//------------------------------// // Chapter 36 // Story: Rise of an Empire, Fall of Another // by Kyuubi325 //------------------------------// Equestria Canterlot Canterlot Castle Celestias private chambers 8:12am Celestia sat infront of her large vanity mirror as she did her makeup while practicing her gentle diplomatic smile and neutral expressions. She wouldn't let herself break composure again, she would be making decisions that would effect ponies lives. Slowly applying the blush and eye shadow around her eyes, it was mostly to give her a more mature appearance while hiding anything that could give her away, she didn't use it often since diplomatic ties had gotten rather........ none existent with the exception of Zebrica and Britannia. Taking a few moments to touch up her face and brush her flowing mane she nodded her head as she straitened out her royal regalia taking a moment to polish off a smudge with her hoof. Slowly turning away from the mirror she started to make her way to the balcony to take fight, she would be having tea onboard the HMS Progress. Spreading her wings as she stepped out she flapped and took flight gently gliding above the locals as the looked up, there was still a feeling of unease in the capital. Who could blame them having a massive airship with enough arms to wipe them off the map? No she wouldn't allow that to happen she would defend her ponies to her last breath. Using her keen eye site she saw the tea set resting on a small iron table with two seats on the steel runway that rested on the behemoth of a zeppelin. Coming in for a gentle landing that became a slow canter she made her way over to the table seeing a large silk pillow opposite to the lovely wicker chair at the table. She took a few moments to look herself over before she heard the sounds of gears and hydraulics moving. Seeing the massive lift rise up with the Emperor standing nearly in the center of it. He was wearing a rich Blue uniform with golden Epaulettes on either shoulder, with a matching gold lampass, and countless medals she couldn't hope to decipher. The sound of his boots against the heavy metal filled her head as he made his way over, the distant yet focused look in his eyes centered on her the entire time even as he sat down. A few moments passed before anything was said while a young officer who had seemingly come out of nowhere, in a red uniform started to serve them tea and crumpets. "I'm glad you agreed to have further discussion aboard the HMS Progress I know it has put many of your ponies.... in a state of unease...." he said being careful how he worded his opening statement. Celestia could only nod her head while looking down at the brown colored tea before levitating several scoops of sugar from a silver bowl into the cup. "Yes.... having such a large airship just outside of our capital is distressing but I suppose necessary, and shows my trust in you." She nodded her head while taking a long sip it wasn't earl grey but it did have some rich flavors which she could at least enjoy. "Still I hope my Private Airship hasn't caused too much disruption to your home." He said while lifting up his own cup and taking a long sip. "There has been some panic but I have managed to consul the populous, besides I trust it would not be in the best interests of trade to attack." She said placing her cup down, even with the tea in her system something about this dog put her in a state of...... restlessness. As if one was in the eye of a storm with the unnerving calm making one feel as if the end was coming. "Very true..... so I think it's time we start to hash out the..... reparations. I would like to be clear with what they entail so as to avoid any misunderstandings." He said while she just nodded once again it was really all she could do. "Yes I will also need time to explain to the locals what is to happen, something like this has never been done before. So it my take awhile for them to understand." She said knowing full well what would happen to Horseshoe Bay. "Yes when I said I wanted exclusive trade rights to Horseshoe Bay I meant that that city will become..... I think the easiest way to explain it is a trading outpost for the Empire, part of Equestra in landmass but under the Empires law." He said while Celestia was inwardly shocked but this was expected the Gryphons allowed her the same in the coastal town of FishFroll, before they were chased out. "Trade rights are one thing..... but to take my subjects from me is another. How do you justify this?" She asked. "What is the value of a life?" He asked while Celestia was somewhat curious of the sudden devotion from her question. "That is a question many scholars have asked over the centuries...... I supposed the value of a life is the value of the actions they take...." she said somewhat confused but interested in what he was getting at. "That's a good way of putting it, I must say I'm surprised with your answer. Many whose name carries nobility often will tell you that value is based on ones standing or birth. So by your logic Young Princess Twilight has more value then the new born princess Flurry Heart?" He asked tilting his head while Celestia started to mull this over in her head. She was delighted with the birth of the latest princess but at the same time worried Alicorn status was something one earned not born with so the birth worried her. She of course kept this to herself as not to damper the miracle for her adopted niece. "I don't understand what this question has to do with taking over Horseshoe Bay." She looked him directly in the eyes. "Simple, what is the cost of one coastal city versus the lives that could be lost? Besides it's a long term investment in relations between our country's, many of your ponies still fear my country and rumors are awash here. We need more then just a trading relationship to prevent another tragedy. Think of Horseshoe bay as a large embassy or private economic zone. Yes many would appose such a thing but after..... the incident I feel that drastic measures must be taken on both our parts to prevent another incident. The lost of a city to another country as reparation is better then losing hundreds of thousands to war. I don't think I need to tell you I'm not the only one who was disturbed by what happened, I must appease my own country and this was the least that they would except." He said while Celestia nodded her head in understanding while the nobility on her country had grown corrupt and lazy she was no stranger to appeasement, both for the potential enemy and ones own people. "I understand but you must understand never in history has such a thing been done. I hope you understand how distressing this is for me and potentially my ponies." She said while taking a crumpet and taking a dainty bite. She was pleasantly surprised by the flakiness of it. "This sadly was the best option, my people wanted far more, a small price to pay for peace no? Besides think of the trade that will make its way into your country. This is just a down payment for another economic boom, for example since the introduction of farming machinery the average earth pony farmer now produces 53 percent more salable product then they did a few years ago. A baker now can cook in a fraction of the time producing more staples, and a store owner can finish calculating profit after taxes in less then an hour using our adding machines. I know that this sudden influx of goods into your country has caused many to turn on their heads. But I would like to point out that your overall GDP has risen, your impeccable census records point to this." The look of deep thought on Celestias face seemed to give him pause before he continued. "I know the loss of jobs is always a bitter pill to swallow, seeing someone who has spent a life time perfecting their craft only for a machine to be invented that can produce more then they thought possible. Sure many give up the ghost and move onto other jobs, other hang on bitterly even as the world passes them by. But in the end they will be forgotten to history as the visionaries are rightfully remembered. So why must you give up Horseshoe Bay? For peace and trade, the only other option would not be favorable for either of us...." Celestia could only nod her head yes over half her country was experiencing a never before seen economic boom but the other half was hemorrhaging money. She was already getting petitions to bail out enchanteries and send more money to city's like Cloudsdale and Los Pegasus. Though it seemed Los Pegasus was doing better with the influx of tourism from earth ponies. She didn't like what these changers were doing but at the same time she had to admit many had brought this on themselves. Stagnation is just as deadly as any sword or spell.... maybe ever more so. "Agreed...... I would like some assurances that the ponies who live in Horseshoe Bay won't become serfs in all but name." She said while the Emperor just nodded his head in understanding. "We will hold Horseshoe Bay to our own standards, freedom of press, right to bare arms, and the right to peaceful assembly. We well also likely lower local taxes as we have found the best way for peaceful integration is through ones wallet. It seems being a little stingy is universal trait." He chuckled gently. "Now why don't we move to the talks about covering he loss of my nieces Airship and the destruction of the refinery. Iv had my dogs look over it and the cost should be arou-" he was cut off as a Pegasus guards pony seemed to have landed rather haphazardly on the runway bouncing and nearly losing his balance. "My princess! Dire news from the Crystal Empire!" He managed to shout before nearly kneeing over as he struggled to catch his breath, looking him over he seemed to have seen better days, he was skinny, dirty, and most of all he looked as if he had seen the cursed Centaur himself. Celestia stood from her seat and made her way over to him while normally she would have chastised the interruption of important talks this didn't look as if it could wait. "What news have you brought me that could not be delivered by scroll?....." she had a sickening feeling in her stomach though she did not show it. "W-we...... evacuated...... s-surrendered to.... Crystal Independence movement...... as we speak the Crystal Express is making its way to Canterlot with..... Princess Cadence and Shining Armor....... along with what remains of the peace guard......" he was allowed to rest on her cushion while his exhausted body tried to catch up with its self. "W-what are you talking about..... what has happened?.... what of the baby?" She was already expecting the answer. "Dead...... Flurry Heart is dead...... the Equestrian immigrants torn to pieces...... by firelances the like I have never seen..... we held on for as long as we could...... but they were starving us out....... I...... I don't even know how long we were trapped inside of the Castle....... food spoiled and was rationed......... water was the first thing to run out...... we...... we......." he started to lose balance the simple act of sitting up seemed too much for him. "How many guards did we lose to them?.... " she swallowed while the guard looked at her with hollow eyes. "We didn't........ when food ran out...... s-some of the guard..... they......... they......" his eyes seemed to lose focus for a moment before he fell over and let out a long exhale. Celestia wanted to shake him, yell, beg for him to tell her but he was gone, looking over at the young emperor. He seemed to only give her a nod signaling she could leave. "Go....." it was all he said there wasn't really anything else to be said after all. She turned around stretching out her wings taking a running start before flying back to her castle to find out what had happened in the north. Equestria Cloudsdale Abandoned Weather Factory 11:00 am Organized Labor slowly made his way through the factory floor seeing a number of pegisi moved around carrying weapons ranging from cheap plinkers to more powerful big game rifles. The muted blue pony with a short white mane couldn't help but smile softly, all these ponies were his workers...... well his fathers workers, after losing everything and not finding work in a job market saturated with Weather Corp employees they came right back..... it was so easy to convince them aswell. He made his way to the offices above the factory floor where his father and the mayor of Cloudsdale were waiting. The room was fairly messy, bits of paper on the floor, desks pushed to the side, even what looked like an old box of donuts in the corner. "What too you so long..... I told you 10:30 do you enjoy disappointing me Labor?..." the large muted grey Pegasus with white mane asked. "No da- I mean Workers Union.... I had to take a detour..... there was another shooting on main.... I had to head east for about 10 blocks before getting back on track." Organized Labor said while knowing that wasn't a good enough excuse for his father. "I don't want excuses I want results, while you were taking your sweet time we were already discussing our first strike." He said evenly while Organized Labor resisted the urge to squirm under his gaze. He made his way over to the table and sat down while his father continued to give him a glare. "Good now lets go over it all again since someone was late. Mayor SongBreeze nodded her head. "Yes.... we were discussing paying Ponyville a visit. After all it's where it all started it's only fitting that's where we put the mud ponies back into their place. We already have around 43 percent of Cloudsdale behind the Pegasopolis Independence movement. I'm sure our display of force will only bolster those numbers. We are targeting a landmark farm I'm sure you have heard of it, Sweet Apple Acres, they were the first to still those damnable irrigation machines. We will do the same thing we did to the Carrots when that fool Carrot Stew tried to dig irrigation canals on his land." The baby blue Pegasus mare with the off white mane said while Union nodded his head. "D-don't you think it's a little excessive?" Organized Labor seemed unsure and uncomfortable. "I'm all for independence...... but burning down a homestead?...... what kind of message will that send to Canterlot?....." "It will show them that Celestia can't stab us in the back and expect us to get bucked to the curb for the sake of....... Modernization" Workers Union said spitting the last word out as if it was dirty some how. "We will attack at dawn just as our ancestors did in the past, we will attack from the sky's in the twilight raining down fire from the very fire lances they believe protect them from our wrath." "D-das please t-tell me your joking! Declaring Independence is one thing but declaring war on our closest town! Do you forget they supply 42 percent of our food!" He said before realizing what his said while his father stood up raising his hoof and smacking him across the face and bucking him onto the ground. "Don't question your father you piss poor excuse for a Pegasus! We can't just declare Cloudsdale independent with out some way to produce food for ourselves! Never mind a cheap labor force!" He raised his hoof again bringing it back down knocking out his sons teeth. "Ponyville will be annexed and just like in the past we will rule over those mud ponies! Just as Faust intended!" Union shouted as his son feebly tryed to get back up onto his hooves. "Harmony can only be achieved with the hierarchy, earth ponies always fill in the base providing food and labor. Whether they are ruled over by the pegisi or unicorns, their place is defined by there lack of innate abilities." Said mayor SongBreeze said while looking don't at him from her seat at the table showing no concern. "Pegisi should never have to lower ourselves to farming and manual labor. We are warriors! We used to rule the sky's protecting our serfs from the blood thirsty gryphons and the witch doctors of the south. What did you think was going to happen when we started this Independence movement? That we would split off from Equestria with no source of food, economy, or sustainability? No wonder your father speaks so lowly of you, it seems the bravado skipped a generation. Why don't you leave and let the adults talk foal." She said while Organized Labor scrambles to his hooves and stumbles out in a hurry. "Now where were we?....." Workers Union asked while Mayor SomgBreeze smiled. Equestria Ponyville Barnyard Bargains 3:13pm Sweetie Belle gargled some salt water in the back of her throat before spitting it back out onto a cup. "I'm ready let's do this all in one take!." She said while the spotted Dog outside of the small booth started to flip a few switches and motioned that he was ready to record. The room was fairly simple just a converted walk in closet that had be turned into a little studio. It was fairly plain with a single door, a glass window, and white walls. Filthy wanted to do all the recordings in house, reasoning he could cut out the middlemare buy starting his own little recording studio. It cost a pretty bit to get all the equipment but he had big plans. "Save bits, Live better, Barnyard" it wasn't the longest jingle but it was simple and she was getting royalties and a discount for it. "Puff Puff, Loco Loco! Try new Locomotion Cigarettes! They'll make your go Loco!" She chimed cheerily. "It's Fizzy! It's colorful! It's Fruit Stripe Cola! Try our new Savana Wild flavor! You'll taste your wild side!" She couldn't help but giggle at the last one. It was a rather short recording session but she was getting good money and was currently the breadwinner back home. Rarity seemed to have also gotten more moody as of late so she spent most of her time sitting in her room looking in her vanity mirror. "Excellent! Your truly a natural Sweetie! Now why don't we record that cover you have been wanting to do, you've earned it!" Filthy said while motioning the dog to switch recording wheels. "Really?!" Sweetie couldn't help but squeal she had been wanting to sing it for so long. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves she nodded her head singalong she was ready. A few moments past with nothing. "I was jealous and hurt When your lips kissed a rose, Or your eyes from my own chanced to stray; I have tried all in vain Many times to propose, Now at last I've found courage to say: Let's suppose that the lips I found kissing a rose Were to tell me to look in your eyes, if I'd find there a light that for me only glows, More and more would my heart realize; The roses all envy the bloom on your cheek, And the sun even envies your smile; The birds in the wildwood are stilled when you speak, Their songs don't seem half worth the while. The light in your eyes makes the bright stars grow pale, They're jealous as jealous can be; But when one word or sign tells them all you are mine, All the world will be jealous of me!" Equestria Ponyville Carrot Homestead Root cellar 1:03pm Carrot was currently resting in her chair while going over all the equipment she was having to move around Ponyville while the guard was hiding in there post. The new shells for the mortars, machine guns, and ammo were being hidden all over Ponyville, the pegisi from Cloudsdale had brought this on themselves after all. They couldn't let go of the past now she was going to make sure they all have a future. Her nephew Pip was sent to live with his parents for a bit since this week was definitely going to be..... interesting. She couldn't help but miss him already she enjoyed having the young colt around her house but his safety was more important. Already she was getting rumors about a bunch of pegisi meeting up in the condemned Weather factory. Some wouldn't shrug it off as squatters, after all when the company went bust many lost their pensions, paycheck, and benefits. Only recently did Ponyville start rehiring a small Weather patrol mostly to help keep the climate suitable for tourism and to avoid storms. They weren't payed nearly as much as they used to though, they even had fixed hours and lacked the protection of Cloudsdale from being fired. Many on the small team had to down grade their old homes selling them off for little moving into smaller places nearby. Others flew to Canterlot to take a shot at joining the Royal Guard, who could blame them after all pegisi were descended from warriors after all. But many ended up living in the undercity or eventually made their way back to Cloudsdale. It was rather depressing even from Ponyville the once bustling cloud city had become an eye sore. Ponys were already sending letters to the princess to have it moved or even torn down saying it was starting to hurt property values. After all who wanted to have a Slum City nearby? It's didn't really matter in her eyes that place was a grim reminder of a time of the Weather Co employees being above the law. Well not anymore, what ever they had planned she was going to make sure that it ends. "Boss Carrot!" She was shaken from her dark thoughts when Carmel barged into the cellar. The slight effeminate stallion panted a bit. "News! The protest has finally reached its breaking point! They are demanding they let Lilly go or they will storm it! I even go a glimpse of that guard pony! He looked pale enough to have seen death himself!" Carrot only seemed to grin. "Excellent make sure to start planting our ponies into the protest make sure they are armed..... nothing from our... recent gear just enough to scare them, avoid killing them at all cost I won't have the entire guard storming our town." She said while caramel nodded his head before turning to leave. Equestria Ponyville Guard post 2:01pm Hard Law sat....... well more like layed on his desk as he tried to come up with something.... anything at this point to get out of this. If he let Lilly go the protesters would be placated but he would likely have to hightail it out of town and lose his only lead. If he held onto Lilly they would likely storm the building.... or stave them out thy hadn't been able to leave for a few days when it finally started to heat up. They were already out of donuts and nearly out of coffee. Royal Guard without coffee wasn't exactly a pretty sight after all, even the normally intense Bulk Biceps was looking haggard. No matter how he cut it he failed before he could even get close to what was happening in the damn town. He poked and prodded all he could to try and find something, he got desperate and he was paying the price. Never mind how Mayor Mare was likely in the same boat, it seemed that filly had plenty of skeletons in her closet. The town was demanding her replaced with a democratically elected official. It wasn't exactly a foreign idea, earth ponies originally elected their leaders in the past lacking true royalty. But even so they would need the princesses approval. But from the looks outside royal approval didn't hold much weight around here. "Buck! How did this happen..... I was just doing my job now I have a riot on my hooves and I'm likely going to have to request sanctuary for a crown appointed mayor!" He slams his head against the desk making a loud thud in his office. He wish he could drink at this point but even with all this he was a stallion of the law. A soft knock garnered his attention slowly standing on his hooves he made his way to the door opening it to see the entire guard force waiting. They all looked rather shaggy from lack of sleep, food, and yes most importantly coffee. Bulk Biceps seemed to be out in front with his ill fitting armor on. He opened his mouth and Hard Law tilted his ears back preparing himself for the assault on his sensitive ears. "We are letting Lilly go....." the voice from the normally intense stallion.... sounded tired, broken even. Nothing like the excitable and devoted part timer her saw when he first came. "We also think it's time you..... leave......" He was in shock, it was on thing to be told to take a hike by the locals but having your subordinates turn on you? "I can't I have to complete my-" "Give it a rest! Things only started getting bad when you showed up! The town was peaceful and thriving! You just had to buck a hornets nest! The only good thing that came out of this is that Mayor Mare is getting the boot! But this time we aren't gonna get one of Canterlots cronies!" A buttermilk coated stallion said while Hard Law flinched. "..... it's not just the.... issues..... we also feel it's not safe for you here..... and after the...... treatment of Lilly we aren't willing stand by you anymore." Bulk said while Hard Law lowered his head he didn't bother to say anything, what could he say? He had no allies. "What about Rondels and Mayor Mare?......." his mouth felt dry. "They already bought tickets to Canterlot you should do the same......" Bulk said while looking him dead in the eyes. Equestria Ponyville Town Hall Mayors office 2:30pm "Nonono! Come on damn you fit!" She had resorted to jumping up and down on her suitcase to try and fit all the Equestrian stocks and bonds. But it was cartoonishly over filled with lose papers sticking out of the edges. She heard a snap of the lock snapping shut brushing her grey mane out of her eyes and panted. She wasn't used to Labor after all, for a few moments she took a breather. Sadly this didn't last long as a brick shattered one of the windows and angry shouts could be heard outside. "He should have set Lilly free by now! Surely one mare isn't worth this!" She grabbed her suitcase and pulled hard the over stuffed baggage weighing more then one would expect. She started to try and rush out the back entrance, that would be her best shot. She closed her eyes trying to avoid looking at the portraits of the past Mayor Mares. She couldn't bare to look at them like this, luckily it seemed she wouldn't have too for long. crash and the smell of smoke made her high tail it to the back exit as fast as she could. There it was at the end of the wood paneled hallway! Already the maroon carpet was started to catch fire and se didn't so much as open the door as crash through it. Sadly her suitcase slammed against the door frame busting the lock open sending all her wealth flying into the air. Not unlike confetti the wind took it blowing it around as she scrambled to try and grasp the paper work in her hooves. "Nonono! Not now!" She then heard a soft clip clop of hooves against the ground. Slowly turning her head trying to figure out where it was coming from she saw a blond mane hiding behind the dumpster. Not seeing anyone else she managed to straiten herself out. "Who's there? Derpy? Is that you?......" The familiar face of Ponyville resident delivery and mail pony came into view as she stepped out of her hiding place wearing a black dress and a veil hat. "Oh thank Celestia it's just you! Could you help me gather up all my papers?" She asked by for a few moments there was only silence. Something was off about that smile she slowly pulled the veil over her face so that only her soft smile and eyes were visible. "D-Derpy?.... I don't have time for games I need t-to-" she didn't even have a chance to say anything before the blond pegasus flew forward and nailed her night in her teeth. There was a loud crack and Mayor Mare landed on her side and spat out blood. "..... Due Process...." Derpy raised her hoof and slugged the mayor again making her head slam once again against the ground. "W-what? I d-don-" another hit slammed her against the ground. "You can't hide from what you did anymore...... I know what happened at the Everfree Rapids......" The Pegasus said into her ear. "I-I dont k-know what you-" she was cut off again with a powerful buck that knocked more of her teeth. "Lie all you want I saw it...... wanting off from my filly scout camp out to see you pushing her into the water while she screamed......... you just sat there....... watching....... tell me was the position of mayor worth killing? Maybe you were just jealous of her popularity? Or maybe you just liked to watch her slip under the water........" she pressed her hoof against the Mayors neck as she laid on her side in the filthy back ally. "You know why she was so much popular then you?....... she worked hard to remember everypony.... meanwhile you were focused on not getting what you wanted....... iv known you since filly hood and you don't even know my real name!" She shouted right into her face. "I-I know you n-name I-it's......" the soft brown coated earth pony racked her brain for soemthing anything. "Drippy?........" there was a loud crack and yowl as leg was broken by the pegasus. The smell of smoke catching back up to her as the fire continued to spread through the mayors office. "You make me sick........ you act like you care...... but all you see when you look at this town is your personal coin purse...... you know that had to cut school programs because of your embezzlement? My little Dinky has Muscular dystrophy and Anemia? Because of your greed the normally government funned physical learning programs were cut! She now not only struggles in school but now they don't have the materials to help her!" She raised her hoof slamming it against the crying earth ponies barrel. "Or what about poor Snails? Did you think about him? Do you know he has has an intellectual disability? He's supposed to be in a specialty class! Along with several other school aged foals! Most of them were sent off to homes! But Snails doesn't have that option, they don't have the money!..... so what do you do?......" she rubs her muzzle at the idiocy of it. " Order class integration and give a little speech about how we segregated the classrooms..... so many foals who need those programs all dumped into a single class..... the fact that Cheerilee has managed as much as she has is no sort of a miracle....... I can't forgive you for taking Due Process from this town...... and I can't forgive you for taking advantage of the most helpless....." she said as the mayor tried to curl up and nurse her broken leg and ribs as little embers started to float down from the sky. "L-listen I-I know I-iv made mistakes b-but I......" Derpy started to press down on the broken rib making her scream while the unintelligible chants of the angry mob filled her ears. "Don't worry you'll make up for it......." Derpy said dragging her back past the door back into the burning building and dropping her back down on the carpet looking down the hall seeing the flames making their way ever closer as countless portraits being refused to cinder. "I'm already seeing the headline..... Corrupt mayor found dead in freak fire......" she turned while the mayor struggled to get back onto her hooves only to fall back over as the smoke started to choke her. "By the way....... it's Ditzy you whorse......." she slammed the door behind her as the mayor managed to stagger onto her three good legs and limped to the door. Reaching out..... only to find something was blocking it from the other side. "D-Ditzy! Please open the door! You can't let me die! Not like this! I'm sorry I cut the programs! I can fix it!" She screamed as she started to hack and cough struggling to breath as her flanks started to feel rather hot. She started to desperately shame her hooves against the door as she felt her back start to blister from the intense heat. "Help!!!! Somepony!!! Any pony!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhgggggggg!!!!!!" The banging continued...... but each time they grew more and more spaced out until......nothing but the sound of burning wood could be heard.