A New Age

by Floofy Dragonpony

Bartleby

Bartleby

I watched in amusement as the crowd of ponies below spiraled into pandemonium.

"Outlaw friendship?!?!?!"

"That's impossible!!!!!"

"How will this be enforced? Will all friends be split up?"

"What about families?"

"The population will decrease dynamically!"

After about ten seconds of this disorder, I slammed my hoof onto the floor of the balcony, demanding silence.

"Right, then. The decree is as follows..." I pulled a scroll from my saddle bag. "No ponies whom are not related shall...
- Sustain eye contact for more than ten seconds..."

I had just barely begun reading, and already, ponies were bursting out into cries and shouts. It was a rather unpleasant ruckus.

"Order! I must have order!" I called. I allowed myself a secret smile. I always did enjoy speaking like that. "Now, then, if you will let me continue... Err, here we go. 'No ponies blahblahblah eye contact,
- Stay in the house of another pony for more than sunup to sundown, or vice versa,
- Meet with one another for pure poses other than business,
- Talk to other ponies for anything other than business,
- Show Public Displays of Affection,
- or In any other way display friendship in any of its forms other than that of a family.
To ensure these rules are followed, members of the guard shall patrol the streets of the town.' ... Then it goes into detail about what the guards should do. Well, at least you all don't have to worry too much, looks like more jobs as guards are opening up for all of you. Some good is coming from this! Other than a fair and just new law, of course." I snickered at my own dry humor.

An earth pony with an elaborately styled mane called above the crowd, "Well, what about the population? Surely her Majesty would like subjects to rule?" She tossed her head. "I mean, really."

I sneered. I knew what she was referring to. "If you are interested in that kind of thing, you may take your interests somewhere other than Equestria." This, not surprisingly, caused the crowd to erupt into a renewed cacophony of complaints and shouts of surprise once more. My calls for quiet were quite drowned out in the hubbub.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!!!!!!" I finally roared, my voice soaring over all of the outcries of the assembly below. My eyes were alit with manic fury, and my body was tensed in full attack mode. Teeth bared and ears flat, I glared at everypony below. "If you have any questions or complaints, do come see her Majesty during visiting hours," I said, my voice dangerously icy. Then, my cloak billowing behind me, I swept back into the castle, the doors booming shut satisfyingly after I had passed through them.

Once inside, all the anger I had showcased while out on the balcony evaporated. I rolled my shoulders to release some of the tension, then stretched and yawned elegantly. "Right. I should see 'her Majesty' about dinner," I said aloud to myself, before heading over to the more elegant side of the castle, deep within the castle, away from the probing gazes of both friends and enemies alike.

I trotted over to Queen Twilight's bedchambers, then paused as I heard a familiar noise. Was she... crying?

"Your Majesty?" I said innocently as I knocked on her door.

Almost immediately, the door flew open, and there Twilight stood. She managed to retain all of her august demeanor, no sign showing at all of her tears. "What do you want?" she growled, shooting daggers at me with her gaze.

I put on my best "eager-to-please faithful servant" face. "I was wondering if you would desire I tell the cooks to begin preparing dinner. Your schedule says that dinner is around this time, correct?"

She stood there for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. But tell them again not to make that onion soup. It's awful. I keep telling them to stop serving it to me. but they never do. Tell them again." Always the picture of perfect manners, she then slammed the door in my face.

I rolled my eyes and let the act drop. She might think she had my undying devotion, but really, what made her deserve my respect? What had given her the right to be queen? Hadn't I served the sisters for years? Had I not striven to earn their trust since I had been selected as their advisor? But, no, they choose little, obedient, prodigious Twilight. Pah.

I shrug off these negative thoughts as it approached the kitchen. "Hello, Betty. Doing well?" I said conversationally to the head chef, leaning on one of the tables.

"Good as ever," Betty replied, trying in vain to keep a stack of dishes from toppling.

"Her royal highness is nearly ready for dinner," I said helpfully, watching the tower totter dangerously.

"On time, as always," Betty sighed. The dishes tumbled to the floor, a few CRACKs revealing away the damage.

As I was leaving, I paused and turned back. "Oh, and Twilight begs that you make extra of that soup from last night. She says it was superb." I turn away from the kitchen with a grin as the hustle and bustle of the before-dinner cooking got underway.

A queen filled with turbulent emotions. A populace in distress over a new law. And, under it all, a kitchen trying frantically to keep up with its own personal agenda, nearly completely cut off from the rest of the world. I adjusted my cloak over my wings, making sure they were hidden. They aren't ready. At least, not yet.

Celestia and Luna may be gone, but the world is just as pleasant as ever, if not more so.

Ah, what a wonderful place Equestria is.

Author's Note:

Thanks again for waiting for so long for this next chapter!

Comments

[Existential Nightmare]

*sniffs*
Garbage.
I'm down voting this.

*snorts with laughter and walks away, high fiving myself*