Morning in Trottingham. I can’t imagine it being any more underwhelming than it currently is. The skies are grey, and the grass is just forming that spongy feeling that hints at an oncoming rainstorm. I sigh heavily. Walking through the town is also completely dull. The problem with this city is just how plain it is. The houses are so perfectly designed that they’re basically cubes, more examples of geometry than construction. We don’t even have control over this weather; the plants grown around Trottingham need lots of rain to survive, so we’re forced to live in it.
“Good morning, Rush,” I smile at a passing unicorn. He nods, acknowledging my presence, before continuing on his way. He doesn’t stop to chat, but then, they never do.
I near the tower. The huge building is the only one in the city that isn’t square. It’s gorgeous, a beautiful landmark in an ugly town. I’ve been walking the spiral stairs to the top since I was just a filly, but that doesn’t make the steep incline any less daunting as I start my slow ascension. I would go faster, but I daren’t in case I draw everypony’s attention before the message begins. The familiar buzz through my horn alerts me to the upcoming event, and as I reach the top I pause for scarcely a moment before nearing the balcony.
I look out over the enormous city. Trottingham is one of those places that, because it’s plain and dreary, everypony seems to forget about. But it does have a few redeeming features. Thanks to the low housing, from this height I can see far and wide. If I tilt my head and squint in just the right way, I could swear I can see Canterlot in the distance, perched precariously on the side of a mountain. Just like Canterlot, Trottingham was also founded by unicorns, and even today we make up the majority of the population here, even if we are a tad more common than the fine fillies and gentlecolts in the capital city. I imagine Princess Celestia seated on her velvet chair, preparing her notes for her upcoming decree. Showtime.
I take a step forward, ensuring that everypony below is able to see me clearly. I lift one foreleg, just as I always have, and delicately, slowly illuminate my horn.
“Greetings, my loyal subjects. I can only hope that you are all safe and sound after the recent mishaps occurring across Equestria.”
The Princess’s voice booms across the city, emitted on waves from my horn. It’s a difficult magic to control. I have to add just enough force to keep her voice loud and clear, without adding too much and deafening everypony. My horn ignites, blue magic wavering around it as her speech continues.
“As you are all aware, there have been several problems recently involving various dark creatures being set free by some trouble makers. A recent dragon attack in Ponyville, along with a herd of angry minotaurs running rampant in this very city. All of these no doubt have you confused and frightened. In which case, I add a new responsibility onto the already heavily-laden shoulders of my dear broadcasters.”
My ears perk up at that, and I almost wish that I could see my own horn and the way in which it brightens and dims with each pause and breath.
“The broadcasters for each city are, as you know, notably talented unicorns with telepathy strong enough to emit my decrees across Equestria.”
My chest swells with pride at the mention of those like me who are all, at this moment, standing with the same feeling in their respective towers.
“But now the broadcasters have an additional job. Should anything go wrong in your town, should anything appear that should not be there, alert them. The broadcasters will contact me via telepathic link and I will send out the only ponies who have thus far been able to defeat any of the attackers. I will send out the Elements of Harmony to your aid.”
I hear a gasp below me as the transmission ends and the light in my horn dies down. I’ll admit, I may have joined in with it. In a city of unicorns, there isn’t even one foal that doesn’t know about the legendary Elements of Harmony. It’s magic that few of us can even imagine. After a moment, though, I feel myself cowering. Should something go wrong, I have to contact the Princess directly? By entering her thoughts in the same way that she enters mine? How… intimate.
Once I’ve dragged my body down the stairs I’m inundated with questions about the Elements and the new decree. Most of the ponies just argue with one another about the level of danger and the sincerity of the decree, but one voice shouts louder than the others.
“Indigo!”
I turn and follow my name. Outside of the crush stands Maize, the only earth pony who actually settled down here in Trottingham. He stands far above me, his golden coat dazzling me. He tosses his black mane and I notice for the millionth time that his cutie mark – a golden horseshoe – is metallic. In short, next to him I feel like as grey and dull as a rock, despite my warm blue coat.
“Hey, Maize.”
“You were great today! I mean, not that you’re usually bad… but you know what I mean. Oh, I know what I meant to say, but-“
I hold up a hoof to silence him.
“No worries. Let’s walk.”
We take a steady walk through the city, and every so often I’m acknowledged by a brief nod. Maize, on the other hand, is greeted by high hoofs and laughter.
“So tell me,” I mutter, “What’s the talk about today’s broadcast?”
“Well, it’s mostly about the monsters, but I assume you’re talking about the whole broadcaster thing.”
I nod.
“Well, pretty much normal. Somepony said that Indigo Wave filly would run before trying to help us.”
“What?!”
“It’s okay. Somepony else bucked them into the wall. Hard.”
I feel my expression soften.
“Thanks, Maize.”
“What? Wasn’t me.”
I grin.
“Oh come on, Indie! Who would actually put their life in your hooves?”
I spin on the spot, baring my teeth as I glare at the red unicorn beside me.
“What do you want, Lava Pit?”
He laughs scornfully.
“I want you to stop acting so high and mighty, miss broadcaster. Just because the Princess speaks to you, doesn’t mean that you’re any better than us.”
“I never said I was better than anypony else, Pit. On the other hoof, I have no problem admitting that even if I were a half-mad diamond dog, I’d still have a nicer personality than you.”
Maize scoffs, trying to cover his mouth before giving up and spluttering.
“Good one, teach that guy a lesson!”
“You just wait,” snarls Pit, “sooner or later, somepony’s going to put you in your place.”
With that he stalks off, his last threat still hanging in midair. I wait until he’s gone before hanging my head.
“Maize,” I mumble, “Am I really like that? Do I act superior?”
“Nah,” comes the reply, “You don’t. Lava’s just never gotten over the fact that you got your cutie mark.”
“I suppose.”
We head towards the edge of town, to where the level houses stop abruptly by the forest. The shadowed trees and nearby river always serve as a means of relaxation for me, so whole Maize checks to make sure that we weren’t followed, I take a step into our secret base.
The thick trees serve to cover the area from prying eyes. A slow-running stream takes up most of the space and I jump in, taking a moment to revel in the sensation of chilled droplets against my coat.
“All clear,” says Maize as he walks in. For a moment he seems stunned to see me splashing about, but then thinks better of it and joins me. As we jump and play, I catch sight of my reflection in the water.
I’m rather a diminutive filly, I’ll admit. My mid-blue coat glistens with water droplets. I shift slightly, feeling the royal blue mess of a mane fall around my eyes. Standard, overall. A regular blue unicorn, with little or no extra abilities or particular skill. The only mildly interesting part of my appearance is my flank. No, not my actual flank – although I’ve never paid it much attention – but my cutie mark. Bold white lines, curved outwards to symbolise waves emitting from nowhere.
“Indigo.”
I look up. I must have looked rather sad at the sight of myself, because Maize has now taken residence on the bank, looking at me sympathetically.
“Maize, what’s up?”
“Don’t let him get to you. Nor any of the others.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. I can tell you right now what you’re in need of.”
I gulp loudly and stumble backwards.
“N-No. Maize, please no…”
“A PARTY!”
My hoof hits my face so hard I almost knock myself out. Always with the parties. You’d think, that with a shiny horseshoe as a cutie mark, Maize would always be stoic, calm and hardworking. Not that he’s not sometimes those things, but when the metallic balloons come out you know he’s gone into party mode.
I run down the street, aware of the fact that my short legs don’t stand a chance of outrunning him. He may as well walk after me as I run full out, and he’s still sure to arrive in the square before me.
And I’m right. While my magic is limited to broadcasting, Maize has the strength and agility of, well, an earth pony. I can’t even teleport, so he beats me there easily. I skid to a stop in the middle of the market which, in the last few minutes, has become flooded with balloons and streamers. Ponies gather around – they may not be all that bothered about me, but nopony can resist one of Maize’s parties. Within a minute I’m swept up by the crowd, who follow the golden earth pony in some kind of insane parade through the streets.
“When did this become so crazy?” I scream, but my shouts are lost in the noise of the crowd. I drop to the floor, praying that none of the thundering hooves find their home on my back.
It’s not long before the super-shiny party has gone, leaving me sitting alone on the slightly damp stone floor. I get to my feet. It’s as though once they leave the street all sound seems to vanish. I smile to myself.
“That silly stallion,” I mutter, “He just doesn’t get it.”
I turn and start to walk away, occasionally tripping on an abandoned streamer.