Long Live The Princess

Chapters

Act I - Chapter 1 - Ascension
Chapter 2 - Out With The Old
Chapter 3 - A Conflict of Interests
Chapter 4 - A Clash of Class
Chapter 5 - Distracting Ideals
Chapter 6 - The Search
Chapter 7 - Pincer Attack
Chapter 8 - A Den of Snakes
Chapter 9 - Elements Lost
Chapter 10 - No More Laughter
Chapter 11 - The Cost of the Crown
Chapter 12 - The Next Step

Act I - Chapter 1 - Ascension

Long Live The Princess

Chapter 1 – Ascension

A burning sensation scalded Twilight’s throat and nose as she knocked back the glass of whiskey and she came up spluttering. The drink was not a familiar one to a tongue accustomed to the mild wines and ciders of social gathers and luncheons. Yet, as the liquid fire dived into her stomach and set alight her insides, warming her and steadying her nerves.

Twilight knew she would need the liquid courage for this day. It was an honour, a momentous occasion, everyone was so proud, so inspired, least that's what she had been told, but she had witnessed the scornful looks, the sneers barely hidden behind a hoof or a napkin, the whispers of the envious lords, the tittering of the elite. Outsider they called Twilight, not born to the blood yet the command of the Two said otherwise, by imperial decree she Twilight Sparkle would be adorned as a noble lady of Equestria with all its rights and privileges and would be given lordship over Ponyville and it's associated territories.

Twilight’s breath caught in her throat, her heart a flutter with heavy thumps as a weight settled in her stomach, like she had swallowed a ball of led. A shiver of anxiety most potent caused Twilight to press her forehead against the nightstand, the pressure bordering on pain grounded her for just a moment. Just long enough to grip the bottle by way of magic and shakily pour herself another glass, her trembling translated to nearly spilling the glass as Twilight shakily downed it. The fire entered her and did away with the shaking, melting the led ball inside of her, 'twas a small comfort, temporary perhaps, but there was precious few other options.

Righting herself Twilight poured another drink, taking this moment to inspect the bottle. Imperial Reserve, distilling since 1780, triple distilled, matured and bottled in Trottingham. A drink fit for a Princess, or in this case, a lady.

“How did it come to this?” Twilight spoke aloud, only the walls to listen to her, she knocked back another drink, the foul stuff nearly turned her stomach.

Twilight recalled when Celestia had come to her with this, it had been seven years since Tirek had risen, seven years since she had wielded the power of all the gods. She had a hard time recalling her battle with the demon, but she was told that it was a spectacle to witness, yet all Twilight recalled was burning fire, her horn sparking painfully, and flashes of light. Many things had changed since that day, many things had come and gone.

“You shall be Lady Twilight of House Sparkle, and I shall grant you lordship over Ponyville,” Celestia had said onto her, after summoning Twilight to Canterlot.

“M-me? A noble lady? In Ponyville?” Twilight had stuttered, overwhelmed by the prospect. “But… I'm already a Princess! A-and that territory has been coveted by the neighbouring lords since it was settled! They’ll take my ascension as an affront to their authority.”

“Exactly,” Celestia stated, looking down upon Twilight with an unreadable expression. “Too long have these lords of broken and false houses stood against me, plotted and conspired against my every move, they have denied the divine right of the Alicorns, and that is where you enter in my dear Twilight.”

“I don't understand,” Twilight said nervously.

“Then allow me to simplify it,” Celestia said harshly under the guise of gentleness. “I don't trust half of these noble lords, the other half may be plotting against me anyway, yet to act against them directly would provoke them, and for all their petty squabbling they shall band together a pack of wolves should they feel I am overstepping what they believe to be the boundary of my authority, I would have you enter this game of theirs a new player, you shall be my light in the dark, you shall work within, gain support, allies, and challenge those whom would look to me in envy, you shall be my agent, so that I may defeat their plots and not have the crown blamed for breaking them.”

“So you’re shifting blame, painting a target on my head rather than your own,” Twilight said, her anger sparking suddenly and burning bright, what betrayal was this? “Will they not come for me? What then? Would they not blame you when your soldiers rise to my defence?”

“My soldiers would not come,” Celestia with such cool cruelty, a blade that cut deep into Twilight’s heart and threatened to spill moisture from her eyes. “You shall stand alone, unbridled against the fury of these lords, and you must not yield, your motivation is your life, do not take my decision lightly, I would not do this if I believed you would fail, consider this a lesson in how to rule, you are a princess and the time will come for you to take up the responsibility in which that title implies, by comparison a lordship is small and irrelevant, but shall serve as a suitable test of your ability to rule.”

“I suppose I don't truly have a choice?” Twilight asked bitterly through clenched teeth, the pain of being tossed into this by one whom she trusted was great indeed.

“No,” Celestia had said expressionlessly. “I suppose you don't.”

“A test indeed,” Twilight spat to no one, returning her mind to the present as she poured another drink. This one she sipped away at as she grew more accustomed to the flavour and the sting of the drink.

Twilight glanced at a nearby mirror, servants had adorned her lavishly, she wore a long flowing dress of deep purple just a shade darker than her fur. The silk hugged her form just enough to tantalize the minds of stallions, but not too much as to leave her without shame. Around her neck was a silver choker ingrained with black opals, more black opals studded her ears from base to tip. Her face had minimal makeup, only some gloss to her lips and black eyeliner adding intensity to her eyes. Her mane and tail had been brushed to a shine and her mane had been styled to one side with a hairpin in the shape of a star holding it in place. She looked noble, regal, a lady, a princess.

Twas all a sham, a show for the masses. She the favoured thespian.

Next to the mirror lay a tall kite shield, wooded panels coated over in thick steel which upon the sigil of what would soon be House Sparkle was painted. A deep purple field in which a single six pointed star lay, not unlike Twilight’s mark. Next to the shield was a carefully folded banner that also bore the sigil, these were the only gifts that would come from Celestia, the banner of a false house.

A knock would soon come to Twilight’s door, finishing yet another glass of what was swiftly becoming Twilight’s favoured drink she answered the door to Celestia’s servants. The time had come. Twilight’s own servants carried the sigil-born shield as she walked the grand hall. Whatever doubts, whatever the anxiety that plagued her, she mustn't show weakness for these high lords would sniff it like a dog tracking meat. She would appear strong, proud, like the lady they wanted to see, her head held high and her posture straight as she entered through the huge double doors to the place of her ascension, the grand hall, where a thousand oaths sworn by lords and ladies most noble echoed. On either side of the aisle is where they stood, nobility of the court, sons of small Canterlot housings, merchants whom paid their way here, nameless knights of minor deeds, smaller houses of lesser sons, no great titles but the strength of the wolf is the pack.

None were overly pleased to be there nor to look upon Twilight as she strode pass in all her regality and splendour. Some looked completely livid while others masked their distaste well, Twilight though for a moment, fleetingly, that she spotted Rarity amongst them. Carrying one of the few smiles within the crowd, but it could be a trick of the mind augmented by the whiskey. Twilight looked at none of them, in this moment she was above all of them and they meant nothing to her, their pettiness could not reach her.

The Two Princesses stood at the end of the hall upon their twin thrones. Celestia wore her usual smile which Twilight had learned was a plastered mask. Luna was expressionless save for a slight stern crease to her brow, what stirred her anger was unknown. The din and whispers of the crowd quieted swiftly as Celestia and Luna stood.

“It is on this day that we honour a great servant of the crown and of the realm,” Celestia said with practiced tones.

“It is our will that our loyal servant, Twilight Sparkle, be granted the title of noble lady and given governance over the holdfast of Oathtree with its attendant lands and incomes,” Luna said with clipped tones, Oathtree was Twilight’s castle in Ponyville. “That her children and her children's children shall hold these honours after her, and until the end of time.” The whispers and murmurs sprouted up again, for as an Alicorn Twilight was immortal by all means, she would not pass by virtue of time, so the sentiment that her holdings be passed to her children following her passing was a rather moot one. She was a lord eternal.

“Are there any whom would to themselves honour by pledging their fealty to this new and noble house?” Celestia asked the crowd.

Twilight knew there were, another one of the few gifts Celestia would give. She had sought out members of the guard whom would be willing to pledge themselves to the new lady. Thankfully there had been a few good stallions willing to answer the call.

“I shall,” A voice called from the crowd. A middle-aged stallion stepped forward. “Day Break of Fey.”

“And I, Wind Rider of the Stormclouds, I pledge my sword and the swords of those who follow me.”

“And I, White Sand of the Red Rocks, I pledge myself and my men.”

There was a pause where they waited for more even though Twilight knew there weren't any. She heard Celestia take a breath to speak again but just in that moment a voice called out.

“I too pledge my sword,” the familiar scratchy voice called out and in a flurry of colour Rainbow Dash emerged from the crowd. She wore a simple iron breastplate, greaves, and gauntlets. A simple longsword hung under a cloak worn from travel. Yet it was her face that Twilight studied, her hair had been cut short, she sported a few more scars then the last time Twilight had seen her. Yet it was her eyes, where the last time Twilight had seen Rainbow those eyes had been withdrawn, empty, but the fire of determination now set them alight.

The years had been hard on Rainbow Dash and upon the world. Tensions had risen and come to open conflict between Equestria and the Gryphon Kingdom, resulting in a relatively short but extremely damaging and costly war. When the throne had called upon the lords of Equestria, to pledge their swords to the defence of their home they hesitated, they stalled. Equestria was without the majority of her armies, so seeking a solution Celestia pushed for conscription, and the re-militarization of the wonderbolts. Gone were the days of fanciful and awe-inspiring air shows for children and adults alike. The Womderbolts dominated the skies, the airborne sword of the imperial crown. Rainbow Dash had been amongst them.

Last time Twilight had seen Rainbow Dash was when her friend had been on leave just half a year after the war had ended, three years ago from the present. She had been unharmed save for a few scars here and there. Yet, the most notable change had been her manner, oh she spoke when needed but often without energy and warmth of old. At times she would stare into nothing with a stricken look upon her face, perhaps her mind was back in those skies raining blood, Twilight could only imagine. Rainbow had gone back into service after that, refusing to return home on leave, and replying to letters only curt and to the point responses. And here she was, pledging her sword to Twilight.

Twilight stared at Rainbow Dash’s face for a good long while. Trying to goad anything from her face but her gaze was iron. The questions that rose from within Twilight’s mind would have to wait to be asked at a later date. Twilight turned back to look at Celestia whom seemed to also be studying Rainbow Dash. Twilight could've sworn she saw contempt flash in her eyes. Celestia then looked at Luna whom to Twilight’s confusion suddenly looked very pleased.

“Very well,” Celestia said after a long pause. “Do you, Lady Twilight, accept these brave souls into your service?”

“I shall,” Twilight answered, regaining her focus to the front. “I accept their hearts, their spirits, and their bodies into my service, I swear by my newfound titles to treat them with fairness and to honour them as deserved.”

“Thus, by decree of I, Celestia of the Eternal Sun.”

“And I, Luna of the Holy Moon.”

“We declare you, Lady Twilight Sparkle of Oathtree, may your reign be long and prosperous,” Celestia declared. “Hail! Twilight!”

“Hail Twilight!” The crowd chanted back, sounding more like they wanted Twilight’s head than anything else.

“Hail Twilight!”

“Hail Twilight!”

Author's Note

Don't forget to comment your thoughts.

Chapter 2 - Out With The Old

Chapter 2 – Out With The Old

The whiskey was still there when Twilight returned to her chambers. Left open and lukewarm, unfit to drink. Twilight replaced the cork and cast a simple chill spell which cooled the liquid, forming several small chucks of ice which swirled within the bottle and condensation stuck to the glass. Breathing a sigh Twilight poured herself a glass and took a sip, the warm familiar feeling spreading throughout her body.

A crisp knock at her door. Twilight placed down her glass and went to answer the door. Twas Rainbow Dash as she requested.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight greeted, it was still so surreal to see her.

“Twilight,” Rainbow said back. Not quite meeting her gaze. “You called for me?”

“Yeah… Uh, come in,” Twilight said, moving aside. “Would you like a drink? I've got some whiskey here-“

“No, thank you,” Rainbow said rather forcefully, stepping inside.

Twilight took a moment to take in the finer details of Rainbow Dash’s form for a moment. Small scars patterned her face and body. A long thin one lined her left wing. Stories of battle which Twilight could not know.

“What happened to you?” The question was bordering on accusation, nut Twilight needed to know.

“After… the war, I travelled a lot, flew the unknown skies to the east, maybe I was running, I dunno,” Rainbow sighed. “I was always fighting, maybe I just got tired, and when I heard about all this I thought maybe I could help out, like the old days.”

There was something in Dash’s eyes, it appeared only went she looked at Twilight. She could not quite place it but it was soft and sad, strange, foreign. Yet, usable, yes, something she could trust to be loyal. After all it was her element, and guilt was a powerful oath.

“And it will be,” Twilight said softly, pulling Rainbow Dash into a hug. She stiffed at the contact but would relax, melting at Twilight’s touch.

“C’mon, we’re going home” Twilight said.

Ponyville

The town had grown into what could be called a small city. While the bulk of the population remained as farmers, foresters, miners, and so on. Even the rusty old backwater could not escape the new industrial world. The river pushed watermills which lined the bank turning the gears and cogs of factories. They ground wheat into bread and packaged it to be shipped and sold. Even Applejack had bowed to the new way eventually, for the siren song of profit was alluring indeed. When one could invest in a single magical crystal that would power a machine to do the work of ten workers in half the time. Well, that was just good business. Merchants came en masse and so did the workers, more and more homesteads and inns were built. More people came. It was a time of progress.

Twilight’s guards were formed up outside of Oathtree Castle, Twilight’s castle. The servants which Twilight had hired days prior to the ceremony were presumably inside the castle already, seeing as banners bearing the sigil of House Sparkle already flew from the ramparts.

Rainbow Dash wasted no time and called the platoon of guards to attention, her drill voice gruffly echoing off the castle walls. The sixty stallions stomped their hooves and straighter up. Heads held proud.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” Twilight said, standing before them. “I would like to once again thank you all for your service, I could not have asked for a better group of guardsmen to protect me, and with that I would like to introduce you all to my Captain of the Guard, Rainbow Dash, she is a former member of the Wonderbolt Task Force and is highly respected and experienced, she shall be your commander and head of my house guard, she speaks with my authority and I trust that you shall all give her the respect that she deserves.”

“I’ll leave you to it,” Twilight said to Rainbow.

“Meet you when I’m done here,” Rainbow said. Twilight walked off and would hear Rainbow’s drill voice echo once more just before Twilight entered the castle. “Listen up, ladies! Here's how it's going to work around here..!”

Inside the general staff was waiting, the maids, chef, and Twilight’s Head of Staff. A Prench mare with a cream coloured coat, blond mane, and a clipboard as a mark. Honey Cream was her name.

“Ze former mayor iz waiting in ze board room,” Honey said with her light Prench purr affecting her speech.

The board room was up a level, it was wide with a large table and chairs for Twilight to sit and meet with whomever she saw fit. Waiting for her now was Mayor Mare, well, former Mayor Mare that was. Now she was just Ivory Scroll.

“This is odd,” Ivory Scroll said. “Usually I'm the one people come to meet.”

“Yes, it's a strange time for all of us,” Twilight said with a smile and a laugh. “But I hope you shall help me make this transition as easy as possible.”

“Of course, and here's all the documents that you’ll need,” Ivory said, gesturing to a thick file laying on the table. Twilight smiled as started leafing through it. Taxes and budget expenditures mostly, but…

“Where's the census?” Twilight asked, flipping through the file.

“Census, gods, we don't have a census in Ponyville,” Ivory said casually.

“Don't have a… What do you mean you don’t have a census,” Twilight said. “A census is required by imperial law, do you mean you've been violating the law for years, not to mention how do you keep track of population? Demographics? Do you even know if people pay their taxes?”

“We’re an honest town, I trust everyone to do their duty,” Ivory said happily.

“You trust… where's the tax rate spreadsheet?” Twilight picked up the file and found the relevant document. “This can't be right… You give massive tax breaks to farms and put that burden on merchants and shop owners.”

“Yes, well, traditionalist farmers are the backbone of this town, they founded it, they built it,” Ivory huffed, she was becoming annoyed.

“Farmers make up over half the population, you’re taking the tax burden off them and placing it on the merchants whom are less that twenty percent the population,” Twilight suddenly desired a drink of whiskey. “Are you dense? No wonder this town took so long to grow from a dusty village, you've been burdening the employers.”

“Lady Twilight with all due respect it’s the sweat and tears of hard-working earth pony farmers who built this town into what it is, they deserve to be respected for their contributions.”

“That makes no economic sense,” Twilight said in exasperation. “Democracy, offering us mediocre under-qualified glorified showmen whom capitulate to the masses rather than doing what must be done, Captain!”

“Yes ma’am!” Rainbow Dash answered, flying in and saluting.

“Escort Ms. Ivory to a locked room, we’ll be keeping here here until she can be transported to the capital’s dungeons,” Twilight ordered.

“On what grounds!?” Ivory Scroll demanded.

“How about defying an imperial mandate to hold a census? Or improper handling of taxes? These are serious crimes”

“Oh, I see how it is,” Ivory sneered. “You fear my popularity, you’re scared that the earths won't accept some bourgeois horn-head as their leader, and you’re right your highness, they’ll never accept you.”

“Listen,” Twilight said, softening her voice. “Maybe you were honestly trying to do the right thing, but I can't just let this sort of oversight go unpunished... what would people think of me then? No, call me what you will but my word is law manifest by divine decree.”

“The people of this land won't stand for this,” Ivory threatened.

“I hope you're wrong, I really do,” Twilight said “Take her away.”

Rainbow Dash escorted Ivory Scroll away as Twilight went through the file once more, putting the details to memory before turning to Honey Cream.

“Honey I want you to go to town hall and get every document you can find, tear up the floorboards if you have to, then I want you to draft me an order to commence a census, we’ll need to hash out dates, times, and where people are to report, we’ll need administrators and workers to man stalls, parchment, ink, quills, and so on, tell Rainbow to have the guards ready for crowd control too,” Twilight said, pacing back and forth, her mind racing.

“Of course madame, anyzing else?” Honey Cream purred, she seemed rather entertained by all this.

“Yes,” Twilight said, rubbing her temples. “Get me a tall bottle of whiskey, Imperial Reserve.”

Sweet Apple Acres

Applejack wiped the sweat off her brow as she pushed the last of the barrels onto the cart. It had been a good harvest this year, very good, and it had been like that for many years now. Ever since the Apple Family decided that if all of their farms across Equestria operated together it would result in greater profit for the lot of them. With canneries and bottlers in the north and mass crops in the south, Apple products from cider to sauce were very popular items for the average consumer. Yet despite the growing farming empire Applejack had long ago since made the decision to maintain her simple farmer lifestyle, as did Mac and Granny. Applebloom had taken off to the capital, she worked with the far more invested cousins to maintain and grow the company. From her letters Applejack knew she lived in great comfort, and she couldn't be prouder.

“That's the last of 'em!” Applejack called out.

“Tha's great, we'll be able ta send em off in the morn then,” Oak Pine said, he was one of the farm workers, a good stallion. A thick black moustache over his lip, brown fur, well muscled legs, and heavy black eyebrows over green eyes. “We're all set fer the winter then.”

“That's right, it'll be nice to have a good break,” Applejack said. “What'll you do over the holidays then?

“Me? Oh I'll be sure to make myself busy, I'm not too good at relaxin ya know?” Oak Pine said.

“I hear ya there, I ain't no good at sittin and knittin as granny calls it,” Applejack chuckled.

“Well we could always keep each other company if ya want,” Oak Pine seemed interested in the ground all of a sudden.

“Oh? And what do ya mean by that then?” Applejack said, cocking and eyebrow and leaning casually on the cart.

“I... I just mean we could uh, grab dinner sometime er uh, maybe take a walk through a orchards? Just ta keep ourselves busy,” Oak Pine stammered.

“Of course, just keepin' ourselves busy,” Applejack rolled her eyes and shook her head, before she could say anything else though she heard a voice calling her name.

“Applejack!” It was Big Mac, he approached them in a hasty manner quite faster than his normal lumbering manner. “I think ya'll should see this.”

From a saddlebag Mac produced a rolled piece of parchment which he gave to Applejack. Unfurling it revealed the parchment to be a most official document, a mandate actually.

“This document should act as official notice to all persons of concern, the county of Ponyville and all of it's associated lands and territories shall now fall under the governance and lordship of Her Royal Highness Lady Twilight of House Sparkle, as has been decreed by the crown and made law by imperial right, all citizens of the aforementioned territories are hereby commanded to immediately swear their fealty and loyalty to Her Majesty. All landowners, merchants, and otherwise business owners are hereby notified to the impeding change in policy regarding collection of tax, land rights, and other administrative processes,” Applejack read aloud, two seals marked the documents as legitimate, one from the crown, the other a star that must have marked Twilight's authority. “Twilight's a... lady? And she's in charge of Ponyville?”

“The same paper is put up across town on every notice board,” Mac said. “And people are already starting to talk, Green Leaf said he saw Mayor Mare being escorted somewhere under guard, Silver Platter said he overheard two unicorn merchants talking about how the new lady has already bumped up profits.”

“Why in the name of Gaia am I only hearin about his now?” Applejack said, taken aback.

“My guess is the big manes of Canterlot wanted to keep the whole thing a private affair,” Oak Pine said. “Typical Unicorns.”

Applejack frowned and looked at the document. “Twilight's a friend.”

“You haven't spoken in years,” Mac reminded her.

“Yeah, but she has her own responsibilities and I have the farm,” Applejack said defensively. “I know here to be a good mare, this is a big change and Mayor Mare was good to us but there's no reason Twilight isn't as every bit as reasonable, lemme go see her, it'll be good to talk to an old friend at the very least.”

Author's Note

Hey that was fast wasn't it?

Chapter 3 - A Conflict of Interests

Chapter 3 – A Conflict of Interests

Twilight took a sip of whiskey as she finished off yet another equation. Piles of paperwork were carefully organized on the table, sorted by subject, year, and demographic. Trying to fix seventeen years of neglected tax policy was proving a challenge even to Twilight's exceptional mind. Her mind was both an ocean of equations and a battle between the looming headache and the whiskey.

The sound of the door opening and closing broke Twilight's concentration, she turned to see Rainbow Dash entering her office. Twilight was then rather surprised when Rainbow stopped to salute her.

“Oh! Uh...” she was rather taken aback.

“You're supposed to salute me back,” Rainbow said, not moving, yet the ghost of a smile upturned her cheeks. Twilight gave a sloppy salute in return. “Ivory was taken to the dungeon, as you commanded.”

“Right, that's good...” Twilight sighed, this was a mess. Not even a day into her ladyship and already the problems were beginning to show their weight. Thinking on it she then did feel guilt for her treatment of Ivory Scroll, the mare had served as mayor for seventeen years. From her perspective Twilight must have appeared rather upstart, marching into her town and declaring herself in charge, then throwing Ivory in jail. That could've gone better.

"Rainbow?” Twilight said suddenly.

“Yes ma'am?”

“Do... Do you think I was right to arrest Ivory like that?” Twilight asked.

“She was in the wrong wasn't she?”

“That's just it, I'm not completely sure, maybe I acted to harshly, I was too impulsive,” Twilight said. “I was too confrontational, too arrogant.”

“I respectfully disagree,” Rainbow said, her face was blank but her eyes softened. “She had broken the law, and it is your right and your duty to enforce those laws, Twilight, you can't second guess yourself like this, not when it comes to the law and your authority within it.”

“But I'm not infallible, Rainbow, if I don't question myself I can't recognize when I've made a mistake,” Twilight argued.

“Except you aren't questioning yourself, you're questioning the law, you didn't jail Ivory on a whim you did it with legal purpose and reason, the law is objective and absolute and as lord of these lands you are the law given physical form,” Rainbow aptly said. “And if you give question to the law then so will others, they'll smell blood and be on you like a pack of timber wolves and devour you until you are nought but bones.”

“My my, when did you become so well spoken?” Twilight asked, genuinely impressed.

“I... um...” Rainbow stuttered and looked away as she showed rare emotion, even rarer still was that it was a quality that Twilight did not often attribute to Rainbow Dash: embarrassment. “I uh... I always admired how smart you were, so during my... travels I made a habit of reading every textbook I came across...”

“Well...” Twilight said, still impressed. “It certainly paid off, and... you're right, I can't afford to be weak, and... I'm glad your here Rainbow, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have at my side.”

“T-hank you, that means a lot,” Rainbow said, her voice cracking, a smile which she tried to hide lighting her features.

They slipped into a mildly awkward silence that was mercifully interrupted by the swift appearance of Honey Cream.

“Zere is a pony ere wishing an audience,” she said.

“Oh? Whom exactly?” Twilight asked.

“An Applejack she said she was.”

“Applejack? Ah she must have heard I returned to Ponyville and wanted to say hello,” Twilight said happily. “It'll be good to see her, coming Rainbow?”

“Yeah, okay,” Rainbow said.

They left Twilight's office for the main hall, what would soon become Twilight's throne room once she had the time to refurbish the castle. A servant opened the door for them and Twilight took a position at the top of the stairs, Rainbow Dash to her right and Honey Cream to her left. Twilight was about to call Applejack in when she realized she was still holding her glass of whiskey next to her in a magical grasp, she had a servant take it away.

“Okay, let her in,” Twilight said. The guards at the far end of the hall saluted and pushed open the rather heavy doors, and in stepped Applejack. Looking as she always did, Twilight couldn't help but smile, true to form Applejack wouldn't have changed much even after all these years. Applejack approached and came to stand just below Twilight, and after a moment she removed her hat and bowed her head in respect.

“I must say I didn't think is how ya'll would come back home... Lady Twilight,” Applejack said, raising her head and smiling. She looked over. “And Rainbow Dash too, this is a surprise.”

“Applejack,” Rainbow Dash greeted, a tad curtly.

“Oh Applejack it's so good to see you,” Twilight said happily as she quickly descended the steps and warmly embraced Applejack. “I've missed you more than I can say.”

“Good to see you too, sugarcube,” Applejack said softly, giving Twilight a squeeze. After a second she pulled away and held Twilight afar so she could look at her. “You look good and a noble lady too? How'd that come 'round?”

“Kind of a long story,” Twilight chuckled. “But here I am, oh but how have you been? I feel so bad for not visiting, you got my letters though?”

“Of course I did, every one,” Applejack smiled. “And I know how busy you were, it's enough ya'll didn't forget about us smallfolk, and I'd say the years have been good, for me as well for the family business.”

“I've heard! You've done quite well for yourself if the gossip in Canterlot can be trusted.”

“Well I'm no millionaire but the winters have gotten easier, my cousins keep barkin at me to put my hooves up and relax but I prefer to do somethin with my time you know?”

“Ever the workaholic,” Twilight giggled. “I certainly wish I had that sort of energy, what with all the responsibility I now have.”

“Yeah, I wanted ta ask you about that,” Applejack said, she let go of Twilight and replaced her hat. “It's a big change for this town, Mayor Mare was in charge for... gosh seventeen years wasn't it? She was around before ya'll first even moved here, a lot of folks maybe don't like the idea of a noble bein in charge.”

“You think so? Well... It's not like I have much of a choice anyway, I'm sure everyone will come around to the idea, I'll just have to be careful,” Twilight said thoughtfully.

“That's a start, but... well them notices around town say that there'll be changes made,” Applejack said carefully. “Folks round here don't much like change, I'm sure you know that.”

“Well this is a very traditionalist town,” Twilight laughed. “But I don't plan on interfering in their personal lives, only things I have planned is some minor tax policy adjustments.”

“A tax adjustment...” Applejack repeated slowly, she looked worried. “Of what sort?”

“Well I'm sure you thought very highly of Ivory Scroll but she made some major oversights when drafting her tax policy, if you can call it that, nearly seventy-five percent of the burden was being carried by ten percent of the population, mostly the merchants, entrepreneurs, job makers, while major breaks were given to the working class and land-owners, mostly farmers,” Twilight shook her head. “No wonder this town has remained rural for so long, all urbanization has been met with hostility, no matter, a simple tax burden shift should get the gears moving again.”

“Your going to...” Applejack caught herself and took a breath. “I see... Twilight it's good that you want to help this town, but, well, there's something you should probably understand before making any... changes.”

“Oh? And what's that?” Twilight asked, curious.

“You see, a while ago the farmers, loggers, and other hard working folks, well, we decided we could all do better if we worked together in a sense, and with most of the town with us we came to an understanding with good old Mayor Mare-”

“-What sort of understanding?” Rainbow Dash interrupted, staring accusingly at Applejack.

“A mutual one,” Applejack said. “She understood the sort of sway we have, so she passed a few laws in our favour, and in return... well she was mayor for seventeen years wasn't she?”

“Applejack...” Twilight said, she felt a bit hurt. “Did you only come here to offer me a threat? Because that's how this feels.”

“I'm trying nothing of the sort,” Applejack said, very quickly. “I'm just tryin ta protect you, because yer my friend, all I'm sayin is that folks won't take this sort of thing lying down, you arrested Ivory, right?”

“That's right,” Twilight said, taking a strong tone now. “She broke imperial law, failing to hold a census, improper handling of tax policy, I am within my right to enforce these laws.”

“And no doubt you're right, but it was still a bad idea,” Applejack pushed back. “Folks respect her, she's been the community leader for years, ya don't just waltz into someone's home and spit in their face, Twilight.”

“See, now I know you're threatening me,” Twilight said, feeling her anger spark just a little. “Look, I don't know what sort of understanding you had with the mayor, but it resulted in illegal actions being taken, I cannot turn a blind eye to such actions for I am divinely mandated to enforce the laws of these lands, I won't pursue legal actions against whatever group did or did not influence the mayor, but unlike her I do not rely on the fleeting support of the masses, I am a lady.”

“You can't exactly expect to run this town when half of it want's your head,” Applejack frowned. “Because with how you're talking, that's where your headed, people won't listen to an outsider who doesn't respect how things work.”

“Applejack,” Twilight said. “I hate to say this, because you're my friend, and that's why I'm allowing it, but you're speaking treason right now.”

“I'm not, I'm speaking honestly,” Applejack said defensively, she then took a breath, things were getting heated. “Why do you want to change the tax anyway? Don't ya care about the working folk? We make this town what it is, not some fancy merchants.”

“That's a nice sentiment but it makes no economic sense to put all the burden on the smallest portion of the population,” Twilight explained calmly. “I understand this may be hard for you to comprehend, but-”

“-What's that's supposed to mean?” Applejack interrupted, a dangerous edge to her voice.

“What? I'm just saying maybe you don't know much about economics, not your fault-”

“-Why? Because I'm an Earth Pony?” Applejack accused. “Just a commoner right? A peasant?”

“That's not what I said!” Twilight exclaimed. “I'm insulted you would insinuate that about me!”

“Yeah, sure,” Applejack said angrily. “If I'm bein honest, I think you spent too much time in the capital, too much time with fickle lords who's horns are bigger than their legs, I remember you as someone who respected tradition, but now you just look down on us like the rest of them.”

“That isn't true,” Twilight said. “This isn't about that, not at all, it's just reality.”

“Well, we'll see how far that excuse gets you,” Applejack turned and started to leave.

“Applejack!” Twilight called to her back, tears springing to her eyes. Rainbow Dash spoke up again.

“Applejack!” she barked, getting the farmer to stop but not turn around. “You have not been dismissed.”

Applejack just sighed and continued to walk towards the exit, Twilight waved away her guards who made to stop her.

“Let... let her go,” Twilight said, and with that Applejack was gone. Twilight sat down and let the tears fall as she choked out a sob, her chest ached. Swiftly Rainbow was at her side with a comforting wing around her shoulder.

“W-what did I do wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Nothing,” Rainbow said softly.

“B-but-”

“No buts, you were in the right, the entire time,” Rainbow said. “Come on now, crying ain't very noble like is it?”

“It... it's just I thought we could be friends like we used to,” Twilight croaked as Rainbow dashed the tears from her eyes with a soft wing-stroke.

“Things change, people change,” Rainbow said.

“No... this is just a misunderstanding, I'm sure once I actually implement the changes she'll come around,” Twilight said, trying to convince herself. “Yes, she'll see how much better it is for the town, she's just stubborn that's all, she's still AJ.”

“Well zen, what is our next move?” Honey Cream asked from behind.

“Honey, you finish of the last of the paperwork, Rainbow, you organize the garrison and get the word out, I'm going to host an introductory speech tomorrow in the town square, that's where I'll introduce the new changes,” Twilight commanded.

“Yes ma'am,” Rainbow said, pulling away from Twilight and saluting. “How much security do you want at the event?”

“Minimal, I don't want to appear like a militant,” Twilight said thoughtfully.

“Are you sure zat iz a good idea?” Honey asked, raising an elegant eyebrow. “As ze farmer said, zis change shall anger many.”

“I'm sure, even if I do twist some tails I don't want to provoke them more with an armed host at my back,” Twilight affirmed. “Now I have a speech to write.”

Sweet Apple Acres

Applejack stormed all the way home with a dark cloud hovering upon her mind. She found it truly hard to believe that the Twilight she knew would be so arrogant to pursue such actions, it was so uncharacteristically stupid least to Applejack's mind. She honestly could not tell if Twilight was doing this out of naivete or worse if the bigotry of the capital had truly infected her mind.

When she did arrive home she was awaited by a group of no less than six others, Oak Pine was still there along with Mac, joining them was Carrot Top, Roseluck, Burnt Oak, and Iron Hoof. Applejack could take a guess why they were here.

“Applejack,” Burnt Oak greeted her. He was an older stallion with a thick grey moustache and a booming voice.

“Let me guess, you're here because of our new liege lady,” Applejack. “I was just there.”

“Then maybe ya'll can put truth to the rumours?” Burnt Oak asked. “Word is Ivory has been put in jail.”

“Fraid that's true,” Applejack said sadly.

“What makes her think she can do that?” Carrot Top demanded.

“Twilight arrested her on the basis of so-called improper tax policy,” Applejack explained. “Meanin the agreement Ivory and the Union had.”

“What does this mean for us then?” Roseluck asked, she looked worried.

“Well she plans to increase tax on farmers and land-owners..”

A chorus of disgust and anger followed the noise and the group utilized every curse their rural speech had available.

“Damned typical horn-head,” Oak Pine spat. “The Union won't stand fer this.”

“Damned right they won't,” Iron Hoof growled, he was a large burly stallion. Well muscled from working in the mines for most of his life. “We gotta do somethin, what ya say Applejack?”

“Ya'll can do what you please, I ain't touchin this,” Applejack said.

“Don't tell me yer goin soft on us, Jack,” Burnt Oak questioned. “You've been the biggest voice these last few years, folks respect you, all it'll take is a word from you and that witch will be hung in the streets.”

“Which is exactly why I said I ain't touchin this!” Applejack snapped. “Twilight may be in the wrong, but she's my friend and I ain't going to be the one to do her in, that's not the way of doin things.”

“And what is the way of doin things huh?” Oak Pine asked. “She ain't Ivory, she got no votes to count, what else are we to do?”

“If ya'll do this yer inviting an army into this town,” Applejack. “You might be able to convince Twilight, but the Two don't give a damn about you.”

“Applejack's right,” Roseluck said. “We can't jump straight into extremes, Applejack was just one voice, but if Lady Twilight hears a thousand she might realize what she's up against.”

“Alright, we'll do it your way,” Burnt Oak shook his head. “Just never thought I'd see you bowing to a Unicorn, Jack.”

“You still haven't, she's an Alicorn,” Applejack quipped. “Immortal, and she could probably snap all our necks with a thought.”

“Gaia... go suck her teats why don't you,” Carrot Top rolled her eyes and Applejack rounded on her.

“Ya wanna say that again? How about I smash that pretty face of yers and salt your sad excuse for a garden, let alone a farm!” Applejack snapped, closing the distance between them. Carrot Top wavered under her gaze. “That's what I thought.”

“Applejack, calm down,” Big Mac said softly, and Applejack leaned back but only after she knew the point was driven home. Then before any of them could say another word there was the sound of galloping hoof-beats and a young colt came huffing over the hill.

“Mr Oak! Ms Applejack!” Rocky Road huffed. “Dad... sent... meeting”

“Get it out boy! C'mon!” Burnt Oak chided.

“Sorry, my daddy sent me, said that guards are puttin the word out that there's to be a meetin with that horn-head lady tomorrow afternoon,” Rocky said.

“Probably plannin on talking down to us on how much better life'll be now,” Oak Pine sneered.

“Good job lad, go tell yer daddy ta spread the word to the mines and other farms, I want the whole union there,” Burnt Oak said and the colt ran off. “We'll hear what she has to say, and if it's as bad as we think then we'll show her she can't walk over us.”

“I won't stand in your way,” Applejack said.

“C'mon AJ, we won't be a force without you...” Oak pine began.

“No, leave her be,” Burnt Oak said, he shook his head at Applejack. “Take care of yourself, Jack.”

“You too, old timer,” Applejack said as they all left, she turned to meet Mac's gaze. “Oh don't look at me like that.”

“They're right y'know,” Mac drawled. “Your letting Twilight walk over you because you used to be friends.”

“For the love of... I don't need this, not from you,” Applejack huffed and made to go inside. “Get back to work you big idiot.”

Author's Note

I hope the quick updates don't come at the price of quality. Expect the next chapter to take exceptionally longer.

Don't forget to comment.

Chapter 4 - A Clash of Class

Chapter 4 – A Clash of Class

Twilight groaned in protest as sunlight assaulted her eyelids, her head pounded like a drum and her mouth was as dry as a desert. She lay with her head rested upon desk, a pool of dried saliva fusing the flesh of her mouth to the wood which she actually had to pry free. Her vision swam as she tried to look around but only managed to make herself nauseous. Twilight began to wobble and would've fell off her chair had it not been for a pair of strong hooves which caught her. They were comforting, and through her blurred vision Twilight saw a rainbow and smelled the scent of freshly fallen rain.

“Rainbow Dash?” twilight croaked and immediately coughed painfully, she was severely dehydrated.

“You passed out while writing your speech,” Rainbow Dash said softly, yet her voice still made Twilight's head hurt. “You drank an entire bottle of whiskey and were halfway through another when you fell asleep.”

“Helps... helps me think,” Twilight mumbled. “Time?”

“Nearly seven, c'mon, let's get you washed up,” Rainbow said. Twilight allowed herself to be guided as she could barely open her eyes let alone walk, just the short trip into the washroom was enough to make Twilight want to heave. Rainbow managed to get her into the tub where she then activated the floating rain cloud which hovered above the bathtub. Gently a cool shower of raindrops began to fall onto Twilight, washing away the grease and disgusting feeling which coated her. She opened her mouth and let it fill with water, washing away the taste and swallowing painfully. Twilight managed to open her eyes enough to watch Rainbow retrieve a fresh cloth. She wet it in the shower and gently began to wash Twilight's face, wiping away the marks of sleep and discharge from her eyes, her hooves were gentle and caring as she carefully traced Twilight's eyes, mouth, and behind her ears. Twilight couldn't help but stare at Rainbow's face as she worked, a ever so slight crease of concentration and concern as she washed away the shame.

Rainbow gestured for Twilight to turn around and she did, letting her mane wet itself under the rainfall. Rainbow Dash retrieved a hard brush and carefully worked out the knots and tangles, taking her time as to not cause Twilight even the slightest pain. She then grabbed shampoo and lathered Twilight's mane in it, before pouring more over her coat and tail, taking extra care with the latter. All the while Twilight sat in contentment, passively accepting everything Rainbow did. A small part of her wondered if this was actually proper in a way. After all a lady should hardly have to wash herself. Twilight mused to herself while Rainbow continued to work tirelessly.

Next she moved onto Twilight's wings. First she gently grasped one and guided it to full extension, the muscles ached and the bones cracked into place in a strange satisfying pain which made Twilight both flinch and groan. Carefully but with a firm touch Rainbow Dash worked the muscles, gently extending and folding the wing all the while kneading and massaging the taunt muscles. She then carefully preened and straightened the fussed and tangled feathers with almost a reverence as she carefully combed through each and every feather. Rainbow would do all this for the other wing as well.

Eventually Rainbow would rinse the suds and soap away along with the hungover feeling, she turned off the rain and guided Twilight out of the tub where she grabbed a towel and a brush. Carefully she dried Twilight off and began to brush her, first her coat, then her mane. Twilight stared at the mirror, following Rainbow's movements as slowly she was able to coherently think once more, she thought of the events that were scheduled for today.

“Is everything prepared for my speech this afternoon?” Twilight asked, her first words came out frank and professional.

"Yes, milady,” Rainbow said, equally formal and pausing her brushing to speak. “Attendance has been made mandatory for the entire town.”

“Good, I don't want anyone to miss it,” Twilight said, almost to herself. “With luck I can abash the worries of the common folk, they must learn to accept me if this town is to be turned around.”

“I have no doubt you will be successful,” Rainbow said as she straightened Twilight's mane into it's usual style and replaced the brush. “Is there anything else you need, milady?”

“No, I believe the servants can take care of the rest, Captain,” Twilight said, she stared at herself in the mirror while deep in thought.

“I'll take my leave then,” Rainbow Dash saluted and made for the door.

“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight's voice made Rainbow stop and turn around. “Thank you... for your care this morning.”

“You're welcome, Twilight,” Rainbow said softly and then she left.

Twilight observed herself in the mirror for a moment, today she felt different, she looked different. Perhaps this was simply a product of a rather queer morning, yet, she felt taller and a steady confidence assured her of success. She had a plan, a strategy, and loyal servants to carry it out, yes, washed away was her misconception for in this moment she believed herself to be ready, prepared. Sparking forth her magic Twilight retrieved a small bell and rang it, at the sound almost immediately a host of servants bustled into the washroom led by a tall thin stallion unicorn with a very neatly trimmed beard and oiled mane.

“Oh simply marvellous,” he said in a very posh Trottingham accent. “You've already been brushed and preened, milady you glow with radiance this morning.”

“You can thank Captain Dash for that, Mr Silver,” Twilight said.

“Indeed! I must thank her, now! What shall be our style of the day, hmm?”

“In a word? God-like.”

“My dear, I shall have them building chapels in your name.”

The result when Twilight walked into the throne room was her mane, glossy and straight, worked into a long single braid which hung by her side. A silver tiara, inlaid with purple amethyst, sat lightly upon her head. Her eyes were lined in dark purple eyeliner and shadow, with further makeup to accent the angles of her face. She wore a silver breastplate which was carved with the symbol of her noble house, a light silky skirt of lavender colour hung over her flanks and was attached to the breastplate like a holy marriage between the martial and the courteous. Silver had done his job well as when she entered her throne room, where Rainbow Dash and Honey Cream awaited, they both stooped into low bows at the sight of her.

“My lady you look simply... Tu es beau!” Honey Cream exclaimed.

“Yes, simply divine, is she not?” Silver came in from behind Twilight, he carried a long box. “But I almost forgot the best part.”

Silver laid the box down and opened it, inside was a expertly crafted and ornate longsword. The hilt and crossguard were pure silver and the scabbard was designed with intricate silver stars and moons. Twilight picked up the sword and drew it, the blade was obviously well forged with a sharp edge and a slight blue tint to the metal.

“When did you have the time to commission this?” Twilight asked, sheathing the blade and giving it to Silver whom immediately when about securing it to Twilight's side.

“I didn't, it arrived yesterday nigh alone with this,” Silver floated over a letter which Twilight took. “Clearly someone whom knew you were to be a lady quite some time before it happened.”

“A lady must never be far from her blade,” Twilight read aloud. “For she stands against the tide of chaos and fights back the evil of anarchy, wield it with nobility and you shall prevail, L”

“L?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes,” Twilight flipped the letter around. “No other mark of identity.”

“Well whomever they are, they have completed your look,” Silver said, stepping back and basking in it. “Yes, the Goddess, beautiful indeed... wouldn't you agree, Captain?”

“You look very nice, milady,” Rainbow said professionally.

“Thank you, now...” Twilight took a deep breath. “How long until the speech?”

“Nearly two hours,” Rainbow Dash said. “I suggest eating something before you leave.”

“You're right, have the cooks prepare something light and retrieve my notes from my room, I want to review them, this has to be perfect.”

Later At Ponyville City Square

“C'mon mama! I want to see the Princess!” Dew Drop exclaimed, pulling her mother through the quickly gathering crowd.

“Alright! Alright! Just slow down!” Sweet Drop said, completely at her daughters mercy.

They managed to push to the front of the crowd just in time to see the carriage roll by, pulled by two of Lady Sparkle's guards. Twilight sat inside, watching the crowd peer in, trying to get a glimpse, an understanding. There must have been at least three thousand people gathered, maybe more.

“You're ready?” Rainbow Dash asked from the other side of the carriage.

“As I'll ever be,” Twilight said. “I hope this will be the reassurance Applejack, and the people, need.”

“The fact that you hold that hope should be proof enough they have nothing to fear,” Rainbow said, getting a small smile from Twilight.

The carriage pulled up in front of what was formerly the town hall, office of the mayor, now it was vacant and was to be either re-purposed or torn down. Here the new noble lady would make her voice heard, in front of the last bastion of democracy for this small town. Twilight was very much aware of the irony of the whole thing.

Rainbow exited the carriage first, she took command of the guards there, a mere fifteen had been assigned for security today as per Twilight's wishes. They held the crowd a good distance back from both the carriage and the stage which Twilight would speak from. Rainbow opened the door for her and offered a hoof to help her down which she accepted, at her appearance there was a very mixed reaction from the crowd. Some gasped, some cheered, some stomped their hooves in both appreciation and aggression, others merely shouted things unintelligible. Twilight offered a few waves to the crowd as she walked to her place upon the stage, trying her best to maintain what she hoped was a regal and professional mannerism. Yet she merely felt stiff and awkward in all her movements.

She looked out at the crowd from her elevated position, for the first time seeing the size of this gathering in it's entirety. Truly Ponyville had grown in size over the last years, as not very long ago the town would've been lucky to gather a crowd half the size of this one. Twilight was no stranger to public speaking, yet her heart fluttered with anxiety. Perhaps it was the elevated importance of her first address. Perhaps it was because of the angry faces she saw within the crowd, whom glared, whom shouted. Though she did not see Applejack amongst those faces nor anywhere in the crowd. Whether that was a comfort or a worry Twilight could not precisely tell.

Manifesting her magic Twilight produced a spell which would project her voice louder and farther without much effort. The initial casting of which created a low cracking sound much like thunder that caught the crowds attention and made them quiet. Twilight looked out across the crowd, gathering her thoughts and making sure they waited on her. Then once it was established that she and she alone was in control, she began to speak.

“Good evening,” Twilight began, her voice projected far. “Since this city's founding you the people have been offered a disservice, a lacking in proper governance. For too long have you been lied to and told that the mayor and other elected officials are here to serve you when in fact they only exist to serve themselves, and why? They are driven by their own desire to be reelected, their need to stay in power eclipses their duty to govern, that ends tonight, that ends with me. The crown, empowered by divine prerogative and ancient decree has declared me Lady Twilight of House Sparkle and lord over these lands. For you see I rely not upon the fickle support of the ballot or the shilling tactics of the politician, my word is all the bureaucracy made manifest and it is my intention to correct the improper and mediocre governance brought about by the weak willed electives that have plagued this land for so long. Namely the biased levying of imperial taxes in the favour of the majority against the minority, thus I shall be introducing a flat fifteen percent policy to correct this disparity, all classes shall pay in equilibrium until such a time when more appropriate policies can be introduced. To enforce this change I shall also be ordering the first ever census in Ponyville, to augment the lackluster records kept by the administration gone past. In tandem these changes shall improve quality of life and encourage more business and jobs to be created, in turn reversing the unnatural stagnation that this fair city has suffered. I am an end to the suffering, an end to the bloated status quo, it is time for this land to rise to it's potential as a centre of commerce and trade, this I do declare to be our lofty goal in the years to come and my purpose to fulfill as lord of these lands.”

Silence followed the conclusion, a tense one. People murmured, some confused, others angered. No cheers came, no. The thing that broke the spell was an angry shout, one directed at Twilight.

“No tax for workers!” someone shouted, there was a chorus of shouts which agreed.

“She wants to kick us onto the streets!”

“Stupid horn head!”

“Witch!”

Slowly the crowd turned, voices shouted in protest and took up chants against her. Twilight stood her ground as she searched the crowd, she was frustrated. Why did they not see? If even one of them understood simple economics they would not be so against her! Twilight scowled to herself as she was thrown more insults and slurs.

“The witch is a bitch! The witch is a bitch!” Many chanted.

Twilight caught Rainbow Dash's eye, the message was clear. With one last look out across the crowd as they leered at her Twilight sparked her magic and in a flash she teleported away, leaving the protesters to yell at no one. She next appeared back at her castle, a headache already assaulting her as the angry voices still echoed in her head.

“Ma petite dame!,” Honey Cream exclaimed, rushing to Twilight's side. “We 'eard what happened, are you unharmed?”

“I'm well, thank you,” Twilight said with a sigh. “That could of gone better.”

“Oh don't think like zhat, mon chéri,” Honey Cream purred, stroking Twilight's mane. “Ze people don't know what's good for zhem, like a child with medicine.”

“Even still, I fear this will only get worse from here,” Twilight said.

“Hm, well I hope you are able to entertain still, for 'ave guests.”

“Guests? Whom?”

“A rather respectable group, they showed up asking very politely for an audience with you, using proper etiquette and all,” Honey explained. “Zhey await you in the meeting room.”

Honey Cream guided Twilight over to the meeting room and opened the door for her. Inside was a large round table around which sat seven unicorns clearly of great wealth, but the one that caught Twilight's eye was the rather beautiful mare with a pure white coat and purple mane and blue eye shadow over enticing blue eyes.

“Rarity...” Twilight said, almost in relief to see her again.

“Why hello, darling,” Rarity said warmly, it did indeed improve Twilight's mood to hear her say that. “My my, certainly moved up in world have we not?”

“Perhaps not for much longer, if this evenings events are anything to go by,” Twilight said, walking around the table to where Rarity sat. Rarity hopped off her chair and swept up Twilight's hoof and brought it to her lips in an act of fealty that caught Twilight off guard.

“That is exactly why we are here,” Rarity said with a wink. “Please sit, we have much discuss.”

“We indeed,” Twilight said, sitting down at the head chair and looking out at the assembled unicorns. “Whom do I owe this pleasure?”

“Ah yes, here we have Quick Quill, owner of the Foal Free Press, Silver Scales who is a representative of the Equestrian Imperial Bank, Wild Ace owner of several very successful casinos both in and beyond Ponyville, Rapid Rails the founder and owner of the South Equestrian Rail Company, Steel Script a representative of the Freefall Insurance Company, Ivory Ice owner of a very large portion of storefronts in the city, and Happy Hearth owner of the Happy Heights Apartment chain,” Rarity listed. “They are, you might say, interested parties.”

“Indeed,” Twilight said, looking at each of them in turn. “Well it is truly an honour to meet such successful and influential business owners or representatives thereof, it is companies like yours that drive this economy and maintain the prosperity of the nation.”

“The honour is all ours, my lady,” Rapid Rails said, he was a large stallion with a very large grey moustache and a blond coat, he wore a humble grey tweed suit with a black top hat. “All of us here heard your speech, and we liked what we heard.”

“Oh?” Twilight said, they had her attention.

“Indeed,” Quick Quill said. He was a thinner stallion with a trimmed red mane and reddish brown coat, he wore a simple dark brown vest over a crisp white shirt and a very typical newsy flatcap. He sat so close to Twilight that should could smell the aroma of expensive cigars on him. “The former mayor, begging your pardon for my language, a pain in our collective assess, ma'am.”

“I can only imagine,” Twilight said with genuine sympathy. “I've only had the time to see some of the former administration's archives but from what I've read I can gather that the past seventeen years have been marked with a very hostile environment towards legitimate and profitable business.”

“Your assessment is correct, my lady,” Ivory Ice said, he was a very bland looking stallion with a boorish look about him, a white coat, yellow mane, and white suite. “I know that is has been difficult for many a entrepreneur to invest or launch ventures at all in this town, they're always gutted by punitive tax rates and biased policies regarding land ownership. Why not three months ago there was a stallion whom wished to set up several lumber mills by the river, a industry that would have created hundreds of jobs yet he was denied the deed because the space was was owned by some farmer whom wasn't even using it.”

“When we heard your speech, we were given hope,” Rarity said. “That's why all of us want to support you in every way we can.”

“And I am extremely grateful to the trust and faith you put in me, and I swear I shall do right by you in turn,” Twilight said. “It certainly comes at the opportune time, as the general citizenry seems very resistant to any change in what they view as the status quo.”

“Indeed, the rabble nearly turned to riot,” Rapid Rails grunted. “Have you put though to simply increasing the presence of guards in the city, you need to be able to enforce your will after all.”

“An increase in armed host may be warranted yet I haven't the means to produce them,” Twilight said.

“We can take care of that darling,” Rarity cooed. “Both coin and by finding you stallions you can trust, or at least whom are obedient.”

“I think we should not so hastily rush into such actions,” Twilight said with a frown. “Forgive me, I do appreciate the advice and support you all offer me but I believe increasing my militant force shall only provoke a violent reaction, this is something I wish to avoid.”

“Of course milady, you know best,” Rapid Rails said respectfully.

“Indeed I would ask you all to grant me time to think on my next move, the board is set and I must consider what pieces to utilized,” Twilight said. “You are dismissed.”

So they all bowed and took their leave, all except Rarity whom remained behind lounging in a chair looking at Twilight with an expression that could only be described as hungry.

“You have no idea how good it is to see you, Rarity,” Twilight said, relaxing a bit now that they were alone. Rarity hopped off her chair and gave Twilight a very warm, very affectionate, very lingering hug.

“You look heavenly by the way,” Rarity said, holding Twilight at arms length and taking in her outfit. “You simply must introduce me to the designer.”

“I will... if you join me for dinner tonight?” Twilight asked with a raise eyebrow.

“Oh you minx, I could never disappoint a lady now could I?” Rarity giggled.

Late At Night, The Everfree Trail

Sand Stone quickly checked behind him, once again he could of sworn he felt like... no, don't be such a coward Sandy. Remember what Dad said, if you don't see nutthin then there ain't nothin. Even so he quickened his pace in an effort to get home, very much he regretted being out so late with his friends. Several times he swore he heard the sound off approaching hoofbeats, the snapping of a twig, heavy breathing. Someone was following him!

Just as the realization hit him Sand Stone tripped and got a mouth full of dirt as he painfully slammed into the ground and without hesitation they were upon him like a pack of wolves. Magical grips locked his legs and silenced his screams as he was dragged into the woods with nary a trace to mark him ever being there. All the while the city slept, unaware.

Author's Note

Moving into a new place at the end of the month so expect a few delays. But you should totally comment anyway.

Chapter 5 - Distracting Ideals

Twilight's wings twitched as she leaned back in her throne, absorbing what she had just been told. Twilight had been awoken in the early morning by Rainbow Dash whom informed her that there was a stallion at the gates demanding an audience. As it was apparently very urgent Twilight dragged herself out of bed at three o'clock in the morning, made herself swiftly presentable, and came down into the throne room. It was there that she met Solid Stone, a very distraught father.

“Milady,” Solid Stone greeted, removing his hat and bowing his head. He was an older stallion, grey coat, brown mane and moustache. He was very clearly upset, as there was evidence of recent crying in his tired eyes. “I apologize for disturbin you at such an hour.”

“No matter, for my people I am always awake,” Twilight said, trying to sound as dignified as she could while fighting back a yawn. “Though I trust your reasoning is sound?”

“It is, ma'am,” Solid Stone said, his voice breaking a tad. “It's... my boy, Sand Stone... we looked everywhere but there's nary a trace of him...”

“Where was he last he was seen?” Rainbow Dash asked softly.

“He was with his friends, out late like they usually are, he left their house well enough but somewhere along the path he went missin,” Solid Stone choked back a sob. “We found his hoofprints near the edge of the Everfree, but they stopped there, no other trace.”

“Does he usually walk by the Everfree Forrest?” Twilight asked gently.

“He does, never thought anything of it, forest usually ain't dangerous till you go in deep enough,” Solid Stone looked up at Twilight. “I know you have a lot to do, and maybe I'm askin too much, but he's my only son... I can't lose him.”

Twilight stepped down from her throne and approached Solid Stone, placing a hoof on his shoulder.

“I will do all in my power to find him,” Twilight said. “My Captain here shall organize a full investigation into the disappearance of your son.”

“We'll find him, sir,” Rainbow Dash affirmed, she gestured to one of the guards whom approached Solid Stone.

“Right this way sir, we just need to ask you a few questions to get started,” the guard said.

“Of course, of course, t-thank you milady, bless you,” Solid Stone said as he was led away.

“What do you think?” Twilight asked, turning to Rainbow Dash once Solid Stone left.

“What do you mean?” Rainbow asked.

“I simply find it rather odd that in the midst of all this the son of a prominent miner goes missing.”

“Could it be a coincident?”

“At this risk of sounding cliche, I must say I don't believe in coincidences,” Twilight said thoughtfully. “Whether these events are correlated remains to be seen.”

“Well, I think you have other things to worry about, let me handle the investigation,” Rainbow said.

“Indeed,” Twilight blinked and glanced out a window, it was still dark outside. “What time is it anyway?”

“Three in the morning,” Rainbow said.

“Right, well there's no going back to bed, might as well use the time,” Twilight started walking back towards her chambers with Rainbow following. “Don't suppose you have any good news for me?”

“Well after I settled the protest yesterday I did a little digging,” Rainbow Dash explained. “On this farmers union, it's exactly as it sounds, they registered as a legal workers union around twenty years ago and have grown since then, only...”

“Only?” Twilight asked.

“Only unlike most workers unions, they received a Rite of Privilege,” Rainbow Dash said.

“A Rite of Privilege? But only the Imperial Parliament has ever been granted the rite, that means that this Union...”

“...Has almost as much authority as parliament, yes,” Rainbow Dash said. “Except the Union's power extends only in this province rather than all of Equestria, but it does mean that their actions, lobbying tax laws, organizing protests, so on, it's all legal.”

“That is a problem... wait,” Twilight stopped as she came to a realization. “Parliament is granted it's authority by the crown, if this Union is simply a more local version than that means their authority stems from the local lord, from me... do they have a speaker?”

“They do, a mister Swift Scribe, but... what are you saying?”

“I'm saying that if they received the Rite of Privilege then their mere existence is by my grace alone, they answer to me,” Twilight explained.

“So why don't you simply order them to comply?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“No, no, that would only provoke retaliation... hm, no, I shall summon my speaker here and... whom is the most prominent member? Do they have a prime minister equivalent?”

“No, but Burnt Oak has been the loudest voice, I will extend an invitation to him,” Rainbow said.

“Good, and go wake Honey Cream and tell her to meet me in my office,” Twilight said, turning around and heading down a different corridor into what was previously her study, but now was her office. It was modest size with a single desk, several filing cabinets which were organized by date and alphabet. Twilight sat down and lit a nearby candle with a flick of her horn, she then immediately went about writing a letter. She was just about finishing it when there was a knock at the door and Honey Cream walked in.

“You called?” Honey Cream yawned.

“Yes, I want this letter delivered to our friend from the Foal Free Press,” Twilight said. “Make sure to stress that he is to do his own investigation into the disappearance and to stick to facts, I don't want an opinion piece.”

“Oh yes, ze little rainbow mentioned ze poor boy,” Honey Cream said, taking the letter and then giving Twilight a scroll. “This appeared quite literally in a puff of smoke.”

“Ah, I know whom sent this, thank you,” Twilight said, taking the scroll. Honey Cream promptly left and Twilight unfurled the scroll and began to read.

Dear Twilight,

Before you worry things are going great here in the Dragonlads, I'm learning a lot from Ember and most of the other Dragons have come around to at least tolerating me. I heard about your appointment as a noble lady, never would have expected that! No doubt your loving all the paperwork especially since I'm not around to do it for you. Ha!

Just remember to keep a level head, I know you, sometimes when things don't go your way you try and force them to. I've lost count on the amount of times I've had to reign you in, you can't control everything, and that's not a bad thing. They should make me a noble, I'd never bother anyone!

Hope you're well.

Your friend,
Spike

Ponyville Town Hall

It was inevitable that a gathering would be called, rarely was the whole Union called to meet but clearly the matters before them warranted it. Made up of over three hundred members, mostly landowners and farmers but also a fair few merchants and business representatives.

Swift Scribe was their speaker. Elected five years ago he was a graduate of the Equestrian Imperial School of Law. He was a tall and mildly overweight unicorn with a bookish look about him, brown goatee and ashen coat. Boorish amber eyes behind thick glasses. The Union had elected him based mostly on his ability to navigate them through many a legal loophole and technicality.

“Silence! Silence upon this house!” Swift called out in a loud but unimpressive voice. “I welcome you all to this conference in which we have two items on the agenda. The first shall be the arrival of our noble, Lady Twilight, and her announcement of changes to local tax policies. Mister Burnt Oak, you have been granted ten minutes to speak, you may do so now.”

“Thank you kindly, mister speaker,” Burnt Oak said as he stood. “I thank ya'll for coming down here for this meeting, I know you're busy as I am-”

“Or we would be if you weren't such a lazy old fuck!” Someone yelled.

“Ah shut yer fuckin trap,” Burnt Oak called back as the crowd laughed. Burnt Oak couldn't help but chuckle a bit too.

“Anyway, ya'll heard why we're here, it's well known now what Lady Twilight intends to do with her newfound position. Raising the tax on us like this will hurt our livelihoods, hurt our children's future, and no doubt invite bigwigs from all over to try and muscle in on our land,” Burnt Oak said to a chorus of agreements. “But... I've been thinkin' a lot lately about this, and I think we reacted to violently, hear me out, we didn't give that lass a chance did we? Just went straight to yellin and hollerin at her. I don't think that's fair, and if yer the honest working folk I know then neither do you. So, I say, before we do anything we give the lass a chance and we talk to her, we negotiate. But we make clear that we the people will not just be walked over by her. We the people have the power her, we represent the will of the city and our voices are loud. So loud she'll have to listen.”

There were murmurs of agreements. It was a start. But then everyone's attention was drawn to the entrance where a stallion rather unceremoniously burst in, he carried a letter.

“What interruption is this?” Swift Scribe said, annoyed. “Interrupting and disrupting this gathering is an affront and attack upon this house and the people!”

“Most begging your pardon, honourable speaker,” the messenger said, bowing. “But the most noble Lady Twilight of House Sparkle demands the presence of you, mister speaker, and one representative of this house.”

There was silence and murmuring as they all absorbed the information. Swift Scribe bit his lip as he briefly tried to remember if any obscure law gave him the right to deny such a summons. Apparently not.

“Very well,” he said. “Whom amongst you shall accompany me?”

“I shall,” Burnt Oak said immediately. “If this house would here confirm me as their representative?”

“Aye!” the crowd called.

Oathtree Castle

Twilight has the servants make tea. Today she was dressed and styled humbly, her hair brushed and styled in it's usual fashion, she wore a light purple tunic with long flowing sleeves along with a black skirt. Calmly Twilight poured herself a cup of tea, added the milk, and then no less than four spoonfuls of sugar which she stirred in. The drink was a sweet nectar when it passed her lips. There came a knock on the door.

“Enter,” Twilight said. Rainbow Dash entered, saluting.

“Swift Scribe here as you commanded milady, and mister Burnt Oak has come as a representative of the union,” Rainbow said.

“Good, let them in,” Twilight said, placing down her teacup and composing herself. Rainbow Dash opened the door and Swift Scribe entered followed quickly by Burnt Oak, both of whom looked very appreciative. They bowed their heads when they stepped close to Twilight.

“Gentlemen,” Twilight greeted. “Thank you for coming so prudently, please sit, have some tea, we have much to discuss.”

And they did sit, both opposite of Twilight as she magically poured them both tea. The silence was deafening, lessened only by the sound of the teas sloshing into the cups. A tension hung between them like a bow string pulled back to full draw but not yet released. Twilight broke the silence.

“We here obviously differ in what we believe is best for this city, and for the people,” Twilight said. “It's clear to me that many amongst the citizenry share a similar thought towards my announced plan yesterday evening, would you agree mister Oak?”

“That sounds correct to my ears, milady,” Burnt Oak said neutrally. He didn't touch his tea.

“Right, and if you will humour me further, what is the shared sentiment amongst your constituencies regarding the aforementioned plan?” Twilight asked in a very direct manner.

“Folk's don't want to pay more taxes,” Burnt Oak said simply. “They don't want their livelihood affected, they don't want to work day in and day out just to give up most of their hard earnings to... well you, milady.”

“I see,” Twilight said, leaning back. “Mister Oak, do you know where taxes go? What they are used for?”

“...Taxes go to you ma'am, and their used to pay for things ya'll need like... extra guards and roads, the like.”

“You are partially right, but lets expand upon your answer shall we? Yes taxes do go to me, or rather, they go to the crown. A portion of those taxes is, yes, used to fund the military. The military that I'm sure you must know, protects you and your children from the threats of the everyday. Whether that be a savage beast from the Everfree or full foreign invasion by an enemy state. Yet that is nit all, no, these funds are also used to maintain the healthcare system, a system which keeps you and your children healthy. Yes, these funds also go towards infrastructure such as roads and bridges, these same roads and bridges which you sir depend upon to transport your goods and make a profit,” Twilight said with great diction and purpose. Burnt Oak said nothing.

“Where you ever educated in formal economics, mister Oak?” Twilight continued.

“No milady.”

“Did you receive any degree of any kind?”

“No milady”

“May I ask what manner of formal education you did receive?”

“...None, milady,” Burnt Oak said, he looked down at the table rather than meet Twilight's eyes. “My daddy never thought much of school, just taught me how to chop wood and plant trees and the like. We were so busy with working we didn't have time to send me to school.”

“Than your father offered to a great disservice. I'm very sorry,” Twilight said, softening her tone. She really did feel sorry for the poor stallion, forced to chop wood instead of going to school. An uneducated life was no way to live in her opinion. “But you see mister Oak, I have a degree in economics, most of my young adult life was in study. I was tutored by not only the best minds in Equestria, but groomed to rule by Princess Celestia herself, though I didn't know it at the time. What I'm trying to tell you is that when I say that what I'm doing is for the benefit of everyone I know what I'm talking about. So when you and the other members of this union, whom I suspect may be in a similar educational situation as yourself, organize a formal protest and actively undermine my authority. Well, you can see how that can be frustrating, yes?”

Burnt Oak said nothing. He appeared to be giving Twilight's words some great thought. After Twilight was sure her message was sunk in she looked over at Swift Scribe whom had been quietly observing with an anxious look on his face.

“My speaker, mister Swift Scribe was it?” Twilight asked kindly.

“Y-yes, milady!” Swift Scribe stuttered.

“May I ask where you studied law?”

“Oh! the Equestrian Imperial School of Law, milady.”

“Ah! Good old E.I.S.L! You studied under Professor Sealed Scroll then?”

“Yes milady, a very good teacher, very good indeed.”

“That he is, but please mister speaker, tell me, what are the powers of the noble lord?” Twilight asked, leaning forward.

“The powers of... oh...” Swift Scribe glanced at Burnt Oak whom merely frowned. “The, uh, powers of the noble lord include the maintenance of a local armed force, levving local taxes, maintaining a local budget, enacting local laws as long as they do not directly contradict Imperial Law, and-”

“-Yes, that will do, thank you mister Speaker,” Twilight said, cutting him off. She looked back at Burnt Oak whom was nearly scowling at her. “As you can see, mister Oak, not only do I have the authority to enact these changes but also I have the education and training necessary to make the best and most informed decision. All I am asking of you, mister Oak, is that you give me the trust and the respect that my position deserves, and in turn, I shall work with you to assure any changes I enact are as painless as possible.”

Silence fell one again, Twilight even helped herself to a sip of her highly sweetened tea. She could see Burnt Oak was thinking the words over, she had confidence in her argument. After all her logic was sound and clearly Burnt Oak hadn't considered all the factors before this conversation. Not his fault as it was now clear to Twilight education had not been handled overly well by Ivory Scroll, she made a mental not to look into fixing that as well.

“Milady Twilight,” Burnt Oak spoke up. “I only have one question.”

“Go on,” Twilight encouraged.

“Do you really think you're so much better than us?” Burnt Oak asked simply.

“Excuse me?” Twilight asked, astounded. “I never suggested-”

“You just sat here and spouted at me about how oh so much better yer education is, how smart ya'll are, and how stupid you think I am,” Burnt Oak scowled. “Did you call me here only to offer me insult?”

“Mister Oak! I did not intend to insult you, I was merely making a point that I have many qualification which make me equipped-”

“-save it,” Burnt Oak said. “See, it's this attitude that I'm tired off. It's not just unicorns either, it's anyone who's born to a well off family, who get's to go to a good school. You lot always talk down to us, act like we don't matter, say our ways and our beliefs are backwards and are wrong. I'm sick of it, frankly, I'm sick of being punished 'cause of who I am, and I won't just sit here while you walk all over me.”

“Mister Oak,” Twilight said, trying to keep calm but she could already feel the frustration mounting. “You need to listen to me, this isn't a personal attack on you nor am I some aristotelian tyrant. All I am trying to do is stimulate the economy, it's completely unfair to lump all that burden onto the minority.”

“Why?” Burnt Oak asked. “Shouldn't a city, a country, be run in a way that benefits the majority?”

“That's a very broad statement, it simply doesn't apply here. Let me try explaining it to you agai-”

“-Because you think I'm a dumb farmer, right?” Burnt Oak growled. “What you need to understand is that I do understand what yer sayin, I just disagree. But you can't accept that, in your mind anyone who disagrees with you must be some idiot whom ain't worth listenin to.”

“That isn't true,” Twilight said firmly. She had a headache now, and she was clenching her jaw in a most painful way. Why did he not understand? She had explained it as simply as she could. Ugh why did they have to send such a dense and stubborn representative to her? Surely not the entire union could be like this? Then Twilight remembered the other stallion in the room, Swift Scribe, yes, he was educated and he knew Burnt Oak well enough. Perhaps he could bridge the gap!

“Mister Swift Scribe,” Twilight said. “You've heard what I have to say, perhaps you can assist me in helping Mister Burnt Oak understand why these changes must be enacted.”

“I... would very much like help you, milady,” Swift scribe said, glancing between twilight and Burnt Oak. “But... I do believe my associate here understands your position, but as he said he differs in opinion. And if I am to be an honest stallion, I do to.”

Now Twilight was truly astonished, so much she actually leaned back. How? How could such an educated unicorn deny simple and straightforward economics? It made no logical sense! Yet... yes! The union must have him in their fold. Some manner of deal perhaps? Yes of course! But if that was true Twilight had to reconsider her tact. For now she knew they had a very learned lawman on their side. She must retreat for now and consolidate her position. They have won this small skirmish, yes, but Twilight now knew much more about her opponent.

“I see that your mind will not be changed in a day,' Twilight said, feinting defeat with an accepting tone. “But nor will mine, I bid you think upon what I've said today and reconsider your position.”

“I say the same unto you, milady,” Burnt Oak said, he gave a bow and left. Swift Scribe struggled to follow his purposeful step. Just after they left Rainbow Dash slipped back in to find Twilight rubbing her temples and groaning.

“Whiskey?” Rainbow asked.

“Whiskey,” Twilight conformed. “And invite Rarity over, I need someone intelligent to talk to after that.”

Later That Evening

“My my, quite the stubborn lot aren't they?” Rarity commented, sipping at her wine.

“You don't know the half of it,” Twilight said, swirling her whiskey in the glass absentmindedly before taking a knock from it. They sat on the highest floor of Twilight's castle, on the balcony where they lounged on chairs. A small table sat between them holding a bottle of wine, two bottles of whiskey, a bowl of candied fruits, and a chessboard. They were mid-game.

“Perhaps it's an ideology of sorts?” Rarity suggested, she moved her bishop forward. An obvious decoy so she could flank with her knight.

“You think?” Twilight asked. She took Rarity's knight with a pawn.

“Yes, it always happens in these parts of the countries, where the crown's authority isn't as ever present as it is elsewhere,” Rarity explained. She moved her bishop forward. Clever, the knight had been the decoy, not the bishop, and now Twilight had left a gap in her lines.

“If you're right, and I believe you are, than I'm dealing with ideologues,” Twilight said. She considered utilizing her own knight to take the bishop but that would leave it exposed. No, she moved another pawn forward to be taken. “And simply talking to them and trying to convince them may not be a viable option, hm.”

“A battle of wits has begun between you and them it seems, and their apparent ideology gives them resolve,” Rarity said. She took Twilight's pawn with her bishop which moved it in range of another one of Twilight's pawns. “Which begs the question, and please sate my curiosity, what is your ideology darling?”

“My ideology huh? Well forgive me if I say I don't subscribe to the idea of an ideology, they're limited,” Twilight said. She took Rarity's bishop, putting an end to the attack. “But, obviously I have beliefs. For example in the monarchy, in the crowns, in the noble lords. It's a good system and a maintainable one.”

“And why is that would you say? Pretend I am some anarchal brute,” Rarity said. She moved her rook forward, straight through the gap Twilight had made by moving her pawns and took out Twilight's knight. In one move Rarity had breached Twilight's lines and gotten a step away from her king. Twilight mentally chastised herself for not foreseeing the ploy.

“Hm, I would say that what better leader can one produce than one born, bred, raised, and taught specifically to do just that? A monarch or lord either comes from a long line of experienced and tested leaders or has demonstrated the qualities of such. Unlike any democratic system which panders to the sensibilities of the majority, rather than acting on knowledge or experience. But it goes beyond that, for when the common citizen thinks upon the legacy of their kings and queens, their lords, the crowns they bear and the divine authority they wield. It taps into something greater than themselves, something ancient, going back a thousand years or longer. A history that speaks of long summers of peace and of bloodlines that run into the very bones of the land. It's something they can look up to, an ideal, the essence of nobility is to give the people that mysticism, that near heavenly grace only they can look upon it's flesh and say it's name,” Twilight blinked and realized she had gone on a bit of a tangent. She chuckled. “Perhaps I'm more passionate about the topic than I realized.”

“Be ashamed not, darling, you are most captivating and awe-inspiring when you speak of such things,” Rarity said giving Twilight a look of approval. “But it's your move.”

“Ah! Yes,” Twilight said, she reconsidered her situation upon the battlefield. She moved her rook to take out Rarity's thus ending the infiltration of her lines. “But back on topic, I need to consider my next move... regarding the Union that is.”

“Yes, that is a rather tough situation,” Rarity said. She moved forward her remaining bishop, exploiting the gap in Twilight's lines once more. Putting Twilight's king within range of her bishop. “Check.”

“I can't just march in and arrest them all, no that would start a riot, a lot of blood would be spilled, too much,” Twilight said. Her rook couldn't get the bishop, nor her pawns or remaining knight. Seeing no other option Twilight reluctantly moved her king and took Rarity's bishop with it. This left her very exposed. This may have been her last mistake.

“I understand that darling, it seems you must find another way,” Rarity said, she moved a pawn forward. “Although, you say you cannot arrest them all and this is true, but from what some little birds tell me this union is held together mostly by key figures. Arrest them, or discredit them, and they may fall apart. Take their king as it were.”

“Cut the snakes head, hm...” Twilight said thoughtfully. She considered Rarity's move, a seemingly pointless move yet why waste the turn when her king was so exposed? Was she being careful? No, she had been bold enough in her attacks so far. Twilight moved her king back to his spot just to be safe. “But how can I target these individuals without inciting a strong reaction?”

“Distraction and misdirection, darling, you must tread the land of technicality and vagueness,” Rarity suggested, she moved up another pawn to join the other.

“Perhaps, but first I need to identify these individuals,” Twilight said. Her suspicions were correct, this must be another attack, she moved her knight forward to intercept.

“Well you know one already, Burnt Oak, but he is not alone,” Rarity said. Suddenly she moved forward her remaining rook and once again breached twilight lines. Through the gap that she had forgotten to close because she was focused on Rarity's feint attack on the opposite flank!

“Indeed...” Twilight said distractedly. She scrambled for any way to take the rook, but no, no piece was in a position to intercept it. Not even her queen, her k night would've been able to do it, but rarity had drawn it away! Clever girl. Accepting her loss Twilight toppled her own king. “That's checkmate, congratulations, it's been a while since I've had an opponent who could beat me.”

“May I offer some friendly advice?” Rarity asked as she carefully placed the board and the pieces to the side.

“Please do.”

"You are too easily distracted, or more accurately too single minded,” Rarity said softly. “When confronted with a problem, an attack, you immediately wish to respond to it. However in this you neglect your weak spots, your flanks, and leave yourself exposed. Perhaps this is why you make schedules so meticulously? Planning out every event one after the other allows you to focus on each item individually, yet such good planning doesn't work when you cannot predict you opponent's moves does it?”

“I suppose you're right,” Twilight said thoughtfully.

“For example, right now you are thinking about how to deal with the union, and yet...” Rarity's voice softened to a purr as she leaned forward and began to walk over the small table with movements that were almost cat-like, her half-lidded eyes capturing Twilight's in their gaze. “And yet you are so easily distracted”

Rarity's warm wine-tinted breath washed over Twilight, causing her face to flush with heat. They were so close together and Rarity's gaze was unwavering. She was certainly right about one thing, Twilight couldn't think of anything else in that moment.

“Rarity...” Twilight said softly, leaning forward but she was stopped by another noise.

“Ahem.”

Twilight nearly jumped out of her seat as her face flushed bright red and the snapped her head to the side to see Rainbow Dash standing there wearing her usual expression bar a crease in her brow. Rarity has a much less violent reaction to Rainbow's appearance as she simply looked at her, remaining in her position.

“Rainbow darling, you look lovely as always,” Rarity said casually.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Rainbow said with clipped words, sparing Rarity only a glance whom winked. “But I wanted to inform you that I'll be gone for the afternoon, I have... errands.”

“Errands?” Twilight asked curiously. “What sort?”

“It's... personal,” Rainbow said carefully.

“Oh let the dear go, no harm in it,” Rarity chirped as she leaned back into her chair. Giving Twilight space to breath.

“Well, alright then,” Twilight said. “Just be back soon, in case I need you.”

“Will do milady,” Rainbow saluted and gave Rarity one last look before leaving.

“Hm, I think someone's jealous,” Rarity tittered.

Lower Ponyville

A dirt path led from the very edge of the more rural edges of the city and towards the Everfree Forrest. Rainbow Dash's hooves crunched in the gravel and dirt as she walked, every step seemed heavier, seemed harder to take. Had it really been three years since she had been here? It seemed like longer. A small part of her begged to turn back, Rainbow was not prone to cowardice and yet this venture seemed to draw that measure. Rainbow sucked in a sharp breath as it came into view; a small humble cottage surrounded by a lush garden-like plain with a sparkling river running through it. Already Rainbow could see a few animals wondering around, several birds were roosting on the roof, a fox bounded past her.

Rainbow saw her when she came around to the front of the cottage. She hadn't really changed much, maybe gotten a a tad taller but everything from her long flowing mane to her yellow fur was still the same. Rainbow felt her throat tighten in fear, was it really right of her to come back to this place. She froze just outside the gate, Fluttershy was turned away from her, she was feeding some chickens. Rainbow considered fleeing before she was noticed but before she could move one of Fluttershy's dogs came around a corner and spotted Rainbow, immediately it began to growl and bear it's teeth at her.

“What's the matter boy? What do you-” Fluttershy turned around and her eyed widened in fear at the sight of Rainbow Dash, instinctively she took a step away from her. “W-what are you doing here?”

“Fluttershy...” Rainbow said softly, she tried to step closer but the dog barked and Fluttershy took another step away. “I'm... I'm back to living here, Ponyville I mean, I'm working for Twilight. I'm sure you've heard all about it...”

“What do you want with me?” Fluttershy's voice was shaking.

“I... I just want to...” Rainbow felt tears sting her eyes. “I d-didn't mean to do that, I don't know why. Please, I would never hurt you, I just don't know why... why I did that, please I-”

“You should go,” Fluttershy said, she wouldn't look at Rainbow Dash. “Please.”

Rainbow Dash was crying now, streams of tears running down her cheeks. More out of self pity than anything else, and that only made her feel worse. She swiftly wiped the tears away.

“I'm sorry,” Rainbow croaked before taking flight and soaring away.

Author's Note

Hey look you get a longer chapter for waiting. That deserves a comment.

Chapter 6 - The Search

Four Earth Ponies Gone Missing – Who to Blame?
The Ponyville Times
Written by Ink Pot

The first was Sand Stone, the young son of one Solid Stone whom is a well respected Mine Coordinator in our community. Young Sand Stone has only just seen his thirteenth winter when he found himself walking back home late at night from a day of fun and entertainment with his friends. Only he would never make it home, morning would break and Sand Stone would still not be home. Our community would then come together as a search for the young colt would be conducted but to no avail, then feeling the great desperation of the prospect loosing his son forever, Mr Stone would seek the audience of Lady Twilight Sparkle, who's duty supposedly is to protect us and ensure our safety.

Yet three weeks have now passed since young Sand Stone disappeared and what has Our Lady given us as an answer? Nothing, worse, silence. Supposedly Her Majesties own guards have been conducting an in depth investigation into the matter and yet after three weeks they have turned up nothing. Indeed within those three week four more have been taken from our community, all Earth Ponies.

The second was Metal Maker, a blacksmith, he had been returning home from visiting family down south where he was last seen. His cart and travelling supplies were found abandoned not one kilometre outside of Ponyville. Then there was Ivory Marble, a miner who lived alone, when he failed to come into work his friends became worried, rightfully so as they would discover his home broken in and Ivory Marble no where to be found. And finally, just two days past now, one Timber Hoof, a lumberer, would stray farther into the orchard than normal and would not return.

No word from Her Ladyship, no sign of our friends and family, and as we pray for the lost many amongst us feel angry and begin to point blame. Some blame Lady Twilight for what they call lack of action and even lack of care for the lost Earth Ponies. Others blame the new influx of Unicorn resident's whom flood our community, attracted by the new noble lady, many of them bringing a sense of Unicorn arrogance and some say Earth Pony hate which some claim is proof enough that someone amongst them is the culprit. This journalist cannot blame them for their sentiment.

We as a community have faces hardship before, but not like this. The disappearances of our friend's and family hits home as we fear that our street's and home's may no longer be safe. Our thought's and prayer's go out to the friends and families of these four individuals and we wish them a safe return.

Ink Pot,

Your Source for Objective Journalism

Twilight sighed heavily as she slapped the paper down on the table. Groaning Twilight poured herself a fresh glass of whiskey, her fourth in a very short period of time. Justified in her mind by the frustration and anger this article was causing her.

“Objective journalism indeed,” Twilight spat bitterly as she retrieved her tobacco pipe, a habit she had picked up over the last three weeks. A very good stress reliever when combined in tandem with her favoured whiskey she found. Just as Twilight was taking her first puff when Honey Cream came into the room.

“Oh I wish you would not smoke mon petite dame, it cannot be good for you,” she said.

“I am most likely immortal, allow me these small pleasure's as they come for they plague me not as they do mortals,” Twilight said, puffing a few more times. “Get Rainbow Dash in here and send a letter to our dear friend at the Foal Free Press instructing him to write a counter article to the one in today's issue of the Ponyville Times, encouraging a less propogandous approach, preferably one that sticks to the facts of the disappearances, objective journalism.”

“Oui, ma dame,” Honey Cream bowed and promptly left.

Twilight leaned back in her chair, enjoying the mild warmth taste of the burning tobacco. It was Saddle Arabian grown and cut, quite expensive as tobacco went but it wasn't like she couldn't afford such things. Twilight considered the article before her, was there merit to these meanderings of the peasantry? That the new Unicorn arrivals were to blame? It wasn't outside the realm of possibility. Many amongst the upper Unicorn elite held very certain views towards Earth Ponies and their place in Equestrian society. But could those views drive some of them to kidnap or even kill four innocent people in a spout of quite random violence? Could she be allowed to trust even the coalition of Unicorn aristocrats whom had claimed to be her supporters? Yet, Rarity stood with them so surely they themselves could not be at fault here. Whom could she trust?

“Milady?” Rainbow Dash said, causing Twilight to start in surprise as she was taken quite suddenly from her internal thoughts.

“Captain,” Twilight said, placing her pipe down. “Your investigation into these disappearances has yet to bear fruit, this is no longer something I can tolerate.”

“No excuse, milady,” Rainbow Dash said, not faltering in stance nor voice.

“No excuse indeed,” Twilight said with a frown. “You will begin investigating new Unicorn arrival's, on the rare occasion the sense of the citizenry has merit, so you will see if any of our new residents are suspect in this mystery of ours.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Rainbow Dash said, saluting. A gesture which Twilight fluidly returned without hesitation. Rainbow turned to leave but was topped by Twilight's voice.

"There's no room for failure anymore, Captain,” Twilight said curtly.

“Yes ma'am.”

Rainbow closed the door behind her and paused, she let out the breath that she had been holding in the entire time she was with Twilight. Her heart was pounding, whether from fear or excitement she could not very much tell. Twas always like this when she spoke to Twilight, breathlessness, her heart racing, especially when she looked at her with those eyes.

Shaking her head Rainbow cleared her mind of such thoughts as he walked forward. Her purpose was set as decreed by her liege lady, and Rainbow was fully committed to not seeing that level of disappointment in Twilight again. She walked into the main hall where three of her guardsmen were waiting.

“What's the holy word, cap'n?” Day Break asked, he was a Pegasus with a white coat and golden curls.

“Our Lady isn't pleased that the investigation has gone on thing long without anything to show for it,” Rainbow explained. “We must double our efforts, gather up some of the lads and start investigating local unicorn's whom arrived in Ponyville only after Lady Twilight did. Wind Rider and White Sand? You two are with me.”

“Where are we going, ma'am?” Wind Rider asked.

“If it is a Unicorn behind all this I know only one mare who would know about it,” Rainbow sighed. “I hope you two like dresses.”

Carousel Boutique

Three sharp knocks on the front door, firm and crisp. Rainbow Dash hadn't been here in years, and only a few times in her entire life. She never liked it, it was too stuffy, too full of perfume and other strong scents. Just then the door opened and Rarity stood before her, looking as stylized and as beautiful as ever.

“Rainbow, darling,” Rarity purred her greeting, looking all over Rainbow's form. “You look simply ravishing in that uniform, love.”

Rainbow was wearing her officers uniform, a dark blue tunic with stars on her shoulders and a red sash around her shoulders, complete with a cap and her sword at her side.

“Rarity,” Rainbow greeted curtly. “Can I have a moment of your time?”

“For you darling? Always? But shall your dashing companion's whom think I didn't notice them at the street corner be joining us?” Rarity said smoothly. Rainbow sighed and waved to Wind Rider and White Sand whom were indeed hiding at the street corner.

“No, they won't,” Rainbow sighed.

“Ah, not a bother, best not make a crowd, do come in deary,” Rarity said, stepping aside and Rainbow entered, removing her cap. The Carousel did indeed smell like perfume, enough to almost make Rainbow choke on it.

“Tea? Coffee, or perhaps something stronger?” Rarity asked, closing the door behind them and moving to the kitchen with Rainbow close behind.

“No, thank you,” Rainbow said. “Rarity, I just have a few questions.”

“Oh, no foreplay then, you're no fun,” Rarity said, pouting as she lounged on a kitchen chair. She sparked her magic and floated a cigarette to her mouth and lit it with her a magical spark. “Then to the main course then, you are here to talk about these disappearances.”

“Yes,” Rainbow said, sitting opposite of Rarity. “What do you know?”

“I read the papers as you do, thus our knowledge is equal in this matter,” Rarity said.

“Forgive me if I don't believe that,” Rainbow said. “You hear things, the whispers of tea parties and social gatherings, there's been a lot of Unicorn's moving into Ponyville lately haven't you noticed?”

“Indeed, ever since our dear Twilight became a noble lady this town has suddenly gone from backwater to a cheap new socialite's paradise,” Rarity grinned. “And you think that one amongst the newcomers may be responsible for all this tragedy?”

“That is what everyone seems to think,” Rainbow said.

“Well everyone is an imbecile then,” Rarity said, tapping her ashes into a nearby tray. “It isn't anyone within the city.”

“And how do you know that?”

“I simply employed a tactics that has sadly very undervalued in our modern society,” Rarity said with a sly smile. “I used my mind. For you see my dear, people have been rather wound up by all these disappearances, particularly the Earth Ponies, they've become more paranoid around Unicorns. Now I ask you, why would any one person within the city kidnap four random people only for the result to be a heightened distrust between the tribes, that doesn't advantage anyone living in the city.”

“But it would advantage someone outside of it,” Rainbow concluded. “They could stir up tribal tensions while being removed from them as well, that way their movements wouldn't be affected.”

“But?” Rarity pressed.

“But whom would want to increase tribal tensions, who stands to gain, and to what end are they doing this?”

“Now we're asking the right questions,” Rarity said as she leaned back in satisfaction.

“And do you have answers to those questions?” Rainbow said, leaning forward.

“I'm afraid I am not as omnipotent as our Goddess-Queen is rumoured to be,” Rarity said. “But there are many little birds whom frequent my fountain, I shall let you know if any of them sings the answer you seek.”

“I suppose that's that best I can ask for,” Rainbow sighed.

“Chin up deary, somber doesn't suit that pretty face of yours,” Rarity teased.

“Thanks for your help, Rarity,” Rainbow said, as she retrieved her cap.

“And do try and pop by for a social call next time, gives me something to look at.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Any new leads, captain?” Wind Rider asked.

“Sort of,” Rainbow Dash said, replacing her cap. “Have you got a map on you?”

“I do,” White Sand said, he sparked his horn to light and produced a map which he unfurled and levitated it out flat in between them all.

“Rarity said that the culprit would be someone outside of Ponyville, possibly even outside of Our Lady's border of authority,” Rainbow explained. “So, who lives of the edge of Ponyville?”

“Well, to the west there's House Shine,” Wind Rider said, pointing at Las Pegasus, the seat of House Shine. “But you don't think Lady Shine, or any of the noble lord are behind this?”

“It's a possibility we haven't considered until now, and barring any other viable options we are force to consider it,” Rainbow said, considering the map. “Our Lady Twilight comes not of noble blood, though her parents were aristocrats, her appointment could very well be taken as an affront to the ancient families of the land.”

“Either way I doubt Lady Shine is involved,” White Sand said. “Though she is our neighbour to the west, Goldhearth and Las Pegasus is still whole leagues away with the White Tail Woods between us, her influence is limited.”

“To the north then,” Rainbow said, pointing at Trottingham which laid not that far to the north, just past Mount Equestria where Canterlot lay, seat of Imperial Power.

“Lord Forrest Green,” Wind Rider mused. “He's been involved in a number on controversies over the years, just three years ago he ordered the Everfree set on fire to drive the Diamond Dogs back, which as I recall broke the treaty the crown had made with the clans.”

“Hm, yes I remember,” Rainbow stared at the map for a moment, deep in thought. “I have an idea, come on.”

“Where now, ma'am?” White Sand asked, rolling up the map.

“The Everfree, I want to inspect where the first kidnapping occurred.”

The Edge of the Everfree

“According to mister Stone's account this is the trail that his son always takes to get home.”

The trail was rough dirt, more of a game trail made wider by semi-frequent use. It began leading from downtown Ponyville where it would dip quite a ways into the Everfree itself. Rainbow's hooves crunched against the ground as they walked slowly along the trail.

“No hoofprints? Signs of struggle?” Rainbow asked as her eyes scanned the treeline.

“No ma'am, not else but some wild dog prints,” White Sand said. “But nothing telling.”

“Yet the other victims, not all were claimed by the forest,” Rainbow mused. “Ivory Marble's home was broken into, yet besides that no sign of a kidnapper?”

“Nothing but some mud tracked indoors, which could have been from Ivory Marble,” White Sand said.

Rainbow stopped as she stared into the Everfree, that dark and all-consuming place. Ever the center of many a ghost story and folklore, could the culprit be hiding within? It seemed highly likely as at first the victims were first attacked near or within the forest, until they became more bold and broke into Ivory Marble's home. So clearly the culprit was feeling confident, enough to enter the city in an act of great boldness, and believed that they were safe within the Everfree as they were protected by the sense of fear that surrounded the forest. So it was highly likely they were not hiding, rather they had a camp of some sort where they were living and holding their prisoners. Not expecting anyone to find them.

“We're heading in,” Rainbow said.

“Ma'am?” Wind Rider asked incredulously.

“We're going into the forest,” Rainbow said, already taking steps into the brush.

“Captain, are you sure that's the best idea?” Wind Rider asked, following yet sounding most concerned.

“I do, the last thing our quarrel expects is us to delve right into his lair,” Rainbow explained. “He's overconfident, enough to break into a home, that means he's most likely not hiding bar from operating from the forest.”

“But ma'am, the Everfree is massive, we could search for weeks and not find this culprit,” White Sand said.

“Ah but he can't be far from Ponyville, he has to be close enough to slip into the city and back to his base swiftly for the level of efficiency he has demonstrated, and as we just left the site of the first incident I deduce that it is the closest to his lair,” Rainbow said, the ground leveled out, the trees were tall and spaced evenly from one another with a canopy of green blocking the sun and shrouding them in cool shadow.

“Should we not send for reinforcements, ma'am?” White Sand asked.

“No I think not, we will move faster as just three and be more successful in remaining undetected.”

The Everfree certainly has an unnatural aura that hung bout it, it was almost suffocating, it confused the mind and muddled the senses. Yet Rainbow maintained her focus, such was the benefit of single-mindedness. She scanned the ground in search of any sign that would lead them to their quarrel, much like a predator stalks his prey. In her mind Rainbow was reminded of the campaign in the swamps of Prance, where Gryphon guerrilla fighters had-

“Ma'am! Look here!” White Sand exclaimed, breaking Rainbow out of her thoughts. He gestured to a nearby brush where a splattering of red specks could be seen across several of the leafs.

“Blood,” Rainbow said. “One of the missing, maybe they resisted and it turned violent, we're close.”

“Look ma'am, it's faint but there's a trail of it leading that way,” White Sand pointed out and indeed the specks of blood led in an easterly direction.

“Follow me, and stay low,” Rainbow said as she slipped into the brush, following the bloody trail.

They moved deeper into the woods, the landscape becoming ever more dark with thicker branches and leaves, the ground became soft and more marsh-like. Muck splattered up Rainbow's hooves and legs as she tried to maintain quiet movement. The blood was becoming more consistent now, going from small specks to a steady trail, whomever had been injured was bleeding quite badly and would no doubt need medical attention. Rainbow hoped and prayed that she would not came too late for them.

“Did you hear that?”

Rainbow stopped at listened, there were no birds, no wind, it was eerily silent except... yes there it was, it was faint but she could just barely hear it. Voices, deep and muffled by the thick foliage but present none the less, it was coming from somewhere in front of them.

“Draw weapons,” Rainbow commended softly, drawing her own longsword. “Move slowly.”

They inched ever closer with Rainbow in the lead, she gently parted the curtain of branches before her until she was able to peer through and reveal a rather large clearing. It sat in a small valley-like depression in the ground filled with flat grass and a stream running through it. There were no less than three large steel cages there which contained the four missing Earth Ponies, Rainbow recognized each from their descriptions and they all seemed unharmed bar the clear signs of malnourished and lack of sleep. Rainbow felt a spark of anger as she recognized the young Sand Stone who's ribs could be seen clearly, he had barely eaten and was obviously terrified. He huddled in the corner of his cage that he shared with Ivory Marble. Metal Maker and Timber Hoof sat alone in the other two cages, Timber had a worrying cut along his forehead which was coated in crusted blood. He didn't appear to be conscience.

There was a functional campsite set up in the clearing with a small campfire which cleverly has a thick canvas canapoy over it to keep the smoke from revealing camps position. No less than four large tents surrounded the fire pit and the kidnappers now sat round eating what appeared to be some wild rabbit which they had found.

“Diamond Dogs,” White Sand whispered. “Fucking mongrels.”

Indeed they did appear to all be Diamond Dogs, there was six of them that Rainbow could see. All large and dangerous looking with big under bites holding large sharp fangs. They all wore thick steel chestplates and Rainbow could see a couple swords and spears that lay by their owners. Rainbow's mind was racing, why? Diamond Dogs had been known to kidnap people for slave labour in the past yet this clearly was not the same thing. There was no mines in the Everfree and they clearly were set up to stay here long term as evidenced by the large burlap sacks no doubt full of provisions and the tall pile of firewood that sat off to the side of the campsite. So if not for labour then why would they take these four Earth Ponies and risk the Crown's wrath? Ten years ago it may have made sense but after Celestia had cracked down on the Dog Clans and their slave operations the practice had all but been halted. It was a fiasco as Rainbow recalled, almost resulting int a full on conflict with not only the Clans but the Dog Kingdoms which inhabited the north-eastern Equestrian border and had guaranteed the protection of their cousins which inhabited Equestria. The end result had been a treaty allowing the Equestrian Clans to exist outside of direct Imperial rule as long as they respected Canterlot's authority and halted the practice of slavery and kidnapping. Apparently at least these six were in direct violation of that agreement. But why?

“Orders, ma'am?” Wind Rider asked softly, drawing Rainbow out of her thoughts.

“White Sand, you move around the back of them, Wind you go to the east side of the camp, once you're in position White give a signal by whistling like a bird and then start bombarding them with every spell you know, they'll no doubt panic and try and rush you. Once they're committed me and Wind will fly in behind them and engage, when we do you advance and join us. With luck they'll be too confused to mount a defence, any questions?”

“No ma'am,” White Sand confirmed.

“Lets do this,” Wind Rider said.

“Move.”

Wind Rider and White Sand went in opposite directions as rainbow Dash mentally prepared herself. She could feel her heart beating faster, her blood rushing as a shiver of exciting anticipation went through her body. It had been too long since she had done this, she missed the action, the danger, the excitement. Yes, this was her element. And suddenly Rainbow's mind was flooded with the sound of eagle cries and lion roars, with the small of blood flooding her nostrils as it rained from the sky. The feeling of her blade slicking through flesh and bone, felling foe after foe as the earth and sky burned around her. The Second Gryphon War had left no one unchanged, not even her.

The whistle softly echoed across the clearing, sounding just like a bird so much that the Dogs showed no viable reaction. None until a bolt of white lightning cracked through the air and struck the northernmost Dog, electricity sparked through his entire body causing him to shake violently and scream, his fur became singed and charred all over as one of his eyes exploded in a bloody burst. As the Dog fell down dead his companions reacted in a panic, shouting and yelling as they stumbled for their weapons. A magical blast struck one in the back and knocked him down to the ground, winded but still alive.

Rainbow took her chance, with a powerful flap of her wings she sped forward like a bolt of lighting as she flew low to the ground and used her momentum to slice her sword clean through the Dogs neck, severing his head as she skid across the ground and came to a halt. The remaining five Dogs stared at her in a stunned paralysis before Wind Rider rushed forward from the east and buried his sword in the nearest Dog's eye. This galvanized the others into action as the nearest to Rainbow rushed her with a spear thrust which Rainbow knocked to the side with the flat end of her blade. She knocked the Dog off balance with a solid shoulder check as he raised her blade to block the overhead slash of another. Rainbow slipped to the side and slashed open his thigh causing the Dog to scream in agony before Rainbow swift ended him with a slick thrust to the eye.

Rainbow turned just in side to dodge the spear thrust of the other Dog. She countered with an upward slash which severed his jaw and sent the Dog the ground. Rainbow found respite as he viewed her comrades. There was only one Dog left which had laid his weapon down and fell to his knees, seemingly begging for mercy. Rainbow approached him.

“You two care for the prisoners,” Rainbow said. “I've got this one.”

“Are you sure, ma'am?” White Sand asked.

“Yes, go.” The two sheathed their weapon as Rainbow stared down the cowering Diamond Dog.

“P-lease! Milady! Don't kill Dog! Dog surrender! Mercy! Mercy!” The Dog begging with a raspy voice, Rainbow struck him hard with a hard back hoof.

“Shit up you fucking degenerate,” Rainbow said, keeping her blade level with the Dogs throat. “Speak only when spoken too, now hear me and listen, whom do you serve? Who's your Alpha? Why did you kidnap these Ponies?”

“D-Dog doesn't know!” he croaked through a fearful sobbed.

“Don't lie to me!” Rainbow snapped, striking his cheek with the flat side of her blade.

“Dog tells the truth! Please!” he shouted. “Hooded Pony! Hooded Pony! Came in the night to small Clan, talked of gold, take the Ponies, take Ponies he said! No see face! Dog doesn't know! Please spare! Please!”

“Stop grovelling you pathetic piece of garbage,” Rainbow growled, pressing. her hoof on the side of the Dog's knee hard. “Count yourself blessed, you're lucky you'll be useful to me else I'd cripple you and leave you for the Timber Wolves.”

Rainbow Dash landed a solid punch to the Dog's temple, knocking him out cold. She spat in his face before sheathing her sword she took a deep breath as she realized her heart was still racing. Rainbow turned around as saw her guardsmen tending to the prisoners, with White Sand doing what he could for Timber Hoof's injury. Rainbow approached.

“He'll need medical attention soon,” White Sand said as he flooded Timber with another blast of healing magic. “He's lost a lot of blood.”

“Get ready to move him, and the scum over there, see if you can't find something to tie him up with,” Rainbow said.

“Yes ma'am.”

Rainbow moved over to where the other three were huddled, they seemed unharmed apart from lack of food and sleep, and the obvious metal toll. Rainbow was most concerned with Sand Stone whom sat next to Ivory Marble, he stared at the ground with a thousand-yard stare. Rainbow knelt down to his level.

“It's okay, you're safe now,” Rainbow said softly, Sand Stone looked up at her but offered to real reply, just that empty stare.

“He hasn't talked the entire time,” Ivory Marble said, he sounded shaken. “He's been here the longest, Celestia knows what they out him through.”

“It's over now,” Rainbow said. “I'm taking you home.”

Ponyville

Rainbow had the victims taken directly to the hospital while she dragged the Dog straight to Oathtree herself. Once there she had him taken to the dungeon before she sought out Twilight to deliver the news, according to her guardsmen she had been hold up in her room nearly the entire day.

Rainbow knocked on the door before entering, inside was dark and smelt of booze and tobacco. Twilight was no where to be seen. Rainbow was about to call out for her before the washroom door opened flooding the room with light. Twilight stepped out and Rainbow's heart ached for she looked no herself, her mane was messy and he eyes were red, it looked like she had been crying and that thought hurt Rainbow more than any blade could. They stared at each other with no words exchanged as Rainbow stepped forward and pulled Twilight into a hug, protocol be damned.

“Did something happen?” Rainbow asked softly.

“Nothing of import,” Twilight said firmly, though she didn't pull away. “Don't think on it, I trust you have more important matters to discuss with me.”

“We found the them, all four,” Rainbow said. “Diamond Dogs, we captured one for questioning.”

“Good,” Twilight said, slipping out of the hug to return to the washroom where she began washing her face, wiping away the hurt. “Are they all unharmed?”

“Timber Hoof had a cut on his head, lost some blood, but I think he'll recover,” Rainbow said, her brow creased as she watched Twilight, she was hiding something from her. “You'll want to make a statement?”

“Yes, this evening, for now have guards on them at all times, let no one see them but family,” Twilight said as she straightened her mane.

“Yes ma'am,” Rainbow said softly, she paused. It hurt her to see Twilight in pain, even if that pain was hidden, though she could not place why it tormented her so. “Twilight... you know I can be trusted.”

“Yes, you can, more than anyone I know,” Twilight said softly. “But some things I need to handle myself.”

“It doesn't have to be... this,” Rainbow said, trying not to have her voice break. It wouldn't do to show weakness when Twilight was struggling so.

“Your concern is noted, now go carry out my orders, Captain,” Twilight said coolly. Still not looking at Rainbow.

“Yes ma'am,” Rainbow said, and as she left trying and failing to shake the burning in her heart.

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait. I've had to move into a new place and get another job. Things have been hectic and I find myself with less time on my hands. But with enough beer and more than a few hours with my pipe I managed to get this done. Hope you enjoy.

Don't forget to comment. Like. Etc.

Chapter 7 - Pincer Attack

Chapter 7 – Pincer Attack

The small dungeon underneath Twilight's castle was not pleasant nor warm. The only light was that which steamed through thin grates which peaked above ground; though those often flowed with water and flooded the whole cavern with nearly a centimetre of water. Few prisoners had the displeasure of staying here, the Diamond Dog was not so lucky.

He hung from the wall, bound by chains which clenched down harshly upon his wrists and ankles. He had been there for two days, only given scraps for meals and the barest amount of water. Captain Rainbow Dash had visited him quite a few times, questioned him harshly, sometimes painfully; but she did nit receive the answered she was looking for.

That is why on the third day a new light breached the darkness of the dungeon, this one a soft pale purple glow which shown through the bars of the cell and temporarily blinded the Diamond Dog. His eyes adjusted to see the one Lady Twilight Sparkle standing on the other side of the bars, peering in.

“My captain tells me you have not been cooperative,” Twilight said.

“No, milady! No! Dog has told the scary-mare everything! Everything!” the Dog pleaded.

“What is your name?”

“L-luprian, milady.”

“Well, Luprian, you aren't telling my everything,” Twilight said. “So I shall ask you once; whom directed you to kidnap those people? You and your clan would not risk the wrath of the Sun Throne if you didn't have proper motivation, that suggests a sponsor, so the question is; whom?”

“Luprian doesn't know. Milady He wore a hood! Don't know! Don't know!” Luprian begged.

“Unfortunately, I don't believe you, and I am not of the luxury of kindly extracting the desired information,” Twilight sighed as her horn flared. “So I must apologize.”

Tendrils reached out from Twilight's horn, snaking through the bars and reaching out to the entrapped Diamond Dog beginning to wrap around him.

“Please! Stop!” Luprian begged.

“Relax,” Twilight said. “The more you panic the more it will hurt.”

The tendrils wrapped around Luprian's head and all the world faded away. Suddenly Twilight was in the middle of the Everfree Forest, surrounded by five other Diamond Dogs and with them stood a stallion who's body and face were concealed by fine dark green hood and cloak.

“You understand what are to do then?” the stallion said, he had a distinctive accent; Trottingham.

“Yes, Pony-Lord-Thing,” one of the Dogs said. “Dog's understand.”

“Good, and remember; if you're caught there will be no help from me, so be sure not to.”

As Twilight returned to reality her ears were assaulted by the loud sound of screaming, Luprian was convulsing violently, frothy spit building in his mouth which was flung out by the ghutteral scream launched from his throat. Twilight swiftly drew back her magical grip from him, ceasing the convulsions and leaving Luprian a limp mess covered in slobber and barely conscience.

Twilight spared him a look before she retreated up the stone stairs that led to the surface, she was about halfway up when she stopped and laid her head against the rough cold stone wall, she felt sick. The spell she had just performed, that she had forced upon Luprian, had been illegal for over a decade in Equestria because of it's dangerous an invasive nature. Yet she had used it without hesitation against a helpless creature, why? What justification could she give? She needed the knowledge of course, but was it truly worth such force?

Twilight rubbed her forehead and continued up the stairs, when she surfaced Rainbow Dash and Honey Cream were waiting for her.

“Progress, ma'am?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes, but we'll discuss it later,” Twilight said, she looked to Honey Cream. “Are the press outside?”

“Yes, madame,” Honey Cream. “Clamouring for you word.”

“Well let's not keep them waiting,” Twilight said, turning towards the front entrance.

“[i[Un instant, madame,” Honey Cream said, approaching Twilight and running her hood through her mane, straightening the loose strands. “There, perfection”

“Thank you, ma dounce” Twilight smiled and then left for the door.

Honey Cream smiled and turned to leave but was stopped by Rainbow Dash's rough hoof stopping her.

“You should be less presumptuous with Her Majesty,” Rainbow said dangerously.

“Oh, my dear belle fille, I presume nothing,” Honey Cream winked and slipped away.

Twilight emerged outside to greet the eager crowd, a conglomerate of rabid reporters and curious onlookers who vied for the word of their noble lady.

“Your Majesty! Who is responsible for these kidnappings?”

“Your Majesty! What do you say to the allegations that a unicorn aristocrat is responsible?”

“Your Majesty! How do you respond to rumours of inaction on your part?

“Hear me now and silence your voices in way of mine!” Twilight announced and the crowd quieted. “I know that many of you are concerned and indeed frightened by the unprovoked kidnappings of many of your friends and family, but as you all surely know by now they have been returned unto you, and the perpetrators caught.”

“It has been discovered that these kidnappings were carried out by a rogue band of Diamond Dog's, this small pack took it upon themselves to defy the Everfree Concords of 233, and attempted to build a slave force under the nose of the Throne, that is why I am pleased to announce that thanks to the brave efforts of our brave soldiers the operation has ceased and it's organizers dealt with. However, this ordeal has revealed much; in particular the fact that this city is at great risk, with our position at the edge of the Everfree and the Southern Frontier of Equestria we are exposed to many dangers that we may not even be aware of, this latest event being just of example of that, it is for this reason that I shall be increasing the presence and number guardsmen tenfold with this act I swear onto you, I shall keep you safe, and I shall protect you.”

Some clapped, the reporters demanded answers, some simply yelled. Yet Twilight ignored them all as she retreated back inside her castle. Once the doors shut behind her she heaved the breath she had been holding in, her heart beating fast and hard. It was something she would never be accustomed to, speaking in front of so many people. She hoped that her words would be the end of it all, but she knew better.

“Went well?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“As well to be expected,” Twilight said, strolling into the castle proper. “Walk with me.”

“You said you made progress with the Dog?” Rainbow asked, following besides Twilight.

“Yes, I managed to convince him to talk; his group did indeed have a sponsor of sorts, a stallion, but his face was covered, the only distinctive thing about him was a Trottingham accent,” Twilight said.

“Trottingham huh?” Rainbow Dash mused. “I have a few friends there who could make an inquiry.”

“Keep me posted on that, but make sure you're discreet,” Twilight said. “And get a message to our friend in the press, have him run a story about the capture of the Dog, hopefully it'll help turn public opinion.”

“And what will you do, ma'am?” Rainbow asked.

“Well it's almost tea time.”

Carousel Boutique

Rarity spooned the fourth helping of sugar into her tea and stirred, all the while she magically lit a cigarette and took a drag before then sipping her tea.

“Trottingham you say?” she asked.

“Yes,” Twilight replied, she stirred her tea though she took it black and puffed absentmindedly on her tobacco pipe. “Anyone come to mind?”

“Oh my dear Twilight, Trottingham is nothing but rabid nobility all of whom would like nothing more to undermine you,” Rarity said.

“Yes, but I imagine not all would go through the trouble of financing a rogue group of Diamond Dogs all the while risking fury from the Throne.”

“Indeed, whom would be so bold?” Rarity mused. “Perhaps a way of thinning the herd?”

“What are you thinking?” Twilight asked.

“My Fall Line is being revealed soon, and typically I throw a private showing for my benefactors; more of an excuse to keep up my little circle as it were, a batted eyelash and a kiss on the cheek goes a long way after all. Anyway, I am as popular in Trottingham as I am anywhere else, so I could make a point of inviting the most... shall we say, interesting members of Lord Green's court.”

“And I take it that I too shall be invited?” Twilight asked.

“That is the intention, yes dear.”

“At the very least it will give me an opportunity to perhaps make some new friends,” Twilight mused. “What do you know about the Lord of Trottingham?”

“Hm, Lord Forest Green, one of the few Earth Pony nobles still around, and the only one to be Lord Paramount of a city, so he must be smart, I know he's proud, some say charming but I doubt that. I know he's the one behind the treaty with the Diamond Dog's, in way that he slaughtered most of them before the throne had to step in.”

“Ruthless then,” Twilight said. “And he has experience with the Dogs, you don't think...?”

“That he's involved?” Rarity concluded. “Perhaps, at the very least I doubt he's ignorant to these goings on.”

“Well, we have one path set for now,” Twilight said. “I should get going.”

“You won't stay longer?” Rarity pouted. “I do enjoy your company.”

“Duty calls I'm afraid, thanks fir the tea.”

Oathtree

“You have a visitor, ma dame,” Honey Cream said.

“Oh lovely, who calls on me now?” Twilight asked dryly.

“A one Swift Scribe.”

“My Speaker, good, no doubt we have things to discuss, in my study?”

“Oui”

Twilight thanked her and continued on to her study, when she entered she found Swift Scribe studying her personal collection of books.

“Find anything interesting?” Twilight asked.

“An original copy of the Arcanum Imperica is rare,” Swift Scribe said, he offered a friendly smile. “And while we are on the topic of rare things, you are a rare mare, my dear.”

“Flattery won't get you far with me,” Twilight said impatiently.

“Yes, because I am not a young Prench mare or a stoic captain,” Swift Scribe said slyly.

“Excuse me?” Twilight said, annoyed. “I suggest you make a point before I loose my patience for your impunity.”

“Of course,” Swift said, offering a rather mock bow. “I'm here to inform you that you're making a mistake.”

“Oh do tell,” Twilight rolled her eyes as she sat down behind her desk. “As if I haven't heard every criticism under the holy sun.”

“Oh but I don't make this outreach of mine lightly, my constituents don't want me having any contact with you-”

“I assume they made this sentiment out of ignorance of the fact that as the Speaker, as my Speaker, that is actually your job,” Twilight interrupted.

“...No, and your assumption that they did this out of ignorance is a very big part of the problem,” Swift Scribe said with a hint of distaste. “ But if I may finish, just of there you declared to a crowd of scared people that you will be flooding this city with even more outsiders, armed ones at that, and what astonishes me is that you legitimately think this is a good idea.”

“And what would you have me do?” Twilight asked. “They're angry when I act and they're angry when I do nothing, all I know for sure is that I do not currently have the resources necessary to properly enforce my word and protect my citizens, anyone with even a hint of intelligent thought can see that this is for the greater good.”

“That isn't how the people or the Union will see it,” Swift Scribe countered. “They'll see armed outsiders, thugs, entering their city uninvited, enforcing the will of a noble whom most of them don't know enough to trust. So, the people will not be cooperative, you'll only deepen the mistrust that's already beginning to fester, and the Union? They'll jump at the opportunity, undermine you at every turn, organized protests, strikes, vandalism.”

“Are you threatening me?” Twilight said, raising and eyebrow. “Because you'll have to do better than that.”

“I'm telling you that the path you've put yourself on will only lead to struggle and suffering on both sides,” Swift said, becoming frustrated. “You can't expect to win this!”

“Oh, but I can,” Twilight said. “You resit me, I bring in more guards, and more and more, I'll declare martial law if I have to, I don't want to do it but I'm not going to tolerate blatant undermining of my right of rule.”

“You're bluffing.”

“I expect that you're the one bluffing here,” Twilight said. “Perhaps the people will be resistant at first, but who will they ultimately side with? I who will offer them stability and protection or the upstart unionists whom force them to break the law and risk their livelihood for a petty ideal of... what exactly? Stubbornness? Please don't insult my intelligence.”

“And don't insult mine,” Swift Scribe said. “ I know these people better then you ever will, I know how this will go, Mayor Mare tried resisting them too, but she learned fast.”

“You're dismissed, Speaker,” Twilight said. “Run back to your employers, while you still have some.”

“As you wish, You're Majesty,” Swift Scribe bowed. “I wish you luck then.”

Swift Scribe promptly left and Twilight leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. She sparked her magic to retrieve from her desk; a glass and a bottle of whisky along with her chess set. She poured herself a drink and took a sip while she unfolded the chessboard and placed the white queen in the centre of the board.

“The Union presses me from one side...” Twilight mumbled to herself, placing a black rook on one side of the queen. She took another sip of her drink as she retrieved the black knight. “And the nobility schemes from the other.” She placed the knight of the opposite side of the queen.

“Splendid...” Twilight sighed as she finished her drink and started pouring another one. “This is going splendid, I simply must thank Celestia for this wonderful opportunity.”

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait.
Don't forget to comment.

Chapter 8 - A Den of Snakes

Chapter 8 – A Den of Snakes

The damp ground shook slightly from the uniform stomping of soldiers and they marched in formation. Captain Rainbow Dash marched at the front, leading the new platoon down main street, on either side of the street were crowds of people who were meant to be welcoming the soldiers but there was not a welcome face to be seen. Just a sea of faces expressing everything ranging from scared to angry, there was a hostile energy in the air as the platoon climbed the hill towards the Lady's castle.

Twilight stood on the steps outside of her castle, dressed in a military uniform; a black tunic with stars lining the shoulders, and gold accents, her sword hanging at her side and an officer's cap hung low over her eyes. She was flanked by Day Break and Wind Rider whom wore their usual armour but now were marked with purple sashes which marked them as Twilight's personal guards.

The platoon of guards marched up to the steps and Rainbow Dash called them to a halt and about faced them towards Twilight who descended the steps to greet them, Rainbow saluted hr and she saluted back before addressing the platoon.

“Good evening gentlemen,” Twilight said. “Welcome to Ponyville, this will be your new posting for the foreseeable future, so I suggest you get comfortable, it will be your duty to protect this city and it's people from all the dangers of the world, I have high hopes for you; Captain? Carry On.”

“Yes ma'am,” Rainbow Dash saluted.

Twilight returned to inside her castle where Honey Cream was waiting for her.

“Seems you 'ave been invited to a party,” she said.

“Right, Rarity always delivers, go rouse Mr. Silver; I shall need an outfit fitting for the event.”

“Actually,” Honey Cream produced a box which was bound with a red ribbon, “This came with the invitation.”

Twilight took the box in her magical grasp and opened it to peek inside, a smile graced her features.

“Rarity always delivers,” Twilight said softly, mostly to herself.

“Ma'am?” Rainbow said, she walked up from the entrance. “New bloods have been given their assignments.”

“Good, make sure we have a strong presence at the party, I want no mistakes,” Twilight said.

“Yes ma'am.”

“Shall we prepare for battle, madame.”

“Naturally.”

Carousel Boutique

Twilight rode up in her ornate carriage pulled by two of her guards, the road that Carousel Boutique stood upon was already sealed off and patrolled by an abundance of guards. Golden light was spilling out of the large windows onto the evening shaded street. Behind the purple drapes one could make out the silhouettes of a small crowd of ponies milling about.

Rainbow Dash opened he door for Twilight whom carefully stepped out, she wore the outfit that Rarity had gifted her. It was a scandalously thin silk dress which was a complimentary shade of blue; it was pinned by a golden clasp at Twilight's neck and then swooped diagonally across her chest, leaving left leg and part of her chest uncovered, the dress then hugged Twilight's body snugly and then swooped into a flowing trail which covered her back left leg but left quite a noticeable amount of flank exposed. A silver tiara topped Twilight's head and from her ears hug earrings in the shape of stars.

“Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Best not, I can handle this,” Twilight said, she looked at Rainbow Dash and caught her staring. “What?”

“Nothing,” Rainbow Dash said, quickly looking away with a tinge of red on her face. “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Twilight winked and approach the door, an usher opened the door for her and Twilight was met with a warm embrace of fine wine, perfume, and tobacco. As Twilight stepped in the usher followed her and cleared his throat before announcing to the crowd:

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, Lady of Oathtree.”

The crowd stopped for a moment to turn to look and Rarity emerged to greet Twilight. She walked and bowed quickly before grabbing Twilight's hoof and began to guide her.

“You look fabulous, darling, come, I have someone you simply must meet!”

Twilight followed Rarity without resistance but kept an eye on the crowd, some kept curious eyes on Twilight but most went back to their conversations. Rarity brought Twilight over to meet lord whositwhatits of someplacenoonecaresabout. Eventually Twilight was able to excuse herself and slip away, she tracked down a servant and got herself a glass of wine to sip on while she observed the crowd. Twilight had faced monsters and demons, but in this gathering of nobility she felt like she was in the most danger she had ever been in.

“You look lovely this evening, Your Majesty.”

Twilight turned to see a handsome unicorn stallion smiling at her, he had deep golden eyes and golden mane and thick beard; his coat was a finely brushed white sheet. He wore a tailored white suit with a golden yellow tie, more attire of a businessmen than a nobleman.

“I don't believe we've met,” Twilight said.

“We have now, Golden Dust at your service.”

“Dust, not a noble name,” Twilight observed.

“I've heard you were a knowledgeable one, indeed I am not of noble birth,” Golden Dust said.

“Yet here you are talking to a Princess at a party full of nobility,” Twilight said.

“Well, I've made living making myself useful to powerful people, I collect favours and cash them in, I thought attending this party could be interesting.”

“I see, and what exactly do you do that makes you so useful?”

“One might say that I'm a collector,” Golden Dust said. “But not of artifacts or treasure, no, I collect the most valuable currency there is; whispers, sweet little things, an army can take a castle but whispers can bring the end to empires.”

“And how do you acquire these whispers?” Twilight asked.

“Oh I have my ways, I tend to be very agreeable, a glass of wine here, a smile, people eventually open up,” Golden Dust said. “And for a price I offer what I know to certain people, and for a price I can offer you the same.”

“I don't think so,” Twilight. “Dealing in your kind of business never ends well.”

“As you say, milady, if you change your mind... well, pray for my return, the gods won't hear you but I hear everything,” and with that Golden Dust bowed and slipped into the crowd, he disappeared like a phantom despite his bright coloured coat and suit.

Twilight took another sip of the expensive wine and continued scanning the crowd. A den of snakes in makeup, all hissing and spitting at each other, wearing false smiles which only demonstrated how long their fangs were. They would eat each other alive of given the change, and suddenly Twilight felt dirty just from being in the same room as them. But then for a moment she asked herself how different she rally was from these people, she wondered if she had fangs.

“You shouldn't skulk by your own, darling, you look like a stranger,” Rarity said, smiling at Twilight as she walked over. “And here I thought you were hear to meet with a very particular stallion.”

“Yes but I haven't seen him yet.”

“Wrong, you have seen him you just haven't noticed him” Rarity said and pointed into the crowd “He's right over there.”

Twilight followed where Rarity pointed and spotted a rather unassuming Earth Pony, in hindsight he did rather stand out in many ways. Being the only Earth Pony in the room, with his brown fur and chestnut mane and beard, his soft green eyes. He wore a brown tunic embroidered with the silver likeness of a tree, a small fashionable shoulder cape was swept over his back, all dim and drab colours, the colours of the forest. A far cry from the bright and brilliant hues of the rest of the nobility.

“Not exactly what I expected,” Twilight commented.

“And what did you expect?” Rarity asked teasingly. “Come, I shall introduce you.”

Twilight followed Rarity as they approached Lord Forest Green whom was chatting up another noble nobody, he turned as they got close and regarded Twilight keenly; and appraising look in his eye.

“My Lord Forest Green, allow me to introduce Her Majesty Lady Twilight Sparkle.”

“A great pleasure, my lady,” Forest Green said, his voice deep and smooth with that distinctive Trottingham accent. He gently took Twilight's hoof and pressed his lips gently into it. “You look very beautiful this evening.”

“My my, Rarity failed to mention she had invited a lady killer to my province,” Twilight said through a false smile.

“Guilty as charged,” Forest Green chuckled. “Tell me, how have you been finding your time as a noble lady so far?”

The question seemed innocent enough, the tone was consistent with that yet something about the gleam in his eye, the fact that his smile was just a tad too big; it tipped Twilight off that there was a more sinister subtext to this Lord's words.

“Oh it's had it's challenges,” Twilight replies pleasantly. “As everything does, but it will only get easier with time.”

“Indeed, though from what I have heard you have seen quite some amount of trouble as of late.”

That was a insult, just unsubtle enough for the meaning to get across.

“Yes, terrible business that, one would think that we wouldn't have to worry about Diamond Dogs in these times, what with House Green taking care of them so effectively in the past,” Twilight said, she knew from Lord Green's eyes that he saw the insult. This is fun.

“Indeed, but we cannot hope to track down every single straggler, this was bound to happen eventually, it's impossible to predict,” Forest Green said.

“Of course, you can't be held responsible for such random acts of violence,” Twilight said. She was sure of it, Forest Green was the stallion she that had met with the Diamond Dog, he sounded the same and his own subtle jabs had given him away. It was all Twilight could do to not show the anxious excitement to show on her face. Twilight was about to offer a fresh jab when the sound of muffled shouting reached her ears, the din and noise of the party drowned out most but distinctly so Twilight could make out shouting, chanting, and the clank of metal armour. At the moment at least she appeared the only one to notice.

“Excuse me,” Twilight said and slipped away, she wove through he crowd and approached one of her guards whom was standing by the front door.

“What's going on out there?” Twilight asked.

“Protest, large one, getting bigger,” the guard whispered back.

“Handle it,” Twilight hissed back.

Outside the guards had formed a semi circle around the entrance with spears pointed outwards like a huge porcupine, Rainbow Dash in the centre of it. Opposite of them was a shifting crowd of very angry commoners, pitchforks and all whom were coming dangerously close to rushing the defensive line of the guards.

“Disperse!” Rainbow Dash yelled. “This is an illegal gathering! Disperse and return to your homes!”

“Why do you protect those leeches!? Why do they get better protection than us?!”

“Half of us have days where we starve! Maybe we should eat the rich for dinner!”

“Eat the rich!” the crowd began to chant.

“Eat the rich!”

“Eat the rich!”

Inside people were begging to notice the noise, they looked up from their empty conversations and wine glasses to pea outside through the heavy and expensive curtains to see the gathering the was just outside.

“Deary deary me,” Forest Green said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Seems we've attracted a crowd.”

“Fuck me,” Twilight said as everyone in the party started to crowd around the windows. Twilight however burst through the front door, angr overtaking her.

“Captain!” Twilight yelled. “I want these people gone! Now!”

“Yes ma'am!” Rainbow Dash said, drawing her sword. “Attention! All who do not disperse will be arrested! Guard's! Forward!”

Many in the crowd screamed as the guards rushed violently forwards and began grabbing people.

Author's Note

Don't forget to comment.

Chapter 9 - Elements Lost

Chapter 9 - Elements Lost

The main hall was a menagerie of movement. As the meagre dungeon of Oathree had swiftly filled up the guards had been forced to pile the overflow into the main hall. Tying them together in groups and keeping guard. The prisoners were none to happy with their lot in life and made that fact very vocal.

Twilight could feel the migraine lurking, ready to pounce on her at any moment should the situation get worse. Though she was unsure how anything could get much worse at this point.

Twilight emptied the glass of whiskey she had been sipping on and tossed it carelessly behind her, it probably shattered somewhere but Twilight was hardly in the mood to care. She marched out of her study and into the main hall, looking over the chaotic shifting crowd.

“Captain Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled out, her voice being magically amplified to echo throughout the hall. “Front and centre!”

“Ma'am!” Rainbow Dash called out. She flew clear of the crowd and landed swiftly in front of Twilight, offering a salute.

“Report,” Twilight said irritably.

"Ma'am, riots and protests have broken out all across the city, primarily in the south," Rainbow Dash reported. "Our main effort currently is to make sure they don't spread further and to apprehend the primary agitators; that is the people whom are riling everyone into a frenzy, but we're running out of room to put them all."

"Get a word out to our benefactor Happy Hearth, perhaps he has some empty buildings we can use as temporary holding cells," Twilight said. "And get Honey Cream to draft a letter to the capital, see if we can't cet some of the more violent one's sent to into the crown's custody."

"Shall we also request reinforcements from the capital, ma'am?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No, that will only make us appear weak, no we must prevail with the pieces we have on the board," Twilight said. "And Captain?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"No more hearts and minds," Twilight said with anger. "I want this riot broken"

"By your will, your majesty," Rainbow Dash said, saluting again and taking off in a burst of speed.

Twilight turned her back to the chaotic hall and entered her sanctum; her library. There she went about casting a simple spell of silence about the whole place which quickly dulled the noise to a dull hum. Finally she could relax.

Twilight ran her hoof along the spines of the many books which filled her bottom most shelf. So many ancient and knowledgeable tomes to choose from. Twilight breathed in their scent and wondered what would ease her mind the most? Perhaps simple mathematics? Physics maybe? Along with a nice cool glass of whiskey...

"I thought I might find you in here."

Twilight turned from her books to see Rarity there, who; ever conscious about her outfit, had changed into a fresh dress from the party that Twilight had left less than two hours ago. This dress was a saucy dark blue number which flowed at the tail but hugged Rarity's curves just so.

"Quite the commotion out there," Rarity said. "Though rats do tend to scurry rather frightfully when the cats are on the hunt."

"How did it come to this?" Twilight asked. "I tried, I really did, I didn't want to use force."

"Your trouble, darling, is that you put too much doubt in your own instincts," Rarity said. "These wretches have proven to you that the only way they'll learn is by the sword, and yet you still hold back."

Before Twilight could think of a reply the door to the library cracked open and Honey Cream poked her head in, eyes searching for Twilight.

"Mistress, there is a... Fluttershy here to see you," Honey Cream said.

"Fluttershy? Let her in immediately," Twilight said.

Honey Cream did as she was told and promptly the meek form of Fluttershy slide into the library, barely meeting Twilight's gaze but managing a small smile all the same.

"Fluttershy, it's so good to see you," Twilight said, closing the distance between them and pulling Fluttershy into a hug. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit, it's just been one thing after another here..."

"I understand," Fluttershy said softly, not straying away from the hug. "Hello, Rarity."

"Fluttershy, darling, you look as lovely as ever," Rarity said, and she pecked both of Fluttershy's cheeks after Twilight let go of the hug. "But what brings you to the heart of the chaos?"

"Well that's actually the reason because you see with all the noise and anger around-" Fluttershy was interrupted by the door once again swinging open, this time in a rather violent manner as Rainbow Dash sped in and landed while at speed and skidded to a halt before Twilight.

"Ma'am! We've just got reports that..." Rainbow Dash trailed off as she spotted Fluttershy whom had practically taken shelter behind Rarity. "I... I shouldn't be here."

"Excuse me? Captain, you were just about to report to me," Twilight said, she followed Rainbow's gaze to Fluttershy. "What is the matter?"

"I... I don't," Rainbow stuttered, Twilight started to feel worried, Rainbow rarely stuttered.

"Fluttershy?" Rarity asked. "Perhaps you can shed some light on this?"

"I uh..." Fluttershy looked more scared that usual.

"One of you needs to talk to me now," Twilight said in frustration.

"Ma'am... it was when I came back from my second deployment..." Rainbow began but then she was cut off by a loud banging at the library door, Twilight felt her headache peak and her anger boil over.

"What is it now?!" she snapped, and in answer the door burst open and an upset Applejack stormed in.

"So that's how it it is, huh?" she growled, marching right up to Twilight. "You think you can just arrest my family and get away with it? Because you got a crown? Do you think people'll let you get away with it?"

"I have given you every chance to back down," Twilight said with equal but a more tempered force. "You have forced me to do this, it is not I who is acting in direct opposition to the rule of law it's those people out there, your supposid family"

"I warned you this would happen!" Applejack snapped.

"Watch it," Rainbow Dash said, finally stepping in.

"And you, following her blindly! Don't you see the pain yer causin'?"

"You're the one's burning down homes!" Fluttershy said with surprising force. "Destroying things and burning things! You nearly killed half my animals!"

"Least I didn't strangle them like Rainbow-" Applejack began.

"Shut up!" Rainbow shouted.

All of them fell into an angry silence, just glaring and hate, until the silence was broke by... laughter. Rarity, she was laughing, holding her hoof to her lips to try in vain to stifle her chuckles.

"I fail to see what's funny about any of this, Rarity," Twilight said.

"Oh it's just ironic, look at us, the elements all back together in every way but the way that matters," Rarity said, and then sighed in forlonging. "It's never been the same since Pinkie, has it?"

"Rarity, please," Rainbow said. "It doesn't do to speak of the dead."

Author's Note

I guess I'm still writing this.

Chapter 10 - No More Laughter

Chapter 10 – No More Laughter

Not wishing to deal with any of them anymore, Twilight decided to banish the gathering of former friends from her castle, allowing only Rainbow to remain on the condition that she was kept busy with the worsening situation in the main hall. She even cast Rarity from her company which caused her to pout without mercy, and to moan about wanting to talk in private, but Twilight insisted that she wasn't in the mood.

Thus Twilight retreated further to someplace she hoped she could finally be alone, she walked along the bookshelves, each one almost identical to the last before; with a quick but complete counter spell she dashed an illusion which had once made it seem that one sole bookshelf sat alone.. In truth it hid a small wooden doorway which when passed through revealed Twilight's private study inside. A small cozy space dominated by an old desk and piles of carefully organized scrolls and pieces of parchment scrawled with notes, as well as a small but elite selection of the most rare books.

It had been a while since Twilight had last stepped her, judging by the amount of dust which flew and danced into the air from the disturbance caused by the door's movements. Twilight blew the layer of of the stuff off the desk which a steady blow before setting alight the old candle which still sat there. Opposite of the candle Twilight would find yet more evidence of how much time had passed; a photo sat on her desk, of her and her five friends, and they were happy.

Twilight picked up the photo for a better look, yes there she was. Pinkie Pie, looking ecstatically happy as she ever did with a wide smile and big eyes.

Twilight wondered how many pills she had taken that day, she wondered if it was less or more then the amount that eventually killed her.

She dashed the thought from her mind as she placed the photo face down on her desk; now was not the time to be nostalgic, she had work to do. These riots were being propagated by the Union, that much was clear, they had used their position as an excreted public council to levy founds and maintain their legitimacy. Yet Twilight wondered if that could be changed...?

After a brief moment of searching Twilight found the thick tome she was looking for, a simple looking thing that was as large and heavy as a brick. On it's cover in simple letters it read: “The Complete Legal Works of Equestria”

Twilight placed the book down and smiled to herself as she opened the old dusty thing up, breathing in the smell of aged parchment. She loved a good study project.

The Chapel of the Two sat on a small hill in west Ponyville, it was the largest out of the city's few churches in both architecture and attendance. The tall bell tower was adored with twin statues of rampant Alicorns, one's horn tipped with a sun and the other a moon. The mass gathered at daybreak and sunset thus during most of the day the chapel was empty, save for the occasional poor sinner that was looking for salvation.

That would be the excuse this stallion would use, Golden Dust was certainly a sinner but salvation was not his goal today. No, as he mockingly bowed to the altars of the Goddess-Princesses and took a seat at one of the pews he heard the door to the chapel open. He grinned.

A tall slender mare walked past him, her face and body mostly hidden underneath a thick cloak and hood. She bowed to the altars and sat in the pew behind Golden Dust.

“I see you've found your faith, mi'lady,” Golden chuckled, not turning around, wordlessly a heavy sack of bits was floated over to him.

“You work for me now,” Twilight said. “Everything you know I will know, every whisper, every word, every scream I want to hear it.”

“She's right, you are just like her,” Golden Dust chuckled.

“What are you talking about?” Twilight demanded.

“Come now, my dear, surely there's something you actually want to know?”

“...Where does the Union meet?” Twilight asked. “Who attends? What do they say there? I need to know these things if I'm to move forward.”

“You'll have what you want within a day,” Golden Dust said.

“One more thing,” Twilight said. “Do some digging on their speaker, Swift Scribe, I want to know his background particularly his education.”

“As you wish, my dear,” Golden Dust stood up with a smile and winked at Twilight before promptly walking out of the chapel most casual like.

Twilight quietly returned to her castle where she found, thankfully, Rainbow Dash had quelled the chaos. The main hall was now free of arrested protesters and bustling guards, only Rainbow and Honey Cream awaited Twilight there.

“Ma'am there's still pockets of riots and protesters around the city but they won't last long,” Rainbow Dash reported. “We're holding most of our prisoners in an old building relinquished to us by Hearth, what d you want done with them?”

“Release the petty criminals but I want all the ring leaders, the one's enticing their brethren to violence; they can rot and await trial,” Twilight said. “Get to it.”

“Yes ma'am!” Rainbow Dash saluted and flew off.

“Honey Cream I want you to assure that any jury celled for those cases is at least half unicorn, we won't get convictions any other way,” Twilight said.

“Ah but mon belle, is that.. legal?”

“I will make it legal,” Twilight declared.

“As you say, madame,” Honey Cream said. “Ah, another ting, ze one know as Fluttershy returned, shall I send 'er away?”

“No, I want to speak to her, she's in my study?”

“Oui”

“Merci”

Twilight did indeed find Fluttershy in her study, practically curled around a cup of hot tea, her hollow eyes staring blankly forward. When she turned them suddenly Twilight forgot her intentions to simply ask what Fluttershy was going to tell her earlier and instead wanted her to feel better, after all, they were still friends.

“What happened between you and Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked, Fluttershy let out a breath.

“It was... when she came back on her first leave, during the war,” Fluttershy said quietly. “I invited her to my hut to catch up...”

Seven Years Ago

Fluttershy hummed a happy tune to herself as she swept the last outside of dust outside her doorstep. Next to the door frame a large bird gave a cry in greeting.

Yes, good morning mister eagle!” Fluttershy said, reaching up to give the birds feathers a ruffle. “How's the wing today.”

The eagle gave a stubborn squawk.

“Oh yes tough guy, I'm sure it doesn't hurt at all but you can't fly on it yet,” Fluttershy said. “No buts!”

The eagle chirped in defeat and Fluttershy giggled.

“Well we're having company this evening, Rainbow Dash is finally coming home! Oh it's been so long! She'd like you, fast and... uh... confident!”

The eagle gave a cry as he puffed out his chest,

“Exactly! So get ready, she should be here any moment!”

It wasn't long before Rainbow Dash was spotted flying towards where Fluttershy was waiting on her patio. As Rainbow approached Fluttershy noted how different she looked; her fur and mane were shaggier than normal and she had a leanness to her, not from exercise but from lack of eating.

The moment Rainbow Dash landed Fluttershy stepped forward and captured her in a hug, Rainbow stiffened at the contact but swiftly relaxed her embraced her back.

“I missed you,” Fluttershy whispered.

“I missed you too, Flutters,” Rainbow said.

“I made tea and your favourite sandwiches, c'mon,” Fluttershy said, pulling away and leading Rainbow towards her hut. She was about halfway through the door before she realized that Rainbow had stopped. Fluttershy turned around to see Rainbow Dash staring to the side, intensively, almost angrily. Oh right the eagle.

“Do you like him?” Fluttershy asked. “Poor thing broke his wing on a dive, he'll be fine in no time! Maybe well enough to race you!”

“Hu-huh?” Rainbow asked, blearily looking at Fluttershy, as if in a trance. Then the eagle cried in greeting to Rainbow which immediately snapped Dash's attention right back to the bird, every muscle in her body seemed to tense and her ear flicked like mad.

“Rainbow...” Fluttershy said softly. “Are you alright?”

“Completely fine,” Rainbow answered steadily.

All it took was a moment, a moment where Fluttershy chose to believe her friend and turn her gaze. And before she had even fully turned around there was a squawk of pain and a grunt which made Fluttershy snap back around to witness to her horror what had happened.

Rainbow Dash was pinning the eagle down on his broken wing with one hoof, and the other was steadily applying pressure to it's throat.

“Stop...” Fluttershy's first cry came out weak, her voice cracking in terror and emotion the second was like a loud sob. “Stop!”

Rainbow only growled. “Die Gryphon scum.”

“Rainbow please stop it!” Fluttershy cried, rushing forward and trying to pry Rainbow Dash off of the eagle but Rainbow merely shoved her away sending Fluttershy to the ground. This is when Fluttershy felt something else; anger, not just anger, but anger directed at her best friend in the world.

“Stop it! Stop it now, Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy yelled, striking a hoof across Rainbow's face.

Rainbow blinked and her jaw loosened as she looking in confusion at Fluttershy.

“Did you just hit m-”

Before Dash could even speak Fluttershy threw her whole weight behind a shove that knocked Rainbow off of the eagle. Rainbow landed on her haunches and looked around in wide, confused eyes. Fluttershy scooped the eagle up in her hooves.

It was dead.

“W-what was I doing?” Rainbow Dash asked, her voice sounding panicked. “I-I thought... W-where?”

“Go away.”

“What?”

“Go. Away,” Fluttershy said, a little louder.

“Flutters... I didn-”

“GO AWAY” Fluttershy shouted, straining her voice at reaching such a volume. Rainbow Dash was quick to comply, escaping into the clouds.

Seven Years Later

“I think... I think mister eagle reminded her of the war,” Fluttershy said softly. “She thought she was still there.”

“I've heard of this sort of phenomenon,” Twilight said. “Career soldiers will often experience intense moments where they seem to re-live battle, it can be caused by a smell, a sight, or in this case the sound of an eagle's cry. I don't doubt that Rainbow heard her share of those in the forests of Prance.”

“She's not the same pony she was,” Fluttershy said, her voice breaking.

“None of us are,” Twilight said. “But you can't blame her for what's she been through and what it did to her.”

“I don't blame her,” Fluttershy said. “But I also can't forgive her.”

That stung, not because it was Twilight who wanted forgiveness but to actually see Fluttershy of all people refuse to forgive someone. It was heartbreaking, what twisted things had they become. Twilight wondered if they could ever go back.

“I'm here if you need me,” Twilight said.

“I know,” Fluttershy said, Twilight doubted that she actually believed the sentiment.

“So..” Twilight coughed. “What was it you were trying to tell me earlier?”

“Oh,” Fluttershy said thoughtfully. “You have a Fiend in your forest.”

“I have a what in my what?”

Chapter 11 - The Cost of the Crown

Chapter 11 - The Cost of the Crown

The courtroom was a din with noise and commotion as people shouted, yelled, and slammed their hooves onto the desks. Paper was thrown about, chants were picked up, the whole scene was a mockery and Applejack was stuck right in the middle of it.

"Order!" Swift Scribe yelled out, slamming his gavel. "I demand order!"

"Mister Speaker, what is being suggested here is no different than outright treason!"

"People're starving! We can't continue to protest like this! Crops need to be harvested, work needs to be done, we simply do not have the means to continue this strike!"

"And what would you have us do instead? Submit to the tax burden? Have our hard earned money be stolen away by the Crown? I'd rather starve fighting tyranny than submitting to it!"

"You may be willing to do so, but our kin, the people of this city, they are not and will take the path of less suffering, we will lose our support of we continue like this!"

"Then we must punish those who betray our union!"

"You would have the riots turn against us then!"

"Order!" Swift Scribe shouted once more. "The Speaker takes precedent! All shall be silent as I speak!"

Applejack sighed as she observed the chaos around her, a small headache had formed just above her brow during the preceding. The whole circus had been a joke, a mockery of any sense of democracy or the ideals that the Union had once been founded on.

"The Chair now asks for Applejack, Representative of the Apple Estate and it's affairs."

Applejack drew out her own thoughts to stand up as the room quieted before her, it seemed at the very least the Apple name still carried respect. Applejack removed her hat and held it to her chest, taking a breath.

"Ya'll should be embarrassed," She said bluntly, getting looks and a few gasps. "Some of ya might remember when this Union was first founded by my father, he founded it on the idea that together we could be protected against the nobility who wanna take our hard earned money and run us into the ground but now half ya'll are suggestin' that we do exactly that; force our people to starve and suffer, and I'll have no part in it."

Applejack replaced her hat and stepped off the pew, walking down the center aisle. At her back came yells and shouts, banging of hooves on the wooden floor.

"Traitor!"

Treason!"

"You'll hang for this turncoat!"

It was elsewhere that Twilight would walk into her private study, a lit candle, glass, and decanter full of her favorite whiskey already at the ready along with her pipe and tobacco. Also waiting for her was one Golden Dust who stood casually in her study, seemingly browsing the small collection of books that sat there, a white cloak clasped at his neck by a golden button was all that differed from his usual attire of a fine suit.

"How did you get in here?" Twilight asked.

"Is not the question you should be asking," Golden said with a mocking smirk.

Twilight could already feel the headache coming on, thusly she reached for the decanter and poured herself a glass of the whiskey. Downing it in one go.

"Why are you here," Twilight gasped, coming back up from the drink and pouring a fresh one.

"Better, now, I've collected a few snippets that you may be interested in," Golden Dust said as he sat behind the desk, where Twilight would usually sit. Twilight picked up on the message, this was his office now, she was coming to him.

"Go on," Twilight said, her jaw tightening.

"The Union convened just this morning, debating, or more so screaming, about a movement put to the floor," Golden said. "The suggestion was that members and constituents of the Union would be, or should be penalized if they do not conform with the Union's strikes and riots."

"That seems to suggest that there are those already in defiance," Twilight said, sipping her whiskey while eyeing the tempting tobacco pipe.

"Indeed, after some digging, I surmised that no less than twelve Union landowners have ended their strike and returned to work due to financial loss," Golden Shine said. "And you may be interested to know that Miss Applejack is counted among that number, whom I happened to see storming from their meeting place after giving a rather heated statement about the Union betraying the very ideals it was founded on, a rather fair sentiment I would say."

"Indeed, but this can be used to our advantage... Where did you say they meet?"

"I didn't"

Twilight stared at Golden Dust sternly and he met her gaze equally, still wearing that mocking smirk of his. After a moment Twilight sighed and with a spark of her magic a small pull string sack appeared next to here in a flash, she tossed it onto the desk where it landed with a thud and jingle of coins.

Golden Dust gleefully poured out the contents and counted it before looking back up.

"They meet at Millershall, used to be a warehouse If I am not mistaken."

"I doubt you ever are," Twilight said dryly.

"Anyway, I also looked up their Speaker, Swift Scribe, for someone who works for commoners he had a rather noble upbringing, comes from money, some mining family, not local, anyway he was educated at the Trottingham School of Law and graduated with honours," Golden Shine explained.

"So he would know every in and out of the law," Twilight said, her own little smirk growing on her face as he grabs a rather large tomb from her personal shelf labeled "The Complete Legal Works of Equestria" and she opened it to a marked page.

"Yes, I imagine that he utilizes his knowledge to assure that the Union exploits every loophole and technicality they can, no doubt this is why they have been able to operate with this level of power for so long," Golden Dust, curiously looking at the page Twilight had opened up to.

"Ah but for how clever he is he cannot escape the objective reality of law and order in this country, as it is thusly written by our forefathers in stone at the founding of the First Equestrian Imperium in 345 AC," Twilight said, tapping the page. "All power wherein the government of a populace wields is at the pleasure of the Crown, a privilege given, a privilege that can be revoked. All authority is that of the blood, of the crown, of the divine."

"Indeed..?" Golden Shine said in question.

"Secrets may be your forte but power is mine, my dear Golden Shine," Twilight said, her grin turned mocking and proud. "I am the blood, I am the divine, I am the Crown, their existence is at my pleasure, and I must say. I am not pleased."

"Then what shall you do?"

"Get into contact with the Union members in defiance of their new policy, invite them to come to me and tell me their troubles," Twilight said. "It's imperative that they are seen doing so, invite Applejack as well but do so discreetly and when she refuses, make it clear that if she is not willing to work for me then I consider her a threat."

"When she refuses?" Golden Shine asked.

"Oh, she will, I know her too well to suspect otherwise," Twilight said. "She'll refuse, and she shall seal her fate."

"Indeed, anything else?"

"Yes, do you know what a Fiend is?"

"Ancient demon of some sort, supposed to be mythical?"

"Well it appears one is skulking the border of the Everfree," Twilight said. "I'd be interested in hiring someone to take care of it."

"I shall put the word out, I've had dealings with many a monster slayer before."

"Good, now, get out of my chair and off to work."

"Oh I suppose I should," Golden Dust said casually. "Ta ta."

With a golden flash of his horn, he faded away leaving Twilight to pour herself yet another glass.

"That stallion will be the death of me," she muttered to herself.

That night would see dark clouds fill the sky and rain pound down in large heavy drops, thunder rocked the sky with only the occasional flash of light seen. When Applejack returned to her farm she had spent the rest of the day preparing the homestead of whether the storm before retiring for the day. However, after Macintosh and Applebloom had fallen asleep Applejack found herself stalking back downstairs to the kitchen where she located their small store of premium whiskey and pouring herself a glass.

Absorbed in her own thoughts Applejack barely noticed much outside of her drink and the storm. After finishing her first glass Applejack got up and after a few moments of searching she found what she was looking for; an old crossbow, owned once by her father. She loaded it and placed it on the kitchen table before pouring herself another drink.

They would come for her, the Union. Applejack was sure of this, there was no way they would let her treason go unpunished no matter how much influence her name still carried. She fully expected to die tonight, and if that was the case, well, she'd go down fighting.

Applejack was halfway through her third glass of whiskey when she heard a sound that wasn't from the storm; a creak in the floorboards, just to her left and slightly behind her. The room was completely dark but just at the corner of her vision Applejack caught some movement and carefully she put down her glass of whiskey so that her hoof rested near the crossbow. She took a deep breath before grabbing the weapon and spinning around rapidly, aiming the crossbow at the shadow and unleashing the bolt.

There was a flash of gold and the bolt ceased in mid-air, held there by a golden aura and Applejack lowered her weapon in astonishment.

"Now, now, I thought you country types were supposed to be hospitable," a voice said and with another flash of gold, a unicorn stallion's face was alight, his golden eyes staring with bemusement at Applejack.

"You don't work for the Union," Applejack said.

"No," Golden Dust said, stepping closer and increasing the light of his horn to illuminate the whole kitchen. He held the crossbow bolt near his face, examining it. "I've been sent by a formal friend of yours, well I suppose that doesn't narrow it down nowadays, the one with the crown."

"Twilight," Applejack growled. "I suppose you're here to kill me?"

"Not really her style I don't think, nor mine," Golden Dust said, looking back at Applejack. "No, this is an offer."

"An offer?" Applejack asked, laughing. "She made it clear she's not willing to negotiate."

"We aren't negotiating, this is a take it or leave it situation, my dear," Golden Dust said. "The Union and it's disruptive behavior are not long for this world, what my client is offering you is sanctuary."

"In exchange for?"

"Submission," Golden Dust said, snapping the bolt he was holding in two. "Of course."

"The Union may have gone off the deep end," Applejack said. "But Twilight is still wrong and this will only make things worse, this isn't what people want."

"Seemingly it is, considering that in a mere few hours we have been contacted by a significant number of Union members who have come to their senses and pledged loyalty to Her Majesty," Golden Dust said.

"That can't be true," Applejack said. "They'd never submit!"

"Beleive me or not, the reality is if you do not submit before the hammer strikes you will be considered a threat as well," Golden Dust said dismissively. "We cannot guarantee your safety if you do not do as we ask."

"I believe that the people should control their destiny, not some noble," Applejack said, staring at the floor. "My pa believed that, and the Union used to believe that, I have to be honest to myself and to what I believe, and bowing down would be betraying that."

"That's a no, then?" Golden Dust said, looking bored as he checked a golden pocket watch. "I really must be going, threats don't usually take this long."

"So that's it then? Submit or die?" Applejack asked.

"Oh don't be so unimaginative," Golden Shine said. "Believe me, death would be much more merciful."

With a flash, he was gone, the two pieces of the crossbow bolt clattering to the floor. Applejack sat back in the chair, burying her face in her hooves.

When morning came and Twilight awoke Honey Cream informed her that there was a sizable group of ponies waiting to see her, Twilight bathed and dressed quickly. Time was precious now. She entered the grand hall to meet no less than twenty Earth Ponies, all of which admitted to being former members of the Union. Applejack was not among them.

"Now they're demadin' that anyone who works be punished," A stallion miner called Stone Slab was saying. "And that the rest of us give up our hard earned savin's to support the ones that are goin' hungry."

"And thus they drag you all into the fire together," Twilight said, shaking her head. "It isn't right, the many should not be punished for the failings of the few. They would see you all starving and homeless rather than admit they are in the wrong."

Many in the group exchanged surprised looks, one younger mare, who's name Twilight couldn't recall, spoke up.

"Begging your pardon, milady," she said. "But we's all just a bit put off, see, word around Union members is that you were a tyrant... its just a bit surprising to find that you give a toss about us."

"The Union was founded and is run by anti-nobility activists, unfortunately for you, they have been filling your mind with their creed and propaganda for years," Twilight said. "Nevertheless, I am not the monster they say I am, and I intend to right this wrong in short order, this I vow."

The group all bowed in reply, which gave Twilight a smirk she could not resist. She had shown them the strength of her armies, now they would see the quality of her leadership. Once they had all left, instructed to return to work at their pleasure and to be assured in their safety in doing so, Twilight stole her own courage for the next phase.

"Captain Dash!" Twilight called out.

"Yes, ma'am!" Rainbow said, appearing before Twilight at once.

"Send guardsmen to keep an eye on those individuals who came to me today, let us show them that I keep my word," Twilight said. "And gather five of your best guards and prepare yourself to accompany me."

"Where are we going, ma'am?"

"Millershall, we're storming parliament."

The Union gathered early that morning, it was an important vote after all. The rumbling chatter quieted uncharacteristically quickly when Swift Scribe took the stand.

"Order," Swift said, without much need to. "I, Speaker Swift Scribe, hereby begin this gathering of the Union of Landowners and Miners of Ponyville to vote on a motion put to the floor yesterday evening, that is the motion to take punitive measures against those members of this Union both present and former that refuse to participate in the general strike organized by this Union. For the purposes of this vote, we shall divide the house, ayes to the left-"

BANG BANG BANG

Swift Scribe trailed off as the loud knocks echoed throughout the hall, the crowd looked over in confusion while their speaker attempted to regain his composure.

"A-ayes to the left_"

BANG BANG BANG

On the final blow the door burst open a crack and then slowly creaked open, the other side revealing Lady Twilight Sparkle adorned in her resplendent armour and her sword at her side, her crown polished and gleaming on her head, Flanking her was her guardsmen, who in equal shined with noble splendor and they all marched right into the hall unafraid with Twilight at the lead who stopped just before the Speaker's seat, the members of the Union looking on in shock.

"By royal prerogative I do, as Lady of Oathtree, and of Ponyville, and appointed emissary of The Two Princesses, the Ladies thy Godessess, here to dissolve this gathering at once!" Twilight stated loudly.

Immediatly the hall erupted in shouts of protest and anger, many beginning to stop and call for violence. Twilight's guards bristled but she calmed them with a look and turned to Swift Scribe who tried to quiet the crowd.

"Order! Order! I will have silence!" He attempted weakly.

"This noise demeans you all!" Twilight said, magically projecting her voice over the din and getting them to quiet before her. "Is this a hall where public will is spoke and heard? Or merely a stand for slefish and embrassing squall? Through bickering and betrayel here you have lost the populations trust! I am not prone to certainty but you have drawn that measure in my unsure heart."

Twilight paused and watched the faces on the crowd, she saw many of them were still shocked, and even captivated. They were waiting for her to speak.

"Unlike you all," Twilight began. "I was born and riased to rule, I did not choose, but like a great oak I am sown in Equestrian soil and reared not for myself but with single purpose meant! While you must have popular support which gusts and falls as does the wind! My flesh and bones constitute this land. The Speaker knows it s within my right to dissolve this gathering thusly!"

There were mumbles and shouts of protest yet again but Twilight spoke nover them.

"My speaker will you here confirm to them? Thhat what I do is well within my right, to, as Lady and Princess, demand?"

All eyes turned to Swift Scribe who looked scared, he look around frantically, perhaps seeking some escape until finally as Twilight new he would, he was forced to state the reality.

"Your Majesty, if this is what you want, than this you can, as Princess, demand."

Author's Note

sorry for the wait.

Chapter 12 - The Next Step

Chapter 12 - The Next Step

They came for Applejack later that same day, two guardsmen. Armed but not aggressive, they had no need for threats or harsh words here; Applejack came willingly.

It was quiet all throughout the city, no riots, no protests. Only the crunch of military hooves on gravel from patrolling guardsmen. Any spirit of resistance was long crushed and dead, naught but the loud silence of simple obedience left.

They escorted Applejack to the somber titan of Oathtree Castle where even still very little noise or movement could be heard and the creaks of the bastion door created open. Twilight sat upon her throne, clad in resplendent armour and a tall crown, a fine cape rested across her shoulders. Gone was Applejacks friend, replaced with the embodiment of the crown.

"My lady," Applejack said as respectfully as she could, though she still did not bow.

"...you may leave us," Twilight said to the two guards after a moment, they saluted and left Twilight and Applejack alone.

"So, it's come to this," Applejack said.

"I tried other avenues," Twilight said. "I truly did, at every stage and step, no action was taken without thought. I wanted to end this peacefully, but it became impossible."

"So what now?" Applejack asked bitterly. "Imprisonment? How many families will you tear apart in all this?"

"For some, yes that will be the consequences," Twilight paused for a moment. "For you... I know you opposed to Union in many areas, and I cannot in good faith consider you guilty of the same crimes, yet you were a prominent member; guilty by association, so something must be done."

"Can Macintosh tend to the farm?" Twilight asked, her tone much softer.

"He can."

"Then it is my duty to inform you, Applejack Apple, that you are henceforth banished from Ponyville and her surrounding territories forthwith, upon pain of death or imprisonment you are never to return," Twilight said. "Go to your family in Applesoosa, rebuild your life there, there's nothing for you here anymore."

"So that's it then," Applejack said, her voice cracking. "With friends like you, who needs enemies?"

"I..." Twilight stuttered, the tone in Applejacks voice giving her pause. Until Twilight cleared her throat and spoke with greater conviction. "I have my duty."

"Last I checked, you were suppose ta be the princess of friendship, not duty," Applejack said and with nothing else to say she turned and left, Twilight swore she saw tears glistening in the eyes if the pony who used to be her friend.

Twilight remained in her throne after, staring at where Applejack had been. She didn't notice she had company until Rainbow Dash stepped into the spot Twilight had been staring at and saluted.

"Situation is going very well, ma'am," Rainbow said. "All our prisoners are compliant, as per your orders we released some of the minor rioters from the day before but we've kept onto the major Unionist ringleaders, not a soul is up in protest after this."

"The city has been made complacent," Twilight said, almost to herself. "But in that act I have betrayed an old friend, someone who I once stood by, laughed with, someone who I would have died for... I am the princess of friendship, have I not just corrupted that title and betrayed it's purpose?"

"Begging your pardon, ma'am," Rainbow said. "But you haven't betrayed anything or anyone, Applejack did, she decided that her kin and her beliefs were more important to her; and you only responded in kind, if anyone is guilty of betrayal it's her."

"Your straightforward logic is always a comfort, Rainbow," Twilight said with a smile.

"And if you're still concerned about pushing people away..." Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. "You still have me... I'm not going anywhere... Ma'am."

"Indeed," Twilight said softly. "You are easily my most loyal ally, and without you none of this would be possible... I fear I haven't show my gratitude enough to you."

"To serve is reward enough for the good soldier," Rainbow said. Twilight recognized the phrase from the Equestria Militarus Syllabus, a doctrine taught to all Equestrian soldiers.

"Still..." Twilight said, rising from her throne and slowly approaching where Rainbow was standing to attention. "You deserve to know how much I appreciate and... Care for you, while I may often choose harsh words and harsher tones, know that my... Feelings for you remain tender."

"Ma'am I..." Rainbow faltered as Twilight closed the distance, their faces a breaths away before Twilight leant forward and planted a soft kiss on Rainbows cheek before then pulling her into a hug.

"You are a good friend, Rainbow," Twilight said softly as Dash stiffly hugged her back. "And I hope you will always be at my side."

"I always will, ma'am."

"Now..." Twilight said, releasing the hug and holding Rainbow at length. "Gather the others, it's time to regroup, in these times we must take stoke of who our friends are..."

They gathered around what was once the table-map which had guided Twilight to many adventure but had long since lay dormant and devoid of any guidance. Six crystal chairs stood in a circle around the table and five of them now stood filled.

Twilight gazed across to them, her allies, her friends? In a way. There was Rainbow Dash to her right, Honey Cream to her left, both she trusted and considered friends. Rarity also sat amongst them, today wearing a high-collared white satin coat. She was Twilights friend certainly, but her nature left more that few unanswered questions about some of her intentions, still, Twilight valued her intelligence.

Golden Dust, however, sitting there looking as he always did in a fine suit and manicured hair and fur. He was still a wild card, an enigma, a potential risk. He had maintained that his only motivation was coin. Yet any stallion with the pull he had, the knowledge he maintained, was a danger. Yet for now, the benefits outweighed the risks.

"Welcome, all of you, thank you for coming," Twilight said. "All of you have in some way contributed to the continued stability of my rule in some significant way, and while most of you were no doubt aware of each other in some capacity I have gathered us here today to officiate this gathering, my council, as a unified force so that not might I address you all together but you might communicate in tandem and combine resources towards mutual goals."

"Perhaps, introductions may be in order?" Rarity offered, as she and the others gave looks towards Golden Dust, who, up until the point had been little more than a whisper to them.

"You may all all me Golden Dust," he said smoothly before anyone could speak up, Golden was staring up at the ceiling with a bemused smile on his face. "All else is not of import, just know that I know anything you need to know, I hope, in time, you all become confident in my contributions as I am sure our dear Lady already has."

"I have," Twilight said carefully. "Golden Dust has been invaluable in my recent works, and I am sure he shall continue to be invaluable."

"Now," Twilight continued. "Honey Cream, you have something for us?"

"Oui, zis morning a letter was received," Honey Cream placed the letter on the table. "Addressed to our dear Twilight from ze one Lord Forest Green, an invitation to a gathering of the nobility, a private an unsanctioned affair, something zhat might be looked on badly by the Imperial Court."

"Rarity?" Twilight asked.

"These things are more common than you might assume," Rarity said. "I've been the eye candy for more than one young lord who attended these things, a chance for the well-bred of our society to converse, gossip, even scheme in some instances."

"Then what does this invitation mean?" Rainbow Dash asked, and it was Golden Dust who answered.

"They want a measure of you," he said. "The good lord Forest Green was attempting to do that when he visited here, but now the rest want to gage you, see your worth; now that you have proven that your control over lands shall not be challenged from within they wish to see what they can make of you, it's even possible they may come to accept you as a member of their secretive company."

"Hm, and where is this event to be held?" Twilight asked.

"Las Pegasus," answered Honey Cream.

Twilight was sure she wasn't the only one to notice the sour expression that, however briefly, flashed across Golden Dusts face. She said nothing about it.

"Well I have no choice but to attend and scope out the competition as it were," Twilight said. "Rarity shall be my guest and Rainbow Dash my escort."

"I trust you understand the high standards of etiquette expected of you, dearest Captain?" Rarity said in a mocking tone.

"Officer Balls in the army were no different," Rainbow shrugged. "Fake smiles, fake chatter, empty platitudes, I shall keep a few easy to digest war stories in my back pocket to entertain anyone should need be and I'll try and fit as many medals on my uniform as possible."

"Splendid," Rarity said, seemingly satisfied.

"Moving on," Twilight said. "Golden Dust, where are we in the issue of the supposed Fiend living in our border forest?"

"I have tasked several experienced experts to the task," Golden Dust. "I am confident the matter will be resolved in due time..."

It was later that night, under the light of a full moon. That hug hulking mass would push aside ancient trees and crush them underneath as it moved its form through the wood. A Fiend was a chaotic thing, born of the abyssal darkness of the Void and brought into the mortal realm; its body was as large as a dragons with hunched hooves back legs and front arms long and muscular with long claws. It's goat like head peered into the night with three eyes stuck in between two large antlers.

Yet this voidspawn demon was the subject of a hunt as in a nearby bush hunched a figure. His shined and bright plate armour hidden under a dark cloak and his wife and heavy greatsword already drawn and at the ready. As the Fiend began to sniff the air, clearly picking up on the scent, the Hunter attacked.

He lunged forward and jumped high, bringing his sword down in a deadly chop which caught the muscle between the Fiend's shoulder and neck. Black blood spewed out like a geyser as the beast screamed in pain and rage. After the Hunter landed he barely had time to dodge as the Fiend charged at him with antlers lowered, the Hunter rolled away and let the thing crash into the nearby trees.

The Hunter used the moment that he had as the Fiend was momentarily dazed to close the distance and deliver two carefully chosen cuts to its two back legs. He targeted the muscles and tendons at their most vulnerable spots, severing them all completely and crippling the demon.

Yet even as the Fiend fell backwards, unable to use its hind legs, its third eye began to flow white. The Hunter averted his eyes yet he still felt a pressure upon his mind, dark whispers clouded his thoughts and he was overcome with a feeling of apathy and fear which threatened to consume him. Yet he focused his mind, chanting a prayer to the Holy Two Goddesses, asking for the protection of he Sun and Moon, and declaring his loyalty to them; with these faithful declarations his mind was clear and he was able to break the spell.

Thusly he lunged forward once more and drove the point of his sword deep into the Fiends head, right through its third eye.

When morning came Twilight found herself fascinated by the severed Fiend head that the Hunter had placed at the foot of her throne. More so than the one who had slain the thing.

"My, my, a rare sight!" Twilight exclaimed. "Fiends only appear, or so I read, when great animosity is felt, they are drawn to negative emotions and feed off of them. It must have been the protests and civil unrest that had initially summoned it, but with that gone it quickly lost strength! Fascinating, and a clear and symbolic end to the internal struggles we have been facing. Well done, Hunter, I'll see that you're paid in full-"

"That won't be necessary, Your Grace," the stallion said, his accent fine.

It was only then, as he removed his hood, that Twilight paid any attention to the "Hunter." He had fine features, a smooth and strong jaw, soft eyes of silver-blue, and a mane of ice-blue which hung just a tad longer than what a stallion might usually wear. And as he removed his cloak Twilight saw that he wore finely Smithers plate, shined and well-maintained. He had not the bearing of a common mercenary.

"I do not understand," Twilight said, placed on the retreat in the face of the sudden mystery. "Did you not slay this beast in response to the bounty I placed upon it?"

"While indeed it was news of this beast and your desire for it to be slain which brought me to the act," the stallion said. "My motivation was not coin, but to honour your wishes and to dispel such a foul demon in the name of your glory, oh fairest lady."

"Who are you, tell me your name," Twilight said.

"I am Ser White Winter of Snowhawk," the knight said, bowing deeply.

"A knight?" Twilight asked, surprised. "A northern knight? And a member of House Winter? What fortune is this?"

"I recognize your name," Rainbow Dash suddenly said, standing to Twilight's side. "You were at Salterrada Bridge, I remember you stood with the heavy troopers."

"And I remember you streaking through the sky with the Bolts," White Winter said, rising from his bow. "A shame we have not spoken before this, after all while I may be known for just one battle, you have fought a thousand more nameless ones."

"The question still begs to be answered," Twilight interjected. "As to why you travelled all the way from Vanhoover, and Snowhawk, to slay a random beast in the name of a southron princess."

"Ah, well, in truth I set out to meet you, Your Grace, originally not for the purpose of this monster," White Winter said. "Though it was rather convenient that it happened to turn up, as it gave me the opportunity to bestow a gift as is custom; no, I set out to see you, oh most fairest lady, to pledge my sword and life to you."

"I beg your pardon?" Twilight asked. "And why would you do that? Do you not serve Lord Winter?"

"I did, though he needs me not," White Winter said. "My uncle has more than enough loyal Knights, no, even before your rightful crowning as a noble lady I heard tale of your courage, your aptitude, your deeds, and your... Great beauty, oh I must admit I was taken away with the tales of you, my lady, and when I heard that you had been named Lady Paramount of Ponyville? Ah! Finally I could show my admiration for you, oh goddess!"

With that White Winter removed his greatsword from his back and placed it at Twilight's hooves and knelt as Twilight and Rainbow Dash shared a look.

"Will you accept my sword, my life? Such as it is?" White Winter asked.