//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 // Story: Rise of an Empire, Fall of Another // by Kyuubi325 //------------------------------// Equestria Ponyville Castle of Friendship 3:00pm Twilight smiled as she watched Pinkie bounce around the Thrown room, setting up streamers and balloons for their party. She took a moment to trot over to the snack table and grab a daisy sandwich for herself to tide over her hunger before her friends came. She was worried about the party, after hearing some rumors about large amount of strange purchases stemming from many of the different farms in Ponyville. This didn't even account for the incident with Carrot Top and Cloudchaser. While I was ruled it was done in self-defense, it was still horrifying that one could permanently cripple a Pegasus so easily with one of those guns that Earth Ponies everywhere seemed to be buying. The rocketing crime rates also didn't help. Upon discovering this, she was greatly surprised, since she had only just heard about it after picking up an old newspaper Spike had left on the floor. With a little digging, she discovered that the installation of new irrigation machinery had pretty much destroyed the Weather Company. Hopefully, they could find new employment... Her dark train of thoughts was interrupted by the arrival of three of her friends. Applejack had switched out her signature Stetson for a rough sisal cowpony hat, while Rarity had purchased a new purse. Fluttershy hovered behind them, her shy demeanor fading as she saw Twilight. “Girls!” she trots over to them and brings them all into a hug, her face turning into a smile. Her friends shared her smile, enjoying the company of their friend. “I'm sorry Twilight; I didn’t see Rainbow on the way here”, Fluttershy says with a dissapointed look. She hadn't seen her long time friend for a while... “Don’t mind that hot head hon'. She’s always practicing for that Wonderbolts academy, ahm' sure she'll show up eventually” Applejack chuckles, and then breaks out of the hug. “Well I for one think we are greatly overdo for a get-together. After all with more and more ponies wearing clothes nowadays I’ve been too busy to even take Fluttershy with me to the Spa!" Rarity smiles “Even if their just alterations for those mass-produced, shabby outfits that Filthy keeps buying in bulk.” "Yeah, the gang's back together!" Pinkie says, surprising everyone with her sudden appearance. There was a short pause, and then she continued "Almost...“ she looks sadly at the door, seemingly expecting Rainbow to rush in at any moment. After getting settled around the snack table their discussion turned to gossiping about the latest news around Ponyville with Rarity. Pinkie also mentioned the recent renovations to Sugar Cube corner, including the installation of a gas oven. Finally, Fluttershy voiced her concerns about a proposal to rezone parts of the Everfree forest to be used for mining and logging. “I know that Ponyville is growing, but Mayor Mare has been getting pressured to start opening more land for resource production. If it happens countless animals would lose their homes!” Fluttershy says worriedly. Twilight nods and smiles, before attempting to calm her down. “Well don’t worry Fluttershy. They can petition all they want, but in the end Mayor Mare is only a representative of the crown, and the decision ultimately comes down to Celestia. Even then, she has already stated that she is unwilling to spoil our environment." Applejack's mood sours at this. “Yeah, because her laws work so well after all." Applejack rolls her eyes, and then continues. "The decision should come down to those who live in the area, not the princess. They only comes' here when there’s a disaster or they needs' us to go fight some monster that for some reason the goddess of the sun can’t fight. If the ponies of Ponyville want to chop down some trees then they should be able to choose for themselves.” her miniature rant causes Twilight to gasp in shock. “She’s the princess!! You can't just do what you want. We need laws and rules! Without them there would be anarchy! “Twilight says, trying to calm the situation down. “Ahm' sorry twilight but it’s true. That's how the farmers and other earth ponies feel in town; unless you agree with every choice that she has made, letting the nobility squeeze us Earth ponies for every bit we got, while Unicorns and Pegasi get all the money." Twilight was about to counter that it wasn’t her fault that taxes were high and that earth ponies were taxed more because they were more populous then the other two races, before a slam was her and a familiar blue Pegasus staggered in. “Dashie!” Pinkie jumps up and started hopping over to her, not noticing her grim look. “I hope you ground pounders are happy, because guess what! I just lost my house to the tax stallion! They even denied my application to the Wonderbolts! It’s just so funny, ya' know? I finally was on the track to becoming a Wonderbolt and what happens? I lose my job and have to drop out before I can even get close, all because some stupid mud ponies got mad about us charging what we deserve for weather control and irrigation! And what happened when we try to fight back after losing everything? Oh yeah. WE GOT SHOT by those guns all you Earth ponies are packing now!!” she stumbles around. Pinkie's hair deflates and Rainbow continues her rant. After a a shocking 30 seconds, Rainbow finally collapsed mid sentence, her eyes opening wide suddenly before closing again. “Fluttershy, go check on her” Twilight manages to speak. She couldn't say anything else, such as her shock at one of her best friend's actions. Fluttershy quickly flies over to her, passing a distressed Pinkie. Applejack and Rarity were at her side, comforting her. Fluttershy looked closely at her unconcious friend, noticing that her eyes were blood red and her nose was bleeding. “T-Twilight? I think she has been taking Everfree spice….and drinking...” This shocking revelation causes everyone's mouths to drop open. “But, but...why would she take Spice? Surely she knows that it's illegal...and why would it be important that she was drinking?” Twilight asks in shock. “I mean that she has been drinking Alcoholic beverages....” Fluttershy noticed that only Applejack didn’t seemed fazed by all this. “This is bad! What if it gets out that an element of harmony has broken the prohibition laws? This is the worse possible thing!" Rarity yells “I guess it’s not a good time to tell everypony we were invited to Zebrica...” Twilight suddenly pipes up. Everyone stares at her. Zebrica Western Island off the coast Undisclosed location 7:17pm Shujaa waited in the hastily built shelter. After getting word that a ship from the Crystal Empire was spotted sailing down the coast. According to his scouts, they had requested an audience with him. He had found it strange, but he had little to fear, with his personal guard hiding around the wood and concrete building on the small desert island. The vessel has anchored nearby so now he only had to play the waiting game. He spent most of the time toying with his custom revolver that was gifted to him from General Lutz as a gift and to show off his commanding skills. Only a hoof-full of Britannians had ever seen one, much less owned one. He admired the intricate carvings of Dragon's on it's handle, before noticing the Crystal Empire Delegation approaching. At it's forefront was a a violet coated crystal pony. “Greetings. I am sir Amethyst of the Crystal Empire. May I ask where the sovereign of Zebrica is? We had asked for his presence, but we were ordered to set our course to this island." Shujaa's eyes widened. “Your information must be fairly out of date. The last true sovereign of Zebrica fell centuries ago… we currently have a representative parliament, and they have dispatched me to talk with you on their behalf.” Amethyst is shocked, but quickly regains his composure. “I don’t know what a representative parliament is but I have come here looking for aid to expel invaders in our homeland." Shujaa stiffens in shock. “You mean the Equestrians?” Amethyst nods in response “I’m guessing you’re looking for weapons? Soldiers maybe?” He nods again. “I will have to talk with my superiors, but I think we can work something out that is beneficial for both of us.” He began to quickly compose a message in his head has he left Amethyst to the radio-pony. “What is this? Where are the carrier birds? How else do you expect to send the message?” Amethyst asked, confused by the radio. Shujaa relays the message to the operator, who rapidly taps out the message on the key to the local command group. After a few minutes, they responded. “Command just came back in; they said that they will allow your ship to head to our closest port under guard where you will then be allowed to plead your case to the representatives. I should also warn your that any deviation from that path will be viewed as a threat. “ Shujaa waits for Amethyst to reply. “I understand. I will tell my crew and we will set sail in an hour. Will that enough time for your own vessels to get ready to sail” he motions at the small frigate and it's complement of two patrol boats that had brought Shujaa to the island. “Yes, that’s more than enough time I believe." The two head back to their own ships, waiting for the Crystal Empire's fleet to get ready. Badlands Undisclosed location somewhere near the Equestrian Boarder Zebrican/Britannian joint military research base/bunker 10:34pm A Diamond Dog and Zebra soldier trotted down the hall after having to take an elevator down countless levels to the old salt caves hidden beneath the sandy and rocky wastes. They looked around, both surprised at the size of the complex. Countless amounts of workers were reinforing the walls, and installing dozens of machines who's purpose they couldn't even hazard a guess at. The walls of the complex weren’t much to brag about, mostly stone walls with veins of salt going through them. However, a layer of concrete and plaster was slowly covering up all the exposed rock. The lights were a mix of metal wall mounted working lights and professionally installed ceiling lights that would light the entire complex when finished. “So you’re telling me that they told the Equestrians that the building up top is a radio station? They really bought that?” the scruffy looking mutt asked the zebra as they arrived at their spartan living quarters. It consisted of two beds with a single lockbox at the front of each one. “Yep, but to be fair they're going to start broadcasting music and radio shows, so I guess it’s not that much of a stretch. What is the real purpose of this place anyway? I saw all the equipment, but I cant make head or tails of all of it.” the young zebra looked over at the mutt while they unpacked their duffel bags. “All I know is that it has something to do with Equestria, but the rest is above our rank and it will likely remain that way for a while. As for the equipment I think most of it consisted of radio equipment, I remember my dad used to mess around with that kind of stuff. I really don’t have any idea why, but I heard that they have been setting up places like this all over the Equestrian border with similar cover stories.” He closes the now full storage locker, before lying down on hi bed. “Weird...we better get some shut eye. I'm sure they'll tell us about it at the seminar..."