//------------------------------// // 1. Ponyville (Stop 0) // Story: Dysphoria, Arc 5: Equestria // by thedarkprep //------------------------------// Dysphoria Story by: thedarkprep Arc 5: Equestria 1. Ponyville (Stop 0) “Autumn sure is a pretty season, ain’t it?” The question had been mumbled into the air without a particular audience in mind. As such, it lacked direction and urgency, not unlike most self-reflection, allowing the words to drift through the silent house without purpose or trajectory. The question did not ask for an answer – it simply existed through sound waves and space. And yet, despite all this, the murmur had been enough to draw the attention of Evening Rose. The sound of a falling dress could be heard as Rose distractedly loosened her grip on the hanger, turning to face away from the closet and towards her guest. She was greeted by the sight of an orange mare, staring out the window. The details were hard to make out, as the glare from the light coming from the window forced Rose to squint when looking in that particular direction, rendering her guest a mere silhouette and obscuring whatever the mare was looking at beyond the glass. Rose walked over to the window, standing next to the mare, in order to glance at the outside world. From her window, Rose could see the market square same as it always had been. The square itself changed very little through the year, with the difference in the volume of ponies traversing its surface serving as the only way to differentiate between the seasons. Right now a good number of ponies still walked through the square, much to the delight of those selling goods by their carts. From what Rose could observe, there were too many ponies to walk comfortably down the streets, far too many for summer or winter, in which the scolding heat or the chilling cold respectively swiftly ushered wayward ponies home. However, there were not too many ponies as to render travel difficult, as would be the case during early spring or late fall. For the former of the two, travel was impeded by everypony scattering outside, enjoying the first semblance of nice weather since before the beginning of the winter season. For the latter, ponies were drawn from their homes by the promise of discounts on all matter of food items as the farming community embarked in a last ditch effort to sell any surplus from their harvest. This left the current scene belonging to either late spring or early fall, times of indifference and complacency in which ponies simply rested in preparation for what came next. Not much else changed in the square though, and the lesser volume of ponies, while convenient, could hardly be called “pretty”. Rose scanned the view again, looking for whatever it was she had missed. It was then that she noticed the trees visible just below the horizon. “Of course it would be the trees,” Rose thought to herself as she focused her gaze on one tree in particular. A soft breeze was ruffling the leaves of the tree, causing them to dance and shimmer in the sunlight. The leaves were a multitude of colors, ranging from auburn browns, golden yellows, and even a few stubborn green leaves here and there. Rose had to admit that the scene was rather picturesque, and it was surely to become more so as more of the surrounding trees changed the hues of their foliage to reflect the changing climate. “It is,” said Rose, finally responding to the mare’s statement, “Not as beautiful as winter, but I’ll admit that autumn has its charm.” A snort sounded from beside her. “Really? Winter?” asked Applejack shaking her head in disbelief. “What’s wrong with winter?” asked Rose with mock indignation. “I’ll have you know it’s my favorite season.” “Nothing’s the matter with winter, Rose,” responded Applejack. “It’s just not to my taste is all. The cold gets real bad and the winds pick up, making it awful to be outside; the trees have no leaves, just empty branches, and the snow makes everything so pale and so without color. I don’t know, everything just seems dead or muted. It’s downright depressing is what it is.” Rose looked at her with real indignation. “It’s magical!” she responded, causing Applejack to giggle. “Oh, so just because the trees have leaves and it’s not as cold, autumn is suddenly better?” asked Rose, slightly flustered. “It ain’t about the leaves or the cold, sugarcube. Autumn is just so full of life. There are colors everywhere and everything is always changing and moving… I could stare at the orchards all month and always be caught unaware at how quickly the leaves change or how bright their colors are,” explained Applejack, “Besides; autumn is the season of harvest. It’s the season that provides food for our family so we can survive another year. As a farmer I have a special respect for the season.” “Applejack, you began harvesting in the summer,” Rose deadpanned. “Yeah… but it’s the thought that counts,” Applejack said, smiling sheepishly. Rose sighed. “Fair enough, and it’s a very poetic thought,” Rose conceded. “I should probably write something about it.” “Let me know if you do, and please give me credit and a copy,” said Applejack. “That’ll show Rainbow and Twilight that I can too come up with poetic things.” Rose smiled as she nodded. “Will do, but I’m afraid it’s going to have to wait,” said Rose. “I do have to finish packing before I head to the meeting.” “Oh right,” said Applejack, looking at the clock. “I reckon that’s coming up soon, ain’t it? So you still don’t know what this big project of his is?” Rose shook her head. “No, Dusk has this infuriating habit of keeping me in the dark about things,” she responded. “I honestly think he does it on purpose. In any case, all I know is that he wants me ready to travel by tomorrow, that he’ll lay out his plan for me today, and that whatever his plan is it involves Canterlot.” “He told you that?” asked Applejack. “He did not,” Rose answered, “I only know that because a few of Rarity’s friends seem to be involved in whatever it is he’s planning. Also Octavia wrote me to tell me that there was a huge event being planned for tomorrow so I’m assuming that’s where we’re heading.” “Oh, well that’s nice,” said Applejack, “I’m sure your brother is excited that you’ll be in town.” “Actually,” Rose began, shifting guiltily, “I haven’t told him.” “You didn’t tell your brother you were going to be in Canterlot?” exclaimed Applejack. “Well, I don’t know for sure! He hasn’t really written me recently so there’s nothing for me to answer to, and if I sent him a letter and then didn’t go he’d be heartbroken,” Rose stammered. “This is all Dusk’s fault anyway – if he told me for sure what his plans were then I could write to Perfect, but no! It’s like he assumes that if I already knew all the information I wouldn’t show up to his stupid meeting!” “Well would you?” asked Applejack. “Um... well, maybe,” answered Rose. “But that’s beside the point. He doesn’t know for a fact that I wouldn’t show up and I feel like I deserve that bit of trust.” This caused Applejack to begin laughing, which in turn caused Rose to glare until she herself found herself giggling. The two friends then continued to laugh until they found breath hard to come by. “I really needed that,” Applejack said, gasping for air. “You’re too funny, Rose.” “Well I’m glad I can serve as your amusement,” Rose said, struggling to keep her giggles in check. Eventually the two mares managed to compose themselves. “Well, I reckon I should be heading out,” said Applejack. “You have packing to do and I have apples to collect. Let’s do this again soon, you hear?” “Certainly,” Rose responded, “And I’m sorry that I wasn’t as good a hostess as I usually am. I didn’t expect packing for a month trip to take so long.” Applejack waved off Rose’s apology. “Don’t you worry yourself any, Rose,” she said. “I had plenty of fun and I know how important it is that you prepare. Besides, it’s not like you’re going to be gone that long. A month will go by in no time at all. Just make sure to say goodbye before you leave.” “Just make sure you’re at the train station tomorrow then,” Rose said kiddingly. Rose then walked Applejack downstairs and to the door, giving her a hug before seeing her guest off. “See you tomorrow, ok?” she said. “Eeyup, as long as you promise I’ll be the first you hang out with when you come back,” Applejack said. “Sure thing,” Rose responded, waving as Applejack walked away from her home. Rose waited until the farm pony was out of view before stepping back inside and closing the door, after which the pegasus headed upstairs. “These visits are a lot better when I don’t have ‘life’ to contend with,” mused Rose as she reached her work desk. “I’d almost forgotten that somepony knocking at my door could be fun.” The time following Summer Breeze’s trial had been filled with the peaceful moments that Rose had struggled very hard to attain, and had feared to lose after joining up with Dusk and the Equestrian Equality Envoy. Summer had long since adapted to Ponyville life, and his parents had made it a point to keep Rose informed in the new developments in the colt’s life, each of which made Rose proud and happy to have been able to be of help. With the lack of stress in her life, Rose had been able to fully enjoy the company of her friends, an ability she had lacked when preparing to battle wits with Dr. Theory. Now every dinner party was a tiny bit warmer, each hug lasted the tiniest bit longer, and each smile shone a smidge brighter. Her life was finally a carefree one. “Well, not completely,” Rose thought to herself as she overlooked the papers on her desk. As carefree as Rose’s life had become, it wasn’t as if she hadn’t been expected to have been preparing for her trip. After all, Dusk had made when he wanted to leave town and what he expected Rose to do to prepare very clear, despite having been very vague in what exactly she was preparing for. Rose had known that there was a timer counting down to the following day from the second that Dusk had given her that folder at the park bench. She had known then what she needed to do. However, she had also decided to leave it all to the last possible minute, namely, now. This lack of foresight meant that the past few days had been some rather hectic ones, and while she had managed to accomplish most of the tasks required of her, all she needed to do was look at her partially packed bags in order to know that she would not be able to rest until she got on the train. “Serves me right… Ok, so what do I still need to do?” Rose muttered to herself as she looked over her to-do list. Things to get done: -Ask off work for a month -Pack enough clothing for a month -Get all legal documents changed to my new legal name -Ensure all proper documentation is packed -Send letter to family about Canterlot visit (if it happens) -Set up mail forwarding to Triple-E headquarters for the next month -Reschedule Cheerilee Information Meet -Get written validation of E.E.E. trans-protection initiative from Dr. Theory -Include written statements -Copies of research analysis -Report summary -Written confirmation -Attend Dusk’s meeting “Well, I can send the letter on overnight mail if my suspicions about a Canterlot visit prove right and there is no way I have time for another back and forth with Theory to get the copies of the analysis, so Dusk will just have to deal,” Rose thought as she scanned the list, crossing off the corresponding entry. “That leaves finishing packing.” Rose looked at the pile of clothes scattered on her bed and floor, turning to look between it, the closet, and her half-full bag. Walking slowly she went over to the closet, picking up the dress she had dropped earlier, placing it delicately into her open luggage. “Ok, now all I need is 3 more formal outfits, 2 more casual ones, 2 more dresses, and 4 more overcoats or jackets,” she said while examining her open bags before looking for said items in her closet or in the surrounding mess. “I really hope this is worth it, Dusk,” she muttered before she began wading through the clothes. “Well, if it isn’t Ms. Rose! I’m so glad you could make it. I wasn’t sure you actually would, so this is a very nice surprise.” Rose rolled her eyes at the blue stallion. “Right, because you wouldn’t have members of your team tracking me if you suspected me of backing out,” Rose said. “I can see it now – members of the Triple-E following me since you gave me the packet, ready to jump out of bushes if I attempted to run.” Dusk raised an eyebrow. “You noticed them?” Rose stared open-mouthed as he was overcome with giggles, which in turn made her clench her jaw. “You’re no fun, Ms. Rose,” he said. “No matter. Do come in.” Dusk stepped aside letting Rose into his hotel room, closing the door behind her. “You redecorated,” Rose commented. “It’s… imaginative.” Rose had been in this room before, but the last time she had been here the mess of papers had been confined to the floor and the combined surface areas of the bed and the work desk. Now, however, papers were tacked on or nailed onto the walls of the room in small clusters, collaging to form a wallpaper of Dusk’s plans, ideas, and memos. “Oh, you know, I was tired of having all the papers on the floor,” Dusk commented while smirking. “Figured I might as well keep them where I can see them.” “Doesn’t explain why the floor is still covered in papers then,” Rose thought to herself but nodded, much to Dusk’s amusement. Instead of speaking, Rose walked over to the other two ponies in the room, who were in turn busy studying a collection of papers which lay on Dusk’s bed. “Right, introductions, right,” Dusk said as he approached the group. “This is Mr. Organizer and that over there is Ms. Timetable. Mr. Organizer, Ms. Timetable, this is Ms. Rose.” The two ponies turned to look at the mare, nodding their hellos. “Nice to meet you Rose. I’m assuming that it IS just Rose and that Dusk here added the Ms?” said Organizer, to which Rose nodded. “Figures. The same’s with me and Timetable here. In any case, glad to hear you’re joining us.” “Nice to meet you as well, Organizer,” Rose responded studying the earth pony. The stallion looked to be the oldest in the room, sporting a clay-red coat and a dark brown mane. Rose then turned to face Timetable, a bluish purple pegasus about her own age with a green mane. The mare, however, took no notice of the onlooker, as she had already turned back to look at the papers before her. “Oh, don’t mind Timetable here, she’s just wrapped up in work,” Organizer commented. “It’s difficult to break her away from it for any period of time.” “Did somepony say my name?” the mare asked, causing Organizer to chuckle. “Unless she hears her name apparently, and yes, say hi at least before going back to what you were doing.” Timetable looked at Rose before blushing. “I’m so sorry about that, I was just thinking about… well, it’s no matter. Nice to meet you, Rose,” she said. “I’ve read a lot about you and I’m glad that you joined the project. Not that I didn’t think you would, after all, without you this project would be pointless, but still, you worried us there for a while, almost put us off schedule, almost…” Rose tilted her head but said nothing. “Well ok then,” said Dusk, interrupting the silence. “Now that introductions are over how about we get back to business?” This caused Rose to snap back at attention. “Wait, you mean you’re actually going to share your plans with me?” Rose asked, causing Dusk to scoff. “Rose Rose Rose. I already shared my plan with you, you just need to pay more attention,” he said smiling. “No, no more mind games,” said Rose. “I’m too tired to put up with this today, Dusk. Just tell me what we’re doing and when, and do cut back on the theatrics?” Organizer and Timetable stifled giggles while Dusk narrowed his eyes. He then took a deep sigh. “You’re no fun Rose,” he said. “Very well, go look at the papers on the bed.” Rose complied, walking to the side of the bed. The bed was covered in papers, each grouped around certain points of a map of Equestria. The map itself was covered in scribbles and notes, with certain cities being circled and certain notes tacked on in specific regions. Rose recognized this map, as she had seen it last time she had been here, but, just like last time, she found herself unable to decipher it. Timetable gave her a knowing look. “It’s ok,” she mentioned. “It takes a while to get used to his hoofwriting. It was years before I could read any of his letters.” “Good to know it’s not just me then,” Rose responded. “But that still does not help me understand what this project is.” “Have you ever dreamed of being a rock star, Rose?” asked Dusk, interrupting the conversation. “Not particularly, no,” Rose said. “Why?” “Because this project of ours is a tour of sorts,” Dusk said dramatically. Rose stared at him with an un-amused look on her face, causing him to sigh again. “Fine fine, but seriously, no fun,” he said. “Anyway, we have named the project that we have been working on ‘Project Equestria,’ an idea which was started the second news about you broke through the mainstream and which will serve as the main and primary effort towards ensuring transgender rights.” He waited to make sure Rose was following along before continuing. Rose nodded. “The project will be an information campaign, much like what you and your friends did here in Ponyville, but to a much grander scale. Our version of it will still have the celebration dynamic and more complete versions of your information pamphlets, but it will also include speeches by you and other speakers and an answer and question section, not to mention that we have already secured the attendance of key political figures,” he explained. “This project will take us on various stops across Equestria, and each stop we make will attempt to sway the public, but specifically the key figures of each city, in an attempt to get them to rally their towns.” Dusk then drew Rose’s attention to the map. “This trip will involve seven stops altogether. We’ll be leaving to Canterlot tomorrow for the first event, then we’ll be leaving to go to Cloudsdale, then Vanhoover, then down to Los Pegasus. After that we’ll be going all the way to Baltimare, followed by FillyDelphia, then up to Manehattan for the final stop. We don’t actually know how long each stop will take, since depending on what happens, the set up, and travel times, we could be stuck in a city for a while before moving on to the next. At least, this will take a week, which is unlikely; at most, it will take a month.” Rose nodded along as she studied the map. “We’re not stopping at Appleloosa or Dodge City?” Dusk smiled. “We don’t have to,” he said. “Appleloosa is pretty much controlled by the Apple family; whatever they say goes. And Dodge City is pretty dependent on Appleloosa, to where they will mimic anything they do in order to have good intercity commerce. Well, while you were spending your time giving me attitude and playing counselor to Spring and Timber all summer, I was actually getting a head start on this project. The Apple family was more than accommodating in regards to helping me deal with Mr. Braeburn, who himself was a great help. Anyway, long story short, those two cities are now enacting the very policies we’re going to go promote without us having had to go there.” “Interesting that Applejack never mentioned any of this to me,” Rose commented. “Did you ask her?” Dusk asked. “No,” Rose said, shaking her head. “There was always too much going on.” “Well there you go.” Rose studied the map again before she noticed something. “We’re not stopping at Ponyville?” she asked. Dusk looked surprised, turning his attention to the map. “Um… no, you see, you already pretty much did all that work for us,” he said, “Your information campaign, Summer’s trial, even the Granite incident, all of it made it so that Ponyville does not need the Equestrian Equality Envoy to intervene. They’re already on our side.” Rose nodded, though she still looked crestfallen. “I guess that make sense,” she said. Dusk looked at her with uncertainty before grabbing a marker. “How about this,” he said, circling Ponyville and adding a squiggle beside it. “We’ll make Ponyville the eighth stop on our tour, and instead of having an information campaign, it will be a celebration in which we invite everypony from wherever they may live to come and celebrate equal rights. After all, next time we step onto Ponyville, we’ll already have done everything we need to guarantee Equestrian Equality for all transponies.” “Can we really do that?” asked Rose. “Set up a party? I’m sure we can, with permission of the mayor and with the help of your friends of course,” he responded, “Guaranteeing equality for transponies? I know we can with your help. Thanks to you the world will be a better place, with some help from our group of course.” Rose chuckled. “Of course,” she said, “Well, works for me. Eight is my favorite number anyway. In any case, now I know what we’re doing as a group and what the project is, but what do I have to do specifically?” Dusk thought for a moment. “Well, first things first. Did you get the papers from Dr. Theory?” “Kind of,” Rose responded while pulling papers from her saddlebag and handing them to Dusk. “I got everything except for the copies of the research analysis.” Dusk looked over the papers as he spoke. “That’s fine. If anyone doubts the research they can be referred to his practice in Vanhoover. The important part was his findings and conclusions, which will serve us very well,” he said. “Timetable, please go to the post office and have these mailed to HQ in express delivery. Also send a letter to HQ, attached to this, telling them to add the findings to the pamphlets for stops two through seven. Stop one will have to do without it as I’m sure they’ve already prepared that batch of pamphlets for mailing. Oh, and do tell them be tactful about it this time. Design isn’t everything, but it matters.” Timetable nodded, taking the papers from Dusk and rushing out the door. “As for you, Ms. Rose,” Dusk continued. “All you need to do is finish packing. We don’t have to worry about the individual events at each stop, as they are being handled by the local Triple-E offices in each city, meaning that all you have to worry about is giving a speech about your experience and answering questions. I’d tell you to write a speech down, but I get the feeling you’re one of those ‘straight from the heart’ type of ponies anyway.” “I do like to improvise,” answered Rose with a smirk. “In any case, I finished packing already for the trip.” “Splendid,” said Dusk. “Then in that case I need you to go home and rest up. I need you awake and ready at the train station in time for the first train.” “I will be there,” Rose said. “Oh, and Dusk, I really want to thank you.” Dusk stared at her with genuine confusion. “I want to thank you for getting me involved, and for pushing me,” Rose continued. “We’re going to do a lot of good for a lot of ponies. You were right and I needed your help seeing that.” Dusk smiled. “No worries my dear, and don’t thank me just yet, we still need to make sure my plan works,” he responded. “In any case, I will see you tomorrow. To Canterlot!” Rose smiled back. “To Canterlot.”