Horse of the Year

Darkness Chapter Six: Fraught With Strife

“So war…” said Golden Amethyst and Tim nodded as he started to head out to the car, he was going to do something about this, “Well Shadow Eyes said something rather intelligent when we entered the Changeling War… ‘Support your troops, they have no choice’ They really don’t” said Golden and Tim stopped his hand on the knob.

“Is war the only option? We really shouldn’t police the world” said Tim from the door and Golden looked at him.

“Many ponies said the same when we entered the Changeling War, but the truth was, we started that war, we were just finally committing troops, when your presidents decided to fight Communism wherever it shows itself, they started this war, now you are just committing troops, it’s time you as a people realize that war is not the end of things, there will always be survivors” said the mare and Tim clenched the knob tightly teetering between calling for a town council meeting, that will undoubtedly be called regardless—having his objections heard—and just returning to the chair in the Television room. “I have a feeling you are thinking about something” said Golden not looking towards the man and Tim turned towards the pony in shock although he couldn’t see her through the wall leading to the room. “Why don’t you tell me what it is?” she asked and Tim swallowed as he returned to the room, Lilian had returned having left the room to get something stronger than juice for the three of them.

“I have no doubt there will be a town meeting in a fortnight to discuss this sudden declaration of war, without the congress’s approval-”

“One thing I learned about politicians be they princess or king, if it is war they seek, they will say it, this isn’t a war, per-say, it is at best a conflict. I have a feeling that if he meant it to be called a war, he would have said that you were going to war” said Golden interrupting and Tim sighed before looking at her silently asking her if she were finished.

“It doesn’t help that there will be children who will grow up with conflict going on, and with a draft, depending on how long this war goes, they might find themselves joining a battle that is not of their own making” said Tim and Golden giggled as she materialized a pen and paper and started to write. “What’re you writing?” He asked and Golden looked up to regard him before sighing.

“This nation of yours is going to need those that support it until this conflict is over, and Shadow Eyes… She may be ignorant of the princesses’ actions, she remains one of the most powerful unicorns I know, both in diplomacy and in combat. She may be lying to herself, calling herself Tenebrosus Magus, but she certainly is not without a certain bag of tricks…”

“What does that have to—you are writing her a letter, aren't you?” said Tim and Golden nodded.

“She won't have a return address so that should make it harder for her to find me, but just to be safe, can you mail it out of state?” Tim looked at her like she was crazy. “While I don't like her, because she is lying to herself, but she is one of the best ponies here to help point out during war, she believes in a pony’s right to protest, but she is also very dangerous on a battlefield, Tartarus help any who are her enemy. Me? I am just of interest because I may be her only option to get home” said the mare as she finished writing it and placing the folded letter in an envelope, licking the adhesive so it would stick and closed it.

“Can you trust her though? After all you said unicorns have magic, so that would mean-”

“If I was sending this through magic she might be able to track it, but by sending it through mundane ways…”

“Golden Amethyst, please remember to clean the living room while we are gone” said Lilian and Golden bowed her head in acknowledgement a smile on her face as she got up from the sewing machine, a bunch of black and white fabrics and white lace.

“I promise the living room will be clean before you get home” said Golden with a small bow and Lilian and Tim looked at her with worry, it had been faint at first, but over the past few days ever since sending that letter, her coat took a more crystalline appearance, and if she was hit hard and sudden, it would not give, just like a crystal, but if she was touched lightly it had the same consistency as fur from before, and though it was likely unrelated she seemed more upbeat more positive, she cleaned the house without a single word of complaint.

“Thank you, also the Melbourne's will be over to visit tonight, and there might be a mess in the sitting room after they leave.” said Tim and Golden Amethyst nodded a content smile on her face.

The mess was nothing compared to some of the messes nobles made while at their private parties in the castle in Canterlot.

“Sorry, you didn't have much fun at the party.” said Lilian, Golden just gave a smile and continued to work on cleaning the sitting room. Lilian moved to help and Golden got in the way.

“Don’t, this is my job, I would be remiss if I allowed you to sully your hands with what is my duty to this family, besides” Golden grinned at the woman, “You should be relaxing, and not drinking alcohol, or smoking for, oh about nine months”

“What are you talking about?” asked Tim and Golden smiled with a mischievous grin.

“Well, Casanova, your wife is pregnant” Tim looked dumbstruck, was this more info from a grandson he had yet to meet? Or something else?

“H-how do you know this?” Tim asked a worried glance at his wife, she had been all but barren since the birth of Cristal…

“Almost all ponies can tell when a loved one is expecting, and I love you three like family” said Golden Amethyst with a loving smile.

“What do you think of this, Miss Amethyst?” asked a city council member in the middle of their meeting and the pony went wide-eyed as she obliged and bit her lip before standing to address the room.

“I don't know what your world is like, not when it comes to war. However…” Golden Amethyst took in the sight of the entire room, they seemed to be waiting for her to finish with baited breath… “however…” she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she did not like being the center of attention, “I believe that support for the troops, at the very least, is necessary. Even if you have no love for this conflict, the soldiers have no options but to obey, he is not asking anything that violates your Constitution…”

“He is asking us to send our children to die for people we never met!” Shouted Mrs. Tosberry and Golden shrunk back before standing straighter and more confident then before.

“The greatest enemy of good, is not those that aspire to commit evil, but those that sit back and do nothing, I believe one of your greatest scientists said something similar” said Golden Amethyst with a confident grin. Sure she had heard it first from Shadow Eyes, but it was no less true.

“So we must throw ourselves on the fire? What is wrong with taking care of ourselves first and foremost?” countered Mr. Tosberry and Golden Amethyst smiled brilliantly.

“You already threw yourselves into the fire when you took up the battle against Communism, committing troops is just the next logical step. You already are taking care of yourselves first and foremost, from what I know of the USSR, they are trying to change the whole world to be like them, even though they are slowly collapsing into financial ruin. Unequal amounts of wealth or equal amounts of poverty. That is what you are fighting for.” said Golden Amethyst…