(8:00 am the next day)
It was a beautiful day in Parrot Port. The sun was nice and bright but not overly hot, the water was warm and every pony was out and about. Twilight made lunch plans with Cadence and her friends, but she needed to talk to the Mayor first. She had a plan that, if it worked, she could bring a close to the issues facing parrot port and bring Nocturn home.
" Twilight, Can't we get something to eat now? I'm starving!" Spike complained.
" In a little bit, Spike, We need to talk to Hoofington first. I just know he'll be busy in the afternoon."
Twilight was trotting with Spike on her back to Town hall, making her way past the police station. Her guards insisted that they follow her around so there they were, trotting beside her on each side.
Twilight made her way up to the second floor of the town hall and found Huffington's office. A secretary sat at his desk typing away at an old typewriter. Twilight's guards stood at attention.
" Ahem!" Twilight cleared her throat. The brown coat, white and black striped mane and tail stallion slowly looked up from his memo. Twilight smiled at him expectantly waiting for a response. The secretary pushed his glasses up with his right hoof and said.
" Good morning Princess, What can I do for you?" His voice was very nasally.
" I would like to speak to the Mayor if you don't mind." Twilight requested.
" Of course Princess, I'll see you in right now." His hoof went to a buzzer and his intercom crackled.
"Mayor, I have Princess Twilight here to see you." His hoof came off the intercom.
" Of course, send her in." The Secretary looked up at Twilight and said,
" Ok Princess, you can go in." Twilight would never be sure if she was a nuisance to him or not.
" Thanks!" She said as she trotted past him. She pushed the door open while her guards posted at the door.
Hoofington was at his desk which was quite messy as there were plans and permits scattered all over his office.
" Good Morning Mayor!" Twilight cheerfully greeted.
" Good Morning Princess, I hope you are enjoying yourself here." Hoofington replied. He was wiping a crystal glass bowl he had up on his top shelf clean of dust.
" Of course Mayor, I've never been to a tropical island before so this is all new to me." Twilight explained. she sat at a chair in front of Huffington's desk
" So Princess, what can a humble town mayor such as myself do for you?" Hoofington made a bowing gesture as he tipped his hat down with his fore hoof.
" Well I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about the ponies here in Parrot Port." Twilight asked.
" Well Princess, we are predominantly Equestrian, about 70 percent while 20 percent were born here and the other ten percent being from other countries such as the griffon kingdom and the such. Why do you ask?" Hoofington's brow raised. Twilight's line of questioning was perplexing to him.
" Well I was hoping to understand the geopolitical nature of your island of Parrot Port as it is a city state in of itself. Considering that your populace is primarily displaced Equestrians, it is in Equestria's best interest to provide security and representation for our people, including you, Mayor. " Twilight smiled. Hoofington set his crystal bowl down with his gaze meeting her dead on.
" Princess, what are you suggesting?" Hoofington asked,
" Simply put Mayor, I want to establish an Equestrian Embassy Here in Parrot port, It is essential that we have a means of reaching out and providing safety to those still under our protection." Twilight smiled, feeling particularly happy about her plan.
" Princess, are you suggesting that Equestria will recognize us as a sovereign entity, separate from the Flag of Equestria?" hoofington asked, raising a brow.
" Well Mayor, since many of the islanders are native to this island and consider Parrot port home It would be important to recognize their will. I also don't want to simply claim Parrot port as a part of Equestria either, much less we start a territory dispute with the Griffon kingdom. I fully believe Parrot port deserves to be separate from either country as well as safe from the threat of pirates." Twilight continued to smile.
" Princess, I trust that you are aware of the threat the pirates pose for us and that is why I'm sure you are wishing to create this embassy in order to receive the right to place more troops here to fight the pirates." Hoofington scratched his head in thought. Twilight felt his hesitation in agreeing with her plan.
" Princess, I can't say I don't agree with your line of logic. Unfortunately, bringing more guards here will escalate the conflict we are facing. A show of force alone will not be sufficient in subduing these pirates since they have amassed a great deal of resources. Lieutenant Pepper Stow away can attest to that." Hoofington adjusted his monocle. Twilight's ears splayed, her well thought out plan didn't seem to be making its mark.
" I see your point Mayor. But..." Hoofington interrupted her.
"However, we cannot forsake those enslaved by the Pirates, and this window of opportunity to do something about them may not last indefinitely. perhaps we could use your help. Some causes are worth fighting for." Hoofington looked out his office window, surveying the town.
"Mayor, what are you saying?" Twilight said with confusion about Hoofington's intentions.
" Simply put your highness, We need your help, but in doing so you will inevitably cause this war to escalate…heavily. Is that something you are willing to handle?" Hoofington said as he looked at her with his monocled eye. Twilight's gaze fell to the floor in thought.
Twilight felt a weight on her shoulders. The choice was inevitable and she was the representative for equestria and now for parrot port. Could she recommend an escalation of troops to parrot port.
" I'll have to report back to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I'm assuming you are in agreement with the plan?" Twilight asked Hoofington.
" Yes, your highness. I couldn't imagine a better opportunity coming along. It would be immoral for me not to. I will, of course, have to meet with the city council. Well have to deliberate on where this embassy will be built and such." Hoofington replied cheerfully.
" Thank you Mayor, I will have to send a letter to the princess. You have a good day sir." Twilight said cheerfully.
" You as well Princess." Hoofington said with a bow and a tip of his hat.
Fluttershy trotted along Seal way to make her way to the beach. She wanted to go see the sea lions again as she made many friends among them. Her friends had all gone their separate ways as they all had something to do. Rarity and applejack decided to go to downtown parrot port to go shopping. Rarity was interested in the island fashion as she had been getting ideas from the islanders who's fashion was not influenced by Canterlot and Applejack was interested in finding possible new types of apples that had grown on this isolated island. As for Pinkie Pie, she had been interested in trying the different island restaurants, many of them had their own style of baked goods. Rainbow Dash of course had found some strong updrafts near the cliffs more inland and wanted to get in more flying.
The morning was warm with a slight breeze that wafted the scent of the sea into Fluttershy's olfactory senses. It was a beautiful aroma and Fluttershy took it in with joy. It wouldn't be long before She would find her sealion friends again. Sealway leads to a particularly rocky part of the south eastern beach, a perfect place for the seals to congregate for the day.
Many of the ponies of parrot port greeted Fluttershy as she passed by them. She Was slowly becoming the favorite one of her friends. Her kindness and beauty seemed to grow on the ponies and many took notice. Of course the added attention wasn't something that Fluttershy was comfortable with at all, still it was nice to be greeted warmly by the islanders.
Fluttershy made it to the end of the street, which ended with a set of cobblestone stairs that lead down onto the sand of the beach. The rocks weren't far from the steps and she could hear the seals barking and howling just out of site. Taking in the sounds of the animals, Fluttershy smiled and trotted down the steps.
As Fluttershy made it to the bottom of the steps, she took notice of a light blue unicorn mare in a police uniform. She was concentrating near a tall purple rock that seemed to glow with her aura.
Fluttershy wasn't expecting any pony to be there and judging from the mare's expression when she noticed fluttershy, she wasn't expecting any pony either.
Sea Star finished checking the pylons near Seal way when she looked up and saw a yellow pegasus mare with a pink mane and tail. She wasn't expecting any pony to be there since the seals liked to play pranks on the ponies.
" Oh I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting some pony to be here at this time." Fluttershy said.
" Yeah, neither was I, the seals are pretty mean to strangers here." Star replied back.
" Oh dear are they? I found that they are nice to me." Fluttershy said in response.
" Wait what? I come here every day and they still don't like me." Star said with a hint of annoyance. She looked back at the seals who began barking in laughter as they recalled their latest prank on the officer. Apparently, they thought it would be funny to bat a ball of seaweed at the young police mare, getting it all in her mane. Sea Star had to use her magic to get it out.
" Hmph!" Star huffed in annoyance.
" Oh I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it. They just love to play." Fluttershy said in their defense. The truth was they were an ornery bunch,
" I Bet…" Star replied. Star looked away from the seals and gazed upon Fluttershy. She took notice of who she was. She recognized her as part of Twilight Sparkle's entourage, The same mares who wanted to take Captain Nocturn away.
"You must be Princess Twilight's friend, what brings you here?" Star asked with suspicion. Her eyes narrowed at Fluttershy.
" Oh my, I'm just here to see the Sea Lions again. They are so nice to chat with." Fluttershy said defensively.
" uhuh… I see…." Star replied still with a suspicious tone.
" I'm Fluttershy. What is your name?" Fluttershy asked with a smile. Sea Star was taken back by her gesture.
" Oh, well My name is Sea Star, but you can call me Star."
" It's nice to meet you officer Star. So what brings you out here?" Sea Star looked over her shoulder at the pylon she had been checking.
" Oh well I'm conducting inspection of our defenses. Those purple stones put up a magical barrier against invaders but we need to maintain them often." Star smiled at Fluttershy.
" Oh my, that looks like a lot of work." Fluttershy peered over Sea Star's back at the stone.
" Yeah, tell me about it." Star said deflated.