Princess Celestia has summoned me to Canterlot for an important meeting. Apparently, an alicorn by the name of Silver Blade was proposing a new idea for the Equestrian Rule. Princess Luna and Cadance would be there too, so it appears that this is a very important meeting. I wonder what he has to say...
I walked up the stone steps to the throne room.
"Welcome Princess Twilight! The others are waiting for you inside!" the guards greeted, opening the doors. Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were huddled in the center of the room, discussing something. Luna noticed me and halted the conversation.
"Hello Twilight! Our guest should be arriving shortly!" she explained. The doors opened behind me and in stepped in another alicorn. He was being escorted by two guards and another pony beside him.
"Welcome Silver Blade! This is Princess Luna, Cadance, and Twilight" introduced Celestia. He smiled and took s seat.
"Of course I know who you are! However, we shouldn't be pondering on friendships right now..." said Silver Blade. Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?" she asked. Silver chuckled and grinned. Beckoning for the pony who entered with him, the pony trotted over and set down a briefcase. Silver opened it and took out a strange item. A scepter of some sort.
"Do you know what this is?" he questioned. Everypony nodded. "Good!" He got up a snapped it in two. Celestia gasped.
"Why would you do that to a royal scepter?!" she shouted. He's only been here for five minutes and he's already made enemies.
"To show that the time of monarchy is done!" He walked over to Luna and set the pieces down in front of her. "You have the chance to repair this and restore your leadership in this land. Think about this though; what if the ponies don't want this?" he whispered.
"What are you trying to say?" she mumbled worriedly. He smirked.
"Tell me, do you know what democracy is?" he asked. We all shook our heads. What was he talking about? "Democracy is giving the ponies a chance to choose leaders, laws, and public concerns. As of now, YOU have controlled the decisions! It is time for a change in leadership! A change in government!" Cadance got up from her seat.
"I will have no part of this! The Crystal Empire is deemed separate from Equestria so I refuse to change over to democracy even if the rest of Equestria does!" she wailed, storming out of the room. I got up from my seat.
"The ponies are happy with Celestia and Luna's rule. We appreciate the idea, but we decline," I informed him. He laughed.
"Let the ponies decide Princess Twilight, considering you're so confident that the outcome will benefit you... hold a vote! Democracy or monarchy! Elected leaders or born-in leaders! Rules unfair or rules voted for their justice! Can't you see that this is the better way?" he asked. Surely everypony loved being under Celestia's and Luna's rule.
"We accept the vote. We'll show you!" I challenged. He held out his hoof but drew back.
"To avoid conflict, if the election passes for democracy, I will hold another vote to see if I am to become the new leader, or if Celestia and Luna are to. If I win, they leave. I lose? I'll leave. Deal?" he betted, holding out his hoof again.
"Twilight, perhaps we sho-"
"Deal!" I shouted, shaking his hoof.
"I'll see you tomorrow then with the results. Send it out now. I assure you the outcome will be the better choice," he spoke with confidence. He gestured for his assistant to follow him and they left the throne room.
"Something's odd about that pony. Twilight, could you perhaps follow him? See what he's really up to?" asked Celestia. I nodded and went after them. They went into a dark alley and leaned against the wall.
"Went better than expected. Were the soldiers able to get through?" asked Silver.
"Yes sir. This way, the protection for Canterlot should be doubled. Don't need any conflict here," the assistant replied.
"Good. We should be off then. As should you Miss. Sparkle!" he shouted, appearing from the alley way. I froze in place. "Nice try, but we aren't up to anything devious! We just sent in extra troops to the castle so that Canterlot could have double security. If we WERE up to something, that would make our job harder wouldn't it?"
"Right... I'll see you tomorrow!" I said, rushing back to the castle. There was something going on. I could feel it..
After a few days, the votes came back. We didn't know how to handle it, so we called Silver back to Canterlot. As he walked in, the same assistant was with him. Silver smirked with confidence and flashed me a wink as he proceeded inside. It made me groan and an unsettling feeling came to me. Did he know the votes?
"I'm glad you inviting for the great revealing. However, it is that great when you know the outcome," said Silver. Celestia raised an eyebrow.
"It seems you very confident of yourself," Celestia responded bitterly. Silver smiled.
"A shame you don't have the same feeling! Though, you would if your spying had succeeded! Now! No more talk! Let us get to democracy!" he exclaimed. His horn glowed and multiple glasses with wine floated out of his bag. Luna grabbed the box from the center and flicked through them. Her expression got worse and worse, while Silver's and his assistant's glowed with amusement. No one but them drank from the glasses. They were probably poisoned and their's weren't. It was classic trick that I saw through.
"No... this can't be... this can't..." Luna dropped the cards and hung her head. Silver jumped from his seat.
"Democracy has found it's way into Equestria! Now, don't be sad! We still have the election for the presidency. Might want to study up on democracy, but I suppose your faithful student can do that!" he announced, flashing a look my way.
"I'm no longer her student," I added. He laughed.
"Everypony is a student! Why? Because we all have something to learn!" he replied.
"That's like saying everypony is a teacher." He cast another look at me with a sympathetic smile. That was what he was saying.
"Well, we might as well get better acquainted! This is my brother, Crimson Blade." He grunted. "He's not very talkative fellow. I, as you know, am Silver Blade. I hope we all become the best of friends, just stay off our bad side. Considering the ponies will obviously want somepony who has ran democratic societies before. We'd best be off! See you at the debate!" he exclaimed, returning the wine and glasses to his bag. He eyed me one more time and left. Ugh, disgusting.
"Twilight! I want you to go and talk to them! Find out anything you can!" Celestia whispered loudly.
"But, Celestia, that didn't work last time." She sighed.
"You're talking to them this time! Just go!" she added, turning to her sister. Why do I have to be the runner? Besides, these guys were trained politicians! They know how to keep things hidden. I followed them outside and called out for them. Silver looked back but continued on.
"Catch up then! We have places to be!" he called back. Groaning, I sped towards them. Panting as I reached my destination, Crimson laughed.
"Why do you wish to speak with us?" he asked. His voice was rather deep and cold. It was weird.
"I want to know what you're really up to!" Nice one Twilight. Be direct.
"For the last time, we aren't planning anything! We are fighting without weapons for the benefit of Equestria. We are preventing rebellion! Soon enough, you'll see the error of your monarchic ways. Until that day, I bid you farewell," responded Silver.
"Explain to me then! What is democracy purpose and why is it better than monarchy?" I asked. He grunted.
"Monarchy is when leaders are not chosen, or voted for, by the ponies. All the decisions are made by royalty. They are born into leadership, even though there is somepony else who is better suited for control. The president, does not make all the decisions. He/she allows the ponies of the nation to vote for their opinion on a matter. Monarchic rulers do not allow that. Although, there is the chance that royalty is born in, but they still give the ponies a chance to vote. I did take that up with Celestia, but she rejected it. I believe for a change Miss. Sparkle. Perhaps you need to see that as well!" he explained. I was dumbfounded. He was right! We never gave others a chance for a say...
"I'll be on my way then..." I mumbled, turning around. Little did they know it was all a trap. Obviously, I didn't believe that their doing this for others. No. They were too cocky and full of themselves. I had to figure this out!
After following them for hours, they reached a hotel which, to much dismay, did not allow me to enter.
"What do you mean? I'm Princess Twilight!" I shouted at the guards.
"Monarchic rulers are not allowed in a house of democracy. Leave now!" they repeated for the hundredth time. I knew this would happen eventually. Princesses being rejected access to places. God, but it was so soon. I had to return to the castle though. The entire hotel was surrounded.
"How did it go?" asked Luna. I hung my head.
"They actually want to help others. No conspiracy. No nothing," I murmured. Celestia got up and walked over to me.
"I guess we'll just have to see what happens after the debate."
