Of all the things that the ponies here had expected to happen, this was not one of them. Twilight Sparkle, Equestria's latest Princess, had been called to settle a dispute regardng one of the many trades that had occurred here at the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange. This was the young alicorn's first time being the arbiter of this event, and as such this was also her first mediation. By law, it was the duty of the attending Princess to uphold the laws of the trade, to decide whether such trades are fair. But the trade that was now in question was, to say the least, a strange one.

For the real shock to all gathered there was that this trade involved two of her closest friends, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. When Twilight had heard what had happened, it was, needless to say, a shock. Rainbow, in her enthusiasm to obtain the one item she'd come here for, a rare and special entry in the popular "Daring Do" book series, had agreed to trade not only an exotic two-headed dog, but also Fluttershy herself, who would go on to train the animal for it's new owner, who had traded Dash the book.

But, it had taken mere moments after the trade was concluded for Rainbow to realise the true consequence of her actions, and as such had immediately called Twilight's attention to it. Knowing Rainbow as she did, Twilight had no doubt that she was hoping she could overturn the agreement and release Fluttershy from her obligation. And so, sitting upon the throne of the Princess, meant for such disputes, Twilight looked out among the assembled ponies there, with her friends and the vendor standing at the front, thinking this entire matter over. To try and sway her, the vendor was in the middle of her explanation.

"...and so you see, your highness, this trade was agreed upon by myself and this mare. I am not willing to go back on this agreement, and she cannot make me!"

Twilight narrowed her eyes at the accusing mare before turning her attention to Rainbow. It was clear from the expression on her face that she was feeling terrible about all this. But even so, Twilight had a job to do, and as such her tone was far more strict than her friends were used to hearing from her.

"Rainbow Dash. Do you deny these claims?"

Rainbow looked up at her alicorn friend briefly before lowering her head, shaking it as she did so.

"No...I don't. I agreed on the trade, like she said."

But, it was here that the pegasus stepped forward, looking up at Twilight on her throne and speaking out in a more impassioned tone than before.

"But I made a mistake! I was wrong to trade what I traded! Fluttershy shouldn't have to pay for me being too blind to see what I was doing!"

Twilight considered that carefully. It was true that Fluttershy was deeply involved in this, and as part of the trade itself no less. She knew deep down that the laws of the Exchange were clear. Both Rainbow and the vendor had gone into this, eyes open, and both agreeing to it. That meant that there was no dispute by the Exchange's rules. However, Twilight was no fool. She knew there was one place in all of this that she could use to her advantage. She wanted to help Fluttershy just as much as Rainbow, and though she knew it might hurt her image as Princess, she knew it had to be done.

"Rainbow...the rules are clear. Both you and she both got what you wanted from this at the time you traded."

Rainbow's head hung low, and the vendor looked on with a look of smugness that Twilight did not care for. But all looked to her once more as she spoke out again.

"However, I am indeed willing to overturn the agreement."

These words had an immediate and profound effect, as all the ponies gathered there began murmuring amongst themselves. Even a complete novice to the exchange would have known how clear the rules were, and that Twilight was in violation of them by doing what she'd just said. The vendor especially seemed incensed by this turn, and stepped forward with an angry look on her face.

"Your Highness! This is unacceptable! You can't just..."

But she was cut off from finishing by a raised hoof from Twilight, who spoke before she could speak further.

"I know the laws. They say that all involved in the agreement have to be happy with it. But there was one pony that wasn't happy when the trade was made."

The vendor looked at the young Princess with confusion, as did Rainbow. A small smile crept onto Twilight's face as she clarified.

"There's also Fluttershy to consider. She was not happy with the arrangement, and just went along with it."

Rainbow's ears and expression perked up upon hearing that, as too did Fluttershy's. The two friends turned towards each other and smiled, clearly happy that their friend had thought of a way to get them out of this. However, there were more than a few angry looks from amongst the crowd, and none more so than the vendor herself, who now spoke out once more.

"Your Highness, if I may..."

But she was cut off for a second time by Twilight, who was looking at her with a somewhat disdainful look.

"Besides, do you really want to be known as the kind who'd trade for a pony...a person?"

The vendor opened her mouth, most likely to try and dispute the matter further, but shut it soon afterwards. It was clear from the look of horror on her face that she now fully grasped the full meaning of Twilight's words, and what the implications of this trade migth have meant for her had it carried on. Looking around, and the new whisperings from some of the other ponies, it was clear that several of them were now thinking the same thing. Thinking hard, the vendor eventually let out a long sigh before looking up at Twilight.

"Then...I will abide by your ruling, your Highness."

Twilight gave a small smile at that, trying her best not to look to smug at having won this victory for her friends, before bathing her nearby gavel in the aura of her magic. It was levitated before being slammed down hard on the side of the throne, indicating that the matter had been brought to a close. Grumbling, the vendor walked off, with Fluttershy and Rainbow staying behind as the crowd dispersed. They stayed and watched as Twilight used her wings to glide down from her throne. Rainbow looked at her with a look of sheer glee, but that expression dimmed somewhat as she saw that Twilight was looking rather irritated. It was a look that was explained as the young Princess spoke.

"Rainbow, that was the first time I've ever had to use my authority to make a pony do something they didn't want to do. I'm glad things turned out well for you two...but I don't like having to do that."

The cyan-coloured pegasus looked somewhat down at that, clearly feeling bad at having put two friends in uncomfortable situations today. But she looked up as Twilight let out a long sigh, her face becoming more relaxed.

"Just...try to be more careful with your trades next time, okay?"

Rainbow smiled back at her, nodding ferociously to show that she understood her friend's words. Twilight nodded back at her before giving a small smile to Fluttershy. Once that was settled, the young alicorn began making her way away from the two of them, presumably to begin packing up her own items before the train ride back to Ponyville. With just the two of them here now, Rainbow looked at Fluttershy with a look of utter guilt upon her face.

"Fluttershy, I'm so sorry about all this. Can you forgi..."

But she was stopped by Fluttershy placing a hoof upon her shoulder. Rainbow looked on as Fluttershy gave her friend a small smile. She said nothing, but it was clear to Rainbow from the look in Fluttershy's eyes that she'd already forgiven her. Perhaps it was because of all the effort she'd gone through to get her out of the agreement, or perhaps some other reason. But regardless, the two simply stood contented, moving forward and embracing each other in a hug, to let them know that everything had worked out.