Cogs

Chapters

Welcome to Ponyville
Settling In
Keeping up Appearances
The Aftermath
Repercussions of a Generous Act
Loose Ends
Greed and Power
Repercussions of a Selfish Act
Muros Aures Habent
Holding Power
Prologue

Welcome to Ponyville

A poised mare walks along the platform as the train doors open; a young white unicorn with an auburn mane worn in a bun. Behind her two pegasi stallions keep a watchful eye on the passengers.

"Good afternoon my little ponies, and what a glorious afternoon it is at that," the unicorn mare enunciated beautifully, "we should all be grateful to our fine weather stewards for this." She gave an expansive smile before continuing, "My name is Cotton Flower, and you are to be my charges until I get you settled right in." Cotton Flower smiled warmly at the attractive cornflower blue unicorn stallion that departed from his carriage, before hiding a grimace at the tide of unkempt earth ponies rearing to alight.

"Wildfire, Lightning Charm; do deal with these arrivals while I show this gentlecolt to his new residence." Cotton Flower said with an air of importance. The pegasi stallions motioned towards the now leaving passengers. Cotton Flower walked a short distance with the unicorn stallion before slowing.

"I don't mean to be rude, but what's a fine stallion such as you doing in Ponyville?" Cotton Flower intoned gently. The stallion snorted a laugh.

"My, so bold. I would have thought it were on your clipboard. Darling, I'll save you some time and tell you I'm not likely to be visiting your bedroom any time soon. Wildfire on the other hoof..." He left the statement hanging. Cotton Flower rallied almost imperceptibly. They continued walking for a short while. The birds seemed loudest here; the upper class section of the town still retained its original features. Most apparent in the large tree that served as a library, or at least did before the uprising. A fashion boutique still bearing its original façade was visible in the near distance, and the houses spoke of quaint town life with their fine thatched roofs. Cotton Flower left it a short while before speaking.

"My clipboard tells me that you're Iridescence, from a noteworthy family in Manehattan, but that your father has decided to... Allow you space to find who you are. It definitely doesn't mention anything to do with a wedding, or a gateau anywhere. It also says that you will be paid a stipend from him, and that you are to become site foreman for the brassworks. This work contract comes with board in the old town, a generous ration allowance, and relative autonomy." Cotton Flower said in monotone.

"That sounds about right." Iridescense agreed keenly. Cotton Flower looked pleading then abruptly spoke, losing her composure.

"Really? Wildfire? You would prefer a ruffian pegasi over your own kind?"

"I like my stallions with feathers. Did I stress the stallion part enough? Sometimes the mares that take a liking to me miss that." Iridescence said cheerfully. Cotton Flower stared open mouthed for a short while; the background noise of the birds filling the silence.

"You'll be staying here. Your job starts on Thursday; to give you time to settle. Anything else?"

"A valet was mentioned. I assume that's still happening."

"Of course. Social outcast or not you're still one of the noble race. A baby dragon has..." Cotton Flower began before Iridescence cut in.

"I would prefer a pony if it's all the same with you."

"A pegasi stallion by any chance?" Cotton Flower asked disdainfully.

"See, we're learning. One who is, shall we say, open minded. Good Day, I need to rest after my journey."

"Of course." Cotton Flower said glowering.

"Oh way to go Cotton Flower. You meet a cute stallion from a reputable background, and completely fail to miss that he's... Not interested." Cotton Flower was trotting back towards the station talking to herself. "Mother was right. I do have no luck with stallions." She sighed heavily, "still, a lot to do, new ponies to assign. Brave face. Smile. Ready." She slowed and walked primly onto the platform, where Wildfire and Lightning Charm were ferrying the last of the passengers to a nearby hall. Cotton Flower motioned to Wildfire. She could see the attraction; luxurious cream coat, amber through gold mane and pale yellow eyes. He was still just a pegasus though.

"Wildfire," Cotton Flower coughed nervously, "are you... Open minded enough to pay the new unicorn a visit?"

"What are you asking me?" Wildfire said in a voice like warm molasses.

"It's just that Iridescence has expressed interest in you." Cotton Flower said awkwardly.

"Tell him no. I don't want no part of such debauchery." Wildfire said loudly. "But if the mood takes me I may stroll over at some point." He whispered slowly. Cotton Flower nodded slightly, before forcing a smile.

"And now to meet today's arrivals." she spoke in the forced tone of one who is just waiting to get it over with. She and Wildfire joined Lightning Charm at the rear of the moving group of ponies as they entered the hall come halfway house. The assembled crowd stood nervously, talking discretely with their immediate neighbours. Cotton Flower walked slowly through the mass, the pegasi ahead of her clearing a path, until she reached a lectern at the head of the room.

"Good afternoon. I am entrusted to look after you until you get assigned a work role. This building will be where you sleep, eat, socialise, and remain until that happens." Cotton Flower paused, surveying the audience, watching their reactions. "I am a fair warden. Live carefully by me and these next few days can be happy and incident free. Those of you who already have a work assignment, you will be collected tomorrow morning. Those without will get ample opportunity over the coming days." She inhaled deeply. "Tomorrow afternoon the most influential ponies will be here to fill any vacancies they have. These will be the best positions available. Service positions, food preparation, guard duties, and so forth. Positions that grant higher amounts of autonomy, more generous ration cards, and better accommodation. Those of you who fail to impress will remain here for a further few days, this to allow other positions to be made available to you. Less favourable ones, but with some benefits." Cotton Flower paused for effect.

"If by some chance you fail even at that. You will be assigned a workhouse, factory, or farm to be a labourer in, or transported to another town. Everypony will have left my care inside a week." She glared at the crowd. "Make sure it is on good terms." Cotton Flower finished allowing Lightning Charm to direct the ponies to the sleeping quarters, and inform them of when meal times are. The bunk rooms were appalling; they stank of stale bedsheets and damp. The sad thing being that this would be the height of luxury, should a pony get assigned to menial labour. Standing rampant in the centre of the room was Twilight Sparkle. A limestone effigy depicting the unicorn mare around the time she first visited Ponyville. A tall earth pony took considerable care to spit at the statue's base before continuing to his bunk. Huddled next to him was a young filly, crying profusely as she lay in her mother's lap.

Iridescence lay spread-eagled on his bed staring up at the ceiling. He sighed and rolled over. Troubling thoughts over what led to the current situation played feverishly in his mind. If it wasn't for the gateau situation, he would never have been sent to Ponyville. After all who has a dozen live sparrows at a wedding? He sat up and surveyed the bookshelf opposite the bed. A golden yellow aura engulfed a large tome levitating it forward.

"'Equestrian Manifesto: Division of the Classes' Celestia that sounds dull." Iridescence sighed softly. He turned to the section on unicorns. "Due to the unicorn's increased magical gifts, it follows only logical that in the event of a societal collapse the unicorn race will end up in the higher positions of power..." Iridescence sighed wearily, before slamming the book shut. "Wow, that's dry." He turned the book over to check the author. 'Twilight Sparkle' Iridescence frowned in surprise. Leaving a workers' house a short distance away, a cream pegasi stallion began trotting elegantly. Wildfire strode confidently to Iridescence's lodgings. He had spent all afternoon preening himself and looked amazing. The evening sun caught on his furled wings making them appear a deep crimson red. He raised a hoof and rapped politely on the door. Iridescence opened it after a brief interval and smiled widely.

* * *

"Good morning everypony. It's five AM, and what a beautiful morning at that." Cotton Flower spoke loudly, standing alongside the statue of Twilight Sparkle. "Let us all be thankful to our weather stewards. Working tirelessly so that we may enjoy such great conditions." She said in a bright voice, as if daring somepony to not be thankful.

"Breakfast begins at half five. It will last fifteen minutes. If you fail to attend the next meal shan't be for another seven hours." Cotton Flower smiled gleefully. "Everypony needs to look their best today. That is if you want to work in a degree of luxury. Before the excitement of that though, some housekeeping wouldn't go amiss. Decide amongst yourselves who is preparing breakfast, and who is cleaning up afterwards." With that she strode out of the room, leaving Lightning Charm to glare threateningly at the bleary ponies. Two young mares took the opportunity to speculate on the situation.

"What did she mean; decide who prepares breakfast? If it's being prepared by us how can there be a set time." The copper coloured mare asked hushed.

"Maybe it was a veiled deadline." The pink mare opposite suggested.

"What happens if we don't meet it?" Retorted the copper mare. Lightning Charm walked silently behind them, and said, in the softest of voices:

"Then you goes hungry, don'tcha?" Both mares flinched at his presence. He cackled and strode away.

"I'll do it." the tall earth pony that spat at the statue sat up and announced. "Before being sent to this dump I pretty much did this every day." He shot a tired look at the bickering pair. "And maybe you fine ladies would like to help me? Hmm?" The stallion continued pointedly. He stood up and walked gracefully towards the kitchen. Even in his current state, his regal form was impressive. His bordeaux mane rich in the lamp-light, augmenting his caramel coat. A cutie mark of a bunch of grapes occupied his flank.

"Rouge, by the way. My mother was doting, but an idiot. Well? Are you coming or not?" The two mares were silent from shock. Then inched forward, embarrassed. Rouge entered the kitchen and sighed.

"Oh, what a disaster of a room. This just won't do. I remember the good days, when I worked in one of the..." He glanced behind him and stopped abruptly. "Oh well, no sense wallowing. To work." He lugged a bag of oranges from the scullery, that is, the shelf that could arguably be called a scullery, and turned to the pink mare.

"You there. Pink one. I assume you know how to squeeze oranges." Rouge stated incredulously.

"It's Sakura, and yes." She returned with a glare. Rouge smiled and threw her the bag.

"And you?" Rouge directed at the other mare.

"Autumn Lily..." She replied shyly. "I can prepare some oats for porridge if that's OK?"

"Wonderful. We have fifteen minutes."

Iridescence rolled over as he woke up, only to meet with some resistance. His nose buried in luxuriant cream feathers he inhaled deeply and sighed. Wildfire twitched slightly in his sleep as Iridescence got up and activated the clockwork coffee machine. Wildfire began to stir, stretching expansively as he awoke.

"Morning." Iridescence said gingerly. Wildfire jumped, his eyes widening in shock.

"I'm late. This is bad. I can't be late I need to be with Cotton Flower. The new arrivals need supervision... " Wildfire panicked as he paced about the bedroom.

"Don't worry about it." Iridescence intoned calmly, placing a hoof under Wildfire's chin. "I have spoken to Cotton Flower about getting you reassigned. Paperwork still needs to be official, but you're to become my valet." He gently stroked Wildfire's cheek.

"What if I don't want to be reassigned?" Wildfire asked bluntly.

"When has that ever mattered?" Iridescence spoke harshly. "We do what the paper says we are allowed to." He looked compassionately at Wildfire. "I wouldn't even need a valet if it weren't for my father sending me here. All because of the whole gateau thing. Sure, it was my sister's wedding. Yes, seventeen ponies were injured, but it was hardly my fault. Well mostly anyway." He looked forlorn.

"It's a better job than being a guard anyway. More autonomy, better accommodation. A good deal for you if you ask me."

"I didn't come here expecting to become your servant."

"No? Then you are deluded. Even as a guard for Cotton Flower you were my servant. Even if you were living in the highest pegasi household, you would still be my servant. Due to your race you are subservient to me; the only change is that now it's official."

"Are you saying I was born lower than you? You're the unicorn outcast. You are the shunned, pushed aside son. Yet you claim to be better than me?" Wildfire said forcefully.

"No. I do not say it. Society says it. Just as society dictates your worth it dictates mine. I respect pegasi; I just don't forget how your place is viewed." Iridescence retorted calmly.

At half past five Cotton Flower entered the kitchen, expecting to see disorganised chaos. She stood open mouthed at the food prepared before her. True it was made from cheap ingredients, and wasn't all that appetising, but it was edible, and prepared on time. She stared past the hotplate of fried eggs and saw the tureen full of porridge. Behind that three pitchers of orange juice sat.

"Good morning Cotton Flower." Rouge said with exaggerated politeness. "Are you here for breakfast?"

"No thank you. I wouldn't want to deprive my ponies of such a... Wonderful looking meal." Cotton Flower said in the most graceful manner she could. "I'm impressed at what you have managed though."

"Then I'll thank you kindly to step out of the way. Autumn Lily has already gone out with the toast racks, but the rest of this isn't going to shift itself." Rouge stated primly. Cotton Flower stared dumbfounded as the food was moved through. Nopony had ever succeeded at that. The whole point of the exercise was to watch ponies fail. Thoroughly demotivating them for the rest of the day. She felt like crying.

Cotton Flower then walked into the hall and froze. Sakura had rounded up a couple of ponies to help her set up the tables, and the room was bustling with the activity of ponies eating. Day one shouldn't go this well. The point of day one was to remind the lower races that they needed orders to get tasks done, not just direction. Cotton Flower, tears welling up stared at the scene of perfection before her. It was impossible. Then a thought struck her. Bringing her clipboard to face her she scanned it for the earth pony in the kitchen. The entry for Rouge was huge, taking up an entire page. Work history, family background, and level of education. Cotton Flower smiled, the exercise hadn't failed. The ponies were acting on order. Rouge was a pony to watch.

Iridescence got dressed into his orange waistcoat and cravat that he favoured. It was around six AM and he usually would walk about the streets of Manehattan at this point, checking out the market stalls as they opened.

"Wildfire? I'm going out." Iridescence called out, standing by the door.

"OK." Wildfire said calmly. Iridescence stood by the door a few moments, before sighing and calling out again.

"That means you're coming with me. Unless I say you are not to follow, it is assumed my valet will." Iridescence said brightly.

"It is? Oh." Wildfire said nervously trotting down the stairs. Iridescence caught sight of Wildfire, sighed again, and face-hoofed.

"Not looking like that though." He said resigned. "Come with me, let's get you dressed properly."

"What's wrong with how I look?" Wildfire asked incredulously.

"Nothing, you're adorable, but a gentlecolt of my standing needs a servant who looks the part. At the moment ponies will see a ruffian pegasi that just got out of bed." He led Wildfire to his dressing room, levitating a comb as he passed it. Running it through Wildfire's mane he smiled inwardly.

"You are to see a barber once a week. I will set a tab with my household. For the duration of the week you are to keep your mane tame." Wildfire looked in the mirror. His mane was now slicked back and flat. "We will be visiting a tailor this morning, and get you fitted for a suitable work outfit, and also some casuals, for when you have time off." With this Iridescence stripped Wildfire of the loose shirt he had put on.

"In the meantime..." Circling the pair now was a selection of dress shirts, waistcoats and ties. Iridescence scrutinised them carefully before proceeding to dress Wildfire in a white shirt, cream tie, and black waistcoat. "At the end of our outing you are to have these washed and returned to my wardrobe." He glanced at the front of Wildfire, shook his head and removed the cream tie, replacing it with a gold one. "On the subject of clothing, you are responsible with my laundry as well as yours, do not get them mixed up, and I expect of the morning my clothed laid out clean and pressed. Should there be a reason for me to change during the day I expect the same for my change of clothes." Iridescence looked at Wildfire and smiled. Lifting his chin and nuzzling into him he continued: "In public, and whenever I have guests, you are to refer to me as sir, and only engage in official conversation, unless I invite otherwise. I think that covers everything for now."

"These clothes are rather restrictive on my wings." Iridescence glanced behind him at the uncomfortable pegasi.

"That's because they were made for a unicorn of my build. Hence why our first stop is a tailor. You have lived here longer than me so you may direct me, but I have to be seen as leading."

Outside the door, the freshness of the morning air hit Iridescence, holding his head up he inhaled, tasting it. It was pleasant but alien to the tastes and smells of Manehattan. He sighed forlorn then started to walk, head high. The clock tower proclaimed it to be a quarter past seven. The old town was peaceful and quiet, with occasional birdsong, but just on the edge of sensation was the industrial new town; the sound of a thousand ponies trudging to their positions, the taste of coal on the southern breeze, and the skyline dominated by several large factory chimneys, choking the atmosphere, just above the cloud-line. Young unicorn foals were skipping about the cobbled streets, watched from a distance by their parents' staff. Iridescence laughed as a ball narrowly missed him. The yellow colt laughing also apologised and retrieved his toy. He had difficulty levitating it his magic not quite developed yet, but managed it on the third try.

"You fancy a game, mister?" The colt asked politely.

"I'm afraid not little fellow, but I may have a bit for a lad who can direct me to a good tailor." Iridescence intoned warmly with a slight wink.

"There's Higgins' down the road. But he don't half charge a front and back leg."

"Haha I'm sure he does." Keeping his promise Iridescence levitated out a bit and presented it to the colt; then with a sly glance added a second.

"Thanks mister." The colt said with wide eyes. Even though he probably got ten times that in pocket money, he showed respect for the generosity offered him for such a small piece of information.

"Don't spend it all on sweets." Iridescence called after the colt as he ran off.

"Is it wise to be giving your money to foals?" Wildfire asked politely, then remembering himself, added: "Sir?"

"Have you had much interaction with unicorn foals, Wildfire?"

"Well, no... Sir"

"He will be lavished upon, have vast riches spent on him, and yet he still respects the generosity of two bits. What does that say about society?"

"I'm not sure sir." Wildfire admitted grudgingly. Iridescence stopped outside a beautiful shop front. In the window fine suits and elegant dresses upon clothes horses beckoned.

"This must be the Higgins' the lad was referring to. It certainly looks a place that will charge extortionate fees." Iridescence said keenly. "Let's go in then."

The shop bell tinkled sweetly as the door swung shut. Inside was a plush interior of rich purples, vibrant blues, and elegant whites. Iridescence took a seat, and then shook his head when Wildfire motioned to do the same. A few moments later an elderly grey unicorn came trotting in from a back room. He looked flustered but keen.

"Gentlecolts, what can I do for you?" He spoke warmly, but with the cracks of age apparent in his voice.

"You're a Mister Higgins then I presume." Iridescence said in a bored voice. "This is my valet. He needs fitting for clothes suitable of my station."

"Actually there never was a Higgins, my late wife thought it sounded more fancy than Dawn Light. What makes you think you can afford my services?" Dawn Light said with the slightest of sneers. Iridescence returned with a slight smile, and presented the elderly tailor with a business card bearing a family crest. Dawn Light went even greyer and forced a smile.

"My mistake sir I didn't recognise you. Would your, er, valet like to come through?" Wildfire looked at Iridescence.

"Yes, I think he would." Iridescence said with a wide smile.

"Don't speak unless he speaks to you, mind your manners if such an occasion arises, and remember above all, you represent me, your mistakes are mine that will have detrimental effects on my already shaken standing." Iridescence whispered when Dawn Light was out of earshot. Wildfire opened his mouth to speak, and then shut it and nodded.

The population in the halfway house was slightly smaller; the pre-assigned ponies having been collected for their work roles. It was fast approaching lunch time and Rouge was preparing for another stint in the kitchen when Cotton Flower sidled behind him.

"What are they going to do this evening? Or tomorrow? You know, after you get your assignment?" Cotton Flower asked in veiled joy.

"What makes you so certain I'm going to be chosen this afternoon?" Rouge responded, matching her bluff.

"This." Cotton Flower held the clipboard for Rouge to see. She had highlighted a particular passage.

"I wasn't aware that information was given to you." He said slowly, swallowing. "How many of the employers coming here know that?"

"All of them. I made sure the more interesting candidates were known of. Means I can get a higher finder's fee. Particularly if several ponies want you." Cotton Flower said quietly. Letting it sink in.

"What you mean is I'll be sold to the highest bidder." Rouge said monotonously.

"Oh not at all. Nopony is being sold. You're being hired, I'm just your agent in that respect."

"If I don't like the employer... My agent chooses for me?" Rouge said carefully.

"The medical students always need practice. If an accident were to happen, a teaching hospital will always pay for... Training materials." Cotton Flower said veiling her threat with the skill of a master. She walked slowly away, allowing her words to settle.

"We are being sold though aren't we?" Autumn Lily asked quietly.

"I don't know little one. I just don't know." Rouge said, his voice heavy with despair.

* * *

Iridescence was about to leave Higgins' when a beautiful dress caught his eye. He glanced at Dawn Light in a questioning manner.

"That, oh what a piece of work that once was." Dawn Light said nostalgically. "That was a dress made quite a while ago, by a unicorn fashion designer who used to live here. You must have seen the shop that looks like a carousel. That was hers. I own copies of all her designs, but this is better than that even. This is her Gala dress. I wish you could see it in its prime." The old tailor was misty eyed.

"Well thank you, I really must be going." Iridescence glanced at Wildfire and directed him to follow. He did look amazing now; respectable amazing, like the higher end of butlers. The shirt and waistcoat complimented his pegasi body beautifully; the jacket was practical yet elegant. The door chimed merrily as the pair left.

"Good afternoon my little ponies." Cotton Flower forced a smile. She was getting sick of being this cheerful. "I need everypony to form a line. Organise yourself by race and gender, pegasi stallions through to earth mares." She indicated two opposite corners, giving direction on how to stand. While the ponies organised themselves Cotton Flower turned to the employers standing behind her. Locating the ones she desired to speak with Cotton Flower sidled over to them.

"Roselyn. Charmed to see you. I see you have brought your husband this time. A pleasure." Cotton Flower spoke with sincerity and bowed slightly.

"Yes, well you know how it is, the stallion always has to have his nose in. Or do you?" Roselyn drawled, clearly unimpressed with Cotton Flower's simpering.

"I suppose you want me to direct you to the more unusual ponies first?" Cotton Flower continued, acting oblivious to the not-really-an-insult.

"That would be welcomed. I would hate my time wasted on trash." She held her gaze slightly too long on Cotton Flower. Cotton Flower turned around, her eyes stinging. The congregation had managed to form a rough line. She immediately headed for Rouge and pulled him out. Along with a pegasus mare and Autumn Lily.

"You would think my own family might be a bit more considerate of me." Cotton Flower muttered under her breath. Roselyn strode forward, peering through her glasses at a clipboard.

"So this is the... Earth pony Rouge? Yes, he'll do." Roselyn said calmly. "You there, fellow, you're now head butler for my manor. I see you are used to this role. If you go the way of my last butler I shall have you quartered." Rouge swallowed.

"May I be so bold, ladyship, as to ask what happened with your last butler?" Rouge asked delicately.

"Before his tragic... Accident he was last seen running from my house, saddlebags full of silverware. Was that succinct enough for you?"

"Of course ladyship. Masterfully described."

"As to that funny business with your family, keep inside the line and it won't be mentioned." Roselyn said in her thick drawl.

"Thank you ladyship. You are too kind."

"I know. Blossomfall? Any of these take your fancy?" Roselyn turned to her husband who had been staring at his hooves.

"Hmm? Oh yes. That mare there, the coppery one. She'll be excellent company for Spirit Flame. He does get so lonely of the evenings." Blossomfall said in the voice of the henpecked husband. Autumn Lily whimpered slightly.

"I agree. Cotton Flower, here is your blood money." Roselyn said pointedly. "If you weren't such a disappointing niece I would invite you over for tea, but you are, so I shan't." She hitched up her skirt and marched to the door. "Come Blossomfall, we're leaving." Trudging behind the unicorn pair was Autumn Lily in tears, being held lightly by Rouge.

The door clicked shut as Iridescence returned home. Wildfire had already moved to the kitchen and was preparing a cup of tea.

"A lot of people about the town seemed to respond to your family crest. What exactly do they do?" Wildfire asked as he returned with tea. Iridescence passed him the card. A sable cloak upon a sable field, with the motto: Muros Aures Habent.

"'The walls have ears.' It's a loose translation. My family are the reason ponies dissapear." Iridescence stated simply.

Settling In

Wildfire walked as far as the brassworks with Iridescence. This was outside his comfort zone. Everywhere Iridescence looked, industry sapped at the life of the town. The manager caught sight of Iridescence, so called him over.

"You may go home Wildfire. When you are done with your housekeeping, the rest of the day is yours. I do, however, expect to be greeted with a bath drawn, and a meal when I return." Iridescence directed softly.

"Is that everything sir?" Wildfire asked carefully. Iridescence nodded then trotted towards the entrance.

"Good Morning. You are very nearly late." A small unicorn mare was addressing Iridescence. "I'm the manager of this site. I don't really need another foreman, but it was insisted upon. You may call me Kindle, though I am not your friend, nor your colleague." She frowned expectantly.

"Iridescence. Charmed I'm sure."

"Allow me to show you around." Kindle said bored, passing Iridescence a mask.

"What's this for?" Iridescence asked genuinely intrigued.

"How much do you know of brass?"

"It's an alloy of copper and zinc, used as a substitute for gold, due to its appearance and low friction." Iridescence stated.

"Here we are making brass fireboxes for steam driven machinery. The alloy therefore also contains lead and arsenic. Around two percent total is for that reason toxic. Being heated to nine-hundred degrees releases lead and arsenic fumes into the factory floor. Trust me, you want the mask." Kindle spoke quite without emotion.

"I assume a large number of workers die here then." Iridescence stated.

"I have an agreement with Cotton Flower. I can usually replace workers quickly."

"Let's begin the tour then." Iridescence said donning his mask. The two unicorns walked casually through the entrance and into the wall of heat.

"We don't prepare the alloy here; that is transported here monthly. We just perform the necessary casting and machining. Occasionally we do small commission orders for plating, or ornamentation." Iridescence took the details in of the machinery described to him, the processes and the dangers, but for the most part he was bored.

Autumn Lily had not slept well. She had been given a moderate bed along a wall in Spirit Flame's bedroom, despite the luxury presented to her; the situation was far from ideal. Spirit Flame clearly took after his mother, and was anything compassionate. He had been licentious, demanding, and ruthless in his treatment of her, yet remaining so polite and charming. She raised a front hoof and felt around her neck. The collar was a small but powerful symbol; denoting to the world her place and her role. It was such a simple object, a thick strip of leather with a metal ring protruding from it. A maid entered with her breakfast. The food was amazing, but the conditions attached to it just made it sickening.

"Morning miss." The maid said meekly. Autumn Lily looked at her distantly. She could see that her eyes were watering with held back tears. "I'm ever so sorry for you." She added before turning and retreating from the room.

Autumn Lily ate quickly. Spirit Flame was occupied with his own breakfast, downstairs with his family, but it wouldn't be long before he returned to play with his new toy. Sure enough, not long after she finished the door opened and the young stallion entered. He was light grey with a vibrant orange mane. Using his magic he dragged Autumn Lily by her collar to rest before him.

Rouge was sitting in his office, scheduling for a major dinner the family were hosting. A maid knocked politely on the slightly ajar door.

"Begging your pardon sir." She said meekly. "Only it's about Autumn Lily."

"You're supposed to be preparing for her ladyship's morning tea." Rouge said patiently. "But I'm sure you have a few minutes. Do come in."

"I was taking her breakfast, as requested, but, it just isn't right. Nopony should be treated like that." The maid practically wailed with grief. Rouge sighed and looked up from his ledgers.

"I agree, what Autumn Lily does is shameful and degrading. There is nothing I can do about it though. She has been assigned a job. All we can hope is she gets reassigned soon." He returned to the ledgers.

"But sir..."

"You have a job to do, which you are clearly redundant in as you have time to speak to me. I have a job to do which I cannot if you distract me with unsolvable problems. Would you have me jeopardise the thing that keeps me alive for an unwinnable moral crusade? Dismissed." He looked up and saw the shock on the maid's face. He sighed and continued more softly.

"I care a great deal, and when I can help I will. I can't right now though." A bell rang in the office. "If you will excuse me, his lordship requests my presence."

The rest of the tour had been dull, but Iridescence was suddenly very interested. The unicorns had arrived on the roof where a small team of pegasi stood. They watched the sky around the three protruding chimneys vigilantly. As they started spewing their coal based smog the pegasi quickly flew to cloud level, funneling the air above the brassworks.

"Here, we keep the new town from being engulfed in smog. The pegasi in our employ channel the smoke away from the town, towards the mountains, where pegasi, outside of our employ, have a constant downpour. This keeps the air somewhat clean." Kindle looked at Iridescence's piqued interest. "This is the only place where we cannot keep longterm foremen. It is cold, dull, and long. If you want, here is really the only place where you could be useful."

"You mean I could oversee your weather team? That actually sounds quite pleasant." Iridescence said keenly.

"You should find the journals of the previous foremen in the work shed over there. That should explain to you what you need to do. Heavens if I know." Kindle said bluntly. "Now I have a factory to manage. Any problems, please do hesitate to contact me. I want it to be life or death before I am disturbed. Direct any queries you have at some of the other site foremen. Good day."

"Lordship. You called for me." Rouge stated smoothly.

"Ah, Rouge, I fancied a walk about my estate, and wanted some company." Blossomfall said expansively. A hugely different person away from Roselyn.

"Very good sir. Shall I fetch your cloak?"

"In this weather, I think not. Much to warm to be bundled about like a pony at the winter's end festival." Blossomfall however did pass Rouge a jacket to put on. "I thought we might travel down to the orchards, such a beautiful smell at this time of year."

"Thank you, your lordship." Rouge said properly. Blossomfall chuckled to himself.

"Lad, you can call me Blossomfall. I never took to being a lord. I only married into the family after all."

"Would that be seemly sir?" Rouge asked concerned.

"Why wouldn't it be, I'm telling you to. The other staff are allowed the same. Of course Roselyn doesn't approve, but she can go suck lemons for all I care." The pair had made it to the entrance hall. As the doors opened, the smell of the old town warmed Rouge. It was so crisp and clean; the scents of fresh flowers and the market stalls in the distance. Instead of going into the town though, Blossomfall took a left and headed down a track following the river.

"Apparently Roselyn's family have owned Sweet Apple Acres for six generations. But of course you know this don't you?" Blossomfall said cryptically.

Rouge had to agree that Blossomfall was right about the orchard smelling wonderful. The summer breeze carried the scent of the apple blossom gently.

"That is, according to your work history, you served as head butler for her great-great-grandparents." Blossomfall said laying the sentence down sharply. Rouge inhaled deeply, they had reached the real reason for Blossomfall wanting company.

"Is there a problem with my work history, Blossomfall?" Rouge responded carefully.

"Not at all. I was just curious as to how you had been working for the last two-hundred years, yet look younger than me." He finished with a jovial laugh. "That's not the only curious thing in your file either though. The other matter of note is your family tree itself..." Blossomfall left the question unsaid.

"Are you asking me to account for these matters?" Rouge retorted delicately. The orchard was getting thicker and denser as they approached the oldest trees.

"I am curious to know, yes." Blossomfall stated; the warmth in his voice still present but diminishing.

"I was born before the unicorns took charge, to my doting parents. At the time of the takeover I was the product of a mis-performed age spell. This effectively slowed my aging some ten times. The reason I came to serve Roselyn's great-great-grandparents is that it was the only way they could keep me from being assigned to labour somewhere. I am the sad result of recessive genetics, an earth pony with unicorn parents." Rouge finished concisely.

"How did they come to own this fine orchard then?" Blossomfall asked intrigued.

"My grandfather and great uncle won a bet." Rouge said dismissively.

Reading through the journals was proving dry. It seemed that Iridescence's predecessors had codified every possible issue that might arise overseeing a weather team. 'In the event of a spinout', 'in the event of a large cloud coverage', 'in the event of accidental downpour creation', In the event of accidental hurricane creation', 'in the event of accidental tornado creation', 'in the event of the sound barrier being broken', Iridescence's favourite 'in the event of catastrophic failure from an unknown source' and many others. The sad thing was each eventuality had near the same given solution: clear affected pegasi from site and get local weather stewards to help tidy up.

He looked up and saw a black swirling mass being guided north of Ponyville. The downpour being made by pegasi at the base of the mountains would wash the majority of the smog into the ground, making the nearby pastures and fields carbon rich. Though at the immediate site a mire of black swamp was fed constant water. Once a month even more pegasi would arrive to funnel excess water away to Cloudsdale to be purified and used as rainwater again. To Iridescence the system looked like a glorious display of the pegasus form. The first team landed back on the roof as the second team took over. A purple stallion caught Iridescence's attention as he settled himself.

"You know Rouge, I have rather enjoyed this chat. My last butler was nowhere near as keen to engage with me." Blossomfall said warmly. "But I see something troubles you. Would you care to divulge, or should I just go ahead and assume it's Autumn Lily." Rouge's shock must have shown in his face for Blossomfall smiled slyly. "Oh come now. Like I wouldn't have noticed. Spirit Flame is a fine lad, but perhaps too boisterous to be trusted with the care of such a delicate pony, that is what you are thinking am I right?"

"As astute as I would expect your lordship." Rouge said monotonously.

"Yes, well I'm sure we could come to an arrangement there. The maid who is serving tea to my wife. Maybe she could take over that role. Though of course if that happened, it would be your decision, not mine." Blossomfall gave a slight smirk. "How do you want to play this then?" He asked after a slight pause. Rouge looked at him stunned. He swallowed and looked away.

"That is a difficult area for me to make a decision on your lordship," Rouge began, "but I do know what my decision is."

Spirit Flame sat stroking Autumn Lily's mane gently. He held her head up in such a manner that she was forced to look directly into his eyes. He smiled sweetly and looked at her with warmth.

"You know, you are the nicest thing daddy has ever got me. I'm so glad Cotton Flower made sure you were chosen." He shifted his position slightly so that he may lounge more comfortably. "I've never seen anything as amazing as you." He ran his other front hoof across her chest, playing with her soft down. Autumn Lily gave a slight flinch as this contact. His face fell slightly and he sighed.

"I had really hoped you would be warmer towards me by now. Still, no matter." He leaned in and kissed her, holding her head against his until she stopped trying to pull back. Tears streaming, Autumn Lily resigned herself and waited.

* * *

A young Iridescence sat before an elderly grey unicorn. In a finely lit plush drawing room the grey unicorn stallion reclined in a rich armchair. He was scrutinising a sketch Iridescence had drawn. The radio in the background played a slightly eerie note, just on the edge of hearing.

"Do you like it father? It is a sketch of you. " Iridescence said feeling numb.

"It is. However it is too good." The elderly Unicorn said cryptically. Iridescence found it difficult to remember hearing the words he now knew were just said. Father passed the sketch back to Iridescence. The shadows in the room gradually lengthened. Iridescence paused as he looked at the page. It didn't look how he thought he remembered it, but at the same time he couldn't remember what he thought it looked like.

"Why is it too good Father?"

"Ponies don't like being reminded of their mediocrity." The noise from the radio had become more sharp and shrill. It had also gradually increased in volume.

"Here is a picture your elder sister did." Father had held a picture before Iridescence. He looked at it blankly, it was a crude crayon drawing of a stick pony, and Iridescence couldn't recall how the old stallion had come to have it so readily about his person.

"That was what my sister was drawing at my age?" The room felt muggy and slow.

"Actually she drew that yesterday." Father said distantly. Iridescence took the picture and stared at it for an indeterminate period of time. The room felt darker, even though the ambient lighting hadn't changed. He looked back up at his father and tried to scream. Where the unicorn's eyes should have been was two large gaping holes of total darkness. His mouth had been stretched to grotesque proportions, and appeared stuffed with turnips.

Iridescence slowly backed away, the father-thing followed, insects crawling from the eye sockets. Iridescence hit the wall, incapable turning around he stood transfixed as father lunged forward. He managed to scream and found himself staring at his ceiling. Iridescence sighed and checked the clock on the bedside table. It was only three AM.

"Are you OK sir?" Wildfire had entered the room and was out of breath. "Only I heard you screaming." Iridescence stared at Wildfire shocked.

"I... Yes... Just a little shaken is all." Iridescence said blandly. "Some weird horseapples dream." He held his hoof out and pressed it against Wildfire's cheek. "Could you spend tonight in here?" He asked timidly. "I don't want to be alone."

"Of course" Wildfire agreed gently.

"You know, I can't remember the dream anymore, just the fear." Iridescence sighed. "Everything just felt wrong." Wildfire got underneath the bedcovers and held Iridescence tightly. The unicorn was shaking with fear and stress.

"My father was there. He changed into something." Iridescence said quietly.

"It's OK. It's over now, I'm here." Wildfire said softly, his voice leaking compassion.

"This world. It isn't right." Iridescence continued in monotone.

"If you like we can discuss this in the morning. But you need sleep." Wildfire responded gently.

"Thank you." Iridescence buried his head into Wildfire's chest and started crying.

* * *

Iridescence sat nursing his coffee. He felt thoroughly sick. Wildfire sat opposite looking calmly at him.

"What do you know of the uprising?" Iridescence asked after an interval.

"Very little, I know it happened, I know my place, nothing more. Education for non unicorns doesn't contain a heavy history curriculum."

"It takes a lot to take power on such a large scale so quickly. A great deal of atrocities were committed." Iridescence paused and sipped his coffee. "Cloudsdale was the last city to fall. The pegasi were hardest to take."

"Harder than Canterlot? I would have thought with the princesses that a greater resistance would have been met." Wildfire asked confused.

"Age had dulled them. They had become too good at bringing forth day and night, and nothing else." Iridescence looked at Wildfire curiously. "Would you like to hear about the uprising?" Wildfire looked stunned for a moment.

"So few non unicorns would ever learn details of it." Wildfire said in a slight awe. "I'm sure it would be interesting." Iridescence smiled.

"Going back just over two hundred years, there was an Equestria with the three races living in an uneasy balance. Each race had major cities and towns where they had dominance, either through history, or population. This was shortly after Nightmare Moon had been defeated, and princess Luna returned. A powerful unicorn mare had been studying with princess Celestia, and not only was her talent magic, she embodied the element of magic. Back when the elements of harmony had power. She was a great scholar and academic, and passed her knowledge onto the most gifted unicorns of her age. The unicorns that realised the superiority of our race." Iridescence fetched a small tin containing biscuits before continuing.

"It took years of planning, and careful coordination to get the coupe ready to execute. The first step was taking out the alicorn princesses. The exact methods of this are lost to history, but unicorn magical scholars offer many theories. Once no assistance from the alicorns was available, the major cities were targeted simultaneously. Earth pony and unicorn cities were very quickly captured, using a combination of siege and destruction." Iridescence looked pensive for a moment. "Do you know what a parasprite is?" Wildfire shook his head, transfixed.

"It's a small insect capable of devouring entire ecosystems. It's thought to have magical origins, but more importantly the technique of conjuring them was discovered by Twilight Sparkle. Once created, a parasprite will devour all crops surrounding it, while being incredibly fertile and asexual. After a few minutes of life, if it has eaten sufficiently, it can grow and regurgitate another. Being of magical creation they are heavily susceptible to magical influence and can be charmed to devour anything the caster wishes them to. A single unicorn could in theory, conjure a parasprite, hold it in a town with a forcefield, and change its dietary cravings; wiping out the entire town of pony life while still retaining all buildings and food. Once satisfied, the unicorn can then magically remove the subsequent swarm from existence, and repopulate the town as seen fit." Iridescence stopped, noting the shock on Wildfire's face.

"Unicorns can do that? That's horrific." He said aghast.

"Oh darling, that's just the start of what unicorns can do. That method alone quelled the more unruly towns. The small towns and villages, you understand; nowhere of huge significance. Unicorns can transform objects, even living beings. Ever been turned into fruit? Some unicorns could do that to you. Then there is the ability to reverse gravity, or some interesting work with teleportation spells. Then we get to the large cities; important places that cannot just be destroyed. Places like Manehattan, or Canterlot had a large enough unicorn population that they needed little persuasion, but the airborne pegasi had their vast dwellings in the sky. Even with wing spells and cloudwalking, these places were beyond the reach of unicorns. Then the idea occurred, a spell performed by Twilight's brother might yield a solution: A protection spell that stops all ponies and objects decided by the caster from passing. A spell that was large enough to envelope a city yet could be maintained by a few ponies. It only took six unicorns working in two-pony shifts over a two month period to break Cloudsdale. It was the longest part of the entire operation. Everything else had been completed inside the first fortnight." Iridescence looked both proud and sickened.

"How do you know about this?" Wildfire asked in shock.

"My mother was one of the six unicorns who held Cloudsdale under siege. My father on the other hoof wiped out Fillydelphia with a parasprite."

"But that's two hundred years ago." Wildfire stated stunned.

"The three major unicorn family heads are kept alive through age spells, along with some other notables and dignitaries. The empress is a filly from Twilight Sparkle's age. A young mare groomed for the role and kept in check by the major families." Iridescence smiles humourlessly. "Now they each head a different part of government; my family heading policing from their offices in Manehattan. A combination of teleport spells and time spells keeps most of the serious offences in check. The minor ones are handled through subcontracted pegasi."

"Time spells?" Wildfire asked after a slight pause. He looked dazed with the sudden new information he had been given.

"Yes, objects and ponies can travel through and alter time. Basically an intray is kept, and notes from future unicorns on what offences are about to be committed are sent back, the office receives them, waits till the time and date mentioned on the note, then sends the note back in order to avoid a paradox."

"If your parents are so old how are you so young?" Wildfire asked bemused.

"They have a foal every fifty years or so. Few of my past siblings have opted for age spells, those that did, didn't for long. I have a nephew who is ten times my age though."

"Rouge, my lad, it has been a full day, and you still haven't told me your decision." Blossomfall said jovially. Rouge passed a copy of today's newspaper, and smiled.

"I feel my decision will make more sense after the soiree you are hosting tonight." Rouge said politely, turning to face Blossomfall.

"Ah yes, that dinner tonight. I trust the staff are prepared." Despite Blossomfall clearly making a statement, Rouge offered his agreement. "But before that," Blossomfall continued, "Starlight's nanny has managed to displease Roselyn. She is being disposed of at the moment, but somepony needs to fetch Starlight from school. I want you to assess your staff, and give one the new role as part of their existing job."

"After much careful thought," Rouge began, "I have come to the conclusion that I am most fitting for the role. May I enquire as to how the nanny is being disposed of?" Rouge finished, questioning.

"Why, the same way as all staff members when Roselyn dismisses them." Blossomfall gave a slight smile.

"On a lighter note sir, you are invited to attend a dinner hosted by Lord Blossomfall and Lady Roselyn this evening." Wildfire said brightly.

"Oh well, life can't all be fun and games. Roselyn is a shrew, Blossomfall is a pompous arrogant mule and their foals no better than the spawn of Cerberus." Iridescence looked up at the ceiling. "Any indication as to who else will be in attendance?"

"The boy that passed the message on said it would be a family affair." Wildfire said reasonably.

"Well at least it won't all be bad. The local dignitaries will also be invited I'm sure." Iridescence looked brightly at Wildfire. "Though you can't attend with me, I am going to request that we walk to Ponyville Manor together. I have plans for this evening."

Keeping up Appearances

Pearl Ring held herself with purpose as she addressed her class. The young unicorn foals watched as she moved between desks scrutinising work. A mathematics session had just concluded, and the task was to justify, using geometric rules, why points on a rotating circle travel at different speeds. The further from the centre, the faster it would travel.

"Excellent work today class." She said with a warm smile. "You've all managed to provide a formula showing how to calculate the speed, but who wants to explain why this is the case?" She cast an expectant gaze about the room. A filly towards the back raised a hoof.

"Even though the points all exist on the same moving plane, it would be correct to think of each point forming its own circle. While the number of revolutions each circle performs is uniform, as the circumference of each circle differ, a point on a larger circumference has to travel a greater distance in the same amount of time, hence it is moving through space at a greater speed." The filly inhaled deeply after speaking without drawing breath. Pearl Ring looked shocked briefly, then rallied and smiled brightly.

"That's quite right Starlight. I shall put a star on your chart." Pearl Ring produced from her desk a small sticker sheet, removed a golden star sticker, and stuck it to a chart on the rear wall of the classroom. Pearl Ring was impressed with her class this year. None were older than six, yet in the space of an afternoon they had managed to navigate a geometrical problem that some adult ponies would have difficulty with. Starlight's explanation had further impressed though, as it took the mathematical concept and explained why it worked, not that it just did.

"That's it for today class, I want your homework Monday morning." Pearl Ring opened the door and allowed the foals to flood out into the playing field. Parents had congregated to collect their foal, and were leading their respective charges out of the school gates. Rouge neatly stepped up to Pearl Ring and gave a polite smile.

"I've been sent by lord Blossomfall and lady Roselyn to collect a young filly, Starlight, miss. Could you direct me to her?" Rouge asked cheerfully.

"Where's the usual mare?" Pearl Ring asked with slight suspicion.

"She regrettably upset her ladyship, so lady Roselyn has graciously allowed her to fertilise the lawn."

"That does sound like my sister-in-law. Do you have any credentials to back this up though?" Pearl Ring asked kindly, suspicion evaporating.

"I have a note bearing the family crest, and Lord Blossomfall's signature." Rouge said smartly, passing them to Pearl Ring. Starlight had wondered over and nodded at her for confirmation.

"Well this all seems in order, Starlight is behind you now, so I'm sure she is anxious to get home. It has been a pleasure meeting you mister... Uh?"

"Rouge, miss, just Rouge. I am head of the household, after the last one made a career choice that resulted in him... Fertilising the lawn somewhat."

"Yes, it's a wonder Roselyn has any staff at all. Do pass on that I plan on attending this evening. And maybe you'd like to do some table service? So that I may see you about." Starlight had got bored, and was now playing with a couple of colts and a small rubber ball.

"Of course miss, now I must be leaving, lest her parents worry." Starlight had evidently lost, threw the ball violently into a colt's face and stormed towards Rouge looking angry and determined.

"I take it you know what you are doing tonight then." Iridescence stated calmly to Wildfire.

"Yes, I should manage it well, sir."

"Excellent, I shall probably call you to see me after the main is served." Iridescence said brightly. The pair were walking through the old town towards one of the parks. Inside its confines a water fountain, depicting an elegant unicorn mare, water spouting from her horn, was the subject of many of the passing ponies. A small brass plaque affixed to the basin bore the legend: 'Glory to the unicorn empress. May her reign be long and fruitful.'

"This is clearly a new representation." Iridescence said dismissively. "For the last two hundred years Sweetie Belle has been kept a filly. She doesn't now look a day over twenty, and has been twenty for the last thirty years."

"That would mean the empress has been the same pony since the uprising." Wildfire said in shock.

"But why would they keep her a filly?" Wildfire asked after a short pause.

"Do you honestly believe she's in charge?" Iridescence said bluntly. "Until recent years it's been useful to have a filly for empress, the only reason she was allowed to age was so that she may marry and have foals."

"Has she?" Wildfire enquired.

"Aye, my sister is actually married to her first born. That raised my family's already high prestige."

"I'm suprised Sweetie Belle didn't marry one of your family herself."

"Hmm? Oh she did. My great-great-great nephew through my long deceased sister Roseblood. I never met her."

"So her child," Wildfire began.

"Skylark." Iridescence added during the pause.

"So Skylark is married to his great-great-great-great aunt?" Wildfire said slowly, straining to think as to how many generations he had to account for.

"That's five degrees of non-direct separation. It's hardly inbreeding." Iridescence retorted seeing Wildfire's veiled point.

"It just seems a little odd to me, sir. I wouldn't be able to think I had married a relative, no matter how distant."

"Non-unicorns aren't of the same interest to heraldic ponies. I'm afraid if you want to be certain of no relationship, you're going to have to plot your own tree. Otherwise nopony would question if you ended up with your sister, mostly because nopony important would care." Iridescence said dismissively.

Rouge stood imposing in the kitchen; he gave a cursory glance at the activity around him. Around him the activity of minor chefs going about preparation work on ingredients, dogsbodies entering and leaving from various stores and marketplaces, service staff milling about discussing course logistics. Rouge smiled. He felt at home for the first time in weeks. There came a loud hiss as the first oil hit a pan.

The main course was about to be prepared. A tomato and parsnip potato cake served on a bed of spinach with caramelised carrots. The soup starter having been prepared in the morning, and was now sitting in its tureen awaiting a reheat and serve.

A young mare ran past carrying a bowl of finely diced onion, she tripped on one of the flagstones and dropped it. Thankfully, the bowl remained intact, but the onion was strewn about the kitchen. Rouge rapped his hoof against the central table.

"You, clean and you, dice some more onion." He barked, pointing at two random milling staff. Rouge looked down at the fallen mare. "Merryweather, perhaps you would like to go down to the scullery and collect some garlic cloves. Next time don't run, and consider yourself lucky the bowl didn't break. Roselyn is about ready to dismiss ponies for breathing too loudly at the moment, this evening is too important to the lordships."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Merryweather stammered, she burst into tears and walked quickly to the next room. Rouge signalled to a waiter.

"Lemon Promises, go and check on her will you. And for Celestia's sake do not let anyone from upstairs see the state she is in!" The stallion trotted smartly after Merryweather. Yes Rouge was home; nothing like the politics of the world below stairs, a brutal cut-throat world. He checked the large kitchen clock and strode over to the maid who handled Autumn Lily.

"Spirit Flame will be with his father now, surveying the estate. It's prudent you take this opportunity to take Autumn Lily some food, as you will be too busy with the dinner later to do so." Rouge spoke uncharacteristically gently. "If all goes to plan though, this will be the last time you have to take her food."

"You have a way of helping her? That's great news." She exclaimed cheerfully.

"If it doesn't work... I'm sorry for what the alternative is." Rouge said pained.

"What's the alternative?" The maid asked uneasy.

"Just... Hope." Rouge stated ending the conversation. The maid walked over to the salad chef and received a bowl of the pasta dish for the evening. it had a rich creamy garlic sauce that made her mouth water at the smell. She placed a cover on it and began her ascent to the household. Sighing with each heavy step she trudged to the second floor of the manor and rapped politely on Spirit Flame's door. It swung open and a bedraggled Autumn Lily fell upon the bowl with rapture. Her fur was matted with traces of blood, and she stank of sweat and neglect. Clearly Spirit Flame had yet to allow her to bathe, or perhaps hadn't thought of it, being hardly the most practical pony.

"Are you OK?" The maid asked before realising how stupid the question was. She looked apologetically at the mare, as she delved deeply into the bowl. "I'll just leave you to it then." She finally said awkwardly before sidling out of the room.

Cotton Flower surveyed the last of her charges, truly the most pitiful ponies left, tomorrow the workhouses, farms and factories would bid over the cretins that were left, for the cheap labour they could provide. She informed them of this gleefully.

"Oh and by the way, I have a dinner to attend tonight, with the local lordships, so I'll be able to get a good feel as to who is going to be hiring you tomorrow." She stalked out of the room, slamming the entrance door to the hall dramatically. She smiled and breathed in the heavy evening air. Making her way home she started planning her outfit for the upcoming event.

Pearl Ring sat in front of her mirror as her handmaid dressed and styled her mane. This was going to be a great evening of food, company and entertainment. Moving from her seat, the handmaid followed her to a dressing room, and watched as Pearl Ring scrutinised some of the best in pony fashion. After a short time, she selected a dress reminiscent of classical Rarity, a rich royal blue dress with vivid peacock feathers sewn into it.

* * *

Rouge stood poised in the entrance hall; opposite the open double doors he graciously accepted coats, hats and bags handed to him, before directing them to the dining hall, where Lemon Promises waited to seat the nobility. The seating plan alone had taken hours to perfect. Using careful detailed references to family trees, business connections, and wealth, Rouge had determined each pony's worth, and seated them in accordance; those of highest standing sitting closest to the hosts. He smiled warmly as Cotton Flower strode loftily up the path. Her mane had already lost its form in the slight evening breeze, and her dress was slightly too large on her.

"Good evening madam." Rouge said brightly. "And what a fine evening at that. We should be thankful to our weather stewards." He said in genuine cheerfulness. Cotton Flower glared at him.

"Oh do shut up." She said abruptly before shoving a coat and bag at him. Rouge had no sooner deposited the belongings when the crunch of hoofsteps up the drive alerted him to another arrival.

"Good evening sir." Rouge said with his usual manner. "I am pleased to inform you that you shall be sitting directly to the left of the head of the table." Iridescence smiled slightly.

"Good to see you Rouge. Nice place you got yourself here. Shame about the owners." Iridescence gestured slightly at Roselyn and grimaced.

"I couldn't possibly comment sir." Rouge said smiling. "Though I do envy the fact that you get the privilege of sitting next to her all evening."

"Yes, I'd liken it to going to hell, but it would appear my body hasn't given me the courtesy of death before allowing me to be subjected to it." Iridescence said smile not wavering.

"What of your valet sir? Is he joining us below stairs this evening?" Rouge said returning to business.

"Wildfire? Yes, I may call on him at some point, but in the meantime he can make himself useful I'm sure." Iridescence nodded at Wildfire and pointed to around the side of the house.

"You should find the servants' entrance, it is not seemly for a staff member to enter through the main entrance, unless at the explicit request of the lordship." He leaned in to whisper briefly into Wildfire's ear. "Remember why you are here. You won't have more than a couple of hours."

"Lemon Promises will direct you to your seat. Have a pleasant evening." Rouge finished with a wider smile than normal. Iridescence returned it and strode confidently into the dining hall. Rouge checked his list; only one pony remained to attend. Pearl Ring came into the glow of the open doorway looking majestic. Her appearance alone would have put Cotton Flower to shame, if not for the dozen guests already seated.

"Rouge. I trust I find you well." Pearl Ring said softly.

"Quite, miss. I understand Roselyn is eager to start the first course."

"Oh she was never one for patience." Pearl Ring said handing Rouge her peacock headdress.

The table was awash with noise and activity. Everypony was talking with their immediate neighbours, and all thought was on speculation of the wonders of the evening. To Iridescence's right was Spirit Flame, and opposite was Cotton Flower.

"Cotton Flower!" Iridescence said expansively. "You look as amazing as ever." He said carefully hiding the irony.

"Oh I suppose I do." Cotton Flower said flattered; missing the insult entirely.

"Is your charming sister attending tonight?" Iridescence asked already knowing the answer.

"The harlot is down at the bottom of the table." Cotton Flower said venomously. Starfall perked her head up at her mention.

"You OK up there sis?" Starfall called up. "Only I heard you debasing my choices some more." She continued, wielding a fork threateningly.

"If my sister wishes to make use of a filthy pegasi mare for whatever release she gets, so be it. But to claim her as a partner, Starfall is just making a mockery of our supremacy." Cotton Flower said spitting. "You have no right to be a unicorn."

"I choose to find love where I may. Just because Dusk isn't some perfect unicorn stallion, and a cousin doesn't mean I cannot love her!" Starfall rose from her seat, every piece of silverware rising with her.

"For the love of Celestia shut up!" Roselyn slammed her hoof against the table. "As far as I'm concerned you're both equally disappointing."

"And just what makes me so much of a failure darling aunt?" Cotton Flower yelled forcefully at Roselyn.

"You, dear niece, are a jumped up slaver living on blood money through your parents' death, and pony trafficking." Roselyn said with Icy preciseness. "I would even go as far to say your parents died of shame." Ponies gathered about the table gasped in shock, and muttered variations of 'I say', and 'Dear Celestia'.

"Have you no shame? I have no slaves, there are no slaves, and I fulfil a vital need for our society." Cotton Flower said slowly.

"I have heard what your workers are put through and expect after assignment. Frankly I agree with Aunt Roselyn." Starfall said in an acidic manner. "I saved Dusk from the degradation of her labour."

"Don't you pander to me you filthy whore. I approve not of your lifestyle choices. I would not care if you settled down with a nice unicorn mare, but she is not one of us and your relationship is a sham." Roselyn roared down the length of the table. Iridescence smiled satisfied and rolled his neck. The fine gold chargers rose in a blue aura, and circled around Roselyn's head; she glared threateningly at her nieces. Not wanting to be left out, Cotton Flower lifted the fine candelabras from the table, and held them before her. The flames flickered with increased intensity as she poured her magic into them.

"With me your precious Dusk would have had a future, a career and a position, What do you give her?" Cotton Flower said angrily.

"With me she actually has all of that." Starfall said simply.

"If you wish to sympathise with filth, you have no place in this household." Roselyn spat ferociously. Blossomfall rose slowly, and caused the raised paraphernalia to drop to its original places with a large white flash.

"Roselyn have you no shame? You would turn your niece out, destroy our dinner, and ruin our credibility in one evening?" Blossomfall stated sharply. "The three of you mares ought to return to your seats and learn to tolerate each other, at least until the dinner has concluded." Muttering, the mares sat carefully avoiding each other's gazes. Servants had begun to bustle about with bread selections as soup was served. Rouge walked behind Iridescence and held a tray on his back. He gave a slight smile when Iridescence noticed him.

"You know, aunt Roselyn, there is another at the table..." Cotton Flower began glaring at Iridescence with a mixture of spite and anticipation. Iridescence took a slight sip of his drink as Cotton Flower's chair slid backwards slightly, causing her to face plant into her soup.

"What was that darling?" Roselyn asked spitefully. "Oh, I see you are eating like the filth again. We unicorns have cutlery for a reason." Roselyn's horn glowed blue as the chair slid back to it’s original position. Cotton Flower lifted her head, purple aura gripping Roselyn's shawl, and cleaned her sopping face.

"Oh I am so terribly sorry; it seems the soup in my eyes caused me to mistake your shawl as a napkin." Cotton Flower said in mock apology. Roselyn opened her mouth to speak, but Blossomfall placed a meaningful hoof on her shoulder.

"I think it best we move on to the next course, we have already lost so much time..." Blossomfall said gently. Lemon Promises gave a signal to the lesser waiters and the empty soup dishes were collected. Iridescence tapped the waiter who came for his bowl on the shoulder.

"Be a dear and send my valet up. I have some important matters to clarify with him." Iridescence stated simply.

"Is that wise, Iridescence?" Blossomfall said meaningfully.

"I'm afraid this is a matter of urgency that cannot wait until the conclusion of dinner. I beg your sincere forgiveness." Iridescence said politely.

"I suppose I cannot refuse you a reasonable request." Blossomfall said sedate. The servant nodded and left the dining room. After a few moments Wildfire entered the room and stood alongside Iridescence. A brief hushed exchange took place, and then Wildfire left discretely.

"I have just learned something rather interesting." Iridescence said with grim care. Rouge smiled obliquely. "It would appear one of Cotton Flower's charges, sorry, ex-charge, is huddled in a room upstairs." Iridescence glared at Spirit Flame. "I understand she is being used as a consort to satisfy your ends."

"If daddy chooses to buy me a sex slave, then that is his business." Spirit Flame said stupidly. Blossomfall held his head against a hoof.

"I see, and though I loath to do this, I agree with Cotton Flower. These ponies are not slaves. They may be subject to our will, but willingly because of our power, not forcibly because we use it." Iridescence said carefully.

"How dare you question my family's treatment of its servants." Roselyn said bitterly.

"Darling, hold your tongue, uppity unicorns will not help this issue."

"What do you know of how to behave? You're a social outcast, turned aside by your own parents." Roselyn began. "I was at your sister's wedding, and you acted quite the fool." She spat angrily, "I beg you to remember yourself before you pass judgement on my conduct and my family's affairs."

"Out of the two of us, I am not the one who is failing to remember who I am!" Iridescence rose and stared down Roselyn. "I may be an outcast, I may be shunned, I may have little social standing. But by my birth-right, and my political standing, I am the second most powerful unicorn in Equestria, and you should be grateful I see fit to attend your pompous overbearing charade of a dinner. Why even genetically I am superior to you. I am your damned great-great-bloody-great uncle through Roseblood, and your great uncle through Summer Dew for pony's sake. I hold the power to Equestria's throne through my brother-in-law, and my family controls the law governing agents that hold our society together, to which I am the sole willing heir." He swung round to face Spirit Flame.

"You, sir, are a disgrace to our fair race, you treat your underlings with such disgusting habits and practices that you are the reason so many of them hate our presence. We may be the superior race, but if we wish to hold the peace we now enjoy, we must treat those beneath us with respect, and a modicum of care." He slammed a hoof against the table. "I am relieving you of her care, and placing her into my direct employment. Consider her re-assigned. If I so much as hear you have replaced her, I will not rest until every brick in this manor is torn down, and your family forced into poverty; working for the ponies you currently call equals." He stared at the assembled ponies.

"And the same goes for the rest of you. Have servants, acknowledge your superiority, but treat those ponies who serve you with common decency. Wildfire will collect the poor mare this evening before leaving, but I feel remiss in spending another minute in your presence." Iridescence left the room violently slamming the door behind him. Blossomfall, stared blankly, then turned to Rouge.

"Now that the point has been rendered moot, would you be so kind as to tell me what your decision would have been?" He asked softly.

"Yes, your lordship. I decided to wait for Iridescence to hear about it." Blossomfall looked stunned momentarily.

"Well played." He said finally.

The Aftermath

Iridescence sat awkwardly in his parlour. His mother had decided to visit, and was scrutinising the décor with vivacity. She held herself aloof comfortable in the knowledge that she looked amazing; a deep midnight blue coat with a vibrant gold mane. The clock ticked loudly, each second being sliced away with abandon.

"You are living above your station son." Mother said as if standing a great distance from him.

"I do not understand how you came to that conclusion." Iridescence said curiously. The clock had become aggravating and Iridescence was contemplating throwing it out of the window; each relentless tick forcing the notion of time passing.

"Your living standard is too high. Others will judge you, they will not approve, you will remind them of their shortcomings." She said coldly. Iridescence looked out of the window, the ledge seeming higher and more daunting than before. The sky outside was a wintry grey, the sun blocked out by a layer of cloud. The clock had started to cloud his thoughts, its tick driving deep into his conscious.

"Why cannot others enjoy my prowess and prosperity with me? Why must I hide it?" Iridescence said feeling numb. The chair he was sitting on was becoming uncomfortable; Golden Jubilee, while Iridescence's mother, wasn't his favourite pony to be around by himself.

"For the same reason I did not allow you to perform. Your talents are notwithstanding, and that is their problem. Without modesty ponies will ridicule and judge. Ponies will use and shame you. I only care for your livelihood." Iridescence noticed she had become very close to him.

"Which is why I must do this, for your own good." Magic flared as blue flames rose around the chair; Iridescence stood shocked, but was unable to leave the fiery circle. The floorboards beneath him began to creak threateningly, their groans adding to the noise of the clock; the clock, how Iridescence longed to destroy it. The floor collapsed, falling into an impossible void, Iridescence sat up and gasped.

Four thirty-seven. He hung his head. The dream had felt so real, so terrifying, and to fear his mother like that shook Iridescence. He turned the lamp on and fell back onto his pillow. After a pause he turned his attention to the bookshelf. 'Equestrian Manifesto: Division of the Classes' lay unattended from his last visit to the collection. He brought the book to his attention again, and decided to turn to the section on pegasi.

"The pegasus is the only pony with the inherrent ability to fly, for this reason, pegasi will take secondary priority in any post collapse society. Their flight while not surpassing the advantages of magic, give the pegasi a significant physical advantage, their history being militaristic, and their culture based around physical prowess, see the pegasi as likely guards, soldiers, and peacekeepers, more akin to mercenary classes than true working class." Iridescence paused to think of what he knew of pegasi history. He realised very little.

"Pegasi also seem to have direct influence over the weather, to greater avail than unicorns possess, so, most likely, those that do not act in a mercenary fashion will continue to form the weather patterns required, for the governing bodies of their respective community. This duality of role will most likely create a rift between superior and inferior pegasi, forming a microcosm of a power struggle. This will go un-noticed by the governing bodies however, who will view them as pegasi, equal down to the last feather." Iridescence smiled at the thought of feathers. He began to wonder if the pegasi really did divide; whether Wildfire, being a guard, saw himself as more valued than the weather teams working in the skies.

The thought of burying his muzzle into the soft, plush wings counteracted any interest in pegasi politics however. He yawned expansively and remembered how tired he was. Turning off the lamp he laid his head back onto the pillow and closed his eyes.

* * *

The sound of birdsong roused Autumn Lily. This was novel, for the past three days, she had been awoken quite forcefully by Spirit Flame. She sat up slowly and gazed around the room. This wasn't the luxuriant settings of his bedchambers, but rather a more modest town house servant's quarters.

A bath had been drawn for her, and a simple, but comfortable work dress had been laid out beside it. She steadied herself on her hooves and shuffled over to the lukewarm water. It was just a simple tin bath with a foot of water in it, but was the most relaxing enjoyable moment she had had since coming to Ponyville.

Drying herself, she looked in the simple mirror on her dressing table. Her mane had become tangled and matted, her coat dull and without sheen. She sighed and put on the dress. It didn't quite fit, but that didn't matter so much. She felt around her neck and flinched. There was a thick bruise circling around it, her tender flesh not used to such treatment. The collar was gone though, and with that a marked improvement.

Joy overwhelmed her and she began to cry heavy tears of gratitude and happiness. She ran down the stairs, and embraced the unicorn at the table in a thankful hug, causing him to spill his coffee. Iridescence dried himself off, and adjusted his cravat.

"I'm glad to see you so lively." Iridescence said smiling kindly, peeling her off him. Autumn Lily returned the smile. "I took the liberty of hiring you, as a maid, and dogsbody, this should relieve Wildfire from some of the strains he has been having." He continued to smile warmly.

"I do however; expect you to have the next couple of days resting. I can only imagine how your ordeal has affected you. Wildfire will take you to a hairdresser and a tailor today, so that you look suitable as my servant, and he should explain to you your role at some point, along with how you are to be responsible for your own appearance." Iridescence put down the cup and looked curiously at Autumn Lily. He realised where he had been remiss and gave a slight laugh.

"Oh I forgot to tell you my name. Iridescence, but sir should do in public." Autumn Lily nodded thankfully. "You can make your way with Wildfire in a few hours, as I will be out attending to some business." He glanced at Wildfire meaningfully.

"I am instructed to show you around." Wildfire said softly.

Sitting in his office, Rouge patiently went through the ledgers for the dinner. Roselyn's rage had caused quite some damage, and several items of furniture needed replacement. There was also the matter of the members of staff that had been dismissed. Cotton Flower had been informed, and tomorrow, the new arrivals would undergo scrutiny, with minimal animosity between the two mares. The young maid knocked on the open door. Rouge looked up and beckoned her in.

"Make it quick, I have to walk with his lordship soon, he enjoys... talking with me apparently." Rouge said bluntly, but with kindness.

"I wouldn't have disturbed you sir, only I wanted to thank you for helping Autumn Lily." The maid said, giving a slight curtsey.

"I'm afraid I did nothing. But it may interest you to know that two days ago I was given a choice; a painfully difficult one. Lord Blossomfall told me he would, if I so desired, replace Autumn Lily with yourself." He looked impassively at the mare. She responded with an aghast expression.

"This would save her, but at the cost of putting another in that situation. I couldn't make that decision, so I changed the game. I waited for a pony of significant influence and interest to arrive, and notice her. By doing nothing I did more good than if I had done something. That, young lady, is why I told you that the best course of action was nothing." Rouge said in a finalising manner. She took the hint and left to go about her duties. Rouge signed off the expenditure sheet before him, then collected his coat and made his way to Blossomfall's study.

Cotton Flower sighed wearily. She had spent all night picking porcelain out of her mane, and had had difficulty hiring out the remaining ponies this morning. Now though, she was keen to meet the next batch; every four days, a new trainload, a new finder's fee, a new chance to win Roselyn's respect.

The train arrived, and Cotton Flower consulted the list she had received last night. Holding her clipboard before her, she could see no notable ponies immediately. No upper class to pander to. A shame, but oh well, can't be helped. The train pulled into the station and Lightning Charm took to his post, with his new partner, a well-built pegasi mare. The pair glared threateningly at the passengers.

"Good afternoon my little ponies, and what a glorious afternoon it is at that," the unicorn projected above the noise of the bustle, "we should all be grateful to our fine weather stewards for this."

Internal, over used script: check, labour worthy mass: check, and glowering guards: check. Today was going to be a standard day. The usual low level mumbling ensued as the crowd of ponies was shifted off the platform, and into the half-way house. Cotton Flower sneezed and a fork fell out of her mane. Cotton Flower now hated Iridescence with a passion.

"Wildfire, I am going out. You are to assist Autumn Lily in her hair dressing and tailoring appointments." Iridescence called out standing by the door. He took a quick glance at his reflection, and satisfied he stepped out onto the street. Only a short distance to walk, the building was instantly recognisable anyway.

With slight haste Iridescence walked towards the spire of Carousel Boutique. The shrubbery outside it was wild, but respectable, the paint on the façade in good condition. He pulled open the door and entered the studio. Adorning the walls, and easles placed about the room, were masterful portraits of nobility, sketches, inks, oils, and all with a huge, if unsaid, price tag.

Miss Spicyheart commissioned the rich and powerful, and in return they received family heirlooms. Iridescence rang the desk bell politely. A young pegasi mare responded after a brief period. She stood expectant, a dark mare with vibrant pink mane, wings unfurled dramatically. She looked at Iridescence and her face lit up.

"Do excuse me a moment." She said delicately. In the back room, the sound of a pony jumping excitedly could be heard. Starfall came to the counter instead.

"You have a little..." Iridescence began.

"I know."

"From the dinner last night."

"I know."

"And it's caught in your mane."

"Yes, I know. What do I owe this pleasure?" Starfall said abruptly.

"Just a social call, you know me, I do love seeing my favourite niece." Iridescence said sweetly.

"I'm three years older than you."

"You're still my great-great..." Iridescence took a dramatic pause for breath, "great-great niece." Iridescence finished in a sing-song voice. Starfall rolled her eyes.

"Come in do." She said lifting the counter. "I'm sure your reputation can survive talking to a licentious harlot like me." Starfall finished sharply.

"It survived the gateau. Anything beyond that is just a bonus." Iridescence said calmly.

"Business is slow today. I'll put the kettle on." Relenting Starfall led him through to the living portion of Carousel Boutique. Passing through the corridors, Iridescence noticed the colour and majesty of the adornments. This shop housed somepony wealthy.

"Until last night I didn't even know your name, let alone why I would bother spending time with you. Why are you really here?" Starfall said bluntly. Iridescence took a seat. The pegasi ran in and smiled with excitement, before languishing atop Starfall.

"I was intrigued by the disowned family member so outspoken for the non-unicorns." Iridescence said carefully.

"I told Dusk of you, and of how you acted. She seems quite taken with you. I personally have less care than that. What of it if you save a pony from a life of degradation. She is still a slave, but now she's your slave. Yes you treat her better, but a life with you is not as good as a life."

"I know Dusk Sorrows is the famed portrait artist that keeps this place afloat. Not you. So I'm curious about that." Iridescence said diplomatically.

"I love her, I treat her with respect, I gave her the support she needed to become an independent pony." Starfall said softening. "I suppose you could say I sacrificed myself so that she may have a life."

"Dusk works, and you profit from that work. In return she gets bed and board in your property. Explain to me what is different between your relationship, and the thousands of other work arrangements." Iridescence said bluntly, but warmly. Dusk looked at him curiously.

"If Dusk were to stop working, I would do everything in my power to not diminish her quality of life. If Dusk were to leave me, I would allow her to go, and not lay any claim on her work. That is the difference." Starfall said softly.

"Exactly. The ponies in my employ earn a wage. If they are incapable, I support them, if they leave, I allow it. If they earn enough to be independent ponies, I would support them in that. That is why I do not have slaves." Iridescence looked unhappy, but continued speaking. "I know Autumn Lily is too damaged psychologically to be in my employ. I am going to help her. Society will see an employment. In reality she is going to be doing the bare minimum she needs to survive; cooking her own food, cleaning her own clothes. I am giving her a bed, food, and a quality of life; for nothing."

"And if one day she chooses to leave?" Starfall asked, warming to Iridescence.

"I will help her however I can."

Rouge was walking through the old town with Blossomfall, they came to a large statue of Twilight Sparkle. Blossomfall turned to Rouge and looked pensive.

"That Iridescence fellow got me thinking about the world before the unicorns took over." Blossomfall stated. "Tell me of it." Rouge looked taken aback, but rallied.

"What would you like to know?" Rouge asked confidently.

"Tell me... Tell me how this all started." Blossomfall eventually replied.

"Twilight Sparkle was a great pony, a gifted unicorn, a brilliant mind, and a scientific curiosity. She was however, an arrogant, ignorant and foalish optimist. She simply couldn't see how her spells, her diagrams, her research, and her books could destroy Equestria. The only time she had ever faced a true evil pony, he left her corrupted for the experience, she learnt little, and only that dark magic is something not to be used carelessly. She assumed nopony would ever try to use magic to rule. Even after she had a battle with another twisted unicorn mare, who had used her enhanced abilities to enslave this town, she still refused to believe it possible of a pony. A fact not helped when Trixie repented and gave up her amulet. So she taught everypony, she wrote everything down. Not just the spells she had created, and discovered, but principles that now fuel our industry. Combustion as a source of energy had been thought of, quite recently in her times, with steam powered locomotives, but nothing was wide spread. there were no factories, no devices, no horseless carriages. The concept was nowhere near efficient enough." Rouge paused to gaze up at the statue. Malice was present in his voice, but fading.

"After spending enough time with Celestia, Sociology became the next interest: class struggles, fuelled by war, money and intolerance. They had existed before Twilight, and the history on the topic inspired her to document theories on how such a class struggle would arise, and how it would end. The book didn't sell well, nothing she wrote did, but the ponies who bought it were those who were prepared to read past the dry text. Of those ponies, my grandparents were foremost in creating working real life applications of the theories discussed in the texts. They weaponised innocent spells, spells created to amuse or entertain. They forced economic crisis, political turmoil and distrust by publicly, and successfully assassinating the alicorns. Then, to secure their place as the dominant species, they selected a foal who knew Twilight, and kept her young, naïve and suggestible until she accepted the views of the unicorn's supremacy." Rouge pointed to a filly standing strong in front of Twilight. Her youthful charm radiated through the stone.

"The cry went out. All hail Empress Sweetie Belle, and nopony questioned it. The ponies in charge had a figurehead, power, and control." Rouge dug slightly at the ground. "So then the next step was to destroy those that still challenged this assertion. Major cities underwent siege until spirits broke, minor towns were ethnically cleansed, and unicorns that sympathised with other races imprisoned and labelled traitors. Twilight's only saving grace is that she suffered this fate." Despite the air being balmy and pleasant, Blossomfall felt the atmosphere was oddly chilled.

"Rarity, kind, beautiful Rarity sold her business, her livelihood, her life's achievement, to spare her Earth Pony father from persecution. I doubt Sweetie Belle even knew. Then joined Twilight." Rouge looked darkly at Blossomfall. "When they destroyed towns they spared nopony. Stallions, mares, foals, unicorns, pegasi and earth pony; if you were in a condemned town you were destroyed." Some of the local foals had gathered to listen to the old earth pony speak.

"The towns that surrendered, the unicorns went through them, ripping families apart, shipping ponies to whatever factory town was being built, requisitioning property, taking land, and cataloguing all. The pegasi escaped for a few months, with towns and cities built above the cloudline they held out, they fought, they struggled. Then they fell. At first it was just the small towns, practice towns, unicorns preparing to siege Cloudsdale. Once they knew they could, they ascended to Cloudsdale, and erected a great magical wall around it, my grandmother leading them. They were assaulted, resistance from those who were outside of the city when the wall was built, but without their aerial advantage, had nothing but physical strength to fall back on. They were sapped of their energy, or worse, were obliterated into fine magical vapours. It was there where Rainbow Dash fell, when she did, Cloudsdale lost hope." Rouge stared at the crowd he had attracted.

"There was little left to resist the unicorns: only the great beasts of the Everfree Forest, the dragons and the unusual race of changelings. At that stage though, the unicorn movement had grown in such strength that not even an army of alicorns could have had a chance. It only took six months to change the face of Equestria."

"Why are you really here?" Starfall said after another short pause. Iridescence unburied his head from Dusk's wings and looked surprised.

"I thought I had already told you. I was curious about a unicorn so outspoken." Iridescence said patiently, before returning to caressing the dark grey feathers.

"Now that you have met me, and know of my thoughts?" Starfall said getting impatient. Watching Dusk have her wings fondled by another was making her testy.

"Darling, cannot things be just for curiosity? I met you, that was satisfying. Sure I could offer to help you liberate ponies everywhere, but that would be an exercise in futility. Yes I could turn you over to the enforcers, for several counts of fraud, and one count of being a traitor, but that would benefit nopony, so I had hoped we could use this time to get to know each other, as it were."

"Why should I trust you? For that matter, why should I care what you think of me?"

"Because right now you are challenging society, and you need friends in high places if you plan on carrying on as you are. I'm a filthy fetishist with a taste for pegasi too, though I prefer mine to have something between their legs, yet, I haven't been branded a class traitor, ridiculed, shunned, and disowned. If you want to make a difference to the ponies you care about, you need the power to do so." Iridescence said in the manner of one who already knew exactly what to say if the question came up, and wasn't surprised it had.

"I thought you said you weren't going to offer to help liberate ponies." Starfall said triumphantly.

"That's right, I did, and I'm not offering to help you liberate ponies, dear Celestia no. I'm offering to help you get social and political standing. What you do with it is up to you. Though I think liberation is too far a step, at least for the current time, set your sights for making their plight bearable, then work towards pleasant, then, if you still desire it, work for liberation. I personally think you will do more harm than good liberating anypony, society will collapse again, and unless earth ponies have grown magical abilities, we will have another six month war, and things will be like this again, but with tougher sanctions on non-unicorns." Iridescence said brusquely. "Now if you will excuse me I do need to head home. Seeing Dusk has reminded me of somepony I have been neglecting to spend time with."

"Once Equestria had been conquered, it needed to be held." Rouge continued, his monologue now attracting passing adult ponies. "Great prisons were constructed, law enforcement unicorns trained and unleashed, and everypony catalogued and recorded, the largest, most probing census ever." Rouge gazed about the assembled mass. Primarily unicorns, but some pegasi and earth ponies, in their master's employ, were standing nonchalantly towards the back. "And as luck would have it, my grandparents had the solution again. They created the notion of fear. Instead of respect and reverence, ponies feared the enforcers. The unicorns in black that only ever visit you once. Those are fine for serious matters, but for local matters, the pegasi were forcibly conscripted to form martial visible law enforcement. All of them, everypony everywhere was just another cog in the giant machine the unicorns created, and under them, peace returned. Peace born from fear and death, but still peace. Now ponies can walk streets safely at night, leave doors unlocked, trust their neighbours and above all tolerate each other. So long as they are the same race. The races were divided, and with it the magic of friendship, the magic of companionship, the magic of love. Peace has come with the terrible price of desolation." Rouge turned to face Blossomfall.

"That is how it all started." He gave a cursory glance about the audience and saw Iridescence had joined the crowd. The ponies started heading away from Rouge now. Making the remaining ponies flinch with shock, a bright flash emanated from around Rouge, from the light stepped a trio of black clad unicorns. They prepared to grab him. In a golden yellow flash Iridescene appeared next to Rouge, holding his family card before the unicorn enforcers.

"Leave him. He's with me." He said breathless. The lead mare approached and bowed slightly.

"Are you sure sir? He..." She began before being cut off.

"Yes I'm sure. Go about your business elsewhere." The mare nodded at this request. The trio disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. Iridescence looked at Rouge.

"Are you brain-dead? Has living two-hundred years rotted the organ in your head? I thought you were more intelligent than that. Do you realise how much of a rebellious traitor you sounded? I only heard your closing remarks and I heard plenty of grounds to have you arrested." Iridescence spoke loudly. He sighed.

"Look, I'll file a report with my offices, claim you're a scholar and out of your mind. Try to make you untouchable. No promises, so please be careful." Rouge looked dumbfounded.

"Blossomfall, I can't order you to do anything, but I respectfully request you do not repeat what you heard, especially in public." Iridescence sighed again, and walked slowly away.

Repercussions of a Generous Act

"You've caused quite a stir today." Wildfire said taking Iridescence's coat. "You have post from your father." Iridescence gave Wildfire a pleading look. "I'm afraid so. Shall I fetch it for you?"

"How long ago did it arrive?" Iridescence asked wearily.

"Some ten minutes ago." Wildfire responded. Iridescence groaned and looked forlorn.

"So be it. Fine, yes let's get this over with." He retorted resigned. Wildfire nodded and left to the parlour. Iridescence sat in the armchair and watched as his valet brought, not just one letter, but a sheaf of envelopes and dropped them on the coffee table.

"How did you know my father had sent a letter?" Iridescence asked curiously.

"He sent one to be read by your household staff. It was most clear on how you are not to order us to lose it." Iridescence sighed again and sifted through the mass until he found one bearing a wax seal, stamped with the family crest. Opening it he withdrew a sheet of paper with a brief but meaningful message on it.

"Iridescence. I am to arrive tomorrow, to discuss the company you are keeping. Platinum Falls." Iridescence let the paper float steadily to the floor. He selected another envelope at random.

"Sir, it is noted by Shadowbane that you disrupted an official arrest of a potential traitor. We expect a report on this matter explaining your decision. Desk manager Proudstance." He looked down, and took another letter.

"Sir, your actions are noted and my superiors are notified to expect justification. Shadowbane." Iridescence looked at wildfire.

"Any chance of a coffee?" He asked politely before opening another letter.

"I do not appreciate a unicorn such as yourself taking an interest in my household business. If you attempt to interfere in my servants' lives again I shall report your actions back to your parents. Take this as your due warning. Lady Roselyn." Iridescence laughed a little. The day wasn't a complete waste if he had managed to irritate her. He opened the final letter.

"I apologise for my wife's haste. She is likely to make empty threats. Don't dwell on it. Blossomfall." Iridescence laughed louder.

"Well that's OK then, everyone seems to be safe and content for now. Tomorrow I get the wonderful task of justifying myself to my father, and also informing the justice department why I made the decision I did." Wildfire looked on shocked. He held a tray with coffee and presented it to Iridescence.

"Sounds like a fun day then." Wildfire retorted with sarcasm. "Will your father expect Autumn Lily to be... fit for inspection?" Iridescence dropped his head into his hooves.

"Hellfire. Tomorrow take Autumn Lily to Carousel Boutique first thing, then return before my father arrives. With any luck he won't know who I have in my employ." Iridescence took a sheaf of paper and a pen from atop the writing desk. writing hasty confirmation letters to his father and the department of Justice, he sagged visibly.

"Explain yourself." Roselyn's voice was shrill and piercing. To his credit, Rouge stood unflinching in her wrath. "I am informed you were nearly arrested, and relied on that upstart to stop you from getting the justice I have no doubt you deserved."

"Ladyship, I recounted the history of the unicorn rise to power to your husband. It was not well received on the part of the department of justice." Rouge held his gaze steady and straight.

"You being the filth you are, I doubt you told an accurate, or favourable account." Roselyn said with assurance.

"I enjoy a unicorn heritage through my parents, and grandparents. I was raised to respect the unicorns and their power. Ladyship."

"You have had two centuries to gain improper thoughts."

"I have had two centuries working for the finest unicorn families, my loyalty is not questionable. Ladyship." Rouge made compelling arguments, but Roselyn was relentless.

"I informed you of the consequences if you disappointed me. I will concede to you this once. If, and I stress this if as the hypothetical it is, you really did speak in turn, and this really is a misunderstanding, then I can expect it not to happen again. Am I clear?" Roselyn said icily

"Perfectly, ladyship."

"Then go back to your duties, and hold that treacherous tongue in your head from now on." Roselyn shrieked. Rouge, stood steadfast, nodded confirmatively, then with dignity left the room.

* * *

The noise was deafening as the airships overhead descended slowly towards the old town square. Iridescence stood alongside Wildfire watching the black forms fall. When they were only a few feet from the ground a staircase was wheeled to meet the door of the lead ship.

"It would probably be best if you hadn't acted above your station sir." Wildfire said morose. "Things don't end well." The engines of the ships churned up the air, destroying it's delicate scents. Flanking the stairs, two black clad unicorns glared threateningly at the massing crowd. The taught skin of the ships drained the light from the morning, giving everything an eerie feel.

"I've survived worse. This won't have shamed father any more than what happened with that gateau." Iridescence said blankly. The door swung open, allowing a mare to stroll down the steps. Golden Jubilee, looking youthful and determined marched down the steps, glowering at the enforcers. Behind her a well presented young looking stallion stared resolutely upwards. His grey coat shimmering in the morning light. Platinum Falls followed gracefully, and stood beside his wife to scrutinise his youngest son.

"You have acted without modesty." Platinum Falls spoke sharply. "You have used your prowess, publicly, and now ponies judge you for it. They judge us for it. They will be mistrusting, envious and greedy. They will use you, shame you, and destroy you." The engine noise amplified in pitch, becoming a rough rattling sound.

"Father, I acted as best I could." Iridescence said meekly.

"You have reminded those beneath us that they are." Golden Jubilee spoke with the same harshness. "I trust you have learnt from this. Never act above your station. It only makes ponies detest you." Iridescence barely made out her voice over the roar of the airships.

The engine of the lead ship burst into flame, setting the skin alight. The gathered ponies gasped in shock and ducked panicking. With force the firebox pressure burst, the explosion scattering brick and burning thatch about the street. The town hall caught aflame and was violently devoured, not before it collapsed forwards onto the other two ships though, and landed heavily onto Platinum Falls.

Iridescence watched shocked as Golden Jubilee rushed into the blaze. The second airship blew much as the first one had, it's red skin being engulfed in fast burning flames. This confused Iridescence briefly, but his confusion was quickly replaced with his parents' cries from beneath the burning rubble. Wildfire looked at Iridescence, who then turned and began to walk away.

Iridescence looked up at the house before him. It's masonry had failed with the intensity of force and heat, and fell forward. The burning thatch dropping fast through the roof beams onto Iridescence, who was lying in bed. He looked around; the clock read two twenty AM. He was drenched in sweat and looked around shocked at the lack of destruction. Another dream, and he had left his parents to die. Feeling sick he crossed the room to the bathroom and looked in the mirror.

"I left them to die." He spoke aloud. "Why would I leave them to die?" He stared at his own reflection, sweat mingling with the wetness of his eyes. Breaking down into hysterics, Iridescence huddled at the base of the sink.

* * *

Wildfire rang the studio bell and waited. Dusk Smiled tiredly and looked at Autumn Lily questioningly.

"Iridescence is expecting a visit from his father, who doesn't need to know about Autumn Lily." Wildfire said in way of an answer.

"Wow, you're so adorable. Aww. Of course she can stay here a while. Starfall won't mind. Will you darling?" Dusk directed her last remark at the bleary navy blue unicorn now standing behind her.

"Ugh. Iridescence helping me is so not worth the hassle. Please do come in. I am accommodating to earth ponies in need." Starfall said begrudgingly but kindly.

"Thank you miss. Iridescence thanks you also. On that subject I must leave, so that I am presentable for his father's scrutiny."

"Why is Platinum Falls coming here?" Starfall asked suddenly interested.

"Iridescence, in his... infinite wisdom, decided that he should stop an earth pony from being arrested. A stallion named Rouge." Starfall was shocked at this revelation.

Rouge was walking Starlight to school. Thanks to education for the privileged unicorns enjoyed the most instructive formative years in the best schools, seven days a week. The foals never having experienced anything else, just took it as part of a daily routine. The unicorns stared suspiciously at him, some going as far as to hold their children tightly as he passed. Pearl Ring stood by the open door to the school.

"Good morning my little ponies." She said warmly as foals walked in. She looked up and saw Rouge walking towards her.

"Well hello. I'm surprised to see you still about, after that rally yesterday."

"No rally miss, just an old foal reminiscing, others chose to listen."

"That hag must give you time off at some point. What say you to reminiscing over a light dinner somewhere?" Pearl Ring said coyly.

"Miss, I am two hundred years your senior, I have heard every line conceived." Rouge said bluntly. "But that is the first time I have ever heard sincerity." He continued softening. "I would love to join you at some point, but I can assure you her ladyship won't be happy."

"She'll just learn how to be happy at some point then." Pearl RIng said delicately.

"I think the shock of such an emotion would kill her, have a pleasant day." Rouge speculated.

"You too. Tell me how things go tomorrow." Rouge smiled, life was too short to not consider her offer. He assessed that thought and realised that it probably wasn't the case, but oh well, you're only young once. Again another not quite accurate thought. He left it at that.

Starfall looked at Autumn Lily curiously.

"Is there anything that I can get you?" She asked eventually. Autumn Lily smiled and shook her head.

"Has she said anything to you yet?" Dusk said entering the kitchen. Starfall jumped at hearing another pony's voice.

"No, not yet darling. I think she's just in shock still." Starfall said continuing to watch Autumn Lily. She gave a slight smile and sat down. She opened her mouth to speak.

"I had been screaming, screaming for so long, and nopony cared to hear me." She tried to say, after not managing to get the words out, she closed her mouth again. She buried her head into her front legs and sighed. Her red mane looking luxuriant draped across her body.

Wildfire walked through into the kitchen to find Iridescence holding his head above the sink. Watching the flow of the tap, following the crystal clear stream as it dropped from the brass tap into the basin below. His muzzle soaked from the splash back.

"Are you alright?" Wildfire asked, putting a compassionate hoof on Iridescence's shoulder.

"Am I a bad pony? " Iridescence asked with an obvious crack in his voice. Wildfire gripped Iridescence and looked directly at him.

"What you have done, in your short time here, has improved lives." Iridescence looked away, brushing off Wildfire.

"I allowed ponies I loved to die. OK, it was a dream, but I felt happy to let them die." Iridescence said quietly.

"I'm sorry for you, but I don't know how I can help you. I don't know how to deal with this sort of thought." Wildfire said feeling redundant.

"They'll be arriving soon. Lets get ready to meet them." Iridescence spoke bitterly, turning off the tap. Wildfire held Iridescence warmly.

"I don't think you're a bad pony." Wildfire nuzzled Iridescence tenderly. "You're one of the best I have met."

"Really? You think a cold, manipulative, empowered unicorn one of the best ponies you have met?" Iridescence gave a weak smile. "There's no accounting for your taste then." He walked with moderate pace out of the door towards the town centre. Setting down in next to the statue was a royal blue, with black motif, airship. Iridescence's family crest emblazed on each side of the taut skin.

"Iridescence! Oh it is so good to see you!" Golden Jubilee came bounding out and embraced her son warmly. "Your father is just getting over the journey. He still doesn't travel well." The sound of retching broke the mid morning silence. A slight pause was followed with Platinum Falls walking, a little unsteadily, smiling expansively.

"Father, I..." Iridescence began seriously.

"We can discuss business later. I didn't fly from Manehattan to just discuss family matters, I want to spend some time with you." Platinum falls interrupted swiftly.

"Allow me to invite you to my home then." Iridescence finally said, dumbfounded. "This is my valet Wildfire. He will be happy to accommodate your desires while you are here." Walking at a steady gait, the ponies moved towards Iridescence's home.

"So you oversee a factory's weather team?" Golden Jubilee asked conversationally.

"Aye, nothing interesting happens, the pegasi pretty much know what they are doing, and most emergencies can be fixed by calling for the town's weather team." Iridescence stopped walking. "Excuse me a moment." He fumbled a key into his door's lock. Door opening he stepped aside and expansively gestured for his parents to enter.

"I wanted to request tomorrow evening off, lordship." Rouge said politely, standing before Blossomfall he waited.

"I trust you have a reason?" Blossomfall said carefully inserting the question.

"My work contract stipulates an evening per week. If you are asking for the reason I want specifically tomorrow evening off, I have been invited to dinner by a local young mare. I would hate to disappoint."

"Very well. After dinner has been served here, you may leave. So long as you return in time for breakfast." Rouge nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you Lordship." Rouge said leaving the study. Roselyn blocked his path as he closed the door. She glared threateningly at him.

"Come with me." She directed brusquely. Rouge nodded and followed obediently. She walked at a fast pace until they had reached her rose garden. Stopping abruptly she indicated an intricately carved stone bench.

"Sit." Roselyn demanded, doing so herself. "I emphatically forbid you to pursue a relationship with Pearl Ring." Wasting no time getting to the point. "Spare me the confused look. I noticed her at the dinner, and given she is the only mare outside this household you have had extended interactions with, other than that niece of mine, it doesn't take a genius to work out." Roselyn glowered with distaste.

"However, you are still to accept her invitation, as she has requested your presence. Make it clear your incapability to have a relationship, due to my explicit order on the subject. I shall not have another harlot in my immediate family." Roselyn stared with loathing. "Well? Is there any reason you are still sitting here?"

Platinum Falls sipped his tea delicately, staring at Iridescence over the rim.

"Well, that's enough spending time together. On to business." Platinum Falls said sharply. Golden Jubilee sat up straighter, and lost the warmth in her face.

"You have upset the enforcers. They are important to this family, and while you technically have power over them, you should use it correctly." Platinum Falls stated. "According to the report, and earth pony claimed atrocities committed by unicorns, to a wide audience, with nary a thought as to how it would be received. The report then states that, upon an apprehension attempt, you appeared and ordered the enforcers to cease, citing, 'he's with me' despite the visual evidence that you were not in the vicinity for the majority of the time he was preaching." Platinum Falls held himself poised and dominating.

"Darling, it is not acceptable to interfere with department of justice business for other ponies. You cannot do so yourself, it makes ponies too aware of how much power, we as a family actually have. Muros Aures Habent. The power we have comes from being invisible." Golden Jubilee added.

"Justify why you felt it prudent." Platinum Falls demanded, his voice shifting far from the caring father. Iridescence took a breath and exhaled lightly.

"For any other pony I would have ignored the apprehension, allowing it to go ahead unimpeded. In this instance however, the pony was Rouge. Your grandson Rouge." Iridescence swallowed. "He may not be a unicorn, but he was raised as one by Roseblood, and is a part of this family. We have never turned on family before. Nor have we ever ignored it when a family member was in danger." Golden Jubilee shut the clasps on her briefcase with a snap.

"The original agreement we had with Roseblood was clear. Rouge would not be persecuted, nor face any form of reassignment, under two conditions. Roseblood was able to support him personally, and Rouge acted according to his station. What of his actions yesterday was according to his station?" Golden Jubilee said efficiently.

"Rouge was ordered by his current master to recount how the unicorns took power. This happened due to Blossomfall's ignorance on the topic, his awareness of Rouge's age, and connection to a unicorn family." Iridescence said ignoring the nerves.

"So you are stating that if not for Blossomfall, none of the remarks would have been said?" Platinum Falls said with a slight smile. Iridescence felt his body chill. He had walked right into that trap.

"Darling it is not a hard question. The answer is so obvious, and easy to say." Golden Jubilee added encouragingly. Iridescence looked between the two unicorns, and realised there was no way out.

"I agree that Blossomfall instigated the topic, but I still hold that nothing traitorous was said." Iridescence said abruptly. Golden Jubilee made a show of writing this down.

"Blossomfall... Instigated" She muttered to herself. Both of his parents smiled at him.

"Oh don't be so shocked, this is how we hold power." Platinum Falls said gently.

"What will happen now?" Iridescence asked, panic rising.

"We have other matters to discuss. This one is closed." Golden Jubilee said bluntly.

"But..." Attempted Iridescence, fear showing on his face.

"The matter is closed." Platinum Falls said harshly, parroting Golden Jubilee. "The next matter to discuss, is that of the company you have been seen with recently." He added softening slightly.

"Starfall is a known sympathiser, and is on the department of justice's watch list. You were seen exiting her household." Golden Jubilee said without emotion.

"This is your chance to redeem yourself. Won't that be nice?" Platinum Falls said slyly. "Wouldn't you like the gateau incident to be forgotten? Your sister is out of hospital now by the way. Just tell us what you learnt when you were with her, and you can be back in Manehattan by dawn break." Platinum Falls leaned forward, intimidating. Golden Jubilee followed suit. Iridescence forced himself further back into his chair.

"I learnt..." Iridescence started, before pausing.

"Yes, go on." Golden Jubilee said hungrily.

"I learnt nothing of interest. Business is good, but has it's slow moments, and that she is enjoying a degree of luxury." Iridescence said nervously.

"Are you sure you learnt nothing else? Are you sure you didn't learn anything interesting about her personal life?" Golden Jubilee asked sweetly.

"Nothing but gossip and rumours." Iridescence stated simply.

"What gossip? What rumours?" Platinum Falls said triumphantly. Iridescence cursed internally. He was losing it. He sighed, and turned so he couldn't see Wildfire.

"She's conducting a relationship with a pegasus." Iridescence said meekly.

"We are aware of this." Golden Jubilee bellowed. "To what extent does she conduct a relationship. Is the mare just a form of release? Does she hold any emotional attachment to Dusk? Are they in a serious relationship rather than an employer, employee engagement?"

"It is not illegal to love a non-unicorn." Iridescence stated angrily, finding his confidence.

"No it is not. It is a good indication of a diseased mind though. A symptom of forgetting your station. What extent do they enjoy a relationship?" Golden Jubilee retorted irritably.

"A passionate romance, but Dusk is still in Starfall's employ." Iridescence said loudly.

"That wasn't so hard was it?" Platinum Falls said sweetly. "But we have learnt nothing particularly useful. So I'm afraid you won't be returning any time soon." Iridescence sagged in his chair.

"One final matter to discuss. You attended Lady Roselyn's bi-annual dinner the day before yesterday." Golden Jubilee stated simply. "I understand you demonstrated power then. Roselyn's letter was full of profanities and expletives expressing as such. She seemed to believe we would support her over you."

"We are in support of your decision to liberate a servant from them." Platinum Falls spoke coldly. "But not in the manner in which you did. You trespassed on their home, with your accusations and your belief of right. Legitimate belief, as you do technically qualify as an enforcer, but Muros Aures Habent relies on the observed assuming they are being observed, without evidence to suggest it, or knowledge of who the observer is. You made yourself visible, thus losing their trust, and any future power you could have held over them."

"I disagree with the notion that I have lost power." Iridescence said confidently. "I am clear in my status and power, so Roselyn will be honour bound to respect me, and treat me as an equal if not better, true she may be more guarded with her feelings and thoughts to me, but who's to say I'm listening to her?" Iridescence continued, confidence growing. "Muros Aures Habent, yes the walls have ears, but who's to say what they're listening to?" Platinum Falls looked taken aback. Golden Jubilee looked at Iridescence with pride.

"Darling, you are more accomplished than any of your siblings ever were." Golden Jubilee said warmly. "Yet you are so far from being worthy of heading our family."

"We have overstayed our welcome. it is best we leave soon." Platinum Falls said kindly. Iridescence rose from his seat and walked them to the door. Watching them board the airship he sighed with relief, nothing attrocious had happened. Autumn Lily was safe, Starfall was no less safe, and Blossomfall... Iridescence froze, a chill running down his spine. He ran to the airship.

"When whatever happens to Blossomfall happens, please make sure Rouge is protected." He shouted over the noise of the engine. "He is likely a valuable asset to me." Platinum Falls leaned through the open doorway, stared impassively for what felt like an age, then gave a slight nod.

Starfall sat before a worrying note she had been sent.

"Your activities are noted. Muros Aures Habent." She showed it to Dusk who merely shrugged.

"So they decide to reveal the status quo, nothing has actually changed. Ignore it." Dusk said placating the anxious mare.

"I wish I could share your confidence. I worry that this may mark the end of all this." Starfall said miserably.

"Darling, you're too wealthy to fall, have done nothing illegal, and I am technically in your employ." Dusk said with the same confidence and assuredness. "Let's go out somewhere tonight, enjoy ourselves, and forget this."

Shadowbane stood a short distance from Ponyville Manor. She glanced at the enforcers behind her, and produced a handwritten note from Golden Jubilee, and another from Platinum Falls.

"Target is a male unicorn of forty-seven. Lord Blossomfall. Instructions are to apprehend him for instigating a potential traitorous dialogue, in public view." She turned to the second note, the one from Platinum Falls. "Instructions continue that we ensure Rouge retains his position in the household, with no impact as to his work contract or his autonomy." The two flanking enforcers stated their understanding, and all three teleported in a flash of brilliant light.

Loose Ends

Iridescence stood unsteadily in the pantry, feeling sick with worry he near collapsed. Wildfire rushed behind him and held him tightly.

"Are you OK?" He asked concerned.

"I may lose valuable assets if this goes badly. I need these ponies alive, conscious, and with relative autonomy." Iridescence said blearily.

"What do you mean?" Wildfire said confused. He lightly brushed through Iridescence's mane, tenderly.

"Just exhausted, and talking for the sake of talking." Iridescence stated shaking visibly.

"What of your parents? Will they react well?"

"Maybe, I think everyone is safe, well mostly everyone, and those that aren't will probably be able to deal with it." Iridescence suddenly sat up determined. "I need to get to my offices in Canterlot. There I will be able to get a grasp of the situation."

"You have offices in Canterlot?" Wildfire looked perplexed at this news.

"Unofficial department of justice offices, I head them, all perfectly low key and all." Iridescence murmured in his sleep deprived delirium. "Only I have to, have to... have to..." Iridescence fell forward asleep. Wildfire gingerly lifted, and carried him through to his bedroom.

Blossomfall sat in his study, nursing a cup of tea. Behind him Shadowbane and her party appeared, light flashing brightly through the room.

"So Platinum finally found an excuse to be rid of me? Jolly good." Blossomfall said distantly, sipping his tea slightly. He span around suddenly, throwing the scalding hot liquid towards Shadowbane. With a twitch of his head, the books flew from the shelves and coalesced into an organic looking sphere of orbiting paper.

Shadowbane nodded meaningfully at the two enforcers, and the three moved to occupy three points in the room. They tensed their bodies to deliver a spell. The books, enveloped in their lime green aura, caught alight through air friction, and the sphere burst outwards, spreading burning paper towards all reaches of the room.

Shadowbane conjured a dark grey wall before her, the books not making a dent in the magical shield. Her counterparts not being as quick on the defensive were torn into with the hot heavy books slamming into them.

Blossomfall stood waiting in the centre of the room, watching for the magical wall to dissipate. Shadowbane released her magic on the spell, redirecting her grey aura to hurl the rich desk with considerable speed. Inches from his face Blossomfall smiled as the entire desk changed into a swarm of large red butterflies, parting around him, before reforming into a desk, and slamming into the door.

Green flames burst from the lanterns on the floor and walls, forming a tightening sphere around Shadowbane. Growing in intensity the light from the fire burned Shadowbane's eyes. The floorboards ripped as she brought the old oak beams up to deflect the fires, extinguishing them, dissipating the heat, the timbers cracked and buckled. The two unicorns stared at each other.

"You're one of the better unicorns I've had the pleasure of arresting." Shadowbane said smiling sweetly. "Months of taking down earth ponies and pegasi has bored me."

"Glad to be of service." Blossomfall said, returning a smile. Forcing his attention to the timbers, a large gust of wind broke through the window, ripping the damaged timbers, forming a wall of glass and splinters. Slicing its way through the room the form cut right through the spot where Shadowbane, had moments ago been standing.

The unicorn mare had teleported directly behind Blossomfall, and had gripped him round his waist. Panicking he directed his torrent of air full of swirling glass and wood upwards, hammering the shards into the ceiling.

With Shadowbane's contact, Blossomfall felt passive and exhausted. Closing his eyes to the world, he collapsed as Shadowbane teleported out, holding him tightly. The desk shifted as Roselyn finally succeeded in breaking through the door. Seeing the departing enforcer, she screamed with fury.

Cotton Flower looked at her watch. Roselyn was late to assess the new arrivals. The other notable unicorns had arrived, and were milling about impatiently. She glanced at the waiting ponies, most were standing heavy with nerves watching the unicorns.

"What in Equestria can she be doing?" Cotton Flower muttered under her breath. She gave a look to the notability behind her. Without Roselyn, she just couldn't see any point.

"Just... go and pick OK." She said unsure.

Howling with rage Roselyn stalked through the kitchen, servants shrinking from view as she stomped through. Behind her Drawers ripped from their counters, cupboards flew open and fell from the walls, metallic objects flying from their hold. Knives, platters, chargers, and pans followed in her wake scraping as a large fluid metal orb.

With a sharp clang she turned and burst through the servants' entrance. With a splintering sound, the metal ripped through the doorframe and shattered the bolts from the ancient wood, adding them to the orb. She crossed the grounds, hooves crunching on the gravel entrance. The gates buckled out of shape, dragging masonry with them they encompassed the orb, crushing the metallic forms, bending pans, shattering knives and forcing everything into sharpened shards.

Roselyn screamed with the effort of holding the form together, and continued her gait through the old town. Standing before an elegant street she released the metal shards, forcing them forward, cutting through the houses as if they were made of paper.

Wildfire violently awoke Iridescence. Through the bedroom window, he saw the maelstrom of metal rushing towards him. Directing the airflow, Iridescence created a thin sliver of a gap in the metal wall.

With a huge force it rushed through the masonry, shattering bricks and wood. Iridescence closed his eyes tight and forced the gap open further, shredding into his flesh, but only grazing the exposed extremities Wildfire watched in awe as the wall passed through them without leaving major damage. Iridescence straining with effort, screamed with the abrasion of the slight contact he received.

Roselyn hoarse with screaming profanities was violently tackled to the ground; a dozen black clad unicorns forcing her to stop moving. Struggling, she forced herself forward another few inches before finally stopping. Seeing Iridescence peering through the window, her rage piqued.

"You did this! You destroyed my family! You ruined these lives! I hope you rot for your crimes!" The strain of her actions finally caught up with Roselyn, and her rage subsided with her passing out. Swarming through, unicorns liberated the injured from their ruined houses.

Gasping for breath Iridescence looked into the compassionate eyes of Wildfire. He gave a weak smile and closed his eyes.

"That's why my family exists. We regulate the unicorns, so that the power doesn't end in anarchy." Iridescence stated in a whisper, before collapsing onto the ruined floor.

Hearing the destruction of the nearby street, Cotton Flower glanced at her charges. They seemed OK, so taking initiative she ran from the building and saw the carnage and debris of a thousand shards ripping through houses. Façades shredded, windows crushed, and ponies screaming in terror and pain. She witnessed the enforcers tackle Roselyn, and continued her run. Forcing herself faster she reached the spot where Roselyn was held. Glancing at the lead enforcer she stood open mouthed.

"What happened here?" Cotton Flower asked breathless; staring at the ruined street.

"That is none of your concern. Please go about your business." The stallion said emotionless.

"That mare is my aunt, and only living relative I choose to acknowledge." Cotton Flower said with force and determine. "I demand you tell me of her."

"She is being apprehended for crimes committed, that have resulted in the endangerment of lives, and the damage of property. I'm sure you can visit her and ask yourself after we conclude our business." With a thrust of his head, he teleported with Roselyn in tow. Cotton Flower looked up at the congressing airships; enforcers appearing and disappearing about the street with the injured and critical.

Wildfire stood over Iridescence holding him tightly as a unicorn entered the room. Seeing the injuries to both ponies, he hastily called out through the ruined wall. Looking back at Wildfire he relaxed slightly.

"Identify your master pegasus." He demanded in a commanding, but gentle manner. Wildfire looked pleadingly up at the unicorn and held the card Iridescence carried with him everywhere. The enforcer took it, and after glancing at the emblazoned crest, felt his panic rise. Walking across to the building threshold he called down to the street below.

"I need immediate assistance in this household!" He shouted commanding. "And bring a scribe!" Wildfire released his grip slightly, and shifted back against the rear wall. Three more unicorns teleported into the room, their black cladding looking morose in the carnage.

"Judging by the fact that the mare directed her rage at this house, I think we have our intended target." The lead enforcer began. "Platinum Falls will not be happy with this."

Holding himself tenderly, Platinum Falls sat aboard his airship, already hating the journey. Golden Jubilee sat next to him holding him lightly. With a bright flash, a note appeared before the pair.

"It is with regret that I inform you that the incident reported in Ponyville, first received last week, was directed at your son. As per policy, the correct note has been sent back to last week, but without including any of the details now known. Iridescence is in a heavily weakened condition and is being transferred to Ponyville Hospital. Regards, incident team leader Truehorn." Golden Jubilee read the note aloud. Platinum falls shifted his weight slightly and sighed.

"It will take an hour to return to Ponyville from this location. I suggest we carry on back to Manehattan, and leave the present ponies to deal with this." He said wearily, feeling too sick to speak at length.

"I agree. Returning now would suggest our family weak, but leaving the situation as it is, it proves our strength. A survived attempt on his life, with near immediate apprehension on the part of the offender is a good image to hold." Golden Jubilee stated in approval. The unicorns, true to their words, remained unconcerned with return.

"Please, allow me to go with him." Wildfire said pleadingly to Truehorn. The unicorn looked at the pegasus with a mixture of disgust and pity.

"It is not usual for a servant to be admitted to the same hospital ward as his master." Truehorn said carefully, "but this situation is far from usual." He looked away and motioned to the enforcers standing with him. "If the hospital agrees, you may stay with him, but I agree to transport the two of you together." He said shaking his head wearily. "For the love of Celestia, get these shifted now!" He demanded of the present unicorns.

* * *

"Good evening master Iridescence, don't try moving just yet, your body needs time to heal. It looked like you had jumped into a sandpaper factory." Iridescence blinked in the bright light, barely noticing the voice of the light pink stallion gazing down on him. Focusing Iridescence noted the hospital noises around him. the steady beep of monitors, the smell of disinfectant, and the glare of the lamps above the bed.

"What happened?" He eventually asked, gasping at the pain of breathing.

"You near successfully deflected a wall of metal shrapnel, had you been more awake you might have even managed it." Iridescence frowned; this remark didn't come from the doctor. "Don't try to move sir, but I'm in the room next to you." Wildfire said calmly. "Wildfire, sir." He added in case there was any confusion

"Oh hells. Roselyn. With her gone there is a power vacuum in Ponyville. I need to get back. I need to go to my offices, I need to get Blossomfall." Iridescence spoke wearily and gingerly, feeling the flesh of his throat and face scream with the movement. "How long?" He asked weakly.

"I can discharge you in the morning. But I would advise against you leaving that soon." The doctor spoke sternly. Iridescence sighed expansively and tested the tightness of his dressings. Realising why he was advised not to move, he stopped trying to sit up.

Work had already begun on repairing the ruined rooms of Ponyville manor, Rouge had contacted the necessary firms on behalf of his now master Spirit Flame.

"You there, earth pony, why is my house not rebuilt yet?" Spirit Flame called out obnoxiously to Rouge.

"Lordship, these things take time, and what with four rooms and an entrance door damaged this is hardly a small repair." Rouge said patiently.

"Fine whatever. I understand mother put Iridescence in hospital. With that in mind I intend to go out. There's a pony I intend on finding." Spirit Flame said in a thick drawl. "Do make sure this is finished at some point."

"Of course, lordship." Rouge said delicately. Spirit Flame trotted calmly through the collapsed wall, smiling as he thought ahead.

Dusk bounced happily as she watched Starfall dress, going for a simple evening gown, in a midnight blue, she looked fabulous.

"I know this absolutely adorable restaurant, the food is just to die for." Starfall said conversationally. "Plus the service don't ask awkward questions."

"That sounds amazing, I can't wait!" Dusk said excitedly. "Will Autumn Lily be OK here by herself?" She asked concerned.

"She nodded when I asked her, and Iridescence's house has seen better days, so I guess so." Starfall said eventually. She smiled at Dusk and motioned towards the door. "Shall we?"

Spirit Flame stood patiently outside Iridescence's house, then as an idea struck him he started trotting towards Carousel Boutique. Where else would he hide an earth pony, but with the biggest sympathiser in town. He paused as the harlot left with her filthy whore in tow, what a stroke of luck, the place would be easier to search now. Focusing, he managed to teleport into the main studio, and began his search.

Autumn Lily hearing the noise, hid under the bed out of desperation. Listening to every clop of his hooves striking the wooden floor. A shadow passed across the doorframe as the assailant walked past. The noise stopped, and with a movement that felt like an age to Autumn Lily the door gradually opened. Spirit Flame smiled, the light from the hallway reflecting in her eyes clearly showing her position.

"Under the bed? Really? That is such a cliché hiding place. It buys you all of two seconds." Spirit Flame said softly. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you, I just want to take you back home." A loud cough behind him startled Spirit Flame. He spun around and saw directly behind him a dark grey pegasus.

"How in Equestria did you manage to do that?" He breathed out in shock. Dusk held out her wings in way of answer. With a steady, slow pace Dusk walked towards the stallion. He threw in front of him the bed sheets, and attempted to run past her through the open doorway. Dusk leaped, and landed heavily on him. Hitting his head against the floor she smiled satisfied. A teleportation flash illuminated the room behind her, and she received a polite tap on the shoulder.

"Need any help with your break in madam?" Shadowbane smiled widely, and took the catatonic Spirit Flame off Dusk's hooves. "How's that for securing Rouge's position?" She asked under her breath.

"Pardon?" Dusk said confused.

"Oh nothing. Just thinking out loud."

* * *

Iridescence Flinched with every movement. One heated debate later and he convinced the doctor to discharge him first thing in the morning.

"Sir, I really do advise you go back in. This will not do you any good." Wildfire said firmly.

"The machine needs to keep working, it needs all of its parts. There is a large hole where a very important cog turned. I need to replace that before the machine fails." Iridescence said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry sir but I don't understand any of that."

"Society, Wildfire, society is a balance of influences, a grand machine where the driving force is applied to the cogs and the cogs transfer that force to the outcome. My parents are one of a few driving forces, I am one of the many cogs, and you, dear Wildfire, are an outcome. I transfer the force through me to produce you. Now apply that to the residents of Ponyville Manor. They controlled the orchards, most of the workers' homes, a stake in the transport industry, and a huge employer as a household as well. So many outcomes weigh on their turning as a cog. That gap needs filling or a part of the machine will stop working. If one part fails, the rest weaken and become more likely to fail. Without the influence of Roselyn's outcomes, Cotton Flower will have a significant drop in demand, her outcomes will become redundant, so she as a cog becomes redundant, but that takes out a powerful transfer, because if she fails as a cog then the working cogs don't get their outcomes fuelled. Every part of the machine must work or failure is inevitable." Iridescence sighed and sat down. He had barely walked a metre and already his legs were screaming.

"If the hole isn't filled soon, then other ponies will try to fill it. There is benefit to be had by being that cog, but if they fill it, they neglect their current duty, or worse, won't have the ability to take the new role. There will also be significant interest in that hole, so the remaining major cogs will fight over taking it, this could destroy the machine even faster, for every cog jarring, another outcome fails, for every failed outcome society weakens, for every weakening more cogs fall out, and then the stress of such a gap strains the driving force, and without the driving force the entirety of the machine has to be rebuilt, from nothing but a handful of mismatched parts that don't want to go together. Economic collapse, war, famine, and a lot of suffering for all but the constant drivers, and there are so few of those." Iridescence looked at Wildfire critically.

"Fine, societal collapse, but why does it need you?" Wildfire asked determined.

"Honestly, it doesn't need me specifically. What it needs is a sufficiently powerful cog, to make sure the coming power struggle is won by the right pony. And my parents planned this. They wanted rid of Blossomfall, because without Blossomfall Roselyn would fall, and without them working together they could choose who controlled a very important factory town and employer." Iridescence smiled. "But I'm not going to play their game, I'm getting the pony I want in that position."

Rouge walked Starlight to school, she complained loudly about it, but someone had to look after her. With a nod to Pearl Ring Rouge ambled over to her.

"Tonight should be interesting, I'll have the household staff looking after this little terror." He stated confidently.

"What's it like having no master in a manor just for you?" Pearl Ring asked jokingly

"How do you know about that?" Rouge said taken aback.

"Oh hun, the whole town knows Blossomfall was arrested, Roselyn went off her rocker, and Spirit Flame broke into someone's house and tried to kidnap a servant. That leaves this lovely little lady, and as long as she has a ready supply of chocolate and toys she couldn't care less about giving you orders." Pearl Ring recounted succinctly.

"Well it won't last for long I'm sure, the immediate family will be clawing to get the manor and associated powers."

"Such an optimist. Though the thought did cross my mind. I would like the extra revenue, and I'm sure the manor would be quite nice when it's fixed up." Pearl Ring said slyly.

"Ah but you will be competing with Cotton Flower, the darling niece, like a vulture to a carcass she was already over this morning to check the place out." Rouge said sadly. "This is all moot anyway. The department of Agriculture and Welfare will step in on this one. They'll get the necessary information from Blossomfall and Roselyn as to who the estate should be run by, probably through the department of Justice, and the department of Documentation will amend details as necessary. Ah beaurocracy. Such a wonderful invention."

Iridescence playfully rang the bell repeatedly. Starfall didn't seem all that amused though.

"One day I hope to walk down those stairs to a customer at an ungodly hour, not just an awkward family member hanging around." Starfall said mockingly.

"And I hope for a few pegasi to lie atop me instead of a duvet at night. What's your point?" Iridescence retorted. Starfall let the issue go.

"I was broken into last night. It would appear Spirit Flame wanted Autumn Lily back."

"Oh great." Iridescence said dripping with sarcasm. "The hole is bigger than I thought."

"Hole? What hole?" Starfall asked confused.

"You know how I said I would get you power and political standing? I've decided to get you Ponyville Manor, associated territories, staff, and estate. Would that be sufficient?" Iridescence asked coyly.

"Step into my office." Starfall replied in similar. "What would you want though?"

"Muros Aures Habent. We can talk after." Iridescence smiled slyly. "But if all goes well, you'll have more standing than every pony, but me, in this town."

Greed and Power

"Why Canterlot though? Why wouldn't they be in Manehattan?" Wildfire asked curiously, watching Iridescence pack.

"Every major unicorn dominated city houses a low key office. The problem with the unicorns is their power, and this occasionally leads to non-profitable thinking." Iridescence stated distantly, consulting a tie rack intimately.

"What?" Wildfire blurted confused. Iridescence sighed and turned around.

"Rebellion. Ponies with power believing they have a greater right to be in charge than the current. Some ponies: the radical, the free-thinking, the slightly insane, and the incredibly sane take it upon themselves to take action that they believe will put them in power. Of course there are just acts of abuse of power, like what happened with Roselyn, and they are dealt with too. The unicorns are in charge per se, but are tightly regulated, and spend their time living under what they are permitted to do."

"Why am I not coming with you then?" Wildfire said continuing his inquisition.

"Oh darling, I thought I explained that. You have to keep an eye on things, keep the hole open, and most importantly, see that my house is rebuilt. I'm surprised as much of my wardrobe survived as it did. It's not perfect, but Dawn Light has my measurements on file, be a dear and pick up a few replacement pieces." Iridescence playfully ruffled Wildfire's mane smiling warmly.

The sound of masonry falling made Iridescence spin around, another section of wall had crumbled away. Groaning ominously, the floor sagged slightly.

"Plus I cannot really stay here. I suggest you stay with Starfall, although I may have imposed too much on that household. I expect Rouge may appreciate the help and company though." Iridescence looked compassionately towards Wildfire. "Also, it may be for the best that nopony knows exactly what I do in Canterlot."

Autumn Lily lay huddled beneath the bed still; she had not left during the evening, and was having difficulty accepting her now safety.

"Please come out, you need to eat something, and probably wash too at this stage." Starfall suggested softly, holding a hoof towards Autumn Lily. She dragged herself slightly forward, into the light of the bedroom, before hastily retreating backwards at a small sound.

"… and then I was all like poomf with my wings, and then I rammed him into the floor knocking him out." Dusk described entering the room. Starfall gave her a look.

"Not helping." She said simply. Dusk looked down at this statement, seeing Autumn Lily still under the bed she felt her heart sink, and leaped over to press her head against the floor, peering through the gap. Autumn Lily whimpered and covered her face. Sighing, Starfall dragged Dusk by her tail backwards a few inches.

"Can't we just leave some food in here with her? Does she have to come out now?" Dusk said compassionately of Autumn Lily's position.

"Fine. But she cannot stay like this forever; we need to see some sort of progress soon."

Still sore, Iridescence trotted calmly to a nondescript building near the centre of town, above it, near unnoticeable, if you weren't looking for it, airships seemed to pass over with more regularity than any other part of Ponyville. Straining with the physical effort, Iridescence managed to teleport inside the building, to a small office complex. Desk manager Proudstance dropped the coffee jug he was levitating through the room in shock. Without shifting his gaze from Iridescence he rang a small bell mounted on his desk. Reverberating with a slight chime he waited.

"I don't know what you think you have found here, but I suggest you leave. Proudstance said nervously. There was an apparent reason why he was more suited to desk work. A couple of young looking enforcers appeared behind him looking quizzical as to why the bell had been rung, before noticing Iridescence. Their graceful forms tensed, holding their heads low, they allowed their magic to glow through their horns threateningly. Iridescence merely smiled.

"Before you do anything too hasty, I suggest you consult with Truehorn. He may have different opinion as to how I should be treated." Iridescence said softly. Proudstance shrugged and sent a small card from his desk into the ether with a purple flash. Tense moments passed, with little to fill the silence, other than Iridescence humming quietly. Truehorn appeared standing tall, in a flash of brilliant white. He stared down at Iridescence intimidating, then, sagged visibly.

"Oh hells. No! I am not dealing with this right now. I'm glad you're recovering so well, but you have caused little but trouble since your arrival here, and I frankly don't need you dropping in." Truehorn held his face in a hoof and sighed.

"I'm here to commandeer transport to the Canterlot offices you pretend don't exist. My offices." Iridescence stated harshly, stressing the word ‘my’ with force. "Also I need to requisition a prisoner be available for when I arrive. Blossomfall. Make him available. Also, make Roselyn available, but I mightn't need her just yet."

"You want me to give you my enforcers and an airship to get you to Canterlot? Why can't you just do what you need to here, then get out of my building, and forget you ever came to see me?"

"I want to be sitting in an office with enforcers I can trust, ones that answer directly to me, not some jumped up unicorn with ideas above your station." Iridescence countered harshly.

"How dare you come in here and tell me my job, and my role. You question my ability, and above all, you insult me, yet you expect me to provide you my valuable resources, and selection of prisoners that I am under orders to ship to Manehattan. I saved your life..." Truehorn yelled angrily before being cut across by Iridescence softly.

"No. I saved my life, you merely cleaned up afterwards. Now I make a reasonable request, one office head to another, and I don't particularly want to play the family thing. So I ask of you again; will you provide me with what I ask?"

"If I give you an airship will you finally leave me in peace to do my damned job?" Truehorn asked relenting.

"Give me use of a ship, and a couple of enforcers, for long enough for me to get what I need done, then I'll bring them back, and, with any luck I need never set hoof in this office again."

Rouge watched curiously as the construction team worked. In a matter of hours the manor began to seem liveable again. The kitchen had been refitted, and the door hung back in its frame, and according to the plasterers, the ceiling of the study was almost back to its glory. Satisfied with progress he retired to his office to consult the detailed plan of notable ponies, and their relevance to the family now left. If nopony took the role soon, and if it wasn't the right pony, Rouge worried he might be out of a job.

"Until you know where the ship is, that is the height and distance from this office, it would be best if I take you to it." Shadowbane said irritated, Iridescence having spent the last ten minutes trying to convince her that he was perfectly capable of teleporting himself.

"Look, I don't care how it is done, or who does it, I just want this nuisance out of my office, and out of my jurisdiction, where I no longer need to care about his wellbeing." Truehorn said exasperated. Shadowbane sighed loudly, grabbed Iridescence, causing him to flinch in pain, and disappeared in bright grey light.

"Welcome to my airship. Think of this as a mobile base of operations for my small team. Sadly at the moment it's just me, the other two are being treated for major burns and crushed bones." Shadowbane said monotonously.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Iridescence said automatically.

"No you're not. Nopony is sorry about it. Even I don't care about them, they serve a purpose, beyond that I could not care less." Shadowbane said in the same monotony.

"How did such grievous harm occur?" Iridescence asked after some thought.

"Blossomfall didn't go easily."

"Ah. I saw the state of the manor. I would count them lucky then." Iridescence said smiling warmly.

"Sir, none of this would have happened if you hadn't spoken up for that earth filth." Shadowbane stated leaving the sentence hanging.

"I can't help but feel a question is there." The responce from Iridescence came brightly, but with a slight warning tone.

"I am curious as to why you would stand for an earth pony traitor." Shadowbane eventually replied. The steady hum of the engine filled the silence for a few moments as Iridescence stared thoughtfully forward. Eventually he spoke softly and deliberately.

"Darling, everything is a game. A game I call 'what can I get away with?' where I consider winning if I manage to make as many useful ponies in my debt at the cost of the fewest ponies of any form." Iridescence gave a flick of his head causing the lights to dim. "Rouge is instrumental in plans I have, and I am not above stepping on a few ponies to get what I want. I will lie, cheat, and steal to succeed, and I need the most valuable pieces on the board and in play."

"What could you possibly want? You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth." Shadowbane said bitterly. Iridescence smiled in the darkened cab, slowly circling Shadowbane he enjoyed the tension he had created.

"'Being powerful is like being a mare. If you have to tell ponies you are, you aren't.'" Iridescence spoke softly and cryptically.

"I've heard that said before. Besides, you frequently tell ponies of your power." Shadowbane said unmoved.

"Exactly."

"How is Autumn Lily doing?" Wildfire asked sitting in the kitchen of Carousel Boutique. Starfall gave a compassionate look before responding.

"Very disturbed, still hiding under a bed, and not talking to anypony." Starfall recited dully.

"That's horrible," Wildfire began, shocked, "is there anything that can be done?"

"Maybe if you can find a pony she'd be willing to open to." Starfall said without confidence. "I have to say how inconsiderate it is of Iridescence to go off on some trip when one of his charges is in such a state." Bitterness dripped from her voice as she narrowed her eyes.

"To be fair he's in Canterlot for you." Wildfire said meekly.

"No he is in Canterlot for himself... Somehow... Don't ask me to say what he gets from this, but I am hugely suspicious of his desire to elevate me."

Cotton Flower stalked about through Ponyville Manor, examining furniture, and checking fixtures.

"Yes, all this will be perfect when aunt Roselyn agrees it's mine." She said arrogantly.

"Madam, I am unsure Roselyn would make such a decision, she has naught but spoke ill of you." Rouge stated politely.

"What Roselyn actually thinks is irrelevant. What matters is the paper. I have links in the department of Documentation; I'll get their assistance and agreement of my rights here."

"Then it may interest you to know that the department of Agriculture and Welfare seems keen for Pearl Ring to take the reins of Ponyville Manor."

"Why would they decide such a thing? Am I considered incapable of running a household?" Cotton Flower asked indignantly.

"Pearl Ring makes a good case that she is best suited to ensure Starlight's livelihood."

"A foal to be the decider of this? Are there no prisons?"

"Plenty of prisons, madam."

"And the workhouses are they still in operation?" Cotton Flower continued icily.

"They are." Rouge said uneasy.

"Oh, from what you said at first I was afraid that something had happened to stop them in their useful course. I fail to see the issue with Starlight."

"You would turn your cousin to labour or incarceration for your own ends?" Rouge asked horrified.

"It's no worse than what I do to hundreds of ponies every year. When foals enter my care they rarely remain with their parents. They are more valuable. They are stronger, more energetic, and easier to educate to the task at hand. Not to mention the fetishists that like to be surrounded by foals. Foals are a good business opportunity; to me there isn't a pony alive I wouldn't sell on if I had the chance." Cotton Flower said without emotion. "I give ponies a future, livelihoods, careers, and responsibility. I see no reason why it would count against me to want the same for Starlight."

* * *

Shadowbane was agitated from spending time around Iridescence. Humming the same tune he had been two hours ago Iridescence continued to pace about the cabin. Gritting her teeth heavily Shadowbane fought her desire to club him with the desk lamp.

"Darling you gritting your teeth is putting me off. Could you maybe do so quieter?" Iridescence said gently. Shadowbane glared with displeasure at him. Shadowbane yelled angrily, gripped Iridescence tightly and teleported the pair to a Canterlot street below.

"We're here OK! Get whatever puerile thing you needed done and tell me when you have." She barked loudly.

"Um, the office is a twenty minute walk from here." Iridescence said meekly. Shadowbane grunted in response and disappeared in bright grey light. Standing alone Iridescence looked about the street. In huge lettering, a poster adorning the opposite wall proclaimed: 'Sweetie Belle Loves You' and underneath the caption was a simplified profile of a white mare with a purple mane.

He looked up to the skyline dominating the city, and at the castle towers, puncturing the sky dramatically. Trotting slowly, Iridescence breathed in the smells of wealth and refinement. Still not Manehattan, but considerably closer to home than Ponyville. In his heady rapture he walked into a life sized effigy of Sweetie Belle, bearing a regal pose. The inscription on the brass plaque was identical to the posters about the walls, but with the secondary text holding her reign details. Smiling slightly at the obvious, and deliberate inaccuracy, Iridescence turned to walk on.

"You dare walk past a likeness to her highness without paying the proper dues?" A tall mare spoke with disgust at Iridescence. He could see she wore the simple black garb favoured by the enforcers. "You shall kneel in the dirt and the sodden ground so that you may know your place wastrel." The icy command came at Iridescence from a force that was used to power.

"Genuflect to her majestic form, lest you lose your ability to respect the one true unicorn."

"Certainly madam. While I am doing that, would you like my papers to review?"

"Keep your pestilent tongue still. Know that I am the most senior pony that is ever likely to grace your worthless presence." She retorted in anger. Iridescence pressed his head to the ground in a deep bow to the statue, while levitating across to the mare his passport and identification documents. "Insolent cur! You cheek my authority by claiming to be of such birth. The nobility of the family line you impersonate sickens me to no end. Not just because you have assaulted a unicorn of birth to steal his papers, but because you insult my intelligence by claiming it is you." Iridescence arose, his chin damp from the pavement and smiled slightly at the mare.

"Oh madam, I can assure you I am Iridescence. I know for one that right now you are contemplating taking me to your fine offices. Offices I am in charge of I might add, and could recount the horrible practices that are engaged there, and I can further assure you that if you continue that tact, I won't allow it."

"A pony such as yourself, covered in scars and cuts, bedraggled and alone could not be Iridescence. Nobility would never appear as such. I insist that I shall take you to my superior, and let her deal with you. She will know if you speak true. Trust me, she'll find out every truth you hide, and call out every lie you use to shield them."

"Well then, if I am your prisoner, could I at least have the courtesy of your name?" Iridescence asked sweetly.

"Silence!" The mare barked angrily, forcing Iridescence to walk forward.

"That's a pretty name. I like it, so, Silence, tell me more of yourself." Iridescence said deliberately obtuse.

"You will remain silent!" Iridescence was rewarded with a kick to his ribs, causing him to double over in pain. The mare, possibly Silence, forced him back to his hooves, and shoved him to march forward.

"You know Madam, I am a unicorn, I could just teleport away." Iridescence said confidently, receiving another kick for his trouble.

"In this city? With eyes on every street corner? You wouldn't get through the night without being rounded up and dragged before justice." Iridescence nodded slightly, picking himself up. That much he knew to be true. The enforcers, while minimal, were spread so well that ten ponies could watch hundreds, and so long as the population never learnt how few there were, fear would do the rest.

Of course there were the pegasi guards in great numbers keeping peace in general, and a larger network of informants, but operating as an enforcer the ratio was around one in one hundred. The pair reached a main street bisecting through the city, the castle entrance now much more visible at one end.

With more force than necessary possibly Silence forced Iridescence's head to the ground, before bowing herself as a fine carriage pulled by white pegasi stallions went past. In the top of his vision, Iridescence saw a pony he had only seen in the flesh once before. Empress Sweetie Belle rode past holding herself proudly and not deigning to look anywhere but straight ahead. Possibly Silence dragged him back up to be able to walk again, and jabbed Iridescence sharply in the gut to spur him into moving.

"You should feel privileged to have been so close to Empress Sweetie Belle." She shouted angrily. Iridescence smiled inwardly, he recognised the building they were approaching, and possibly Silence had no clue as to what she was getting herself into. Barging through the door, she bodily dragged her prisoner in tow, through the threshold and dumped him upon the cold marble floor.

"Ah, Saffron, you have bought another to my ministrations yes?" A patient elderly mare addressed the enforcer that had dragged Iridescence in.

"Saffron? I preferred Silence." Iridescence said cheekily smiling warmly at a familiar face. The elderly mare approached Iridescence and placed the tip of her horn on his forehead. For a few seconds she concentrated then pulled herself up.

"Saffron, consider yourself dismissed. Expect to be punished for your actions this afternoon." The mare stated simply.

"But Poppy Leaf, I have done no ill. I acted..." Saffron began, as Poppy Leaf held up an aged hoof.

"Her tongue has got her into trouble. Have it removed." Poppy Leaf stated to an apparently blank wall, though, detaching from its shadows, two stallions took a screaming Saffron from the building.

"Perhaps a little harsh darling." Iridescence said standing up.

"Give an inch and they'll take a mile, yes?" Poppy Leaf stated softly. "I didn't need to read through your memories to recognise you; that I did for her benefit." Iridescence gave her a compassionate hug and sat on a comfortable sofa in the antechamber

"It's good to see you again. How have things been going these past few years?" Iridescence said warmly.

"I'd prefer if you took a more hooves on approach to this office, instead of turning up once every couple of years, but I appreciate you have a life outside of the family business. Other than that, things are pretty standard, nothing outside of the usual, and nothing noteworthy that I haven't already sent you via a letter.

"I made a request for a prisoner, is he available?" Iridescence said smoothly redirecting the conversation.

"Blossomfall is in room four. I hope you get what you need from him, yes?"

"Contact a representative from the local department of Agriculture and Welfare offices, and the same from the local department of Documentation. I'm going to need to consult with them after my meeting."

"A good plan, yes?" Poppy Leaf agreed affirmatively.

Blossomfall drank what passed for water in room four; he sat uncomfortably on the cold metal bench when Iridescence arrived.

"Blossomfall, good to see you." Iridescence began jovially.

"Lad, I expect you have made your parents proud, and yet also disappointed. They will be happy though, I am out of the way."

"If only it were that simple. Since your subsequent arrest, Roselyn went on a violent rampage, attempting to kill me, and Spirit Flame broke into Carousel Boutique in an ill formed attempt to regain control over Autumn Lily ." Iridescence said solemnly.

"Oh. Well these things can't be helped. I never did care much for my family, Roselyn was a different mare in her youth, granted, but I did not like who she was, and her foals, and I will call them hers, as I want no claim on them, are not of any spawn I would be proud or thankful for."

"There is the issue as to who gains control over Ponyville Manor..." Iridescence said leadingly.

"You need me to give a statement as to who I give it to." Blossomfall finished for him. "But there is a catch, if all I needed to do was give a statement, it would have been dealt with by now, from someone much lower down. You need a specific statement from me." Blossomfall sighed and tipped the glass of water upon the floor. "I will write a statement for any pony you favour in exchange for my freedom."

"It will be hard to get an acquittal for your crimes." Iridescence said calmly. "Besides, the issue is larger than that anyway. Roselyn regrettably has say in the matter, and I want a statement giving Ponyville Manor to Starfall." Blossomfall gave a light chuckle, and smiled tiredly at Iridescence.

"I have to disown her, claim the household as my own to do as I wish, then give it to Starfall. For this I want my freedom, and assurance that Roselyn is incapable of finding me."

"I can get you a severely reduced sentence from the mandatory life down to a month at the shortest, but justice has to be seen to be done. A statement can then be released to close family that you passed in prison, while you get assigned to a workhouse, with a new name, and a slight stipend until you find your hooves. You would not have a wavering restriction on interacting with any past acquaintances or family members, nor would you be permitted to discuss your past with any new ponies you meet thereof."

"A month?" Blossomfall said aghast. "Why can I not die after one night as it were?"

"The department of Justice is not happy that you nearly killed two enforcers, while engaging a third in battle." Iridescence said softly. "I can offer you no better, but I assure you that if you fail to take my offer, Cotton Flower will take the estate, and even though you claim to not care for your foals, and they are your foals, this would most likely result in Starlight being sold. Also you will suffer the indignities of incarceration, at Sweetie Belle's pleasure, for the rest of your life. It might even be argued that your life be extended so you can suffer for longer."

"You have me strung up here, I cannot do anything but take you up can I?" Blossomfall said coldly.

"If it comforts you, I never intended for this."

"But you will use it. Like the vulture you are, like the vulture your family is. Even Roselyn, separated by five generations demonstrated this. The rot in your family, the rot that passes for a trait, is deep and spread. I hope you take pride in your actions, the only comfort I can take now is that you will one day grow a conscience, and that everything you have done, and everything your family has done will plague you. Roseblood and Summer Dew chose to die for a reason. One day that reason will take Jade Mayfall, one day soon, and eventually it will catch up with you." Blossomfall spoke icily, hammering in every work patiently and methodically. "I wish I could hope for the same for your parents, but the rot has spread too deep in them."

"Hark, do listen, the legends foretold of the pot informing the kettle of its blackness." Iridescence retorted bitterly. "Sign this, and we may never need cross paths again." He finished thrusting a weighty document before Blossomfall.

Repercussions of a Selfish Act

Rouge, mane slick with styling, wearing his best suit trotted nervously down the gravel. Starlight had been put to bed, and the staff briefed on how they were to behave in his absence. With any luck, half of them would actually go along with it. The sun was gracefully setting, ending what could only be described as an atrocious day. Still compared to the previous two, things could be worse. The eastern breeze brought with it the scent of apple blossom, and the town was vibrant with the sound of happy unicorn foals playing. Seeing his gait, some of the foals were dragged aside by harangued looking parents; glaring down their noses willing Rouge to make a mistake.

With deliberate care, Wildfire held himself above the ruined street. Down the length of it buildings were scarred, their facades threatening to collapse at the slightest whisper of movement. At the end, facing the street dominatingly, the ripped hole that was Iridescence's house. The rear wall was better than the front, but not by much, the two side walls barely supporting the timber frame for the roof, and the second floor bowed ominously towards its centre. The carnage was sickening; the street had been shredded with such force and brutality that dozens of ponies were critically injured. The beams fell in with a deep groan of splintering wood.

"The other departments aren't going to like this. I trust you have a plan, yes?" Poppy Leaf asked carefully. Iridescence gave her a steady look.

"Of course they won't, mostly because they didn't think of it, but the only thing I can do is stay in Canterlot a few days to make sure people go with my candidate over theirs" He said shifting his weight in the armchair. "Have a cleaner excavate my office, though send a scouting party in before." Iridescence said in an attempt at humour.

"Your father won't like that, don't you have Ponyville obligations?"

"My house is in ruins waiting for repair, my job is irrelevant as a mop in a suit could pass for a foreman for the team I oversee, the only obligation I owe to Ponyville is to the ponies that reside there, and quite frankly, most of them will be glad to have a break from me." Iridescence said bluntly. "Can you believe it's been less than a week, and already I have upset the most influential family there, destroyed the employment market, near irrevocably, as a consequence, and been the target of a murder attempt?"

"Having met you, yes, yes I can." Poppy Leaf said with unwavering sincerity.

There was nothing for it, Wildfire had decided, it was time to go back to his workers' lodgings, and wait it out. He set down on the ruined street lightly and ambled slowly about the perimeter of the near collapsed house. He gazed over the rubble and sighed, there was nothing recognisable anymore, the house was lucky to have stood the past day, let alone hold its form for another.

With a forced smile he trotted through the streets of the old town until he reached a familiar, if unwelcome sight. The darkened, grey, dingy, and almost forbidding alleyway network that made up the industrial portion of Ponyville, its residential section built up, densely populated, and covered in a thick layer of grime from the smog. The sound of birdsong that Wildfire had grown so accustomed to over the past five days was hauntingly absent, and the breeze blowing what could only be called fog about his hooves wasn't helping his mood.

With regretful trudging steps, he crossed the first alleyway keeping his head down. With a painful blow, a brick had been hurled headlong into Wildfire, winding him. The assailant, a grubby looking earth pony, rushed over to purloin what she may find.

"'ere, what a bloody toff," She said disdainfully, "Where do you get off coming back to these forsaken streets then, eh?" She gave Wildfire a spiteful glare. "Things not working out with your plat boyfriend?" She spat the word plat with force, using the enforcers' de facto nickname, awarded to them for their founder Platinum Falls.

"He's no damned plat if that gives you any comfort, and he certainly ain't my boyfriend." Wildfire wheezed breathlessly. "

"Yeah? Well there's me thinking a unicorn with influence over them must be something to them." Wildfire risked turning his head to look at the mare.

"Oh deary me, Tiger May as I live, and apparently breath," he said mockingly, "I thought you had given up on the old mugging game. What made you have a change of heart?" Wildfire finished compassionately. Softening, Tiger sat down next to Wildfire and gave a slight sigh.

"Had to didn't I? What with mother taking up the drink again, and the foundry being nothing but a bunch o' stingy up themselves unicorns." She glared angrily at Wildfire after a moment's thought. "But here you are, in your hoity get up, walking about looking as if you own the place. And to run after such filth as that damned enforcer dogsbody..." Tiger looked disgusted.

"I seem to recall nopony took this much offence to me becoming a guard." Wildfire said sternly.

"Well that’s' different, an' you know why. As much a nuisance the pegasi may be, up there watching everything, they damn well know when it's time to turn away, and ignore the small stuff. Besides, you can spot them a mile off, in their shiny smart uniforms, they keep ponies innocent." Tiger said condescendingly. "Not like a plat, with their secrecy, and always watching, don't know the difference between a crime, and a bit of honest pilfering."

"You might be surprised to learn then, that the unicorns in the old town fear and hate them even more than some of the street waifs you could care to name."

"Toffs with their private law have nothing to fear; they can just throw money at a problem and watch it disappear. Only last week Greythorn was killed by his employer because he was apparently stealing silver. So what if he was, you can't tell me that that is right. Why do them over there get such privilege while I have to fester in these gutters barely supporting myself let alone my family?" Tiger asked incredulously.

"Roselyn's butler? Yes I heard about that. Met his replacement, nice enough pony though pompous and arrogant. Well the plats carted her off a couple of days ago, along with her husband and eldest."

"What? Never. What did she do that was so atrocious?"

"She tried to kill my employer." Wildfire said regretting it immediately.

"Oh right then, I suppose when she butchers us 'lower races' nopony gives a damn, but she touches another unicorn and that's it is it?" She spat angrily. "And here I was starting to get all sympathetic to them, thinking they might actually have the capability of honest and real emotion." Tiger finished sarcastically.

"You still lodging with that nutter from Fillydelphia?" Wildfire asked desperately changing the topic.

"Course I am, not like I can afford anywhere else. Not everypony can be as lucky as you, with your highbred home that you get for sleeping with some ponce." Tiger said bitterly glaring at the stallion.

"I'll have you know Iridescence is my employer, not a lover." Wildfire retorted indignantly.

"And you even talk like them do now, all proper with your airs and graces. It's like trying to talk to the Empress herself. You were once respectable, now you're just one of them."

"Look, my employer has decided to go off on some adventure to Canterlot, and the house we were in was totalled by Roselyn in her rage, so I'm just here to pick up some things before going back to my 'high living' as you're so keen to think of it, lodging with quite possibly the only decent unicorn still in that privileged community of self-important bigots." Wildfire looked softly at Tiger. "Here, this should see you through a few days; you were only going to rob me of it anyway." He said tossing a small money pouch at her.

"Oh my, how gracious." Tiger said with a put on sneer. "I wish I could be more sympathetic to you, and more grateful for this pittance, but I know your situation is a damn sight better than mine will ever be."

The streets of Canterlot were beautifully illuminated by the evening sun. Casting long shadows over the white buildings, appearing crimson in the light, Iridescence inhaled happily. It wasn't Manehattan, but it was a lot closer to home than Ponyville. He gazed about the main street, enjoying the sounds of a city at dusk he noticed a grand building just outside the castle walls. Twilight's Mausoleum, vast and impressive, it emanated the beauty and splendour of the new regime; back when it was new.

It had been years since Iridescence had last set hoof in there. As part of a school trip to Canterlot the young unicorns had been encouraged to visit and pay their respects. With a reminiscent smile he strode confidently to the entrance and gave the guard a slight nod. The entrance to the vast tomb was gilt and plush, its surfaces giving an unmistakable rich feel. Even the carpet, deep with its pile, was a grand purple, and replaced annually what with its thread becoming worn and bleached through excessive traffic and light.

At the far end of the entrance stood a grand statue of Twilight Sparkle, head held high, planting a flag. Iridescence smiled fondly as he walked past it to descend the stairs behind the statue's base. The fornix beneath was cool and dry, lit with safety lanterns and following a similar layout to the entrance hall. With one significant change though, where a statue stands above to the end of the room, a glass sarcophagus rests on the flagstones below.

Iridescence approached at a respectable slow gait. Embalmed beautifully, a unicorn lay above the inscription bearing her name: 'Twilight Sparkle', with the addendum: 'Gifted Academic, Scientist, Sociologist, Unicorn. We shall remember her.' Smiling weakly, Iridescence gave a gracious bow to the case, eyes wet with tears of respect, gratitude, and above all humility.

After a short time, Iridescence ascended the stone steps and blinked in the bright light of the entrance hall. He decided to continue to the next floor where a memorial library and reading room was held. Books written by great thinkers adorned the high mahogany shelves, most of them either by Twilight, or critiques of her work by others. She had applied herself to so many disciplines, and had written on most of them. Iridescence breathed in the musty heady smell of ancient books and selected one at random. 'Socialist Equestria: An overview of post revolt society' was one of the last books to be written by Twilight, and had been heavily edited and censored by the department of Documentation. Iridescence settled himself in an armchair, and turned to a random page.

'Perhaps the most striking difference, to society comes in the form of how business is managed, all forms of enterprise are now heavily controlled by the state, their occupancy being decided by the department of Agriculture and Welfare, their existence noted and accounted for by the department of Documentation, and their regulation being handled by the department of Justice. As previously mentioned, these three departments represent the will of the Empress, and a form of democratic process in the creation of the governing laws. Between them they divide wealth with a modicum of equality about the community, ensuring all ponies, regardless of race, sex, or ability is capable of sustaining their own existence, so long as they appease the assignment of employment.

Employment itself is also improved, arguably, as with such assignments very few ponies are unemployed, those that are do so out of choice not necessity, and few jobs go understaffed. Most interesting though, is how artists and inventors have their employment regulated. Common practice is to assign one such gifted pony suitable premises for their type of employment, then to give them a stipend for being available for official work. Architects will, for example, be required to design lodgings and factories, along with public service buildings to secure their wage, picking up trifling sums of money elsewhere as and when they pick up a private commission. This is particularly true of artists, most will paint, sculpt or create works depicting important political heads as part of their actual job, with the occasional piece created when a pony of sufficient wealth can afford their services.'

Iridescence blinked blearily, the text was washing over him, causing his tired mind to feel numb. He put the book back on its shelf and sleepily walked downstairs to the entrance. The guard shift had changed, and the new pony gave Iridescence a confused but respectful look as the exhausted pony ambled past.

* * *

With great care Iridescence sat between his mother and father. In a conference room just off the castle grounds the mid-morning sun blazed through the ornate windows, making Iridescence uncomfortably warm.

"Father, I..." Iridescence began meekly.

"You have spoken for the department, which is a right I had not awarded you. I only respect your decision publicly, lest our family look deplorable, but know that I do not support you privately." Platinum Falls spoke bluntly.

"You said yourself the decision I made was one you would have." Iridescence retorted quietly.

"Exactly." Platinum Falls said sharply. "One I would have made." Emphasising the I forcefully he turned away from Iridescence. The door swung open to allow a small group of unicorns to enter. Sitting opposite Iridescence a trio of unicorns dressed in a collection of reds sat comfortably, glaring with bureaucratic force, and at the other side of the rounded table sat another group of three, though dressed in rich greens. From above the table looked like a triangle formed from black, red, and green points; each sitting almost an equal distance apart from the others.

"The department of Documentation feels it best that Ponyville Manor be occupied by Cotton Flower." The only red clad stallion began slowly. "Her credentials are outstanding, and we feel she has a healthy attitude towards business management, serving classes, and foals."

"You would Brandy, you do tend to support those with the deepest pockets." A white mare dressed in green spoke bitterly.

"Really Nightsong, you're going to play that card? Why doesn't your department support her, she is your employee after all?" Brandy retorted, running a hoof through his white mane out of stress.

"Why for that reason of course." Nightsong said simply. "It would not do to relocate her from her fine service. As for her attitude to foals, we in Agriculture and Welfare have the opinion that she will most likely sell the filly first chance she gets." She shifted in her seat, her pink mane clashing horribly with the green of her mandated dress. At least her white coat bore little clash.

"Why in Equestria would she sell a foal?" Brandy asked bemused at the suggestion.

"Have you not heard her remark how the teaching hospitals always need practice materials?" Nightsong replied slyly. "Consider for a moment the circumstances surrounding her parents' untimely passing." Platinum Falls shot Nightsong a warning look.

"I will not tolerate that level of accusation at this table!" He shouted forcibly.

"No? How much did she pay you then? Cotton Flower solves all her problems by throwing money at them." Nightsong said in a gossiping fashion.

"Moving on." Platinum Falls said sharply. "Who do you propose?"

"The department of Agriculture and Welfare find Pearl Ring a suitable candidate."

"Moving on." Platinum Falls repeated in the same tone. "The department of Justice have been informed the replacement should be Starfall." He gave a sidelong glance at Iridescence. "Meeting over. Good day."

"No it most certainly is not. Why did we not get to defend our candidate?" Nightsong asked indignantly.

"I didn't want to waste your time with false hope." Platinum Falls suavely replied. Nightsong deflated visibly.

"I still fail to see why Cotton Flower is such a bad choice." Brandy stated trembling with nerves.

"Because she's a heartless shrew of a pony who would sell her own mother, and, if you believe Nightsong, has." Platinum Falls bellowed, patience vanishing quickly. "Now can we end this charade and just agree that, as per usual, the department of Justice is right."

"I think it is fair to say that we are the only department that has acted justly in the garnering of a candidate." Nightsong cried over the growing din. "We haven't taken a bribe, or forced a reaction from convicted criminals."

"I say." Platinum Falls gasped in mock surprise. "You would dare accuse my department of unfair tactics when it comes to the matter of politics. What of you being influenced by the fact that you want to get your own sister a teaching job in Ponyville? Would Pearl Ring's absence not provide you a perfect work opening?" Iridescence took a deep breath.

"Interdepartmental agreement states that in the event of an employment vacancy, not through departmental action on the part of Agriculture and Welfare, or Documentation, the previous incumbent, unless disqualified through whit of insanity, has precedent in choosing their replacement, unless they are disqualified through whit of physical incapability, insanity, or being criminally unsuitable." Iridescence spoke calmly and softly, causing silence to drop about the room again.

"Lord Blossomfall has declared his family inappropriate for making such a decision, and gave a lengthy statement giving his views on the suggested replacement. Unless a legitimate disqualification reason is given, his wishes are to be respected." He finished as quietly as he had begun, shocked by his own words.

"What are you doing?" Golden Jubilee hissed in a low whisper.

"Saving our credibility." Iridescence replied hushed. Nightsong cleared her throat.

"When put like that I can see the point of Starfall. I trust she'll be better at caring for Starlight than Cotton Flower at any rate, so the department of Agriculture and Welfare is satisfied with this conclusion." Nightsong said slowly and deliberately.

"The department of Documentation also agrees that Starfall is most suited, no matter how much we didn't benefit from a never given bribe." Brandy agreed sweating and looking ill.

* * *

"If you ever do that again, I won't stop at disowning you." Platinum falls said harshly once everypony else had left the room. Iridescence looked straight at him, unblinking.

"Do what? Save your credibility? Fix a power vacuum? Make a suitably visible position for an already being watched pony?" He snarled back, flippant in his rage.

"I appreciate your actions have worked, but it was not your place to make them."

"If I am watching you nearly fail, why should I not stop you from falling?" Iridescence asked coldly.

"Because that is my job, and nopony else is trustworthy enough."

"Next time I'll just let you drop then?"

"That is what I expect of you, yes!" Platinum Falls spat. "You are a failure of a son, a failure of an enforcer, and a failure of a unicorn, yet you act out on the few areas you actually have some modicum of ability in, only causing the wrong ponies to notice you. I made the right decision in exiling you from this family; I'm just sorry it took that gateau for me to find an excuse to do so." Platinum Falls started breathing heavily.

"I don't expect you to show me up, I don't expect an incompetent like yourself trying to save me, and if by some miracle you manage it, it doesn't strengthen us, it weakens me. I may have lost credibility had I fallen from grace then, but I have lost credibility now. Credibility as a father, and credibility as a head. None of the other department underlings spoke once; they sat quietly taking notes, and passing documents to their superiors. You have smeared my reputation as the confident leader I once could claim to be."

"No father." Iridescence spoke bluntly. "You smeared it, the moment you refused help on an issue you were incapable of. You can no longer command ponies as you once did, you have lost that part of you, and anything I do, does little more than merely underline the point to you. Everypony else can see it, you are merely deluded with your own self-importance and worth."

"Such nerve, I have half a mind to..." Platinum Falls started shocked.

"Good day, father, I have business to attend to." Iridescence sharply turned on the spot, and walked dramatically out of the room.

Muros Aures Habent

The room was a light blue; the sort a paint salespony would label something pretentious, to the ilk of Spring Sunrise, or Sea Breeze. It was a pastel sort of colour, sweet to look at, reminiscent of Iridescence's younger years. Everything felt numb and warm; the haze that was Iridescence's brain vaguely noted that he shouldn't be in his Manehattan bedroom but in Canterlot. This thought was dismissed as this was the first time he had felt truly relaxed in years. The gentle ticking of the clock was interrupted by the chiming of the hour. Six chimes; Iridescence eventually realised that meant something, but the dull fog wasn't lifting to aid thinking. A loud cough indicated he wasn't alone in the room.

"Oh... Father?" Iridescence murmured with difficulty focusing.

"You acted without thought. You acted above your station. So here we are." The dull monotonous reply came. Platinum Falls was shifting in and out of Iridescence's hearing. The ticking amplified steadily.

"I see. This conversation I feel we have had before." Iridescence mumbled after an age of thought.

"That sadly is the case. You seem adamant to ignore this lesson." Platinum Falls said with the slightest hint of weariness in his voice. Iridescence blinked slowly, trying to focus visually. The clock's ticking seemed to reverberate about the room, its echo coming in just before the next turning of the cog. Opening his eyes again Iridescence strained to see the unicorn talking to him. Slowly, he registered that the pony was a mare.

"I don't understand this." Iridescence breathed out in a near inaudible whisper.

"You should pay heed to your father darling. He is right; you did act above your station." It became apparent that the speaker was Golden Jubilee. Iridescence registered confusion finally, and tried to sit up. His body refused to follow with that desire.

"Where is he?" He asked feeling nauseous. Head drooping slightly, Iridescence's vision faded again.

"I am still in front of you, talking to you." Platinum Falls said coldly. Iridescence jerked his head up to see that, occupying the space Golden Jubilee had moments ago, his Father stood grimacing.

"What about Mother?" A dark blue mare was in Iridescence's line of sight the moment he thought the question. Yet there was no indication as to how the two ponies were shifting position. Reflecting on it, Iridescence realised he couldn't actually remember Platinum Falls ever being in the room. Confident he had merely assumed Iridescence attempted to sit up again, only to remember that he failed moments previous.

"Hush now, darling, everything is going to be OK." Golden Jubilee said placating him. "If you have been paying attention, you'll know what to do now." She thrust her head back, horn glowing with energy as the walls burst into blue flames. Dully, Iridescence looked about the room. It wasn't his room in Manehattan after all. The surface he was lying on, not a bed, but a cold metal bench, the sort used in the department of Justice's meeting rooms. The walls, while blue in colour, were not the kind baby blue he thought, but the harsh grey blue that was the standard paint in these rooms.

"What if I don't know what to do?" Iridescence asked, starting to overcome the dull fog in his head.

"Hmm?" Platinum Falls started, giving a glance back at Iridescence. "Then this will be the last lesson you learn." Iridescence struggled to coax life into his limbs, but to no avail; the searing heat from the magical flames distracting his already befuddled head; except they weren't hot any more. The fire had cooled, yet the light still danced as though the room was burning.

Panicking, taking in every inch of the room, Iridescence felt the flames grow colder still, sapping the heat from the room. Thinking forcefully, he came to the only conclusion he could. There was nothing that could be done. Frost formed on the bench, burning Iridescence with its vicious coldness. Exhaling painfully he watched his breath condense on the cool air. Iridescence closed his eyes, set his head back and stopped trying. Inhaling deeply, the temperature stabbing at his lungs, he opened his eyes to the bright early afternoon sun.

Poppy Leaf stood above him, exhausted from her feat, while an unhappy looking Platinum Falls stood alongside her. The air was balmy, and the lawn Iridescence was lying on didn't give the slightest hint of frost.

"Don't you dare question my authority or my ability again." Platinum Falls barked loudly.

Wildfire hadn't slept through a morning in years, so was feeling refreshed at the chance to do so. He looked about the room with a disapproving glance. Grey was the only way it could be described, though if pressed further, the word drab might find its way in. He gave a slight humourless smile as he regretted his decision to stay the night. Cursing Tiger May for getting him so exhausted for her assault, he paused in the act of dressing. One thing that was underlined in the brief exchange was how odd he looked in comparison to the ponies milling about the desolate streets.

Conceding to Iridescence's knowledge on dressing to look right, he put down the carefully stitched, beautifully cut suit, in favour of the tatty work-worn clothing he had owned for years. He shuffled over to the cracked spotty mirror hanging on a loose nail. The clothes little more than roughly shaped sacking feeling oddly restrictive, given how comfortable he remembered them being, were causing movement to be restricted. Wildfire picked up a brush, and was about to tackle his mane with it, when the thought continued as to how neat and presentable it now looked to these less fortunate. Throwing it back into the drawer, he fell back onto the bed, staring up at the flaky plaster of the ceiling.

"How did you get me to dream that?" Iridescence asked shaken. He and Poppy Leaf had returned to his offices, and, after a cup of coffee, Iridescence had taken a seat on the entrance sofa.

"I didn't make you dream anything." Poppy Leaf stated bemused. "All I did was bring back a memory of fear. Platinum thought it best. You fell unconscious, so I can only guess your subconscious cobbled it together, yes? Out of whatever stray bits of memory I woke up."

"It felt like the dreams I had been having this past week." Iridescence sighed shaking. Poppy Leaf placed a hoof gently on Iridescence.

"I'm sorry, but I do have to respect Platinum Falls' authority. Apparently so do you." She stated meaningfully. "As for your dreams, perhaps they are a Pavlovian reaction."

"I'm sorry Poppy Leaf, but I haven't a clue what that is." Iridescence said wearily. He stretched out on the sofa, shifting his weight to allow a more relaxed posture.

"You surprise me, given your application of... shall we say, persuading ponies, that such a theory had not been explained to you. In a nutshell, it's psychological conditioning, to induce the same reaction each time a trigger is made. The example given is ringing a bell to get a dog to perform a certain trick, yes? With you, the trigger is your parents, thinking of them, or being around them seems to trigger a subconscious fear, most notably manifesting when you sleep." Poppy Leaf said cheerfully. Smiling as she gently smoothed Iridescence's mane.

"Are you saying I've been trained to fear my parents?" Iridescence asked aghast. "Darling, no offence to you, but, I am not scared of them." He finished resolute.

"Why not? Everypony else is."

"Everypony else is what? Trained to fear them, or scared of them?" Iridescence asked incredulously. Poppy Leaf took Iridescence's chin and looked him square in the eyes. Smiling widely, she let his head drop, as she turned away to leave the room.

Rouge awoke with a start. Fretting he gave a cursory stare at the ceiling. It didn't make him feel any better. He looked down at the bed covers. They also did nothing to improve his mood. He turned to his left to see a bleary, but smiling light pink mare. This underlined his dread. It was the wrong room, the wrong bed, and the wrong company for a pony of his low status.

"Oh dear Celestia." Rouge said quietly. Pearl Ring's face fell slightly.

"I expected a more positive reaction than that." She said amused briefly.

"Don't get me wrong. I find you a charming mare, and a wonderful intellect to engage with, but this is not going to work out." Rouge said nervously.

"Oh and this is when you become a hero is it? You’re going to save me from you, so I can appease some societal norm and end with some up himself unicorn, with his notions of superiority and class, just because he was born the right shape?" Pearl Ring asked angrily.

"I suppose to you I'm just a unicorn who was born without a horn then?" Rouge replied, meeting her level of frustration.

"That doesn't even make any sense." Pearl Ring cried indignantly.

"No? So I'm born to the right family for your upper class tastes, and in the right shape for your anti-unicorn thing you have going on, yet I'm to take it you don't see me as a unicorn without a horn?" Rouge retorted aggressively, his neat demeanour vanishing.

"Stop putting words in my mouth, shut up, and listen for a second."

"Don't you have a school to teach in?" Rouge asked bitterly.

"It's my day off. Don't you have a filly to take to school?" Pearl Ring replied with the same arrogance. Rouge sat silently opening his mouth at this question. Eventually he found his voice again.

"I'm sorry I jumped at you like that." He said meekly.

"Just... go, OK." Pearl Ring said forlornly. Rouge made it as far as the door before turning back to face Pearl. His slow gait not helping matters much.

"Look... I..." Rouge began sheepishly.

"I had a wonderful evening with you. If you get your head removed from your own backside maybe you can take me out again." Pearl Ring cut across glaring.

A rock sailed through the one remaining pane of glass in the window, shattering it into the rough floorboards. Wildfire sighed, walked to the window, and called out to the street below.

"Hey! Get on with you, some of us work to pay for these windows." Wildfire bellowed down to the group of young ponies. The group was mostly fillies, but one colt had joined them in their afternoon terrorising session. He thought back to when he met the unicorn colt that directed them to Higgins', which, on reflection marked a huge difference from the foals he was used to. Wildfire had grown up around street ponies; barely making enough to survive, with the constant fear that they may lose their homes, their jobs, their families, all at the whim of the government. It didn't help that the moment a foal reached maturity it would be assigned a role, and potentially relocated from their family. A world so impoverished manners are too expensive a luxury was a stark contrast to the world of obscene wealth, where even the smallest generosity is viewed as a social grace.

"What does that say about society?" Iridescence had asked. Wildfire knew now what Iridescence meant. He meant that the ponies that are tomorrows' sociopaths, aren't always who you think they're going to be. The foals in the street, some may turn to crime, but most will live close enough to honest; toiling in hellish conditions for little recompense, and the unicorn colt will one day come to expect from others their generosity, and demand they sacrifice on his behalf. Yet standing here, slick and prim, in his butler suit, Wildfire was the unhappy medium between the two realities: Neither a true incarnation of poverty and injustice, nor a well off pony capable of sustaining himself on the labour of others.

The suit was more comfortable than the sacking, and his mane being neat did have practicality value. Decision made Wildfire set about leaving for the old town.

There was a shuffling beneath the guest bed in Carousel Boutique. With the bright sunshine catching in the dust motes Autumn Lily prepared herself to get up. It was quite the task though, her time under the bed had caused her joints to seize up in a painful cramp. Slowly she stood up, her back shaking from the effort.

"Is there anypony out there?" She opened her mouth to say. After a few minutes of standing silently open-mouthed, Autumn Lily gave up trying to speak. Walking stiffly, she managed to shuffle to a small dressing table, and critically glance at herself in a mirror. Autumn Lily looked shocked at herself, her mane back to being lacklustre, and her coat matted and wild. A flicker of light caught her eye in the reflection. Atop the bed a small button was glinting as the sun hit it as just the right angle.

Transfixed, she stared at the button for what felt like hours, until eventually, very gingerly, Autumn Lily knocked it lightly with the tip of a hoof. The button had come from Spirit Flame's shirt, at some point in the confusion of that evening. With a more boisterous flick, she sent the delicate silver disc soaring across the room, landing between the floorboards. She smiled at this and turned to walk out of the room, only to be met with Dusk smiling, less than two feet from her. Autumn Lily gave a silent scream, before huddling at Dusk's hooves.

The light in the street, though technically bright, seemed second hand and washed-out, as if the entire sky had been passed through a greyscale filter. This did nothing to improve Wildfire's mood, which was as decidedly grey as the street he trudged through. A commotion caught his eye; one of the small bakeries was dealing with the all too frequent dispute over ration quantities, and how the loaves were too small for purpose. It was only a week ago that he himself would have been in that shouting mob, yet now the problem seemed distant and alien, affecting a different group of ponies. The result would always be the same, the shop keep would smile warmly, carefully answering all of the concerns, and then the instigator of the complaints would fail to turn up tomorrow.

Wildfire was close to the mob now, and could discern comments in the rabble.

"I don't care what it says on my food card, I have a bloody family to feed!" An angry green mare shouted boisterously at the wizened stallion.

"Oh dearie me, I can't be having that now..." He said in a voice cracked with age. Smiling brightly, the shop keep graciously presented a second loaf. To Wildfire the gesture seemed too generous, as if the act came with strings attached. Of course it did, but, to the general street rabble, here was free bread, and who is to argue with that. The mare eyed it suspiciously, before gingerly taking it into her saddlebag.

"I'm grateful, I'm sure..." She admitted nervously. The mob of ponies seemed satisfied that the working-stallion had won, and gradually milled away from the dumbstruck mare. Out of morbid curiosity Wildfire continued to watch her as she slowly trotted through the desolate streets. He kept a steady pace, holding a respectable distance until they had rounded a corner into a darkened alley.

Even in the bright daylight little penetrated the shadows of the precipice between the buildings. The gentle clop of hooves striking flagstones broke the eerie silence, moving towards the green mare, a solitary black clad unicorn smiled grimly.

"Oh what have I found?" He said in a rich forbidding voice. His white coat and mane penetrated the darkness, adding a darker feel to the rest of the alley. "An earth pony extorting undeserved foodstuffs?" He took a couple of strides closer to her. "Well now, that's just unacceptable. The department of Agriculture and Welfare set these limits for a reason."

"I have a family to feed..." The mare replied meekly, holding herself proud despite feeling sick.

"Yes well that's rather the thing..." The unicorn enforcer continued, "not anymore." He finished with a slight smile and a nod of his head to the saddlebag, allowing the loaf of bread to levitate out in a crimson aura. She stared across at him for a few seconds, then as the statement hit, she paled with shock, and ran through the streets crying out for her loved ones. Smiling, the stallion held a steady gait to Wildfire, who was rooted to the spot.

"Good day there, fellow." The enforcer said with a hint of warmth. "I trust you enjoyed your escapade, watched an interesting piece of street theatre, and now are itching to go home, and forget about it all."

"Oh very much so sir, thank you sir." Wildfire said shrinking with fear.

"Hmm, you're not one of these usual waifs are you?" The enforcer said pensively. "Ah, you're that pegasus young Iridescence has taken a shine to. Wildfire, I take it. Quince, dear fellow, I implore you to a spot of light tea somewhere. I have things I would love to discuss with you." Quince intoned warming significantly.

"That's a very kind offer, sir, but I really must be going now."

"It wasn't a request, Wildfire." Quince said harshly.

Autumn Lily had braved the staircase, it was a daunting task, but she had managed to walk as far as the kitchen, and was looking about the room with a mixture of fear and trepidation. With a placating smile Starfall looked fondly at the earth pony as she gazed at the kitchen for the first time in quite a while.

“How are you feeling now?” Starfall asked gently, slowly standing. Autumn Lily looked at her pained.

“Cold, empty, alone.” Autumn Lily formed the words, but still could not yet form the ability to put sound behind them.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you are trying to say.” Starfall said apologetically. Autumn Lily could taste the eggs cooking in the frying pan, their scent drifting through the kitchen with the slightest of breezes from the open window. With a tortured glance at Starfall she collapsed onto the table in a torrent of tears.

“I was screaming for so long, and nopony could hear me.” She said through gasping sobs. Starfall moved to hold Autumn Lily compassionately, then paused shocked as she registered hearing a voice.

“You’re speaking?” Starfall exclaimed questioningly.

“I asked Rouge, it was the last thing I said, I asked him if we really were being sold. He said he didn’t know.” Autumn Lily looked up, her face drenched and burning from the tears. “I couldn’t speak to Spirit Flame, it hurt to even look at him.” She cried pitifully. “The maid that fed me tried to cheer me up, but with her ignorance and her quips only reminded me of the hell I had been sold into.”

“I’m so sorry for you…” Starfall said gently.

“Then I was saved, but not by Rouge, the pony I expected to come to my rescue, but by another unicorn. Why is it that the earth ponies I trusted did nothing for me, and it was another of my potential slavers that eventually freed me?”

“Uh…” Starfall tried, shocked by the proposition. “I don’t know, but I don’t think Rouge should be diminished. He probably helped Iridescence.”

“What are you going to use me for?” Autumn Lily asked forlorn.

“I wasn’t going to use you for anything.” Starfall interjected genuinely shocked. “I care for your wellbeing and rights as a pony.”

“Isn’t this nice, eh?” Quince asked rhetorically. “Just a couple of fellows enjoying tea in one of the better tea houses in Ponyville.”

“Oh, very much so…” Wildfire said carefully. He looked about the twee shop with an expression of mild distaste.

“And yet something troubles you?” Quince said calmly. “Let me guess, that earth mare’s family?” Wildfire looked carefully at Quince’s face, trying to figure out if there was a trap in this conversation.

“I had a thought, yes.” Wildfire reasoned carefully.

“Don’t worry about them, they are alive and well, just not here anymore. This time tomorrow they will be in another glorious town, working towards whatever cause Agriculture and Welfare decree.”

“That’s good to know?” Wildfire said carefully interjecting a questioning inflection.

“Ah, but it’s not their wellbeing that troubles you, no, what you are really troubled by is the speed at which I managed to discover her crimes, and suitably reprimand her.” Quince gave a slight smile, and sipped his cream tea delicately.

“Well…” Wildfire said relaxing slightly.

“You’re a clever pony, and you spend so much time with one of us, why don’t you tell me how you think I did it?” Quince implored with the right level of flattery.

“I can only assume the shopkeeper reported it.” Wildfire said after careful thought.

“Quite right, but there is so much more to it than that.” Quince said passionately. “Think about how the system works, its beautiful intricacies and nuances, would you not be cautious about talking in front of a unicorn, let alone acting before one. Why, everypony would simply go about their days merely thinking their traitorous thoughts, we would never apprehend anypony.”

“But surely a greater test of criminality is to see if an offence would be committed in front of you?” Wildfire said losing his fear of disparagement.

“I know you had a similar conversation yesterday with a troublesome mare, Tiger May, such a pretty name. Shame she no longer enjoys it. Her thoughts were very clear. Uniforms, visibility, and presence, they keep ponies honest, but think now of the cost to the state, the cost to our fair government if we need a uniformed enforcer per pony, keeping everypony honest. It is so much cheaper and more efficient to use fear, rather than assuming that the law is visible, let the ragamuffins of the street assume the opposite. They will fear the retribution whenever there is the potential for witnesses, and if you can never see the observer, surely there is always the potential.”

“That system relies on deceit and lies though.” Wildfire said aghast.

“There is no deceit, we are honest in saying they might be being watched, there are no lies, we allow them to know of our presence when we apprehend them. The invisible observer is always present, always watching, that is a working mind-set that ensured everypony stays honest. When it does fail, as it did earlier, it fails on a primal level, basic low-life criminals who are selfish and self-important.”

“You do not give them the chance to prove otherwise.” Wildfire criticised thoughtfully.

“They have ample opportunity. The thought happens before the act, why act on a thought if you know it to be wrong?”

“Why are you having this discussion with me?” Wildfire interjected. “I’m nopony special; I hold no need for this knowledge.”

“Oh, but dear fellow you do, if you plan on working for someone to the ilk of Iridescence, you will find knowledge of how he acts invaluable. More importantly though, you will be invaluable to him if you can give a greater understanding to assisting him in his endeavours.”

“Everything is so shrouded and hidden. Why would any system rely on subterfuge?”

“His family motto is also accepted as the de-facto motto of the department of Justice. Muros Aures Habent. When even the walls are listening, you guard your words, yes?”

Holding Power

The searing heat from a hundred fires made Wildfire queasy and lethargic. His temperament was not improved by the forced company either. Craning over the catwalk's railing, Wildfire watched in awe as the foundry below bent and shaped large steel ingots. Staring blankly, he watched the almost fluid motions of hundreds of ponies running the steel mill, hammering, forging, tempering, and mostly ferrying steel.

The labour would be back-breaking, the recompense would be minimal, yet, from the catwalk, the majesty of the machine could be glimpsed, if only for a second. Quince smiled knowingly as he saw this flicker in Wildfire's face.

"You can see it, can't you?" Quince said softly. "You can see the turning of society, in this microcosm of the world." Wildfire didn't turn away from the mass of action beneath him. Each pony had a task, and though there were variants, they were fluid and controlled, like watching the flow of a river, coalescing over a rock in the centre. Molten steel was cradled through the mill, supported and carried through great pulleys, just below the catwalks, stopping frequently to allow the working ponies access. In a section slightly south however, things were much more active. With a huge orange-green glow, tonnes of coal were being burnt, keeping the flames almost everlasting, as fresh ingots were heated and liquefied, ready for further refinement.

"I've seen workhouses before." Wildfire said dismissively, still not shifting his attention from the floor. "I grew up in this world; I grew up living like these ponies do."

"Not like this you haven't." Quince stated smirking. "Things look different from up here. Why, I think I can even see understanding creep into your face." Quince walked slowly to the other side of Wildfire. "Ironic though isn't it. You, the pegasus, have never seen the bird's eye view that I, the unicorn, am treated to, every day." He gave slight indication for Wildfire to follow, as Quince stalked slowly away, towards the fearful foreman.

"I don't understand yet why I need to see any of this."

"Not this, of course." Quince said, blanking Wildfire's comment. "Figuratively speaking, I have the bird's eye view over something equally as grand as a labour force, but, so very different. I thought this would be something you would be able to understand though."

"I get what I am being shown, but not why I am being shown any of it." Wildfire retorted testily. Quince gave a slight nod of appreciation to the crouching foreman as he passed, the nod relieving the fear partially.

"Mind your manners Wildfire; thank the gentlecolt in allowing us his mill for my demonstration."

Iridescence smirked coyly at Poppy Leaf. She had returned from one the refectory of the office with a large bowl of soup.

"Darling, you know you're not supposed to take food or cutlery from the refectory." He said in a jokingly stern voice.

"What, in the offices I basically head?" Poppy Leaf responded in mock aghast.

"Yes, well, that brings me to what I wanted to ask you." Iridescence said carefully. "But I need to be clear that I'm not giving my office an order, rather, making a request, one pony to another."

"Pray, continue." Poppy Leaf said in a voice that showed her age, between careful sips of her onion soup.

"A couple of things really: I do not trust the enforcers in Ponyville. They have been separate from my family too long. I need somepony from this office to transfer there, and keep an eye on things." Poppy Leaf didn't look the slightest bit shocked at this request.

"You have somepony in mind?" She asked carefully.

"Ah, sweet charming Saffron, though I do prefer Silence. She can work on paying me back for the humiliation of being dragged through the streets of Canterlot, like some lost school-colt."

"But she..." Poppy Leaf began, before halting in the wake of Iridescence's stare.

"Have it replaced, and her ready to leave by the end of the afternoon." Iridescence said deliberately, before frowning. "Oh, I'm sorry darling, I forgot myself a moment there. I did say this wasn't an order, only if you want to."

"I have no problem with it. It saves me the issue of having her about, cluttering the place up."

"Good, that brings me to my second request. I need to return home... and my previous ride was a little testy about it. Sadly Shadowbane has stated her reluctance to allow me in her airship ever again, and has left without me." Iridescence said smoothly, giving a coy smile.

"Somehow I can believe that." Poppy Leaf began meeting the smile. "I'll arrange for somepony to take you home. This afternoon, I assume."

"That would be good, yes." Iridescence replied with a wide smile. "But home is Manehattan... I need to return to Ponyville. You are too good to me. I'll be sure to write though."

"You won’t."

"I'll try"

"You'll forget after a week..." Poppy Leaf said sweetly.

"Well, maybe, but I will try." Iridescence finished sheepishly.

"Oh it seems like only yesterday I was looking after you as an adorable little colt. Bathing you, playing with you, feeding you..."

"Those were good days I'm sure." Iridescence replied embarrassed, looking about the room for ponies listening in.

"Oh you were so adorable darling, and I always made sure you got home safely then."

"You were an excellent foal-sitter..." Iridescence admitted begrudgingly.

Quince led Wildfire through the streets of the new town with purpose. Keeping a steady pace he held his head proud and stared resolutely forward. Wildfire wondered if this was image, or actually his true self. Giving a cautious upward glance, Wildfire noticed the buildings getting gradually taller as they progressed through the town.

They were obviously nearing the centre, and in the heart of the industrial complex a tall office block punctuated the skyline dramatically, housing the representatives of the department of Documentation. The façade was dark and imposing, drawing the eye upwards to the spire like point to the structure, Quince, however, halted a short distance from the entrance, to smile warmly at Empress Sweetie Belle's likeness being cradled by a flattering depiction of Twilight Sparkle. Wildfire held his gaze almost too long at Quince, quizzically looking at the brass scales adorned upon his otherwise brilliant white flank.

"So, dear fellow, what do you see here?" Quince intoned, indicating towards the effigy.

"I see a statue?" Wildfire cautiously ventured.

"Ah but it is so much more than that. Have you any knowledge of semiotics?"

"It's safe to assume at this stage, I have no knowledge of most of the topics you wish to discuss." Wildfire replied steadily.

"It's a study of symbols, and the inherent meanings in the presentation of things. Artwork uses semiotic vehicles to great avail, but perhaps where it is used best is in the propaganda images and documents that the department of Documentation releases. Consider the image of a parent and child, while I know that Twilight was certainly not Sweetie Belle's mother, the image of an older pony cradling a younger one so tenderly is a powerful symbol in itself." Wildfire stared at the limestone curiously. A concept he had never considered before in that artists may deliberately alter perceptions. Wildfire's head ached with strain.

"This statue, and the hundreds like it about Equestria, serves one purpose: Mass manipulation of the population, to a minor extent." Quince spoke with passion, displaying his true love for the state in his words. "It doesn't work on everypony, and its impact is not huge, but these wonderful semiotic devices give society an anchor for what is true and worthy of holding." Wildfire stood speechless at this statement, watching Quince carefully.

"You asked why you are being shown this. That is quite simple really. You have made yourself important to ponies that have

influence. Iridescence is not the only one interested in what you become." Quince stared back at Twilight, with a slight smile.

"There is a great history behind that mare. Do you know much of it?" Quince asked rhetorically. "She inspired the movement that toppled the tyranny of the previous government, and with that, allowing the new society to blossom as it has. There were unicorns in Ponyville during one of its darker moments. A misguided mare convinced herself that raw power was the key to controlling the town, and with the amulet she adorned for this power, became corrupted and darkened. Trixie had her magical gifts amplified, but not her ability to lead, not her ability to sway or convince. Her only success, arguably, is in the fact that she removed Twilight from the town." Quince gave a sidelong glance at Wildfire to check he was still listening.

"Twilight, though, was resilient. She relied on her friends, and on her studies to best the powerful mare. She reapplied her focus, and after much time in thought and training, managed to match the magical abilities of Trixie using her application of reason, deceit, and image. A powerful image at that and to the unicorns that witnessed this triumph, the lesson was clear. Power is not enough; you also need ponies to want to follow you. The route to subservience was also demonstrated, and Twilight taught the most powerful sway to the masses was belief." Passionate tears had formed in Quince's eyes as he professed this patriotically.

"Manipulation of the environment and manipulation of the truth can change what somepony believes, enough for them to follow you." Quince turned to face Wildfire. "It was another few months before any plans were made and Twilight gave many more substantial lessons in her writings afterwards, but the event stuck in the minds of the attendees, and it resonated about the movement. Power is a product of trickery. Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."

"Society is actually controlled by unicorns though, there is no lie there." Wildfire stated confused.

"Holding power is something else entirely. It cannot rely on belief alone, but it does play a big factor." Quince replied dismissively.

"What was the lie then?"

"That ponies wanted a new pony in charge."

Saffron was uncomfortable with the company she had to keep. She fidgeted irritably in the main chamber of the airship as Iridescence's cold stare bore into her.

"I don't... I didn't..." Saffron sighed embarrassed. "I'm sorry... OK. Is that what you want from me?" Iridescence didn't shift his gaze.

"What do you want from me?" Saffron asked anxious. Iridescence gave a slight shift in his position, slightly imposing.

"Are you trying to get in my head? Is this some sort of psychological mind game?" Saffron moved her head away from Iridescence.

"Do you expect me to break down and confess some horrific issue in my past, or that I'll confess to being desperate to gain power through ponies' suffering?" Saffron sneered defensively. "I know what I am, and it has nothing to do with my mother being absent, or my father treating me like the son he never had." Iridescence smiled slightly as he watched Saffron rant determined.

"Because it's not OK, I can't help how I am, I can't help the years I spent living in fear." Saffron snapped bluntly, turning to face Iridescence again. He smiled visibly and shuffled closer to Saffron.

"Let's talk about that..." Iridescence stated triumphantly. Saffron's face fell as her words hit her own ears.

A polite, but firm hoof hit the counter bell, its clear ring reverberating through the shop. With a slight forcefulness, Starfall trotted to the counter, looking agitated. She glared at the unicorn dressed in red, then softened when she saw it wasn't Iridescence.

"Sorry to disturb you madam, but I am here on behalf of the department of Documentation." The dishevelled looking mare started. "Normally matters like this are done through letters, but given the severity and the urgency to inform you of this..."

"Ponyville Manor?" Starfall asked slowly.

"'By the decree of Her Imperial Majesty, at the advice of her departments, most notably the department of Justice, it is stated...'" The representative started reading from the document before her. "Yeah, this is all fluff, you are being transferred to Ponyville Manor, it's assets and responsibilities are yours."

"How much of a part did Iridescence play?" Starfall enquired firmly.

"I haven't any idea whom that is, or the details of the meetings surrounding this decision." The mare replied curtly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to return to my offices. A department official will be over this evening to assess this property for reassignment, please ensure you have vacated by then." She turned sharply and trotted arrogantly through the shop doors, leaving the wad of papers on the counter for Starfall. The doors swung closed with a sharp snap causing a slight draft, which disturbed the top page. Starfall watched as it floated to the floor, its header bearing the royal seal.

"Iridescence is going to own me forever..." Starfall muttered grudgingly.

"Dusk?" She called out to the kitchen, "You need to start packing, we have to leave inside the next few hours."

* * *

Rouge paced fretfully in his office. The letter on his desk declaring his new mistress had thrown the normally stoic attitude. The letter was considerably lighter than the full document in Starfall's possession. With a dull clang, the entrance bell rang through the manor; Rouge sighed at the disturbance, and strode confidently to the hall.

"I feel atrocious relying on the staff..." Starfall stated distantly to Dusk.

"And yet you let me carry the bags." Dusk responded with a slight sneer.

"You insisted..." Starfall retorted with a joking glare.

"You didn't have to let me." Dusk smiled kindly. The door swung open gracefully in the grip of one of the door-ponies. Rouge put on his warmest smile, and walked carefully to the bickering mares.

"May I take your bags, ladyship?" Rouge inserted the question carefully, directing it at Starfall.

"Ladyship?" Starfall asked aghast.

"A condition of the relocation is an elevation of status. You are now landed gentry."

"I see... Well seeing as she insisted," Starfall stated with a sidelong glare, "Dusk can continue carrying the bags." Dusk responded by sticking out her tongue.

"I'm surprised how lightly you are packed. I was under the impression you were running a functional portrait studio."

"I'll be returning to collect the rest of it in a moment." Starfall replied curtly.

"Not at all, ladyship." Rouge stated kindly, "Lemon Promises will deal with that." He continued glancing at the new under-butler Lemon Promises.

Propaganda simply used to mean information, now, with the advent of mass manipulation through carefully controlled propaganda; it has become a negative term. Wildfire, despite his objections, was finding himself enamoured with the beauty of the system. He and Quince had returned to the tea shop whence they began, and through the foggy haze of the humid sickly sweet air, Wildfire's head was swimming.

"I'm glad we've had this time today." Quince politely stated, putting his teacup down.

"Um..." Wildfire was at a loss for words.

"Yes, it's a lot to take in, I know, but soon it'll all make sense, and your purpose will be clear." For a few moments the noise of the tea shop washed over the pair, each clink of a cup in saucer, the sound of kettles boiling, and the patrons talking animatedly. Wildfire tried to think through the near sensory overload from the garish décor, the just above comfortable noise, and overlaid on it all the thick heady scents, slightly too sweet.

"What do you mean, 'my purpose'?" Wildfire eventually managed to reply. Quince smiled knowingly.

"I can see why Iridescence finds you so appealing."

"What?" Wildfire exclaimed, shocked by the sudden change of tact.

"Your naivety can be mistaken for innocence, and yet..." Quince trailed off for a moment. "You are more aware of the world than you give credit." Quince leaned across the table, inches from Wildfire and smiled. With a tender fore-hoof he lifted Wildfire's chin and leant in until their lips were almost touching. Quince held this position for a beat, and then retracted back to his seat. With a start he rose from the table and headed for the door.

"Have a nice day." Quince called back with a coy smile. Wildfire sat agog, mouth open with shock.

Saffron was in hysterics, the spigot had finally been opened, and the emotions were flowing without abandon.

"This has been fun." Iridescence cut across the sobbing, "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you." Saffron responded with louder crying, barely controllable.

"Oh I know darling, I got in your head, but it has been four hours."

"Why would you do this? Why would you open me up like this, just to leave me?" Saffron wailed between soggy tears. The airship began to encroach on the airspace of Ponyville, through the window Iridescence watched the stratum of rooftops pass beneath. Stifling a sigh, he turned away from the window, to face Saffron.

"Because I can, darling, because I can."

Wildfire watched the airship cross the sky to a nondescript building as he walked steadily towards the nearly rebuilt house. Things were starting to look up. A golden flash behind him caused Wildfire to spin around. With an expansive smile Iridescence bounded towards his valet.

“How was your trip?” Wildfire asked politely.

“Horrific, let’s talk about that later. Right now I just want to get home and stop.” Iridescence replied brightly.

“What of you? An interesting few days?” Iridescence asked in politeness.

“Interesting… A lot of strange things happened.”

Prologue

Welcome to Ponyville. What hollow words they were. There was a time when you could truly believe that, back when Ponyville wasn't just a glorified factory. Welcome to Ponyville: the town where you will work till you die. Of course there were residents that enjoy the luxuries the town once had to offer. The ponies with these higher positions tend to be unicorns. Sadly the truth of the matter was, if you can't do magic, you labour, you labour in the farms, you labour in the workhouses, or you just serve your betters. Everypony is just a small part of the machine that kept Equestria moving.

The start could be identified when rock farmers discovered a form of carbon that had not been compressed into a diamond. True, coal does have a large part to play. Then again perhaps the start was when the unicorns of Equestria learnt how to truly harness their gifts. More likely though, this all began when the demand for industry peaked. Note the train, it is arriving in Ponyville with a ready supply of the greatest resource Equestria has: labour. Inside it's carriages an assortment of ponies await their assignment upon arrival. The majority of them are earth ponies, and will most likely do menial tasks for their overseers and wardens. Those that shine through with skills and ability may get reassigned one day. The pegasi won't fare much better, their lives will become just as harsh, though with the purpose of managing the weather, but also managing the populace, there were no greater soldiers than the pegasi, and Equestria was ruled under martial law. The unicorns, though few on this journey, were immediately identifiable, though not just because of the horn. They sat with grace and purpose, their clothing harks back to days of glamour and style, and their manes are visibly better cared for. They will be assigned administrative work. Fine light tasks of management and leadership. The train slowly grinds to a halt. Welcome to Ponyville.