A Stallion And His Mare — Part II
The play was an open act of rebellion.
If it wasn’t, Twilight would eat her crown.
Thunderous applause boomed through the theater, echoing off the gemstone spotlights shining down upon the cast and crew below. While the actors onstage plucked the crystal roses thrown their way and held them tightly in gratitude, Twilight stopped clapping.
While the play had delivered on its promise of entertainment, she had noted the obvious similarities to this and what awaited her in Canterlot. When she pushed aside what had honestly been a very entertaining tale, the intent was quite clear.
The names... The songs… The big twist at the end! It can’t be coincidence!
In the front row, Cadence was standing tall on her hindhooves, her form towering over her citizens as she clapped furiously and called for an encore. She, Shining, and the others continued cheering, even as the actors exited the stage and the curtain fell once more.
Twilight’s wings drooped as she sat back down in her seat. Of course it isn’t a coincidence. Cadence said it herself earlier today; this has been brewing for a while. I bet this play was in the works from the moment Cadence became the Crystal Princess.
But why? Why now, after all this time? Is there some prophecy I’m unaware of? Some lore that might explain this sudden change in attitude? If so, that’s news to me!
And if this attitude is widespread enough that nopony objects to this play—at least, not enough to have interrupted it or something, then—
“Twilight, everypony’s going backstage.”
She looked up to see Flash Sentry looking down at her. The buttons on his dress uniform glowed in the gemstone spotlights, but not as much as his eyes, which, although happy, were tinged with concern.
“Oh. Right.” From the corner of her eye, Twilight could see Cadence and Shining leading the others backstage. “Let’s not keep them waiting, huh?” she added with a sheepish chuckle.
Flash opened his mouth, then closed it. He stood aside, waiting as she moved to all fours again and began following after the group.
As before, Twilight and Flash brought up the rear of the pack. She followed the Royal Guard—Strong Command was his name?—directly in front of her through the auditorium and back up the stage.
On the way, Twilight noticed that most of the attendees were still in their seats, some of whom held notebooks or photographs. The actors here must be very popular. Despite… the ending, it was still a very good story. I won’t deny that. I just…
Twilight dismissed those thoughts. No. I can worry about all of this later.
Her mind, of course, had other plans.
Right now, I should try and have some fun. I sure wasn’t having any fun until the opening scene. But who could blame me? First, Cadence unleashes all of that on me, just like that, over what should have been a simple lunch! And then, we get back, and I get ready, and then I—
Twilight was grateful she ducked behind the red curtains after Strong Command at that very moment. The velvet masked her muzzle for a bit as she shook that particular thought out of her head.
N-nevermind that! It was involuntary! Just like what happened to him. Heh. Just the wings. Wings. Silly things. Ahahaha—oh dear Galaxia, am I laughing in my thoughts now? Get a grip, Twilight! Come back to—
Cadence’s voice brought Twilight back to the Crystal Empire. “That was an impressive production, Quartz. You did a fantastic job.”
Quartz bowed. “Thank you, Princess. I am glad to hear that you and your guests enjoyed it.”
His co-star, the unicorn mare whom Twilight didn’t recognize, bowed with him. “We’re very happy to hear that, Your Highness. Quartz and I worked very hard on the writing.” She chuckled and patted the stallion on the shoulder. “Poor stallion nearly worked himself to the bone on it!”
Apt Drop, standing beside Quartz, rolled his eyes. “Oh, yes, Your Highness, it’s true! Between directing, writing, and acting as the lead, I was afraid poor Quartz here would be too exhausted to perform! But you did really well, didn’t you?” he said, grinning at him.
Did Apt just… tease him?
… In not a friend way?
While Twilight raised an eyebrow, Shining just laughed. “Well, all that hard work paid off! Wouldn’t you say so, everypony?” he asked, turning to the other Royal Guards.
The guards nodded and praised the show, most of them coming forward to shake the hooves of both lead actors. Shooting Star, whom Twilight knew had a reputation for being somewhat terse with his own soldiers, shook both ponies’ hooves so hard they winced when he pulled away.
When it came to Flash’s turn, the stallion stepped forward and shook hooves with both as well. “That was… amazing. Thank you both, and everypony involved, for putting on this show tonight. I… I really enjoyed it.”
After both returned the gesture, Flash turned to Apt. “And thank you, Apt, for inviting us. Your friend is a great actor.”
Friend? Why did he say it like—
Free of snow or darkness, Twilight saw Apt dig a forehoof at the floor and blush, as did the stallion standing behind him.
... Oh.
Oh.
“Yes,” Cadence chimed in, coming over to shake Apt’s hoof as well, “thank you, Apt Drop, for inviting us tonight. Your services in our library are invaluable, but I have come to value your friendship as well. Please, keep us informed of any future performances.”
The librarian’s son seemed to swell with pride and joy at the Princess’s acknowledgement, and at that of the Prince, officers, and guards who then took turns shaking his hoof. From the corner of her eye, Twilight saw Flash grinning widely but warmly, as if he had stumbled upon something wonderful he was grateful to share with the others.
Finally, the eyes of the group shifted to Princess Twilight.
“Oh… Uh…”
Focus! Even if you aren’t so sure how you feel about him, or his… friend… or this play—or why everypony is praising it to the moon and back! I mean, it was good, buuuuut—no, no, Twilight, focus. Thank him. A lot of work went into this. Be polite. C’mon.
Coughing into a forehoof, Twilight joined the actors’ side. With the summoning of a weak smile, she reached out and quickly shook the hooves of Quartz, the mare, and Apt. “Thank you all for this lovely event! I had a great time! Uh, please, um, be sure to—”
“Apt, honey, I brought the camera!”
Oh, thank you, Precise Jot, thank you.
The elderly mare trotted up to them, balancing a camera between her forehooves. Unlike the photography equipment she was familiar with, Twilight noticed that this one had a lens made of a reflective crystal, with a smaller, red crystal jutting out from its casing.
Precise Jot bowed as low as she could to the honored guests. “Apt said everypony was wanting pictures…? Err, right, son?”
“Right, mom!” Apt reached towards the camera. “Here, let me help you with—”
Precise Jot waved him off with a forehoof. “No, no, I’ve got it, son. Your Highnesses, sirs, if you all could just get in a circle now—”
With a shuffle of hooves—and a groan and many apologies as Argon stepped on one of Shining’s—the group lined up for the photo. Twilight alongside Flash, Shining, and Cadence in the front, the others filling out the circle.
Precise Jot raised a dull forehoof. “Okay, on the count of three, everypony…”
While the elderly mare counted, Twilight felt a wing wrap around her. Standing beside her, Cadence tightened the embrace, the look in her eyes sympathetic—almost if she could read the turmoil in Twilight’s thoughts.
Before Precise Jot got to three, Twilight embraced the moment and Cadence. The smile that spread across her features was genuine this time.
Right before the camera went off, she felt Flash sidle up closer to her. From the corner of her eye, she saw Flash and Shining mirroring herself and Cadence, Flash’s wing around her brother as they both beamed.
Her grin grew as a bright, white light filled her vision.
“Alrighty! That was a good ‘un!” Precise Jot chuckled. “Your Highnesses, we can take another if you like, or just make copies—”
“Copies are fine,” Shining answered, then turned to the group. “Everypony want one?”
“Me, Captain! Me, me, me, me!” Strong Command exclaimed, his forehoof raised high.
Shooting Star slapped the Corporal’s forehoof down. “C’mon, Command! This isn’t magic kindergarten! Put your hoof down!”
Twilight shivered at the mention of magic kindergarten.
Although the others playfully called out to Shining Armor like they were schoolcolts and he their headmaster—his guests’ sense of humor, Twilight noticed, seeming to be in full swing tonight—Flash Sentry simply said to him, “I would like two copies, if that would be alright, Shining.”
“Of course, Flash.” Shining and Cadence broke away from the group and headed over to Precise Jot. “Um, I think we’ll need about fifteen copies then, if that’s alright…”
While Shining and Cadence went over to discuss photography with the librarian and her son, Flash stood beside Twilight, standing still but his smile growing ever wider.
If Twilight was honest with herself, his brand of happiness felt infectious in this moment. She, too, smiled with him, though she had no idea why he was even smiling to begin with.
Strange… He always seemed so quiet back in Canterlot. I think tonight is the most I’ve heard him speak in… ever. I guess whatever he did with Shining went over much better than my little “outing” with Cadence…
The shuffling of hooves stole her attention away. The group was on the move again. “Uh… Where are we going?” she asked.
Shining joined her side and ruffled her mane. “Dinnertime, Twily! All that laughing made me hungry!”
“And the crying,” Cadence added with a smirk towards her husband.
Shining scoffed, sticking his snout in the air as they descended the stairs off the stage. “Don’t listen to her, Twily. She just doesn’t want to admit that she was crying at that scene all alone. Just like when I loaned her that copy of Where The Red—”
Cadence smacked his side with a wing. “Oh, hush, Shining! You were crying more than me during that final scene, and when you read that book too!”
Shining just snorted, brushing past her as he led the way out of the theater.
Flash laughed, shaking his head. “Heh… I’ve read that book too…”
“So have I,” Twilight said, giggling behind her forehoof at her brother and sister-in-law’s antics. Oh, they’re too cute together sometimes, I swear. “It’s a good book.”
Flash nodded. “Sure is.”
The two were silent on their continued journey out of Quartz Center. This time, they made up the middle of the pack as the rest of the Royal Guards followed them out of the auditorium. Something about this arrangement made Twilight feel a little more uneasy, but she didn’t comment on it.
Ponies bowed and waved as they passed. More attention was paid to the Royals this time around, Twilight observed, than on earlier occasions during her stay here so far. Why, Twilight did not know. Still, the extra attention added to her discomfort, and she turned to her thoughts again as her hooves met the snow outside.
~
The walk from the theater to the restaurant—a rather tall building whose neon-pink gemstones christened it the Hearthside Pub—could have taken hours or days for all Twilight cared. Gone was the enjoyment and slight relaxation the play had provided (up until the ending, of course) for her. Back again were thoughts of her conversation with Cadence and the implications of the play…
And… what had happened at the door with Flash.
Quick to dismiss that occurrence as a mere side effect of being both a mare and a winged pony, something from Twilight’s subconscious wasn’t so sure. You almost called him “cute” the other day when you went on that flight with Cadence, a rather upstart part of herself argued. You do like looking at him; don’t deny that.
Maybe I do, her rational, moral mind argued back, but it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a proximity thing. He’s been stuck at my side for… what, a week now? If I found him hideous, I would drive myself crazy! So that’s all it is. A little warped psychology, is all.
Even as Twilight tromped up another set of stairs behind Cadence and Shining into the restaurant, she was lost to her own inner world.
A cascade of warmth and welcome washed over her as the excited wait-pony led the group to a set of tables beside a roaring fireplace. She paid it little heed. Twilight took the stool Flash pulled up for her, muttered a quiet thanks, and grabbed the menu at her seat reflexively. The others began chatting and ordering even as her nose was still deep in the appetizers page, her stomach empty but unacknowledged.
Again, her thoughts seemed determined to sabotage her, replaying that encounter at the door over and over again, to the point that she hoped the blazing hearth beside her would conceal what her lavender fur might not.
”Warped psychology, huh?” Like Cadence would say… A little brash coming from the filly who had a crush on the Earth pony colt next door—
“That was one time!”
A set of silverware clattered to the floor.
Shining Armor cleared his throat. “Um… one time, what, Twilight?”
Twilight looked up from her menu in horror. Oh, HORSEAPPLES! Did I just say that out loud?! Oh Galaxia, I really did, didn’t I?! Sh—horseapples! Horseapples!
Sinking down into her seat, Twilight felt about ten inches tall. A table full of wide eyes stared back at her, many of them unblinking. Cadence seemed especially concerned, her magic retrieving the dropped utensils while she locked eyes with Twilight.
Twilight coughed and fidgeted in her chair. “Uh… Um… Er…”
“Your Highness, are you alright?” Strong Command asked. “You… You smacked the table there rather hard, Princess.”
“S-smacked the table?” Twilight winced as she fidgeted again, one of her forehooves throbbing with ache. “Oh… Um.”
Wishing that she could disappear, Twilight swallowed hard. Beside her, Flash Sentry sat stone still, looking at her with concern reflecting in his eyes. His sapphire eyes…
Can’t—need to—
Without thinking, Twilight dropped her menu and left her seat. “I—I’m not hungry! G-gonna go get some fresh air! Okay! Thanks, bye!”
Flash Sentry immediately dropped his menu and jumped from his chair, hurrying after her. “P-Princess Twilight, wait!”
Shining Armor lit his horn as she climbed up the stairs towards the exit, but Cadence laid a forehoof on her chest, shaking her head. “No, Shining. Flash will lead her home. She’ll be fine. She simply needs time to process all this.”
After a long sigh, Shining bit his lip and gave her a slow nod.
Around the table, the other members of the Order of the Silver Guard read between the lines, and hoped for a swift and wise end to their Princess’s internal struggle with tonight’s revelations.
For now, after the last murmurs of doubt and concern faded, there was more joy to be had. The rest of the group ordered fine food, wine, and music in celebration of what would be a new chapter in their lives, started on this snowy evening.
~
“Twilight!”
Twilight Sparkle kept running.
“Twilight! Please!”
Towards the Crystal Palace, she cut through the streets like a knife, either oblivious to or disregarding his words.
Reluctant to resort to his wings, Flash Sentry churned his hooves harder against the snow-covered cobblestones. His golden horseshoes cut through the frost well, giving him the traction he needed to catch up to the fleeing alicorn.
I thought everything was going well! Okay, maybe not that well! She did fall silent again, but I was meaning to talk to her about it later, and—
Oh, you fool, Flash! This is later! Now catch up to her and find out what’s wrong! Might not be an assassin or usurper, but the Princess is still in trouble!
Though he loathed the idea of scaring Twilight by pursuing her on wing, Flash knew that no escort worth his salt would let the one he was supposed to protect out of his sight for even a second. The fact that he hadn’t flown after her already was unbecoming of his duty, and he kicked himself as he kicked off his hooves and took to the air.
He made up for lost time quickly, zipping through the air and joining Twilight’s side within seconds. He hovered there, putting on the best smile he could, as she continued to gallop, her eyes closed, head to the ground. “Er, Twilight, you can stop no—”
Twilight finally looked up and, with a gasp, pulled her hooves up. She skidded to a stop, creating a rather sizable path through the fresh snow, but managed to hold herself up.
“Flash! I—I’m so sorry! I—I didn’t hear you!” Twilight sputtered. With a flick of her horn, she cleared her muzzle of snow. Yet, a few flakes remained, which she spat rather gracefully onto the ground.
Flash moved back down to the ground, looking away as Twilight cleaned her mouth and herself of the snow. He offered her an apologetic smile when she finally met his eyes. “Oh… It’s alright, Twilight,” he said with a cough. “The wind was blowing pretty hard, so you probably couldn’t hear me over it.”
Twilight blinked. “There’s no wind here.”
“Oh… Right.”
Flash looked around. They were in a clearing of sorts, sitting at the base of the hill upon which the Crystal Palace sat. On the other side of the hill, the Crystal Guard recruits would have finished their dinner and gone to sleep an hour ago. Other than that, nopony was here to hear them.
Now is as good a time as ever.
Flash approached her, brushing snow from his shoulders and wings. “Hey, Twilight?”
“Hm?” Lost in thought once more, Twilight slowly turned to him. “Yes, Flash?”
Flash swallowed hard. “I was wondering… Would you like to go on a flight with me?”
“A flight?” Twilight asked.
Flash nodded. “Ye—yeah. I mean… It seems like something might be bothering you, and I was thinking that could… help?”
I was going to ask you what happened earlier, and what’s bothering you, but this might be a better route.
Besides… I would lo—like to see you smile again.
Rustling her wings, Twilight looked away from him. She rubbed her neck, saying, “O-oh, I don’t know. I’m not that great of a flier, after all. I wouldn’t want to hold you back and all.”
“You wouldn’t hold me back. I promise.”
Twilight turned back to him. “Are you sure?”
Flash opened and extended his wings fully. “Of course! It’s no trouble at all.”
Well, unless by “trouble,” you mean “potentially breaking a promise to Shining Armor”—
No. This is a friendly thing. Just like how she invited you to the play tonight. And there’s nothing against being friends with her! Especially since it might help things.
Right?
Twilight seemed to look up at the hill, then the Crystal Palace, then at the skies, before she finally stood and opened her wings. “Alright. I suppose it can’t hurt to get a little more practice in. Heh, heh.”
Flash jumped up and hovered himself alight. “Heh, yeah! Practice… making perfect… all that.” A familiar heat flowed through him as he prepared to take off into the night sky. “Would you like me to lead, or should I follow you?”
With an awkward kick of her hooves and a few mismatched flaps, Twilight joined his side. “Actually, how about I show you the place where Cadence took me? It’s very… nice.”
At his nod, Twilight pumped her mighty wings, stretched out into a flying stance, and began to gain altitude. Flash waited until she was a safe distance away before following after her, focusing on the stars in the sky rather than the ones in her mane.
~
The thermals were calm tonight, offering little resistance as the two cut across the night sky. Flash had to constantly remind himself that it was spring, rather than winter, on nights like this, where the backdrop of the galaxy seemed to only amplify the gossamer glow of the new dusting of white upon the Earth.
The fact that the Grand Galloping Gala, which commemorated the construction of Canterlot, was about three months away seemed unbelievable as he soared over the Crystal Mountains and their peaks of pure, untouched white. Back in Canterlot, winter had long been wrapped up by unicorn magic, but here it reigned still, wild, free, and beautiful.
More remarkable still were Twilight’s flight patterns. Beyond the occasional weave or bob, she kept in control of the thermals and her wings, leading the two of them to a high cliff jutting out from one of the mountains.
Flash enjoyed the flight itself, no need for words. If anypony would have told him three months ago, when the Princess of Magic took up residence in Canterlot Castle, that he would share a night flight with her, he would have laughed until he wept.
He had already wept once tonight, but the sheer majesty of the Empire below made him want to do so a second time.
Twilight began diving towards that outstretched cliff. Flash opened his wings to catch more air as he slowed his pace on the descent. Matching Twilight’s speed, he came to a landing only a few moments before she did.
Twilight cried out as she stumbled, her landing wobbly and uncertain. Flash held her up by the shoulders as she steadied, her eyes spinning in a dizzy haze.
Once she stood tall, he removed his forehooves from her, but not before looking down at them in a mix of surprise and horror. I… I did it again.
I need to stop doing this.
“Thank you,” Twilight said, breathing deep.
Flash was the one to look away this time. “You’re welcome,” he replied, almost in a mumble.
While she continued to catch her breath, Flash looked down from their perch on the cliff to the sprawling empire below. The city was much larger than he had realized, as were the wildlands surrounding it. All was Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor’s domain. Only a fraction of it had been seen with his own eyes; Flash silently vowed to see as much of it as possible, before heading home to Canterlot.
Perhaps if I focus more on this place, I can keep that promise to Shining… I know it’s going to be much more difficult than I said.
I just… I don’t want to lose this sense of home, he thought with a slump of his shoulders. It’s strange, how much it has eluded me, but tonight… it just feels… right.
Maybe that’s silly. Maybe I’m just fooling myself.
Twilight chuckled beside him.
Flash looked up.
“Guess I’m not the only pony with a lot on their mind,” she said quietly, staring down at the slumbering city with him.
Flash paused, wondering how to respond.
He had drank no more wine since Shining’s meeting, so any courage that burned in his belly would have to come from within. That no longer seemed impossible. The spark had been lit a few hours ago; it would not be dowsed easily. Still, what he wanted to say and what he knew he would say were universes apart from each other.
Yet, when he looked over to see Twilight staring down at that Crystal city like she had lost not only a friend, but a part of herself, he made his decision.
She needs a friend.
… I can be a friend, can’t I?
“... No,” Flash said at last, scooting closer to her on the cliff, “you’re not.”
Twilight looked up at him.
“It’s been an… interesting night for me, too. To say the least,” he said, finishing with a sigh, becoming a dragon in the night again.
“... Oh?” she asked, her words creating a little smoke of their own.
Twin dragons they were, perched from on high, looking down on the city and nation that both could destroy, if they wanted to.
Flash waited before beginning his reign of destruction, letting the skies speak their mind as the snow began to fall again.
Flash nodded. “Yeah. I… I can’t really talk about much, though. But I can say that tonight has definitely made me think about a lot of things.”
“Heh, that’s how I feel, too,” Twilight said, running a forehoof in a circle through the snow. “I… I can’t talk about anything either. I guess that’s really—”
“—what makes it hard—” they both finished.
They looked up, then shared a laugh.
“Yeah! It’s… Oh, wow. That’s so weird, isn’t it?” Twilight began. “That you and I both got whisked away for the day, and we both have things we can’t talk about!”
Guilt rose in Flash’s chest. He swept his gaze back down to the pure city again. Except… I know what you were told. Well, the idea of it, anyway. And from your reaction… you wouldn’t be fond of my own.
He simply replied, “Yes, that is… strange.”
She sighed. “I mean… I do have somepony I can try and talk this out with, but her mind is made up. It’s just mine that isn’t.”
Flash nodded.
“It’s one of those things I haven’t really thought about,” Twilight said. “Something I always took for granted, as a given. As just part of the way things were.”
Flash’s ears flicked at those words, but he said nothing again. What swirled in him was not anger, as it would have if he had heard these words from another, but, to his surprise, sympathy.
As little as he knew of Twilight, what he did know was that she never meant to abuse her position in life, as a unicorn then or an alicorn now. While he was willing to accept Apt and Quartz’s relationship—how could he not, when both seemed so happy, and happiness was in short supply?—it had been obvious to him that Twilight was not so sure.
If she is not sure about them, then I don’t have much to worry about coming in between the mission and myself.
Taking another breath before continuing, Twilight then said, “And I never really had a problem with things as they were! It was explained to me so long ago, and it made sense then, and it makes sense now. But now, I’ve meet what seems like tons of ponies who disagree, explicitly or implicitly, and I don’t know where I should go from here.”
A frustrated sigh escaped her lips. Frowning, she shook her head at him. “I’m sorry, Flash. I know this is all so terribly vague. I don’t even know why I’m venting if I can’t even tell you.”
“No, it’s alright,” Flash replied, giving her a small smile. “We all need to vent, right? And…” And I’m honored you trust me enough to vent to me. “... And maybe, um, we could talk about something similar, that could maybe help you work it out?”
Twilight tapped her chin for a moment, then brightened. “That’s a great idea! And I have the perfect example! Do you remember when I was talking about my friends back in Ponyville?”
“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, right? Oh, and Spike, too?”
Twilight looked elated at his correct answer. Flash couldn’t help but feel elated right along with her.
“That’s right! Well, Spike has been my friend for much longer than I’ve been in Ponyville, but yes, you were right about the others. Well, anyway,” Twilight said, growing excited as she spoke, “the first year that I was there, I wanted to help with Winter Wrap-Up. But you know how Winter Wrap-Up is in Canterlot, right?”
A lifelong citizen of Canterlot, Flash nodded. “Yes. At the end of winter, the unicorns use their magic to melt the snow, plant the seeds, and awaken the animals. It all takes less than an hour.”
“Right! But, you see, Ponyville was founded by Earth ponies. So even though they had pegasi manipulating the seasons, there were no unicorns to get rid of winter! … Well, not for a long time at least. The city didn’t become more diverse until—sorry, getting sidetracked there a bit…
“Anyway, Winter Wrap-Up was always done by Earth ponies. No magic, no wings, no shortcuts, nothing. And well… I had didn’t know of any of this, so I used my magic when I tried to help. And it was a disaster.”
Visibly shuddering, Twilight shook her head. “I had no talent in making birds’ nests, or waking up animals, or ice skating. Worse still, I tried to enchant a snowplow that was meant to be pushed by Earth pony hooves and ended up spreading more snow than removing it!”
Twilight sighed. “That part… that last part is what I’m most ashamed of. That was a tradition, especially in Applejack’s family—her grandmother was one of the first to come to what eventually became known as Ponyville—and I just stomped all over it. I could tell Applejack was upset with me, but I was even more upset with myself. Not only because I wanted to help so badly, and failed at doing so, but because I had taken something important, sacred even, to my friend and told her that my way was better.”
A long silence followed the end of Twilight’s story. She looked back down from her perch again, draconic in breath but not in stature.
Flash watched her with shared sorrow. Taking something sacred and telling the others that your way is better… Betraying tradition… And feeling guilty for it.
Never would I have guessed you would feel the same as me, Twilight.
He searched for the right words while the snowflakes thickened around them, creating little piles on their shoulders.
He found the words, and they escaped him, rolling with the wind that had begun to blow through the mountaintops.
“I… I know what it feels like, to question tradition, to try a different way.”
From his peripherals, Flash saw Twilight be struck dumbfounded.
“You… you do?”
“... Yes,” Flash said after a long pause. “I… I wasn’t exactly an… easy colt to raise.”
Another pause.
Flash ran his tongue over his teeth, still facing away from her. He spoke up only loud enough to be heard over the increasing wind. “My father taught me the values of a Royal Guard very early. As long as I can remember, he was raising me to take his place in the Guard.”
“Who is your father?” Twilight’s voice was soft too, barely discernible from the whispers of the wind.
“Sentinel,” Flash answered. “He was a Knight like me. He retired before Prince Shining Armor entered the Guard.”
“... Oh. Is he—”
“He’s still around,” Flash replied, turning to face her at last. “So… that’s not where this story is going, don’t worry.”
The slightest of smiles spread across her muzzle.
He managed half of one on his own.
A third pause. Flash was certain by now that the liquid courage had left his blood, but there was still a fire burning within him, and he would ride it out until only the embers remained.
I’ve never told anypony this… But I want to tell you.
Maybe because you need a friend.
Maybe because I need a friend.
“I am an only foal.” Flash brushed snow from one of his shoulders with a wing. “So, I spent a lot of time with my father. He taught me many things early: how to fly, how to fight, how to speak to royalty.” Although, with you, I often seem to forget that lesson…
Flash cleared his throat before continuing. “But one lesson I couldn’t take to heart was about… the order.”
The order. The words hung in the space between them.
He let them stay there for a while, as she waited, patient but expectant. His heart was rushing blood through his ears, making his breath come faster, more erratic.
“I… I didn’t really understand it, I guess. Being just a colt and all. And I lived in Canterlot, with him and my mom. We lived there instead of Cloudsdale because of his career. So I saw unicorns a lot. And… And I guess it’s natural that—”
“—You developed feelings for a unicorn?”
If he had been leaning any closer to the edge, Flash would’ve fallen, and he wasn’t sure if he would have opened his wings in time.
Unable to reply, the crimson on his muzzle said it all.
While he looked away in shame, she drew circles with both forehooves in the snow. Flash swore he heard her breath quicken too, right before she spoke up again.
“I-I had that happen once too. W-well, not a unicorn! But! A… A… E-Earth pony.”
Flash caught his jaw before it fell to the Crystal Empire. “R-really?” he asked, spinning around to face her.
Twilight flinched, avoiding his eyes. “I-I was just a filly! And he was really nice and quiet and—oh, Galaxia, why am I telling you this?”
Bringing both forehooves to her face, Twilight shook her head and groaned. Beside her, Flash fared not much better, rubbing his front horseshoes together rapidly enough to create sparks. The two of them endured their respective humiliations in silence, Flash especially wishing that the cliff was a faulty cloud.
Finally, with one, long, heavy sigh, Flash faced the moon and lowered his wings. “Her… Her name was Dusk Glow,” he muttered, “and she was… b-beautiful. And… and my father…
“He didn’t take it so well.”
Twilight peeked from behind her feathers enough to mutter a question. “... How old were you?”
“... Thirteen,” Flash muttered back with a snort. “She was just a neighbor for a while but… My father made it so clear that I would never forget that lesson.”
And I didn’t.
Until you.
Hooves scraped across rock.
Flash looked over to see Twilight, closer to him.
“I’m so sorry, Flash.”
The sadness in her eyes was the only thing stopping him right there—his heart slamming at his ribs, his muzzle flushed, and his breath a steady stream of steam in the night—from breaking not only his promise to Shining Armor, but to his father yet again.
For Flash Sentry did not only have a heart that beat just for unicorns.
He had lips that only kissed for them, too.
Time slowed. That temptation was too strong, too near.
Flash drew his head back from Twilight, against his instincts and towards everything of importance.
With the blink of his eye, Twilight took a step back, casting her gaze back down and away from him.
I too am sorry, Twilight.
Flash coughed, breaking the silence and his mask. “I-I… It’s okay. It… It wasn’t meant to be anyway.”
“H-huh?”
“Dusk,” Flash replied instantly. “She was… nevermind. Um… It’s getting late. We should probably—”
“Y-yeah, you’re right.” Twilight opened her wings. “We should get going.”
Forcing everything down that had been brought back up again, Flash rose to his hooves and opened his wings. “Please, lead the way, Twilight.”
“Of course.”
With that, Twilight was in the sky again, Flash trailing after her. They were twin streaks across the sky, purple and orange, a clash of colors above the Empire.
~
From the Crystal Palace entrance, up the stairs, through the hallways, and to their rooms, Flash Sentry was in a daze.
He knew that he had taken Twilight Sparkle to her room and bid her goodnight.
He knew that he had gone to his own room and locked the door.
He knew that he had done something in between the cliff and his mirror, but he couldn’t quite remember what.
All he knew was that conversation, and, more importantly, that moment where one or both of them had made a grave mistake.
She confided in me.
I told her about Dusk!
She told me about… some colt. Some Earth pony colt.
I told her that I fell for a unicorn before!
She stepped closer to me.
I told her something that could get me kicked out of the Guard!
She was going to kiss me.
I was going to kiss her!
She was—
I was—
5551635 dont forget in most fantasy worlds gold and silver are VARY magically conductive so that armor might be made of real silver...and might be incredibly enchanted and warded
OMG where have you beeen i missed you and this story
You're back! Oh my god I am so happy you're back, because this story is so good. Its like watching a fuse slowly burning its way into a box: you don't know if its a bomb or a party cannon, and I want to know so badly and I also want the fuse to keep burning forever.
Okay, now that I'm finished gushing, the story: this is what we should show new fanfiction authors. It is worldbuilding, characters acting in character in situations that are entirely AU, compelling OCs, and nail-biting pacing that grabs you by the throat and drags you along while you beg for more all tied together with perfect little bows. Seriously, can't stress enough about the pacing: I'm tense the entire time reading this(in a good way) because everything contributes somehow but never too much. Even big reveal scenes are slow bakes and not big explosive burnouts. This is what the rising action was always meant to be
So glad you're writing here again. I love this story!
Its good to see you back and writing again! I'm looking forward to Twilight's confrontation with Celestia. (Perhaps twilight should mention her previous crush on an earth pony foal, to put things in perspective.)
Yes, very strong comeback, Bads, I, loved it!
Holy shit...it's been so long:
i.imgur.com/Lo07H26.jpg?1
Thank you for the update. I loved these new chapters. I'm glad about Flash spending some time with Twilight and with pony's that believe like he does. I can't wait for these updates. Thank you for returning. Thank you so much.
This is totally not what I was expecting today. Thank you very much. Its been several months since I read the last chapter and I still know exactly where the story is. This just made my day that much better. Its good to have you back!
You're damn right it was.
Dat whole conversation on the snowy cliffs of the Crystal Empire, tho.
...Poor Flash.
Quick, I need a reminder! Whose profiles have I posted here on the comments of this story?
Nevermind, I just went through all pages of comments. I now know which one to post up next.
I've been waiting for this since I was on the other side of the world <3
This. Was. Updated.... How long was it since the last update? Dang it, I probably should start reading it from the very beginning.
EVERYTHING PIZZA SAID!
5624464 If only I could put my thoughts like that, whenever I try it becomes a jumbled mess.
And as with all really good cliffhangers, this one JUST ISN'T FAIR! Seriously though, you're messing with fire and not getting burned which is freaking awesome. Can't wait for the next update girl, get it in already!
Glad to see the story has updated. It's one of the best.
Though I nearly went insane at that ending.
Words cannot express the feels I have x3
Yes, yes it was. One that Celestia is probably going to hear about pretty quickly. It's not like the Crystal Empire is isolated enough that news won't make it in and out, they'd have to stop the trains from running. I hope Cadance and Shining really are ready to launch this cultural (and probably non-cultural) revolution.
Hah! You can always count on Twilight to eventually catch on to the incredibly obvious details.
Hahaha!
Oops, so much for dinner. Maybe a brisk run and a flight will help.
Sounds like a great start, at least.
Unicorns and earth ponies, pegasi and alicorns, what a mess these rules make.
Guh, you write these two so adorable!!!
Welcome back to the fray, Badsy!
Good to see some new chapters at last. I'm really loving what you're doing with Twilight and Flash, by the way. Please update soon.
So! I just wanted to say before anything else, that I really liked this. It was totally worth the nine-month wait, no joke!
So first, let's start with the stuff I liked.
1. I loved all the pop-culture references in the play. It's been like 12 hours since I read the chapter, so I've forgotten some... well, most of them, but I totally caught that the song was a reference to Frozen. I kinda pictured the end of the play being set to this as a result:
2. I like that you're creating more obstacles towards Flash's and Twilight's relationship. Like, I thought it was a really good idea to have Shining say "Dude, you can't date my sister, it'll make her seem biased and jeopardize the whole plan." It made sense and felt like a really natural development. I'm not sure how to say this next part, but here I go: It makes the situation more complex. Quite frankly, one of my problems with the story was just how one-sided the issue struck me as. Like, "The order sucks and there is no benefit to it," which, while, true, doesn't create much moral ambiguity. And before I sound like an elitist, I want to say there's definitely room for stories where the issue is black-and-white, and I think there's room for it in this story, too. However, for a story that deals with things like racism and oppression, grey areas make things so much better. Like, yeah, the order still incontestably sucks and Celestia and Luna are in the wrong for enforcing it for vaguely defined reasons, but now, we have a legitimate reason why Flash and Twilight can't be an item - if they got together, they could seriously harm their chances of freeing Equestria from thousands of years of institutionalized oppression. And that makes this story so much more compelling.
3. I really have no idea where this is going to go! I have theories, but nothing really supported by the text itself, just the fact that you initially posted this with a "tragedy" tag. And better yet, I want to know where it's going to go. That is literally one of the keys to writing a good story: Making us want to know what's going to happen. Way to go, Seed! Keep me guessing until the very end!
4. Dusk Glow, ha! I see what you did there.
However! There are some things that can definitely be improved upon.
1. I've noticed you still use a lot of adjective when they aren't necessary. I know this is a really easy habit to fall into. I do the exact same thing. The problem, is that while lots of adjectives sound better when you're writing, they really hurt the quality of your prose. Like, for example:
That's pretty redundant. If the applause is thunderous, saying it boomed through the theater doesn't really do anything. I'd suggest saying:
By doing this, you eliminate the extraneous words, and increase the impact of the words that are there. I can come up with some more examples of this if you want, but I think this gets my point across.
2. You do a fair bit of telling, rather than showing. For example:
Instead, try
This gets the point across much more effectively. Why? Because, it lets the reader figure things out. And that makes things all the more lasting. And I know it's hard to do this, especially when writing a draft, because again, I do this exact same thing. But you can make your story so much better if you hold your reader's hand and pull them along, rather than just saying "This is what happened."
3. This one little sentence stuck out to me:
if I think of anything else, I'll let you know, but for now, I am so incredibly excited for the 28th.
SmashGenesis
when I first started this story waaaaay back in time when it was just beginning, I honestly never expected this nugget of literary social comentary. I also didn't expect the feeling of being punched in the gut that accompanied the reading of each chapter. The emotions and uncertainty around every corner is what makes this one of the best fictions I've read on this site, and also the only one to make me want to slap Princess Celestia across the face. The amount of controversy, both in and out of fic, with the subject matter and even the choice of main characters causes me to question my own ideals. I eagerly await the next update
Thanks everyone! It's good to be back!
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I love you so much for this image, you Flashlight commie.
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Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep the adjective thing in mind. For the "telling", note that the narrative switches to Twilight's perspective, and will reflect her thoughts in a way along with her direct thoughts. Telling is sometimes more useful than showing, or can be used to punctuate or emphasize a point; it's obvious from the last chapter and the framework of the story that the play is an open act of rebellion. The narrative is just reinforcing Twilight's astonishment here, hence the phrase "eat her crown". Also, the "spat gracefully" thing is a textual joke. There is no way to spit gracefully.
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I was scared at that censor bar, but it turned out all right.
You know Shining Armor you may have wanted to throw a yet into your statement, after the order crumbles and HARMONY comes into play Flash could probably date Twilight without the current consequences, even if it takes a few years after for passions to cool. Any factions that would claim that relationship influenced Twilight would at that point be the defeated minority and lack the resources to try a full scale conflict. Would they still cause trouble? Most certainly but that would also provide another chance to crush a few more of their number into the ground and I suspect a campaign of that nature wouldn't have enough morale to create a long term campaign. So once they were beaten down their numbers would be reduced and at that point those with any rationality left would remember the wisdom of Kenny Rogers and "Know when to fold 'em" destroying most possibilities for any future rebellions.
*Looks back up at post* Otto von Bismark and Clausewitz would be so proud of how I was able to turn a legitimate possible relationship into a tool of politics, power, and war, GOOD GRIEF I've spent to much time in Poli-Sci courses, reading A Song of Ice and Fire and working that internship for my Congressmen, if I've become that utterly cynical and conniving...
God damn, I love this story.
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Indeed, for an individual who otherwise seems reasonably considerate and pretty well versed in diplomacy, that one was a serious goof-up by Shining. Instead of saying "you can't date my sister", simply changing it to "just hold on for a little bit longer until this mess is resolved before making a move on her" (which wouldn't even be that long from the looks of it, because the Empire seems to be seriously gearing up to force the issue in the very immediate future, one way or another) would ensure that Flash left in all that much higher spirits and likely with less tension that can lead to all sorts of unwanted and spontaneous actions.
Granted, that seems like something that might be so obvious it doesn't even need saying, but when you are trying to console an emotionally invested party it's a very good idea to state such things regardless - simply hearing it from someone else besides your own mind (assuming your mind even came to the obvious conclusions in the first place, hence it being an emotional turmoil) can go a long way in assuaging someone's fears.
Though from the looks of it, Cadance isn't on the same page as Shining with this one (seeing as she seems pleased as punch when she spies signs of affection between the two) - and if I were to hazard a guess, won't be too happy with him if she learns about what, precisely, Shining said to Flash. Given how sick and tired she is of the whole ordeal, I feel like Cadance would be damned before she allowed herself (or her goals) and politics to come between ponies - because that's exactly the thing she is fighting to tear down. Free love unburdened by politics and policies is what she stands for, so I imagine she would never stand for a suggestion someone should avoid their feelings for those exact reasons - I reckon Shining didn't exactly clue her in beforehand what he was exactly going to say. I wonder if she is going to find out ...
Anyways, it's good to see this story marching on and I eagerly await to see how things will develop. Down with the Sun Tyrant!
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The Crystal ponies just love their corn, don't you know?
Fixed, thanks!
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What's really sad is, I saw that while editing, was about to make a suggestion to change it, then thought, "Is that something about champagne I don't know? It probably is. I'm sure Bads knows what she's doing."
Once again, I've proven that second guessing myself is a silly idea.
Welcome back. Two excellent chapters! I missed this story.
I know the waiting for these two to get to the snuggly wuggly stage is going to be so much better after they take down the order together. But damnit if I don't want them to just kiss already.
This is the bestest story I've ever read. You know A LOT about psychology.
I think the most interesting dynamic in this story is actually the Twilight-Celestia one.
Maybe I read too much into Celestia in this earlier chapters, but she seemed to regret that she had to enforce The Order. She asked Twilight about her decision after all. But she also feels that The Order has been successful in preserving unity, which is a good thing for Equestria.
Twilight, on the other hand, apparently believes in The Order because A, she's been told to, and B, because she thinks that's what Celestia wants.
What happens if Twilight shows a lack of confidence in the status quo? Does that alone shake Celestia's foundation of faith? What happens if Celestia reveals a subtle lack of contentment with The Order? Does that upset Twilight's blind devotion? It's like there may be a comedy of miscommunication fueling the entire scenario. If Twilight speaks up things will change, but she doesn't because she thinks that's not what Celestia wants.
I'm back as well, with another character profile.
The following is the opinion of just one reader, not the collective group of fans. It is up to every individual of the group to either agree or disagree with the following and they will be respected for their opinion. This is now done with the author’s permission.
Shining Armor, Prince-Consort of the Crystal Empire
Shining Armor is the former captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard, now a prince-consort of the Crystal Empire thanks to his successful and happily romantic marriage to Princess Cadance. He is the older brother of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry’s former CO. He is also the “idiotic ponce" who appointed Ironhoof.
Role: Shining doesn’t have a large role in the story, more of a supportive role of the familiar face to the main heroes and a form of mentor. He is also the role of a decent authority figure who also is a very good judge of character. His contribution is to be the supporting role for the Big Good, Cadence’s Lance and Shield in case things go south with the diplomacy.
Relations: Shining is married to Princess Cadance and is the older brother to Twilight. He is the Prince-Consort of the Crystal Empire and Commander of the Crystal Guard, ensuring that his position is one that demands one to be attentive at all times. He shrugs it off with a healthy and friendly attitude.
There are only four ponies he answers to: The Princesses, one of them being his wife and another his little sister. Given the positions of the caste systems, he doesn’t have any authority over them save respect. Any slip-up and he ends up sleeping on the couch.
Caste System: Shining is a former Captain of the Royal Guard, the highest position a Unicorn can aspire to get. This position made him eligible for marrying Princess Cadance, which was a match made in heaven for both parties.
Because he had to appoint a unicorn as his successor, he chose Ironhoof. Ponies who know Ironhoof’s real face would point out that this is proof of Shining’s poor judgement. In actuality, this was a long-term stepping stone to discriminate the caste system when the public face of the military turns out to be one of the most rotten fruits the system has ever produced.
Shining was raised to be in a society where freedom and love was available, only to find that when he grew up and graduated, he didn’t find any of that. He felt even less at home with the Order when his wife fell ill with so many broken relationships. And now as the Captain of the Silver Guard, Shining opposes the order and wants an Equestria that is free from suppression, inequality and restricted love.
Note: “Ponce” means “moron.”
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I actually wonder if that is truly the case (which means that Celestia is either genuinely missing the true state of things in the country, or has deliberately forced herself to believe that all is fine and as it should be - for reasons that must be behind her motives to support the Order in the first place, and does her best not to think about it) - because from how things look, Equestria has endured as a unified nation in spite of the Order, not because of it.
Recall the pegasus club Flash visited some time ago in the story and got to talk with Spitfire? There we learned that plenty of the pegasi aren't exactly enamored with the Order. The guys Shining has gathered under his and Cadance's banner - mostly decorated members of the Royal Guard itself. We even had that noble throwing a fit (and he is unlikely the only one who thinks it, merely the only one who took a public stand), mixed couples are slowly trickling to the Empire so they can have their quiet blessings under Cadance's wing, away from Canterlot's gaze (and for each one in the empire, there are probably thousands who simply don't have the means to go there).
Sure, Equestria might appear unified on the surface, but beneath that thin veneer of harmony is a slowly festering rot, hurt and decay that have been stewing for a millenia. It's a wonder the Wendigoes haven't returned for a second go, because this sort of a forced segregation is almost exactly what brought them forth in the first place.
I imagine the ponies have simply been going along with it because ... well, when your sun-raising god-Princess decrees that things will function a certain way (and the majority of Unicorn nobility who get to sit at the top of the system gleefully support it), there probably isn't a lot the common pony can do but force himself to go along with it - it's a worse situation than if something like this happened in real life because of who Celestia is and what she does.
Now that Cadance is about to take a stand though ... I almost fear what might happen to Equestria if Celestia can't be talked in to changing her policies. Because if the Empire declares secession, all the ponies who oppose or dislike the Order will have a never-before seen rallying flag - an Alicorn princess of their own, a legitimate counterpart to Celestia. There would likely be thousands of ponies and would-be families scrambling to leave Equestria (Wonderbolts included, which would only encourage the pegasi further) so they can relocate to the one place they will see as willing to stand for their freedoms, given legitimacy by an Alicorn backing it. It may end up as a pretty siazble blow to equestrian economy and population, which can throw the country in all sorts of turmoil.
---
*ahem* but yeah, seeing how Celestia reacts will certainly be one of the highlights when we get to it. For now though, I'm still not sure where Twilight will actually stand - because she doesn't sound at all sure where she herself falls on the issue. If anything, she feels more on the side of Order than against it (Not too surprised about it really ... given how much she worships the ground Celestia walks upon, the thought of actively disagreeing with her is likely to be nigh-incomprehensible to Twilight).
As of now, I'm not actually sure whether Twilight will support Cadance. She's in a pretty stark contrast compared to Flash in that way, though I wonder what she would think (and whether that would impact what she thinks) if she were to find out how deeply and passionately Flash stands behind Cadance's cause and how disgusted he feels about the state of affairs back home.
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I'd like think Celestia just needs a little impetus and a plan more concrete than "tear it down and come what may." On the surface Equestria is standing strong and for the moment that's better than the alternative.
And after all, someone had to game the system for Shining and Cadence. Luna wasn't around (NMM was still a thing in this world, right?), Twilight wasn't grown up yet, Cadence wasn't in power and even then it would have been a gross misuse of her station at best (conflict of interest!), none of the other nobles would have had the ability unless there's a second massive background plot that the current plotters know nothing about, and I'm pretty sure the previous Captain can be ruled out...
WOW! Glad to see Bad_Seed back in action with these last two chapters!! Once again, impeccable conflict and showing how both Flash and Twilight are feeling. Can't wait for more!!
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I'm not sure about Shining and Cadance - as far as I can see, this system has been in place since the beginning and Celestia hasn't changed anything about it - I certainly don't get the feeling the clause Shining used to marry Cadance was anything slipped-in by Celestia due to their benefit, but rather something that has been there from the start (else it would be impossible for a Princess to get married at all).
By the same token, I will be very surprised (pleasantly surprised if it does happen, though) if Celestia turns out willing to consider changing the Order - after all, Cadance has been poking and prodding her about it for years and she didn't budge (and more than enough time - discounting the centuries before Cadance - she could have used to slowly enact any change she deemed appropriate, if she considred it worthwhile) - which is why Cadance is taking this step at all, as a last resort because Celestia isn't willing to listen. She's had a long time to get entrenched in her position.
Twilight is kinda her (Cadance's) gamble to hopefully put more pressure on Celestia and bring her about it that way, rather than instituting secession from Equestria, which isn't Cadance's ideal solution - but it's better than remaining under Canterlot's rule under these circumstances. Canterlot really shouldn't have any business dictating policy to the Crystal Empire anyway - by what right does it rule those lands? It comes across as if they kicked out Sombra and then simply sort-of assimilated the Empire by default via victorial fiat - kicked out the previous dictator and installed their own (good thing for them that Cadance is on their side).
Which, come to think of it, really sucks for the Crystal Ponies - rather than being truly freed by Sombra's defeat, they simply got to trade one brand of oppression for another (Welcome to your freedom, citizens of the Crystal Empire! Here is a list of ponies you aren't allowed to have relationships with, the positions and jobs you aren't allowed to have, the predetermined roles in society your children are expected to fulfill and can't raise out of, and your new place on the social ladder - which happens to be on the bottom because you are all earth ponies). Granted, its certainly bound to be better than living under Sombra by no small degree, but they are still shackled with chains of a different sort all the same.
5630047
Not that she's changed anything about it, but that she covertly "bent" the rules to favor Cadance and Shining.
1: Cadance told Twilight that Celestia isn't a fan of the system.
2: Cadance told Twilight that it's surprising that Shining made Captain, not because he had to work his butt off, but because Night Light had not been Captain - as though the Captaincy is almost hereditary as well. And given how Shining turned over the Captaincy to the current one, it's likely that Shining had to specifically be targeted by the last Captain for the position over and above other ponies who were more "worthy." Who made that call? Did the last Captain do it on his own and it just happened to play perfectly for Shining and Cadance? Or did Celestia give him a "suggestion"?
3: Cadance was seeing Shining for quite a while before Shining made Captain - hence why he needed to make Captain. Are we going to assume Celestia was completely oblivious to what her adoptive daughter was doing? Allowing the relationship to continue is an indication that she's willing to alter the system.
4: Cadance herself is benefitting from such rules twisting with her hidden past as a pegasus. She would and will have a much harder time being accepted where she is if Celestia weren't going along with that.
5: What would happen if Celestia up and told Canterlot that she was tearing down the system and didn't have the unicorns' support? They might just thank her for her time in office and then take the Sun and Moon back for themselves. Instead, Celestia now has Luna to back her up, Cadance is drumming up support in and outside Equestria, and Twilight has some strong connections among the common ponies. The four of them together, with the support network that Shining and Cadance are creating - and Twilight may be able to add to - will be a lot more capable of changing things than Celestia on her own.
6: I get the feeling that the ponies who stand to lose the most if the system comes down are actually the unicorns of Canterlot, not Celestia.
Bad, I'm not even gonna lie here, I've been waiting to see this update since you announced your departure from FimFanfiction but promised you would continue/conclude the story and I have been looking forward to it even more since you're triumphant return.
All I can say, m'lady, is that you do not disappoint. This was a fantastic pair of chapters.
And now, your quote: "Time always marches towards an unknown destiny. Those who would see the world preserved would see only the matter in which change can cause destruction, but those who would see the world destroyed see only how a lack of change causes stagnation. Those of us who long for neither and protect against both know well that the scales of destiny will only ever balance when someone shakes them up a bit."
-Karla the Grey Witch, Record of Loddoss War
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It's certainly possible that Celestia might have given a nudge to the previous Captain in Shining's direction (and props to her if she did), but I believe that largely depends on what sort of a pony the old Captain was. We see that not all the ponies are happy with the way the Order works (even among the unicorn nobility), and if the Captain was one of these decent ponies then he would have chosen based on merit - and given that Shining seems to be by far the strongest unicorn this side of Twilight, that would make him an obvious successor material when coupled with the evidently diligent ways he conducted himself. He may well have been the most logical choice, assuming the old captain was in to that and doing his job as opposed to social preening.
And I'd actually say that Celestia can be that blind when it comes to those closest to her - her track record in the show when it comes to such things isn't great. She failed to notice Luna's issues a thousand years ago or failed to do much about it until things blew up in her face (literally), nor did she see anything wrong when Chrysalis replaced Cadence right under her nose and started acting unlike her - which shows us a blindness on Celestia's part where Cadence specifically is concerned and that the two might not be all that close (or Celestia really is that bad at spotting such things). Sending Discord after Tirek probably wasn't one of her brightest moves either. Case in point - even in show, Celestia makes poor calls based on someone's character all the time.
And here she is both seemingly missing the full extent of the underlying turmoil in her country, and that the Crystal Empire is ready to break off and set sail on its own. She's also of the highest opinion when it comes to Ironhoof, who has managed to hide his true nature from her perfectly, despite working right under her nose for years. Indeed, I would say Celestia has been very much shown as capable of missing the cues when it comes to things that should otherwise be discernible when it comes to those close to the issue, so it's far from a sure thing that she ever figured Cadence and Shining out - doubly so if they deliberately were trying to avoid attention.
As for who benefited most from hiding Cadence's true nature prior to ascension, that would be Celestia (the ultimate patron of the Order) - because if it came out that she was a Pegasus who became an Alicorn, the current racial-superiority based system would be thrown on its head. Suddenly the Pegasi would have a claim to make that they are a better species than unicorns based on their inherent potential - seeing as one of their kind ascended to a heights no unicorn has ever reached before (no Twilicorn yet) and that they should be on the top, with the unicorns being subservient to them, not the other way around.
It would be one hell of a turmoil that would throw the established Order way out of balance with potentially little chance of things getting better, because Cadence would ever stand as a symbol of a Pegasu's ultimate potential - one above that of unicorns. It certainly would make things harder for Cadence, but then that goes for everyone on account of the social upheaval following such news.
And the Unicorn nobility wouldn't stand a chance of taking the Sun back even if they wanted to (and some of them oppose the Order anyway, not to mention the rest of the populace, who wouldn't let them if things came to such a point), or that the knowledge how to handle it even remains after all this time - as we have seen with Tirek, the combined magical might of four Alicorns roughly rivals that of all the other pony magical energy in Equestria plus Discord - its Celestia who could tell them thanks for their time, now go and get a job and they couldn't do much about it.
And this once again comes back to the age-old (quite literally) problem of - if Celestia had wanted to change something about the Order, she has had centuries to implement them - slowly, subtly, gently nudging the society towards a certain direction over the course of generations if need be. Time works in her favor here - whole nations and empires have risen and fallen during the time period she has had available to work with on policy and social changes, if she cared to do so. That she hasn't points to her unwillingness to do anything about the system, even if she isn't perfectly happy with some parts of it.
And indeed, it's the unicorn nobility who stand to lose the most (though that hardly is something to feel sorry over, as they would still be obscenely rich -all they would lose is their inherent "superiority" of a social standing), not Celestia - after all, the latest would still be a princess regardless. I don't see this as a bad thing, mind you - the primary concern should never be those whop get to abuse a system, but rather those who are getting abused by it (the not-unicrns in this case).
Besides, this whole fiasco didn't start over the more complex issues of the system or tearing it down as a whole (though they would still be fixed, ideally, somewhere down the road) - it's over something as simple as ponies being allowed to marry who they want to marry and being openly allowed to love whom they love. If that simple clause was abolished and mixed marriages made non-illegal, Cadence would have never kickstarted the movement in the first place.
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We actually don't know that. We're not just talking the nobility here when it comes to unicorns. Given the "like must be with like" mindset all over the place, it stands to reason that the unicorns, even those who aren't in the running to bed a princess, have it pretty good compared to pegasi or earth ponies in Canterlot. A rebellious princess could hurt more than just the nobility, and given that Celestia's surrounded by a city of unicorns, trying to go it solo could be suicidal. And even if she wins, the destruction alone might put the rest of Equestria against her.
And if Celestia tries to simply leave, I'm sure unicorns that are happy with the status quo would be more than capable of uprooting themselves to follow her.
Similarly, we don't know how the pegasi and earth ponies feel as a whole. Many pegasi might be pretty happy hanging around with each other on their clouds and looking down at all the "ground pounders."
At the same time, while it's clear that some of the populace is against The Order, it's not yet clear how much that "some" actually represents. Some ponies will be perfectly happy with "their own kind" regardless of The Order's dictates and they might not be as inclined to care. Some may also be happy because they genuinely believe that things are working just fine because of The Order, regardless of whether its specifically benefitting them.
If Celestia was going to make any move, she'd have to carefully consider just how many ponies are for and against changing things, and how many can be won over to her side.
Because it has worked decently well so far. Not everyone can be happy all the time, and up until now the pockets of discontent might have seemed worth it given the upheaval that might occur otherwise. Because she also has to weigh the pros and cons of maintaining The Order versus breaking it down - another decision that I highly doubt seemed favorable in the years before Luna's return.
But that's what I think (I hope) is going on. She's going to be shown that it's falling apart in a big way now that the Crystal Empire is back, potentially now resulting in worse turmoil should things not change, and now that she could have the support of three additional princesses, spurring and allowing her to take action.
I can't help but think painting Celestia as so reluctant to continue the Order and sympathetic to those who oppose it is writing yourself into a corner, since whatever big thing that happened in the past must be massive if she maintains a racist, homophobic caste system for a thousand years with that attitude. A millennium or so is a long time to think things over after all, implementing slow, subtle reform or finding new solutions to an old problem.
Also, still trying to wrap my head around the likes of Mayor Mare, the Oranges and Filthy Rich, who are well placed despite being Earth Ponies. I'm assuming that they can occupy certain political offices and become artisans/entrepreneurs under the right circumstances.
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Well, that massive thing was one of the first things I planned when writing this story. Whether or not it gets me out of that metaphorical corner will be down to a reader's individual opinion, of course. But I digress... We're a bit of a ways off from seeing that.
Correct. The vast majority of them appear to be farmponies in the show, or have similar skills/talents, but some of them are high up within their own caste—businessponies, fashion gurus (Hoity Toity), etc. Note that there is a hierarchy within each caste as well; Flash Sentry is "better off" as a pegasus Royal Guard than he would be as a weatherpony, at least in the system's eyes.
Oh my god, I have a story for this. When my dad was younger, he liked to read a lot and one summer, he got around to reading Old Yeller. After he read the book, he was absolutely INCONSOLABLE. It took him all summer to get over it, and by the time school rolled around, the teacher started a class book reading for a book.
Old Yeller.
My dad, having awful war flashbacks to reading the book, told her, "I'm not reading that book." She got upset and called my grandpa to tell him to convince my dad to read it, only for him to tell her that my dad had already read it and would have to do another book for the reading. Other students made the same request, since my dad told them what happened at the end of the book and they didn't want to go through with reading it.
Guess what book the teacher gave them?
Where The Red Fern Grows.
After my dad finished the book, he was IN TEARS and even more upset than when he had read Old Yeller. My grandpa, furious, drove up to the school in the morning the next day and said to the teacher, "WHAT KIND OF A SICK TWISTED BITCH ARE YOU TO GIVE MY SON A BOOK WHERE NOT ONE BUT TWO DOGS DIE?!" So, that teacher got in trouble, mostly because the schoolboard was slightly concerned that a teacher was so adamant on making kids read a book about animals dying.
Also, my English teacher used to read that book with the class a couple years before, but she couldn't bring herself to read the last chapters because she was so overwhelmed and too busy crying to do it. So, yeah, that book is super sad.
Oh my god, part of me thinks that he liked Twily as a kid... Seriously, those names are so similar and it'd be too much of a coincidence since Twilight lived in Canterlot at the time.
Holy crap more plz I got sucked into this story hate when that happens
This story is finally updated !
Yay! My favorite FimFiction story is back!
I like that Twilight is still conflicted about overturning what she's been taught her whole life. In the hands of a lesser author, the talk with Cadance might have been enough for a complete 180. Much more realistic (and dramatic) this way.
Is there a timeline for Shining and Cadance to make their move and confront Celestia? I guess it all depends on where Twilight comes down on the issue.
Please, please, pplleeeeaaaasssseeee don't make us wait too long for the next chapter!
Wow, it's really back, and it's everything I could have dreamed.
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Onward to victory!
Intrigue, a framing device, romance that's teased and comes just so close that you're on the edge of your seat. So... tasty!
Wait. Apt Drop, shipped? Betrayal! He was supposed to be my husbando!
0/10 would not wow again.
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B-but there's so much wow left!
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Glad you enjoyed the chapters. I look forward to seeing the Tropes page updated for them.