//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Miss Sparkle Goes to Canterlot // by Fon Shaolin //------------------------------// Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth – Twilight Sparkle couldn’t sit still if her life depended on it. Her library was a bit full with all her friends inside, but the ponies gave her the space she had all but demanded. None of her friends had it in them to deny her. The fervor that had overtaken the crowd upon Twilight “consenting” to run in the representative race had shocked everypony. She hadn’t even gotten a chance to say anything about the situation before ponies were already swarming the poll watchers with their preliminary votes to get the unicorn on the ballot. With all the reporters and important ponies congratulating her on her candidacy, she hadn’t gotten a chance to actually process what she’d just been shanghaied into. She had been whisked from the main office by somepony’s staff to fast-track the process of applying before the voting began. Twilight honestly couldn’t tell who they were if she were pressed for an answer; her head hadn’t even stopped spinning yet. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you don’t stop yer pacing, Twilight.” Applejack, and all the rest, had done all she could and stuck by her friend as she was shuffled around, but there was only so much six ponies could do when an entire crowd had been caught up in a moment. They had managed to get her away from the polling stations eventually, though. Twilight looked over at her friends, sighed, and plopped down at her writing desk. As much as she just wanted to explode on them (more than once, even) she reined herself in. It wasn’t their fault – she had been the one to open her big mouth. She should have just stood there, let O’Banga do his speech, and then left. Celestia curse her tendency to babble! Darn it, darn it, darn it! Rarity grabbed Twilight’s mane before she could slam her head into her desk again. “Come now, Darling, it’s not that bad.” She smoothed out the ruffled bits of Twilight’s hair and gave the other unicorn a dainty pat on the back, though the words didn’t exactly reach her expression. “True, you were caught by every major newspaper in the county looking like…well, you, but this whole thing will blow over. You’ll see.” From the way things had progressed after getting on the ballot, Twilight doubted it would ever “blow over” like Rarity said. “Rarity, ponies will be talking about this for years! ‘Do you remember the time that Twilight Sparkle made a complete mule of herself in front of everypony in the Tenth Equestrian District? I sure do!’” Twilight let out a loud groan and shook off her friend’s hoof. “I can’t even imagine what kinds of things the Princess will think when she hears of this! I was sent to Ponyville to discover the magic of friendship, not try and overthrow the local political system!” “Overthrow the…? Twilight, you’re being stupid!” Rainbow Dash trotted over to the table and shooed Rarity away. “Listen to yourself! So you told some old stallion to stop lying to everypony – that’s not a bad thing! If the princess thinks it is, we’ll all march straight to Canterlot and change her mind. Right guys?” There was a general agreement from Twilight’s other friends and Twilight actually began to perk up a bit. “But,” Spike called out, sounding hesitant, “what if she wins?” Rainbow Dash took it in stride. “If she wins then she wins!” She sounded much more confident than Twilight felt, but, then, that was just how Dash always was. “Twilight would be better than any of those other ponies anyway.” As her friends all agreed, Twilight sniffed and lifted her head up off the table. What had she done to deserve friends like them? “Thank you, girls. I’d probably be halfway to Hoofnhammer if it wasn’t for all of you.” She turned to her assistant and patted his head. “And don’t you worry about me winning, Spike. The chances of me actually winning are practically nothing at all – I don’t have a platform, or any experience, or notoriety outside of Ponyville. If anypony actually voted for me over their first pick after only a few words…” Twilight laughed to herself. “Well, I have more faith in ponies than that.” “I voted for you!” Pinkie piped from the kitchen. She emerged balancing a tray of drinks and late-night snacks on her rump which she passed out to her friends. “I think you’d do a great job, Twilight! You always know what to do when a problem comes up here in Ponyville, so why couldn’t you do that for everypony?” Twilight levitated a cracker and cup of tea off Pinkie’s tray. As the warm liquid slid down her throat, she felt much more soothed. She had overreacted, like always, and it took her best friends to sort her out. “That’s nice of you to say, but I’m not even technically out of school. Being a representative requires a lot of experience and know-how, especially for a district like Briarwood.” “Oh, so I shouldn’t tell you that you’re going to win?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Yer Pinkie Sense telling ya that?” Pinkie giggled. “No, silly!” She put her hoof up to her ear and pulled out a little white earbud. “The pony on the radio is!” Twilight’s eyes went wide and she bolted from her desk. “Spike! Radio!” She knew the library had one somewhere, though she didn’t listen to it very much. As the little dragon scrambled for the broom closet, Twilight grabbed her friend’s shoulders and, for lack of a better term, started freaking out. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?! I didn’t think they would have the results this quick!” She was shaking the bemused earth pony so much that Pinkie’s pupils were starting to bob up and down as well. “I-I-I didn’t th-think you wanted to kno-w-w-wwww.” Spike saved the day when he dragged a large wooden radio up from the basement. Twilight bolted over to it and yanked it up with magic, depositing the old radio in the center of the room. Pinkie hopped over to it and flipped the big switch on the side while Twilight gnawed on her bottom lip. It crackled to life with a high-pitched tone noise, but Pinkie was already zooming through the stations. Twilight caught one or two mentions of the election, but every time she tried to tell Pinkie to stop the earth pony gave her a coy look and shook her head. “We gotta listen to the Canterlot Broadcasting Station! Ponyville representing there every night with DJ Pon3!” “Pinkie, I don’t think Twilight cares about the latest club track right now,” Rainbow Dash interjected. “But we’re gonna have to have a party after all this is over and we can’t have a party without music! Plus, Scratch is counting on us to spread the word about her newest single and—” “Pinkie!” “Oh, fine,” Pinkie mumbled as she fiddled with the radio’s nobs. “You guys can be real Grumpy Gilda’s, you know?” Nopony was really listening to their party-minded friend, though, and Pinkie eventually settled down with them as well. The rich, deep voice of a news anchor filtered through the speakers and told of preliminary results and exit polling, giving a promise that an update would come in the next few minutes. To Twilight Sparkle, though, minutes seemed like eternities. Finally, just as she was about to start pacing again, the advertisement for a new brand of automatic quill ended and the station went silent. Suddenly, a serious-sounding jingle started blaring from the radio. Papers shuffled and a stallion cleared his throat. “Ladies and Gentlecolts, thank you for joining the Canterlot Broadcasting Station and our coverage of Decision Briarwood. It is currently seven minutes after the hour and representatives of candidates Mac Lane, O’Banga, and Mountroamer will be holding a joint press conference within the hour. As it stands, Mayor Mac Lane was the last holdout of the three major candidates to not unofficially concede after the ballots passed the 47th percentile. We are six hours after the closure of major polling stations in Ponyville, the district’s host for this election cycle. Polling stations in Fillydelphia, Trottingham, and Green River closed an hour later and their ballots have already been magically transferred to the town hall in Ponyville where several Canterlot electoral officiaries are standing by at this hour overseeing the ballot arrival and sorting.” Twilight fell back on her haunches, stunned. “Mac…Mac Lane was the last of the three major candidates to concede? None of them won?” Somepony said something behind her, but her head felt like it had been filled with cotton – the only thing getting through was the news anchor on the radio. “Now that there is some time, allow me to recount this evening’s ballot numbers as tabulated by our in-house estimators. So far, the leading candidate, Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, is trending near fifty percent in all of our exit polls.” There were gasps from everypony but Rainbow Dash (who uttered a loud “buck yeah!”) and Twilight herself. The unicorn simply rocked on her back legs, forelegs grasping her hind legs, like a buoy in a lake. The cyan-coated pegasus was more than enthusiastic enough for her catatonic friend. She did a few loop-de-loops in the limited space of the library and swooped down to give Twilight a hug. “Can you believe it?! You won! You really, really won!” “But I don’t want to win!” Twilight replied, scandalized. “Why would anypony vote for me? I didn’t even have a platform!” “Well, you smacked-down that slick-talking zebra! Ponies saw just how awesome you could be!” Twilight’s horn lit up and Rainbow Dash yelped as she was forcibly pushed away. “That’s not how something like this should be done, Rainbow Dash! I was mad that nopony was giving any concrete answers to anything, but that doesn’t mean I’m any better! You should vote for somepony that honestly wants to help the ponies here in Briarwood and make their lives better.” “But, because you know that, doesn’t that make you the better choice?” All of the ponies turned to Pinkie Pie. She was still listening to the radio, but there was a big smile on her face. Rarity set her jaw. “Pinkie Pie is absolutely right, Twilight. It’s your choice to go through with it or not, but I certainly think you’re more than qualified. As much as I adore Councilpony O’Banga, I’d be much more at ease with you looking out for us.” One by one, Twilight sought out her friend’s eyes. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, what she was considering, but they didn’t act like they were just sparing her feelings. They honestly thought she should do it: actually become a representative. And it scared Twilight Sparkle to death. “Ladies and gentlemen, there has been a development that is slightly changing our scheduling.” The deep voice of the Radio’s anchorpony was a welcome distraction for the unicorn. He let her get away from her friend’s encouraging looks, at least for a little while. “Our press pool has been informed that Mayor Mac Lane will be making a separate statement from the other candidates. We’re cutting over to his campaign headquarters in Trottingham now.” The radio went silent for a moment. Twilight slumped back down while her friends edged closer to the box and tried to get her thoughts back in order. Her friend’s words conflicted with what her brain was telling her – that she would somehow make a mistake and let everypony down. Twilight couldn’t count the number of times she’d made a little problem in Ponyville even larger because she didn’t know what to do. There was a crackle as the radio came back to life. “We apologize for the slight delay, but our equipment is now properly set up.” More than a few cheers peppered the broadcast when Mac Lane was announced. A tap on the microphone signaled that he wanted to speak. “Thank everypony for coming down here on such short notice,” he began. “I realize that this is a bit of a shock and I apologize to the other candidates who are waiting to do a joint press conference – my wife outranks them, though.” The crowd laughed at the joke and a few clapped. “When she heard I was paying for part of somepony else’s campaign out of pocket, well, let’s just say that I had to hoof it home to settle her down. Now, I realize that a lot of ponies are waiting for me to make this official, so I will right now: Congratulations to Representative Sparkle for taking, my staff tells me, well over half the votes. This just proves what I thought when I said I’d make sure she got on the ballot – that she was the best pony for the job.” To Twilight’s horror a few boos came through the radio. To her surprise, the mayor spoke up immediately. “Now, that’s not the type of behavior I want to see from my supporters. I realized something up on that stage and I hope all of you did too. Miss Sparkle is, in the end, exactly what the office of Representative calls for. She is young and intelligent, with ideas going through her head that would put any of us to shame. Why, if half the things I’ve been told about her are true then I expect Briarwood to have one of the most dynamic turnarounds in all of Equestria by the time the year’s out.” “Now, I’m going to take some questions from the press because I can see that they’re chomping at the bit. I’ll let the Fillydelphia Gazette have the first one.” The crowd hushed. “What are your plans now, Mayor? Are you going to run for Mayor of Trottingham again?” “I’m afraid not. The decision to not run for mayor again was difficult, but it goes back to my decision to help Miss Sparkle the way I did. Representatives, mayors, city councilmen – these positions shouldn’t be taken by old-hat career politicians. People as old as me should be helping a new generation of driven and responsible ponies get into civil service.” There were few polite claps from the gathered supporters, though Twilight could tell they were still unhappy. She didn’t blame them. “That said, it leaves the important question of what I plan to do next. I am not ready to retire and I’ve already seen one talented young mare start her path. What’s left for me is to put my years of service in Trottingham to better use. I ask that everypony that supported me in this campaign to support me in my next – the run for Royal Governor!” Rarity let out a small huff of air. “Royal Governor? My, my, my; he’s really reaching for the top.” Twilight couldn’t help but agree. There were only four governors in all of Equestria, each responsible for a division of the land. They didn’t sit on any council and were only responsible to the crown. Ferrous Fetch, the current Royal Governor of the southern division, had been at his spot for the last two decades and had never gone against a real competitor. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, though, it looked like he was going to get one this cycle. “Any other questions? I see a hoof in the back – yes, the mare from the Hoofington Post.” “Yes, did you say that you made your contribution to Representative Sparkle’s campaign out of your own pocket? Did the other candidates do so as well?” “I don’t know the finances of my former opponents, but I knew I did not feel it was right to use campaign money to fund what is, ultimately, a personal political contribution. I have to chalk my original words up to my excitement. Anything else?” From here the questions went on to more mundane topics like what he had planned for the year between the start of the governor’s race or how he intended to keep his campaign together for so long. None of that really mattered to Twilight Sparkle – she was still going over what the stallion had said about her; had said about her on a radio interview that was probably being carried all over the district. She was flattered, embarrassed, and worried all at the same time. The mayor of Trottingham had said she’d make a better representative than he would. To Twilight, that was saying something. Mac Lane had been in politics for decades now and he had used his own money to help get her the position she had never thought about wanting. “Well, you already have one big fan, Twilight,” Spike said. “Yeah, I guess so.” Twilight still wasn’t sure she wanted to go through with it, but she felt obliged to at least give it some serious thought now. There was, of course, one more opinion that would greatly help. Twilight groaned and smacked her forehead when she realized whose opinion she would take over anypony else. “Spike, take a letter to the princess!” The little dragon saluted and ran for the writing desk. Twilight felt silly that she hadn’t asked for advice from her teacher before now, especially considering how knowledgeable the princess was on politics. Even though she hadn’t even started the letter yet, Twilight was feeling better. Rainbow Dash went and switched off the radio when Spike ran back with his paper and quill. “Okay, shoot.” “Dear Princess Celestia, I wish to ask for your opinion on whether or not I should accept the position of Representative of Briarwood. I have remained in Ponyville for over a year now and have learned many values of friendship and now an opportunity has arose that could let me apply my lessons to even more ponies. As always, your advice would be appreciated beyond compare. Sincerely, your faithful student Twilight Sparkle.” The letter turned to ash after a fiery huff from Spike and Twilight let out the breath she had been holding. Celestia would know just what to do! Fluttershy crept up to Twilight. “Um, Twilight, what’s going to happen if you do become the representative? Will it be hard work?” “Well, I’ve been to court proceedings with Princess Celestia before and I remember seeing representatives there. They were always important-looking ponies that presented ideas to the princess about how she could help the ponies they represented.” “Darling, you’re leaving out the best part!” Rarity exclaimed. “You’d get to work with the Assembly of Nobilities as well! Oh, just think of all the royals you’d meet! Every day at work you’d be rubbing shoulders with the best and brightest of Equestria!” Twilight shook her head, smiling. “Both assemblies have to work together, Rarity – the Charter of 649 says so.” Rarity looked impressed. “You’ve already done research on it? Why, whenever did you find the time? You’ve been a bit…flustered since the election.” “I didn’t study magic all the time back in Canterlot, Rarity.” “Sorry, Darling. I always imagined you with your nose in books the whole time. Of course you must have learned things other than magic being the princess’s personal student.” Twilight didn’t rush to correct her friend’s view. She had spent most of her time in Canterlot in the Royal Library; she had just branched out from time to time, especially when it came to learning more about her teacher. The Canterlot library had an excellent selection of ancient treaties and laws that Celestia had implemented, after all, and the 649 Charter was just one piece Twilight had read over the years. The purple unicorn was saved from an embarrassing confession when Spike started hacking. It took Twilight by surprise – usually the princess took some time before she could answer a letter. A small scroll shimmered into existence right in front of Twilight’s eyes and fell limply to the floor. Spike cleared his throat, puffing out a little cloud of smoke, and picked it up. Twilight felt that there was something off about the scroll besides its swift delivery – it didn’t look like a casual piece of parchment. “Is that royal stationary?” she wondered out loud. Her friends were already starting to crowd around and Applejack peeked over Spike’s shoulder. She let out a whistle. “That is a might fancy letter! Looks just like one of the royal tax sheets from the castle the mayor shows us farmponies at tax time, seal and all!” “A seal? Let me see it, Spike…That’s the royal seal! Why would the princess sign a letter with the official seal?” She pulled the document out of Spike’s hands and floated it up to eye level. “Congresspony Sparkle,” Twilight began, reading aloud, “allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your electoral success. Public service is one of the most important duties a subject of Equestria can undertake and it takes a courageous heart to take the step that you have just taken. Official swearing-in will be held at Canterlot on the fifth day of Waning Moon. Further information about offices, scheduling, and court procedure will be provided at the official orientation.” At the end of the short message was a seal in gold leaf. It showed a blue orb, which represented the Earth, and the twin princesses circling it. Spike’s finger poked at the paper. “There’s something on the back, Twilight!” Indeed, on the bottom corner of the paper was a single line, so small it could easily have gone unnoticed. It was simply, “ Congratulations, my dear and faithful student.” No signature, no seal, no other writing. “That didn’t seem like much of an answer to your letter, Twi,” Applejack said. Twilight frowned, agreeing with her friend. Then she looked down at the little message on the back again. Unlike the words on the front, it had been written by Celestia’s own horn. Her teacher was proud of her. Celestia thought she would do a good job. She emptied her lungs with a long, even breath. “She answered, Applejack. The princess hardly ever sends out stock letters personally, but she took the time for mine.” Her eyes watered a bit, but there was a big smile on her face. Twilight looked back up from the letter with determined eyes. All of her friends looked back at her with warm smiles. “I know what I’m going to do now. I never asked for this job, but it’s my fault I have it. I’ve been studying the magic of friendship and now it’s time for me to share it with everypony. It isn’t right that I keep my lessons to myself, my friends, or even just Ponyville: It’s my job to help as many ponies as I can!” Twilight felt good as the last words slipped past her lips. The happy faces of her friends stoked a fire in her chest, just like the faith of her teacher had done. It was still scary to think that she’d be responsible for all the ponies in Briarwood and Twilight didn’t know if she could actually do it, but she’d do just what her teacher had always taught her to do – try her very best. Her friends all crowded closer to give her a hug and Twilight couldn’t stop from sniffling. She didn’t know why she was crying, but it didn’t feel wrong or sad. There was a new goal set in front of her that was daunting and challenging and it had made Twilight doubt herself. In the embrace of her friends, she felt silly for ever being worried. She was going to do her best for all the ponies that had voted for her and make Celestia proud. She was going to be Congresspony Sparkle, Freshmen Representative of Briarwood – the best darn representative that Equestria had ever seen!