The next few days passed in a blur.
Rainbow Dash's first morning waking up in Pontropolis was arguably the worst. When the haze of sleep had worn off and she'd been able to adjust to the darkness of that cramped room, she'd remembered where she was.
It wasn't just some bad dream, some bizarre nightmare she could pass off as an illusion and go on with her day. No, she had indeed woken up in the basement of a shop in Pontropolis, the city in which she'd been met with nothing but animosity. That sobering fact bit into her like the terrible sting of a bugbear, sapping her desire to get out of bed and leaving her curled in a miserable ball under the thin sheets of her cot.
If it weren't for Orwin's encouraging words and Avina's tough love, coaxing and prodding her out of bed, she wasn't sure she would have found the motivation to do so herself. They gave her the space she needed to process her situation, of course, but Avina didn't let her wallow for too long. After half the day had gone by, she'd ripped the blankets from Rainbow's cot and practically dragged her out of it. The pegasus displayed no limits to her questionable vocabulary and grumbled at the Pon as she forced her to clean herself up and eat something.
From then on, things had been a bit easier. She'd taken that first step and ripped the bandage off, so to speak. That ambitious attitude that she was known for came back to her as she familiarized herself with her new surroundings and became better acquainted with her new allies.
Orwin was a real gem, and Dash found herself looking forward to the time she spent with him. He would come down during his breaks from work, bringing her different foods to try (that were not brick-shaped or jelly ooze) and answering her questions while he kept her company. He spoke to her kindly, lifting her spirits and keeping her entertained while she was temporarily stuck in the basement. Avina had been tasked with patrolling the neighborhood and ensuring that their location hadn't been compromised, which meant that Rainbow didn't see much of her at all.
The male Pon showed her his collection of gadgets, introducing her to the inner workings of their designs and demonstrating their daily usage. She was fascinated by his creations, utterly enthralled with the way he could bring things to life without the use of magic. The details of his inventions were complex, and while she appreciated seeing them in action, her mind went blank each time he attempted to explain how they worked.
Out of all of the wonders he had shown her, one device in particular had grabbed her attention.
“Whoaaa!” Rainbow Dash's eyes shone with excitement. “You guys couldn't fly, so you MADE wings?! That's awesome!”
She held an especially impressive instrument in her hooves—a leather saddle with mechanical wings sprouting from either side, the membranes fashioned of a sheen, cloth-like material that she couldn't place. It was held together by several thin poles attached at the seam, and a strap hung loosely around the saddle, where it could be strapped to a Pon and presumably give them the power of flight.
"Yup!" Orwin puffed out his chest with pride at her words, trotting over to show her how the device could be used. "We weren't born with anything fancy like you ponies," he said, gesturing to her own feathered wings, "so we got crafty and figured it out for ourselves. Say what you will about us Pons, but we're quite resourceful." He added with a wink.
"Can't argue with that," Rainbow chuckled as his words washed over her. She supposed he was right. Although she'd already been in Pontropolis for a couple of days, she had only been exposed to the unfavorable side of the city thus far. She ran a hoof over those intricately constructed wings as she considered this, wondering if most of its citizens were like Orwin and Avina—inherently good ponies in a bad situation. Her conflicting thoughts on the matter ate at her as the day went on, mulling over her predicament and growing restless with her confined living conditions.
By the time her third day in Pontropolis had arrived, she simply couldn't take it anymore. She threw on the cloak that had been left for her in the basement and snuck up the staircase and out onto the sidewalk, blending in with the small crowd of Pons that were minding their own business as they traveled down the street.
She trotted the few yards to the entrance of the hardware store and confidently made her way inside, the jingle of a bell announcing her presence as she pushed the front door open and entered.
The shop was small but cluttered, and there were a few customers milling about its aisles and browsing the selection of wares categorized on an array of shelves. She scanned her eyes around the store, ambling further in and avoiding eye contact with the patrons as she searched for familiar brown fur.
She followed a grating, scraping sound towards the back of the shop, where a wooden counter laden with scraps of metal stood, and behind it, a tall velvet curtain. She made sure nopony was looking in her direction as she stuck her head through the red folds of fabric and peeked into the small room sectioned off from the rest of the building.
"Psst, hello?" She whispered, peering inside.
Orwin sat with his back towards her; his head ducked down in concentration at whatever piece he was hard at work on.
Rainbow stepped past the drapes and pulled them closed behind her before tapping him on the shoulder. He flinched, dropping the metal fragment he'd been melding and turning towards her with a startled expression that quickly turned to shock as she pulled her hood down and flashed him a cheeky grin.
"Rainbow, what are you doing up here?" he hissed, setting down his tools and pinning her with a disapproving scowl. "You know it's dangerous for you to be outside. You could get caught."
"Ugh, I know," she grumbled with a roll of her eyes. "I've just been sooo cooped up down there." She flipped her colorful mane out of her face with a pout, pointing a hoof up to her chin inquisitively. "Y'know, it sure would be nice if I could get out for a little while..."
"Ohhh, no," he drawled, realizing exactly what game she was playing at. "Don't pull that. You know it's for your own safety."
"Yeah," she sighed, her ears flattening as she looked up at him with wide eyes. "I guess you're right. I shouldn't have asked." She hung her head before turning back towards the curtain and dragging her hooves on the ground as she took a few steps in its direction.
"Wait," he slapped a hoof up to his face in exasperation. "I can't believe I'm doing this. Maybe... I could convince Avina to let you tag along with her tomorrow."
Rainbow jumped up into the air with a squeal before realizing where she was and quickly landing back on the floor with a thud. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She swung her hooves around the older Pon, crushing him in a tight hug.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he griped, unlatching himself from the death grip she held around his neck and prying her off of him. "Avina will probably be against the idea," he warned her with a stern look before letting out a sigh at her eager expression. "But what can I say? You're your own Pon. You can make your own decisions."
She nodded in agreement with an enthusiastic smile before glancing over her shoulder at the shop that lay beyond, a mischievous sparkle in her eye. "So... since I'm here, can I help out in the shop?"
His deep, rich laugh echoed throughout that tiny space they shared, and he wiped away the beginnings of a tear in his eye before his sight fell upon her once more, and he deadpanned, "No."
It had taken much convincing, but Avina finally acquiesced. Rainbow Dash was to join her on her morning journey to run errands, thanks to the case Orwin had made in favor of the jaunt and through his impressive means of vouching for the pony's character. His assurance that Dash could be discreet—accurate or not—sealed the deal, and she had to promise to keep her cloak on at all times and stay by Avina's side.
Their destination was only a few blocks away, but the swift canter the Pon maintained left even Rainbow struggling to keep up without the use of her wings. Despite their quick pace, the pegasus used the opportunity to observe her new surroundings, taking in the rundown residential buildings and tarnished sidewalks that lined the cracked roads with a grimace. The closer they traveled to the edge of the wall, the worse the neighborhood's conditions seemed to become.
Dash attempted to strike up a conversation with Avina, but she was met with curt replies and impatient glances as the Pon gradually hastened toward the first stop on their list.
At last, they arrived at an open-air market held in a small clearing that might have been a park at one point but had since deteriorated into nothing more than a lifeless plot of dirt on which several entrepreneurs had set up shop for the day. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the booming businesses right outside the front gate, this stretch of booths was completely devoid of traffic.
A few scrappy-looking Pons perused the stands and bartered over goods, but it was nothing like the commerce in the bigger market had been. A sense of despair clung to the air as if everypony in that clearing had lost hope of achieving anything more than buying or selling junk in a decrepit old plaza.
Rainbow frowned as she took the sight in. How could an area like this be so dilapidated and poverty-ridden when naught but a gallop away, Pons lived in style and luxury? It didn't make any sense.
She reluctantly trotted after Avina, remembering her promise to stay by the Pon's side despite her urge to offer assistance to those around her. She watched as she tussled with a grubby shopkeeper about the price of his supplies, complaining that they had risen since she'd last visited, and Dash found herself tuning out of the conversation, her eyes wandering around the park and capturing the image within her mind. Whatever hardships she'd faced during her time in Pontropolis, she was sure these folks had experienced far worse.
Her gaze caught on the scrawny figure of a young Pon, huddled up against the side of a building facing the market. She traced the slight tremor that racked his features with her eyes, concern lighting them as she took in the melancholy look on his face.
She frowned and glanced around, spotting a stand selling strange fried food that came on sticks. Rainbow sent a silent thank you to Orwin, who had slipped her a few bits to spend as she pleased, before using them to purchase a couple sticks of that steaming dough. Their delectable aroma wafted up her nose as she clenched them between her teeth, suppressing the rumbling in her stomach that threatened to emerge as she slipped between the scattering of patrons and exited the market.
The foal looked up at her with wary eyes as she approached, but upon seeing the food, his expression shifted to that of longing. He had no belongings except for a ragged blanket clutched between his hooves, and the look of shock that spread across his face as she laid the food next to him sent a pang through her chest.
As she lowered her head to offer him the snack, her hood fell slightly, revealing a lock of her rainbow mane. His eyes widened as she quickly pulled the covering back up, eyes darting around to see if anypony had noticed her slip-up.
She gave him a hard stare, then motioned to the food. "It's all yours, little guy," she offered him a small smile before holding a hoof up to her mouth and whispering, "So long as you keep this between you and me. Got it?"
He blinked, dumbstruck, before offering an enthusiastic nod of his head and devouring the meal she'd provided him with. She watched with a heavy heart as he ate, slipping a couple more bits out of her pocket and sliding them toward him before turning to leave.
What awaited her back in the market sent a chill down her spine. Avina glared daggers at her from across the street where she stood waiting on the outskirts of the park, pinning her with a furious look as she watched her interaction with the beggar and waited for her return.
What's got her tail in a twist? Rainbow thought to herself with a flicker of annoyance as she made her way toward the stern-looking Pon. She was met with a disapproving sneer and a hissed, "What were you thinking?"
The blue mare reared her head back, meeting Avina's eyes with an equal level of hostility as she stood her ground. "Are you serious?" She huffed, disbelief lilting her voice upwards. "I was offering a hoof. He was starving."
"I can't see how that's any of your concern," she shot back, wild green eyes blazing from underneath her hood. "These aren't your people."
Rainbow couldn't believe her ears. She scrunched her nose up in abhorrence at her crude words. "Pon or not, he's just a foal," She set her steely gaze upon Avina and said resolutely, "Nopony deserves to live like this."
The heat seemed to drain from her eyes at this, and she gave the pegasus a considering look before her signature frown returned, and she turned to leave. "Let's go."
Maybe tagging along with Avina wasn't such a great idea, after all. She didn't know how Orwin could be friends with such an insufferable Pon, and while she had been standoffish from the start, she hadn't expected this kind of cruelty from her. Rainbow furrowed her brows and trotted after the mare bitterly, head hanging low as she trailed behind her.
When she realized they weren't headed back in the direction of the tinkerer's shop, she broke into a gallop before falling in step with the Pon and getting a glimpse of the red muzzle that poked out from beneath her cowl.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see," she replied vaguely, not even sparing so much as a glance in Dash's direction.
After a moment of tense silence, Rainbow blurted, "I'm starting to feel like you didn't really want to help me escape the Council. Woulda been so much easier to not have to deal with me, huh?"
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Whatever," she scoffed. "You should have just left me to rot in that building."
Avina stopped in her tracks, causing Rainbow to do a double take as she skidded to a halt and turned around to face her. She took her by the hoof and hauled her to the edge of the sidewalk and against the side of the building, where they weren't in the direct path of passersby.
Avina slid the hood off her head, and her piercing gaze bore into the pony's magenta eyes as she said gravely, "Rainbow Dash. I don't have any personal vendetta against you, and I'm sorry if I've made you think differently," she shifted in place, kicking a pebble with her foreleg as if she weren't used to being so forward with her feelings. "But you have to understand; this is bigger than the both of us. There's—" She sighed, struggling to find the words as she placed her hoof over her chest. "I... I think it's better if you just see for yourself."
Rainbow gave her a dubious look as her words sunk in, but the vulnerable expression on the Pon's face worked to soften her ire. "Fine," she relented. "But you don't get to treat me like some filly with her head in the clouds. I know I don't live here, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. If I want to risk getting discovered because I helped somepony get something to eat, that's my mistake to make."
"Okay," Avina affirmed, testing the waters. "But at the same time, hopefully, you can realize that I have lived here my whole life, and I know how things work around here better than you do," she countered. "And... I do have your best interests in mind. Can you trust me on that front?"
"I guess so," Rainbow responded, albeit with some trepidation.
"Then it's settled," Avina nervously raised her hoof out to her. "Let's start over?"
Rainbow accepted, shaking it and giving her a slight nod. "Sure."
Although Avina had tested her patience numerous times already, she knew that everypony deserved a second chance. Perhaps they'd just gotten off on the wrong hoof. She had saved her, after all—she owed her a fresh start.
"Great," Avina led her back onto the sidewalk, and they continued their jaunt down the crooked pavement. "Because I've got something to show you.
It wasn't until Rainbow was following Avina down yet another set of cracked wooden steps leading to an unknown location shrouded in darkness that she began to question her decision to place her trust in the mare. She had led her even further away from Orwin's and deeper into the desolate slums, veering towards one of the many abandoned structures.
A din of voices trickled out from behind the closed door at the bottom of the stairs, and Dash wondered what she had gotten herself into as her new friend rapped her hoof against the wood in a halting, methodical pattern.
Avina gave her a reassuring nod of her head, then turned back towards the door as it slowly creaked open and an eye peered out at them through the crack. She leaned in and whispered, "Orb be with you." And they were allowed entry by a wary charcoal-colored Pon.
Rainbow gave her an unimpressed raise of an eyebrow as she motioned for her to follow her inside. The muffled voices became a strong current of murmurs that washed over them as they merged into the crowd of Pons gathered in the dark cellar.
There were dozens of them, young and old alike, chatting amongst themselves quietly as they mingled throughout the room. Upon closer inspection, the Pons were fidgety, eyes shifting from side to side as if worried something would appear at any moment for them. Some wore thin coats similar to Dash and Avina's own attire, while others wore nothing at all.
Avina pressed up against her side as they strolled into the convention, assuring that they would not be separated amongst the mass of bodies packed into the wide, open room. There didn't seem to be any other exits besides the one they had come from, and Rainbow was hesitant to progress further into the potentially obstructive congregation of Pons.
A nudge to her flank steered her to the right, and they crossed through the crowd and to the outskirts of the room, where there was a modicum of standing room that allowed the both of them to take a breather. Pushed up against the wall towards the front of the room was a raised platform, and a hush fell over the visitors as a Pon glided up the steps and stationed himself atop it.
The young male was broad-shouldered, and his sapphire fur seemed to glow in the dim light of the cellar, highlighting the deep reds of his irises. He cast a searching gaze over the crowd, and Rainbow could have sworn his eyes landed on her with a pause before continuing on. She shifted in place, lifting her hooves up one by one as an itching began at the base of her neck. She was just being paranoid; nopony knew she was there.
She peered over at Avina, whose stoic expression proved to Rainbow that she was overreacting. She looked back up at the stallion onstage, and as the crowd quieted, he began to speak.
"Welcome, friends," a warm smile appeared on his face as he addressed his neighbors. "Thank you for coming. We have a lot to discuss."
He raised a hoof in the air as he spoke, articulating his words with a smooth, rich voice and punctuating his points with expressive gestures. "Everypon here knows what it's like to barely get by. We face challenges every day here in the slums that inner city Pons wouldn't know a thing about," he shook his head sorrowfully.
"And the Council,"—he paused as a chorus of boos rang out around the room—"They spend their days up there in that tower, enjoying the luxuries of power while we sit and wither away under their watchful gaze."
"They control the Orb, and they control Pontropolis," he stomped his hoof onto the wooden panels of the stage. "But they can not control us."
Cheers erupted in the audience, hooves pelting against concrete as the Pons displayed their enthusiasm for his words. He nodded slowly, showing his appreciation for their support before continuing, "I could stand up here and preach forever, but fancy words and false promises will get us nowhere. We've all seen that firsthoof, haven't we?"
Laughter filtered through the air, and Rainbow Dash looked around in confusion, clearly not in on the joke. She wondered what kind of meeting this was as the speaker carried on, going into greater detail on the hardships they had faced as a community. The gathering listened with bated breath, enraptured by the silky words of the Pon onstage. Dash tried to catch Avina's eye, but she was just as transfixed with him as everypony else.
When she tuned back into the speech, the speaker was wrapping up what seemed to be a rundown on whatever issues had plagued them as of late. "Now, I see a few new faces in the crowd," he said kindly. "So, for those of you who are unfamiliar with our group, stick around and hear our tale." He turned towards the wall Avina and Rainbow were pressed up against and said, "But not from me."
Suddenly, Avina detached herself from her spot beside the pegasus and made her way up to the stage. Rainbow watched in confusion, then shock, as she climbed the two steps up the platform and stood beside the charismatic Pon.
As the crowd settled, she began her story.
"Some of you may know me. I've been a part of the resistance for a little over two years now, and I've devoted myself to the cause," she said, pushing her hood back over her shoulders and revealing her face.
Rainbow observed several affirmative nods from the Pons in the crowd, as many of them seemed to recognize her. This left her even more at a loss for words, and she could do nothing but watch and listen in silence as Avina continued.
"Our group is dedicated to helping everypon the Council has turned their backs on," she said sympathetically. "We were formed when Mardeen became Head Councilpon"—more boos—"and we strive to bring an end to their corrupt rule. They spin webs of lies, turning us against a common enemy: ponies. But we all know who the true enemy is."
"The Council must pay for their injustices." Avina raised a hoof into the air, the set of her jaw rigid and her eyes narrowed resolutely. "Pontropolis does not belong to the Council. The Orb does not belong to the Council. The power belongs to the Pons!"
A deafening roar exploded throughout the room, the enthusiastic shouts and clop of hooves creating a cacophony of noise that threatened to bring the roof down upon them.
Dash lost her balance as she was jostled from side to side, flanks bumping into flanks as the crowd's fervent cheering spread to their moving limbs. She pulled her cloak snugly against her body to prevent anypony from stepping on it as she watched Avina retreat from the stage and allow her friend back into the spotlight.
"You heard her, folks," he chuckled, giving her an approving nod of his head before turning back to the crowd with a sobering look. "Change is possible. It may not seem like it now, but it's coming. It starts with you, with me, with us. If we work together to achieve our goals, we can make them a reality."
"Nopon will be able to stop us from ridding Pontropolis of tyrants and placing our lives back in our own hooves," a melancholy smile flashed across his face. "Thank you all for coming."
The Pons applauded once more, and the speaker went on to list several different ways they could help the resistance, from distributing supplies to volunteering to scout happenings in the inner city.
Rainbow was having a hard time processing all of the information she'd gathered. There was much more to this city than she had given it credit for. A resistance? An oppressive government? An ORB? What in Equestria is going on here?
The gears in her mind began turning. Could it be possible that this was the reason she was here? Had the Cutie Map used some sort of unorthodox method to send her to Pontropolis in order to solve a friendship problem? If that were the case, why wasn't her cutie mark glowing? And why did it send her alone? She knew she was awesome, but surely an issue on this scale needed more than just her alone in order to be resolved.
She blinked incredulously as Avina appeared out of thin air beside her, clearly too deep in her thoughts to realize her swift approach. Before she could ask one of the many questions swimming around in her head, the Pon tilted her head back, motioning for her to follow. "Come on. There's somepon you need to meet."
"Fine," she replied, stepping sideways as the other attendees trickled past and towards the exit. "But you've got a lotta questions to answer after this."
A slight turn of her head back in Rainbow's direction was the only indication that she'd heard her. She led her over to the side of the stage, where the Pon that had captivated the audience with his speech stood waiting. He looked up and smiled as they joined him, and Dash couldn't help but frown as she took him in up close.
He would probably be considered handsome for a Pon, and the bright white star above his eyes that contrasted with his blue coat was his most noticeable feature. His teeth were that same ivory color, inviting her in with a hospitable grin.
His tail flicked across the concrete floor as he took a step forward and reached out to shake her hoof. "I'm Xavir. It's a pleasure."
"Dash," she offered. "Rainbow Dash."
"Avina's told me all about you."
"Oh, yeah?" Dash narrowed her eyes in the mare's direction, and she cast her gaze downwards. "Interesting."
"Please," He gestured towards a door behind the platform that she had yet to notice. "Let us talk in private."
Rainbow reared her head back in alarm and retreated a step. "Umm, no offense, but this seems kinda sketchy. Like, yeah, sure! Let me follow you into a dark room in the back of the soon-to-be-empty basement." She squinted her eyes shut and tilted her nose up smugly. "Well, I'm not falling for it! Stranger danger 'n all."
They looked at her as if she had sprouted a second rainbow-maned head. "Uh, Rainbow?"
"Mhm?" She opened one eye to look at Avina.
"I'm basically a stranger, but you followed me down here."
"Well-"
"In fact, this isn't the first time you've followed me down an alley and into a dark basement." She let out a dry chuckle. "I think it's a little too late for 'stranger danger,' don't you?"
Rainbow bit the inside of her cheek, trying to come up with some sort of retort, but she had nothing. Begrudgingly, she followed the two of them out of the assembly and through a doorway into a side room. There was a couch and a few pillows laid out across the floor, but it was otherwise bare.
The two of them settled on the sofa while Dash took a seat on a cushion that was coincidentally the closest to the exit, sneaking a few glances back at the door that had been shut behind them as they entered.
"I must say, it's actually my first time meeting a pony," Xavir gave her an inquisitive look, placing his hoof to his chin in thought. "Usually, Avina handles those matters."
"Yeah, I know, I'm pretty cool," Rainbow flashed him a toothy grin, removing the hood of her cloak and allowing him to bask in the glory of her visage. "You can have my autograph if you want."
He chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind."
"Rainbow Dash, why don't you tell him your story?" Avina cut in with a tight smile.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Alright," Rainbow settled back onto her pillow. "Long ago, back when I was just a filly, I-"
Avina let out an exasperated scoff, and the pegasus laughed in that raspy voice of hers. "Okay, okay, sorry, I had to."
Dash recounted the events of the past few days to Xavir, who listened raptly, his attention focused solely on the pony as she described what she'd experienced. She explained how she had no idea how she'd arrived in Pontropolis, and how she'd been taken into custody upon entering and brought before the Council. She included the details of how they'd spoken to her, how they'd preached about the evils of ponykind.
Xavir's eyes widened as she went on, telling him of Avina's appearance and their grand escape, the time she'd spent hidden in Orwin's basement, and up until the moment she'd arrived there. He stayed quiet until she'd finished speaking.
"Sounds like you've been through quite the ordeal," he shook his head sadly. "Unfortunately, this is common for ponies that arrive here unwillingly. The Council's indifference towards those in need of assistance, regardless of their status, is despicable. I hope our meeting today has helped you to see that we aren't all like that."
She nodded her head in agreement and replied, "For sure. You kind of lost me with the whole 'Orb' thing, and I might have missed a few details when you were talking about the state of the city, but I think I got the gist of it."
Avina smacked her face with her hoof, running it down the side of her cheek in a display of annoyance at the pony's careless response. "Wonderful," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm so glad we risked everything for you to see this. It really paid off."
"Always such a sourpuss," Dash uttered, reclining back on her cushion lazily. "I said I got it, right? The Council has gone mad with power and everypony's suffering because of it. On top of that, they've targeted us ponies as the cause of all their issues, which is why they were such jerks to me." She propelled herself off of the pillow and stood, stretching her legs. "Well, I won't be anypony's scapegoat. Scapepony. Whatever. The question is, what's being done about it?"
Avina and Xavir turned towards each other simultaneously, identical looks of surprise lighting their faces.
"What?" Rainbow raised a hoof up to her mouth, failing to suppress a yawn. "I told you I was listening. Honestly, I think I've dealt with worse back home."
Xavir cleared his throat, leaning forward. "Yes, well, there's plenty to do. The resistance has been running operations for almost three years now, and we've made a lot of progress in bringing life back to the slums. Through our charities and volunteer work, we've seen homes restored, food supplies replenished, and employment rates increased. It's been a slow process, but we've taken great strides for such a small organization, and we are still growing."
"Well, that's lame." The blue mare snorted.
"Dash!" Avina hissed, scowling in her direction.
"What? It is!" She jabbed her hooves into the air enthusiastically. "I say we beat 'em up!"
"Alright, that's enough," She shot off the couch and bowed her head to the resistance leader. "I'm sorry, Xavir. We should be heading back. I appreciate you sparing the time for us."
"Of course," he smiled, getting up as well. "I'll speak to you soon."
Rainbow drew her attention away from the imaginary enemy she'd been fighting and turned to look at her friend. "Oh, are we leaving already?"
Avina rolled her eyes and strode out of the room, barely allowing time for the pegasus to say her goodbyes and chase after her. They departed the basement that had since been deserted and found themselves back on the city streets, making their way down the sidewalk and back toward Orwin's shop.
"So..." Rainbow Dash whistled as they cantered down the rundown streets of outer Pontropolis, careful to step over the cracks in the cement budding with sprouts of weeds.
"So..." Avina repeated. She'd stormed out of the meeting with Xavir in a tizzy, but the stroll outside into the fresh air seemed to calm her down.
"That was... fun," Rainbow offered, grasping for words. "I guess I could sense there was something weird going on here, what with everything I've seen so far. But I didn't expect you to be such a big part of it."
"Why not?" She could have sworn she'd seen the beginnings of a smile tugging at the corner of the Pon's lips, so she chose her next words carefully.
"Oh, um... no reason." A bit of awkward laughter tumbled from her lips. "Guess I just don't know you that well."
A beat of silence followed, the air between them quiet, yet calm for once. The tension that had hung around the two of them had finally gone dormant, and Rainbow turned to meet her gaze as she asked, "Can I ask how you joined the, uh... revolution?"
"The resistance," Avina corrected. Her words didn't contain as much bite as usual, and Rainbow took it as a small victory. "And, well..."
"It's a long story." The pegasus raised an eyebrow dubiously.
"Ha ha, very funny. It is, though," she said with a sigh.
"Uh-huh."
"Shut up." Avina shot her a glare, but within her eyes was just the tiniest ounce of mirth. "Ahem. A long time ago, when I was a filly,"—Rainbow bit her lip, trying to hold back the guffaw that threatened to burst forth—"Ugh, that wasn't intentional. Quit looking at me like that."
Rainbow pursed her lips but stayed quiet, urging her to carry on.
"As I was saying... a long time ago, things didn't use to be this bad. We've always had a Council, but our Councilpons back in the day were nothing like the ones now. I won't bore you with a history lesson, but let's just say Pontropolis was not founded on the ideals of the current oligarchy." Dash blinked, trying her best to absorb her big words. "Anyway, things didn't change all at once. Just like Xavir said, it's slow. Sometimes unnoticeable. Until all of a sudden, it slaps you in the face, and you don't even recognize the Pons around you.
"My father worked for the Council. He was never elected as a member, though, as much as he wanted to be. He was an advisor, back when they still had those. There were a few obstinate Pons on the board that had some pretty backward views, but it was nothing they couldn't manage. When Mardeen became Head Councilpon, things turned sour." Avina's ears went flat against her head, her eyes swimming as the memories came flooding back to her. "She was fine at first. She'd started with the littlest things—small adjustments to the court system that slipped right under the advisors' noses. Until one day, there weren't any more advisors. She'd abolished them, along with the help of the two new Pons she'd managed to get onto the Council to help carry out her will—Damon and Lughis."
Rainbow Dash recognized those names. She wouldn't forget the face of Damon, the Councilpon that had talked down to her as if she were nothing but a weed beneath his hoof and had gone the extra mile to step on it, crushing it into the ground. Lughis hadn't been present at her hearing, but she could easily guess he was just as vile as his colleague.
"After that, it was the ponies. We'd seen several of them over the years, and we always showed them hospitality, as they were nothing but friendly to us. However, she twisted their stories, turning their words against them as they found themselves trapped here with no means to escape. They became a target. With Pontropolis focused on the threat of the ponies, the Council could get away with so much more. I don't even know if there's anypon that's kept track of all the laws they've enacted," Avina said dryly, shaking her head. "Of course, I was young when all of this started. I was only a few moons old when my father..."
Her hoof went up to her mouth as she coughed, blinking furiously. "He was an avid supporter of ponies' rights, and he was very vocal in his opposition to the council. So... they banished him."
"They WHAT?!" Rainbow turned to her friend with wide eyes, her heart clenching at the unfamiliar look of anguish on her face.
"He became an outcast. Shunned and sent outside of the walls to wander Reptarus with no hopes of returning home. They made an example out of him. After that, his followers became quiet, and the ways of the past were forgotten. Pons became blind to the suffering of those around them, and their tunnel vision led us to where we are now." She gestured to the battered, dilapidated buildings that were hardly suitable to look at, let alone live in, and the cracked, unusable roads and lonely sidewalks.
'The slums', Xavir had called it; this neighborhood that Rainbow couldn't believe inhabited the same city as the lavish communities that existed just a few blocks away. Her mind wandered to the young foal she had handed food to; the Pons squabbling over junk in the park; the same individuals that stood in that basement, cramped and sweating, as they listened to the words of somepony who could bring about the change they so desperately longed for. Despite their seemingly hopeless present, they found comfort in the belief of a brighter future.
Dash glanced over at her friend, her brow set as a new determination filled her, welling up in her heart and extending all the way to the tips of her wings. She nodded to Avina, willing her to go on.
"And, well... the rest is history. My mom and I barely survived out here without the support of my dad, and she would always tell me his stories when I missed him. It was lonely, but we had each other. When she—" she swiped a hoof at her cheek so fast even Rainbow almost failed to notice. "When she passed a few years ago, I had to take care of myself for a while, and... it was rough. Eventually, I met Orwin, and he took me under his wing."
"His mechanical wing?"
"Are you always this desperate to get a cheap joke in?" She chastised her, but her heart clearly wasn't in it.
"Yup. It's how I roll." Rainbow stuck her tongue out at the mare.
"Well, roll somewhere else. I'm not done," she bumped her flank into the pony's teasingly as they walked. "From then, it's simple. Orwin introduced me to Xavir, and I joined the resistance."
"Hm," Rainbow tapped a hoof to her chin philosophically. "So, how'd you end up on jailbreak duty?"
Avina shot her a challenging smirk. "I wouldn't trust anypon else with the job. You know what they call me?"
"What?"
"Silenthooves."
"BAHAHAHA!!" Rainbow pressed a hoof to her chest, howling with laughter at the ridiculous nickname. Even Avina let out a faint giggle, bolstered by the pony's asinine reaction. "You can't be serious!"
"Oh, I am," she said with a smirk before her expression soured into panic.
Rainbow's eyes shot to where the Pon had been looking. On the surface, she didn't see anything amiss. They'd already arrived back at Orwin's shop without any incident. However, as they inched closer, she noticed the trampled bushes lining the sidewalk, bits of scrap sprinkling the pavement as if they'd been thrown out of a window haphazardly. Something was off.
Their eyes met for a moment before they bolted, simultaneously breaking into a gallop and speeding towards the workshop. Rainbow cursed under her breath as she fought back the urge to spread her wings and zoom through the air faster than she ever would by hoof.
Avina took the lead, swinging the front door open and freezing in place as Rainbow slowed to a stop right behind her. "What is it?" she asked, alarmed.
She stepped aside so the pegasus could get a look at the inside of Orwin's shop, which was by no means in the same state they'd left it in. The neatly organized shelves of baubles had been smashed, and the merchandise was scattered across the wooden floor carelessly. They cautiously entered together, surveying the damage that had been wreaked and keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of life. There didn't seem to be anypony in the store, which was both a relief and a cause for concern. Whoever had done this was clearly gone, but where was Orwin?
Their questions were answered as the faint sound of a voice floated up from the back of the shop. They slowly made their way over to it, careful not to make any noise themselves, and peered into the backroom.
Orwin was frantic, running through a list in his hoof and analyzing the goods that had remained safe in the storage room. He looked up with wide eyes as they shuffled in, considering him with concern.
"You two," he exclaimed, shooting to his hooves. "You can't be here. It's not safe."
Avina rested a hoof against his shoulder gently. "Wha-"
"The guards came," Orwin cut in, rambling. "They said they were doing maintenance inspections and routine checks. I tried to turn them away, but they weren't having it. It was like they knew."
The maroon mare's eyes narrowed, her emerald irises flashing as a cold, calculating look adorned her features. "We have a rat."
Rainbow unfurled her wings in an attempt to fly upwards but was quickly met with the resistance of the cloth cloak. Instead, she leaped onto a nearby stool. "What?! Where?"
The expressions on their faces were enough for Rainbow to realize her mistake, and she rubbed a hoof against her cheek bashfully as they became tinted with pink. "Oh," she rasped. "That kind of rat."
Avina shook her head, pinning her focus back on the older stallion. "I'll take her to my place."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Orwin's bushy brows ruffled as he looked down at the Pon that had grown to be like a daughter to him. "If they knew she was here, they probably-"
"Well, we don't have a lot of options, do we?" Avina snapped, taking in a deep breath of air and letting it out slowly. "Sorry. It's just—it'll be temporary. Until we figure something else out."
His gaze wavered, shifting from worry to something more composed. Trust. "If you're sure that's the best thing to do, then I won't doubt you. Just... promise me you'll be careful. After all this," he prodded a hoof into a nearby pillow that had been ripped, the cotton fluff spilling out in a clumped mess of white. "I don't think I'll be able to help without raising any suspicion."
"We were lucky Dash wasn't here when they came," he added with a grave look in the pony's direction.
Rainbow gulped, considering his words. If the Council Guards had searched the place while she was still holed up in the basement, things could have ended very badly. She would have been captured again, forced into that stuffy room in that even stuffier corporate building with nothing but nasty ooze to eat. Oh, and she would've been put on trial before the Council, which, as she'd recently learned, was something she did NOT want to mess with. Even worse, Orwin and Avina would have been taken into custody alongside her, and all that they'd done for her—for the resistance—would've been flushed down the drain.
Avina gave an affirmative nod before turning to Rainbow Dash. "Go get whatever you have in the basement. We need to leave. Now."
Although Dash wasn't particularly fond of taking orders, she knew that at that moment, their safety was the first priority. And they were anything but safe there.
When she'd finished gathering her minuscule collection of belongings, she met the two of them back upstairs, where the handypon had begun cleaning up and repairing his shop. They said their goodbyes, and Rainbow promised him that she would see him again before she left. Although her words had not been a lie, he didn't have to know that her promise was not one of Pinkie proportions. After all, how could she make such a promise when she had no clue what the imminent future had in store for her?
Avina's home was a quaint shack that, although not entirely in awful shape, had an exterior that matched that of its neighbors. Rainbow spotted a hole in the wooden roofing and a bit of rusted siding as they crossed the rocky path up to the front door, but she kept her observations to herself.
To her relief, the house's interior was in much better shape. They walked into a large, open space that contained both the living room and the kitchen, and towards the back was a hallway that stretched several feet, containing a few doors that presumably led to bedrooms. Although her assortment of furniture was meager, the items she did own were neat and matched one another, creating a modest living space where they would be able to cohabit.
Rainbow Dash made herself comfortable on the sofa, setting her things down next to it and resting her legs on a low-hanging coffee table. "Nice pad," she grinned.
"Honestly," Avina grumbled, trotting over to pick up the things she'd abandoned on the floor. "You're going to leave this place a pigsty."
"Hey!" Dash exclaimed, not budging from the indent that had begun to form in the cushion beneath her. "That's mean to pigs." Her hostess paid her no mind, leaving Rainbow to her own devices in the living room as she disappeared down the hall.
They spent the next few hours getting Rainbow Dash situated, and Avina's first action upon allowing her into her home was to lay down some ground rules. She'd made it clear that she had little patience for the pony's antics, and she wouldn't have her flying recklessly around the house and disturbing the one place that served as her sanctuary.
Dash agreed to abide by her wishes so long as she could claim the cushy sofa in the living room as her own; it had grown on her after all. She'd been relaxing on said couch when Avina emerged from her room and made her way to the kitchen.
Rainbow popped an eye open, sitting up and stretching her legs out with a yawn. Nothing like a good nap to clear her head. Since she'd arrived at Pontropolis, it had been one thing after the other, and even for a pony used to going on all sorts of adventures, it got tiring.
She waved a hoof in greeting to Avina and, finally devoid of a constrictive hooded garment, launched herself up with her wings and over the backside of the couch. The Pon gave her a disapproving frown as she flew over to join her in the kitchen.
"Thanks for letting me crash here," Rainbow started, propping her hooves up on the counter. "Orwin's basement was sooo stuffy. I thought I was gonna die until I snuck-" She put her hoof in her mouth—literally—as she nearly blew her cover. Orwin had allowed her to get away with it, but she blanched at the thought of how the mare would react to that little scheme she'd pulled the other day.
Avina raised an eyebrow at her as she poured herself a glass of water. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" The pegasus blurted with a nervous chuckle. "I just... how long am I gonna have to keep sneaking around?"
"Uhm..." For the first time since she'd met her, Avina seemed to be at a loss for words. After a moment, she offered, "Indefinitely?"
Rainbow rested her chin on the flat of her hoof, eyeing her with confusion. "What do you mean, 'indefinitely'? Aren't you supposed to have some sort of plan for this whole thing?"
Avina knit her brows together. "Look, I know this is all new to you, but I've worked really hard to get to where I'm at now. I think I know what I'm doing," she said, evading the question.
"Right," the pony snorted. "So you're telling me you broke me out of there with the assumption that I'd live in Orwin's basement for the rest of my life?"
"No, Rainbow, that's not what I-"
"How long did you expect me to just sit around and do nothing? I mean, seriously, your little resistance group has been around for how long now, and you still haven't made any big moves? Maybe it is a good thing I ended up here after all. Somepony can finally step up and MAKE change happen instead of sitting around and waiting for it to fall into your lap."
A red hoof slammed onto the countertop, sending the two glasses of water shuddering and shaking, falling onto their sides with a clink and spilling liquid across the surface. Neither of them paid the mess any mind.
"You best hold your tongue, pony," Avina seethed. "Remember who got you out of that sticky situation you were in. I've been in this game a lot longer than you have, and this is my city. I know this may seem like some fun little adventure to you, but this is my home—and my war. Don't tell me how to fight it."
"Oh, yeah, sure," Dash had begun to rise into the air, the intense energy of their dispute causing her to unconsciously flap her wings as a rage built up within her. "You're such an angel for helping me in my time of need. How dare I try to repay the favor by liberating your kind from the iron hoof of a bunch of DICTATORS?!"
Avina reared her head back as the pegasus's voice rose into a shout, her ears flattening and her teeth showing in a grimace. "I don't know who you think you are, acting like you're some hero that can show up and magically fix everything. This isn't an issue that can be settled over a hug and a friendship lesson, featherbrain. You say you'll fight, but you don't seem to understand that we're just a small group of average Pons against an assembly that has had years to prepare for an uprising. Not to mention the Council Guard. They would squash us."
"Before you say anything else," Avina snarled, cutting Rainbow off as she prepared a retort. "Just save it. I need to cool off." With that, she removed herself from the kitchen and stomped out the front door without so much as a glance over her shoulder.
"Fine!" Rainbow called after her. "Run away. See if I care." She descended from where she'd been hovering over the counter, landing on the tiled floor with a squelch. She looked down to see the puddle of water that had accumulated as a result of their spilled glasses. She bucked a hind leg into the sturdy frame of the nearby wall in frustration, letting out an irritated "Urgh!" and blowing steam out her nose.
She paused for a moment before running a hoof through her rainbow mane and heaving a deep sigh. She grabbed a nearby towel and started cleaning up the mess, her head spinning as she mopped up the water and put the glasses away. She channeled her frustration into the task, scrubbing furiously at the floor until she'd calmed down enough to pick herself up and shake it off.
Rainbow Dash was hotheaded. She knew that. Still, it was hard for her to take a step back and realize when she'd made a mistake. Had she pushed Avina too hard? The two of them hadn't known each other for long, and their friendship was tentative at best, but still...
She paced around the room, angry and confused and... worried. Worried that she'd gone too far, that she'd taken advantage of Avina's hospitality and let her ego get the better of her in her false display of bravado. She put on a good show, sure, but the truth was, deep down, she was scared. And when she was scared, she lashed out.
Was it truly up to her to help the resistance with their mission to overthrow the Council? To establish peace and equity for the citizens of Pontropolis?
It was possible.
However, it was also entirely possible that she'd ended up here by mistake; some cruel joke by the universe that ripped her away from everything she knew in a matter of minutes and threw her at the gates of a city that practically had a bounty on her name. And yet, despite these trials, she'd managed to find allies. Pons that had reached a hoof out to help her in her time of need simply because nopony else would.
Swallowing her pride and taming her ego, she made a decision.
Rainbow had lashed out at Avina in a regrettable moment of anger, and she didn't deserve that—not after everything she'd done for her. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed to apologize. If they were going to work together, they needed to trust one another. For the first time ever, Dash had to be the bigger pony and own up to her own feelings.
It was with this in mind that the pegasus trotted over to the front door after hearing the sound of hoofsteps outside. Avina had returned, and she was determined to earn her forgiveness.
However, when she swung the door open, the Pon that stood waiting on the other side was not Avina.
Rainbow Dash's hooves twitched in her sleep.
It was something Applejack had gotten used to seeing during their visits to the hospital, stationed alone in that room with nopony but Dash and her obnoxious unconscious movements.
It was agonizing, watching her fuss and roll about in bed as if she were actually awake when she knew darn well that she was anything but. The better part of a week had already passed since that fateful accident, and as the days dragged on, Rainbow's friends only grew more and more concerned.
Twilight had devoted herself to searching for a spell that could wake her up, locking herself up inside her castle and throwing herself into her studies. The others had agreed to take turns staying with Dash, coming in shifts to sit by her bed in the hopes that she would wake up with somepony familiar by her side. However, as the clock continued to tick, their spirits began to dwindle, and for the first time, they wondered whether or not she would even wake at all.
A gentle hoof on Applejack's shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts, and she turned to see Rarity giving her a comforting smile. She tried to mirror her expression, but the result was more of a grimace. Words weren't necessary to convey the worry they both felt for their friend.
The two of them had brought the Cutie Mark Crusaders in to visit that evening, and it was with heavy hearts that they watched the three of them huddled around the bed, murmuring to each other and trying to soothe the orange pegasus.
Scootaloo had just finished relaying the events of her day and reached into the satchel strapped around her back, pulling out a copy of Rainbow Dash's favorite Daring Do novel. She flipped it open and began from the beginning, reading the book aloud to the patient. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom settled in beside their friend and rested their heads against the side of the mattress as they listened to her narration.
Applejack couldn't help but wonder what the blue mare was dreaming about, twitching and rolling and contorting her face like that. She hoped she wasn't in the throes of a nightmare and silently sent a prayer to Princess Luna that she would look over her if that were the case.
Dash, wherever you are, you need to hurry back soon, she thought as her gaze flicked from her friend to the filly beside her. Ya hear me? Don't keep Scoot waitin'.
Rainbow, of course, couldn't hear her.
"Wait-"
Rainbow Dash slammed the door in the guard's face, stumbling backward in a panic as the Pon in a silver uniform attempted to enter the house. She spun around wildly, searching for anything she could use to defend herself. If they got another one of those deficiency rings on her, it was game over.
She rushed down the hall and into Avina's room, hoping the breach of privacy would be forgiven, considering the circumstances. She scanned her eyes over her bed, a dresser, the far wall—bingo.
Resting on a table opposite the foot of the bed was that same device Rainbow had seen Avina use on the night she rescued her. She flew towards it and clutched it between her teeth, trying to figure out how the Pon had prompted it to produce a blade. As she whirled back into the hall, she gasped, fluttering her wings in a backdraft and coming to a halt.
The Council Guard stood in the living room, a breeze blowing in through the open window beside the front door. Shoot.
His eyes landed on her, and he raised a hoof placatingly. "Wait," he pleaded, taking a step back when he noticed the weapon in her grasp. "Please. I have a message for you." He pulled a piece of paper out of the pocket of his uniform and offered it to her. "Your location has been compromised. Go to this address."
When she made no move to take it, he placed it on the table without letting her out of sight. She maintained her position, watching him cautiously with the metal tool still clutched between her teeth. Slowly, the Pon began backing up towards the door. "I can't be seen here," he told her with a sympathetic nod of his head. And with that, he was gone.
The blade tumbled out of Rainbow's grip and clattered onto the ground. She hurried to the window and shut it, securing the locks on both it and the door. She trotted over to the table and laid her eyes on the note, which did, in fact, contain an address. Before she could study it any closer, another knock sounded from the front door.
Seriously? The mare dropped to the floor, crawling over to the front window to peek out at the front of the building. A red Pon with familiar emerald eyes stood on the doorstep. She let out a sigh of relief upon recognizing Avina, but the look on her face told her she was still angry.
She hurried over to the entrance, unlocked the door, and swung it open, ushering her in. Before Avina could greet her, the events of just then came tumbling out of her mouth. "A guard was here. He had a message for us. I think he was a good guy? I dunno, it was kind of weird-"
Avina cut her a sharp look. "What message?" She asked, suddenly alert.
Rainbow guided her to the table beside the couch, where the message lay open. She peered over it, squinting at the words scribbled onto the parchment. "This address... it's in center city." She gave the pony a questioning look.
She met her gaze with a determined set of her brow. "We need to leave. Now."
Rainbow Dash reiterated their unwanted visitor's words as the two of them gathered their things, preparing for the second time that day to drop everything and move locations. Through the chaos, neither of them had the chance to discuss their earlier discourse, though it hung over them like a storm cloud, the mounting pressure casting a shadow over the both of them. Dash wished she could fly up and dispel those clouds like she so often did back in Ponyville, clearing the skies and, by extension, the tension between them. However, they had much more pressing matters at hoof.
Dash employed her cloak as usual, disguising herself as they traveled through the streets of Pontropolis and further into the city. Their journey was quick and silent, trying to stay under the radar as much as possible. The address they arrived at was an abandoned storefront, the doors and window boarded up and a sign that once displayed its name splintered and dusty.
Avina led her around the side of the building, where they searched for some sort of alternative entrance. Breaking into private property in broad daylight was a surefire way of getting them caught. Luckily, they discovered a side door that opened into the back of the shop, which turned out to be an old boutique.
There were several boxes and old mannequins scattered around the warehouse, as well as a few visible garments left on the floor. A thin layer of dust coated just about every surface of the room, causing them to sneeze almost immediately upon entering.
It was dark and stuffy in the shop, but it was safe. Hopefully.
They set their things down and investigated the building, lighting the dim lanterns they'd brought and searching every corner to ensure that it was truly a safe house. Although Avina had initially pushed back against the idea of blindly following the strange message and going to this mysterious address, it had become clear that they were running out of options. Where else could they go? If one guard knew where they were, regardless of his affiliation, who else did?
They just needed to be cautious.
While scouting the front of the shop, Rainbow happened upon an area devoid of dirt. Upon a dust-free counter was a piece of paper similar to the one she had received only an hour earlier. She furrowed her brows inquisitively as she picked up the letter and read it aloud for Avina to hear:
Rainbow Dash,
I'm putting a lot on the line by doing this, but I couldn't stand to see another pony hurt while I stood by and did nothing. I assume by now you've made contact with the resistance. Know that everything they tell you is the truth.
However, there is more to the Council than even they know of. The atrocities Head Councilpon Mardeen has committed and enabled in the others... I cannot speak of it. You must see it for yourself. I have been silent for too long, and I write to you now because I believe that change is possible, and I saw a fire within you that could be just the spark we need to ignite a revolution.
The approaching Blood Moon Celebration will be our one opportunity to take a stand and end their tyranny once and for all. When the Orb is in its fullest state of power, the others cannot harness its energy and are vulnerable for a time. This is why they hold a festival and turn everypon's eyes upward, so they will not see the fragility of their rulers. It is then that you must strike.
It will not be easy to gain access to the Council building, so I will see to it that you are assisted. You must venture to the top floors of the tower. Within, you will find all that is needed to win over the Pons and turn them against the Council once and for all. On this matter, I ask that you trust me.
I wish you the best of luck.
—Councilpon Dahlia
"Whoa, how'd she know my name?"
"That's what you gleaned from this?" Avina eyed her incredulously before rereading the words herself. "I can't believe this." She glared at the letter so intensely that Rainbow thought it might burst into flames right then and there.
"What does it mean? Who's Dahlia? What's the Blood Moon Celebration?" The questions spilled from her one by one as she frowned down at the note.
"She's one of the Councilpons," Avina explained, looking around the boutique with new clarity. "She's well known for her hats, so I suppose this location adds up."
Dash's eyes widened at this, recalling the fashionable yet quiet mare that had been present for her Council meeting, her face hidden under a gaudy sunhat.
"As for the celebration... the true power of the Orb is displayed during the blood moon." Upon seeing her confused expression, she added, "I'm sure you saw it hovering above the Council building? It is the sun, the moon, and the pinnacle of our society. A symbol, if you will. The Blood Moon Celebration originally honored the Orb for everything it's given us, but the Council is now part of the festivities as well.
"When the Council was formed, they were able to harness the power of the Orb and use it to maintain a stable environment for the city to flourish in, as well as to establish themselves as the leaders of Pontropolis. Of course, that was back when they actually cared about their citizens," she scoffed, "Now they just enjoy being put on a pedestal and showered in adoration."
"Wow," Dash breathed. "That's a lot to take in." She turned her head to survey their surroundings once more. "Do you think it's safe to stay here?"
Avina set a hoof to her muzzle, her brows pinching together in thought. "I... don't know. Dahlia has been on the council for a while, so I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't be under the influence of Mardeen. But if we take her words at face value, then this isn't something we can choose to ignore."
"So... you really think she's on our side?" Dash wondered aloud, realizing it was the first time she'd referred to the resistance and herself collectively.
"At this point," Avina said with a sigh, "It's our best hope. The celebration is next week. If we don't believe her and take this opportunity, who knows when we'll get another chance?"
She nodded her head in agreement, stepping away from the table to peek out the cracks of the boarded-up windows. Pons cantered up and down the neatly paved sidewalks dressed in sleek jumpsuits and colorful metal carts zoomed up and down the roads. She cast her gaze upwards to see a select few soaring through the skies with mechanical wings strapped to their backs, not unlike those she had seen in Orwin's workshop.
It made her sick.
She turned back towards Avina, the disparities between the inner city and the slums fresh on her mind as she set her jaw and asked, "What's the plan?"