Saviors of Equestria

Applejack and Rarity walked down the streets to Sugarcube Corner leisurely while other ponies went about their business. Rarity babbled on and on about all of the gossip she had caught up on back in Canterlot, said unicorn having to repeatedly take quick breaths between sentences as her words jumbled together. While Rarity was talking, Applejack was only half listening while eating a apple fritter until she caught a specific bit of gossip the white unicorn had expatiated nervously.

"Hol' hold up." Applejack stopped and put a hoof to Rarity's mouth, stopping the stream of words efficiently before removing it again so the white mare could speak.

"Oh yes darling Applejack! Didn't you hear? There's been rumors positively flying around all of Equestria!" Rarity then lowered her voice to a sneaky whisper. "I heard that there's something going on with the officials that run Equestria, along with the princesses as well! Why, I'd say we just may be in for some fighting!"

Rarity said it as if it were a joke, but Applejack was quick enough to catch the flash of pure fear that flitted across the unicorn's sapphire eyes for a millisecond. There was something she wasn't saying. Rarity then continued walking at a quicker pace, forcing Applejack to keep up.

"What d'ya mean fightin'? We've been at peace for years an' countin'! It can't be those changelings again... uh, can it?" The earth pony asked cautiously. Rarity threw back her head and let out an obviously forced lighthearted laugh, as if she wanted someone to realize she wasn't the least bit joking.

"No no, it's not those horrid changelings dear! Lots of ponyfolk think it's the princesses themselves that are planning something for all of us. I couldn't find out any more, but it is just gossip, aren't I right Applejack?" Rarity's voice wavered slightly, and her eyes were wide.

Applejack nodded mutely, before replaying the last five year's past events in her mind. It seemed equally suspicious that there were so many things going on in Equestria, that they had more troubling times than good.

The officials were pushing for gun control, as there seemed to be so many more shootings erupting, all aimed at earth ponies; riots and protests breaking out in various places due to the second uprising segregation between earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns.

And to think, there was definitely suspicious military activity, tanks and whatnot being shipped throughout Equestria, as well as militarizing the police force. In fact, the police seemed to be openly patrolling the streets up in Manehattan according to Babs, due to "too many riots".

Rarity's voice broke into Applejack's horrified thoughts. "Dear Applejack, do you mind if we cut this outing short? I am not feeling so well at the moment..."

The white unicorn trailed off while Applejack nodded empathetically. Wishing the farm pony a warm farewell, she trudged back up the path they came. Applejack could only watch, the feeling of tension thickening beyond measure.