//------------------------------// // Twenty Third Chapter // Story: Horse of Cards // by Midnight Ice Cream //------------------------------// Twenty Third Chapter Ponies are rational creatures, they listen to reason This chapter is set the following afternoon Princess Luna of Equestria Isn’t Equestria beautiful? I took a walk around the valley this afternoon. It was a great way to clear my head of work. I greatly enjoyed my time discussing policy today, but one should always find time to relax, should one not? When I return to Canterlot, Twilight is stood accompanied by Skywatch at the castle. Skywatch salutes. “Highness. I told her you had prior business, but she wouldn’t listen.” “Oh don’t worry about it Skywatch. You didn’t have to do that at all. Dismissed.” “Ma’am.” He salutes, and leaves. “Skywatch is an excellent pony.” I say. “So you’ve said.” “So, what brings you here? I was planning on having a quick bath before dinner.” “Oh well, you should probably go ahead.” She admits. “It’s just I wanted to talk to you about Cadence.” “Ahh yes, that. Twilight, would you care to have join me in the spa?” Twilight accepts. ***** Within ten minutes, we are both in the large royal baths. I lean back, and relax. I breathe a heavy sigh. “You were saying about Cadence?” “Well, it’s just I spent yesterday afternoon with Chrysalis. I’ve been trying to get those two to see eye to eye, but she just won’t. She was really annoyed at me for seeing Chrysalis.” I rub my eyes. “Twilight, she did capture her husband.” “And my brother.” She snaps. “Twice. Cadence has reason to be mad. It’s understandable that working with her nemesis is uncomfortable. I’d have thought as princess of friendship, you’d come to understand that.” “I understand, but.” she pauses articulating her thoughts, “How were you able to mend your relationship with Celestia? We might be able to use that kind of trick with Chrysalis and Cadence.” I lean back into the back to look up at the ceiling. “Twilight, there’s a massive difference here. Celestia forgave me, I just wasn’t able to forgive myself. Chrysalis doesn’t think she did anything wrong. I’m not there to judge Chrysalis, but Cadence is.” “Still, do you have any suggestions?” I ponder that for a moment. Diamond Tiara Head of Steel Departament of Rich Enterprises ARRRHG! THE TRAIN IS LATE! Not just a five minutes, it’s four hours late! Oh fucking sweet Celestia. Four hours I have to pay my workers for no fucking reward! This piece of shit fucking. I swear. Apparently the train broke down. Judging by the age of that machine, I’d not doubt it. FUCK! This has destroyed today’s schedule. I’m ordering a punching bag. Where the fuck is Silver? I sigh, at least they’re actually getting this stuff off the train quickly. Every minute will count towards getting that steel ready. I’ll have to tell Colt. No. I’ll wait a week, then I’ll let him know how things have been going. This is a fucking pisstake. At least we’ve got all the coal we need. Suddenly, an idea flashes in my head. This is an issue that can be resolved. I gallop towards the office, Silver needs to know. ***** When I do arrive I am panting. It isn’t a great distance from the station, but I flew there as quickly as possible. “Silver! Silver!” “Diamond, you look crazy, please calm down.” I beam. “When am I ever calm? I’ve figured out how to deal with this issue.” “Oh?” Silver notes where she is on her paper, folds up her glasses and gives me full attention. “Some things are inevitably shit. The manufacturing process is not one we can do anything about. But the rail line.” That’s the key. That’s got to be the key. “The old steamers they have on those tracks need to be in a museum, not carrying iron. We’ll have to invest in new locomotives. The train was four hours late this morning.” “I know, I’ve been doing nothing today. Just looking over these accounts, they really are awful.” “If we can get an efficient rail system, at least we’ll have a regular supply. After that we’ll be able to formulate a consistent strategy.” “Alright.” She doesn’t sound too impressed. “What do you mean alright?” “Diamond, you know I never supported this venture. If ponies want to start a business, they go somewhere profitable. I understand you want to build yourself a legacy.” “I WILL MAKE THIS WORK!” I yell. Silver shrugs. “And I will support you. You know I’ll do that for you.” “Thank you Silver, alright, you handle the surveyors. I want detailed information about the line, I’ll try to find a company willing to sell us new trains on short notice.” “On it.” Sparkling Soda Assistant to Marshall Earthheart When I enter the office this morning, I am tired. I must have been on that bench for quite a while, it’s where I woke up this morning. Beside me were two changelings, I had a surprisingly good reaction to them. I need to tell Wellbridge, I need to tell Earthheart! I’m still scared shitless of them, but hey baby steps and all that. ***** “Good morning Sparkling.” Earthheart greets me. “How are you?” I yawn. “Tired. But happy.” “Oh?” “I spent last night in the company of Princess Chrysalis.” He smiles warmly. “I am delighted to hear that my dear. I’m very proud of you. What did you do?” “I just faced my fears.” “How do you feel after that?” “I’m very happy.” “My dear Sparkling you must tell Fancy Pants, I’m sure he’d be more than proud.” “I will, I just wanted to tell you too.” I walk in for a hug, Earthheart has the habit of giving very rigid hugs. Honestly I don’t think he’s very comfortable with them. But all the same he accepts a brief embrace. “How have you been?” “Quite the opposite, recently I’ve had so very little to do. I’m becoming rather restless.” “Are you? Bored?” “Yes.” He admits frankly. “I have achieved all I want militarily, I’m quite sure Equestria is safe. It’s just poorly governed.” “If you can call what we have government.” Earthheart chuckles at that. “Quite.” “How are they all doing?” I sit down behind my desk. “Not very well I’m afraid. Cadence disagrees with changeling integration, it’s making this a much slower and more boring process than it needs to be. Everything is getting passed yes, but not at the rate I wish it was.” He seems to be concentrating. “This is by no means a good system.” “Was it ever? It’s better now than what it was.” “They’re all useless. Unable to get past their silly personal dramas. I swear their internal fighting will destroy them.” “Then why did you create this?” “It was necessary.” Earthheart blankly states “But it creates its own problems. We have laws in Equestria now, but they are administered by incompetent princesses. A step up from what we did have, but still a terrible system. Over time this system will rot as the princesses get old, they’ll refuse to change anything and Equestria will stagnate once more. Occasionally they might react out of emotional compulsion, but that’s it.” Earthheart seems to bear no malice towards this. He just states it as if it’s a pure, simple inevitable fact. “Might I ask Earthheart, why? Was this the best outcome for Equestria.” “I never said it was permanent did I?” He smiles.