The Rise of Passion

"So, let me see if I understand your plan," sighed Smolder, rubbing her brow with her thumb and foreclaw. "You plan to take over Equestria just so you can bang headmare Twilight?"

"Not just for that reason," pouted Gallus. "Here, let me go over it again."

Silverstream tossed her head back and let out an exasperated grunt. "We've gone over it five times already!"

"Even I understand it at this point," groaned Yona. "Let's just go on. Maybe she'll figure it out if we just move forward."

Gallus nodded. "Okay, so, we all have reasons for wanting Equestria to change. While there have been some advancements in recent years, it's not enough. It's not nearly enough. Twilight Sparkle's School of Friendship may be the only place where all of us are welcome at once. That's what we're here to change."

Cozy Glow moved to the center of the table. "Gallus is right. Take, for example, Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It's one of the most prestigious schools in all of Equestria." She clicked her heels together and turned. "None of you are welcome, despite Ocellus and Smolder both being adept spellcasters. Your education there would be over before it begins. You cannot obtain that level of prestige.

"How about the Wonderbolt Academy? While it's true that they're known for their flying prowess, one of the greatest coaches they ever had was an earth pony. He couldn't fly, but his knowledge of flight was so unparalleled that he could direct pegasi in ways they couldn't even dream of. Do you think they would ever let Yona amend their uniforms into something better? No. It doesn't matter if she'd be great at it. She can't fly, so she's not welcome.

"Starlight Glimmer called on my expertise because I have the knowledge required to remake Equestria into something where the limitations of your body do not stop you from achieving your goals. Under my reign, the only thing that will stop you from living your dreams is your drive to pursue them. Only through equal opportunities can we truly show the world what we're made of."

Slowly, starting with Ocellus, a gentle applause began to spread around the room.

"I guess the system is a little more broken than we thought," admits Silverstream. "Still, Twilight has helped bring us together. She's trying. That has to count for something, right?"

"I agree," nodded Gallus. "None of this would have been possible without Twilight. That's why, even though the original plan was to be rid of her, I changed it to where she can stay with me. That's way better than just tossing her out with the bathwater."

"Why are you throwing out your bathwater?" asked Silverstream. "Doesn't your tub have a drain?"

"It's an expression," sighed Gallus. "Look, we have the support of Starlight, Sunburst, Trixie and Cozy. All of them are very smart ponies, which none of you will deny. They all think this is a good idea. That means that it must have some merit. So, what do you think? Are you in or out?"

Yona was the first to speak up. "I've been to Canterlot. The nobility treat earth ponies like they're all idiots. Their opinion of Sandbar is pretty obviously low. But it's even lower for yaks. The clerk at the fabric store was amazed that I could even talk. I will join in, if it means we can join in harmony within my lifetime."

Sandbar stood up. "I'll join in, too. I don't want my friends being excluded."

"You're just joining in because you're in love with Gallus and Yona," snorted Smolder.

"I know what it's like to be hated by Equestria," sniffled Ocellus. "It's better than it was, but I still can't be myself. Not without condemnations, anyway. I'm in."

"It's no fun when you're being excluded," added Silverstream, gripping Ocellus's hoof. "I'll join you."

"You're all weirdos," snorted Smolder, leaning back. "You're treating this as if it's the first time you've ever been ostracised. There's a reason they want us to stay out."

Gallus scowled. "So, you're not joining us?"

"I never said that." She stood up and pointed at Cozy. "You locked us up. You tried to take down Twilight and her friends before, and you locked us in a bubble with Starlight. How can you expect us to trust you over Twilight? How do we know you won't just betray us again?"

Cozy smiled. "The magic of friendship is a powerful thing. As is, of course, harmony, which feeds it. But not all can harmonize. Not everypony can work toward the same goal. There are some ponies who cannot be the same as everypony around them. I've seen unicorn parents abandon their children because they were born an earth pony, only to try suing the adoptive parents when it turned out the child was actually a unicorn with a bent horn hidden by their mane. I've seen pegasi that cannot fly. Friendship is remarkably powerful. But there's something far more powerful that I plan to claim for myself. And when I'm in charge, that power will bring together all of your races and more. No longer will you be cast out because of the body you were born with."

"The Wonderbolts don't allow dragons," added Gallus.

Smolder shook her head. "You're right. We should be just as worthy."

"If you put in the effort," corrected Cozy.

"Right. Fuck it, I'm in."

Cozy smiled and cast a spell around each of their hooves and claws. "This spell binds you all together. If one of you should break your word, all of your closest friends shall pay the price."

"Is this some kind of freaky punishment, or something?!" demanded Smolder.

"For Gallus, yes. For the rest of you, it's assurance. If any of you should speak of this with somepony not of our organization, you doom your friends. Any harm you should inflict on our organization shall be doubled back upon your closest confidants."

"That doesn't seem fair," pouted Ocellus. "It just sounds like we're going to be punished for mistakes we didn't make."

"Then might I suggest that you all work as a team?" smirked Cozy. "You won't be hurt by this unless one of you betrays the others, and that's going to hurt, anyway. You're supposed to be best friends. Act like it." She took a deep breath. "This has been an unexpected turn. Gallus, take them all back upstairs. The rest of us need to discuss the plan. Trixie will give you your orders from now on."

As they returned to the secret passage, Ocellus spoke up from the back of the group. "We're not going to have to hurt anypony, are we?"

"Only if absolutely necessary," answered Gallus. "If we can avoid it, which it looks like we can, we just need them out of the way. Actually harming them is different from just moving them out of the picture."

As they reached the end of the passage and opened the bookcase door, Gallus was once again greeted by a face he did not expect. "Shame on you, for making me wait," she chuckled. "Can I say hello to Cozy, or is it too late?"