//------------------------------//
// The Struggle of Nobals 
// Story: A Mad Book of Ramblings 
// by Changeling-Writer 
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The world was an odd place after the princesses left the throne, Twilight had ruled for two centuries before she herself believed that the world no longer needed to be ruled over by the alicorns. No longer needed to be ruled by the immortals. Let them fade to the side as advisors and aids as they let the race of ponies move forward for their own destinies. Ponies were spit on the idea, worried about how this would change the land of Equestria. Technology and industrialization has filled the world as nobility became a mix of walty commoners who could buy their way into the landed titles. The lines between the common pony and nobility blurred even as the gap of wealth grew. Twilight remained an advisor to the Grand Unification Party. The political movement made and ran to help better the life of everyone in Equestria. Just her presence is a large part in how strong the party is. Old views on the divine leadership of the alicorns lead many of the common people of the country to join. Strong foren ties and relations lead to the party's almost absolute power in the new political games of equestria.

However the old noble houses did not take the change in power or the loss of their direct line to the throne well. The blueblood’s struggled and bribed their way into powerful positions in the new government. Chief secretary of the counsel Blueblood the nineteenth, Son of prince Blueblood the eighteenth, and member of the Heir and Noble party. Having bought and blackmailed his way into the position. The meetings were more parties then they were meetings. Pompous fools that cared only to keep their wealth and take more from others whether it was by manipulating or partnering with other nobles to dance around the red tape of the lumpering governmental system. 

I tire of babysitting these fools. The only care that they have is to keep their coffers full of bits and live off the mountain that their fathers had left for them. They have no plans for the future. Fools that have never wanted more then the silver spoon that they had been born with. Blooblood thought to himself as he sipped delicately on the glass of champagne he held in his yellow magic. He looked away from the knot of fools that were bragging about something as he moved away. He needed a break, and a few moments standing outside. He moved around the nobles and servants to make it outside onto the gilded patio. A smirk pulled at his lips as he looked around the city skyline. Concrete and metal filling the canterlot night sky. The glass reflected the moonlight as the skyscrapers filled the once marble city. The once simple three story buildings gave way to fifty storey business complexities. The lives of commoners having been made fit inside the massive mazes of cubicles. Living by the clock to be able to make a check. Half of them have to travel from the new canterhorn. The town was made under the glittering gem of canterlot to support the fools that lived in hundred time remodeled homes to try and make the nobel homes so the shallow souls inside them can show off their wealth.

Blueblood smiled softly to himself as he finished off the last of his champain, The classical music muffled through the glass as he looked up into the night sky, Luna's night sky. Constellations changing slowly to show the history of warriors and great souls. Even the ascension of Princess Twilight Sparkle, The mare that had changed the face of Equestria. Funned the industrial drive and embetterment of the creatures, yacks and changelings living and working together. Griffins and zebras sharing a drink in bars and everyone living their best lives. There were even a few ennobled families of the other races. The fight that had broken out had led to the disgrace of many old minded fools. Three old houses of nobility haven sided with the short sided fools losing their titles. The stories still made the now head of the Blueblood family laugh. After all, even as a child he knew that there was no winning the fight of denning the VonGriff family from being noble. The Princess of friendship had been the ruling alicorn. The princess of friendship would never allow the nobility to be only ponies. Not in a world where all races lived and worked in the new open minded world she had made with her own hooves and actions. Blooblood sighed softly to himself as he pulled out his phone, looking over the new monitor invention. While ponies drove the world forward with magic and determination the minotaur pushed it with ingenuity and intelligence. Creating tools that anyone with training or practice could use without the need of magic.

“Bluey, dear, what are you doing out here all on your own?” A feminin voice asked from behind the white stallion. He forced a smile onto his lips as he turned to face the mare. Hiding away his phone, The mask of a airish entitled Nobel was one he had to wear in this game of houses. No one could see that even tangentially related to the princesses was nothing more than a figurehead to their party. No one expects the butt of their jokes to be the one who planted the seeds. The jester to run the show through bribes and blackmail. Blue looked at the dressed up mare, A gose if he had ever seen one, and bowed his head slightly.

“Nothing my lady, I just needed a breath of fresh air. Some of the lesser members had a bit too much cologne to try and hide their less than nobel activities for my taste. I felt like my lungs were a spark away from starting a fire.” He responded softly as he moved to stand at a more cordial distance. After all they didn’t need to be yelling out there thinly veiled barbs and insults. It was the same song and dance, Insulting and demeaning the way up the ladder as fools pretended to be friends until the chance to use the other appeared. 

“Ah, yes. Some of the ladys are the same as my prince. A walking perfume bottle that lingers like the smell of sun rotten fish. I so wish that we could get rid of some more,” The lavender unicorn started, her face caked in so much makeup that she almost looked like a clown in a far to gotty dress. The white and pink fabric clashing with her fur. Blueblood didn’t listen as the older mare vented about her frustrations about the Common born nobel lineage and how they left a stain on the good name of the true nobility. Lady Periwinkle continued her dribble as Blueblood nodded and remarked with simple responses. The conversation was the same as every parity. Start on friendly tones, bound over the fools and lessers, boast about your own wealth and success, then poke and prod about the other to see if one could undercut the other. 

“I couldn't help but notice your rather odd looking phone dear, Is that one of those minotaur made devices? I haven’t been able to get into contact with the manufacturer yet, but they seem to be everywhere around the country. It almost makes me think that they already have nobel backing to be able to so quickly flood the market with their devices.” Lady Periwinkle spoke as she looked at the rectangular form in his simple wite suit. He pulled the phone out of his suit and showed it to the lavender mare. The golden body of the phone clearly marks it as a personal order.

“Ah, yes. One of my attendants had been in the minotaur lands to renegotiate my iron and coal trading agreements. Imagine my surprise when he was asked to attend a meeting with a small minotaur inventing company and they showed him their new idea for non magical communication. After letting me know he attended the meeting and after a bit of price and share negotiation I became a major holder of the company. The Crete phone manufacturing plants have been built and funded by me. It's a good business to have in my pocket with how the world has exploded with desire to have their own phones. No need for special magical converters, or having to struggle using it with their hooves. It was made with hooves, fingers, and claws in mind. And to use it as a unicorn is just as simple. Just a small manipulation of the telekinesis spell.” He explained simply, using the simple humble brag about finding and owning the new trend that was making thousands and thousands of bits.

The annoying periwinkle mare looked almost disappointed, a small frown pulling at her lips as she looked over the golden phone as if it had been hers to begin with. She quickly forced a smile onto her lips as she noticed his attention on her, flipping he mane out of the way so that she could pretend that it had been her ghoul to begin with. “Well dear Blueblood, I would love to find a way to invest in them myself. If you could help me get into contact with them that would be wonderful.”

“I’ll let them know at the next meeting Lady Periwinkle, After all they are more than willing to listen to a possible investor. They have just been a bit busy moving from a small building to having entire factories and mass production.” Bluenlood said softly with a small smile. Moving away from her as he did to remove himself from the conversation once more. He hated this, Having to worry about how he looked to the others. So with an apologetic smile he began dismissing himself. Saying that he had something important come up and his attention was needed elsewhere. Even then it still took him an hour of song and dance to make it to the door. Taking his coat from the attendant he moved out of the nobel house of Everbright and wanted for the valay to call on his shofer and his car. Only for the last pony he had ever wanted to see in his life to come and open his festering mouth.

“Cousin Bluey! I heard you were leaving and I would have hated to miss out on seeing you.” The white stallion spoke, sounding like every word was filtered through his nose like his mouth was not fit to sound out any of his words. He frowned softly as he took a moment to bottle all the hate and contempt he had for his cousin. If he disliked the nobles and their games then his cousin was the perfect image of the upper crust and their faults.

“Ah, my apologies Crimson. I meant no offense but there is a bit of a financial situation that has arrived. Sady it needs my direct attention and signature. However the meeting was a nice break from the mediocre labors of working.” Blue blood spoke softly as he forced a smile onto his lips. The feeling of his smile made him want to throw up even as he carefully looked past his cousin. Intentany doing his best to show his dislike through simple actions rather than words. Yet his cousin didn't even seem to notice or he didn't care. After all, being related to the Bluebloods was an easy way to gain good statice in the homes. The Crimsons were a nobel house that was second only to the “Pure” blooded houses of old.

“Fret not dear cousin, I can understand that your time is important. Leading a clan is not an easy job for a stallion. Especially one as powerful as are shared blood. If you would take me up on my offer I would gladly send help your way. I would even assist you, For when you prosper it moves down hill to even my diluted blood.” Crimson spoke as he moved far too close for Blueboods liking. 

He took a small step back as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. Looking over the screen for a few moments as if he was reading something. It was mostly for the chance to give him space. Looking back up as the phone vanished into his suit once more he gave a friendly smile before hearing the engine of his car coming closer. A lucky break if he had ever heard one. “I thank you for that offer Crimson, However I already have assistants who are quite reliable and trained for the work.” And it won't be easy to bribe and manipulate them so you and your friends can find out what I am doing with my time and bits.

“There is no shame in asking for help, cousin, even the princesses needed help and assistants. Look at Inkwell, she assists Princess twilight even to this day. My father had a large staff that worked wonderfully to keep the finances running smoothly. Maybe a few aids that have experience running another noble's affairs will be far better in the long run.” He spoke softly, A small smirk pulling at his lips as he pushed the same idea over and over. The fact that he wanted to get more information on him. Wanted to know what he was doing. Who he was sending money to. And likely try to blackmail or embesal his bits.

“I thank you dear cousin, but I have everything I need at the moment. But I’ll keep your kind offer in mind in case one of my aids becomes indisposed.” Blueblood spoke softly before he heard the care pull up behind him. He was thankful for the fact that the car had given him the perfect out. The chauffeur bowed his head as he stepped out of the car, his horn glowing softly as he opened the door for him. Goldenblood nodded as he moved to sit inside the car. Smiling softly to himself as he ignored Crimson. Watching the chauffeur climb back into the car. He didn't wait for the conversation to come to a proper close. Pressing on the gas and driving away leaving the faded glory of the past and the vultures that picked and fed to the point of growing fat and rotten. His driver said nothing to him, even as he pulled a cigar out of a metal case. A smirk pulling at his lips as he lit it with a bit of magic. Taking a long drag of the cigar he looked out the window. Watching the world go by as the wealthy district of large lawns and massive mathions of stone. That slowly gave way to the metal and glass towers. The lesser nobles or descendants of the families homes have been left behind as large apartment complexes that the families made to increase their wealth.

He took another long drag of his cigar, exhaling as he looked at the new world. Thinking about the stories of how different the world had been. How he had heard stories from his grandfather about the once simple lands. Where labor and magic ran the country, how the country lands were spotted with farms that ponies spent their days working the land. The old markets in towns where bits had been second to trading anything that ponies needed. Life had been simple, There was no electronics, It was all magic and physical strength. Now the world was run not by ponies but by whomever wanted. One can buy a pizza from their phone, croxen cheese made hundreds of miles away. Bell peppers grown in the zebra lands and onions grown anywhere in equestria. The world was no longer that of small scale politics. Anyone and anything can be learned, found, bought. Computers slowly turning to the point life was more working to get things to ponies then it was ponies at all. But he knew what he had to do.