State of Lincoln
Equestrian Reservation
Sulferhoof
5:13 PM
Blueblood yawned stretching after switching off his alarm, slowly working up into a sitting position. He sat there for a few moments before slowly working to his hooves. Trotting to the mirror he licked his lips before splashing water into his face after turning on the faucet. Looking back up into the mirror he frowned levitating a pair of scissors and slowly snipped away at a few stray hairs until it was all even. Turning his head side to side he looked for any other overgrowths before returning his face to the RV sink. Washing his cheeks thoroughly, using his magic to wipe off the rest of himself with the water and bit of disinfectant. Once he has rinsed the rag he twisted it to force the moisture out and set it next to the sink once more. Grasping a brush he started to work on his mane, sweeping it simply to the right side of his face before nodding his head happy with the result. Tossing some mouth wash into his maw he slowly trotted to the door slipping his sling bag around his neck. Locking the door behind him without missing a beat, looking around he sighed seeing just how far his home was from the other shelters.
Making his way down the dirt path he focused on a singular goal in the distance. Blue Streaks Stable, the bus would come soon with many ponies heading right in after work. It was practically a tradition at this point to get a mug of beer or whatever they could afford on tap. If only to dull the aches brought on by a 12-hour shift. Approaching the makeshift bar he pushed his way past the door, seeing Spitfire lazily cleaning a mug behind the counter. “Evening...” He tried to avoid yawning.
“Evening Blueballs.” She chuckled. “Here to warm up before work?” The gold mare asked setting the mug back under the counter.
“I do every night don’t I?” He raised an eyebrow trotting over to the warn piano near the far wall. Sitting down on the splintered bench he stretched out his hooves making a few pops in his shoulders.
“Suppose you do.” She trotted up behind him setting a drink on top of the piano. “Here you go, one honey tonic.”
“I shouldn’t.” He looked over trying not to stare at the mares heavily pregnant middle.
“One the house, if free drinks get me a little entertainment then I don’t mind the cost.” She shrugged waddling back to the counter.
“You really should take it easy in your condition.” He said softly with concern.
“Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that...” She grumbled buffing the counter. “I can’t afford it, if I close up too long ponies will find drinks somewhere else. Be it some dollar shop bitter beer, or some hooch from the fight pits.”
He sighed shaking his head as he started to focus. Just as he started to play Piano Man, humming along under the music just as ponies started to trudge into the bar. Some stiff-legged from standing before a conveyor belt at one of the nearby canneries, others covered head to hoof in dust from the mines. All practically collapsing into their chairs as they tapped their hooves against the tables and counters. Spitfire despite her condition didn’t miss a beat, moving from table to table with drinks ranging from beer to cheap scotch.
More than a few seemed to smile faintly from the music leaning back in the chairs. Sipping their drinks, while chatting tiredly about their days. Some complaining about their jobs, others mumbling about their foals at home. It wasn’t the most exciting conversation but it certainly allowed for a more relaxing atmosphere. Just as he was completing the song he heard two ponies clear their throats. Turning his head and raising an eyebrow he saw two olive coated stallions with matching red and white manes resting near the bar.
Just as he turned his head back to the piano he saw some sheet music had been placed before him. Looking it over it didn’t seem partially difficult, but he usually liked to be asked verbally for music requests. Shaking his head he started to play, just in time for other musicians to pull out their own instruments. Inhaling the two brothers began to sing.
“Welcome to Earth.” Flim hummed cheerily.
“What were you expecting?” Flam shrugged.
“It's a dangerous place.” Flim held his hat to his chest
“Thank you for investing, go there for your rota, there for your orders. Fill up these quotas, we'll bill for your quarters.” Flam taps an imaginary watch before pointing upwards. “Report to your foreman, but watch for militia, cause if you get beaten, there's fees for your mourners!”
“Prosperity's there in the care of magnates! In Lincoln heaven awaits! Did you think it was supposed to look like the poster?” Flim pulled out a dusty poster of Celestia looming over untamed wilderness on top of her pink barrier. “It mostly does, oh, if you'd only read closer! Just ten short years till a new frontier snooze as they lose and you'll wake up here!”
“You'd been trapped in that city, for an awful long time so perhaps you didn’t understand what you signed! Oh, honestly?” Flam pulled out a rather... crude cartoon of Twilight looking over a document while Uncle Sam loomed over her. “Did you not read the reservation policy? That defines you as company property? That waivers our say in autonomy? The conglomerate's got you in lock and key! They put the dollar back into idolatry! If you're upset, we can all rent an apology!”
“They are a family forged in bureaucracy no I in team, but there's con in economy!” Flim pulled out other dated Equestrian posters detailing lands that were promised to be theirs, including one of ponies scaling Mount Everest! “Were you expecting adventure? Were you hoping for fun? My friend, we’re indentured and pleasure's exempt from our tenure! So let’s venture back down to our slums, that are provided at generous prices! Your worth is determined by your sacrifices, a small term of service when down on the surface!”
“Internment's a freebie that comes with the purchase!” Flam joined in with his brother.
Ponies started to instinctively join in the choirs. “We work, to earn the right to work, to earn the right to work, to earn the right to work, to earn the right to work! To earn the right to give, ourselves the right to buy, ourselves the right to live, to earn the right to die!” They all sang with sad passion.
“Welcome to our little town! Why don't you settle down? Here, just fill out the paperwork and you can look around!” The two brothers continued to sing even dancing on the bar counter much to Spitfires annoyance. “We're happy as can be inside the valley cannery! We live to pack the cans of meat and not to question where it's found!” They covered their eyes comically. “Until we end up in the ground, around the corner in the yard! You know, we thought we liked the sound of finding glory in the stars! The committee has taught us to be proud of never reaching very far. So we earn what we're allowed and give it right back at the bar!” They tossed a few balled bills to the pregnant mare behind them.
“The ale to cure what ails ya, Patriot Brew, your favorite flavor! So work 'til you bleed, ennobled by labor! Then purchase relief from your local retailer!” Flim chuckled darkly motioned to the shameless patriotic advertisement on the wall.
“If you'd rather drop dead that's fine, but you know that dropping down dead bears a fine.” A dirty looking stallion holding a shovel exhaled thick cigarette smoke while shaking a can with a crude dollar sign drawn on it. All while motioning to a window with a view of the nearby cemetery. “So you do your job and I'll do mine, I gotta meet a six-foot deep bottom line!” He made a shoveling motion with his hooves.
“We make a fortune for the corps by selling boredom door to door. Because it's all that we deserve and it is all we can afford. The secrets of the universe and all the world to be explored.” A lanky pimpled colt sang looking empty and ready to cry. “But our dreams are back on Equis and now the work is our reward!”
An older blue rotund stallion with a marionette cutie mark followed. “And you’ll be grateful, for seats at the table, though it dips at one end and the bench is unstable.” He watched amusedly as on the benches fell over with a row of ponies landing on their backs.
“You may waste your days, but at least you were able to pay off your grave since they leased your foals cradle!” Flam hummed along.
“Be faithful and pray, they’ll repay what you invest! Behave as you slave for humanity's interest, on account that you're all on account and their quickly amounting Equineity’s interest!” Flim pulled out another poster displaying an advertisement for Remington depicting a smiling family armed for a jolly hunting trip, while Flam pulled out a poster from Ruger's showing a group of armed non-equines. “You'd think that they’d sink, to the brink of rebellion with markets dependent on peddling weapons! The Lord tells them, the secret to heaven is simply consuming whatever they sell them!”
“We work, to earn the right to work! To earn the right to work! To earn the right to work! To earn the right to work, to earn the right to give, ourselves the right to buy! Ourselves the right to live, to earn the right to die!” The whole bar sang along.
“You should have read the fine print, my friend, should have read the fine print. You should have read the fine print, my friend, should have read the fine print.” Flam pulled out another cartoon of the princess, depicting her like a marionette with two puppeteers. A ghostly specter of the former princess, and Uncle Sam smirking while she danced.
“Welcome to our little town, why don't you settle down? Here, just fill out the paperwork and you can look around! We work and then we work, and then we work and then we work!” The whole bar shook as ponies stamped their hooves to the rhythm. “And then we work and then we work, and then we end up in the ground! Welcome to our little town, why don't you settle down? Here, just fill out the paperwork and you can look around!”
“You should have read the fine print, my friend, should have read the fine print.” The brothers pulled out their lighters and proceeded to torch the cartoons of Twilight. “Here and here and initial here. Welcome to the family!”
The bar patrons let out a little cheer, it had been quite a while since they had all joined in for a communal song. Eventually, things calmed down and ponies went back to sipping their drinks. Blueblood glanced at the clock. Stepping away from the piano he tossed the honey tonic into his mouth before making his way to the door. “Night Spitfire.” He said passing by her as she served drinks.
“Night Bluey.” She mumbled as he passed by her.
Once outside he quickly trotted to the bus stop, just as the last bus of the night wall pulling up. Not missing a beat he stepped aboard and slipped some change from his bag into the toll box. Taking a seat in the far back, he leaned against the seat and closed his eyes, relaxing for the long night ahead of him.
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Downtown Theater District
6:17 PM
Blueblood twitched in his seat as he daydreamed. “Back of the line! You wait for bread like everypony else, prince wannabe!” That old voice echoed in the back of his mind, despite all attempts to block it out. “Hey, pretty colt~, why don’t you share that loaf with us.” He couldn’t help but think about those stallions again seeing some rather... rough looking humans walk past the bus.
Seeing’s his stop coming up he slowly worked onto his hooves and trotted forward. Disembarking just as the doors opened, just one block away he could see his destination. Moonlight, a rather upscale establishment known for its food, drinks, and entertainment. Slipping into the alley he knocked on the back door, a peephole slid open before the door opened revealing a burly tan-skinned bouncer just behind it. “Evening.” He mumbled out.
“Evening Jamie.” Blueblood said as he entered, trying to suppress a yawn. “Anything big tonight?”
“Jackson is coming tonight...” Jamie sighed.
Just like that a pit formed in his stomach hearing that congressman’s name. “I see....”
Making his way to the dressing room he saw a familiar face slipping into a variable tent of a suit. “Blueblood that you old boy?” A deep baritone voice reverberated through the room.
He smirked. “I don’t know... does it sound like me?” He said just as the massive man turned around, a dark pair of sunglasses covering his eyes.
“Hey now.” He pulled off his glasses revealing his cloudy eyes. “You hear the big man is coming tonight?”
“Ya.” Blueblood exhaled opening his locker and slipping into his own black suit. Styling his hair with a bit of product in the mirror once he was done.
“Listen, don’t let him bother you none, just focus on the music ok?” He felt the heavy hand rest on his shoulder. A sympathetic look forming on the old man's face.
“It’s... alright... I’ll be fine.” He tried to put on a brave face before smirking and let out a chuckle. “Need help finding your sax?”
The blind man muttered under his breath. “Can’t believe ya’ll replaced my sax with an umbrella...” He couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory of pulling it out on stage. “Certainly gave the crowd a good laugh though.”
“You were still able to give a performance that got a roaring applause. That’s talent.” Blueblood smiled as he stretched, trying to work out any kinks before he got on stage.
“Talent? Naw... years of practice working the audience, you’ll learn once you get to my age.” He shrugged running his hand through his hair. “How does my hair look?”
“Long and curly with your bald spot showing.” Blueblood hummed.
“Perfect, that’s the way I like it.” He started to make his way to the door, with Blueblood following close behind.
The trip through the back of the restaurant was rather uneventful. With only the trip past the kitchens being the most memorable. Already the young stallion was imaging what leftovers he would get after his performance. His stomach rumbling loudly, to which he attempted to quiet down with a rub.
Slipping onto the stage just behind the curtains they checked their instruments. Taking their seats they watched the clock slowly tick down. Thirty seconds to show time they both put on their show faces on just as the curtains started to open. Within moments they started to play Perfect. While he tried to focus on the keys he could feel a pair of eyes burrowing into the back of his head, watching his every move.
His sensitive ears could hear the various goings-on beyond the stage. From the sounds of the roulette tables, the shaking of cocktail mixers, along with idle conversation over the rich meals. Closing his eyes he tried to focus, letting everything fall away as his hooves worked over the keys. Entering his own little world where the music was the only thing that mattered to him. Faint memories slowly coming back to him he swayed his shoulders a faint smile forming on his lips.
“Blueblood, this is miss Gaia, she will be teaching you piano.” The disinterested voice of his mother spoke in the back of his mind.
He smiled faintly, almost feeling her talons guide his hooves over the keys. “Very good leettle Blue, now let's try ahgain, I know you cahn do eet.” That soft accented voice spoke to him.
He barely noticed that they had finished the song and had already moved onto the next. Having already moved onto Let it Be, a faint smile forming his lips, it was one of his favorites after all. Something about it just never seemed to get old. “You were wahnderful up zere Blue! I cahn't believe you only took secahnd plahce.”
Tears formed in his eyes remembering that moment when he brought home the trophy from the recital. “Toss that useless thing in the trash, second place is but first loser!”
He pressed the keys a bit too hard as those memories slowly came back to him. Yet refused to play a sour note for the audience, he slowly rolled his head around. “Oh Gaia, you’ve done so much for our little Blue... Please take this as compensation.” His father's voice played in his mind.
His smile twitched as he fought the urge to frown as bits of his memories came back to him as he played. “That’s her! The Gryphon who stole my pearls!” The sad face of his piano teacher being lead away by the guard filling his mind just as he completed the song. A tear nearby leaking out of his eye as he shook his head trying to clear his mind again. Once he had stabilized his thoughts he glanced briefly at the elderly blind man to his right, seeing a sympathetic smile. To this day he wasn’t sure how he always seemed to know what was going on around him. But right now that look of assurance was what he really needed to continue, focusing back on the piano he moved to the next song.
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Downtown Theater district
Moonlight
11:16 PM
Blueblood leaned back in his chair as he rubbed lotion into his hooves. Trying to ease the soreness from playing for hours, it worked somewhat thankfully. Once he was done he looked down at his free lunch, he never understood why it was called that. It was practically the middle of the night at this point, but to use the old human expression didn’t look gift horses in the mouth. Cutting into the salmon fillet smiling as he saw the creamy spinach just inside leak out. He couldn’t help but hum at the wonderful flavor as he popped it into his mouth, closing his eyes as he savored the taste.
His partner enjoyed a separate dish of rosemary chicken fillet, slicing through the tender meat before eating his own share. “You did good out there so far Blue, it seems the audience is really taking a liking to ya.”
“I didn’t notice...” Blueblood mumbled as he picked at his small fillet, adding a bit of oil to the salad.
“The congressman...” He sighed setting his fork and knife down shaking his head.
“What do you think, I could practically feel his eyes burrowing into my skull.” Blueblood shook his head rubbing the back of his neck wincing.
“When a man loses everything, it’s easy to fall into darkness.” He sighed slipping off his sunglasses revealing his grey clouded eyes.
“I know... NF-PTSD...” The former prince peppered his salad before just lowering his head.
“Cost him his wife and kids... and with all the pain of losing those most dear...” The older man mumbled.
“Hate replaced sorrow in his heart.”
“Mhm...” The man shook his head while eating his chicken.
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it...” Blueblood ate some of his arugula salad.
“Never said you did... but understanding helps.” He spoke through a mouthful of spinach salad.
As the two continued to eat in silence a knock was heard from the nearby door. Raising an eyebrow and looking at the clock confused Blueblood made his way over and slowly opened it. The moment he saw what was behind it his stomach fell into the deepest pit. Dressed up in a dark black suit with a matching tie, he practically loomed over the white stallion. While his smile could be mistaken for friendliness, the look in his eyes took everything he had not to wince.
“Good evening, I hope I’m not interrupting your meal.” He said with a fake sincerity, waves of malice washing over the small pony like waves.
“Oh no, we’re about half-finished.” He slowly opened the door further using it to support himself. “How can we help you?”
“I just wanted to give my compliments to the entertainment tonight. I was quite impressed by your performance.” He raised an eyebrow looking down at the stallion. “Despite your handy cap your quite the pianist.”
“Handy cap?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow, his breathing feeling more labored than it should.
“Hooves are far from the proper appendage to play the piano.” He chuckled. “I could almost believe you hand hands, such a pity.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.” Blueblood shrugged, feeling as if lead weights were pressing down against him. “But regardless, I’m happy my performance kept you entertained.”
“Just remember, talent is fleeting, one day someone better could replace you.” He chuckled turning on his heels. “Best keep your guard, you’ll find yourself back where you belong soon enough.”
Once he was gone Blueblood shuttered, taking deep breaths. Just that man's presence seemed to press down upon him like a boot against his neck. Leaning against the wall he felt as if he would collapse at any moment. After a few moments, he struggled back to the table, nearly falling over as he sat down.
“Would you believe me he once ran on the California progressive left ticket?...” The old jazz musician shook his head. “Open borders, no human is illegal, defund ice....” He waved his hand shaking his head.
“War changes things...” Blueblood pushed his food away his appetite ruined.
“That it does... that it does...” He sighed slipping off his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes. “I could practically feel his hate radiating off him...”
“You noticed?” Blueblood looked up.
“Lacking eyes doesn’t mean I can’t feel a man's vibes.” He drank his wine slowly, before swirling it in the glass. “Hell, I think it might help me in that regard...”
“Your sure your not magic?...” The pony tiled his head.
“Just a good ear...” He hummed. “Listen... I can tell he really shook you up Blue... you need to head home?...”
“I’ll be alright... besides, I gotta earn those tips.” He put on a brave face, more for himself than his blind friend.
“If ya say so Lil Blue...” He mumbled. “Feels about time to get back to the stage...”
“Your right as always Bleeding Gums...”
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
Equestrian Reservation
Sulfurhoof
7:32 AM
Blueblood yawned through his teeth as he carried his doggy bag, the smell of his leftover meal still making him drool a bit. He snaked his way through the slow stampede of ponies that were on their way. Once he was threw he turned to his left, heading to a small building that had been recently built near the center of the settlement. Stopping just before the glass door he gazed up at the sign printed on the glass rather plainly. Reservation Affairs Office #5, not exactly a brilliant name, but self-descriptive. Pushing his way inside the first thing he saw was the cheap faux wood floors and a disinterested girl sitting behind a desk. She looked scarcely in her 20s, even with the suit she wore she looked more like a teenager on their first job than a representative. He smiled faintly at her turning to the right, heading to a table with various forms and manila envelopes. Grasping the chained pen he started to fill out the blue form, the scribbles against paper the only real sound in the office beyond the ticking of the clock. Scribbling down the amount he slipped a small wad of cash from his lunch bag, just under the leftovers, into the envelope with the form. Spreading out the bills to ensure one couldn’t easily tell how much was in there. Licking the paper tab he sealed it shut, running his hooves over it a few times to ensure it wouldn’t open by accident. Levitating the lunch bag onto his back again he carried the envelope over to the waiting human, who seemed somewhat annoyed her quiet time had been interrupted.
“One donation form for the Trade School Lotto and Scholarship program...” He said while she just grasped the envelope looking it over boredly. Making sure it was sealed and the pre-printed address was legible. Nodding her head she tossed it into the mail pile just behind her. “Thank you.” He said taking his leave just as she started to file her nails.
Leaving the office he took his lunch bag back into his mouth, trotting towards his home on the outskirts. Trying to avoid yawning as he dug around in his bag for his keys before slipping inside. Setting the bag down after locking the door behind him, he started to pull the curtains closed. Rubbing his eyes he pushed a rug out of the way and started to jimmy one of the floorboards. Once it was free he started to dig into the brown dirt below revealing a wide PVC cap. Pulling it upwards he started to untwist it, once it was opened up he pulled over his lunch bag. Placing the aluminum foil containers to the side before laying out two additional stacks of money. While his pay wasn’t great, the tips from the drunk patrons were very generous. He doubted most were aware of what they were shoving into the tip jar throughout the night. Levitating a plastic baggy he shoved the stacks inside. Sealing it tight before gasping some ducktape from nearby just to seal the lip further. Once he was satisfied, he shoved it into the PVC pipe and started to twist it closed again. Within a few moments, his cache was hidden again, with the food being levitated to the small table nearby.
Taking a seat on the metal fold-out, he opened the containers and started to finish off his lunch. Having regained some of his appetite back from earlier, eating in silence, he couldn’t help but feel his mind wander again. “Prince Blueblood?... I’m sorry to say that there’s been an accident with your parent's carriage.” The voice of a nameless guard echoed through his skull.
A frown started to form as he peeled open a single serving of wine. “Don’t worry Blueblood, you may be the youngest representative in the house of nobles, but I’ll show you the ropes, you’ll do your house proud.” The kindly voice of Fancy Pants whispered to him while he tossed the wine into his mouth like scotch.
“How could you! I-I trusted you! You used me!” He shook his head tearing up a bit as bitter memories continued to surface. “For the good of Equestria’s ponies Blue, it was necessary...” He roughly shoved some fish into his maw as he tried to ignore the memories. “Better your first lesson in noble politics with me than some other noble houses selfish ends... you’ll thank me for this when you're older...”
Reaching out he pulled open the nearby curtain, deciding some natural light was better than sitting in self-imposed darkness. There wasn’t much to see outside of his dwelling, just the same dust bowl, but in the distance, he could see things starting a change. A few areas had cornered off raised beds with some desert flowers and cacti just starting to bloom. It wasn’t terribly impressive, but in a few months, it would certainly improve the atmosphere. Sulferhoof wasn’t exactly a cheery place to look at, so any color was a welcome change.
“I wonder if they have a signup sheet...” In the past, just the mere mention of dirt would have sent him in near hysterics. But that was a small price to pay compared to another tragedy in life.
“The life of a musician is hard Lil Blue, the best of us play our feelings, for that reason the most heartbroken create the best jazz...” The gruff voice of Bleeding Gums spoke in his mind. “Because of that heartbreak we want to isolate ourselves from the world... Thinking that by doin so, we’re protecting our hearts from further pain... but we ain’t... don’t isolate yourself pony like I did... forgive them and let them see the real you...”
Glad this still lives! Nice chapter.
He sure has some interesting memories...
Huh , Cool I didn't expect to hear The Stupendium here
This was an interesting take on Blueblood.
I admit I didn't expect blueblood to seem sympathetic but he is well done
Question, in the first song section what is the propaganda supposed to convey and sell to the people? How did Celestia sell the war to Equestria?
10481009
Likely the enticement of brand new lands in general. Equestria itself has likely been static for over 1k years. Why not freshen things up with the promise of a fresh start over an entire planet ripe for the picking, with the "soulless natives" gone!
Also I like how one of Blueblood's new friends is a blind guy. To him he just hears a somewhat high class voice that can play one mean bit of a piano and makes a clip clop noise as he goes around. Now I wanna see how those two first met.
Also for the future chapter, I have a feeling we're about to see two certain bugs given that we just saw Flim and Flam in the reservation and we know Rumble (presumably with Thunderlane as well) is also there. Always wondered if at least one of the races just up and moved out of Former Equestria and mostly settled in another nation entirely.
A bit of me still wants to see 1 or more of the Pillars situation now. Can't imagine how they'd feel (especially Starswirl) seeing the nation they helped build up and protect ages past now fall apart into self-inflicted ruin before their very eyes. Heaven forbid Starswirl visiting the broken shell that is Luna now, knowing Celestia herself practically lobotomized and tortured her into a scarred mess.
10480484
Thank you.
10480503
There is the first hint of what things were like in Canterlot during the final days.
10480630
Are you displeased? For some reason I always imagined Flim and Flam singing it.
10480718
Well they did flesh him out more in the comics as a skilled diplomat, I just read between the lines a bit.
10480860
Even background annoyances deserve the benefit of the doubt.
10481009
Equestria is a relatively small country, thus theirs only so much opportunity to go around. Offering a sudden land and resource rush would be very attractive to many for various reasons. Be it to start their own homestead, open a sawmill, or even a new town. Away from more established families and towns who might not take too kindly to the new competition. For example, the Apple family wouldn’t take kindly if somepony set up shop next door to their farm and started to under cut them I’m sure.
10481069
He’s a Simpsons reference actually, although the character wasn’t blind originally. I won’t say which episode, but I will say it was one of the extremely rare “good” Lisa Simpson focused episodes.
10481086
Actually I was planning on a chapter having a familiar centaur visit his two “bestest friends”. Star Swirl and the Pillars are a bit tougher as I’m wondering if they even counted as Equestrian citizens considering the era they originally came from. Also the concept of an entire race leaving Lincoln for the American mainland does seem interesting....
10481203
I'd imagine among potential defectors during the whole mess, the Pillars would actually be more likely to jump ship given they don't have knowing only Celestia society wise for ages like all the other ponies (and even non ponies). And if they did, they'd probably get a chilly reception from fellow Equestrians post-war. Doubly so from any somewhat ardent Celestia supporters who would see them all as traitors of the highest caliber. Might be in a similar situation to Twilight where they've effectively become social pariahs who have a better time talking to humans of all things than their own race. On the other hand they'd probably fare better with the non-pony Equestrian races.
This congressman sounds EXACTLY like the kind of person you'd find on the progressive left. Without being changed by any kind of loss.
Great chapter I love a nice Blueblood. For the first few sentences I thought Blueblood was going to be in prison for siding with Celestia. I'm glad he wasn't though something like that maybe something you want to explor in the future.
Btw what happened to Equestria's cities? Considering much of the populace is apparently on reservations and I think its being flooded by human settlers, I'm under the impression that much of the population was wiped out from Operation downfall esque shenanigans. Because you don't just give an entire country the ghetto treatment unless morr than half of them died
10481584
Chapters like Big Mac and Trixie's imply the big coastal ones like Manehattan got bombed once the barrier got broken, and stuff more inward was actually torched and destroyed by the Guard itself on orders as humans encroached. Mac's chapter and Ditzy's imply the humans came right in the middle of them torching Ponyville to the ground. Sweet Apple Acres itself has been entirely wiped out. Discord's chapter has a line that implies Fluttershy's cottage is one of the scant few pre-war Equestrian-built places still fully intact.
10481203
Well their style is somewhat similar
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/youtube/images/f/f5/Greg_Holgate.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20200102122929
It would be awkward if he existed in this world and asked why they stole his song XD
10481655
I imagine some overzealous on the parts of both parties. Like the USAF must've been in full Le May mode and just levelled the economically prosperous and densely populated cities. With Celestia torching the heartland starvation and exposure might've taken the rest. Wonder if America gets called out on it by it's rivals.
10481203
What exactly were the civilian and military casualties on either side
10481739
There is little goodwill toward ponies in the story from both humans and the non-ponies due to the potion bombs and the expanding death field fully intent on wiping everyone out as well as attacks directly on the cities via teleport and potion bombing. There are at least some who understand that the civvies were quite kept in the dark about things, but Equestria's reputation in general by war's end was rock bottom. Only made worse in the alluded to potion bombings during the first peace talks.
Ah right, there were also the very unsettling things the humans saw as they moved in. Like the newfoals just sitting there blankly when their unicorn commanders were killed, Broussard remembering it in his 2nd chapter.
At that point Twilight was essentially in charge of a worldwidely disgraced and hated broken husk of a nation. All you can do at that point is bend the knee and take what you can get.
10481748
Doesn't really answer what I believe to be the unfortunate implications. If they could easily relocate God knows how many civilians to the desert, what happened to most of the populace. How many ponies live in the green zones? It'd be like if after WW2 the US just annexed Germany and Japan, then relocated the locals to similar reservations
10481778
Equestria does seem to be a lot more "sparse" so to speak than other places. Appaloosa was the only thing we really saw in the desert areas. And even on the green areas there's a metric ton of open space. And on top of that you have all the new coastline given Equestria essentially ripped itself from its planet and shoved its way into our own. Space wise we know its as far north as to include the Crystal Empire (which is now partially sunk in mud and permafrost). Not to mention the reservations themselves at times seem to be part of the actual town. Button's chapter implies the reservation he lives on is somewhat part of or at least close to New Brooklyn. And Scootaloo's shows the reservation kids are attending a main school. Areas like Sulfurhoof seem to be totally standalone reservations however.
10481778
To put it bluntly their aren’t that many ponies compared to pre-war numbers. Mass conscription, famine (from burning farms and grain confiscation), disease outbreaks (both Terran and Equis strains), and the Royal Guard executing “traitors”. They scarcely had the population to handle the country at the time of the failed peace signing. Add in the news and social media being flooded with stories of just what sorts of sick twisted things ponies did not only to humans (both in the forms of “experiments” but also New Foal-PTSD), but non-pony races? You have a near echo chamber that creates a lot of hatred towards Equestrians that’s hard not to justify. It’s not just humans who “dislike” ponies after all, Diamond Dogs, Donkeys, Minotaurs, Breezies, Dragons, etc all have good reasons to want them under the boot. That’s not even taking into account that the country had vital elements America and the rest of the world needs for modern life, as China has been outed as having exhausted their supplies. Leaving those resources in the “hooves” of a formally hostile state would have been political suicide.
10481822
Ponies always seemed to need more open space then humans, which makes sense when you think about it. So there definition of “urban sprawl” would seem laughable compared to our own. The reservations are at the least about an hour bus ride from the closest town/city, that’s without stops mind you. For the most part they are out of sight and out of mind when the work day is over. Also, I’m sorry for not making this clear, but Sulferhoof is an unofficial name for the settlement, on paper it’s just a number.
10483740
Yeah I remember a bit about Sulfurhoof just being the local name for the place.
And damn. I'm seeing more and more why the ponies feel so lost and hopeless. The entire normal populace essentially got manipulated, backstabbed, and betrayed by their own glorious ruler and her royal guard, and are now reduced to second class citizens of a literally alien nation and race with the other races of Equestria hating their guts. A part of me hopes there's some effort to show the world the average citizen's side of the story someday to at least somewhat relax tensions. Some of the reservations getting basic internet might help a bit.
Least there's some positivity going on like Button's new friendship with the electronic store owner.
10483706
So comparatively speaking, it's like the worst case scenario regarding civilian casualties in operation downfall? Where Japan gets so devastated that America has no choice but to annex it?
How was the US annexing a country seen by the international community? Because depending on how big it is other countries wouldn't have minded if they had a slice of the pie.
10484650
It has been implied that the USA was the only country to participate in the invasion, and it can also be inferred that despite also facing economic woes they're the only country that could've afforded such a thing.
I can imagine that Flim and Flam are human haters and they are singing Anti-Human songs am I correct?
You're still having the same issue with commas. The first paragraph alone has several run-on sentences that should have commas breaking them up, and there are a lot of sentences that should be joined with others by commas, particularly ones beginninging with -ing words. It makes the story really uncomfortable ro read.
10485961
To be honest I think the world building revolves around the author being more familar with America culture than anywhere else. So that's why China got fucked up despite being on the same ocean as the US, so you won't see a Fusang Autonomous Republic. Equestria is easily being Americanized so no reeducation would be required
10486280
It still makes sense China got hit way harder than the USA since the Chinese economy just so happens to be based on the area that got hit the hardest, since their economy is way more reliant on that region in particular, whereas the USA retained many areas which are economically strong despite still taking a beating so it's plausible that such an event would cause way more damage to China.
10487509
What about Japan? Wouldn't it be hit even harder if not being a shield to China? Unless it was South Pacific
I'm wondering what it would be like if Equestria was split between other countries. For instance the EU region of the country would be on paper the only independent nation left, but in reality it's best described as a dominion of the European Union since it federalized and membership was forced upon it. The puppet regime still criticizes the other nations for their imperialism. The Chinese section is probably a test bed for social engineering programs in order to make the natives honorary Han Chinese (which shouldn't be hard due to how extremely easy they took to American culture here). Russia is probably the most Colonial of the powers, but only because I don't know much about their government
10487921
A hint about Japan’s current status is in part 2 of Governor Brousseau. Also it would be unlikely that the European Union would be able to do much of anything considering that the former state of Equestria is on the opposite side of the planet and in the wrong Ocean (Pacific not the Atlantic), combined with their current energy crisis (never mind political and economic issues), it would be impractical for them. You will also see a chapter soon involving China that shows that it’s not just infrastructure or resource issues weighing them down, it’s multifaceted. Even the EUs problems aren’t as simple as they appear, politics is a strange and ugly beast.
Never thought I'd feel sorry for Blueblood of all people. Poor guy seems to have lost his family, his home, and his position in life - and yet seems to have somewhat rebounded decently enough.
And that's a dark side of Fancy Pants I never thought I'd see, either.
And I love the Stupendium bit. I watch a lot of his music videos, they're great. It's an odd surprise, but I approve nonetheless
10481069
That went about as well as the whole "Lebensraum" deal the Nazis promised. Germany ended up with less territory than it started, Equestria basically got wiped off the map and replaced with US territory, with the formerly sovereign Equestrians now a second class of citizens.
What the hell happened to Celestia that she decided to go full Adolf Hitler? I mean, sure, the Mana burnout effect messed her something fierce, but Grogar implies she had some lucid reasoning to travel to Earth in the first place.
On a better note... yeah, I like Bleeding Gums too (I even partially remember the episode he was in). Hope to see more of him.
10483706
It's not like there were that many ponies to begin with. Equestria's a mostly agrarian state with some industry, and doesn't support the mass mechanization necessary to feed vast populations. Population density even pre-war would be pretty low compared to a 21st century Earth nation.
Then of course after the Barrier was cracked, the realities of war set in, and while they had magic, it was still a case of medieval warfare running up against armored support and artillery, as well as the famines, etc...
10484022
I think that seems to be a running theme for this setting, really. Not only are the ponies being ground under the heel of humans and the non-ponies, but the humans are also feeling the heavy hand of the ruined environment and the dearth of resources. Everything seems to be heading towards a general systems collapse, sustained by what few resources are available for however long that's left. The EU's broken out into a 'civil war', with the 'core EU' preying on the periphery to sustain their dying economies at the cost of everyone else. China's a mess. The USA is recovering only if you count Lincoln, because the West Coast states are in miserable condition, the rest of the country isn't much better. The Middle East has literally hit peak oil and is collapsing. The ponies have lost their independence, their history, and their culture, and will pretty much be an economic and social appendix to humanity, and the non-ponies (humans included) have every reason to make sure they stay there. Then there's the radical change in the nature of magic, with the implication that it might make things worse as it amplifies the environmental issues across the globes.
The only silver lining this mess has is the ponies eventually earning the forgiveness of the other races, and that somehow the humans and ponies together manage to contain or adapt to the coming changes in the world. Grogar and the Tree of Harmony hinted at something, just not clear what it is yet.
10518561
I don't know who he is, but base on your explanation then yes.
Edit: Wwwooooowww, I saw some of the titles and, man, now I really agree with you.
10518561
10518595
Ol' Frank would be very... creative when it comes to Honey Buns. He'd probably avoid torture, since he's not her, but nothing says karmic death isn't it. Or he could kill her very messily.
10520378
Is Honey Buns in other tcb stories? This one was the first I've heard of her.
Also, what happens to pony parents who do teach their foals Equestrian history and culture and are caught by the authorities? Do they throw the parents in the red zone and put the foals up for adoption? Or is it ignored?
10712261
Since nobody else wanted to answer your question other than downvoting it. I'll do it.
Yes honey bun is an OC created by this misanthropic waste of oxygen.
Grayonblue
10761011
Either that person is a massive troll or has descended to a new class of misanthropy the likes of which few have ever descended to. They claim not to be human, with their definition of human being different from everyone else’s definition of human, though they have not elaborated on this. Likely signs of delusion. Extremely racist and violent tendencies have also been observed in their psyche, with their most fervent wish being to murder as many humans, particularly Africans and Indians, as they can and their greatest regret being not having access to a gun to carry out this task. (Thank God.)
If they’re serious, I can’t help but feel really sorry for them though. None of us need to wish harm upon them, their existence is punishment enough.
Loved the Stupendium parody and I was surprised to see a simpsons character but but definitely not disappointed great work
11134252
Encías Sangrantes Murphy.
10761011
Gracias por aclarar.
10806723
¿De verdad es así?
Gracias por hacer a Blueblood un personaje con profundidad. Literalmente es una gota en un océano, deberíamos haber obtenido más de él en la serie. Yo lo veo como un reflejo del príncipe Harry.