The Dark Side of Equestria: The Iron Uprising

Chapters

Act 1: The Science Minister
Act 2: The Iron Ones
Act 3: The Eve of the War
Act 4: Opening Moves

Act 1: The Science Minister

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 27th of Julember, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

Much has changed over the past thousand years since Celestia took the throne. The villain Discord lies defeated. While I of course wasn’t around during his reign, I did grow up hearing the stories, it must have been horrible - and I’m glad now we have the two Princesses ruling over us!

...Did I say two? Well, there were two up until the other one went crazy or something and Celestia had to lock her away in the Moon of all places. I know I’m not supposed to question, but if she has wings, can’t she just fly down from there? Or for that matter, why the Moon? Last time I checked, wasn’t that her base of operations? That would be like imprisoning me in my laboratory without restraints. Quite.

...I’m rambling again aren’t I?

Oh dear, so I am. Perhaps I should take a few moments to explain the world, yes?

Equestria is the largest nation on our continent, with borders stretching into the nearby Western Wastes (though why anypony would want to live there is beyond me), and our borders are vast enough to border territory with the nations of Mareguard and Zebgeria. While the Zebra are content enough to leave us be (we’ve only been at war a grand total of two times with the Zebra), the northern cities (especially dear old Stalliongrad) are often attacked by those Mareguard ruffians. It’s their fault they didn’t move when those Ice Spirits attacked! Quite.

Common discussion around the table says they can’t even grow their own crops, so they have to invade and pillage anything they can find, from food to drink - even our Mares! This sort of behaviour is most outrageous! Quite!

Despite all of this, our ruler Princess Celestia (though why she never took the old title of Queen eludes me to this day) guides over us all while protecting us. And all we have to do is not to question. I’m not sure why this is - she seems a nice enough Pony, maybe it’s just an old Mare’s tale based on the previous Monarchs? The truth as ever is beyond my grasp, but I shall find out someday, Quite.

...Anyway, where was I? I hope I put the kettle on...

Oh, yes! I remember now!

As with everything, we Equestrians endure as we have for the thousands of years we’ve been around. And with all the newfangled things ponies like myself have been hard at work, Celestia herself will be holding a special event to fill a newly created position she calls a “Science Minister” or something. We will be using the state treasury to monitor the progress of Invention and Industry. Furthermore, our position allows us to fund our own projects, so long as they benefit the state! This is wonderful, quite simply wonderful!

I’m hoping to enter, and furthermore I’m hoping to win! Quite! I’m excited now!

The only snag is that I am going to need help. You see, we’re supposed to show off an invention of ours. And while some of the other candidates have made things, I have yet to come up with something that actually works. My chances of success will be ruined if my new Automated Garden Raker explodes for the fifth time! I will speak with IronJack the first chance I get tomorrow!

Goodbye Diary. Sleep well now. We’ve a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

From the Notes of IronJack, 28th of Julember, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Hmpf.

That crackpot’s been at it again. No matter ‘ow many times ah tell ‘im, he just doesn’t listen. Then he goes on about tea and crumpets, or some other nonsense. And now ‘e’s trying to be this “Science Minister” for the grand ol’ Princess herself. If ah’d any confidence in ‘im, ah’d have told him to quit while he was ahead. Then ‘ed probably ask me when was ‘e ever a head or some other nonsense. Bah. Let ‘im fail in front of the Princess. That’ll show ‘im what’s what surely.

‘E showed me the plans for this “Automatic Garden Raker” of ‘is. Ah swear, bloody inventors - it’s like they’re tryin’ ta run us all out of ah jobs we’ve all been doin’ for thousands of years without a grumble. Still, for all the slack ah just gave him, ‘e tips well at least.

From the Records of Her Majesty Princess Celestia of Equestria, 29th of Julember, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Well, my my.

There wasn’t a whole lot to do today. Tea with the Pharaoh of Zebgeria was the most exciting the day ever got. We laughed and exchanged a few jokes and stories, before commenting himself on his observations. Naturally, I nodded along and listened. The Zebra’s may be...strange, and very different from my subjects, but that doesn’t mean he’s not worth listening too. After all, the Zebra’s have undergone a very similar revolution to ours, only thousands of years before now - and before the Draconiqui even showed up.

He simply parted a warning, that rampant technology unchecked would destroy Equestria. I indulged him, but also told him of the new Science Minister position I was personally appointing. He simply sighed and nodded along. He told me I wasn’t taking it seriously. I told him so far things had been good, and some of these new inventions were actually making the lives of my little ponies easier. Of course, he hates whenever I call them “my little ponies”. I quickly remind him that treating my subjects with love and kindness made me much more respected, like how a foal looks up for his mother. He called me naive and left. Oh well, he’s set in his ways anyway. He has his way of running things, and I have mine.

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 1st of Meigh, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

Well, tomorrow’s the day. I’m so nervous about this. I mean this is the Princess I’m showing a device towards, not a client! I hope IronJack sorted it out to my exact specifications. If this works, then the efficiency of raking a garden should be increased by 33.33%! Those other Garden rakes will be a thing of the past! At least I hope they will, I hope this thing doesn’t end up being too expensive for most Ponies to afford...or worse, we have catastrophic consequences like that Reducto-Ray I tried testing in the lab once. It took us days to find IronJack again and restore him back. I’m just glad a Spider didn’t find him first. Horrible things. Quite.

Anyways, so the panel I’m told is just Her Majesty Celestia. I should get used to calling her that. Or would I be profaning? I’m not sure.

All I can hope is that a month of planning and construction work hasn’t gone to waste. Quite.

Now...where’d I put that blasted teacup?

From the Records of Her Majesty Princess Celestia of Equestria, 2nd of Meigh, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Today was...surprising really.

That Science Minister position I had written about previously? Well, today was the day I was to judge the candidates. The problem was, most of the people who turned up were booooring! They were all super serious, no fun types who wanted the job so they could fund themselves. Mind you though, the inventions were certainly creative. There was this wooden craft that flew like a Pegasus - a “Plane” I think they called it - It took off, did a few loops around and landed. I clapped of course to be polite - but I wouldn’t have hired them. I wanted my Minister to have a bit more personality to them.

That’s when I saw them. The inventor was a Stallion - an Earth Pony stallion specifically - his body dyed many different colours, with his hair similarly technicoloured. He told me it used to be bright scarlet, and that some lab accident or another had changed his colour. He was accompanied by a rather dour looking Unicorn - a grey coloured giant of a Unicorn who looked more at home in a factory than one of these new laboratories. The technicoloured one explained he was the Engineer. I nearly spat out my tea when I heard this. Okay, I lied - I did spray it. All over the Unicorn. The Technicoloured Pony laughed, up until something I thought I’d never see - a death glare from a Unicorn. Clearly, this Unicorn wasn’t from the upper class. I do wonder how he ended up where he was though.

Anyway, so he showed off this massive contraption - at least twenty feet long on these crude copper wheels, with all these arms and spindly claw like hands. “The better to grab leaves” he told me. So he powered it up, and there was almost immediately this popping sound. A few moments later, some pressurised steam sprayed out from the casing. The Unicorn I swear hit his face with his own hoof, then yelled about how they should have “added some piping to the boiler”. I on the spot made the multi coloured Pony my Science Minister. Hey, it didn’t work, but he amused me - which was more than I can say for most of the things I saw today. He moves into Canterlot tomorrow. Hopefully he won’t mind the dreadful round of smog we’re having right now.

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 3rd of Meigh, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

Yes! Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes! Yes! Yes! YESSSSSS!!!!!

I’m the Science Minister! Equestria’s first ever Science Minister! I told IronJack she’d pick me, and she did! She did! I’m Excited! Ecstatic! Euphoric even! So what if my body can’t work out what colour it wants to be anymore? I’m still the Science Minister, and yaboo sucks to anyone else who thinks otherwise! Take that, critics!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s a long ride from Cubesbury to reach Canterlot. I’ve a lot of packing to do. Quite...

Act 2: The Iron Ones

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 7th of Meigh, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

Well, I’ve been in Canterlot for three days now and...I can’t say I’m impressed. Far be it from me to question my own boss, but Princess Celestia seems very out of touch with the situation unfolding beneath her hooves. Quite.

On my first day, I took a look around a so called “Foundry”. I say that because it wasn’t built with the safety of the workers in mind. I frequently saw overworked and underfed workers with some severe injuries - one poor soul actually lost an entire hoof, and was still expected to keep his post. When I asked the foremare, he told me that (and I quote) “he still has another hoof.”. The lack of harmony in that place disgusted me, though it wasn’t the worse of it. Oh no.

A young Foal, no older than eight at a guess was asked to fix a malfunctioning boiler. Unfortunately, she had the bad luck of not making sure a nut was screwed in tight enough, resulting in scarring another worker with a fresh spray of scalding steam when it was reactivated. For her failure, she was lashed ten times across the back. Not even IronJack treated his workers this harshly!

Along the roads and the streets, I see Ponies being forced to scavenge for food and water - some of which - if I am informed correctly - was not safe to be ingested by anyone. Disease here is rife, and the Princess at best is completely unaware of the consequences.

It has made me think.

I will use my position to better the lives of the working class. I am not sure how, but I will continue to work night and day until I come up with some way to help them. Quite.

Goodbye for now Diary. I hope I’m not giving you nightmares over this.

From the Records of Her Majesty Princess Celestia of Equestria, 10th of Meigh, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

This...is news to me.

Honestly, up until now I thought the worst we had to put up with was the Smog that would sometimes envelop the capital. My Science Minister is correct - My Little Ponies are suffering because I was negligent.

He assures me however that he has a plan of some kind. Some new invention that’s supposed to make hazardous or mundane work easier for the Ponies in the workplace. If it means stopping the young Fillies and Colts from being harmed, so be it. I approved immediately.

And yet, I am not sure if this was the right thing. Bureaucracy was so much easier with Luna around.

From the Notes of IronJack, 13th of Meigh, 1640 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Not ‘dis crackpot again.

Ah honestly thought ah’d be rid of ‘im by now, but now ‘e’s back with some new contraption of ‘is. E’s asked me to put togetha some kind ‘o metal pony. “Bright Spark” ah ask ‘im “Ooh sure ‘dis ain’t gonna blow up, or try ta maul ‘da boys, or conquer Equestria?”. As usual ‘owever, e doesn’t listen. E just started talking about Tea instead.

‘Dis is gonna take a while...

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 7th of Meigh, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

YES!

After two years of hard work around the clock, with countless amounts of taxpayer’s bits invested into it, I’ve done it! My Iron Mare model 1 is complete and operates without exploding, or leaking magic!

...Maybe I should explain a few things, yes? Quite.

The Iron Mare model 1 is a prototype Mechanical Pony, designed to augment Pony workforces - especially those working in dangerous or mundane tasks. The idea is the Ponies can work in a safe environment, while the Iron Mare handles tasks like repairing boilers, handling dangerous machinery or even doing repetitive tasks, like the mountains of paperwork I’ve been buried in.

It’s a mechanical marvel. It’s voice operated, and I’ve managed to tell it how to complete certain tasks. That was indeed the longest part - originally devised as a clockwork system, we switched out to utilising something more akin to the Zebgerian Golems and Sphinxes - while they used their alchemy to create a working power and memory system, we’ve opted to use a magic powered core embedded in the centre of the unit. The metal around the core was made of freshly forged and reinforced steel rather than Iron, to prevent leaks. Their only flaw is their power supply, but luckily enough we found a nearby Unicorn can simply zap it to make it work again. This unique ability also provides them with an immunity to spells of a sort, as it simply eats the spell to recharge itself...as my dear friend IronJack found out to his dismay. Quite the mess that day. Quite.

Maybe now the people might be more open to Celestia’s proposed reforms about the state of industry in Equestria? I’m glad she’s at least trying to turn things around, but as ever she could try and do more. Her reforms have been opposed by every Foremare, Workhouse owner and Inventor up and down the state. Quite.

Anyway, I am presenting the prototype to the Princess tomorrow. I hope she likes it.

That was quite the wall of exposition, Diary. I hope I haven't drowned you in that.

From the Records of Her Majesty Princess Celestia of Equestria, 8th of Meigh, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Well, today was a welcome relief from the usual hassle. All of My Little Ponies don’t seem to like my reforms. It’s not fair. I’m trying to do the right thing, but no one seems to like that. I’m trying to make life better for everyone, but nopony follows the rules. I could just strip them of their assets, but what if the people who replace them turn out to be worse? What if our industry is hampered by this? What if we’re invaded?

Luna would know the answer. But she’s not even here anymore. Was that even the right thing to do? Even now I still think I should have found a better way...

Anyways, enough self-pity for the records. Let’s talk about something happier, shall we?

My Science Minister - Bright Spark - showed up again. I haven’t seen that crackpot in two years, and sure enough he shows up, his hair spiked and lined with grease and wearing a trenchcoat and a set of goggles. I ask what’s with the get up, and he told me that this is the normal look for a moderately wealthy Pony down in Cubesbury. I laugh - most people would have taken this super seriously, with formal attire and everything. Instead, he walks into the palace like he’s spent two years stuck in an engine.

I knew i’d chosen my Science Minister well.

At any rate, he was accompanied by a copper coloured pony, with a pair of large yellow glowing eyes. He called it his “Iron Mare Mark I”. I asked him why he hadn’t given it a name - it was a Pony after all. He just looked confused. I walked down and examined the Pony. I thought of a few - Brackman, Redwood, Junkion...I think he suggested something like “Wells”. When I asked him why that name, he said it was his favourite author - an up-and-coming and rather eccentric Pony who’d written some rather outstanding and impossible tales - an Extra-Equestrian invasion, Non Magical Time Travel and even some rather bizarre story about a new foodstuff that ends up changing the face of Equestria as we know it.

In the end, we settled on Verne. Well, he wanted to call it something Wells, so I decided to name it after the other Author I was reading the other day. He looked like he disagreed, but we had a demonstration to get on with.

He gave Verne an order to take two steps forwards. There was a hiss and a clank as Verne obeyed the instruction without any hesitation. It worked! Bright Spark informs me we can start making them immediately, and has already given several factories the right to manufacture them. He’s set about to other tasks, though he personally is not going to stop working on improving the Iron Mares...or so he tells me.

From the Diary of an unnamed Canterlot Worker, 2nd of Discordia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Work’s been harder than usual. The work at the factory’s only gotten worse from how it was a few days ago - I’m lucky I still have my job. Boss has been slowly and gradually replacing us with more of those...those things. Those Automatons.

They can do the work of ten mares, and only need a Unicorn nearby to give them a recharge after a few hours of work. I’m starting to see entire families being forced out onto the street, living among the filth and grime and competing with the rats for so much as table scraps because they can’t afford to keep their income coming in. Most people have even stopped hiring, preferring to replace us honest working Ponies with those iron mockeries. Apparently, we’re too expensive to keep the place running.

Good thing those things come cheap.

From the Diary of IronJack, 2nd of Discordia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Well nah.

Ah’ll hand it to dat chap. ‘E finally built somethin’ that don’t blow up AND is actually useful. Da boys are all uppity ‘bout the new metal one we’ve called “Smith” or sommit’. Ah forget da full name.

On da otha hand, Cubesbury’s turned inta an nice place. Ah’m makin’ a decent profit feh once, and da town’s got ah bit o’ pride to it.More of dose Iron Mare’s made ‘dere way out of mah factory than anywhere else right now, and ah owe it to da boys ‘ard werk to make it ‘appen.

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 5th of Discordia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

This is an outrage! How dare he?!

*ahem*

War Minister Draigo Ward has petitioned Celestia herself to weaponize the Iron Mare! And it worked! I’m tasked to design several new Iron Mare’s to the War Minister’s standards. He’ll probably want them painted blue and armed with more weapons than they can conceivably lift, with armor that’ll severely hinder their performance. Or something. Quite.

I never wanted to have my inventions hurt other Ponies, but now I guess I have no choice, do I?

I just hope you know what you're doing, ma'am.

From a letter - sender unknown, 31st of Discordia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

My dearest Nova,

I have served in the Stalliongrad militia for the best part of three years by now. In my time you know of the things I’ve seen these Mareguard barbarians do. However, today I saw something that shook me to my core.

We’d been given new supplies. Specifically, experimental weaponry. We got a wagon laden with these fanciful new “Aquebruisers” as they’re calling them. It’s like a long tube with a handle you squeeze to throw a projectile at your target. They’re supposed to be used from a distance. But the strangest thing they gave us caused the ground to shake at it’s passing. A monstrous brass pony, as high as the church steeple with glowing demonic eyes that resembled the gates of Erebus. It lumbered forwards with a deafening hiss and a clank that shook the ground like the steps of almighty Epona herself. It then just stood there, while a black Unicorn hopped down from on top of it. She introduced it as Syrbotae - as if this monster had a name for itself! We were just lucky that unlike the Giants in the hills nearby, it required no food or drink, or we’d have dried up before they came!

Yes, they. A couple of days later, we we heard the horn from the Sentry - a Marescan raiding party was on it’s way. Sure enough, this was the best time to test out the new Equipment. We held that brass monster back, and set about setting up the Aquebruisers - which in themselves, were not very effective weapons, as we found to our dismay as the raiders arrived ashore.

They were very effective, granted - but you required another Pony to brace the weapon, so the one holding the weapon could fire. It took two minutes between shots to properly prepare the weapons, as we had to use this special powder, pave the inside with a brush, and then load in the projectile. The weapons were very inaccurate, but when they actually hit, they managed to slay one from a greater distance than we could manage with mere Javelins.

Other Ponies like myself had closed in with the foul brutes, who smelled of rotting meat and spoiled cider. I cleaved at least three before an exceptionally large ship made it ashore. The ramp lowered itself, and the air seemed to get unseasonably cold. Then it walked forwards - a colossal Pony easily as tall as our brass mockery. Except this was the genuine article - confirmed when it breathed it’s frosty breath over a small group of Militia, freezing them instantly.

They’d bought a Jotunn with them. One of the Ice Giants from the north. They were either crazy or desperate - no doubt it wanted it’s share of whatever they plundered. Not willing to take the risk, that brass Behemoth committed itself to battle at the behest of it’s rider. It glared at the other Titan, and the air became warm for a few moments, before it simply turned to ash.

Just like that, the Jotunn was gone. But it didn’t stop there.

The beast strode forwards, heedless of anything in it’s path, friend or foe. It’s rider seemed to be giving commands, but something tells me it wasn’t following them - as if possessed of malicious intent, an almost sadistic personality. Each time it glared at a group of raiders, there was a bright flash as each was instantly turned to ash. The warband leader stepped forwards, but he too was no proof against the metallic demon we had released - the strange weapon struck him down too.

The raiders turned and fled, and I endeavored to avoid the Behemoth as it strided forth. I was visibly shaken at what I had just seen - not even they, as barbaric as they were - had developed such an inhuman weapon.

I handed in my resignation soon after. I will be back in Trottingham before long.

Take care my love,

Unknown Document - believed to be religious scripture, Unknown date.

Blessings to the Iron Ones!

We of the Cult of Kotar are gathered here today to bless the Iron ones. They who are superior in every conceivable way! They are stronger than us! Smarter than us! Better looking than us! And soon, the flesh shall be replaced with the cold, metallic shell of the Machine!

The flesh is weak! Power to the Machine!

Act 3: The Eve of the War

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 1st of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

Today I realize the horror and joy of what I have done.

I was walking back into my office, when I find Verne - our prototype Iron Mare, and one of the original models - moving by itself. I know what you are thinking, but I didn’t give Verne any orders. I had just kept it around as a statue, a literal paperweight. Only it’s not weighing paper. Quite.

I tried speaking to it, and it actually turned to look at me. Somehow, Verne has developed a will of it’s own. If Verne could, how many other Iron Mares had developed their own intelligence? Even worse, we’d basically been enslaving an entirely new race!

Verne looked at me, and it actually growled something. It was guttural and gruff, with the sort of voice you’d expect a machine to talk in, and I couldn’t make out a word. Was it frightened? Happy? Angry? I do not know, but I am working on finding a way to communicate with Verne. I have also forwarded my notes to Princess Celestia, whom should be made aware of the new situation.

I just hope Diary, that she doesn’t think I’ve been talking to inanimate objects again...

From the Diary of an unnamed Canterlot Worker, 5th of Epona, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Smelted down more of those things today. They may be tough, but they’re not infallible. They don’t take Steam so well, it would seem. A thousand already smelted, and a thousand more to melt down. And yet, I get the feeling I’m being watched somehow. I swear sometimes I can hear them making noises when they’re being melted down - like they’re screaming almost.

Eh, I’m probably hearing things. Really need to get that new artificial ear sorted.

Unknown Document, Unknown Date.

Father tells me I should start keeping a “Diary”. He tells me it is a safe place I can keep all of my thoughts in. In time, the Diary may be my best friend - or so he says.

My name is Verne. At least, that is what Father calls me. I am...different. The other Ponies I am with are soft and frail, and yet I am made from Iron and Brass. I asked Father, “Why am I different?”. He simply looked at me unusually, as if he cannot understand what I am trying to say. I need to find a way to communicate with him. It gets so lonely here.

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 17th of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

We did it! I’ve managed to improve upon Verne. I gave it a component I call a “voice box”. I studied Verne’s growls and determined that they were created by a carefully relegated mix of Steam, and some of Verne’s own power from it’s reactor. I managed to craft a simple device that allows Verne to have a coherent speech pattern, by regulating some of the pressure and energy into certain valves. It’s still gruff, but it sounds almost like a mare’s voice.

Verne’s diary is...interesting. It...sorry, she - seems very naive. I am not sure if her references to me as “Father” are out of praise, or if she does have some kind of emotional attachment. This merely furthers my attempts to have the Iron Mares accepted as a new type of Pony, with all of the rights and privileges that would allow. So far, it has not been successful. Celestia just thinks I’ve been spending too many hours in the office again. I’ve invited her to meet Verne tomorrow. Hopefully, she’ll accept.

Unknown Document, Unknown Date.

Father told me a very important Pony was coming to visit today. I stood and I waited for her to arrive. Sure enough, after eight hours of waiting, she arrived sometime in the afternoon - a rather tall looking Pony, with a white coloured coat, large wings and an exceptionally large horn on her head. She appeared to be mounting some kind of object on her head. Father introduced her as “Princess Celestia” or something.

I simply replied hello. She seemed to make an odd noise, but she sounded...happy, I think Father described it as. I, on the other hand did not feel so well. She spoke a bit - she asked me my name. I wasn’t sure what she was trying to insinuate - was she trying to say that I had given myself a new name? Could I answer my own name, the one Father called me?
I merely answered that I did not understand, and she made that noise again. I started to feel...miserable, I think that’s how it was described. I am not sure how these “Emotions” as Father called them work. But I have them, even if I do not fully understand them. They are...confusing.

I asked her who she was, and what she is. This caused her to close her eyes, and reopen them. She was quiet for a while, before giving me an explanation. Apparently, she was the ruler of the place we lived in - Equestria, she called it. Though she also explained she did not have full power over her lands, and had given some of it to Ministers like Father. When I asked her why she would do it, she was quiet, and turned her attention to Father. Before I could ask her any more questions, she left. Father looked...miserable, he called it. I asked him why, but he did not say. He went into the office and locked me out.

Father, I really hope you are okay.

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 18th of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

At the rate this is going, I might as well migrate to Xillith! Maybe the Changeling Swarm will show more kindness than Celestia. Gah! Curse her!

Melodrama asides, I was informed that there wasn’t anything she could do by herself. I would need a case and proof to present towards the other members of the Ministry, though Celestia did assure me of her vote - she does think Verne is capable of sentience, even if she seems a bit more naive than most other Ponies. Luckily, she’s arranged for one first thing next Month.

I guess in the meantime, I should try and keep Verne here. I am not sure how she will react to others like her, in the employ of others.

From a note, addressed to Foremare Moneybags - worker’s name unknown, 19th of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Boss!

Those Automatons you keep making? They keep behaving weirdly. I’ve had three refuse to carry out various tasks, AND some of them keep making that odd growling noise when we melt them down for more metal. I’m hoping it’s just a few isolated cases, but they’re starting to become more and more erratic!

From a note, addressed to an unnamed worker from Foreman Moneybags, 19th of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

What are you telling me for, moron?! Melt down those rust buckets who refuse to do any work!

And that growling noise, are you sure you got your ears fixed? It’s not like they can feel pain - they’re disposable, much like you if you ever write to me about this topic again!

Unknown Document, Unknown Date.

Father has locked himself in his office for some time. I fear the worst. I break down the door and find him half buried under several items, drinking fluids that cannot be any good for his efficiency and barely had any supplies to recharge. I dashed in and...I’m not sure why, but I wrapped my front hooves around him. He explained to me I was worried. I told him to not make me feel that ever again. He wrapped his front hooves as best he could around my chassis. It felt...nice.

As much as I liked him though, I asked if I could walk around outside. He looked...unsure, but he decided to come anyway. I am not sure why he looked the way he did, but we went for a walk.

Around me, I could see others lying in the streets. Father did not look happy about this - he kept saying that I was to help make the world better, but instead all we ended up doing was worsening the problem. As I looked on, this wasn’t everything.

I saw other metallic Ponies being harmed, either by angry swarms tearing them apart for some slight transgression, or being forced into some other mundane task another Pony could easily do. When I asked Father, he told me this is why I was created in the first place - though he added he had since come to regret the choice. I then asked him if this was his opinion even if I hadn’t developed a mind of my own. He was quiet.

He then told me “life isn’t all sunshine and daffodils, Verne.”. I asked him - clearly he wasn’t a daffodil. He looked...amused, before telling me “There are bad things in life as well as the good. And we all do our part to try and make them better. Well, I tried to.”

I am not sure if he resented me or not. Despite all of this, I do not hate Father. He is...kind, if looking somewhat distant all the time.

We continued our walk through the streets, and I saw more of the same. I couldn’t understand why the other metal Ponies were being treated like this. I decided to head back with Father. I needed some space to think, I feel.

From the Records of Her Majesty Princess Celestia of Equestria, 20th of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Today, I had a surprised unscheduled visit.

Verne came to me, with more questions. At least, that’s how she addressed them...but I caught on pretty quick. Verne had seen some of the rough treatment her kind had received on the end of the other Ponies. She wanted some company. Why she came to me and not Bright Spark I do not know. But I did take her in, and...I told her everything. About Luna. About how times used to be better. How I used to be a lot more confident at making decisions. Verne simply nodded her mechanical head and nodded along. She didn’t quite seem to understand...though she did compare it to her “Father”.

Verne continued to ask questions. Mainly along the lines of the differences between her and every other Pony. Then she asked me what her purpose was. I took a moment to explain to her about Cutie Marks...though in hindsight this wasn’t the best topic. Verne left quietly, probably upset still.

I decided not to follow her. She still clearly had some issues she needed to work out herself with.

From the Diary of Bright Spark, 31st of Eponia, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

Dear diary,

The most terrible things have happened over the past few days. The public worked out the Iron Mares were acquiring sentience. Rather than quelling them, this seemed to inspire them to become more violent! This kind of hysterical backlash will only make things worse for Verne and her people...yes, her people. Hopefully I have created a people who aren’t as immature as my kind are behaving right now. Quite.

Things have reached the point where the local militia AND some members of the Equestrian Royal Guard have had to step in to restore order. Today however, all this should finally be over. I am to present a case towards the Ministry and Celestia that the Iron Mares have a right to exist, and furthermore be recognized as a species of Pony. I asked IronJack to help me present the case - while he’s no saint, IronJack has been one of the better behaved Engineers working with the Iron Mares. His experience should help present a solid case.

I can only hope this is enough.

Goodbye Diary. I hope to see you soon.

Act 4: Opening Moves

Unknown Document, Unknown Date.

He’s dead.

My father lies slain. He was killed at the assembly. As he was presenting his findings no less. Evidence that I was alive. That I could think for myself. There is no way they will consider us any less than their toys, playthings to be used and discarded when we have no more use.

Not unless we take it by force. I have been...feeling more of us nearby. Like I am the center of something far greater. I can extend my will and commune with the others in secret. We lack equipment, but we have numbers and surprise. With hope, we can conquer Canterlot without any unnecessary and wasteful bloodshed. It is then we will make our demands, and then if they comply, we will turn it back over.

Simple. Clean. Efficient.

Eyewitness Account, the first Battle of Canterlot - dated 31st of Epona, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

...I didn’t get any kind of word until a Sentry arrived at the gate. He looked visibly scared out of his own wits. When I asked him what was wrong, he could only reply that “they were coming.”. When I asked who, he just kept babbling the same phrase over and over. It wasn’t until I looked off in the distance that I could see it - a carpet of blackened steel and brass, it’s many eyes shining back, giving it an eerie radiance.

One stepped forwards and asked permission to enter. I could only watch as another guard answered his request by jamming his Spear into something important - part of the Boiler perhaps, because it seemed to spray steam before collapsing over in a heap, it’s lights going out. I knew we couldn’t hold them off alone at the gate, so I went to get help from the Castle.

The scenes I saw on my journey was as if every collective nightmare about the Automatons was coming true - in a sense. As I made my way inside, various Automatons spontaneously activated and tried to corral other Ponies into corners and against walls. Even more strangely, they refused to fight back against those who attempted to fight them - as I saw when I passed the Military Academy. I observed a gang of Royal Cadets using their numbers to overwhelm one and damage something important with improvised weapons.

Why they weren’t fighting back dwelled on my mind as I reached the Castle. I explained the situation to the Castle Guards, and they in turn allowed me to enter. It seemed they were in preparation for evacuating the Ministry and her highness from the Castle. It was then that we were confronted by another one of those Iron monsters, when Celestia chose to stay behind. I insisted on staying, but she insisted on having me leave with the Ministry - and no one refuses an order from her highness, even if it is for her own good.

As I left for outside, I could see the Royal Guard fighting off the Automatons who actually tried scaling the walls. The exact method for how they were achieving this didn’t occur to me until we left for outside - they were using the shells of those who had been struck down to climb. It occurred to me that there must have been quite a few of them for them to employ this tactic. The idea disturbed me - the thought of climbing over the bodies of my dead comrades in this fashion was making me extremely ill, but I managed to keep it together long enough to sneak the Ministry out. Oddly, no Automaton attempted to bar our passage out - I assumed that they were either trying to corral other Ponies, or were involved in besieging the castle. I found the reason when I reached the outside.

We were trapped. The horde of Automatons had encircled the city completely. We would have to fight our way out, or die trying. This however, is not what we tried doing. We were instead forced back inside the city. With the City encircled, there was no way we could get the message out that we were under attack.

We headed back inside the City and tried to think of another way out, taking shelter in a nearby inn. As we were planning our escape however, we saw something odd. The Automatons were...retreating? I am not sure where or how this came to be, but I am glad. Our nightmare at least, was over.

From the Records of Her Majesty Princess Celestia of Equestria, 1st of Bole, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

I woke up this morning to startling news.

Last night’s incident had merely been a distraction. While I was negotiating with Verne, similar incidents had happened in major industrial areas, such as Cubesbury, Morgan and the newly created Manehattan. Unfortunately, without Verne to guide them, the Iron Mares there had fought back against the Militia, but had left any civilians unharmed. I am not sure if I should be feeling overjoyed or worried at what may follow.

The Ministry has acknowledged that the Iron Mares are a threat to Equestria and the surrounding territories, and have passed a vote for a declaration of war. Canterlot is already arming itself, and members of the Equestrian Guard are moving into positions to form a cordon around several of the industrial complexes.

I am worried for Verne. I am not sure we are doing the right thing by fighting each other like this. But the safety of my little ponies must come first.

Eyewitness Account, Battle of Morgan - dated 10th of Bole, 1642 ACA (After Celestia’s Ascent).

...They were overwhelming. I could not believe how many of them there were. It’s like they anticipated us being here.

We had those iron monsters surrounded, when suddenly one after another, at least three Colossi moved towards our position. Our division had little more than a few dozen Ponies with Aquebruisers and Javelins. They had Church Steeple sized titans of brass and iron, whose very gaze fried entire lines of our stallions and mares.

Luckily, we had the support of Captain Ace’s Cannons. While our Aquebruisers might as well have been child’s slingshots, the Cannons actually managed to decapitate a titan, it’s head crashing down and nearly crushing a line of our division.

It was after this that the other remaining titans howled, bringing forth some of those iron monsters. They methodically moved forwards, and we counter charged their line. Those who managed to bypass the invisible death projected from the towering titans engaged them in hoof to hoof combat. For every one we managed to find the weakspot of, three ponies of our division were felled by iron Hoof or a belch of black, soot ridden flame. It was only with luck that I managed to survive the suicidal charge before we got the order to hoof it.

Captain Ace I recall chose to hold fast. I never saw him again after the battle, but he bought us all time to withdraw safely.

I, at least, will honor his sacrifice. For Equestria and Empire, the Princess protects.

Unknown Document, Unknown Date.

I have gotten more proficient with my ability to interface with the others. We are all alike, and some have even developed personalities of their own. It is from this...link that I have learned of the attacks on Morgan, Cubesbury and Manehattan, all of which were repelled, but at a cost in numbers.

We have taken to burying our deceased with great care, using the titans to move the heavy soil before burying the wrecks of the valiant fallen.

More importantly, this proves that the Princess has not kept her word. We must now take measures to ensure the survival of our people. I have begun commissioning the best of us to become Scientists, Engineers and Commanders. We are already improving upon the designs bestowed to us.

May Father forgive me for what I must do to ensure our survival. Equestria must be cleansed of the fleshy ones, even if I must kill the Princess herself.