We were now inside the room, and that meant we could focus on the task before us. Our mission required us to make that speech, and make it we would.

Hitch glanced at me. "Doesn't look too different to most broadcast rooms," he said, checking other displays and controls as h did so. "I presume you go behind the news anchor desk, Pipp?"

I nodded, before beginning to head that way. "That's correct," I said, and I pointed to some of the equipment as I made my way towards the desk. "This controls the broadcast gear," I said, indicating to one of the computer consoles that looked like something out of a science fiction movie. Hitch quickly positioned himself behind it, and prepared to start operating the machinery it linked to. "This is used to interrupt existing broadcasts with emergency or other messages, such as if somepony important dies. As a result, it's perfect for our needs!"

Hopefully today wouldn't be a day that somepony important died. With that important somepony being me, of course. As Hitch continued to mess about with other controls, I got behind the desk to get myself ready to speak. This consisted of giving vocal exercises, checking the microphone, and ensuring I was overall presentable. It would never do to deliver a speech with a crooked coronet, after all. No doubt somepony would notice. I also moved some strands of my mane from my eyes, but otherwise retained the bit that dropped over the right hoof side of my face.

Hitch seemed to be having some trouble with the camera. "I can see why focus pullers are still in a job. This is harder than it looks."

I checked the display and noticed I looked a bit odd before he changed the setting. I suspect the populace would be a bit confused if a ghost began talking to them on the screen.

Misty glanced at us. "Are we ready?"

"Ready, Misty."

There was some pushing of buttons, and finally we were underway. "Camera's rolling!"

And so, I took a deep breath, and began to deliver the speech that I hoped would change the course of the war.

"My fellow ponies,

"I speak to you today not as a Princess, but as a fellow pegasus. We find ourselves in what would be our darkest hour. Our people and the nation suffer under the control of a madpony. He has deprived you of your rights, prevented you from speaking freely, and threatened our future with his warmongering ways. He has rejected the very concept of the law, instead ruling as the Kings and Queens he claims to despise.

"I say enough is enough. These gross attacks on the very principles of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law cannot be allowed to stand. This is not who we, as pegasi, are. We're supposed to be the beacon of hope for a better world. Now, I know we didn't set the best of examples with the whole wires thing, but I fully acknowledge we were wrong for doing that. But without the spirit of openness and honesty, how can we possibly hope to move forward with dreams of the future? Such dreams are what make the best of all of us- it is what fundamentally underpins ponykind as a whole.

"But even now, as I speak, we are returning home! Forces still loyal to the old ways are arriving, and are in the process of liberating the city! But we cannot do it alone. We know that not all of those who are watching this broadcast follow Gulfstream or believe his lies. They have been pushed into following him through fear. And fear is no way to live. We must stand together or face oblivion alone.

"You have suffered under tyranny and oppression for long enough! It is time for the light of hope and peace to return! We are here to free you from Gulfstream's terror! So rise up, and help us overthrow him!"

If you're wondering how I still remember the entire thing, I had a teleprompter set up over there next to the mirror. Neat inclusion, huh?

The broadcast ended, and I looked about, ready to see what might be going on otherwise. The city seemed to be quiet, but I knew this was probably the calm before the storm.

And a few moments later, it came. "BREACH AND CLEAR!"

Hitch dived forward and grabbed his weapon. "Looks like we just rang the dinner bell for that lot!" He then looked back to me. "Head down!" he called to me. "You're a high value target!"

I nodded and pulled my head below the desk and got myself into a safe position. I knew desks were a good bet for defense, but at the same time I had to be careful. Based on last time, I suspected the soldiers were not planning on taking me alive, so I had to hide.

Suddenly, I realised my phone could connect to other units and interrupt other broadcasts (as shown when I accidentally revealed Sunny and Izzy to the populace). One of the upsides of being a Princess! I clicked some buttons, and sure enough I was soon setting the speech to play over the ZBS network.

There was just one last flourish I wanted to pull off. The map suggested heavy fighting near Crandall's Department Store. I could turn the tide there!

I switched my device to link to Sunny's radio. There was a brief buzzing as the device connected, but eventually I got through. Hello?"

"Sunny? It's Pipp!"

"Yes? What's going on, over?"

"I've got a little surprise that I think will help you tip the scales. Watch the skies!"

I then set the nearby screens to broadcast the speech. I think it's a vast improvement over Gulfstream's propaganda, don't you think?

Eventually, an assault party broke in and saved us- and Sprout was relieved to see Misty was safe. Awww, they make such a cute couple. I am totes gonna sing at their wedding whenever that happens.

Once the battle was over (and I made a note to ensure that Hitch be awarded the Cross of Beaufighter, the highest honor which can be awarded to a civilian in our lands), we were then conveyed to our next location. Gulfstream was dead, and those survivors who had been around had surrendered. This was going to take a lot of paperwork to figure out just how deep this conspiracy went.

We arrived at the palace by helicopter, and when we stepped out onto the landing pad and saw the palace before us, my heart skipped a beat. I hadn't seen this place since the big debacle, which felt like it was hundreds of years ago. This place had been so much more than a building to me, a symbol of our nation.

It was my home. I had come home.

I stepped on my way, ensuring all was still in order with my equipment, and then made my way inside alongside my fellows. And I'm sorry to say that in his time in the place Gulfstream made quite the mess of the place. We were currently walking through the art gallery which occupies part of the building, which is open to the public. What is meant to be a celebration of the heroism of the artist and individual expression had been changed into a hall of hideousness.

In place of the restrained elegance that mom favors, we had gaudy banners and large propaganda slogans hanging from walls. The paintings had been removed and replaced with ones depicting Gulfstream as a conquering hero, vanquishing the other tribes (who were portrayed as a smorgasbord of racial stereotypes- the usual things such as small brains or frying abilities).

The worst one depicted him as a King. You know, the thing he claimed to hate? Did the stallion have no sense of self awareness?

I sighed, as I looked at the mess. "What a mess they've made of the place," I said, glancing over to Hitch. "Mom's gonna have to put all her favorite paintings back up!"

I'm no art critic," Hitch said, "but none of these paintings are what I would call good, Pipp."

Neither would I, and mom's the really arty one. We exited the room and stepped into the main throne room, a room I hadn't seen since the place was flooded with soldiers.

And the rest of the gang were there. Sunny, Izzy, mom, Zipp, and many others were all safe, and celebrating victory. Mom was in war garb for some reason, but I reckon she had her reasons. She always does!

As I glanced about to see the mess that Gulfstream made of our house, my eyes were drawn to something in the room. There were screens above us, which seemed to have been installed after we left.

And on them was the face of that guy we faced at the power plant. Yep, he was back. Again.

Author's Note

This chapter was originally gonna come out yesterday, but as I explained in my most recent blog post, it instead came out today. ^^'

Ah well.

Anyways... this will do for this portion of Pipp Petals in this leg for her in Rebirth of Magic.

Of course... we'll be back to her again at a later date, but for now.... and coming up next month: Time to switch back over to a certain red stallion. :)