A World Apart

Clipper left the meeting with the meeting with the Princesses with hope in his heart. A whole new world, far enough that the sisters would have no influence. It was better than any of them could have hoped for. He did his best to keep his hope in check, for the group had to make the final decision, and he new one or two would be skeptical. Once he got home he started the ten letters he'd have to send out to gather the other leaders. He finished quickly, and sent them off in the fastest way he could. Then he set about his days work. He never reached his fathers prominence but he had carved out a place for him self in the government. He wondered offhoofedly how far he may have reached if the sisters hadn't held him back. As he finished his work day of pushing papers, he returned home to find all of the other leaders had replied with times of arrival in Canterlot. The longest appeared to be nine days. Not much time to discuss it but it would have to do. As he prepared the beginnings of his notes for the meeting he started to yawn. Smiling he went to bed.

The days passed quickly, and one by one the leaders arrived. Each day he was bombarded with questions about the news. And each day he told them he would only deliver the news to them all at the meeting. The venue for their meeting was set at a small warehouse just outside Canterlot, and it was past dark when they arrived one by one so as not to draw suspicion. It was near midnight when the meeting was called to order. As Clipper took the podium he cleared his throat to draw the attention of the gathered ponys. Noise died off quickly as they saw him there, they all had been waiting for this news for years. As Clipper straightened his notes he started.

“Leaders of the Freedom Movement, I have spoken with the sisters and I have their decision on how to deal with us. It seems our original demand has been denied.” he said and then paused for effect. He knew he was enjoying it more than he should but he did it anyway.

“Then to war we go” yelled Thunderstrike, the pegasus who originally wanted war to remove the sisters but had been over ruled. He was the spitting image in form and thought of his ancestor Hurricane, one of the original founders of Equestria.

“No, there will be no war. Instead they have counter offered something I feel is even better. They will move all of us and any supply’s we need to start a colony to a whole new world. And they will have no further contact with us once they move us.” Clipper proclaimed.

“A new world? As in completely off this planet?” asked Apple Core, an earth pony farmer.

“Yes, and far enough away that the sisters cannot interfere with us.” Clipper answered.

“Do we know anything about this world?” asked Silver Cluster, a unicorn of some notoriety in academia.

“The sisters have sent information on the planet, and I have done some independent research myself. It all seems to match what I was told. I have made copy’s to give you to go over. The short version is its a very temperate world, half covered in water in numerous small to medium lakes, no higher lifeforms, no predators that could seriously threaten ponys.” Clipper told them as he used his magic to pass out packets of information.

“So just like that their going to give us this paradise and what we need to start a new life there.” Thunderstrike asked sarcasticly.

“From the sound of what Luna said to me at the end of the meeting it would be a small price for them pay to be rid of us for good. She sounded like we were some parasite to be removed for the greater good.” Clipper told him.

“More like to be feared.” Thunderstrike said under his breath

“We have five days to return an answer to the sisters. I consulting with your groups and returning your decisions at our next meeting that will be held here in four days. We will take a vote at that time and the following day I will relay it to them. And if there is nothing else I move for adjournment.” Clipper announced.

There were no opposing votes, and the meeting was brought to a close. Many leaders wandered into the city and pondered the news.

As Clipper returned home after the meeting he wondered what the final vote would be. He could hardly wait but he had to give time for the information to be passed out to those who would be affected. It would have to be unanimous. There would be no going back after it was done. Could they even make a new colony on a new world with no help from home? Now that it was out in the open he was starting to have doubts. But if the groups all voted yes then his fears would recede. There were over 1500 ponys affiliated with the movement. If they all believed they could do it then they had to be able to.

For four days Clipper had noticed a increase in the number of pegasi coming and leaving the city. It had to be because of tonight’s meeting. As he nervously went thru his day he became more and more apprehensive of the meetings result. But no matter how much he wanted it to, time would only go as fast as it always had. Soon he looked at the clock and saw it was time to leave. As he walked home he tried to prepare himself for any possible outcome of the vote. What would they do if the vote was no? How could they go back now, now that the sisters knew of their intentions? Obviously if the answer was no then they would have to be dealt with. And after the first meeting with them he knew they would not allow any further dissent from them. Would a no now mean death for them? Or would the sisters simply banish them to the new world anyway, but without supplys? Would there be a difference?
As he readyed himself for the meeting with the movements leaders he tried to clear his mind. Even if they said yes it would probably mean their deaths, but at least they had a fighting chance to make it. With a last look in his mirror he steeled himself, it would be what it would be. He walked out of his house and closed the door, ready for anything.

This meeting started much differently than the last. No pony was early. It was as if they waited till the last minute to leave for it. Silence fell quickly as Clipper took the podium. A pin could have fallen on a
pillow and would have been heard clearly.

“Has everypony had a chance to speak to your people?” Clipper asked.

One by one they all indicated they had.

“And do you have their final decision”

Again they all indicated affirmitive

“Then we will hold our vote” Clipper gulped quickly, moment of truth he thought

“All opposed”
No hoof went into the air

Clipper breathed a small sigh of relief. At least they would have a chance. “All for”

Every hoof raised slowly

“Then motion passes, we will leave this world for a chance to start our own.” He hoped his relief wasn't too obvious to them.

“I will meet with the sisters in the morning to give them our decision, and I move we adjourn.” Clipper announced

The motion passed silently.

The next morning Clipper awoke feeling like the events last night were a dream. Thankfully he had brought home a copy of the minutes of the meeting so he could be sure of the outcome. As he put on his robes he reread them and confirmed the vote. Everyone said yes. He had a consensus on the matter. They would take the offer. A chance to be finally free of the sisters influence. He started out to the castle with a spring in his step. When he arrived two guards who looked to be the same two as before met him.

“Follow us sir” one ordered, more gruffly than before. Both seemed to be very agitated.

“Certainly” he said

They led him to the same meeting room as last time. The whole way it seemed like the guards would have rather stomped on his face than look at it. Whats eating them today? Did the sisters knock over their breakfast plates? What could have them so angry? He followed in silence.

“You may enter” one said, almost spitting the words into Clippers face like a rotten apple.

“Thank you” he replied politely

As the doors opened he saw only Luna sat in the room. Where was Celestia?

“Enter and sit” Luna said curtly

“May I ask why Princess Celestia isn't here” he inquired

“No you may not” she replied, anger dripping from her voice

Gulping in fear he sat, wondering why it seemed everyone was in a bad mood.

“I will have your decision now!” Luna demanded

Cowering at the anger being pointed at him he quietly replied “We have decided to take the offer made by Princess Celestia.”

Luna looked daggers into him “Then it shall be done. You and your worthless followers will meet in Foalsville in six weeks for the trip. Bring all you think you will need for your new colony. Once you are sent we will have no further contact with you. You will all be dead to us. I hope you have chosen wisely.” she stated flatly....venom dripping from her words

“If I may ask Princess, why is every pony so angry today. I thought this would be a happy day for you. You'll be free of us as much as we will be free of you” he asked meekly

“Do you realize what your people have done? The pain you have caused?” Luna demanded

“I'm sorry but I do not” he replied

“My sister and I have devoted our lives to helping all ponys to live happy, harmonious lives. You and your kind have spit in the face of our work. And worse yet stomped on the hearts of both of us. I was able to recover enough to be at this meeting but my sister has taken it harder than I have. You have wrenched her heart out and trampled it with your hooves. In my opinion you deserve whatever fate awaits you on your new world and ten times more.” Luna said with restrained fury

“I'm sorry you and your sister are taking this so badly but we feel we deserve the chance to be free” he said

“I have never wished ill upon any pony but in your case ill make an exception. If you could feel the pain you've caused you would abandon this. But as you've said you agree and wish it to come to pass. May some pony have mercy on your soul for I never shall” Luna said...rising to leave “You are dismissed and neither I or my sister shall see or speak to you till the appointed time.” With that the door opened and the guards enters to escort him out.

The next six weeks passed quickly with the preparations that had to be made. Food, seeds, building materials, and all the worldly goods for over 1500 ponys had to be gathered in the small town of Foalville. On the appointed day the Princesses arrived by train. As the ponys gathered to see the arrival Clipper saw how badly Celestia looked. Had she slept in the last week? She looked like that would be a low estimate of her lack. As Clipper walked forward to meet the sisters he also saw hatred in Luna's eyes.

“We are here as you ordered.” he said to the sisters

“I see that” Celestia replied with a very fake smile.

“We are ready to leave as soon as you are ready to send us.” he said

“I see that as well. I will prepare the spell. And to any who wish to change their minds this will be their last chance.” Celestia stated

“Any who wished to be left behind have gone home at this point” he said

“Then I shall prepare. For the next five minutes I ask that every pony stands still around the supplys and I will cast the spell.” Celestia said, sounding sad.

He made the announcement to the group and they gathered around their supply pile. The more he looked at Celestia the more he started to feel sorry for her. This act seemed to really hurt her. He looked to Luna and saw nothing but anger and hate in her eyes. She seemed to blame him for all of this. But it was their fault for it, controlling ponys lives and welfare, not his. He didn’t even start this movement. He was chosen because of his father. But he wanted this as much as any pony here.

“It is time” Celestia announced

With a bright flash it was done. As soon as his eyes recovered he looked around. There was nothing but the ponys from the movement and their supplies. The town was gone and so were the sisters. Even the air smelled different. This was their world! They were free.

As soon as the spell was cast Celestia collapsed. The drain of the spell and the emotional drain had gotten the best of her. Luna used her magic to lift her sister onto her back so she could carry her to the train car. When she had done so the train started back to Canterlot. Once underway she saw her sister weeping in her sleep. No longer could she hold back, and started to sob for her sisters pain. But it was done and time would heal them both. The ponys that caused the sisters so much sadness were gone, too far to cause any more. Now was the time for healing.