"You would think being tied to a chair, with two changelings guarding you all the time while dealing with a filly that had threaten to kill you would make you reconsider your life choices," I said to Starlight as I was eating my lunch in front of her.
"I don't regret making the much needed action Equestria needed for everypony to achieve equality and harmony, you sadistic filly," Starlight countered, before grumbling as a changeling held out one of Twilight's nutrient tubes for her. It was the next day after her arrival, though from the changelings' testimony, she was already getting on their nerves. She started out by screaming, to get someone's attention, although I don’t know why she thought it would get her anywhere. Then she started to preach her ideals of equality to the changelings, which ended when they mentioned that her speeches seemed to apply more to ponies than any other species.
"You keep saying everypony, how about the other species? Griffons, dragons, donkeys, zebras, changelings?" I asked as the two changeling guards eyed Starlight. It seemed like she didn't had an answer for that, as her eyes just darted between her guards. "Hmm... such a shame, maybe your equality isn't as equal as you thought."
"And what do you know of equality? Hmm? Having changelings as your lap dogs doesn't seem to speak well on your part," Starlight countered as she glared at me.
Cocking an eyebrow, I replied, "They're just here to guard you, not be my 'lap dogs' as you put it. I don't know why you think they're some kind of servants off the bat, they could be just as easily be hired mercenaries, for example. Instead, you made an assumption, one highly unflattering of them. Do you think of this for anyone, or is it just for the changeling or non-ponies?" I smiled as Starlight’s jaw opened—and closed—without a retort, opening the path for me to push my argument even further. "So far, you’ve preached equality, but it seems like it’s only intended for ponies and no one else. I mean, I'm more for true equality than you are at this point."
"What are you talking about?" Starlight asked, her tone filled with indignation.
Waving a hoof around as I took a bite from my meal, I replied, "Well, for starters, I'm not bothered by these changelings, at all, unlike most ponies who aren't comfortable around them, and if you read the news, there were mass protests against the peace treaty made with them. I, on the other hoof, was partly responsible for the peace, since they had a vested interest in Equestria’s safety that coincided with my own role, even though it was for their own reasons. Another example is that I've harmed... a rather important pony for being tribalist. So I feel safe in saying that I’m very-much against anyone who judges based on race or species."
"You do realize that I'm not going to believe a word you just said, right?" Starlight deadpanned, eying the tube in disgust before her stomach let out a groan, to which she forced herself to eat more of the nutrient paste.
"Yeah, but hey, it's your choice not to believe what I claim about me, but you can’t deny the truth about what you’ve been preaching. The odds of you escaping are slim, and the most reliable way of leaving is getting me to let you leave. Which your current mindset is not helping you in achieving that possibility," I answered before I finished up my lunch. "Anyways, I have to tend to the recruits, enjoy the rest of your meal Starlight," I said before leaving the room as Starlight responded with a hateful glare.
"I won’t give in."
"You will soon enough."
"What makes you say that?"
"Cause you're not going to like this," I responded, pulling out a syringe from the bag that I brought with me. It had been four days now, and the mare wasn’t showing any signs of cracking.
"What... what is that for?" Starlight stammered out.
"I need some blood samples from you so I could get your blood type."
"...Why do you need my blood type?"
"You don’t need to know. Also, I never done this before," I dryly answered, before approaching Starlight as her pupils shrinking in fear.
"Can you get off my head now?"
"No, your mane is very comfy," I answered, as I sat on top of her head while reading a book. It was the eighth day by now and by the occasional twitching of her left eye, I think Starlight is starting to lose it. "And don't think about trying to shake me off or something like that, unless you don't mind losing chunks of your mane." I smirked to myself as Starlight just replied with a loud groan.
Glaring up at me as best she could, Starlight demanded, "Why don't you listen to my ideals? Equality will ensure happiness for all ponies!"
"Cause I will never be 'equal' to other ponies," I dryly replied as I waved a hoof around.
"Do you really think you're above everypony?"
"No, it's just that since I was an alien, it's really going to be hard for me to be considered a true equal with the rest of pony kind. Along with my past, I'm doomed to be outside the norm," I said as I lean back, imitating Rarity’s melodrama to the best of my ability.
Starlight on the other hoof just deadpanned, "You're an alien."
"Yup, though you're reacting better than most of the town did. They were, quite literally, calling for my head," I replied, only to smile as Starlight let out another groan.
"I bet you're getting tired of the paste by now Starlight. I mean, you've been eating it for fifteen days now," I commented as the disheveled Starlight just gave me a frown. "I'm betting you want something else for a change?" Seeing her eyes lit up with hope, I turned to one of the changeling guards as I asked, "Do you happen to know any recipes for cooking meat?" I smiled as the hopeful look on Starlight's face turned into the familiar look of nausea as her face started to turn green.
I was flipping a page on a book on enchanting when Starlight finally snapped. That or she got tired of me sitting on her after I laid her on the ground. "Why are you doing this to me? I just wanted to help ponies have better lives!"
"Cause you're a misguided fool that took on a horrible belief without taking into account the possible long-term consequences of all of ponykind having no skills," I idly replied. "Also, because I think you can be useful."
"Wait, useful?" Starlight asked as she looked at me with a confused expression.
"Well, yes, from what I heard you have a lot of magical talent. And probably a vicious streak based on your actions, namely ripping away ponies’ Cutie Marks against their will. So I thought that you could be useful if you stopped with the extremist tendencies. And conventional methods would both be less effective and take time that I don’t have."
"You think you can use me‽" Starlight yelled in anger.
"Yeah, cause the other choice is hoofing you over to the princesses to face their judgement. Do you like spending time in prison? Assuming that they don't do more drastic measures for what you did to the Elements. And you’ve more-or-less committed treason, since Twilight is a princess, which makes me wonder what the punishment is for that? Banishment to the moon? Petrification? Tartarus?" I mused out loud, causing Starlight to pale at the thought. "Hmm... it has been twenty two days... and I don't have forever to try to reform you myself, might be time to cut my loses and tu—"
"Please don't turn me in! I don't want to be turned to stone!" Starlight’s resolve broke under the weight of her fear. It was good to start making some progress.
"Oh? Are you sure? Because that means you have to actually start making the effort of abandoning your misguided ideals, as well as agreeing to be my subordinate. Though, I wouldn't mind having a statue in my office, with the right pose you would make for a great piece of decoration!" I cheerfully replied, causing Starlight's fur to pale even further.
"Yes! I’ll change! I’ll change! Just don’t give me to the princesses!!" Starlight begged desperately, I had to restrain myself from laughing at her plight. Whether or not their fear of the princesses' wrath is justified, it is a useful tool.
"I don't know... I just can't trust you yet... but with a magic-suppressant and a shock collar, there would be enough to ensure your compliance, and punish you if you were to... misbehave. I also suppose the Elements would also like to confront you over your past actions. I also suspect that they may make some actions to reform you as well, which you will have to agree to, or they’ll hoof you over to the royal sisters regardless of what I do."
Her eyes darting back and forth, she let out a groan before closing her eyes as she faced up to the facts. "Fine... I concede to all your demands."
"Good! Though I was hoping that you gave in earlier before I had to use force, that normally means that I won’t be able to trust you for a few months, or years, or perhaps ever," I replied, before spotting something passing by the window. "However, before we continue, we might as well get the next part over with," I informed Starlight before trotting over to the window.
"Get what over with?" Starlight asked, warily.
"This," I answered before opening the window and taking a deep breath. "Rainbow! I have Starlight Glimmer, tied up in this room! You know, the pony that stole your Cutie Mark!"
"No no no n—" Starlight stammered out before Rainbow charges into the room, yelling out a battle cry as she tackled Starlight. "Why‽"
"Well, Starlight, something like this was going to happen no matter what, that and you sort of deserved it. Now stop punching her face Rainbow, I don't want to end up having to cover her trip to a dentist."
"So let me get this straight: You got Queen Chrysalis to send some ponies to foalnap Starlight Glimmer, who you kept tied up in your 'project' room for twenty two days straight, without telling me or anypony besides Silver who you had swear to secrecy... because you wanted to recruit her‽" Twilight shrieked, causing me to rub a hoof against an ear as I looked at the shocked faces of the rest of the elements, excluding Rainbow who snickered at what is probably in her opinion Starlight's comeuppance.
"Sounded like a good idea to me. Otherwise you'll just have a pony that can steal other ponies' Cutie Marks running around, and this is better than just letting her rot in prison or something like that?" I countered, causing Applejack to raised an eyebrow at me.
"Is that all you wanted out of this sugarcube?" Applejack asked, which caused me to let out a huff.
"Fine, I also wanted some payback," I mumbled, only to get some disapproving looks from the mares. "Hey, she hurt you all, I couldn't just let that slip by without some kind of punishment."
"You should have left that up to the authorities dear. Vengeance is unbecoming for a filly to do," Rarity scolded.
"Not to mention that it's illegal," Twilight added with a frown.
"What can I say, I have plans for the mare, unless you want to shake her out of that equality nonsense yourself. Besides, I did get some results," I countered, only to get a few disappointed shake of the mares' heads.
"Aether, we're going to have a talk about this," Pinkie declared, which caused my ears to drop. While I could shrug off the scolding from everyone else, but somehow when Pinkie does it, it always seems to make me feel horribly guilty for actions that should be right considering the circumstances. Darn the peaceful nature of this world for making everyone so soft.
When RD does this in fics it usually annoys the hell out of me.
This time, I was laughing my ass off.
I was literally looking at my favorites page when this updated. That's timing. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
I imagine that Aether was internally cackling at RD's attempt to become a plastic surgeon.
I know I was.
I really don't like this portrayal of Starlight. The episode itself implied that the others in the town went willingly. In fact, there really wasn't a problem until the mane 6 came in and made one.
How is it misguided?
6607621
I imagined trumpets. You know? Like, "CHARGE!"
6607648 Because brainwashing maybe? Crappy cloths? Shitty food? Ponies with absolutely no skills perhaps? Isn't that what starlight's magic does? Make ponies only as good at something as the worst one? Like RD in the episode. She was slow because she was 'equal' with the slowest pegasus in town. And sugar belle could only bake as well as the worst baker in town...
...So yeah. Misguided ideals.
BEGIN THE MORAL DEBATE!
6607648 I highly doubt someone who had a brainwashing chamber set up had the entire town come willingly.
Still saying that there needs to be someone...
Oh, you got Pinkie for that?
Gotcha.
I'd love to see more with Aether getting chewed out by Pinkie. One that actually helps her to have a mindset change (character development FTW)
Pinkie as a voice of reason?
One sec, I need to go check the gates of hell for any frost damage. Away my hammy steed, FLY!
"Twenty-two days? That's an academy record!"
i hope she doesn't get into too much trouble with the entire thing it's in a moral gray area.
6607648 Ummm friend...no one nothing is ever equal unless you make it where everyone and everything is the same, even then it isn't gonna be fair because someone is always smarter or tactically more savy then the other then there is the concept of luck in which everything is randomly set there is no equality in life, and what she did is the equivalent to socialist, in theory what she was doing was to being fairness and equality but in reality there is always a leader someone that MUST be better in some form or manner to lead.
After all the way they feared her (and the fact they all hid their messing marks showed a level of dislike for it.) it isn't equality but a under handed tactic to take control of oppressed people without them realizing it, so am afraid i must call you out and say your misguided in her defense.
All this said I don't wish to inspire is a feverish argument or a dislike but I cant let something like this go without some word on the matter, I got in trouble for this in school a number of times, I truly and utterly do not wish us to be angry or dis favorable of each other. I hope I don't come off as to offensive I really do. I also sound like am trying to hold over you some moral code or some crap but I really not, though i admit it does sound like I am. So please forgive the 'forthrightness' and 'self righteous' annoyance of my words in that regard.
Please am do wish to hear why you think it more in detail because its always interesting to know what people differ form and good to learn and perhaps adapt to a new ideal or opinion, or accept that we are different but understand that we can work with it.
(Author feel free to delete this if you think it isn't something you want here, I will take no offense to it.)
6607648 Equality is good, but forcing equality is not. Did you see what kind of 'talent' her town had with cooking or tailoring? Imagine that kind of quality with medicine or construction. Also, brainwashing is using force. It's simply forcing someone to be willing.
Rainbow Dash FTW! hahahaha!
Nicely done, nicely done.
Illegal? Naaaaah... its well deserved
Nice job!
6607962 I only delete hateful stuff that isn't criticism. So if you want to debate or stuff in my comments, go ahead.
For what I expected of Starlight Glimmer, it feels pretty much like she gave in too easily. I'm rather disappointed (unless she's lying her plot off about reforming),.
6608067 Its obvious this isn't over with her, Fear is also only a good for a moment.
6607676 What Moral is there to debate? She forcefully removes their skills, jobs, and life, with or without their concent. And doing this, makes them worse than they started, are unable to successed in anything, and are completely defenceless and helpless. And being unskilled now, they wouldn't be able to work ANYWHERE at all, making no money so couldn't pay for Housing, Food, or anything basic, and not being smart enough to solve any of these problems.
How is ANY of that, in any form, Morally right, even in the MLP world?
6607828 good comment excuse me while i go laugh my ass off
Huh, unlawful imprisonment plus abuse of rights violations in terms of torture, good to see ether is still a psychopath.
really breaking my immersion here, unless you want to make Authority turning a blind eye to atrocities in a supposed ethical utopia a thing?
6608067 22 days of listening to nothing said to you, eating nothing but ration paste, and spewing your own flawed dogma is too short? Man I don't wanna know WHAT you think is being too easy is. You have to remember Aether ISNT trusting her yet, shes just finally got the wedge into Glimmers ego enough to start to pry out obedience and maaaaaybe trust.
Hilarious! Completely and utterly hilarious! Aether is my hero.
Ah, Psychological torture. In many countries this is more frowned or or illegal than merely beating a chair up with said person, whereupon its called WWF entertainment.
6608241 is...... Is your pic a s'more keyboard?!
6608396 Mine! Get your own.
6607770 I'm not all for it since it makes me feel emotions besides visceral glee and smug satisfaction. That said, I do favor Pinkie's discussion with Aether being 'on screen'; though hopefully it's less Mom vs Foal and more Concerned Friend vs Somewhat Paranoid Friend. Say what you will about Aether, but she's taking the safety of Equestria very seriously (to a worrying degree from everyone else's point of view), and she needs to impress just how much it matters to her that everyone gets to stay safe.
Though if Twilight starts sermonizing (heck, if any of the Mane 6 start sermonizing), I'm in favor of Aether roping in Luna to do a viewing of her past life and how unspeakably terrible it was. It'll be like going to the movies! Only, you know, soul scarring and heart breaking to the Nth degree.
6608236 First off, it's been stated by the writing staff Starlight actually believes her dogma. It should take more than that to break a zealot.
Second, it's more of an overarching thing that it feels like there's been a complete lack of conflict that actually STICKS. Aether has issues with princesses, chairs and lasers. Aether has issues with nobles, then it goes away a few chapters later. Changelings infiltrate the volunteer group, a few chapters later suddenly they're on a truce. A mad dogmatic unicorn is on the run, Aether has her kidnapped her and breaks her down into a willing convert and after getting yelled at by the Mane 6, it'll probably all be blown over by the end of next chapter. Hell, they get transported to another dimension, and here we are fifteen odd chapters later and only finally getting hints of repercussion.
6608129 Just saying
I figured they guy I was replying to would want to start a bit of a debate...I completely agree with you.
Confined to a room or cell is one thing, tied up to a chair is too much for humans over a shorter period of time.
6607648 Did you miss the creepy smiles? Or the fact that some ponies were already conspiring against Starlight Glimmer?
But of course. What else could happen?
Good job, Rainbow.
6607770
Yeah, same here. Let me get my lecture face on...
6607648
The episode didn't really imply that. It was Starlight herself who implied that, and the villagers that she had influence over.
Her ideals, though... I dunno if they're misguided, but she's a hardcore hypocrite. She had her own mark all along while stripping away others uniqueness. Those are some pretty sketchy ideals.
6607962 No offence to anyone else, but out of everyone that responded to my comment, you seemed like the only one who understood what was going on.
Like I said, I was only working off of implications.
Another issue is, everyone keeps saying "brainwashing". What I understood was that only the mane 6 were brainwashed. "Re-education" is the word that people were missing. Brainwashing is when the subject in unwilling, re-education is when the subject is willing.
As for the thought that the town was "conspiring against her", I would like to point out that only three ponies wanted to see outside culture again.
The issue that I see, is that Starlight was a poor planner, and a poor leader. That is all.
Although, I will confess that my political and moral allegiance may have biased me slightly, but I still hold by my answer. I am sure that everyone has their own opinions, and I should have been more clear in my response.
6608560 Those are chapters for us. Yes. But remember that in the story there is this magical thing known as TIME. It likes to move forward, usually, and advances stuff. Also, just because she BELIEVES her dogma, doesn't mean she is a ZEALOT. Especially not in a FANFic.
So yeah, 22 days, being trapped in a chair with nothing to do but listen to come kid and 2 changelings as the deface, brake down, and utterly destroy your Belief system, and with you being the creator of it, having no fall back on it at all or different Interpratations or anything. All the while, eating the most nastiest thing you have ever tasted.
No exercise, probably very hungry for REAL food (Especially with some kid constantly teasing you every single meal of every day!), Probably very sore and having lots of aches and pains throughout her body, her Belief System poked holes into and destroyed at it's very foundation (All the while a CHILD is saying she also believes in the idea and does it better than her!), Stomach probably very upset as the Paste has the stuff needed to live but no actual substance to break down for energy and extra stuff normally found in solid foods, We don't even know how the bathroom situation works but it's most likely very invasive and she probably doesn't leave that room so no privacy and horrible.
And all of that for 22 days straight. Even a Zealot would break under that eventually. No wait, a REAL Zealot, would probably either never talk, kill themselves, or get free; Kill them all; and escape.
Great chapter, waiting for more!
6608199 Protagonist-centered morality for the win!
6609050 Thing is, no one was mad to have their talents back no one complained no hated it, they were only mad at her once they got it back, and Brainwashing, often in-tells making them want to make them like it, and while that wasn't in the "speech" shall we call it, but it was a form of mental manipulation.
Now I dont think i used the word conspiracy, but I am sure everyone in town kinda felt ashamed of themselves of not having their marks or not being able to actually do their jobs. I mean it isn't exactly normal for ponies to wear cloaks and smiles wider and more suspiciously than pinkie pie after eating a prized cake.
I mean pinkie said it herself, those weren't happy smiles they were wrong, however its interesting to see how you see it, though honestly i can't understand it (Am a fan of mind control brain washing and mental conditioning stories, so I guess i might be able to decipher a little more?) Please define more I am actually intrigued
...will._So...
if you were to...misbehave
and if there weren't meant to be a '...' there are two spaces there where there should only be one
...steal other ponies' Cutie Marks...
this is not a question. to make a question do this: ...and isn't this better than letting her rot in prison...
Besides, I did get some results,"...
everypony (because they are ponies not any other species she is referring to)
you wouldn't put 'but somehow' here.
nice chapter. it was good and funny :P
6609050 Once more: Did you miss the stallion who was brainwashed alongside the mane 6?
Oh gods, I hate it when an experienced medic can't find a vein... Aether is going to be leaving lots of needle marks on Starlight.
Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Tirek. I think for doing that to Twilight, her beloved student.... Celestia would probably be willing to let Aether get creative. I'd suggest putting her in a full body cast before pouring Itching Powder inside, making her listen to annoying songs, and posed so she can't possibly relax. Then let the Crusaders at her with the knowledge she hurt their sisters.
Yeah, go for the horn or gut blows, make her feel pain!!!!
I'm hoping Pinkie teaches Aether how to passively drive ponies crazy instead of using violence. That's even better!
An amusing chapter, glad to see Starlight cracking and Aether getting some payback for Pinkie and the others.
Aether is awesome, sick, twisted, evil, and AWESOME, now i wonder what she would do if Trixie would happen to wander into town, and lets not forget about Sunset
Hope Pinkie give her some pointers how to be as effective as she is without voilance, that two combined, yickes
6608560 She doesn't believe in her dogma enough to have it apply to her. And that's par for the course for those kinds of idealogues.
6610286 what about sunset there is NOTHING wrong with sunset twilight already solved that issue
6610705
True, but still SHE DID STOLE Twilight crown and meant to harm her first, i wouldn't look past Aether to have at least a light jab in her direction for that. That she is reformed is her luck
6609050 *gasp!* It's a communist! Everyone point fingers at him!
6611490 Close, Democratic Socialist.
6611877 Meh, I was just mocking how today's society treats anything but capitalist democracy.
Whats with all the underscores?