//------------------------------// // Prologue: The Way Things Are // Story: Galaxia's Equestria // by pchn00 //------------------------------// Prologue: The Way Things Are The elite cadre of unicorn magi gathered beneath the Archmagister’s tower preparing the sun raising ritual. Only the wealthiest and most magically gifted ponies were allowed to take part, and it was a near instant leap ahead in status to be selected. The well-kept secret was that it did in fact not require a great deal of spell casting acumen. Really, the Archmagister did all the work; the rest were just there to lend her a little extra mana to make the job easier, and to ensure the ritual circle was prepared to her exact specifications. Lord Fancy Pants and his new bride, the Lady Rarity were presiding over the preparations. The bemused Lord was content to let his charming wife take the lead on the project. He had certainly lucked out catching her eye. Rarity’s family was not terribly prestigious, and her parents were not worth much note. Her father mended uniforms for various hoofball teams, while her mother worked in some bakery or another. Her younger sister however was a pony worth knowing. The young mare’s music career had taken off like a shooting star, propelling her into the spotlight. Fancy Pants had wandered into Rarity’s shop on a lark, seeking somepony to mend a frayed collar on his favorite suit coat. He was quite surprised at the stunning proprietress of the charming little boutique. One didn’t find such class and sophistication so far from the elite district he made his own home in. Not only was she a mare of refined taste and manners, but she seemed to have genuinely little interest in his wealth or power. After fending off a veritable herd of gold-digging status-seeking mares, Rarity was truly a diamond in the rough to the weary stallion. After a whirlwind courtship, they were wed only a few months later. The queen herself blessed their union. His wife was causing a bit of a scandal among his peers to his dismay. His ire wasn’t directed at her of course. If she wished to continue her career, who was he to say no? It irked him how content his fellow nobles were to be as absolutely useless as possible. It seemed every other day they wished to throw a new party for some inane reason. How could anypony think of such things when the earth tribes were struggling just to provide the food required for their monthly tribute? He knew it was the proper way of the world but still… it rankled his sensibilities at times. “No, no, no! That diagram must be absolutely perfect darling. Step aside, I’ll do it myself.” A soft chuckle escaped his lips at his wife openly rebuking Prince Blueblood. The proud stallion snorted and refused to move. Eyebrow raised, Rarity stepped back. “Very well. I’ll make sure to let the Archmagister know precisely who worked on this section.” The matter settled, she moved along, offering kind words to the ponies who’d perfected their own tasks. With one last frown at Blueblood’s diagram, she joined her husband just in time for the Archmagister’s doors to swing open. Lady Twilight Sparkle was arguably the most well respected, feared, and powerful unicorn in all of Equestria. As with nearly every public appearance, she ignored the regalia expected of a pony her rank, wearing only a simple cloak around her shoulders; lined with various bits necessary for her craft. The purple coated mare stepped out slowly, saying nothing to any of the assembled ponies and merely moving along the diagrams, staring down at them intently. Everypony stiffened as she approached, though she paid them no mind. She merely inspected each diagram and moved along to the next. She stopped instantly as she reached the incorrect one. “Who is responsible for this?” Blueblood was visibly sweating as he stepped forward… but Rarity cleared her throat calmly. “I’m afraid I am, Archmagister. It was my duty to see that each was perfect. I apologize profusely. It’s my first day and I must have overlooked it.” Frowning severely, Twilight looked from the diagram, to Blueblood, then to Rarity. “See that it doesn’t happen again. If it does, you will be dismissed. Am I understood?” Rarity bowed her head low. “Of course, Archmagister. My deepest apologies.” Fancy Pants felt a renewed sense of awe for the amazing mare he’d somehow conned into settling for a drab pony such as himself. Such poise, such grace. Truly no mare compared. When the Archmagister looked away he gave his wife a brief, but affectionate nuzzle. She lifted her eyes to meet his, promising future rewards for his public display of affection. ‘Ah… Truly, life could get no better than this.’ The delighted stallion thought. Private Rainbow Dash stood at strict attention as Commander Spitfire glared at her across from her desk. “Can you explain this report to me? I’m reading it clearly but there must be some error.” Dash swallowed the lump in her throat, fidgeting her wings. “Ma’am, yes ma’am. It’s just as the report says. The Apple family’s tribute was… three barrels short.” “And their farm is still standing because…?” Wings flexed open and snapped shut in agitation. “They’ve never been short before ma’am. Not for five years. I felt they deserved a second chance.” Spitfire nodded slowly. “You thought that, did you?” “… Yes ma’am.” “Well here’s what I think Private. I think dirt ponies who don’t pay their tribute don’t get to keep their land. Somepony down there is eyeing that very prime piece of farmland hungrily, waiting for the opportunity to take their place. Explain in detail just what will happen to them if they don’t hand over what they owe. Is that clear?” “Crystal clear ma’am.” “Get it done.” Dash’s discipline faltered. “N— now? But I’m on leave! I scheduled it and everything! my parents are—“ “Did I stutter, Private?” Rainbow Dash’s protests faded. “No ma’am.” “Get it done… Get it done quickly and go see your parents.” A relieved smile split the mare’s muzzle. “Yes ma’am, thank you ma’am.” Slamming her helm back atop her head, Dash was out of the office, leaving only a rainbow hued streak in her wake. Her commanding officer chuckled, shaking her head. “That pony could be something great if she’d stop being so soft on the dirt ponies.” Applejack heaved a tremendous sigh as she poured over the accounts for the third time. The simple truth of the matter was, if the pegasi came back for the rest of their tribute, there was a very good chance her family was going to starve. Family... She snorted softly at the word. Granny Smith had moved onto the Fields already, and Big Mac was serving in the military; against his will, of course. She hadn’t heard a word from any of her kin spread out across Equestria. The family farm was just down to her and Applebloom now. Frowning a little deeper, she looked out the window of her upstairs office at her younger sister. The yellow mare was going on seventeen. She felt a prickle of pride at how strong and big she’d grown under Applejack’s care. Granny’d been gone for nearly three years now, and Mac even longer. Even when the Apple family matron was still alive, she’d been fading in the head for years; always rambling about princesses and elements of something or another. With a soft sigh, the mare slipped away from her desk, slapped her hat atop her head, and trotted outside to join her sister. “Lookin’ good out there Applebloom!” She forced a smile as she approached the younger mare, admiring her bucking technique. Just as good as her own. “Thanks sis’.” The younger pony kept shifting her eyes skyward. “Y’think they’ll be back?” Applejack shook her head. “Don’t got time fer maybes AB, we got trees to buck an seeds t’plant. So less jawin’ an more workin’ y’hear?” “Y— yeah, sorry Applejack. Ah’m just worried s’all.” “Ah know sugarcube. Don’t you fret none. Just focus on yer chores, alright?” Nodding finally, Applebloom went back to her work. The eldest Apple mare in Ponyville was soon bucking alongside her. Each tree dropped maybe five fruit if they were lucky. There just wasn’t enough sunlight for the poor things to grow right. Of course more sun meant more bits and more tribute, but there was no way to get either without getting the sun first. It was a vicious cycle. They’d been doing well until the tree rot hit them one harvest season. A scowl found its way to the elder mares face at the thought of the monster behind the plague that had ruined her livelihood. S’all well and good for that queen of theirs to sit on her butt up on her big fancy throne, saying that Lord Whiteskull’s experiments were necessary for the ‘advancement and improvement of Equestria’. So far as Applejack could tell, that meant starving earth ponies. “A— Applejack!” She whipped around at the alarmed tone in her sister’s voice. Following her line of sight, her heart sunk a little. Private Rainbow Dash was streaking their way, moving like a mare with a purpose. “Go on inside, Applebloom.” “But Applejack…” “Inside now. Don’t you make me repeat myself now.” Not wishing to incur her already riled sister’s anger, she complied without further complaint. Applejack glanced to the tree at her side, feeling some sense of relief at the rope laying there. If things turned violent, earth ponies needed every edge they could get against the brutish pegasi. Had Rainbow Dash been in less of a rush, she might have noted Applejack’s already aggressive posture as she approached Sweet Apple Acres. Her sharp eyes picked out the elder of the two mares standing still and gazing up at her, while the younger was making a mad dash for the house. Not that she could blame the kid. “Back a mite early, ain’tcha?” Trying to maintain some sense of authority, Dash landed, keeping her wings flared. “Commander Spitfire wants the rest of your tribute.” Applejack snorted fiercely, digging a forehoof into the ground, keeping the leg raised; a very clear sign of a pony prepared to turn aggressive. “An ah toldja we ain’t got it. Y’got them sharp eyes in yer head don’tcha? Whaddya see on these here trees? Not a whole lotta apples, that’s what.” Rainbow Dash retorted with a snort of her own. “Look, I get that you guys are hard up this season. Just work harder, you’ll be fine. If you don’t pay your full tribute, I have orders to remove you from the premises.” This was exactly the wrong thing to say. “Oh do ya now? Did yer high an mighty Spitfire give ya that authority? T’ remove me an mah sister from th’ farm that’s been in our family since before yer big fancy featherhead city darkened our skies?” Dash’s wings bristled at the slur coming from the earth mare. “Listen, you dirt faming yokel! You’ll give me those three barrels or I’ll buck your flank right off this crummy little patch of mud!” The time for words was over. Applejack wasn’t about to wait for the dangerous pony to make the first move. She lunged to the side, slinging the rope over a forehoof and grasping one end in her mouth, spinning the lasso rapidly. Rainbow Dash was in the air the second the orange mare made her move. She hated this part of the job. She’d only had to actually attack another pony once, but it left a foul taste in her mouth. Still, it was her duty, and the stubborn mare was keeping her from seeing her parents for the first time in nearly a year. She didn’t want to seriously wound Applejack, she just needed to put the fear of her betters back into the farmer. She kept the retractable blades in her armor sheathed and decided on just a few swats with her hooves would settle the matter. Applejack was a farmer. Always had been, always would be. She wasn’t a fighter by any means, but she was a quick thinker. Certainly quicker thinking than one would expect of a simple earth pony in a tiny village like Ponyville. Rainbow Dash lived up to her name, streaking down almost faster than her eyes could follow. Almost. Applejack cantered to the side with surprising nimbleness for such a well-muscled pony, and Dash slammed into the ground hard, sending up a spray of dirt and grass. She resisted the instinct to sling her rope… it wasn’t time yet. Dash cursed as her first dive missed its mark. The farmer was quicker than she looked. Before she could throw her rope, the pegasus pumped her wings, getting altitude once again. ’This should be done already! She was just a dirt pony!’ Scowling at her own imagined ineptitude, she felt her temper flare as she dove again. One thing you could always count on with the featherbrains, they lost their temper faster than a bull in a strawberry field. And when you get mad, you get stupid. Something her daddy taught her back when she still had one. Dash was flying right at her with breakneck speed. And there it was. Snapping her neck straight, she slung the lasso unerringly at her target. The rope slipped over the Private’s neck, and Applejack hesitated only a moment before snapping it taut. Rainbow gave a strangled yelp as the rope tightened around her neck and plucked her from the air as easily as the farmer would one of the apples from her trees. The wind was knocked from her lungs as she slammed into the ground, but she was a well-trained soldier. She was already struggling to her hooves, but not in time to avoid the sudden buck from Applejack. Up she went back into the air, though not from any efforts of her own. The rope still held tightly in the mares jaws snapped taut once more, and Dash found herself again slamming into the ground. This time she didn’t move to rise. “What were ya sayin ‘bout throwin’ me off mah own land?” Dash’s wings flapped weakly as she gasped around the taut rope around her throat ,preventing her from drawing in air. With a frown, Applejack rushed to her side, flipping the rope off and stepping back while still keeping an eye on the recovering soldier. Gratitude mingled with humiliation as Rainbow Dash’s eyes met Applejack’s. The two locked stares for several long moments while the Private recovered. She finally found her voice. “You… made a mistake…” “From where Ah’m standin’ sugarcube, y’all’re the one face down in th’ mud.” “You think… they’re just gonna ignore this?” She jerked her head at the hovering fortress city in the distance. “You… attacking one of us?” “Ah…” The farmer scuffed the ground. “What c’n Ah do t’make this right?” Dash flexed her wings and slowly rose to her hooves. “… Your tribute. The rest of it. You deliver it to Cloudsdale. If it’s there this time tomorrow, the matter’s dropped. If it’s not, my Commander’s going to hear about this in detail. You got me, earth pony?” “… yes’m, I gitcha.” Casting one last glance at the sufficiently cowed mare, Dash took to the air once more. She had some bruises to hide before she met with her folks. Applejack stood still for a time, watching as the soldier vanished into the air. “S’pose we’ll git by... mebbe we c’n make do on grass fer a couple’a months. Granny said s’how she did it back then...” Shaking her head sadly, she plodded to the stores, filling three barrels with what few apples they had left. Dinky Doo frowned gently as she looked over her charges; it was time to make sure the foals were tucked in their beds. The past month, she’d started dreading what used to be a mundane—and at times, fun—job. The young unicorn mare was in charge of the displaced unicorn foals recovered from earth pony families. Most of the time, the foals were given up as soon as they were born. It was simply a better life offered for them in one of the unicorn cities, and by royal decree, no non-unicorn was fit to raise one. Her newest charge was proving… difficult. Somehow, the little filly had evaded detection in an earth pony village for five years. Shaking her head at the thought, Dinky had to marvel at the lengths the mother must have gone to keep her daughter’s true nature concealed. And what a fight she’d put up! The guards who’d accompanied Dinky in the retrieval were still recovering. If the mare hadn’t had connections with the nobility, she’d have likely been executed on the spot. Still, the lord who pardoned her was a good sort. One of the few nobles Dinky could stand to be around in all honesty. He’d even expressed tentative interest in taking the filly in, pending his wife’s approval. None of this really mattered much at the moment however. Dinky approached the last bed in the line with a growing sense of dread. It faded a little when she saw the small lump hunched under the covers. With a soft smile she rested a hoof atop the lump, hoping to give the little filly some comfort. Her frown returned as her hoof sank in and… squeaked? Her horn flared as she ripped the covers aside. A single green balloon floated into the air with a little note attached. Just one word. Surprise! Closing her eyes, Dinky had to take several deep, cleansing breaths. She’s just a filly. She missed her mother. It’s not her fault the mare selfishly kept her down in the dirt for so long. She doesn’t know any better. She had to admire the filly’s determination. The walk from Canterlot to Ponyville would take almost the entire night, but somehow she knew exactly where she’d find her. Fluttershy approached the large home timidly. The pegasus had a thick cloak thrown over her back to conceal her wings. As far as anypony in Ponyville was concerned, she was just the eccentric earth pony mare who lived in the Everfree Forest, and ventured into town now and again to see the equally odd party planner for Canterlot’s elite. Gently, she rapped on the door. “Pinkie? Pinkie, it’s Fluttershy…” The door swung open slowly, revealing her friend. Poor Pinkie’s mane and tail were straight as can be, but this wasn’t really unusual. They’d been that way for years now. What was odd was the puffiness around her eyes. “Heya Flutters… c’mon in.” Offering a warm smile to her distraught friend, Fluttershy stepped inside, slinging her cloak off and flexing her wings with a little wince. “Oh I miss getting a proper preening. My bird friends do their best, but it’s… it’s not the same.” Pinkie Pie offered her only remaining real friend a sad smile. “Nothing really is though, is it?” Fluttershy did her best to bring some genuine cheer to Pinkie. “We are! We still have each other right?” The other mare’s smile did indeed brighten a bit at that. “We do. I just wish everypony else was with us.” “How’s Applejack?” Fluttershy glanced around Pinkie’s rather spacious home; one of the largest in Ponyville, really. She was very well paid for her services by the unicorn elite. Quietly of course. If it was publicly known their soirées were put together by a pony from Ponyville, it would be quite the scandal. Never mind that just about all of them used Pinkie’s services. “Not so good. She’s close to losing the farm I think. I offer to help, but you know how she is.” “I do, I’m afraid. Proud and stubborn. Have you tried using Applebloom to um… persuade her more? You know how much she loves her sister.” The house was cluttered. Pinkie used to keep it so clean. The last couple of weeks however, she’d been lax in her work. Both in home and out. The smell of fresh baking cake was working its way from the kitchen. “What’s the occasion?” Pinkie’s face fell and her movements became sluggish once more. She plodded to the kitchen, turning off the oven and sliding the confectionary treat on the counter to cool. “You don’t remember what tomorrow is?” Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “Oh. Oh Pinkie Pie I forgot. I’m so sorry!” Shaking her head, Pinkie just made her way to a plush cushion, collapsing on her side. “D’you mind if we cut our visit short? I’m… not much in the mood for company.” “O— of course Pinkie. I’ll be back in a couple days, alright? We can… we can play a game, hm? Anything you like.” Pinkie didn’t respond. Seeing the formerly cheerful mare so… unhappy just seemed so wrong. As bad and twisted as everything had become for the past five years, Pinkie’s cheer had been a comforting constant to the poor pegasus. Pinkie wouldn’t say how she was spared the spell that changed everypony else. She certainly wasn’t in the Everfree with Fluttershy at the time. At first, Pinkie’s mood was even worse than she was now. All that changed a few months later of course. Shaking her head at the unfairness of it all, Fluttershy secured her cloak and made a swift retreat for the hut she’d inherited from her zebra friend when Zecora departed for her homeland. Times like this, there was always something that never failed to make her feel a little better… Once she was sure Fluttershy had left, Pinkie rolled back to her hooves. She idly ruffled the ears of the dog lying on the cushion beside her. The lazy animal’s tail wagged twice before she drifted back to sleep. Slowly, the mare made her way back to the kitchen to the cooling cake. After staring at its unadorned surface for a time, she began to apply the frosting. Just as the fifth candle was placed in she felt… a shiver; a little tickle up her spine. A familiar tickle, one that only meant one thing. Rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck she prepared herself. “SURPRISE!” With a soft pop of multicolored light, a little filly burst into view right before a shocked looking Pinkie Pie. Of course she knew it was coming, she’d developed a pinkie sense specifically for warning herself of her daughters surprise entrances. The precocious little filly lived to surprise any and everypony hapless enough to cross her path when the mood had taken her. “Did I getcha mom? Did I!?” Laughing, Pinkie scooped the green coated unicorn into her forelegs, hugging her tight to her chest. “You always do, silly-filly.” Giggling in delight, her filly squirmed loose and bounced her way over to the slumbering Isabelle, dark pink mane and tail flailing wildly. Izzy’s yowl heralded the filly’s belly flop onto the larger animals back. Her grin returned to its usual strength, Pinkie lit the five candles on the cake. “C’mon, little filly! You have candles to blow out!” “But my birthday’s not ‘til tomorrow!” Pinkie knew Dinky was likely already on her way to take her daughter back to Canterlot. “I know… but just this once, I think it’ll be ok.” Grinning ear to ear, the filly rocketed to the table, hopping on her mother’s back, then onto the table itself. Sucking in a huge breath, she blew all five candles out in one go. “Did’ya make a wish?” “Yup!” “Don’t tell anypony, or it won’t come true.” Still smiling, the filly shook her head. “I won’t! I promise!” “Good. Now let’s have some cake.” Smiling warmly, the mare cut two large pieces. The happy filly took a moment to gaze down at her cake. Same thing as last year, but that was okay, she knew her mom worked hard to make it look nice. Scrawled in near perfect script was the same message she received every year. Happy Birthday Jubilant Surprise! ----Special thanks to my new editor Opacare Stellata Check out that correct grammar and the spiffy scene breakers!