the subtle attacks of my older sister and my particular finesse and elegance, your method has certainly worked with the council.”
>You couldn’t help but to look at your mom in disbelief, attitude that she simply responded with a roll of her eyes “I know that you may be wondering why, and the answer is simple. You have forced them to reveal their secret card before they anticipated it.”
>Well… that was actually true. Considering how happy the council looked when they flew out of their seats and to the pair of mahogany doors, this evidence they were talking about must have been their piece of resistance.

>And now with your mind clear of anxiety and your mouth free from your mom’s hoof, it was time to show the council that you weren’t intimidated… and that you had a very good idea of what their twist was going to be.
“Well, Senator, it seems like we didn’t have to spend too much time inside the court. I just hope that this museum isn’t that far away from your local jail. I’d prefer if Twilight doesn’t spend longer than necessary inside her cell.”
>You could hear Goyri snickering behind his beak when he opened the doors. “We will see about that, Prince Anon. Now follow me, please.” He then opened the doors and gave you one last final grin before he exited the court with his goons.
>You didn’t like following orders from him, but you could make an exception this time. The only thing you felt about was to leave Greta without any explanation of what just happened since she looked quite worried once you exited the council’s building.
>Along the way to the museum, Aegia had joined you without being noticed by the council, and like the actual professional she was, she quietly landed behind you and whispered into your ear “I had to pull more zan a couple favors, but I got ze information you wanted, mon petit.”

>Not wanting to worry your mom, you kept your gaze always in front, and your face always holding the serious yet determined look that it had when you left the building as you whispered back to Aegia.
“Good, we will discuss it after checking on the girls.”
>Aegia didn’t reply to you, instead she whispered something to your mom, gave the both of you a solemn salute and then stayed a good ten steps behind you. Like an actual bodyguard would.
>The walk to the museum didn’t last for too long after that, but at least it served you to get a better idea on what the population of Griffonstone thought about their council.
>What a stark different with your mothers it was. While most ponies never missed a chance to greet and praise your moms when they walked on the streets, the griffons usually reacted in two ways.
>One, they would call their children to get inside their house, and two, they would spit to the ground after the council had walked through. Fear and hatred, that’s what the griffons felt about their council.
>You wished that you could have seen a bit more of that, if anything to completely cement your thoughts. But that would be for another day since your party had already arrived to the museum.

>It was a somewhat modest building made out of stone. That didn’t mean it wasn’t big, it was at least two blocks wide and four stores high. With two giant statues of what you presumed was King Groger guarding the entrance.
>As you said, the structure itself wasn’t nothing remarkable in terms of architecture, the thing resembled more a shoe box than anything else. The problem was, you didn’t need any sort of detective skills to deduce what the council’s evidence was supposed to be.
>There was a huge hole at the left side of the front wall. You could also see bricks scattered around it. The doors were shattered to splinters, revealing on a first glance an interior that was in a much worse condition.
>And Goyri didn’t wait to point it out either “Well, Prince Anon, if this isn’t evidence, then I’m afraid you don’t know what it is! But, I’ll tell you what! This meeting is postponed until tomorrow. That way you can see for yourselves the damage that princess caused to Griffonstone. Then, we can discuss how much bits you are going to pay for the damages AND her bail!”
>With hoarse laughter and one by one, the council flew away from the museum. Of course, Goyri didn’t left without grinning one last time at you “Ta-Ta, Prince Anon! Hope you enjoy your stay in Griffonstone!”
>You looked up to the sky, and seeing Goyri getting lost in the distance, you let out a sigh and said.
“I seriously hate that guy!”