My Little Civil Activist: Equality is Magic

Chapters

Prologue: What does "inferior sex" mean?
Weekly meeting cut short
Apples and Carrots
Carmel Apples
Meeting the leader
All is fair
BONUS CHAPTER: Celestia's response
Well, Twilight? Ready to fight yet?
Petition Suspicion
The Athlete
The Prayer
Interlude 2: A house divided
The Debate Part 0: Carmel's speech
Mini-Chapter: Chains
The Debate part 0.75: Shenanigans
The Debate Part 0.99: The Beginning (preview)
Interlude 1: Cutie Mark Crusader Investigative Reporters!

Prologue: What does "inferior sex" mean?

"Diamond Tiara?"

"Here, Miss Cheerilee!" the pink pony said in her nicest, sweetest voice. Applebloom wanted to gag.

"Scootaloo?"

"Here, Miss Cheeri-OW!" Scootaloo suddenly yelped as a spitball hit her right in the flank. Diamond Tiara quickly hid the bendy straw that she used to launch the projectile as Cheerilee looked up from her attendance sheet.

"Is something wrong, Scootaloo?" Cheerilee said in a concerned yet bubbly voice. No, everything is NOT alright! Scootaloo's flank was sore and Diamond Tiara was at fault. She was about to speak up when the purpotrator of the crime shot Scootaloo a nasty look, the "say anything and I'll kill you" kind of nasty look.

"Uhh... No, Miss Cheerilee. Everything is fine." Scootaloo quickly chimed. Her flank was still sore, but she decided against telling on Tiara. That would make her a tattle-tale, and everypony hates tattle-tales.

"Well, if Scootaloo is here, that means everypony is present today!" Cheerilee exclaimed. There was usually at least one pony gone for one reason or another, so this was an exciting prospect. "And that's a good thing, because today's topic is very importaint. Everypony knows that the Mayoral Election is coming up, so today I decided we are going to talk about the democratic system in Ponyville." The entire class groaned.

"Can't we ahll wait 'till we 're old enough ta' vote before we worry about politics?" Applebloom complained, voicing every foal's opinions on the matter.

Cheerilee smiled. "I know it doesn't seem importaint now, My Little Ponies, but Ponyville's democratic system is a truely facinating subject. Did you know that Ponyville is the only city in Equestria which decides its leadership through elections?" There was a pause, as the students looked at her with blank stares. The magenta mare exolained: "A democratic system is one which decides its laws and leadership by popular vote instead of being decided by a royal family or dictator."

Sweetie Belle raised her hoof. She wore a confused expression. "How come Ponyville is the only one? Don't other cities get their mayors appointed by the Princess?"

Cheerillee smiled. "Good question, Sweetie Belle. Ponyville was founded by Earth ponies, and the first settlers that came here were used to the way of 'electicng' their leader that most explorers use. Instead of having a pony royally appointed as 'governer' like most cities, ever since Ponyville was founded the entire leadership has been chosen by the residents." Cheerilee smiled widely. Everypony knew she though very highly of this subject, she hadn't been this excited since Hearts and Hooves day... though for entirely different reasons. "Now, can anypony tell me how often we hold mayoral elections?"

Twist spoke up, as usual. "We haf' electionth every four yearth!"

"That's right, Twist! Mayor Mare was elected four years ago, beating out Mayor Shucks by a landslide. But now the four years have come and gone, and anypony who wants a shot at it can declare themselves a canidate! Isn't it exciting to know that someday, any one of you could be elected mayor?"

The foals started talking among themselves excitedly about how cool it would be to call the shots. But even through the noise Cheerilee could clearly hear two male voices in the back of the room. "That is exciting, Snails!" Snips said. "Maybe I'll run for mayor when I grow up!"

"I'd vote for ya, Snips!" the slow-witted pegasus smiled. "Maybe you could run for mayor this election and skip the growing up!"

Cheerilee sighed. Every four years, this topic came up. And every four years, she would have to break some hearts. Being a teacher wasn't always fun and games. "Actually, Snails, I'm afraid that's impossible"

Snips missed the point. "I know I can't run this election, Miss Cheerilee! I was just about to tell Snails that there is an age-limit and a height limit and..."

His teacher cut him off. "That's not what I mean, Snips." she said in a soft, caring voice.

"Then what do ya mean, Miss Cheerilee?" Applebloom spoke up. Other ponies must have heard, so sddenly all eyes were on the teacher. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Cheerilee wished she could get her students to listen like that all the time.

"I mean that Snips can't run for mayor." the teacher said plainly.

"Why not? Would I be a bad mayor, Miss Cheerilee?" Snips was confused.

She shook her head. "No, not at all. It's just that ... according to the current laws, Stallions cannot run for any office, vote, or own land in Ponyville."

Silence. Every time this subject came up it was silence. The silence of tiny minds trying to process this information.

Sweetie Belle broke the awkward moment with her childish, squeaky voice. "You mean... Featherweight and Snips and Snails... can't run for mayor? Or vote? Or even buy a house?"

Cheerilee mentally prepared herself to answer, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes. This is so wrong. A democratic system isn't truely democratic if any party or group is not represented. After a few seconds, she began speaking, smoothly and evenly. "That is correct, Sweetie Belle."

Diamond Tiara huffed. "I don't know what you are talking about. My dad owns a lot of land. He does work in the real estate business, after all."

Cheerilee thought for a second. "He probably buys the land under your mother's name. That makes the most sense to me, anyway."

The rest of the class was still lost in thought. "But... Why?" Scootaloo finally said.

"There are a lot of reasons. The first is tradition. When the first mares that settled here wrote the law, they allowed "Every Mare" a vote. This doesn't include Stallions. When Stallions started arriving, the law didn't get changed." Cheerilee didn't look at Scootaloo, didn't smile, didn't even add the usual bounce to her voice. It almost seemed as if this fact was... was painful to say.

"That's a dumb reason. Why don't they just change the law?" Diamond Tiara said a little more condesendingly than needed.

She never gets this interested in my lectures. I wonder the sudden change of heart. "Because of the second reason. There are a lot more mares than stallions in Ponyville, so every time a canidate tries to change the law, they lose the next election. Changing a law that fundimental to the Ponyville Constitution is no small task." Cheerilee explained.

"That's not fair!" Applebloom shouted. "Stallions and mares are the same species, we share the same space, and we pay the same taxes! We should be given the same rights!"

"My mommy says that the greater sex has to keep the inferior one in line, and make sure that stallions don't mess up our society with thier brutish impulsiveness."

Cheerilee quickly scanned the room for the speaker, singling out Silver Spoon. She was about to respond with a counter-arguement when she was interrupted by the one who started this all.

Snails spoke for the first time since Cheerilee started talking about voting rights. His question almost broke her heart. "Miss Cheerilee, what does 'inferior sex' mean?"

Weekly meeting cut short

It was a predictably perfect day in Ponyville. There was no rain scheduled for the rest of the week, so the skies were clear and the sun was shining bright. Rays of golden sunlight glinted majestically off of the buildings, giving the town square a warm, welcoming glow. The weather was warm but not hot, as it was still late spring. The days of scorching heat were not to come for at least a month.

If one were to walk down the main road of Ponyville at that time, one would have seen a purple unicorn and a baby dragon quickly making their way through the marketplace.

It was a Saturday, which for most ponies meant grocery day, and as a result the marketplace was packed. For Twilight Sparkle, though, it meant it was time for her weekly get-together with her friends. Pushing and shoving her way through the crowd, she hurried in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. It was in sight now, and even in the throng of the crowd Twilight could still see her friends sitting in the window table there, the one Pinkie always reserved just for them.

"C'mon Spike!"Twilight said, when she noticed that Spike had stopped at a stall. He was eying a very large sapphire hungrily. "We're late as it is already!"

"But Twilight! Can't I just look around for a little bit?" the baby dragon whined.

"No. You're coming with me and that is that." Twilight said firmly.

"I don't wanna go! You know that I don't like any of the food at Sugarcube Corner!" Spike said , a little more loudly than necessary.

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. "Why don't you like Pinkie's cooking? Pinkie Pie is one of the best pastry chiefs I know."

"Because there are no gemstones in the cupcakes she makes." Spike said, as if that explained everything.

"Ugh. Spike, you know I don't have the bits right now. I used them all getting groceries yesterday. My stipend from the Princess doesn't come until tomorrow. Until then, you will just have to make do." Twilight said, rather decisively. "Besides, we are still running late!" She turned around and started trotting off.

"Can I just stay here and look around?" Spike called after her. "There are so many cool things in the marketplace!" Twilight turned around to see that he wasn't following her.

'How can I convince him to come... Spike usually doesn't complain this much. He must be taking whining classes from Rarity. Wait a second...' "Rarity is going to be there!"

--- Spike charged into Sugarcube corner fast enough to make Rainbow Dash jealous. Twilight soon followed, making 5 mares in the room. Applejack couldn't come usually, her apples sold like hotcakes on Saturdays, and she was needed at the stand. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were already there, and Pinkie was leaving the table, probably going to the back to get some food for everypony.

Twilight took her seat. "Hello, girls! Sorry I'm a little late." She smiled sheepishly.

"Think nothing of it, Twilight. I just got here myself." Rarity returned the smile, though hers was more sincere.

"I was late too. I, umm, needed to make something special for Angel before I left." Fluttershy's soft voice could barely be heard across the table. Her head was down, and her mane covered one of her eyes.

"I was here on time! I guess all of you just aren't fast enough!" Rainbow Dash's voice was scratchy and brash, a direct contrast to the timid and light voice her fellow Pegasus had.

"Didn't you help Pinkie make the cupcakes for today's meeting?" Twilight said, in mock sarcasm mode.

Rainbow waved her hoof. "Not really. She only needed my help getting the ingredients. She did most of the actual work." Rainbow laughed. "Still, I don't know how she makes that Spectra taste good in her cupcakes. It's normally so spicy!"

All of the mares in the room shared a hearty laugh. Twilight was the first to speak after that. "The election is in two days. I'm so excited! My first democratic election ever!"

"It is truly marvelous." Rarity smiled. "I usually don't get involved with politics, but this year Mayor Mare has my vote. She has been doing a great job in office and I simply cannot think of anypony competent to replace her.

"Mayor mare is the one who made arial tricks over Ponyville illegal! So not-cool!" Rainbow Dash protested.

Fluttershy spoke up. "I think it's a nice law. If one of your tricks went wrong, you could seriously hurt somepony. Or some animal.."

"Yeah, but my tricks don't go wrong. EVER." RD would not let the subject go. "And besides, even if one did I would make sure not to hurt anypony. I could totally swerve out of the way or aim for a hay bale or if I was doing a loop I could do a barrel roll and re-direct my momentum..."

Rainbow Dash continued on and on about different ways she could avoid disaster, but nopony was really listening. Everypony's mind wandered to the coming election. Mayor mare and the Sun party had just been elected 4 years ago, replacing the Moon party administration that that lasted 12 years. Certainly a lot had changed since then, but something still bothered Twilight..

"Ohmygosh that would be so cool, if I did a reverse back-flip over a alligator pond and didn't flare my wings until the last second..."

It appeared to Twilight that Mayor Mare was running on an... unstable platform. She was pandering to the majority (which was, statistically young mares) with more maternity leave, better insurance for ponies, and more restrictions on sports. however, that left many minorities dissatisfied. One minority angry was one thing, but 7 minorities can quickly become a majority. The moon party hasn't announced their candidate yet, but she would certainly have to be very savvy and able to pull all of the minorities in Ponyville together.

"And me and Soarin would get married and we would live happily ever after!" Rainbow beamed, completely unaware that nopony had been listening. "What do you think?"

"I think that it's time to change the subject." Twilight said, after a brief pause. "About the coming election..."

Rarity interrupted her. "If I was a betting mare, I would already have my money on Mare to win it all. It doesn't matter who the Moon party brings to the plate, Mayor Mare already has the vote of the younger mares in Ponyville.

"The problem is, even though the largest demographic is young females in Ponyville, if you add up all the stallions, extra-pony species, and independent voters, you get a majority."

Everypony stared at her blankly. Was it something I said?

"What's the problem? Is there something I'm missing? Some custom I don't know?" Twilight was confused. What did her friends know that she didn't.

"Are you telling me you never explained to her?" Rainbow Dash said accusingly to Rarity.

"It just never came up in conversation. I figured with all her studies, she would have known..." Rarity defended.

"Umm... I don't like talking about politics... it makes everypony mad..." Fluttershy added.

"What in Celestia's mane is going on? Can someone please tell me?" Twilight was tired of guessing games. The answer needed to come out. Apparently, she had missed something important about Ponyville.

Rarity decided to speak up. "Well, Twilight... The truth is... We just meant..."

Suddenly she was interrupted by a stallion's voice. It was loud and obtrusive, and sounded like it was coming from outside. Over a megaphone, if Twilight wasn't mistaken.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! The time has come!"

Rarity and Rainbow Dash groaned. "Not this again!"

"Won't he give it a rest already?'

"EVERY. FOUR. YEARS. THE. SAME. THING!" Rarity said in her 'the worst possible thing' voice.

"Who? Does what?" Twilight was confused. Who were her friends talking about? Was this some kind of event that happened every election? Her train of thought was cut off by the voice again.

"We are equal citizens in Ponyville! We pay taxes, do our jobs and even go to fight when Equestria needs it. And what is our thanks? Nothing. Our rights are being infringed on every day when we are ruled by a party we had no hand in selecting! By an administration we have no power to ask for anything! And no political leeway to say anything! I say it's time somepony changed this tradition! Somepony fought for all citizen's rights! It's time that somepony cared about us!"

Twilight made up her mind. She was going outside to see who this mystery speaker was. He seemed angry, and judging by his speech, he had good reason. "If you won't tell me, I'll go find out myself." and she stood up, leaving the table.

"But Twilight!" Rarity yelled after her.

"Don't go out there!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Umm... If that's okay with you..." Fluttershy added. But it was too late. Twilight was out the door and looking at the square.

The marketplace was still crowded, but a large group had gathered around a stallion standing on an apple crate. The stallion looked familiar, Twilight knew she had seen him before. Carmel, his name was. He was speaking into a megaphone to the crowd. Never before had Twilight seen so many stallions in one place since coming to Ponyville. She didn't even know there were this many. Oddly, there were almost no mares there, though.

Twilight studied the speaker. The megaphone was on a stand, and the apple crate was pretty small, so Carmel was standing on the back edge, with his hind hooves on the ground. It was hard to see his face as a result, but the mane she could see was messy and crazy. Rarity would have a field day with this one.

He lifted his head up to speak, and Twilight caught a glimpse of his eyes. He had this intensity, not an angry intensity, but the kind that stems from somepony who is determined to reach his goal. Twilight could tell by his face that he meant business, whatever it was he wanted.

"All of us are fed up with the current way things are run! It is time, Ponyville."

Time for what? Twilight was confused.

"It's time to give stallions the right to vote!" The crowd erupted into cheers.

Twilight was at a loss for words.

(A/N Below, please read!)

Apples and Carrots

It had been a pretty good day at the marketplace. Ponies usually bought the Apple family apples like crazy, which was not surprising because everypony who has ever tried one knows they're the best in Equestria, but today had been especially fruitful. And it was only mid-morning! Applejack turned away from the crowd for a second to count how many apple crates had been emptied so far.

Okay, so ah've sold one... two... Applejack scracthed her head. Ah coulda sworn I sold at least three crates by now. Ah guess the day hasn't been so spectacular after all. Oh well, it's still early and the ponyfolk are still buying.

The marketplace was bustling and loud, and Applejack had to shout at the top of her lungs to be heard over the chaos that was the Saturday market. "Fresh apples for sale! The best in Equestria! Only 2 bits!" With so many ponies in the marketplace, there had to be at least one pony who wanted an apple. Somepony... Anypony...

A pony approached the stand.

Anypony but that one.

"I would like two apples please." the yellow mare smiled smugly.

"Carrot Top? What the hay are y'all doin' here? I thought ya hated apples." The anger in Applejack's voice was matched only by her confusion.

"Well, maybe I changed my mind! There is no law that says ponies can't change their minds... Though if somepony watched you for long enough they might think there is."

Applejack glared at her old enemy. "Juhst give me your bits, take yer apples and git. Y'all are lucky I even let you come within five feet of mah stand after what you did."

"Why so angry? I come here to give you some business, (which, judging by the fact that you are still wearing the same old dusty hat you desperately need), and you insult me."

"You're the one givin' me trouble! You have been for years!" Applejack's voice was angry and loud, alerting some other ponies to the fact that something was up. A small crowd began to gather around the stand.

"And now you are yelling at me! Is this any way to treat your customers? Tsk tsk tsk...." Carrot Top shook her head. "I always thought you were a better businesspony than that. You, of all ponies, should know that the customer is always right." She laughed.

"Ah refuse to do business with a pony who will come to mah stand and insult me like this! Now will ya kindly move along?!" The cowpony accentuated her last statement with an angry snort.

"So pushy! Okay, okay, I'm going. But before I leave, I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you." She nodded briskly, and turned to leave.

"Whaddoya mean 'forgive me'? Shouldn't you be the one apologizing?" Applejack called back.

Carrot Top smiled as she turned around slowly. Yes, Applejack. Keep digging yourself deeper. "Oh, I don't just mean about today. I mean for everything you did to me. We have had a... rocky relationship, you and I." At this Applejack grumbled something under her breath. Carrot Top cleared her throat and continued: "However, I have decided that the time for our petty squabbles is over. It is time for both of us to move on. In fact, that is why I came here in the first place. I was hoping to make up and move on, but it appearssomepony just can't let the past go."

"Okay, spill the beans. What are ya tryin' to get me to do? Haven't you humiliated me enough for one lifetime?" Ah know Carrot, and Carrot doesn't juhst be nice. There has ta be another reason.

The orange-maned mare looked around. Enough ponies have gathered. Time to make my move. "I was actually coming to see if I could convince you to vote for me." Carrot Top spoke louder than necessary. "I have been asked by the Moon Party to run against Mayor Mare this year."

"YOU WHAT!?!?!?" Applejack shouted. "I wouldn't vote for ya if you were the last mare on earth! It would be bad enough if you were running for the Sun party or independently, but running for the Moon party? Those hooligans who don't know left from right, prentendin' that this 'new age' requires new laws that are the exact opposite of Ponyville's time-honored traditions? The laws you fight against are nherited from my great-grandma and the laws she set down are the laws that will stay. Do you expect me to jus' throw up mah hooves and let Ponyville be overrun by fillies with air in their heads and stars in their eyes? Fur-get it! You can take your politicking and fancy 'new age' idears and just MOVE ALONG!"

Carrot Top gave her best 'hurt' face to the crowd. "Well... If you are going to be that way, I'll be off. But hearing that makes me think... If the Sun Party's supporters are going to act that way to their fellow mares, then maybe it is time for a change. Maybe it's time for a more caring and open-minded candidate. Somepony like me, not like you."

Applejack thought for a second. With all these ponies around... "Wait just an apple-pickin' minute... you baited me! You wanted me to get upset and yell to make the ponies think that all of the Mayor's supporters are crotchety and insensitive!" And Ah fell for it!

"I baited you? It seems that any move on my part was unnecessary. You proved any point I was trying to make much better than I ever could have." She took a second to relish in her enemy's frustration. But she couldn't stay long, duty called. "If you will excuse me, friend, I have a rally to attend. Carmel and the stallions asked me to speak at the 'stallion's rights' rally in the marketplace today, and I wouldn't want to be late. By the way, can I borrow one of those crates?" Carrot Top quickly grabbed a large crate and trotted off, her nose high in the air. She could take a little time to bask in her victory elsewhere (and maybe celebrate with a carrot smoothie), leaving Applejack with the disapproving stares of everypony in the crowd.

"Ah... Ah didn't mean... She was... I didn't..."

Maybe today was a bad day after all. Ah, buck.

Carmel Apples

The rally had been going on for some time now. Twilight had not budged since she arrived, a mixture of shock and curiosity keeping her from leaving or even moving. The rest of the crowd, though, was very active and vibrant. Twilight noted that while most stallions stayed the whole time, the mares tended to wander in and out.No wonder. She thought to herself. Carmel had been explaining what he called his 'plan for freedom', which probably seemed very risky and radical to most mares in the crowd. Twilight couldn't blame them, though. She didn't agree with them, but didn't blame them. These mares have a reputation to uphold. Besides, it's not their neck on the line, and if these stallions get their way the mares of Ponyville actually lose power. She paused. Still, that doesn't mean it's okay to just sit there while your fellow pony is pushed around and treated as a second-class citizen! Even if it seems wrong or wierd, anypony with half a brain can quickly reason that fighting this movement is pointless. And maybe even dangerous. She shuddered. These stallions are really angry, and one false move could start a riot. Supporting this movement, or at least not getting involved, may be the best line of action for everypony. Twilight watched as the mares shifted nervously, afraid to show support or even be noticed in the crowd. The stallions, on the other hand, would follow Carmel to the end of Equestria and beyond, as made evident by their almost millitary level of attention and almost fanatacal responses.

Twilight Sparkle's train of thought was derailed by Carmel, who was finishing talking about why voting is so crucial. "... are being denied many rights besides voting. Two of the most blatant are the right to travel freely, and the right to own land. Nopony should tell us we have to stay here, and then tell us that we can't have a place to call our own."

"These laws are unjust and based on prejudice alone. And to make it worse, Mayor Mare has spent the last four years fighting to keep it that way. She has resisted our attempts to compromise and fought to keep us quiet and submissive. Even now I fear that she is planning a strategy to shut me up. But, Mayor Mare, I must ask you: Why are you so afraid a few stallions? We have no votes, we have no rights, we don't even have a right to speak at town hall meetings."

There was a pause. The entire gathering sat in suspense, waiting for the answer.

"Mayor Mare is afraid

because she knows. She knows that the meoment we gain this crucial right to vote, we can change those laws. The second we can decide on our leaders is the same second those who keep us down lose their power. Suddenly the stallions become part of the voting base, and outnumbered as we are, we would still hold much sway over the elections.

The crowd applauded wildly. Carmel smiled as he continued:

"Yes, my friends, the mayor is afraid because she knows that this fight is the first and last battleground for the plight of equality! This will be our greatest victory yet!"

Twilight noted that even some of the mares joined in.

"But how, you ask, will we make this radical change in such a short amount of time? Don't political changes require much time and planning? Who are we to try something this crazy? All of you believe, I'm sure, that this feat is impossible.

Some nodded their heads warily.

"But it's not."

Here Carmel paused for effect. The stallions in the crowd looked up at him, awaiting his explenation. Everypony who knew Carmel knew that he was a showpony at heart. He relished the anticipation, the electrifying suspense. "The answer is quite clear. We are going to take a stand that will be felt throughout Ponyville, whether you agree with us or not. We will show the mares just how much they need us and our supporters! Boycotts and strikes will be our best weapons, for it is through these non-violent means can we best prove that stallions are both entitled to these rights and worthy of them." There was a pause here for a moment. Carmel's normally stoic expression flashed for a second. It looked like he had seen a ghost. Twilight could tell something was off, but before she could investigate Carmel continued.

"There are three ponies who, every election, fight us to the bitter end. Every step we take is matched by equally strong resistaince by these three. We must bring the fight to them if we are to succeed at anything." The crowd waiting in anticipation. "Our first target is the captain of the weather team, Rainbow Dash. Cloudsdale, as you well know, holds a lot of sway here in Ponyville. As captain of the weather team, Rainbow Dash has a seat on the counsel there. Celestia knows that she uses it, too." He shook his head. "What she doesn't understand is this: the weather team cannot operate without the stronger stallions help, so that is a good place to strike first. Ranbow Dash has already made her intentions clear, but perhaps if we show her just how much she needs stallions in Ponyville, and how importaint this is to us, she will have no choice but to support our cause. To this end, I challenge all Pegasi who wish to fight for freedom NOT to aid Rainbow Dash's team until Cloudsdale officially supports our position! On this we cannot budge!"

At this, a cheer went up in the crowd, with several Pegasi flying up in the air to accentuate their participation. This made Twilight nervous. If the weather team is short-handed, this could spell not just inconviniance, but danger for the general population! If a particularly nasty storm comes in from the Everfree...

The crowd died down, and Carmel continued. "Our next step is a boycott. There are two local businessponies who have fought our movement since it's inception. Two specific ponies who have tripped us and held us every step of the way. I believe it's time to bring the fight to them! Without the business of the freedom fighters, these businesses will be forced to relent or close. When faced with this decision, the owners will have to help us or leave town! We will prove how great of a foe we can be!" The audience exploded as Carmel yelled into the loudspeaker. "Friends and brothers, I am officially calling for a boycott on Carousel Boutique and Sweet Apple Acres. We can all live without apples and dresses for a few weeks, and the story we will tell our grandchildren will be nothing short of amazing. We will boycott the products of those who support the mayor and her unjust ways, starting with Sweet Apple acres! Nopony who believes in our cause should give bits to somepony as bitter and bigoted as Applejack, or else she will use that money to influence the mares of Ponyville like last election. Nopony should give bits to somepony as clever and subtle as Rarity, for her manipulations of the government through favors and promises are the very thing holding us back! From this day until our freedom day, nopony should buy apple family or Carousel Boutique products! We will prove to them we can be just as stubborn, subtle, and strong as these businessponies claim to be! Who is with me!?!?!" Once again, the crowd exploded with cheering. Twilight was worried, to say the least. These guys are entirely serious. This could be trouble for Rarity... and Applejack...

Carmel loved watching the crowd get this excited. While they were cheering, he took a quick head count. The stallions who came every year were there, including his good friend Doctor Whooves. He noted with sadness that Big MacIntosh was absent. If he woulda come, we might have been able to skirt all this 'boycott apples' business. I hate doing this to him, but freedom comes first. Sorry, Big Mac. He looked around the crowd. Many mares who had never attended before had showed up, Carmel noted Berry Punch, sober for once, and Ditzy Doo as such. This year. This year will be different.

The audience started to die down. "My frieinds, we have fought this battle for years. My father before me petitioned the government to change these unjust laws, and his father before him. The struggle has lasted almost three generations now, and still we have no change. Our struggle has always been opposed heavily from all sides. We have been laughed at, shunned, and even persecuted. If you remember the story, my father died in prison four years ago." A single tear. "His heart gave out, the heart that beat for every stallion who has no say in his future. The heart that beat for every colt with dreams of greatness. That heart, that beat for his son, who wanted to go to Canterlot to study law." Carmel's voice was getting softer. "That was the year I took over. That year we fought bravely. That year we got Mayor Mare elected. She promised to aid us, to get us our rights. But she hasn't. She forgot us, and started trying to garner support from the Apple family ilk. She betrayed us, and everypony knows it. I vowed that year that Mayor Mare would not see another term. Mayor Mare may have turned her back on us, but this year we have a canidate who can and will defeat her with our support."

Twilight was suddenly interested, snapping out of her introspective shell. The canidate... Could she be the canidate for the Moon party? Who will stand up against such a vast majority?

"That canidate we have decided to support is... Ponyville's very own Golden Harvest!" Carmel announced. "She has graciously accepted our request to run as a representative for the stallion's rights movement, as well as her native Moon party. I have asked her to say a few words of encouragement, after which each of you should meet with your respective faction leaders for more information. Pegasi go talk to Storm Chaser, Earth ponies should meet with Doctor Whooves, and Unicorns will get their assignments from Morning Glory."

Somepony in the crowd complained "but Morning Glory is a mare!"

Carmel shot him a nasty look. The speaker was none other than 'Roid Rage, a very muscular Pegasus with tiny wings. "Yes. She is a mare. I am a stallion. You are a Pegasus. I am an Earth pony. Your coat is white. Mine is brown. What difference does that make to who we are? Isn't that the very message we are trying to send? Are you suggesting that mares and stallions are not equal? What happened to tolerance?"

A silence filled the crowd, as many looked down, ashamed. It was the silence of a foal being repremanded by her mother.

Carmel's expression softened. "We will stand together, stallion and mare, Unicorn and Pegasus, pony and pony, to fight this fight! We can, together, make a differance, and we can, together, win this battle!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Carmel left the "stage". Carrot Top smiled approvingly at him as she stood on the apple crate. Because she was of a smaller build, she could stand on the crate entirely, making her seem tall and commanding. Twilight lost interest in the speech, however, when she noticed several Ponyville police officers begin arriving. Police? Are they here for crowd control? I guess with an audience as violently dedicated to the cause of freedom as this one is, violence is a very real possibility... That must be the reason. It's a safety precaution. Twilight smiled briefly, but then a frown started fighting it's way through. What if its not? What if they are here to arrest somepony? What if there is a criminal in the audience? Or what if... No. No way in Tartarus are they here to arrest one of the leaders. Carmel may be revolutionary, but having crazy ideas is not illegal! Carrot Top was speaking very eloquently and fluidly, but all the purple mare heard was "Vote for me, mares/Get your wives/very special someponies to vote for me, stallions! I will not let you down!"

Carmel was walking off. He carried himself with the air of one who knew what he was doing, and trotted confidently to the road leading to the edge of town. What is he up to? It seems odd that the very leader of the movement would up and leave when there was organizing to do. Twilight decided to follow him and find out. At the very least she hoped she could find out what this was all about.

Carmel had been walking through the village for about ten minutes when he stopped in a corner of the market without any stalls. Many stalls were deserted, but there was still a good amount of ponies wandering around. Twilight hoped that Carmel hadn't noticed he was being tailed.

"Big Mac!" Carmel suddenly shouted as the unmistakable red stallion approached the place where Carmel had been waiting. "It took you long enough." He laughed, before continuing. "I didn't see you at the rally."

Big Macintosh nodded. "Ah didn't come."

"But, why, Mac? I could have avoided making a scapegoat of the Apple family! Now there will be a boycott organized. If you had been there, I could have reduced the amount of demonization Sweet Apple Acres got in the speeches." Carmel looked at him sternly. "Don't tell me you didn't come because..."

"Eee-yup." Big Macintosh cut him off. "She told me that if ah came, ah would be betrayin' her and mah family."

"So now stallions don't just have thier political lives controlled by mares, but their beliefs and personal lives? How can you let your sister push you around like that?"

"You have your ways of fightin' an' ah have mine." Big mac had never been a stallion of many words, so it surprised Twilight to hear him talk so much.

"I can't beleive this! Sweet Apple Acres would be toast without you. Applejack knows that. Everypony knows that! If you do your share around the farm you should have your say about the management too!"

"Ah manage." Big Mac said flatly.

"You really don't care, do you? You are truely content to let your life and destiny be controlled by somepony else." Carmel's voice was getting louder.

"No. Ah stay 'cause ah want to. If ah wanted to do somethin' else, ah woulda left Ponyville years ago like all th'other stallions." Big Mac's voice stayed even and cool.

"Big Mac, sometimes I can't believe you."

"Same goes fer you.

There was a long silence, and then both of them suddenly burst out laughing. Odd. One minute they are at each other's throats and the next... They are laughing?"

Carmel stopped laughing and continued, albeit lighter. "You really should consider my offer. We could take care of you, and stick it to Applejack."

Big Mac looked at him sternly. "Ah don't abandon mah family fer' nuthin."

Carmel nodded. "If that is your choice, my friend. If you will excuse me, I have other things to do today. Take care of yourself, Mackie."

"You too, Carmel. Ah don't wanna see mah best friend gettin' himself hurt."

Carmel nodded and started to walk off.

"Ahnd, ah may show up to yer next one." Big Mac called after him.

Meeting the leader

Peace. For the first time today, peace and quiet.

Carmel sat in his favorate stall in his favorate cafe. Celestia knows he deserved a moment of respite. It had been a long day and there was still work to do. The weary stallion closed his eyes, feeling much older than he was.

Carmel started thinking on the work left before the day was out. Let's see... I have a planned meeting with the Ethnic Minorities of Ponyville Union, then I have to attend the Moon Party's official Candidate announcement banquet, and I can't forget Doctor Whooves asked me to be the best tstallion at his and ditzy's wedding. The rehersal dinner is tonight, and I can't miss it for the world. Work, work, work...

He smiled, despite the growing mound of work. But for now, I have a few seconds of peace. The union isn't expecting me for another fifteen minutes. Perfect time for me to grab a mayflower sandwich and rest a bit...

His time of peace was cut short, however, by a mare's voice. "Excuse me. Are you Carmel?"

ARGH! CAN I REST FOR ONE SECOND? He opened one eye and looked at the purple unicorn. Why does she seem so familiar? "Yeah. I'm Carmel." He streched. "Take a seat, I can tell you have a question for me."

The mare Midnight? No, that's not right... (Her name always reminded him of some mushy vampony romance book, but he couldn't put his finger on it.) hesitantly took a seat across from him. She thought for a moment before speaking. "Thank you. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I..."

"THAT'S IT!" Carmel suddenly shouted, getting some very funny looks from the other patrons. He looked around sheepishly. "I apologize. Go on."

She cocked an eyebrow. "...I am the Princess' personal student. She has sent me here to Ponyville to study the magic of friendship, but she never told me about... This."

Carmel looked at her oddly. "This... meaning..?"

"You were leading a rally earlier this morning. I happened to be in the area at the time, and I heard you speaking..."

Carmel's jaw dropped. "Wait. You're telling me that you had no idea about the stallion's rights movement?"

Twilight nodded. "Exactly. I am new here, you see. I admit, I was very excited to see my very first democratic election. I mean, I grew up in Canterlot, where Princess Celestia personally chooses all government officials.The idea of a leader being chosen by the people was facinating and foriegn to me."

Carmel finished her thought for her. "But, when you got here, you realized Ponyville isn't as democratic as you thought." .

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Pretty much. I'm surprised the Princess didn't warn me about something as vital as an entire town sstuck in the middle ages."

Carmel seemed to not be listnening. He interrupted, "I remember you, you were the pony in charge of Winter Wrap-up last year. First time I can remember we have ever been on time." He chuckled to himself.

Twilight didn't share the joke. "I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind."

"I don't. Ask away, Twilight Sparkle." Carmel smiled.

"Let's start at the beginning. You mentioned in your speech that stallions are not allowed to vote, own land, or travel freely. Could you please explain these laws to me?" She looked at him quizzically.

"Sure thing, Twi." He cleared his throat. "All our troubles started with one simple phrase that was poorly thought through. I quote the Ponyville Constitution:'And in this new towne, henceforth named Ponyville, evyre Mare of good standing and upright charecter shall have a vote in all elections and laws.' That is in the preamble, drafted by the first settlers here, including the Apple Family."

"The same part that gave Ponyville its unniquely democratic system. I am familiar with the Ponyville Constitution, though, I never thought..." She trailed off.

"Exactly. The problem was the lack of thinking things through. The original lawmakers were mostly mares, because the stallions of the time were busy with building, working, and feeding their families. It was well known and commonly practiced that mares would simply represent the family legally."

Twilight thought for a second. "I guess that makes sense, if there is harmony between the stallion and the mare there would only be one vote necissary."

Carmel nodded. "And it did work, for a time. The problem is that this law never got changed. Colts grew up. Young families had foals of their own, fillies and colts born into a developing frontier city, kind of like Appleoosa. Many colts, just like fillies, had dreams of greatness. One wanted to run for mayor, he happened to be my great-grandfather. I'll get to my family history later. Anyway, the times quickly made that particular part of the constitution outdated,"

Twilight sighed. "But the law stayed."

Carmel frowned. "Not only did it stay, the situation got worse. Aproximately seven years after the founding of Ponyville, a law was passed that said only tax-paying voters could own land. This was to stop ponies known as 'squatters', who sat on land until it sold at incredibly inflated prices."

Twilight nodded. "But this had the side effect of barring Stallions, who could not vote, from owning land as well."

"You catch on quickly." He smiled. "Now, stallions of the time decided these new laws were a bunch of hayseed, and so there was a mass exedus of Stallions from Ponyville. This left the problem of..." he cleared his throat, "Male-to-Female ratios. Ponyville was killing itself off slowly. As more Stallions left, less were there to marry and work."

"So, how did the lawmakers react?" Twilight said neively.

"In the worst possible way. Exactly twenty years after the founding of Ponyville, a new law was passed stating that Stallions born in Ponyville could not leave without official purpose and documentation."

"That part is the hardest for me to accept. Stallions are not allowed to leave Ponyville? While the other two laws are certainly unfair, that one is just..."

Carmel cut her off. "Outrageous? Believe me, I know." He quickly looked around, and then said in a quieter voice, "Many stallions run from this town anyway, because the moment we leave Ponyville the laws here no longer affect us. We are simply considered Equestrian Citizens. Have you ever wondered why the ratio of stallions to mares is so lopsided here?"

Twilight stopped. "But... isn't that..."

"Illegal? So now, stallions wanting a better life is illegal? What is worse, in your opinion? Simply hopping a border and running or denying a colt his dreams of greatness?"

Twilight hastily spoke up. "Point taken. Continue."

Carmel huffed. "Sorry, that is kind of a touchy subject for me. Anyway, about my lineage. My great-grandfather, one of the original settlers, was against this law from the beginning. His wife was the only one to vote against the ratification of the Ponyville constitution, a fact I am constaintly reminded of. Every generation my family has fought this law, trying to sway public opinion to our side."

Twilight spoke a bit quieter. "You mentioned that your father..." she trailed off.

"Died in jail? Don't worry, I am okay with it. It's not like he was mistreated or anything, it was a heart attack. He was 60 years old on the day of his death." He said, almost as casually as he had been speaking previously. Twilight could tell that the story still weighed heavily on him, however. The normal spark in his eyes was gone, and suddenly the twenty-something stallion looked old and tired in her eyes.

"I am so sorry." Twilight had a sincere tear in her eye.

"I stepped up to replace him at the head of the Stallion's Rights movement that year. I was twenty three at the time, four years ago. I remember that we had one of the best turnouts in history, if not the best. It was the Stallion's Rights voters who elected Mayor Mare."

Twilight shook her head. "That can't be true. Mayor Mare is, from what I hear, one of the most anti-Stallion's Rights mares in Ponyville." Her eyebrows furrowed.

"She wasn't when we elected her. Mayor Mare promised us change, hope, and freedom, but only a week after her election, she banned holding rallies in public without a permit, which is only attainable..."

"Let me guess. By voters."

Carmel nodded. "Sad as it is to say, Mayor Mare went to great lengths to stop us from having a turnout like that again. I wouldn't be surprised if she was already plotting ways to stop us now."

Twilight thought back to the rally. The policeponies... "Is that why law enforcement showed up to the rally?"

Carmel smiled. "Yup. Probably came to arrest me."

"And you don't have a permit, I'm guessing." she said flatly.

"Nope! Never even seen one."

"So, why didn't they stop you?" Twilight was slightly horrified and slightly curious.

"My good friend Carrot Top has one. I can speak under her name in public, as long as she is present. The law can't touch me for the rally today." Carmel chuckled. At least, not about that particular law...

As Carmel resumed the conversation, though, he didn't notice the two policeponies enter the cafe, and singling out his table, the head one made a beeline for Carmel.

"Are you Mr. Carmel Candy?" She said in a gruff voice.

Carmel turned, and made eye contact with the uniformed detective. He smiled warmly at her. "Good evening, Inspector JaMare." He laughed at his own pun. "I am kind of sad that you don't recognize me. It was me who went with you to the prom all those years ago. Ring a bell? You and Berry got drunk, and the band filed a restraining order, and..."

"Mr. Carmel, you are under arrest."

Carmel's smile melted like a snowman in a tanning booth. "Under arrest? For what, exactly? As you well know, all my permits were in order."

"For theivery, inciting a riot, and disturbing the peace."

"That is outrageous! I never stole anything! You have no proof." Carmel shook his head.

"A vendor says you stole a crate of apples from her to use for a stand and it was destroyed." She said bluntly. "The rest of the charges, you have no way to refute. You have the right to remain silent..."

He shook his head. "I can't beleive this! one measly crate?"

"...can and will be used against you in a court of law..."

As she started cuffing Carmel, he looked over to Twilight. She looked like a deer in the way of a stampede. "Don;t worry, Twi. I have been arrested more times than I can count. I'll be back on the street in no time." He smiled hopefully at her.

"But... But..."

"Can I ask you to do me a favor, before I leave?" He said, confidently.

Twilight, who's expression was a mix between shock and horror, weakly asked "What?"

"Tell Whooves that I'm gonna be late for the rehersal dinner." Carmel laughed as the policeponies pulled him out of the cafe.

"Twi! Twilight! Are you okay?" A voice pierced the blackness.

Twilight slowly opened her eyes to see a pair of blue ones looking back at her. "What happened?"

"Well, I was walking down the road, well, maybe not walking, it was more like skipping, you know how I like to skip, but anyway I was skip-walking (or is it walk-skipping?) down the road plotting a recepie for my cherry-chonga I am going to make for Mrs. Cake tomorrow, when suddenly my back leg kicked. Of course, when my back leg is a kick'n that means that Twilight is about to faint, and so I rushed here to the cafe and found you lying on the ground like this!" The pink party pony said, seemingly without taking a breath.

Twilight had been slowly getting up throughout the rant. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Pinkie, but do you know where a stallion named "Doctor Whooves" lives?"

Pinkie smiled. "Of course I know where he lives. He lives in D. Whooves 42 wallaby way Ponyville! But you won't find him there now because he is busy at the rehersal dinner for his wedding which I helped plan and ohmygosh I'm gonna be late!" Pinkie said, suddenly taking a determined look. "Sorry, Twilight, but I gotta go. I Pinkie Promised I would help tonight and I am almost late as it is."

Twilight thought for a second, then said "Do you think I could come with you?

All is fair

Doctor Whooves was very smart, and everypony in Ponyville knew it. His ability to reason was unparalleled and his debating skills were top-notch. In fact, before he got involved with the Stallions Rights movement, he was a well-known political commentator and author, having written several books on philosophy, politics, and even religion. The fact that he held a Ph.d and several Masters degrees certainly helped the fact as well. Unfortunately, he was quickly discredited by the political opposition (Mostly the Sun Party) when he started casting his lot with Carmel. His current job was a low-paying one, stocking shelves at the Ponyville bookstore. Even there he was on probation for hiding the copies of Fifty Shades of Neigh and telling customers they were sold out.

Ditzy Doo is a mailmare, or was, until she got fired for badly battering several important packages. She had a sight disability, and to her everything was blurry and distorted unless she made a conscious effort to straighten her eyes, which was difficult and taxing. She also had a slightly air-headed personality, giving her the nickname "Ditzy". This did not mean, however, that she was stupid or incompetent. In fact, despite her bouts of clumsiness, she was famous for being a hard and dependable worker, friend, and even adopted mother to a sweet young Unicorn.

These two ponies, who seemed so different from each other to all observers, were getting ready to tie the knot. Everypony agreed that they were a cute couple, but nopony could have told you that they would ever get this serious. Their romance was truly one in a million, the exception and not the rule. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

Doctor Whooves was laughing as the music died down. "My dear, I must say I have never been so exhausted. Are all Pegusi as energetic as you? I haven't danced so much in my life!"

Ditzy smiled at him and nuzzled his side. "All I know is that I am approaching the happiest day of my life. I have never been so alive!" If it wasn't for her innocent tone, you would think she was being seductive.

The Doctor laughed. "I tell you, everything will be perfect. I have personally seen to all aspects of the wedding. There is not a mare out of place, or a problem left un-addressed." he smiled. If only Carmel would make his appearance...

Pinkie Pie bounced along the sidewalk, seemingly without a care in the world. She was talking at a hundred miles a minute, and every word seemed to change the direction of the string. It was classic Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.

Whereas usually her friends polity listened, Twilight was lost in her own thoughts, and largely ignored the party pony. Carmel has been arrested, and here I go to the Doctor's rehearsal dinner to spoil it all. I hate being the bearer of bad news... And to think, this atrocity happened in Ponyville. If the Princess were here, she would never have...

Pinkie was suddenly interrupted by Twilight suddenly shouting. "The Princess! Pinkie, if the Princess knew what was going on, surely she would step in! She will never tolerate this kind of injustice!" Twilights sudden putburst was soon followed by another one of the same tone.

Pinkie gasped. "The Princess will want to stop the wedding? But they are such a cute couple! And I already planned the party, and I'm gonna make cherry changas for the first time, and..."

Twilight shook her head. "No, Pinkie. I'm talking about Carmel getting arrested today. I think the wedding is going to go fine." She smiled. If there's one thing she knows will never change, it's Pinkie Pie.

"Wait, Carmel got arrested again?" Pinkie looked lost in thought.

Twilight hesitantly nodded. "Yes. He was arrested in the cafe you found me in."

"That's a new record for him, Twilight. That brings his arrest time record to two and a half hours. That's pretty impressive." She spoke as if he had just won a pie-eating contest.

"Wait... what?" Twilight stopped, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Duh! Everytime Carmel holds a rally, he gets arrested shortly after. Him and I have been keeping track of how long it takes, and the previous record was Twenty-Three and sixteen-seventeenths of an hour. This is the shortest it has ever taken!" She laughed. "I will have to throw him a party when he gets out."

"Pinkie. You realize Carmel has been imprisoned on trumped-up charges, waiting for a trial in an unjust system, and this is a serious affront to freedom, right?" Twilight was amazed at how non-chalant Pinkie was to this whole dilemma.

"Yup. But I am not complaining about something I can't change. Carmel never does." Pinkie said, and started bouncing down the road again.

"Maybe we can't, Pinkie." Twilight muttered. "But the Princess can."

The rehearsal dinner had gone splendidly. The Doctor couldn't be more proud of himself, having planned the whole thing. Everypony had gone home, getting a good night's rest before the wedding. This wedding was going to be...

WHAM!

The door slammed open, and confetti flew everywhere. "I'm here!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "I'm ready to help set up everything! I am gonna need streamers, and balloons, and party favors, and candy, and..."

The Doctor, though initially startled, recovered his composure. "Candy for decorations, Pinkie?" he said, giving her a quizzical look.

"No. Candy for me. I get kinda hungry." Pinkie said, and started setting up the room. The Doctor shrugged. Pinkie being Pinkie, as usual.

"Doctor Whooves, is it?" a voice said, behind him.

"At your service." As he turned around, he looked at Twilight with a thoughtful expression written across his long face. "I think I know you from somewhere... Oh yes! You are Twilight Sparkle, the princess's personal protege and bearer of the Element of Magic, correct?" His face went from a thoughtful smile to a suspicious glare. "What brings you here?" The Doctor asked. Everypony knew that Twilight was friends with the other element-bearers, all of which were enemies of Carmel's."

"I was asked by Carmel to come and tell you that he will not be here tonight." She looked around at the empty ballroom. "Though, I suppose it's a bit late for that." She said sheepishly.

"Really? Do you know what is keeping him?" The Doctor asked. "I know he wouldn't miss it for nothing. I hope he's okay."

"He kind of got arrested." Twilight said, cutting straight to the chase. "I'm still having a hard time believing it myself."

"Oh, it's just that? I was afraid he would be hurt or something." The Doctor said, tension leaving his face. "Carmel will be okay. He always finds a way out of those situations. I am down one best stallion, though. Maybe I can call..."

"Wha- I just told you that your best friend has been arrested on trumped-up charges, and that he is being held in custody for no good reason, and all you can think about is your best stallion at your wedding? What is wrong with everypony? Don't they realize this is a horrible miscarriage of justice and..."

He shushed her. "What kind of a stallion do you take me for, Miss Sparkle? I do care about Carmel, very deeply too." The Doctor, noting Twilight's confused expression, clarified. "He will be out within a few days. They never have enough to keep him for long, no matter how much dirt the prosecutor tries to dig up. I know this for certain. We have kept his record completely clean. It has almost become a routine, at this point. He is arrested, I create a public outcry, they have no evidence, and he goes free. We set up another rally, and the cycle starts over. We have tried to change the cycle, but all our attempts have been, at least thus far, fruitless."

The purple unicorn thought for a second. "I think I might have a solution to this mess. I can send a letter to the Princess, she can fix everything..."

The Doctor looked her square in the eyes. "I don't think that would be the best idea, Miss Sparkle. The Princess may be powerful, yes, but any interference of hers would put our mission of public acceptance in jeopardy. We are trying to win the public over, and such an affront to democracy would only make the public opinion sway away from our side."

"But... We must do something-"

"We can. We can fight. We are close. We have been struggling for this cause for years, and I feel that we are approaching the crux of our battle. You watch, Miss Sparkle. Mark my words. By the next election, things will be different." Whooves said, reassuringly. "I promise".

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am writing to you about an issue that has recently been brought to my attention. The local democratic elections have been exciting to watch, but there is one small issue. The local laws regulate that only mares may vote, own land, or travel without papers. It is only because of the voting law that the others remain in play.

As if this weren't bad enough, recently the only stallion with the bravery to stand up to these laws has been imprisoned. I am afraid that these developments are leading in a direction that will be detrimental to our society. Democracy is well and good, but it must be stopped when the majority decisions infringe on the rights of the minority. Surely you can see this!

I was sent here to study the magic of friendship, and so far I have been successful. But, I am not so certain friendship can overcome all, anymore. All of my friends (except Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie) are siding against this equality movement. I fear that if I do anything, it may drive us apart. What is the correct course of action? Which is more important?

I suppose I am asking your advice, Princess. What should I do?

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle.

BONUS CHAPTER: Celestia's response

Luna walked into the Royal Throne room. The grandiose building had lost it's luster on the Royal sisters hundreds of years ago, especially when Luna was dead-tired. She simply trudged toward her sister's throne, where Celestia was reading a scroll of some sort. "Sister, why hast thou called me into thy presence at such an unseemly time of day? I have had a most trying night, and need all the sleep I can get."

Celestia peered over the letter she was reading. "The only reason I would awaken you at this time of day is that I need your counsel."

"Hah. you need my counsel? Sister, do tell. Could it be a Stallion? It's a stallion, isn't it?" Luna perked up. This might prove to be... what's that word Twilight used?... Oh! "Fun".

"It's not just one stallion. It is a city full of them. Read this letter, Luna. I would like to hear how you would respond." Celestia magicked the letter to her sister, who quickly began reading.

As her eyes scanned the page, her smile dissipated. "Twilight is... having a hard time accepting that Mares are superior to Stallions? This seems clear-cut. Simply tell her that that's the way it is. It has been since the dawn of..."

"Sister, in your absence, a lot has changed. Almost everywhere, stallions are given equal rights. This is how it has been for nearly 500 years."

Luna snickered. "That explains Blueblood." she laughed. "And here I thought that he was just acting out-of-place." After seeing Celestia's steely glare, she cleared her throat. "And now we see the predicament. Thy power far exceeds this... isolated democracy, but..."

"It wouldn't be democracy if I stepped in, would it?" Celestia finished her sister's sentence. "So, what do we do?"

Luna thought for a second, and then her eyes lit up. "We could use this to test thy student's astuteness. We can send her a 'follow your heart' type letter, and watch carefully as she makes her choices. It may prepare her for..."

"Her greater purpose." Celestia smiled. "Mother and Father must be watching, after all. Twilight is being prepared."

My faithful student,

At this time, for reasons you already know, I am unable to directly affect any of the proceedings in this town. That being said, I hope that I can still help the matter at hand through you.

I am not going to tell you what to do. You must do what you feel is right, of course. Your friends may not agree with you either way, but in the end it is up to you to decide what you value most.

If you were to ask me what I believe, I would simply say that equality is the inherent right of all sentient beings, as is friendship. I feel very strongly for this, but unfortunately cannot act on it in this particular case. Democracy must take its due course.

I have all faith that you will do the right thing, my pupil.

Your mentor,

Princess Celestia

Well, Twilight? Ready to fight yet?

As the sun began to rise over the orchard, the rays began to reveal the Apple family, already hard at work. The fields were overflowing with apples ready to be picked and processed. Everypony was working overtime, and that meant waking up at the crack of dawn.

It is for that reason that Applejack and Big Macintosh were already up, having beat Celestia's sun by a good two hours. They were preparing the tools, crates, buckets, and all other supplies necissary to have a successful mid-summer apple harvest.

They had also been talking, as ponies are wont to do when there is a lot of time to be filled. This mostly amounted to Applejack talking about something farm-related, and Big Macintosh nodding and letting out a classic "Ee-yup."

That changed, though, as the sun rose. They were busy assembling the reserve carts, which were kept in the shed especially for harvest season. Applejack was busy telling Big Mac all about the latest adventure of the Elements of Harmony.

"Well, we were all so scared, bein' split up like that in the Canterlot maze. It was one heck of an experiance. Twilight called for everypony to meet in the middle, because we was all alone." She chuckled. "Oh, Twilight. She is always ready to take charge when we need it. I reckon that's why she is the Element of Magic."

Big Mac simply nodded. "Ee-yup."

"But what I don't get is how she got all tangled up in this whole "equality" mess. It was bad enough she was getting her head filled with all these fancy ideas by that smooth-talking Carmel, but now she is just crossing the line! She said that she is going to go try to talk some sense into the Mayor! Sense? Sense about whut, exactly? 'She lied to the Moon Party, lied to my father, blah blah blah!' I tell ya, Big Mac, that Carmel's a wily one. We got to keep an eye on him."

"..."

Applejack looked at him, quizzicly. "Y'all don't agree?"

"Ee-nope!"

"And why not? Carmel is a born manipulator, tryin' to get us poor countryfolk so bamboozled that we can't tell the difference between up and down no more. We gotta stick to our values, Big Mac. We gotta be strong. It is important to preserve Granny Smith's town."

"..."

"Our Parent's town. Mom and dad would agree with me, Big Mac. And you know it!"

"..."

"Oh, the silent treatment, huh? You and your stallions are too fancy to keep company with someone who wants to stick to her guns, even if that someone is your own sister! Ah am too old-fashioned for you, huh?"

"..."

"Well, ya know what? Ah don't want to have this conversation. Let's just both be quiet and worry about gettin' this harvest over and done with."

"Ee-yup"

Twilight approached the large building that served as City Hall. It was really more of a ballroom with a few offices, but it served all of the needs of the town. Twilight had been there a lot in the past, especially around Winter Wrap-up. She was on good terms with the mayor, and was given permission to "drop in" whenever she pleased.

Logic dictates that someone with the strong personal character the mayor shows should not be so manipulative, Twilight thought. The Mayor, though she is a politician, is a pony like the rest of them. So, how could she lie so coldly to Carmel?

There has to be a misunderstanding. Somepony has to have made a mistake. The Mayor couldn't do something that cold... right?

The office was small (the Mayor preferred the word "cozy"), and stacked to the brim with papers and notes. The Mayor had a large workload that particular day, so she didn't feel like having any visitors. When Twilight walked in (without knocking, which was uncharacteristic of her), though, Mayor Mare knew she had to talk to her... Heh. Twilight was really the Mayor's No.1 assistant, and everypony knew it. "Hello, Twilight. What brings you here today?"

The purple unicorn took a seat. "I just have a few questions for you, Mayor. I have been brought some... disturbing news."

The Mayor's brow furrowed. Bad press? This is not good. The re-election is so near... "What are you referring to?"

"Well, I've been talking to Carmel..."

The Mayor burst out laughing. "Oh, that rabble-rouser? I assure you, any allegation of his is completely false. He and his group are not above lying to sway people to their position, Twilight."

"But... he seemed so sincere..."

The Mayor nodded. "The best lyers always do. Twilight, I can quickly disprove this. What did he say about me? I'll show you that it was either grossly exaggerated, or in error."

Twilight's brow furrowed. "Well, he said that the Stallion's Rights movement helped you into power..."

"Not true. When I ran, I ran with the Moon Party originally. I was a fan of their forward thinking and new policies. It was exciting, the idea of being the mayor who changed Ponyville." There was a sparkle in her eye, reminiscent of a dreaming foal. "But Twilight, you must realize. When the Moon Party accepted the Stallion Right's movement as part of their agenda, I couldn't stay. The bad press was more than any elected official can handle."

"But Mayor! Press should not be an issue! We are talking about basic rights here! Isn't that at least lightly more important than what the public thinks?"

"Welcome to Democracy, Twilight. If I try to do something unpopular, I lose my power to do so. As a result, I need to act in the best interest of everypony, and any personal agendas must be put on the back-burner. Thus is politics." The mayor nodded.

"But..."

"I am not an absolute ruler, Twilight. I am not all-powerful. I have tried to pass many resolutions, which have failed. You see, when I sign a resolution, it goes by the voters. You wouldn't just need me, you would need the whole town. Surely you of all people know that." The Mayor said, sympathetically.

"We could get it! I could campaign for it! The town will gather behind us... I have already seen it." Twilight was exasperated. "I mean, if public opinion is all that matters to you, then can't I solve it by proving the public is for the change?"

The mayor was silent for a second. "In my file cabinet. Under Resolutions. Find number 27." She said, pointing to her cabinet.

"...okay?" Twilight was unsure how to proceed, so she did what was asked. Upon retrieving the paper, she read it aloud. "Stallion Equality resolution... Let it be hereforth known that any equine, regardless of race, sex, or species, shall not be barred from becoming full citizens with all powers and rights associated with... You already have a resolution written?"

The grey-maned mare nodded. "I do. It was one of the first I wrote, and even now if I affix my signature it will be sent to the voters. I considered signing it, so many times, but I could never find the guts. I was always afraid it would destroy my credibility."

"Then... sign it! We could end this whole mess now!" Twilight almost shouted.

"I'm still worried, Twilight. I am still on the fence. Public opinion is fickle, and we as a species are always looking for somepony to blame for something or other. I don't want to be that pony.."

"So... what will we do?"

"I would be willing to sign that paper... if you can prove to me that the public would stand behind that resolution. That is my offer." The mayor said, with a tone of finality. "Otherwise, I can't risk it."

Twilight thought for a moment. "This is our chance... our chance to fix everything! I will! I can prove it! It will be just like a research paper! I can prove it to you, Mayor. I will." Twilight said, excitedly.

"I hope you do, Twilight. Good luck!" The mayor said, the smile returning to her face. I know this town better than anypony. You are going to need it.

Petition Suspicion