//------------------------------// // Ideological Revelations // Story: Earning Freedom // by Daxisle //------------------------------// Ideological Revelations Spike yawned and streched out his arms and legs with a few very satisphying pops. He'd spent a lot longer in bed than usual, on account of today being his day off from work but his hunger was an itch that he know no amount of sleeping would scratch. The down side to him staying at Sin's place was that the food options were less than inviting. It amazed the dragon just how little the stallion consumed. He wondered into the kitchen and opened the pantry to find nothing but oats and potatoes... that's it. No snacks, no chips, no cereals or fruites or candy, nothing but oats and spuds. He wasn't surprised, the food selection hadn't changed since last he checked on it, but it still bewildered Spike how anypony could sustain themselves off of nothing but two food items. He'd need to go shopping and get more of a variety of consumables today. "Matter of fact-" he said to himself looking around the abode. The minimalist presentation of the entire house was starting to wane on him. There was no sofa, no dining or end tables, no decorations of any kind at all. Nothing but white walls and a hard wood floor that stank of lemony fresh floor cleaner. If anypony walked into the house, they'd be forgiven for thinking the place abandoned. "This whole place could do with some furniture." 'You sure that's wise? You asked if you could stay with Sin for a while, not come in and redecorate his home.' Spike didn't care, though. This place felt staril, it didn't feel like a home at all, Sin would understand that, his room was the only thing that had furniture in it, after all. He walked out of the kitchen and back into his bedroom to collect a rather handsome amount of money from the floor. His pay had been piling up from all the work he'd been doing, so money wasn't an issue right now. He approached the door and found a small white envelope sitting in front of it, he picked it up and put it on the counter before walking outside to go shopping. The mid morning sun was veiled every so often by a roaming cloud, but the air was warm enough to compensate. Spring was defiantly here and Spike was glad for it. He passed into town and grabbed as much food as he could carry, bread, milk, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, he even got a pie from Sugar Cube corner. Pinkie wasn't manning the register, but he wasn't in the mood to talk to her anyways. As he walked back to the house after half an hour of shopping, and a promise of a return trip, he passed by the Golden Oaks library and stopped. Maybe it would be a good idea to check in on Twilight? He hadn't seen her for a few days now. He dropped off the groceries on the kitchen counter and back tracked to the library, knocking three times. No answer. 'Maybe she's out?' He knocked three times again and waited, still nothing. Spike briefly considered walking in but decided against it, this wasn't his home anymore, he wasn't welcome to just come and go as he pleased. Double checking his money reserves, the drake wandered back to the market district, thinking over what else he'd need to buy. A couch was out of the question, since he wouldn't be able to get it to the house by himself, same with most other forms of furniture, but he'd need to figure out something for bedding, there floor was playing murder on his back. "Oi, Spike!" He stopped and looked back, smiling as Blade wondered up, a pie sitting on his back. "What's up, brah?" He asked. Spike shook his head, it always ammused him how strange his co-worker could be in his speech. "Nothin' much. Just getting some food, how about you?" "I'm a little depressed." The stallion admitted sheepishly. "I was hoping Pinkie would be working in Sugar Cube Corner today, but the owners say she's still depressed about something." Spike quirked a brow. "Gotta thing for Pinkie Pie?" "Damn right dude, she's hot as buck." The stallion declared. The two continued chatting for a while before Spike's stomach yelled at him to eat something and he bid his friend a good day. It was always fun to run into co-workers on off days. 'Even during the balloon incident?' Spike shuddered, except that. Sixty cream filled doughnuts and fifteen cupcakes... he wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't been there. His attention was drawn back to reality as he saw the mare of interest passing through to the library. Happy to have a chance, Spike wondered over to her. "Hey Twilight" The mare turned and smiled, greeting him with a warm hello of her own. It was hard to tell for anyone else, but Spike had known the unicorn long enough to know the difference between a genuine smile and a token turn of the lip. He asked what was wrong. As expected, Twilight tried to play dumb but Spike knew better. "You know me a little too well." She sighed, he smile turning sad but more genuine. "I was just out with Pinkie and Applejack over at Sweet Apple Acres." "And?" Asked Spike. "I don't-" She stopped and chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do." Spike tilted his head not sure of her meaning. She was still pretty off put by most of her friends, but AJ and Pinkie had both made an effort to reach out to her, so in the effort of rebuilding their friendship, all three had a picnic and help out around the farm, since things were so behind. Of course it was more than about just work, but talking and trying to laugh and have a good time like they used to. "I just, I keep remembering what happened at the wedding." Twilight's shoulders slumped. Spike looked around and motioned for the two to head inside. It was clear she hadn't come to terms with what happened yet, maybe she needed to be alone for a while so that she could before trying to rebuild again? 'And what until then? Remain isolated in this stuffy library? We both know that she'd most likely rebury herself in her books until she needed her friends again.' And your solution? I mean, it's pretty obvious she still has trust issues. 'I'd suggest she maintain what's she's doing right now. She's still on edge, that much is true, but allowing her to remain distant from her friends would be more counterproductive than pushing her to interact.' I don't know if I agree with that. Twilight lead Spike into the library and Spike's eye began to twitch. The library was absolutely covered in a full layer of dust! Every book, every picture, every table that wasn't regularly used, all of it, veiled by a thin layer of dainty grey. He looked left and felt the muscles in his neck twitch, there, on a small step shelf, stood nine candles, each burnt down to the end of the wick with candle wax dripping onto the darker wood holders. The rugs and couch were covered in crumbs and stains of what he hoped were only water. He dared peak into the kitchen area and fought a silent groan. Bowls were stacked in the sink with plates and some cooking utensils piled up beside it. The trash can was overflowing with garbage, opened books covered most of the counter tops. The drake was fearful to even look in the fridge, considering that some items he remembered putting in there a few weeks ago would have long since expired. "Sorry about the mess." Twilight grinned sheepishly. "I haven't really been in the mood to clean lately." 'Mess? MESS?! THIS PLACE IS BUCKING DISGUSTING!' His inner voice screamed. Spike had to agree, this was no way for anypony to live. His initial thought was to chastise Twilight for allowing things to get this bad, but this was Twilight Sparkle, one of the most neurotic and Obsessively clean ponies he knew. She would never let her home dilapidated to this kind of state unless something was seriously wrong with her. 'Maybe moving out right after getting back was a mistake after all...' Guilt flooded through the drake's back and shoulders as he watched Twilight move sluggishly through the kitchen. Her pep was still gone, her coat and mane were both kept but had lost their shine. Her once lively personality and multitasking was replaced by a zombie of mechanical motions and single, precise actions. Maybe he should have stayed, he knew she wasn't doing all that well, but this? This was just... just... unacceptable. "Any way, I'm just not sure how to go about it is all." Twilight interjected, sitting down and acting as if there was nothing wrong. She sighed, "I wanna move on, I really do, but..." Seeing tears in her eyes, Spike walked forward and placed a comforting claw on her shoulder. "Are you sure you're ready to move on, though?" Blinking a few times, the unicorn slumped her shoulders again, voicing again how unsure she was. How does this kind of thing even work? How does one get over being abandoned and betrayed like that? She thought they'd just reintroduce themselves and let by gones be by gones, but she was still holding a grudge. It was wrong, she knew it was wrong. Applejack and Pinkie were doing their best to reestablish their friendship and so was Twilight, but that little nagging in her mind kept her from fully realizing the friendship they once had. Spike could relate to that. Even now he still held a little resentment for Sin when he'd agreed to go to the wedding and leave the mill high and dry, but each day, the relevance of it just seemed to smaller and smaller to him. As much as he wanted to let her know that he understood her pain, he couldn't. There was a big difference between a friend unknowingly sticking you with too much work and all your friends knowingly abandoning you. "Maybe you should talk to Celestia about it?" Spike offered, Twilight looked at him quizzically. "She's always given you good advice before, right? And I think it would be good for you to talk to someone you've always trusted." He walked over to library counter and grabbed a quill and paper, awaiting Twilight's instructions. She was hesitant at first, claiming that Celestia had more than enough problems to deal with due to the changeling attack, but Spike countered her with knowing how the Solar Alicorn loved her and would always make time for her faithful student whenever she'd need it. Writing down every word his mother said, Spike added his own note at the end and sent the letter away in a belch of green smoke. Man it felt good to do that again. The subject suddenly turned onto Spike, Twilight asking him how he was doing living on his own. Shifting uncomfortably, the dragon looked anywhere but at Twilight before talking about how happy the guys were to see him back at work. That seemed to raise the lavander mare's spirits a bit as she questioned him about what all his coworkers had been up to. It was an inconsequential topic to him, but seeing her smiling and showing genuine emotion pushed Spike to indulge her. Blade was still a wise cracking jokester. Chopper was still the fatherly figure who everypony knew to be the second in command of the entire operation, Cranky finally proposed to Matilda, and Fiona was still- BELCH! In a burst of green flame, a sealed scroll fell to the floor. Twilight picked it up in her magic and began reading it over. "My faithful Student I am sorry to hear that you're having such a tough time right now, but I understand your feelings more than I care to admit. I wish that I could come and see you in person, but I am unable to leave my subjects in Canterlot at this time. The repairs and releif efforts are demanding upon me and my attention is required here-" She stopped, the depression that Spike fought so hard to keep at bay returning ten fold. He gently took the letter and finished reading it. "-is required her to ensure the means and capital for the reconstruction. I have, however, sent word to somepony I think will be the ear you need. She is a great listener and has given me sound advice when I've needed it most. I'll send her as quickly as I am able. Don't give up hope, the friends you've made in Ponyville are the best friends you could ever ask for, their bearing of the Elements of Harmony is proof of that. Signed, Princess Celestia. P.S. Spike, I'll see what I can do." Spike shrugged. "Wonder who she's sending." "- and that's the story of how Sin failed the third grade." Uppity was covering her mouth with a hoof, fighting to hold back the small giggles that slipped past every so often. Ace didn't say anything, all he could do was see just how high his eyebrows could raise as he continually looked back to his bed ridden countryman. Sin, for his part, simply sat with his eyes closed, quietly waiting for the story to be over. "Oh Tapio, his father was so upset, he almost sent him to boarding school!" Mandylion laughed. Sin was embarrassed, too be sure, but he knew that his grandfather seldom ever lost his composure like this. As much as it ate him up inside to be laughed at, he knew his elder was just having some rarely seen fun and didn't have the heart nor gall to ruin the moment. "Now to be fair." he croaked, looking up at his grandfather. "Mrs. Lox was one of the most misandristic teachers we had at the school. She had it out for me ever since I said that it was stupid that boys weren't allowed to hit girls even if they deserved it." "I know, right?!" Ace agreed. All four ponies sat in silence and allowed themselves to reflect on the story they were told, for all of five seconds. "So, Ms. Uppity, when are you giving me some great grandfoals?" Sin's jaw dropped, Uppity blushed beat red and Ace burst out into unadulterated laughter, making a half hearted attempted to comment on how inappropriate asking such a personal question was. "Uh it's not that personal, it's not like I'm asking if she's taking it up the a-" "Okay, that's enough of that." Sin interjected, this was going in all kinds of the wrong direction, thankfully an knock at the door lead to an imperial guard poking his head in and informing the orange mare that Celestia required her presence immediately. "Oh thank Milikki." "Actually, Miss Uppity." Mandylion said, all his person now void of humor or playfulness. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to accompany you to see the good princess." Sin furrowed his brow, his grandfather was just as much of a theoretical anarchist as he was. What possible reason could have to want to speak to Celestia? He tried to stand, wanting to accompany the two to see what this was all about, though Mandylion gave him a look and told the younger stallion that he wanted to speak to the crown without Sin present. His eyes narrowing, the oaken Federalist held eye contact with his grandfather. "I'll be coming with you." "I would prefer you didn't." Mandylion rebuffed. "And why is that?" "Speaking in all honesty, I know that you will take heavy exception with the message and request I plan to make of her." Sin quirked a brow. "Message? So you had alternative motives for visiting Equestria?" Mandylion nodded in reply, but excused himself from the room before Sin could ask any more questions, asking for Uppity to lead the way to the princess's chambers. "Make sure he stays in bed." Uppity called to ace as she trotted after the elder stallion. "Touch me and I'll break your leg." Sin spat, pushing the covers off and gently lowering himself to the floor. One week of rest made quite a difference, he was still sore to be sure, but his ribs could support him without too much pain now. As expected, Ace made no motion to stop him but instead offered the pony the hooded cloak that Malich had left behind. Sin looked down at the cloth, it was a fair bit darker in color than his old cape, plus it had a hood and scarf. Truth be told, he'd felt naked ever since Rainbow had torn apart his first cloak, but couldn't find the time to repair it. He tentatively grabbed the new cloth and smiled as he felt the comfortable and familiar weight drape over his back. It felt good, it felt right. Seeing his goggles upon the table, the stallion gingerly retrieved them and placed the eye ware, feeling a wave of relief and normalcy as the world became slightly darker than it once was. "I understand that you wish to remain here for personal reason, Uppity, however, Twilight is in need of a friend right now. A friend of advice." Celestia declared. She looked tired, heavy bags beneath here eyes, her once illustrious mane now a frazzeled mess of split ends and neglected grooming. "I would be grateful if you would be willing to speak with her on my behalf." Uppity smiled tiredly and nodded. "Of course, your majesty. I will be on the next train to Ponyville." The solar alicorn nodded in thanks and inquired to the pony who'd escorted her. Mandylion allowed himself to be introduced and gave a polite bow of the head to Celestia. "And what may I do for you, my little pony?" "I bring a message from Tapio Bearking and Milikki Bluecloak, your grace." Mandylion replied. Celestia's eyes widened. "Tapio? I haven't spoken with him in centuries. How fares the Ruler of the Forest and the Healer of the Ill and Sad?" Mandylion pressed his lips and fought a silent sigh. "They are... afraid, your grace." He paused for a moment to take a breath before explaining some of the the problems the Federation was currently facing. How North New Equine was having economic troubles, good paying career positions disappearing en mass, replaced by mediocre and low wage jobs that hold no promise of advancement or decent standards of living. Many forced to apply for government assistance for food or utility. Thousands of businesses receiving tax payer funded subsidies in order to maintain low unemployment numbers so politicians can keep their positions as well as the peace. Federal money being used to purchase stocks and bonds to keep prices artificially high in the stock market to keep trade going between the states. The bills being created by the government being used and hoarded in multiple mega safes all throughout the state. Estimates are that the bills number in the trillions throughout the vaults, fear of inflation from the money handlers and those whom understand the concept of supply and demand have speculated the influx of bills into the economy would devalue them too quickly for the market to adapt to the rates while maintaining economic stability. Local governments from the remaining states of the Federation have also forseen the threat and have already put laws into motion to cut ties with North New Equine to preserve the integrity of the bill within their own respective territories. In short, all it would take is a stock market panic to activate a massive sell off of stocks, and have the bills become so abundant that they become worthless, and there by, destroying those of modest means. Driving them to desperate actions once prices sky rocket to accommodate the lighting capital inflation. "Surly your people will maintain peace long enough for the market correction to take place." Celestia argued, though North New Equine was a state of massive industry. Agriculture was all but non-existent within the entire territory since food and such were the primary export of South Equine at much lower costs, and even if the population was pacified until the markets could correct themselves, the planning done by South New Equine to close the borders with North New Equine to preserve the bill would eventually lead to mass hunger. "We know it is coming, the collapse is beyond anything any of us can stop. An the collapse will lead the entire state of North Equine to devastation and ruin. Ponies, dogs, minotaur, beings of every race will suffer. Riots, looting, pillaging, desperation of the worst kind will befall them all." Mandylion said sullenly. "We believe that the death count will most likely break one million before everything is said and done." "We know it will happen soon. We've received multiple reports of private caravans of food being delivered to known wealthy individual's compounds and isolated safehouses. Tapio and Milikki kindly requests that you accept North New Equine refugees when the time comes." Celestia sat wide eyed from the tale, so shocked it took her a few attempts to speak. "And your government has done nothing to prevent this?" Mandylion scoffed and shook his head. "The Federal Senate is too busy playing politics to even consider it." He sighed. "They know what is coming, my grandson had done everything in his power to make sure they knew, yet they are more interested to maintain their power." Slumping in her throne, Celestia shook her head. It was an overwhelming thing to think about, so much suffering and pain. Such an event couldn't happen by accident, could it? Was it all orchestrated? Why were these ponies placing so much power into the financial eliet's hooves? "Forgive me, Mandylion was it? I will need time to think this over." "Reject it!" Everyone turned around to find Sin marching up from behind a piller. His face a mask of disgust and revulsion. "Reject it and let the Federation suffer the consequences of it's actions!" "Sin?" Uppity gasped. "Go to Twilight, Uppity." Sin seethed, passing her by. "This is a Federal matter." Mandylion and Celestia looked down at him with indignant shock. "I'm ashamed of you, grandpa. Trying to push the problems of the Federation onto the Equestrians, and at the behest of Tapio Bearking himself no less?" The oaken pony spat on the floor, attempting to get the taste of those words out of his mouth. "Sinbad this goes beyond what-" "Spare me!" Sin interjected with a sneer. "You seek to protect the citizens of North Equine from the consequences of their inaction against the government and the rich whom pull their strings, and I'll be damned before I let you help wiggle them out of being held to account for it." "Sin, calm down..." Uppity tried to calm him by placing a hoof on his shoulder, only to have him push it away harshly, barking at her to stay out of the conflict. "You think that what's coming is justice?" The elder pony asked, his tone dark and foreboding. Sin nodded, explaining that it was consequences and suffering that the state would need to endure, to teach the citizens, once again, the dangers of complacency. "Think about what you're saying! Innocent ponies will die! We're not talking about suffering for a few months! This will destroy our civilization!" "A civilization that needs to be destroyed!" "Innocent children will die!" Sin leered at his grandfather and exhaled slowly. "And that sucks, but that's the price that the citizens of New Equine have decided to pay. They've condemned their children's futures, that was their decision. Is it fair? No, but we both know that life isn't fair." Mandylion shook his head. "Listen to yourself! You sound just like Malich!" Sin smirked. "Who do you think taught him that?" The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Sin looked to see both Uppity and Celestia had the same looks of shock and disbelief that Mandylion had. It would be hard to explain to those whom dwelled within Life Worship over Consequential-ism, but he knew the worst was yet to come. "You would save their lives and rescue them from their mistakes instead of allowing them to reap what they have sewn. The citizen's complacency and silent inaction is what has lead to the current state of North Equine, both political and economic. The conservatives blame the government, the progressives blame the rich and the libertarians blame both. But through all of that, there's one aspect that none of you look at. Who supports these entities? Who gives them their power? Governments and corporations don't just sprout out from the ground, they are built and sustained by the people." "You blame everyone but those most responsible, hell you even seek to protect them form their decision to ad hear to the government and support the corporations. They could have disobeyed, they could have refrained from commerce, yet they chose not to. They didn't want to make the needed sacrifices to turn the country around, they wanted the convenience and luxury of indulging their greed and comfort and they happily sold the future of their children and their children's children for it." "You think they knew?" Mandylion countered, but Sin was more than ready to fight this point to the end. Of course they knew, he'd spread the word himself, not that it mattered. Ignorance didn't change results, and the results were the destruction of the state, he didn't think. "Sorry little Scooter, mommy and daddy didn't know we were selling your future for today's comfort" was going to be a viable excuse for why 'Scooter' ate one carrot a day while he was growing up in a third world country conditions. Victims, victims was all they were at this point. He had no sympathy for victims, all they were were the devil's playthings. Toys of those who'd seek to control and consume them. Incapable, holding little to no agency in their lives, constantly looking for pity and sympathy and to be taken care of. The Government was their god and they were it's worshipers. 'Dude, I really think you should calm d-' Shut. The Fuck. Up. "Make all the excuses and justification you wish, Mandylion, but that's all they are ever going to be. Excuses. Excuses do not stop the consequences of the decisions made from coming." He pulled down his goggles, revealing a scathing and determined glare. "And I will be dead before I let you save them from the bed they've made for themselves."