//------------------------------// // We Have to Start... // Story: Together And Equal…? // by Wolfe and WindSilver //------------------------------// All he wanted to do was get home. Intel worked at the library all day. Usually sorting books, organizing shelves, and reading to the young fillies and colts who would come for the afternoon session. That last part was never tiring. As the foals were some of the few ponies who accepted him. They didn't hate him for where he had been born or what his kind had done in the past. It felt refreshing to see this side of the ponies again. The kindness and compassion was a joy to feel. But unlike before, when they only accepted his disguise, this time the love and affection was directed at him. They cared about him, not the pony he'd pretended to be for nearly five years. He smiled when he thought of one specific, and very special, filly. Rainy Skies, an orphan, and the very first pony he'd read for after shedding his disguise. All of the other foals had been too timid to come near the large bug. Rainy was the exception. She picked a big book from the shelf and carried it over to him on her back, dropping it in his lap and just looking up at him expectantly. As if a floodgate had been opened, the other foals rushed towards him. They crowded around, jostling each other for spots until they were arranged in a semi-circle around Intel. The staff had been shocked, but not nearly as shocked as he had been. He could never repay her for her help that day. However, if the adoption hearing went well tomorrow he could at least try. It was a quiet night. The noise and movement of Canterlot had toned down considerably. There wasn't a pony to be seen... anywhere. Something was off and it took him a moment to understand. Canterlot was never this quiet, especially at night. Now was the time that the ponies who led double lives came out to have fun. The prim and proper unicorns who disguised themselves, or maybe unmasked themselves would be a better term, now as loose and fun loving as a pegasus on cider day. The stallions, who frequented the clubs out of the watchful eyes of their mares. Their mares, who danced at said clubs. The bars, that no noble would be caught dead inside, were now filled to maximum capacity. That was a usual Canterlot night. Now... the streets shouldn't have been so empty. He sped up his pace. Whatever was happening gave him a bad feeling. He couldn't explain why, but he felt as if he were in danger. All he wanted to do was get home. CHANGELING LIBRARIAN FOUND IN CRITICAL CONDITION ON THE CORNER OF RED MANE AND APPLE AVENUE Intel Espionage, 24, was found badly wounded at 6:50 a.m., following an attack by an unknown number of suspects. In addition to minor injuries it is confirmed that he suffers from one broken foreleg, a dislocated wing, a torn ear, and 3 broken ribs. According to video evidence, the attack began at 10:39 p.m. and ended at 11:00. 10 ponies passed by the attack, and 16 more by the writhing changeling on the ground, without attempting to offer any assistance. Espionage tried to drag himself in what was later found to be the direction of his home. He collapsed at 5:36 a.m. Sea Foam, 22, found Intel on her morning jog, at the estimated time of 6:50, and rushed him to Canterlot Medical Emergencies, arriving at 7:00. Espionage is still unconscious, but he is expected to make a full recovery. This attack is thought to be linked to a recent outbreak in anti-changeling integration protests. Two weeks prior to this act of aggression, Espionage revealed himself at his workplace, where he was met with mixed results. 3 co-workers left in disgust... (Continued page 6) Mask I read the cover of the newspaper again as I picked at my breakfast. Probably not the best idea. I was nervous enough about my first day, and stories like this weren't doing a thing to help my case of the jitters. I chewed on a flapjack sadly, and stared at the medallion that hung from the chair in front of me. "Mask!" My mother yelled from the next room. My ears perked up as I raised my eyes from the metallic chain. "It's 8:15," she called. I tossed the last of the flapjack into my mouth, calling to Mom at the same time. "Aeg ore muu wae!" She leaned out the door, one eye ridge raised. I downed a half cup of apple juice, speaking only when my mouth was clear again. "I'm on my way," I repeated, smiling sheepishly. She nodded and headed back into her room, preparing for her own day. I grabbed my saddle bag, and was halfway across the kitchen. "Don't forget your charm," she called, a bit softer, and more reserved, than before. I sighed and levitated the trinket over. A suppressor charm, created by some of the most powerful unicorns under the instruction of Celestia, was made to do exactly what the name entailed. The spell was designed to suppress the magic of whoever it was cast on. Usually used to aid in the arrest of unicorns and pegasi, or to keep those patients restrained in medical emergencies. Rarely used on earth ponies to physically weaken them. When an object was charmed with it, the spell's power was restricted to the pony wearing it. In light of recent events, the spell had been altered by Princess Twilight Sparkle. This version was now suited for the changeling refugees who had come from Chrysalis's rule. It reduced how much love we could take in, made it nearly impossible for a changeling to take love from anyone who was unwilling, and restricted our ability to shape-shift. Each one had a magical imprint on them that reacts to each individual magical signature of changelings. That allowed changelings to take on one "registered" pony form. We could not disguise ourselves as anything else. At least, not legally. I allowed the charm to slip over my head and rest at the base of my neck. Luckily, there were no real noticeable effects. No draining, no pain, and no spontaneous combustion. Most changelings didn't have a problem with them. I'm not like most changelings. I wasn't willing to roll over and sit when ponies asked me to. That wasn't how I planned on living my life. "Now hurry up or you'll be late," she said. "Alright," I called back, heading for the door. "Love you, Mom." "And don't forget that you'll have the house to yourself for the night." How could I forget? At best I'd get the complete silent treatment at school. Then I'd come home to an empty house. What a joy. I can't wait to get started, I thought sarcastically. Luckily the flight from my home to school was a quick one. Leaving me with just enough time to head to the principal's office before classes began. "Now, Mr. Roles," she began. "I don't think that I need to explain the gravity of your situation." "No, Ma'am," I responded. I understood perfectly well. "Good. You know that they'll be watching you." She leaned forward on her desk her eyes locked on mine. I leaned back a bit in my seat. "They'll use you as an example to make the public resent you." She leaned further. I pressed my head up against the head-rest. "If you slip up, even once, you may find that whatever friends you make here will turn on you in an instant." Her face hovered an inch away from mine, her eyes slightly manic, before she sat back and straightened her glasses. "That being said, I truly hope to see you do well in my school," she said as she stood up. "If you have any problems with the students, or the staff, I hope that you will report them to me. Now, the first bell will be ringing in moments, and you need time to find your classes, yes?" I nodded. "I suggest that you get going now, then. Have a good first day, Mr. Roles." She opened the door and motioned for me to leave. I had to resist the growing urge to bolt from the room, but I couldn't repress the shudder that passed through me after the door had closed. "She has that affect on everyone," said the mare at the desk next to me. "Trust me. I'm only here for another two years and I can't get through them fast enough." She giggled. She was quite the pretty unicorn, with a leaf colored coat, and a bob-cut white mane tucked just behind her ear. Her golden eyes held no contempt in them. Her cutie mark was that of some type of feather and piece of parchment beside it. "My name's Quill Point, and I'm interning here as a principal's assistant, and you're the new student right?" Oh, a quill. Duh. I nearly slapped myself for not noticing the obvious, but settled for a nod. "Then you're going to need your schedule, let me see if I can find it." She opened a drawer at the desk and a large folder floated out, covered in a yellow aura. "Last name?" she asked. "Roles," I replied. She nodded and opened to what I assumed was the "R" section. "Let's see," she muttered to herself. "Rake, Resplendent, Reverb, Roanoke... Ah, here we go! Roles." She pulled the paper out triumphantly. "Let's take a look shall we?" She scanned it before hoofing over to me. "Your first class is 'Applying Magical Theory'. That's on the third floor, left side of the hall. And you should be able to figure the rest out from there." "Thanks Ms. Quill," I said, tucking the sheet into my saddle bag. "Just call me Quill. And you're quite welcome. Good luck, Mask." I nodded once more before I left the office, making it into the hallway just as the first bell rang and the students, who were lounging around, made their way to class. "Well," I sighed. "Looks like we're starting now."