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.