//------------------------------// // Chapter 32 — Princess Luna // Story: Dictators Of Ponyville // by Dragon-In-Black //------------------------------// Luna was looking out the window from the room that Capper had given her. The room wasn’t big but wasn’t small either. The walls were made from dark oak wood with dark blue painting over with a large banner on the opposite end from the bed, depicting the three Supreme Leaders together giving and salute. The bed was very comfy with wine-red covers that were warm. The floors were covered in a red mat that went throughout the apartment and Luna could only imagine that all the buildings were similar in this regard. There was a wardrobe where she had a few clothes and cloaks as well as a desk that had a journal, parchment ink and quill that lay there in case she wanted to jot down her thoughts. When Capper left for work, he would always let her know beforehand and she would wave as he would drive away in his “car”. To say the changes that Ponyville went through were small would have been a very large understatement. There were large skyscrapers that towered over the city with beautiful stone and metal structures that would make Canterlot look like a fancy place to live. Ponyville might as well be considered the capital. The night was beautiful from the city, the stars were visible and the energy from down below didn’t affect it too much. The stars were still visible and could be appreciated by the night creatures that preferred the night. The sidewalks were packed with ponies and other creatures that were making their way to and from work or were out partying with friends and family. It brought her comfort that there could still be parties despite a harsh dictatorship. She turned away from the window and put on her cloak and walked out of her room and made her way over to the observatory that Capper had in the apartment. She didn’t know why the cat had it, but the regime had said it was a “gift” of sorts and he accepted the excuse. The hallways were packed with propaganda posters, mainly of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. On Scootaloo’s end, they spoke of her as being the eternal president of Equus. For Sweetie Belle, it was that she was the definition of beauty. Princess Luna had accidentally one morning spat out her tea on poor Capper when she read an article where Scootaloo claimed she was the “mother” of her and Celestia. Luna had been a little surprised at first but had burst out laughing at the hilarity of the situation. That filly’s ego was bigger than Celestia’s! And that was saying something. When Luna made it to the double staircase, she took the closest, being the right and made her way up while mulling over the situation at hoof. The Crusaders wouldn’t be easily swayed by mere apologies which they had told everypony. One thing that did make her wary, was Scootaloo’s attack on Princess Twilight. The attack did have a cause behind it and from all points of view, it did seem as though Twilight was egging them on or something, but nonetheless, Scootaloo still attacked a Princess of Equestria. “What a bold filly,” Luna commented while opening a set of double doors and seeing a large telescope look towards the skies. To the left and right were shelves of books, similar to a library, but with far fewer shelves and books. Some journals and notes came from all over Equestria that the Crusaders had somehow gained access to. Either they had stolen the documents or they had found them around Badlands and Ponyville. Luna made her way to an area that was secluded from the observatory. It was a corner that blocked the view for others so they wouldn’t see any creature there. There was a desk and chair with a few books and journals scattered across the desk, showing that somepony had been here having a look around. “Let’s see where I left off,” Luna said and flew into her chair and began to read a journal she had found interesting. The journal itself came from Scootaloo which spoke of how beautiful the planet was and how awesome it would be to visit the moon and other planets in their solar system. However, the journal as time went on, became darker and darker. Journal Entry #324 I think I have an idea of how to make the colonisation of Mars possible. All we need is a lot of seeds from the earth ponies and magic from the unicorns to make things grow on the red planet. If there happens to be life there, we’ll eradicate it from existence and make sure that only the creatures that follow the Crusaders' Democratics Party live to see another day. I am the Supreme Leader, I am better than everypony else. No creature can stop my plans, and if they do, they will feel the same wrath that the ponies of Ponyville cast on us when they banished me and my friends. Then again, if there is life on Mars, then I suppose I will be the alien so it wouldn’t be right of me to eradicate them. If anything, I’ll ask if it is okay if we set up an alliance and base for my forces and if not, then we’ll leave. But then again, I cannot just take over Equus, I need to take over the galaxy and reclaim what is rightfully mine! I am the greatest pony of all time, It is my right to be the ruler of any and all worlds. I am an alicorn goddess, higher than Celestia and Luna. I am the embodiment of peace. —Supreme Leader Scootaloo Luna felt her eye twitch slightly at how the filly described herself. She was more arrogant than her nephew, Blueblood. She didn’t think that was possible. The Princess of the Night read through a few pages and learned new information about the space program that Supreme Leader Sweetie Belle had started. Their goal was to colonize other planets under the Crusaders’ Democratics Party rule, introducing a new age of followers of the ‘Supreme Leaders’ as they called themselves. They would make Equestria their capital planet and have export rates be as high as possible with large taxes to earn money out of it. Luna turned a page and saw there were plans for the military to shoot a large… thing they dubbed a “missile”. It was a large metallic object that was filled with… Her eyes widened. This “missile” was loaded with dynamite and the location where they would shoot it? Canterlot. She read everything she could about the weapon and how to slow it down. There were instruction manuals on how to build it and how big the dynamite was supposed to be. There were sketches of it that looked similar to a rocket that they used for New Year's. From what Luna had understood, this was a side project of Scootaloo’s that the other two Supreme Leaders weren’t aware of. Specific members of the military knew very little about the project. Scootaloo had dubbed it Project Missile with a photo of what looked to be the first “missile” they had created which was located at the back of the journal. The “missile” like before, heavily resembled a rocket. The tip resembled a straw hat but was smoother with a long body and an “engine” of sorts at the bottom to fire off into the sky. The “missile” was white-coloured and had the initials CDP—32. Supreme Leader Scootaloo was visible in the photo and was looking at the “missile” but her back was turned, so Luna couldn’t see her facial expression so the emotions were unknown. Luna put down the journal and leaned back in her chair and stretched slightly. So, Scootaloo—a minor—wanted to colonize other planets? Well, that wasn’t weird, that is most likely curiosity like any creature can hold. But what did make her feel a tinge of fear was that Scootaloo had a mind of a tyrannical ruler like King Sombra. She was willing to eradicate a species on a different planet that had been born and raised there. Scootaloo, on any other planet, would be an alien that would have no choice but to follow that planet's laws and rules. Not that the filly seemed to care much. Another thing that frightened her, was that Capper had told her that Sweetie Belle was working to get the Death penalty green-lighted. This terrified her because she didn’t want to Crusaders to make their biggest mistake yet and because she didn’t want any creature to lose their life for something so minor as being shamed on the paper and then banishing three fillies—which the towns ponies never should have done—who were now looking for revenge. Capper did promise he would vote against the Death Penalty but did admit that the voting system would most likely be rigged and corrupted to Sweetie Belle’s benefit. That didn’t make Luna feel any easier. The blue-coated alicorn was then surprised by the newspaper that lay on the side of the desk that she was sure hadn’t been there before. Curious, she opened it and saw that it was one of the many controlled papers of the Crusaders. Supreme Leader Scootaloo — The Peace Maker! Earlier this week, Supreme Leader Scootaloo travelled to the Everfree forest after a few soldiers had been injured from an attack from timberwolves. The Supreme Leader showed no fear as she marched into the forest and had a discussion with the wolves promising them peace and prosperity if they fought for her. The timberwolves felt the angelic powers of the Supreme Leader and bowed to her and showed her love and respect — the same way she show her subjects love and respect, always willing to lend a hoof for the creatures that need it most. That is why Timberwolves are marching the streets protecting our beautiful country from the tyrannical Princess Celestia and Luna. Luna rolled her eyes but was curious about the timberwolves. She turned a page. Allies With The Crystal Empire? Lieutenant Spike, the respected soldier within the military has asked Supreme Leaders Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo if there is a possibility that they could be allies with the Crystal Empire that was ruled by King Sombra. For context: Supreme Leader Scootaloo sensed a dark presence and sent Spike to protect the Empire from the evil King, her angelic powers know no bounds! The Supreme Leaders have said that they would send a letter to the Crystal Empire for its ruler, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Luna was unnerved by how they had written the papers. The rest of the papers were the same, promises of more food rations and the booming economy that the Crusaders had managed to create for their country. She would admit this: when it came to economy, the Crusaders knew what they were doing. However, it did worry her that her niece, Cadance might get a letter. It was good that they were trying to open their borders and she was sure the Crystal Ponies would love to see their hero who was also the Lieutenant for the regime, but she feared for their safety. The Crusaders weren’t playing a filly's game. But then again, maybe it would soften the Crusaders' hearts? Luna sighed and looked at the paperwork in front of her. Today would be a long day.