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.