This story is a sequel to Diamond Tiara versus the Changeling Invasion
With her dying breath, Queen Chrysalis turned Twilight Sparkle into a changeling queen. And Twilight was instinctively forced to turn all of Ponyville into her changeling drones. Well, at least they can all pretend everything is normal long enough for Twilight to explain to Princess Celestia the whole thing in a controlled, civilized manners so they aren't all attacked by the royal guard on sight, right?
Takes place before the end of season 3.
Written by BrutalityInc and Alex Warlorn and Ardashir.
Chapters (1)
Wut
One word, Luna. You tell them, "No."
There is so much faulty with Luna's logic here that I'm gonna crack out an essay comment for the first time in what feels like forever.
Look, I understand the need for the whole "we want to more public servants and be accountable" for this to even be a legitimate concern for her, but this just comes as Luna either grossly oversimplifying the issues and not thinking them through intelligently, i.e. not being a smart, competent leader at best, or at worst, assuming the utmost worst in her subjects, where every scenario in her mind ultimately leads to Equestria goosestepping into the Third Reich.
She and Celestia job is to rule their people fairly and justly and look out for their best interests. If they want to do that more effectively by being held more accountable and listening to their needs and desires more, fantastic. HOWEVER, that does not mean they go from one extreme to another, i.e. being aloof to blindly bowing to the demands of the mob/the rabble. Part of being a leader is making decisions that aren’t necessarily always popular but because they’re (at least in a good leader’s view) the right thing to do. As unpopular as this may sound, the general public doesn’t always know what’s best, mostly because they don’t always take time or interest to educate themselves, hence why we have leaders to make decisions on our behalf in the first place (trust me, dude, I’m British, I Know what I’m talking about here). And yeah, some leaders buckle to public pressure, especially when elections are nearing. But Celestia and Luna have that tremendous luxury of not having to deal with that; they are, like it or not, autocratic monarchs for pretty much eternity. I mean, what is it gonna amount to?
“We must commit industrial mass genocide, otherwise our people (or rather, a vocal faction) won’t like us for a while in our infinite lifespans”?
And yeah, just picking up on that ‘vocal faction’ part. Luna is making a big mistake here in looking at her people as an amalgamated hive-mind (ironic), not a diverse range of individuals with varying opinions, experiences, like/dislikes,etc. Even if this is meant to be a more ‘human/realistic’ take on the friendship-loving ponies, I find it hard to picture the overwhelming majority of these guys seriously marching up and down every street of Equestria chanting “WE WANT GENOCIDE”. If we’re gonna be realistic, people/ponies with that extremist mindset rarely if ever constitute the majority but at worst, a vocal minority that is sadly often given far too much time and attention than they deserve. Worst case scenario, the majority of ponies would most likely want these New Changelings to just leave Equestria, even if just for peace of mind.
So let’s break down Luna’s worries here:
Sadly yes, that is true, because there will always be violent assholes and nutcases. This can easily be managed however, simply through deploying extra security and anypony who tries anything being dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. They will be made an example of and a message will be sent to the other assholes and nutcases that this will be tolerated. Simple.
Kinda presumptive on what all ponies think, aren’t ya, Lulu? Kinda see your worry now in being out-of-touch.
In all seriousness, as I said earlier, this is worst case scenario I see happening where the majority of ponies are like, “Look, we just want them to go away.” If that comes to it, then the general populace of Equestria would most likely be satisfied and their fears placated. There would still be a remainder fearful they may return as an invading army, so you then make military preparations in case that situation comes to pass. If that isn’t enough, they can tell the remaining “tough.”
Or hell, I don’t know how changelings and international politics work here and if changelings do have recognized countries in this story, but why not just recognize the hive as a landlocked separate country? Or relocate the Hive just outside of Equestria and set them up there? Then work on establishing good relations and trust over a period of time, so ponies can learn not to fear them from a safe distance?
I dunno, Lulu, in the show proper, Spike managed to completely convince the two ponies who had Every right in the world not to trust changelings with a single song lol. In all seriousness, welcome to the freaking world, Luna! There will always be people who are prejudiced and bigoted, just as there will always be people who are greedy, short-sighted, rotten, etc. It’s just the way the world is, it will never be perfect. Hell, in a perfect world, there wouldn’t be any conflict between ponies and changelings in the show or in these stories.
But the majority of people, and I trust this with ponies too, aren’t dyed-in-the-wool, goosestepping racists. Every person is bigoted to some varying degree and some societies are worse than others across the board, but most individual people do try to be open-minded and try to be better. Once AGAIN, there is a fairly simple solution to Luna’s fear: Education, Education, EDUCATION. The Princesses will have to take the initiative to educate their people as best they can there is nothing for them to fear. Of course you can’t reach every single individual, it’s impossible, but you don’t Need to.
It’s just something governments have to manage as best they can so society can progress. It’s work.
And here we are at the beginning. You tell them, “No.”
You act like a leader you’re supposed to be, not a sycophantic appeaser to a bovine mob. You do what you know is right, especially because you have the power to do so. If that means openly standing against your people (and yeah, if I’m supposed to believe this actually being the organised, unified majority of ponies as blood-thirsty hotsy-totsy Nazis), then so be it. You can be a servant to your people without throwing meat to the worst among them.
I was really worried about what was going to happen when Luna started soliloquizing while looking at the incredibly deadly cannons, but I can live with this ending, for now at least. Good Story.
Huh, I wondered why an old story of mine was suddenly getting so many faves. Thanks for the shout-out Alex.
*pant pant*
For something over ten thousand words, this felt like a skeleton strapped to a rocket sled. Don't get me wrong, there were some truly fascinating ideas and deep moments here, but it all feels incredibly rushed.
9339840
Welcome!
9341034
Forgive me, but I can't help but giggle at your description. This story was made with the combined effort as a story-go--round of three people. And to be honest, whether you meant it that way or not, I honestly CAN'T process what you just said anything else than a compliment just from all the flowery description, forgive me there. But your comment honestly just makes me smile from what you describe this.
Maybe cause I only wrote part of this.
And I wrote this so long ago with the others too.
Whatever the case, I somehow can't feel bad about your comment. *hugs* So thank you for it. It actually makes my day happier.
9338688
Thanks.
9337778
To call it a crazy ride would be an understatement.
9338151
Thank you for that uplifting and positive post.
If in character responses were allowed on fimfiction.net, Luna would thank you.
9469284
I'm always happy to make other people happy. And this being a story written by committee certainly explains a lot of the issues I had with it. Thanks for clarifying, and I'm glad I offered some entertainment.
Aw, I loved the end there..
9526764
Not much of an end, but thanks dude!