Alicorns really are special aren’t they? Transporting 4 ponies simultaneously from Central Manehattan right into the Pronx was no easy feat, and yet when we arrived at Ocellus’ house, Princess Luna seemed to not have even broken a sweat. To be fair, I would fare just about the same, being Celestia’s former student does have its perks, but not all Unicorns have the chance to study under the direct tutelage of the Sun Princess, and the fact that Princess Luna is that powerful is, if not unexpected, then certainly impressive.
Doubly so since I hadn’t seen Twilight help her at all.
The muted atmosphere of Ocellus’ house was suddenly broken by the flash and the sudden displacement of the 4 of us, the mood of the house lightening up immediately after our arrival, I would guess that it’s perhaps due to the sudden barrage of a conversation we were having.
“So, this seems good enough.” Twilight said, turning her attention towards the both of us. “Rather homey I think.”
“Anyway, I guess some formalities are in order, but thank you Sunset.” The purple Alicorn declared. “We have been suspecting that something’s wrong in Manehattan, labour unions suddenly disbanding, significantly lower income rates than the rest of Equestria, as well as a regional government not caring for all of those problems. After that radio broadcast, now we have a reason to go in.”
“Yes, you have done well Sunset Shimmer, and also Ocellus.” Luna said. “We must thank both of thee for your assistance. Celestia is currently pushing for a bill to mandate a higher minimum wage and new standards for working conditions, adjustments for separate regions included. Without these revelations, it wouldn’t have been possible to push for the bill, and for that we thank you.”
“Wait, what?” Ocellus asked. “You mean that bill proposed by Golden Heart? That labour bill? How in Equestria did that happen?”
Princess Luna was about to answer, but just a moment of seeing Twilight’s face and she immediately closed her mouth.
“You. You happened.” Twilight responded, her face seemingly softening after she said that. “You were the spur for the change needed. After that radio broadcast, Celestia is not going to just sit around her throne and do nothing. So she contacted Diet Member Golden Heart, and the bill is going through the Diet as we speak.”
Diet? I thought. Equestria has a Diet? Like, the same diet in Neighpon in the human world? Really?
“Yeah, Twilight, I've been meaning to ask you this, but we have a diet? Since when?”
Twilight’s ears perked up when I asked that question, an understanding smile emanated from her. Gosh, I really do need to learn a whole lot more about Equestria now that i’m back.
“Since the end of the war with the Changelings actually. I mean, if you wanna learn more, I can give you some books about it, but I think you two have done quite a bit doncha think? Just a couple of days and already you’re changing Equestria for the better.”
“I would also inform you that, as of right now, the entire region of Manehattan, not only just the city, is now part of my demesne. At least until a new government is elected.” Luna announced. “In the event of anything unforeseen, my residence will be at the Governor’s Mansion within downtown Manehattan.”
Luna’s face suddenly jerked towards the window, her face staring at the Manehattan skyline. “That being said, could you take care of Sunset and Ocellus, Twilight? I have a certain bunch of ponies that I need to arrest and confiscate their properties from.”
The purple Alicorn nodded, seemingly already expecting Luna’s question. And with a flash from Luna’s horn. She was gone.
Huh… Manehattan being ruled directly by a Princess. I’m pretty sure that there are fanfictions lying around about this exact same situation, this whole society thing is really forcing the Princesses hoofs aren’t they?
Speaking of direct rule.
“A tad bit overkill don’t you think? I mean, turning Manehattan into Royal Crown lands until things settle down?” I asked.
A pregnant silence fills the room. With Twilight just standing there grimacing at that statement, you can tell that there was a little bit of an argument before this decision was taken.
“Well, yeah. I think so too, but honestly, what are the alternatives? Now that we know all of the regional establishment is probably knee deep with Gladmane’s groupie thingy or whatever.” Twilight said.
“You had a fight with Celestia over this, don’t you?”
“It’s that easy to tell huh?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, yeah, we had a fight over this, while Luna proposed ruling the region directly, at least until elections can be held, I proposed handing the task over to a bunch of senior civil servants. In the end, well, you’ll probably hear about the result of our debate tonight. Let’s just say that Luna is not in the mood to be kind towards The Society. Whoever ‘The Society’ might be.”
Twilight sighed. Her face rather showing some bitterness. “But I don’t want to talk too much about politics right now Sunset. I’m actually here to discuss Ocellus. Do you really believe that she’s the one?”
I nodded. “WIthout question, her resumé speaks for itself, and her actions right now, even though it’s the right thing to do, risks her getting fired from the job. I’m not 100% sure that she’s Generosity, but she does fill in a lot of it’s categories.”
“Well. Then I guess we’ll make it official then! Ocellus!”
The Changeling, too busy hearing the conversation I had with Twilight, immediately snapped back into attention. “Yes your highness?”
“Can you keep a secret for me? Don’t worry, it won’t harm the ELO’s standing or anything. I imagine Sunset’s been twisting words so hard since she arrived here.”
A nervous laugh came out from my mouth, a reaction which raised the eyebrow of Ocellus, yet garnering a knowing smile from Twilight. Is she really going to do it? I mean, i’m sure of it, but this fast?
“Ocellus. Right now, there is good reason for us to believe that you will become the next bearer of one of the Elements of Harmony. I’m not 100% sure, but I do trust the word of Sunset Shimmer.”
Ocellus’ raised eyebrow turned into a look of utter confusion. Her head turned towards me, and then towards Twilight, before once again switching back at me. “What?”
“I guess some explanations are in order.” Twilight says. “Sunset? You wanna do the honors?”
“Mmmm sure, why not? Ocellus, as of right now, Equestria’s Elements of Harmony have stopped working. They’re not responding towards Twilight and her friends’ call for them, now. I am currently on a mission to find the new Element Bearers, and it seems that you might very well be the Element of Generosity, the new bearer of it.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I know, it just happened after the two wars actually. Twilight and her friends, I assume you know her friends, tried to use the elements on Queen Chrysalis, but for some reason it didn’t work.”
“What?!?”
“And yeah. Now we’re kinda busy looking for the new Element Bearers! Having one of your most important defenses being down like that would do that, and it appears that the new bearers don’t even have to be ponies at all!”
“WHAT?!?”
Once more, just like Twilight, another pregnant silence fell down between the three of us. Ocellus seemingly processing the sudden influx of new information with head shakes, blinking eyes, and various facial expressions. I wonder, if she’d been younger, what would she’d look like, making all these facial expressions?
I’d bet she would've been cute.
“Why me? I mean…. you know what. Can we talk about this tonight Sunset? I have a protest in the MNKV building that I need to disperse.”
“Oh, right!” Twilight said. Lighting her horn and then teleporting us back to the thick of the protest. “I guess i’ll be leaving you two for now. Is that alright Sunset?”
“No, that’s perfectly fine. You have other stuff to do right? Then go. I think I can handle things from here.”
Twilight nodded her head, and just like that. She’s gone.
Now, for the hard part. Breaking up a strike like this. I started trotting towards the front when my head suddenly felt rather woozy. An overwhelming feeling washed over me, it feels like something that I tried suppressing for a couple hours now just came back, and it all culminated in one big, drawn out yawn.
Oh horseapples. I need to make this quick.
I woke up in what looks like a rather luxurious bed. The soft fabric and the even softer blanket hugging my form rather snugly.
“Oh, you’re awake. Well, took ya long enough.”
I got out of my bed and saw… The batpony. “Selenite? Really? You?”
“Yeah. You’re actually sleeping in my guest bedroom. All of us were kinda shocked when you suddenly passed out like that, especially when Ocellus is telling the protestors to disband. The protests kinda fizzled out after that, no creature really wanting to risk another creature suddenly passing out like that.”
“Ugh, I feel like my head’s been pummeled.” I rubbed my head. “I’m pretty sure that I slept well yesterday. Why did I pass out like that?”
“Beats me. Anyway, c’mon. We have Ocellus with us.” Selenite says. Motioning me to wake up. “Also, you might wanna watch the TV, there’s an announcement here that you might find interesting.”
“Huh? What do you mean by interesting?” I asked. Following Selenite towards the living room, and then seeing a television broadcast where… Princess Luna is making an announcement.
“And so, it is with a heavy heart, that I announce that the region of Manehattan will be placed under direct Lunar administration for the time being. All applicable regulations and laws of Equestria will be applied, all elected officials for the time being will be stripped of their positions, and snap elections will be held in 2 months’ time. Further information will be delivered in due time as we stabilize the region. Thank you for your attention my fellow Manehattanites, I understand that the events this morning might be troubling for many of you, but rest assured that I, Princess Luna, will work tirelessly to ensure Manehattan’s prosperity does not end up within the hoofs of just a few concentrated special interests. Thank you for your attention, and Hail to The Night!”
The TV show suddenly switched back to some regular programming after that. My 3 compatriots and Ocellus, their eyes formerly glued towards the TV, now turning back and chatting with themselves, utterly oblivious to the fact that I'm standing right behind them.
“Well. It appears that I’ve missed a ton of things, now haven’t I?”
The group suddenly turned, with Sonata in particular coming straight towards me and hugged my body like there is no tomorrow. “Oh Sunset! Don’t you DARE fall down like that ever again! I thought that you were dead. Dead I tell you!” She said. “Are you dead?”
I could only give a chuckle. “No, no I'm not. I think. Just a bit tired all of a sudden. Though, I don’t know ‘why in Equestria did I suddenly fall down like that?’, sure, we stayed up all night, but i’m not usually that tired. I don’t know.”
“It feels a bit convenient too, isn’t it?” I heard Tempest say. “Here you are, just finished with the Princesses, just returning, and then you suddenly collapsed and slept for like, 8 hours after that.”
“You suspect someone cast a sleeping spell on me?”
“It would be far too easy, and no, I don’t think it’s a sleeping spell, I suspect something far worse. The situation after the revelation was chaotic. A practical mess for all intents and purposes, it would be trivial for somecreature to cast some sleeper spell on you or something. Hmm, now that I mentioned it. Starlight, could you scan Sunset for any potential spells?”
The purple unicorn raised her eyebrow at the request. Clearly confused at the Unicorn General’s request. “I seriously doubt somecreature would case some sleeper spell on Sunset, and c’mon Tempest, respect a mare’s privacy wouldn’t you?”
“I’m just concerned for her safety. There’s no other intention I have in my mind.” Tempest countered.
“Listen, Tempest, you’re overblowing things here. Look!” I said, my horn glowing, bathing my entire body with a warm, red glow, before the spell eventually dissipated. “Nothing! Nothing for you to be concerned about.”
A visible grimace formed in Tempest’s face. “It feels like you just cast a rather rudimentary scanning spell, I don’t think that-”
“Tempest.” Starlight interjected. “I know what Sunset cast, and that is no regular scanning spell, I felt the emission, and I can tell you that she’s thorough.”
Tempest, taking a deep breath, seemingly backed off. “Sorry, I'm just, I'm just concerned for all of your safety okay? I mean, we’re only in our second day of this adventure and already we’ve found the Element of Generosity.”
“Tempest, it’s okay.” I replied. “I like that you’re concerned, but just… try not to be too concerned okay? I’m not an idiot, and I did learn a few bits and pieces of spells when I was a student of Celestia’s.”
You can tell that Tempest is concerned about this. If her scrunched up face, peering eyes and visible frown didn’t give it away, then it’s probably her stance, her neck lowered, seemingly paying attention towards me and me only. Like a predator tracking her prey...
“Fine.” She relented, relaxing her stance, almost like predator backing off, seemingly waiting for another day. “Anyway, what is it that you want to talk about?”
“Yeah. Well, Ocellus? You wondered why you’re a candidate right?”
Ocellus, busy regarding our little spat, lying down on a couch and practically eating some imaginary popcorn at this point, suddenly stood up, her eyes paying her utmost attention towards me. “Uhh, yeah. Seriously though, why me?”
“Why not?” I countered. “You’ve shown that you are more than willing to sacrifice yourself for the betterment of others. You’ve confronted ponies who are not generous enough and, through whatever methods you chose, convinced them to give labourers, or at least some labourers, a living wage. I mean, just look at your accomplishments! Organising protests, organising food banks, organising soup kitchens, willing to risk your job just to expose how corrupt the Manehattan establishment is, just for the betterment of workers that may not be in your little labour union. You seriously embody Generosity Ocellus, and I don’t make that claim lightly.”
The Changeling blushed a little bit. Definitely not used to compliments, hesitation very visible within her face. “I… suppose so, I guess my accomplishments prove that i’m generous or something. Heh, i’m still not used to it though.”
“Well, if it’s any comfort for you, you’ll probably have the favour of the Princesses of Equestria, and you can use that to push for better labour conditions. But anyway, I think that’s enough compliments. Now we have identified one element bearer, we need to find the other five.”
The group seemed to be thinking, wrapping their heads around potential locations around Equestria. I myself have no idea where to even start. Equestria is a big country after all, with lots of places to look for a potential Element Bearer.
“Hmm, if I could suggest something.” Ocellus said, garnering all of our attention. “So, you may not know this, but before I went to Manehattan, I did attend some classes at the Friendship School, and I met five other friends there. We spent a lot of time together, and if I had found a job in Ponyville, I would’ve stayed with them until we all graduated., Well, I found a job in Manehattan, and we parted ways. But if you’re looking for potential Element Bearers, maaaaaybe they could be the ones? They’re all good creatures, and I do notice that they took their lessons more seriously than the other students.”
Starlight’s ears perked up, now giving Ocellus her undivided attention. “Could you name these other students? A bad lead is better than no lead at this point.”
“Yeah. Sandbar, Gallus, Silverstream, Yona, and Smolder.”
“I think I recognize those names. Wait… You six, Ah!”
Starlight then turned her head towards me. “I know those Students! It was just five years after the two big wars, they entered in as part of a new generation of students! Gosh, I really do remember them! Sad that they parted ways after 3 years though. They would’ve been great graduates, no doubt about it.”
“So that’s… what, 10 years before today?” I asked. “Hmm, seems like a stretch, I mean, 10 years can certainly change someone…”
“Not them, Sunset. Definitely not them.” Starlight retorted. “Ugh, now I REALLY should’ve pushed for a Scholarship for those 6. Their bonds are seriously like glue. they may not have been the most studious bunch, but they do embody the spirit of friendship stronger than anypony i’ve ever seen. Ocellus is right, they just might be the next generation.”
She blushed at Starlight’s mention of their studiousness. “Yeah, sorry that we didn't always turn our work in on time. Gallus was always too busy playing with Silverstream and Yona.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it.” The purple mare responded. Smiling at the blue Changeling. “I mean, you’re no longer in school right? And besides, in hindsight, I don’t think you needed anymore friendship lessons anyway.”
Starlight then turned towards me, her eyes twinkling and sparkling like a bunch of stars at night. “Anyway, Sunset, we need to go back to Ponyville, like maybe tomorrow. The school does have records of where they are, and it should be easy tracking them down, I mean, yeah yeah 10 years and whatever. But i’m very sure that they’ll still be trackable. You don’t develop friendships like that and just disappear off the map.”
“Well, I guess we can go to the friendship school.” I said, before a visible yawn was emitted by my mouth once more. “After we all get our beauty sleep for the night.”
“Agreed.”
“I am quite tired myself, no questions from me.”
“Yeah Sunset! Another sleepover party?!? Woohoo!!”
“I wonder how many bodies I can stuff in the guest bedroom...”
“I guess I should be going home now…”
I ran towards a telephone line, the situation outside rapidly deteriorating as a bunch of Ponies wearing black suits and sporting guns surrounded the mansion. Much to my good fortune, the moment I dialed the phone, the other side responded almost immediately.
“Yes?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard of what happened in Manehattan by now, do you have any further orders? I am sorry for Gladmane’s incompetence, he will pay for it with his life.”
“Silver Plate, you are a fool to invite Gladmane into our little organisation.” The responder practically screamed. “Not only does he have an ego like an overinflated balloon, he could potentially jeopardize our ENTIRE operations in Equestria. This situation is bad, but it is salvageable.”
“I will not repeat myself, burn all evidence of your involvement with us, and I will try to get you all into safety, personal belongings included.”
The phone line terminated, and conveniently enough, a stack of papers was in front of me. A stack of papers that is filled with documents detailing our dealings, the louder knocks at my house’s front doors and the shouts to come out with my hands in the air was enough evidence to show that I will be spending time in jail.
There is a fireplace conveniently placed in the same room, and my horn lit up. Better make this quick. Real quick.