//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Children of the Future // Story: The Ultimate Rebellion // by Cerulean Voice //------------------------------// Chapter Two: Children of the Future “...And that concludes this week’s news, Your Majesty. Is everything to your liking?” Namby Pamby released the bottom of the parchment and allowed it to roll back up into a tight bundle. He tucked it under his wing and stood sharp, eyeing his queen. Though he knew she had been paying attention—she was still Twilight Sparkle, after all—he could not help but feel slightly miffed as she munched her way through a bowl of strawberries and oats, sipped her tea, and levitated a stack of crumpets from the heavily laden serving dish to her plate, all without appearing to acknowledge a single word he’d said. Not that he would ever dare to voice that particular opinion. He knew well the fate of the pony he’d replaced. Nopony dared to even think anything against the queen these days—not if they valued their limbs. “So, ocean levels are still rising? That is most upsetting. The Manehattan Wall must be built higher.” Twilight grasped a jar in her aura and flicked off the lid. Marmalade floated out of the jar and spread itself onto her crumpets. She brought one to her mouth, then stopped. “Oh, would you like one, Namby?” She held out a crumpet, translucent spread dribbling down its sides. “No, thank you, Your Majesty.” He swallowed as Twilight narrowed her eyes slightly, then popped it into her own mouth instead. Her expression shifted so fast to taste-bud euphoria that Namby wondered if he’d hallucinated her frown. “Flash, honey? You hungry?” Next to Twilight, Flash shook his head, though he did reach for the teapot to pour himself a second cup. “You enjoy them, Twilight. You need the energy more than I do.” Twilight smiled and nuzzled her husband. “You don’t need to worry about me. I don’t have much to do today, weather-wise. Although—” she put a hoof to her chin “—I do have that meeting with the new mayor of Ponyville today.” Her smile widened, revealing rows of perfect teeth untouched by time. “I’m glad that Cheerilee won the vote—I always liked her. She will make a fine mayor. I suppose that Dinky Doo will be replacing Cheerilee as teacher at Ponyville Elementary?” She trained her attention back upon Namby-Pamby. He cleared his throat. “Yes, that seems to be the way of it, Your Majesty.” “Lovely.” Twilight stuffed a whole crumpet into her mouth. “Dinky has… mmmmpfh... always shown considerable talent, compared to many… ummmph...  other unicorns. Of course, nopony—besides myself, that is—could ever compare to how my… momnom... apprentice continues to progress, even now after all these years.” She gulped and finally swallowed her mouthful. “Er, Y-yes, Your Majesty. Mrs. Mash does possess quite advanced skills.” “Of course she does. I always had a gut feeling about Sweetie Belle, even back when I first started training her and her friends. ‘Twilight Time,’ they used to call it.” Twilight munched on her third crumpet for a moment, then swallowed. “Ah, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Ever the mischief makers in their youth.” “I remember that my brother, Featherweight, used to talk about them all the time,” Namby Pamby said. “If they were not running late for class, they were out adventuring, more oft than not returning covered in uncanny amounts of tree sap. He said that Sweetie in particular would always complain about how much her sister, Rarity—” Flash stiffened. “—used to fuss—” A red glow surrounded Namby Pamby, lifted him from the ground, and slammed him against the back wall. Before he could breathe, he found himself floating over the breakfast table, Twilight’s scarlet eyes blazing into his own. “You will not speak of Rarity, or any of my friends, ever again. Am I clear, Namby Pamby?” Eyes wide, eyebrows disappearing into his mane, Namby Pamby nodded vigorously. “A-absolutely one-hundred percent c-crystal clear, Your M-Majesty.” “Good.” Twilight lowered the hapless pegasus back onto his hooves. After the scarlet glow in her eyes and at her neck faded, Twilight blinked rapidly, then offered a smile to him. “Yes, those fillies were certainly bucketfuls of trouble sometimes, weren’t they?” She giggled to Flash, who exhaled and slumped his shoulders. Namby Pamby opened his mouth, thought better of it, then closed it. He simply nodded. “Wow, Namby. You’re shivering like you’ve seen a ghost or something. Are you cold? Sure you wouldn’t like some tea?” Twilight levitated a cup before him, pot poised to pour. “Oh… w-well, if it pleases you, Your Majesty, I will gladly accept.” Namby Pamby pulled up a seat opposite Twilight and allowed to cup to fill before his eyes. The strong scent of Earl Grey’s Trottingham-based blend tickled his nostrils. He grasped the teacup with trembling wings and lifted it to his mouth, taking a sip before setting it back down onto the table. Twilight beamed at him, then turned to her right. “Flash, dear, would you kindly check on Sweetie for me? I know she appreciates a friendly face every now and then. Liberty should already be on the train to Ponyville, so I’ll meet her there once I’ve tied up loose ends.” “Yes, my love.” Flash pecked her cheek and rose from the table. “Enjoy your day.” He shot a glare Namby’s way. “You too, Namby. Keep safe.” “Of course, Prince Sentry. I will take greater care in the future.” “That’s the spirit.” Flash draped a wing around Twilight and nuzzled her for a moment, then departed the breakfast hall. “Oh!” Namby Pamby twitched, almost dropping his teacup. “What is it, Your Majesty?” Abandoning her breakfast, Twilight leapt up from the table and flapped up and down, holding her hooves to her cheeks. “Oh, no-no-no-no-no, how could I forget? Ponyville’s been waiting for clouds and rain for days now! Ohhhhh, what must they think of me? I promised them!” Her eyes darted back and forth for a few seconds before she descended to the floor. After a quick breath, she swung out her hoof and exhaled, eyes closed. “Maybe some extra rainfall too… just a heavier drizzle ought to help them out… Pristine!” A unicorn sporting an elegant tuxedo entered the room. “Yes, Your Majesty?” “Inform Lord Fancy Pants of my departure. By my authority, he is in charge of Canterlot today. I’m going to visit my old home for a while, and I’ll be away slightly longer than planned.” “It shall be done, Your Majesty.” Pristine bowed low. “Excellent.” Twilight began to cast her teleportation spell, but stopped halfway through. “Oh, and Namby?” She shot him a bright smile as he looked up at her. “Help yourself to any leftover breakfast. Have a nice day.” With a scarlet flash, she disappeared. Namby Pamby released the breath he’d unconsciously been holding. Seconds passed in silence while he fought to stabilise his pounding heart. When he was sure that the queen had in fact departed, he sighed and closed his eyes. “I assume you made some rookie lapse in tact earlier,” Pristine said. “Queen Twilight is only generous when she feels she has to make up for something. If that’s the case, you should consider yourself lucky to be still standing now.” Namby Pamby blushed and took a scone, although his hoof trembled as he brought it to his mouth; it promptly fell to the floor. *  *  *  *  * “Time for class, little ponies!” Cheerilee forced a smile to her face as her students filed into the classroom. The school-bell rang, though not loud enough to completely drown out the usual cacophony of groaning, grumbling and residual chit-chat. She stood before the classroom and waited for every foal to take their seats. When all of the hubbub finally died down, she took a deep breath and raised her head. “Good morning, class!” “Good morning, Missus Turner,” they chorused. “Good... mornin’... Cheerilee!” Everypony turned toward the classroom door as it burst open. A small yellow filly stood in the open space, her chest heaving and her tongue out. “Sorry I’m… late!” “Good morning, Ambrosia. Take your seat, please. And remember, at school it’s ‘ma’am’ or ‘Missus Turner.’” “Yes, ma’am.” Ambrosia bustled over to find her place near the centre of the room. “Sorry, ma’am.” “That’s quite all right.” Cheerilee faced her pupils again, a genuine smile upon her face. “Well, class, I think you all know what day today is.” Everypony groaned again and bowed their heads. “Now, class, you mustn’t be upset. You’ll have a wonderful new teacher after today. Missus Doo is quite capable of picking up where I’m leaving off. In fact, I’d even say she’s a more qualified teacher than I now.” She stared around at the small assembly of foals. “Trust me, you’re all going to love her.” “She’s real nice and stuff, Missus Turner,” an albino pegasus colt started. “But there’ll never be another teacher we love as much as you,” a dark-orange pegasus next to him finished. The class nodded unanimously. Cheerilee waved a hoof through the air. “Snow Flurry, Heat Wave, be quiet, please. I have something very important to say to you all.” She closed her eyes for a moment and willed that the water stay inside. When she opened them again, they twinkled as she looked around. “I have been teaching for close to forty years. In that time, I have watched and nurtured a great many foals as they became respectable, upstanding citizens of Ponyville. From my first classes containing ponies like our florist, Roseluck, our a cappella group, the Ponytones—and their children—even Applejack, the legendary bearer of the Element of Honesty, to all of you now here, I have loved every moment of teaching. I was born to do it, and I am honoured to have been part of one of Ponyville’s most important systems. “But, as is the way of things, all good things must come to an end. With the resignation and retirement of our beloved Mayor Mare, the town has decided—by an overwhelming majority, I might add—that I am most fit to replace her in office. Even Queen Twilight herself is supportive of this decision. I will be answering directly to her now.” At the mention of Twilight’s name, hushed whispers broke around the classroom. “Class, settle down, please,” Cheerilee said. “I have more to say.” “But Queen Twilight’s scary, Missus Turner!” a small brown unicorn filly said. She shrunk down and wrapped her forelegs around her body, shivering. “No she ain’t, Toffee Swirl!” Ambrosia thumped her desk. “She’s real nice mosta the time! She cares about us—Mama says so.” “That’s just ’cause she’s friends with your ma and uncle,” Toffee rebutted. “She’s not so nice to the rest of us. Did you hear what happened at Sugarcube Corner last week?” “Why, no, can’t say I did. Mama ain’t taken me there lately.” The classroom oohed as one. Cheerilee shook her head and furrowed her brow, revealing numerous wrinkles. Crows feet spread from the corners of her eyes. “Class, please settle down. Storytime can—” “I was there,” Toffee said, “standing in line for one of Miss Pumpkin’s pasties, when Queen Twilight herself walked in and marched right to the front of the line. She asked Mister Pound for his last chocolate muffin, when old mare Ditzy who was about to be served turned to her and said, she said, ‘But I get that muffin every morning, Your Majesty, would you mind choosing another?’” “Toffee, please. I’m trying to finish—” “And, and, and then—” still ignoring Cheerilee, Toffee lowered her voice, slammed her hooves upon her desk, and cast her eyes around “—Queen Twilight turned right to old mare Ditzy, and that necklace of hers glowed, and her eyes glowed too, and she said, she straight up said to Ditzy’s face, ‘How would you like me to separate your eyes so far, they’ll see from the Everfree to the White Tail?’” Though they’d heard the story already, everypony but Ambrosia gasped. “No way Queen Twilight woulda said somethin’ so mean and nasty!” Ambrosia yelled. She threw her forehooves above her head. “She loves everypony!” “Oh yeah?” Toffee spat back. “Everypony who was there’d tell you the same thing, if ya wanna ask them.” “That’s enough, girls!” Ambrosia, Toffee, and every other foal turned to Cheerilee, who fixed her bright green glare upon them. “If you don’t all calm yourselves now and listen to me, I won’t be able to finish my announcement, and I most certainly will not be taking you on any excursion as a final treat!” At the word “excursion,” there was an immediate increase in the amount of straight backs and attentive eyes. “That’s better.” Cheerilee’s beloved smile returned to her face. “Now, as I was saying before Miss Swirl rudely interrupted—” she shot a quick glance at Toffee, who blushed “—Missus Doo will be taking over while I focus on running Ponyville. She plans to change up your education a little, make it that bit more exciting than just learning mathematics, history and messing around with arts and crafts.” Cheerilee had her students’ full, undivided attention now. “Which is why today,” she continued, “we are going on our first class field trip to the Everfree Forest!” A collective gasp filled the room. “Why are we going there, Missus Turner?” a pale green filly asked, her hoof in the air. “Isn’t the forest dangerous? I think my mother should hear about this first.” “A fair question, Ornate Jade, and a valid statement, too. You see, we will be meeting somepony very special at the Everfree’s edge, who will then escort us to predetermined, safe examination points. Oh, and your parents already know, too. Green Daze happily signed and returned the permission form that I mailed him.” Cheerilee looked at the rest of the class. “In fact, I already have every permission form returned from all of your parents as well!” She opened her desk drawer and pulled out a thin stack of papers. “I went and talked to them myself over the past few weeks, and we all agreed it should be a surprise!” “Well, I’m surprised that Lady Tiara agreed to let her pwecious wittle Jade come with us.” Toffee Swirl sneered at Jade, who stuck her tongue out. A few other foals giggled. “Girls, please. I will not have you sniping at each other on my last day.” Cheerilee grasped a piece of chalk from her blackboard railing and rested it upon the slate surface. “We will leave for the Everfree after recess is over. Until then, I want you all to open your copies of Mirrors and Moonlight and resume reading from where we left off yesterday.” “Yes, Missus Turner,” everypony chanted. The room lapsed into silence, save for the shuffling of pages as twelve little books opened, demanding the attention of twelve little muzzles. Well, not exactly twelve. “Psst.” Ambrosia’s ears perked as a whisper drifted over the scratching of Cheerilee’s chalk. She ignored it and continued to read. “Pssssst.” Again, the hiss. Ambrosia raised her head from her book and sneaked a glance at the colt beside her. “What?” she whispered. “How about we get a head start on everypony else at recess?” Ambrosia frowned at the brown colt. “Whaddya mean, Wild Seed?” Wild smiled and blew a tuft of blonde mane back above his eyes. He leaned in closer to Ambrosia. “I think we should blow early, just the two of us, before recess ends. We can make it to Everfree before everypony else.” Somepony coughed, and the two sat upright in their seats again. Fortunately, Cheerilee continued to face the blackboard, her chalk-scratching masking their conversation. Wild Seed leaned in close again. “Come on, Ambi. It’ll be fun. We might run into a star spider web, or get to kick a timberwolf to twigs. Then we can meet the others at the forest edge when they arrive and act like we were just so eager that we couldn’t wait!” Ambrosia shook her head. “No way, Wild. I don’t wanna cause any trouble on Missus Turner’s last day. Besides, you heard her earlier—sounds like Miss Doo’ll be treatin’ us to more regular outside stuff anyway when she starts.” Wild Seed snorted. “Are you gonna be that girl, Ambi? Miss Goody-four-shoes? Come on—where’s your sense of adventure?” “Wild, I’m bein’ adventurous enough by not wantin’ to run screamin’ at just the thought of goin’ in that forest. Now stop distractin’ me from my readin’.” Wild Seed rolled his eyes and leaned back away from Ambrosia. “Fine. You stay with the others. I’m not waiting until after recess.” “Not waiting for what, Wild Seed?” Wild’s eyes shot open at Cheerilee’s question. “Uh… just for… recess to be over before I… do my ‘little colt’s business,’ ma’am.” He blushed while the rest of the class stared, holding back a torrent of giggles. Cheerilee narrowed her eyes, then cleared her throat with a gentle hack into her hoof. “Wild, you may be excused to do your ‘business’ when you have finished the next chapter of Mirrors and Moonlight. For now, no talking and eyes to your page. All of you.” The snorting died. “Yes, Missus Turner,” the class chorused. Wild sighed and opened his book. *  *  *  *  * Apple Bloom halted her plow and pulled off her straps. Panting, she walked a few paces toward the nearby Everfree’s outer canopy. She slumped to the ground and sprawled on her back, enjoying the shadows falling upon her face and the cool grass caressing her coat. Sweat trickled down the sides of her head and down along her stomach to pool beneath her back. A few deep breaths later, she felt her body beginning to relax. Her eyes fluttered closed as she took in the smells of the forest. The burning in her legs subsided. She ran her forehooves over her face and swept away a layer of sweat before placing them behind her head and crossing her hind legs. “Comfortable?” With a lazy groan, Apple Bloom opened her right eye and peeked at the intruder. “No judgin’, Pip. You know how hot it is out there today. I’m surprised we ain’t melted, and it ain’t even midday yet!” She closed the eye and embraced the return to darkness. Pipsqueak sighed and trotted next to her. He brushed his lips across her brow. “I know, Bloom. I’m getting pretty toasty out there myself. If you want a break, take one.” “Darn right, I’m takin’ one.” Apple Bloom opened her other eye and peered at Pipsqueak. “Y’know, my back is awful sore… you wouldn’t be willin’ to… help me out with that, would you?” She rolled over onto her gut and flicked her tail at him, fluttering her eyelashes. Pipsqueak rolled his eyes, yet still settled himself level with Apple Bloom’s hips. He placed his forehooves upon her shoulders. “Where’s the worst of it, my fragile little flower?” Apple Bloom snorted. “Funny.” “I thought so too. Thank you. Seriously though, you want shoulders first, or…?” Pipsqueak began to rub his hooves in small circles, pressing gently but firmly into the yellow coat beneath him. He held their place for a few seconds before shifting his focus to a slightly lower area. Apple Bloom groaned, sending a slight vibration through Pipsqueak’s hooves. “Oh, there’s good. Get that one out, please.” She laid her head upon the grass and surrendered to her capable husband’s motions. While at first painful, every rotation of his hooves brought a small spasm of pleasure. “Mmmm…” Pipsqueak smiled, leaning further in to push a little harder— “Hey, you two!” Pipsqueak—and Apple Bloom beneath him—turned at the cry. Babs galloped over, having also abandoned her own plow in the field. “Check it out, you slackers!” She pointed a hoof into the distant sky. Pipsqueak dismounted Apple Bloom and turned around to follow Babs’ hoof. He stared into the distance, where Canterlot was visible; only now it was obscured by roiling, dark clouds. Apple Bloom rolled over and propped herself up onto her elbows, then immediately rose and stood with him. “Well, ’bout time she showed up.” The trio watched as the clouds flew across the sky at an impressive speed, covering the distance between Canterlot and their fields in mere minutes. A swirling tornado pulled them over the land in its wake, generating a crisp breeze. Trees swayed, and the onlookers huddled together while a purple streak emerged from within the tornado. It shot around, a blur in the sky. Entire chunks of the stormy stratus split and were herded over different sections of land. The rain’s first kiss landed upon Apple Bloom’s muzzle. She smiled. “I knew she’d keep her promise, y’all.” “Yeah, yeah, we believed her too,” Babs said. “I gotta admit, that breeze sure feels lovely right now.” Before Pipsqueak or Apple Bloom could reply, something thudded onto the ground nearby, making it tremble. After regaining their balance, all turned their heads toward the source. “By Star Swirl’s beard, I am so sorry!” Twilight Sparkle lifted her head and spread her wings. “Please forgive me, everypony. I‘ve been so caught up with the rest of Equestria that I completely forgot about you all here! How could I?” The three bowed low at her approach. “Oh, uh, it’s no trouble at all, Your Majesty,” Babs said. “I promise we were only gonna be taking a short break. Honest.” “Have no fear, Babs Seed.” Twilight smiled as she approached. “I don’t expect you all to work yourselves to death, especially in this heat. Besides—” she lifted Babs’ chin with a wing “—it’s really my fault that I didn’t bring your clouds and rain until now. You should be having a much easier time than you are.” “Thank you for bringin’ the clouds and the rain, Your Majesty,” Apple Bloom said, water drizzling down her face. “It’s so much cooler now. I promise we’ll get back to it right away.” Twilight released Babs and turned to Apple Bloom. “Please, Apple Bloom, just go and rest while the rain continues. I can’t have Ponyville’s three hardest workers burning themselves out. The town needs you—I need you.” She gave her own short bow. “Rise, my friends. Take the duration of the rain to rest. The ground will be much easier to work with afterward, and the clouds will keep the Sun from punishing you so much.” “Your Majesty?” “Yes, Pipsqueak?” Pipsqueak cleared his throat. “Today’s the day that our daughter, Ambrosia, goes on her class trip to the Everfree forest. Wild Seed as well. Ah…” He hesitated and looked at Babs, then faced Twilight again. “Not that we don’t, ah, trust you or anything, but you know how the forest can be. Are you quite sure they’ll be okay in there?” His eyes widened as the Alicorn Amulet glowed briefly, extending its glow to Twilight’s eyes. He took a step back and dropped to the ground, while Apple Bloom stepped next to him and held him. “I sanctioned your foals’ trip into the forest. Do not think for a second that they will be anything but completely safe. You will not question me again.” The red vanished from her eyes, and the Amulet dulled. Twilight shook her head and looked at the couple. She brought a hoof to her mouth and gasped. “Oh, please tell me I didn’t do anything terrible? Last I remember, you were talking about your darling Ambrosia…” Pipsqueak opened his mouth to reply, but Apple Bloom held a hoof over it and silenced him with a look. “Yes, Your Majesty. Pip was just sayin’ how much fun he thinks our kids are gonna have today in the forest. Weren’t you, dear?” She fixed a hard stare upon her husband, who nodded. “Yeah, that’s it. I’m sure they’ll be right chuffed from the experience.” Twilight smiled at them. “I have lots of enjoyable and educational activities planned for them. I promise you, Zecora will keep them completely safe. You can be sure that she will not take her eyes off anypony for a second.” She nodded to the trio and spread her wings again. “I have some final business with Mayor Mare before she retires. Remember,” she said while the rain continued to drizzle around them, “take it easy until the rain lets up. I don’t need any of you getting sick from overexertion, all right?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” the three chorused. “Excellent. Enjoy the rest of my day. And sorry once more for the delay.” Twilight sparked up her horn and vanished in a flash of red light. Each pony breathed a sigh of relief. Pipsqueak turned to smile at Apple Bloom, only to be met with a backhoof to his head. “Ow!” He raised a hoof to the tender spot where she had struck him. “What gives, Bloom?” “You idiot, Pip! Don’tcha know by now not to question Queen Twilight? She coulda seriously hurt you. Then what would I do? Or Ambrosia?” Apple Bloom lowered her hoof, shallow puffs escaping her. “Promise me you won’t let it happen again, Pip.” “Okay, sure thing. But that still hurts.” “You’re lucky that’s all you got,” Babs interjected. “The queen coulda done so much worse to you, and you know it. You got off lucky.” She shook her head. “Look, let’s just all go back inside and settle, like she told us to. Maybe Mac saved us some o’that cider Ambrosia made this morning.” Still rubbing his head, Pipsqueak nodded at Babs. “Great plan.”