//------------------------------// // The Millenium Mystery Archives. Transmission No. 1989. // Story: Regarding the Bull of Bashan Affair // by Lisboa //------------------------------// ...There was yet another drought in the land of Equestria. A series of heat waves have been punishing the land with temperatures rising up to 45 °C during summer, and about 25 °C in what should be winter. Winter Wrap Ups are not what they used to be in less than three years after the first incident. Which incident? Allow me, fellow sentient being to give you a small introduction. As you know, we civilized ponyfolk rely on Pegasi Weather Control, which has several factories over the skies of this land, all owned by the monopolist empire of Cloudsdale Co. Of course, the headquarters of the corporation are located in the biggest sky city of Equestria, Cloudsdale, providing quality weather control to the Imperial Capital, Canterlot, and in a lesser extent, neighboring Ponyville. The Mayor of Cloudsdale is also the president of the Confederacy of Sky Cities of Equestria and answers directly to Canterlot. Especially since Cloudsdale Co. became a state company, he also has authority to preside over Weather Control Factories in the absence of the CEO. Thus, any issue with any factory becomes quickly a national security matter. In this context, during the first drought a Pegasus male worker of Factory Number 1: Clousdale HQ, name unknown (some unconfirmed sources define his name as “Featherhawk”) suffered from a seizure during flight, due to a heat stroke. He fell all the way and crashed into Ponyville in a rather gruesome manner. Pictures are too graphic to be shown even in this late night transmission. In less than three minutes, not Ponyville Police, nor Cloudsdale Gendarmerie, but Canterlot Royal Guards made an appearance, picked up the poor worker’s corpse, erased his records, relocated his family, and refused to give any other public statement but: “There are no reports of any missing pegasus worker whatsoever.” That information got leaked to our program by an anonymous source just yesterday. Its transcendence is such that I decided to inform of this in such a short time to all of you, my dear rational audience. You see, he isn’t the first victim of the hot temperatures that got covered up. Since Featherhawk, there have been several vanishings of known and unknown pegasi in Cloudsdale and also in other sky cities. I’m in possession of a fairly big document which contains a considerable number of pegasi that have been reported missing or dead in mysterious manner. Of course, none of the key personnel of Cloudsdale Co. have issued any public statement on this matter, not even after the unexpected passing of former CEO Mr. Air Errand who, by the way, also forms part of the list of possible casualties. The City Hall employees including mayor and possibly acting CEO Blue Halo haven't been heard from since. Pegasi in general are evasive on the matter as well. They either play unawareness or truly ignore what is going on in their own city. That, coupled with the fact that they have unique information that is inaccessible to ground-dwelling folk or the authorities due to their unreachable heights, and natural inability to adapt to sky environments shrouds this “global warming” phenomena even deeper into mystery. Ground living pegasi have been targeted for extrajudiciary interrogations, with torture, harassing and foal-kidnapping possibilities not so farfetched. For which other reason could there be that not even the Wonderbolts have toured in Ponyville, Appleloosa, Manehattan or any other ground city? Pegasi are no longer welcome in the ground. Canterlot authorities were even more uncooperative when approached. They either refused to give any information, or simply ignored all the questions I personally submitted. Audience with the Princess was denied to me for the 132th time. What is happening? Is there any issue with Weather Control? Are pegasi keeping silence on purpose? Will this get worse? Will unicorn and earth pony folk suffer the consequences of apparent pegasi inaction? I am Dr. Phony Falssan, from your favorite TV show “The Millennium Mystery Archives”. Everything related to the most interesting subject of the UFO phenomena, paranormal activity, the spiritual world and what the powerful do when the public eye is not present. Stay tuned, and remember: A whole world is watching us. Don’t forget to visit our Canterlot branch of the Paranormal Taste Corner Restaurant: too tasty it has to be from another world! As you know, it is a sidebuisness which I attend personally, so you all know where to find me. If something happens to catch your eye, don’t hesitate to visit and show me your discoveries for the world to see!…After buying a super combo of three sandwiches and a massive beverage for only twenty-four bits! Now, after these messages: More sightings of an unknown horned creature have been report- - The TV got turned off from afar. Darn that remote control, she always keeps it somewhere. A little unicorn filly turned her head to see the remote control levitating on the air with blue magic. That confirmed her suspicions. It was her big sister, who else? "Sweetie Belle, why are you up this late now? Didn’t I tell you that midnight TV shows are not meant for little children like you?" "But Dr. Falssan was talking about the hot days we’re having lately…" Sweetie Belled responded. Rarity rolled her eyes. "Oh Sweetie! That show is nothing but conspiracy theories made so anypony has somepony to blame of all the problems we have." Sweetie Belle looked at her sister while she walked to the bedroom and followed. Carefully as always Rarity snuggled into the sheets of her bed. "...His constipacy theories kinda make sense you know…" She finally said. "Of course they do." Said Rarity sarcastically while putting on her sleeping mask. "They are MADE to make sense. Seriously, I really don’t see what Mom and Dad see so interesting of that program." She sighed. "Well, he always makes anything sound interesting." "Oh, that certainly didn’t help him when he got kicked out of Equestria News because of that scandal, now did it?" "He got fired of his job? How that happened?" A gossip lover that she was, she was about to say Oh, where to start? It was the bomb back then... but, reconsidering, she preferred to cut the conversation for the sake of her precious beauty sleep time. "Hush, Sweetie. Wait until tomorrow...it’s the least you can do for making me wake up this late." Sweetie Belle groaned in frustration. Then she yawned. It was about to take a deep breath when she perked up. No way she would leave the window closed again. It really was hot. - Sugarcube Corner. Beyond Midnight. "So THAT’S why you kept me awake up until this late, Pinkie?" Twilight Sparkle blinked and turned her head to face her wide-smiling pink friend. "Oh it’s not like you don’t stay up late with your studies, Twilight. Besides, you have no TV in the Library." "Of course we don’t. It’s forbidden by ME." "Well, Gummy wanted somepony else to chat with, and this guy came with a kinda inetresting idea about these HOT days we've been having…" Pinkie stretched her neck and stared into Twilight in a inquisitive manner. Twilight just facehoofed and said it. "That guy is as nutty as his program. He simply can’t be taken seriously. I mean, is he SO desperate to announce his own restaurant in his show? Think: a late night show that has a very low rating and a low audience…how much credibility does that can possibly have? Those programs get pushed in the last places of schedules so normal ponies wouldn’t complain but still airing because it still has a profitable audience. It’s all about bits, really." Pinkie Pie gave Twilight a blank stare. It was a wonder how she understood far more complicated things rather than simple economics. “Either is that or maybe he really believes what he is talking about and affords a place on TV with his own bits; though that only makes him even crazier.” A curl of the smiling mare dropped. Twilight continued. “Can you imagine this guy telling the truth after showing flat out forged evidence of so-called UFOs?” Twilight then stood up giving a disgusted look at the thought of ponies actually believing Falssan. “Ugh…such a very original way to explain the drought we are facing now. Whoops, it’s a cover-up of the government, somepony help us!” She waved her hooves in the air imitating a hysterical mare. Pinkie sighed. She really looked for any other answer besides the most widely-accepted theory: Pegasi were responsible for this climate change. How or why was another mystery to be solved, and their silence only made things worse. “So…you still think...” “May Fluttershy and Rainbow forgive us, but their fellow pegasi are not doing their job properly. Maybe they’re slaking, or on a strike, or even worse…it’s like they have a hidden agenda or something.” Pinkie pie gave her a worried look. “How can you doubt Dashie and Fluttershy?” “I didn’t mean that. But I believe that whoever is behind this is luring all pegasi to fulfill whatever goal he or she is planning. That includes them both, and we need answers to be able to help them. They’ve been silent for too long.” "Dashie hasn't come here for almost a year. And Fluttershy just acts as if it isn't happening. Even ponies are mean to her now." "That's why secrets are dangerous, Pinkie. Specially those who affects us all. So many secrets will make even somepony as sweet and kind like Fluttershy to be frown upon." Pinkie Pie sighed again. Twilight then speaked on a more stern tone. "And speaking of doubt. If you are considering that Canterlot is somehow covering information, that speaks a lot for the trust you have for the Princess." Pinkie Pie gave her a shocked look: "But, but Twilight! I trust the Princess and I trust you! But...if she could just say even a teensy-weensy bit of a command that tells us what to do...or even coming here for a split millisecond to remind us that she's there..." "Pinkie, you're an Element Bearer! This kind of questoning is for somepony who hasn't known the Princess beyond her official visits, but not from US. She's not only my mentor. She is my friend. And she is your friend too." "I...I..." Pinkie's fur was losing it's color and her lip began to tremble. Twilight quickly let the guilt take the better of her and embraced her friend before her hair deflated comepletely. "Pinkie, Pinkie no. Hush, hush...it's OK." Pinkie resisted a sob. "It's not your fault. This is normal in friendships. I'm sorry having to say it that way." "You're right, Twi. I was being so Out of Character right now. So Un-Pinkie." Twilight smiled and was about the add more of her two cents when Pinkie changed the subject. "Hey! What about some late night cake!" Twilight broke the hug and gave her a frowned look. "Now?" "It's NEVER too late for cake!" Twilight raised a hoof. "No, I think I must get going now. I'll catch you tomorrow and see if we can hang out with the rest." "Aww you betcha!" "I suppose Fluttershy hasn't told you if Rainbow Dash will show up at all, has she?" "Nopey." "It's all right. She might tell us something tomorrow." Pinkie was so used to Fluttershy's silence that she gave up asking and just hoped that someday she would have some mercy and finally say anything. Besides, maybe Fluttershy knew as much as them. Not Twilight, tough. She would keep asking and investigating until Rainbow Dash finally showed up. Her status as a princess could have helped to clear up some things, but some rather hollow and ceremonial activities at the Crystal Empire had kept her busy enough. Pinkie trotted to the door to open it. Twilight stepped outside and turned. "But I'll tell you this: Once Rainbow shows up, she won't leave until she tells us what is going on." Twilight gave Pinkie a complicity wink, then marched to the Library. Pinkie waved at her, bidding her friend a good night, then she gazed at Cloudsdale in the sky. The city looked pretty lively in the nighttime before, almost as another beacon besides the moon over Ponyville. Now it was different. It rarely turned the lights on and some nights it never turned on their light at all. She yawned and closed the door. Back in her room she really wished that whatever the reason, or the outcome of this situation, all of her pegasi friends, specially Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, will be alright. - Sweet Apple Acres. Early morning. “So how bad is it, Big Mac?” Applejack was catching on her brother as he stopped to watch a yellowed tree with few and small fruits attached to them. These last droughts were hitting hard on every plantation in Equestria. Sweet Apple Acres was not the exception. "Worst than I thought, sis." Big Macintosh said quietly and with a sense of worry only Applejack knew. She just knew something wasn't right when Mac of all ponies was worried. "My gosh! Are we trough?" "Nope. Not this year." Said Big Mac. Applejack sighed in relief and fanned her hat on his face. "Sheesh, don’t scare me like that, Big Macintosh! So it’s another full Applebuck Season right?" "Half a harvest sis. Not enough for cider festival. THEN we’ll be trough next Year." Farmers had a different perception of time and seasons. A year was a painfully short time. It was a gamble. To stay and hope for things to get better was too risky. "Well, a lot of things can happen in a year, right?" "Hopefully, but this weather ain’t no help." "What in tarnation are those pegasi doing anyway?" "They really should be where they belong thinking and doing something to sort this mess out. Any other way they are kicked out or forced to talk. Better for them." Applejack didn't sense contempt in her brother's words, but relief. It was defintely better for them to stay away rather than showing up. The way ground-living pegasi were treated was bad enough that she believed those in the sky were having it easy. She remembered the day Fluttershy's house was vandalized almost one year ago. Urged by her friends she issued a complaint on the City Hall. She was met with the mayor's inability to do much because it was the majority's sentiment and she could make things worse if she sanctioned earth ponies for the sake of one pegasus. Fluttershy pressed charges anyway, not for her own sake, but for the animals she was sheltering. She hoped also for the situation to catch the attention of Canterlot authorities. Twilight, as a princess was called to Canterlot. Hopes were rising up as Ponyville believed that finally actions were going to be taken. Twilight returned disappointed with a series of new laws and recommendations to maintain the peace in Ponyville and other cities that could have any similar situations, rather than any statements about the droughts or even a command of the pegasi to talk as the townsfolk hoped. Ponyville reluctantly took the advice, but in their own earth-pony majority way. The vandals who stoned Fluttershy's house were put into communitarian service and repaired the damages, much to their dismay, for they thought they could get away with it since they counted with the town's apathy and with a few supporters on their side, specially earth supremacists who started to show their true colors. From then on, natural pegasi with both pegasi parents had to escape from earth cities or else they were subject to questioning. Earth settlements then passed a law where they were obligated to provide information or else, they wouldn't be allowed to enter their cities. No natural pegasi was heard from again. Rainbow Dash had to flee, with some quick, evasive visits to her friends, getting almost caught a few times and literally with a bounty on her capture if she ever showed up. Pegasi born from one or both groundfolk parents had to permanently wear an ID. There was no prosecution, but still, earth ponies and unicorns alike didn't want to cross words with them at all. Some had to hide their wings with clothing. Natural pegasi that moved to the ground before the incidents like Fluttershy had to have proper identification even outside their houses, and had to proove that they didn't knew anything about the incidents, droughts or any involvement with sky pegasi or Cloudsdale CO. Those who had family working or living in Cloudsdale had to flee as well. Earth ponies and unicorns alike had to go, for they could be used as baits for information ransom. Things started to go out of hand when pagasi foals started to disappear. They were kidnapped for information. Those practices were heavily prosecuted and scarce, not to mention fruitless, because all of the kidnapped foals where of groundfolk parents or registered pegasi. Pegasi weren't allowed to travel without an earth pony companion and flying over three meters was a crime. Most had to simply stop flying altogether to avoid popular confrontation, anyway. "All of this just for refusing to talk." Thought Applejack. "I bet this half a harvest that whatever they're hiding is so big that they are willing to endure all of this." She pulled the cart with the few fruits the last tree she bucked had to offer. "Please be alright, Rainbow Dash. We are worried sick about you."