History Fanfic / ChrysalisVisitsTheHague

This harmony dissipates however when Queen Chrysalis, a dreaded changeling monarch of high infamy and a mysterious past, is unexpectedly captured by the Royal Guard, and the issue arises on how to best put her on trial for her numerous crimes against the ponies of Equestria.

* YouWouldntHitAGuyWithGlasses: When Estermann gives Chrysalis a pair of glasses to wear in the courtroom, he cites this mentality might offer her some protection. [[spoiler:A few chapters in, she is quite literally punched in the face, courtesy of none other than [[BewareTheNiceOnes Twilight Sparkle]].]]

* JustifiedTitle: The fic's title could just as well double as the story's HighConcept.

--> ''Estermann frowned on the inside. His answer was as cryptic to him as it was to his aide and his client. “...Yes.”''

* {{Mundanger}}: Despite revolving around [[TheMagocracy powerful Magocracies]], [[EmotionEater emotion eaters]], [[{{Shapeshifting}} shapeshifters]] and [[MindManipulation mind controllers]], the ''most'' menacing and crucial dangers that are depicred are things such as [[FantasticRacism racial tension (between ponies, changelings and humans)]] and [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters war (of the undeclared civil kind)]], [[{{Realpolitik}} political power play (both foreign & domestic) and the grasping for strategic interests]], [[CorruptPolitician corruption (also of the non-magical kind)]] and [[ObstructiveBureaucrat crippling bureacracy (plus the subsequent inability of lawmakers and peacekeepers to do their jobs)]] as well as [[MyRuleFuIsStrongerThanYours the trappings of due process]] and [[KangarooCourt the perversion of justice]] (since it's a CourtroomDrama).
* MyEyesAreUpHere: Said by ''Estermann'' to ''Lyra'' when she - being her human-obsessed self - can't stop ogling his hands.
* MysteriousInformant: Sergeant Golden Dirk, service number two, two, seven, niner, three, eight, one... complete with a potential ShoutOut to [[Film/AllThePresidentsMen Deep Throat]].

* ObstructiveBureaucrat: The UN presence in Equestria gets this portrayal. On one hand, they try to enforce a semblance of efficiency and integrity, but at the same time they're hopelessly dependant on the political climate and are desperate to avoid any kind of controversy.
** Edith's UN handler, Pierre Abel deserves special mention, as his obstructiveness seems to come from a genuine sense of moral obligation. ''His'' superior Tian Shouxin though, has no excuse other than cynical disregard for his job (and some implied corruption).
* OneDoseFitsAll: Averted - In the first chapter, everybody thinks that Chrysalis is out cold due to the ridiculously high dose of horse tranquiliser she's been given (which would have outright killed any other animal in her weight class). [[spoiler:''Then'' she jumps up...]]
* OpenMouthInsertFoot: Estermann, unsurprisingly, runs into this territory while talking to Lyra. He ends up (sort of) apologizing straight away.
--> '''Estermann:''' Because as far as I’m concerned, a pony's only good to be ridden and sliced up for sausage. How the hell am I supposed to make myself a picture of one's 'inner workings'?"

--> '''Chrysalis:''' Ah, yes... These jokes… they’re a little like changelings.
--> '''Estermann:''' Yep. They never get old.

-> ''"A lawyer doesn't always want to know what really happened. It's a tightrope walk. Whether or not the lawyer believes in his client's innocence is not the issue. It's his duty to defend his client - no more and no less."''
-->-- '''Ferdinand von Schirach'''