//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12: Loyalty 
// Story: Equal Equestria Enlightenment 
// by stupidhand14 
//------------------------------//


Starlight Glimmer's Diary Day 400

Stubbornness has been both a blessing and a curse for me. Despite having many ignorant ponies mock me and my beliefs about Equality, I created a community of true friendship. I suppose it is only fair that stubbornness will be something I have to overcome to help another pony see the truth.
It had been a long time since Rainbow Dash had been brought out to ask if she would join our town. I expected her to be more than happy to join us. I was very wrong.
It was just past 10:00 am when I entered the equalization house where Rainbow Dash was staying. Rainbow Dash was lying down, ignoring my entrance.
"What took you so long?" she asked bitterly.
"I'm afraid that we are preparing for a festival," I informed her. "We haven't had time to bring you out, and still don't."
"Then why are you here?" she inquired before looking at me for the first time since I arrived.
"I came to ask you personally if you'd like to join us. Most of the other ponies are busy right now."
"No," came the bold reply. Rainbow Dash rolled back over and appeared to  be going back to sleep.
"I was hoping you'd realize the truth by now, but I suppose you need a guiding hand," I told her. I walked back to the door. Outside two ponies were waiting; Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy. I motioned them inside.
"You have some ponies that wanted to visit you," I said. Rainbow Dash turned over and saw her friends.
"Twi'... you joined them?" Rainbow Dash asked in disbelief.
"It's... complicated," Twilight answered. "I'll tell you about it some other time."
"So... what? Are you two supposed to convince me to join these crazy ponies and their ideas?"
"Rainbow Dash, why don't you join us?" Fluttershy asked. "Everypony here is so nice, they even apologized for trapping us. It's so peaceful, and I'm sure you will love it here."
"Fluttershy... this isn't you," Rainbow Dash said with conviction. "You aren't her."
"What do you mean?"
"You aren't her! You may have her mane, but you are not the Fluttershy that I knew from Cloudsdale!" Rainbow Dash shouted angrily. "You aren't my friend."
"Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy began but trailed off, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.
"Leave me alone. I don't want you ruining the memories of a friend of mine," Rainbow Dash said before turning away from us.
Fluttershy couldn't keep her composure after that. She ran outside, tears running down her face.
"Would you like to go check on her?" I asked Twilight.
"Yes, she needs a friend to help her," Twilight answered before galloping out the door. I turned back to Rainbow Dash before leaving.
"You just made one of your closest friends cry," I said bluntly. "You will make it up to her, somehow."
Rainbow Dash made no response. I turned and followed Twilight to Fluttershy's home.
It took several hours of trying to make Fluttershy understand that it was just a stage in the Equalization process, and that Rainbow Dash would realize her mistakes to stop Fluttershy from crying any further. After another hour of idle talking, we heard wagons outside. Some ponies had placed bets on who would be arriving first, and the lumberjacks were the safe bet. Unfortunately for many, the farmers were the ones to arrive first. Outside were a chain of wagons laden with foodstuff.
In the lead were the two handpicked messengers. They appeared to be talking to a small family of ponies. Twilight, Fluttershy, and I were outside by the time the caravan came in.
"Howdy y'all," Applejack greeted us. "Looks like I have family here. They're in charge of the farming for the town."
"Oh?" I asked in surprise.
"Eeyup. We apples are in almost every town and city in Equestria." That could be extremely useful, having an opening into any community in Equestria.
"So, how was the harvest?" I inquired. Usually in this dry region, the harvest was enough to keep us alive plus a bit of extra.
"It was pretty good," Pippin Spring answered me. "With the extra help from Applejack, we were able to harvest all the fields much faster than last year."
"That's good to hear. I assume you gave Applejack a temporary job on the farm?"
"Of course I did. She's family, after all."
I looked back towards Twilight. She was speaking with Rarity and Applejack, who were still wearing their necklaces. I had to hurry to get those necklaces back. I trotted over to them, and waited for them to take notice of me. That did not take long.
"Oh, hello Starlight. How are you?" Rarity greeted me.
"I'm doing fine," I replied. "I just came over to welcome you back and to get those necklaces." Applejack gave me her necklace without a moments hesitation, but Rarity was more hesitant. 
"Are you sure you need this back now? Can't I keep it for a few more hours?" she pleaded.
"I'm afraid I need it back right now, sorry."
"That's okay, darling. I just wanted," Rarity began to say before being cut off by a new voice.
"Starlight," it called, "you have a letter from Double Diamond."
I looked over to the new pony. It was Party Favor, with the letter in hand.
Dear Starlight Glimmer,
There is a problem with one of the crates of food. The council is trying to handle it without you, but we need your assistance. Party Favor has been instructed to be your substitute in watching over Twilight. We are out in the fields to the west of the village.
Your friend and supporter,
Double Diamond
"It appears I have to be leaving now. I'm sorry for leaving abruptly, but this could be important," I said before going to Double Diamond.
I found him by the rest of the council, which was overseeing and accounting for the food the farmers brought in. Before I could get close, Double Diamond noticed me.
"Starlight! Did you come here to help us oversee the food unloading?" He shouted to me.
"W-what? You call---" I began before getting cut off.
"I'm glad you decided to come. Here, let me show you where we are," Double Diamond said as he tried to lead me towards some boxes on the far edge of the area, where no ponies were.
Once we were out of earshot of the other ponies, I asked, "What do you need Double Diamond?"
"I found out something... concerning. The council is wanting to destroy the reeducation houses and allow anypony that wants to leave the opportunity to."
"That goes against everything this town has ever done. Where did they get these ideas?"
"I don't know. I've been trying to talk them out of it, but I think they need to talk to you about it... or you talk to them."
"Thank you for this information Double Diamond."
"Of course. Anything I can do to help keep our town perfect, and make your life easier."
After a few minutes of talking with the other council members about the festival, I returned to my charges. I found them helping to unload boxes and helping in setting up for the party. By sunset, everything was in order. After saying good night, Twilight and I returned to my house.
"So, Twilight, how are you liking our town now?" I asked.
"It's... different than the first visit," was all she said. After a quick dinner, we both went to bed in our respective rooms.




Letter to Shining Armor

To Captain Shining Armor
The Changeling outpost was eradicated with minimal casualties. None of your forces were seriously injured, but not all could leave immediately on the journey. I will be sending you a replacement force of 40 guards. They should be there within three days, depending on the weather.
Captain of the Manehattan Guard
Zephyr Shield