As the sun began to rise over the orchard, the rays began to reveal the Apple family, already hard at work. The fields were overflowing with apples ready to be picked and processed. Everypony was working overtime, and that meant waking up at the crack of dawn.
It is for that reason that Applejack and Big Macintosh were already up, having beat Celestia's sun by a good two hours. They were preparing the tools, crates, buckets, and all other supplies necessary to have a successful mid-summer apple harvest.
They had also been talking, as ponies are wont to do when there is a lot of time to be filled. This mostly amounted to Applejack talking about something farm-related, and Big Macintosh nodding and letting out a classic "Ee-yup."
That changed, though, as the sun rose. They were busy assembling the reserve carts, which were kept in the shed especially for harvest season. Applejack was busy telling Big Mac all about the latest adventure of the Elements of Harmony.
"Well, we were all so scared, bein' split up like that in the Canterlot maze. It was one heck of an experience. Twilight called for everypony to meet in the middle, because we was all alone." She chuckled. "Oh, Twilight. She is always ready to take charge when we need it. I reckon that's why she is the Element of Magic."
Big Mac simply nodded. "Ee-yup."
"But what I don't get is how she got all tangled up in this whole "equality" mess. It was bad enough she was getting her head filled with all these fancy ideas by that smooth-talking Carmel, but now she is just crossing the line! She said that she is going to go try to talk some sense into the Mayor! Sense? Sense about whut, exactly? 'She lied to the Moon Party, lied to my father, blah blah blah!' I tell ya, Big Mac, that Carmel's a wily one. We got to keep an eye on him."
"..."
Applejack looked at him, quizzically. "Y'all don't agree?"
"Ee-nope!"
"And why not? Carmel is a born manipulator, tryin' to get us poor country-folk so bamboozled that we can't tell the difference between up and down no more. We gotta stick to our values, Big Mac. We gotta be strong. It is important to preserve Granny Smith's town."
"..."
"Our Parent's town. Mom and dad would agree with me, Big Mac. And you know it!"
"..."
"Oh, the silent treatment, huh? You and your stallions are too fancy to keep company with someone who wants to stick to her guns, even if that someone is your own sister! Ah am too old-fashioned for you, huh?"
"..."
"Well, ya know what? Ah don't want to have this conversation. Let's just both be quiet and worry about gettin' this harvest over and done with."
"Ee-yup"
---
Twilight approached the large building that served as City Hall. It was really more of a ballroom with a few offices, but it served all of the needs of the town. Twilight had been there a lot in the past, especially around Winter Wrap-up. She was on good terms with the mayor, and was given permission to "drop in" whenever she pleased.
Logic dictates that someone with the strong personal character the mayor shows should not be so manipulative, Twilight thought. The Mayor, though she is a politician, is a pony like the rest of them. So, how could she lie so coldly to Carmel?
There has to be a misunderstanding. Somepony has to have made a mistake. The Mayor couldn't do something that cold... right?
---
The office was small (the Mayor preferred the word "cozy"), and stacked to the brim with papers and notes. The Mayor had a large workload that particular day, so she didn't feel like having any visitors. When Twilight walked in (without knocking, which was uncharacteristic of her), though, Mayor Mare knew she had to talk to her... Heh. Twilight was really the Mayor's No.1 assistant, and everypony knew it. "Hello, Twilight. What brings you here today?"
The purple unicorn took a seat. "I just have a few questions for you, Mayor. I have been brought some... disturbing news."
The Mayor's brow furrowed. Bad press? This is not good. The re-election is so near... "What are you referring to?"
"Well, I've been talking to Carmel..."
The Mayor burst out laughing. "Oh, that rabble-rouser? I assure you, any allegation of his is completely false. He and his group are not above lying to sway people to their position, Twilight."
"But... he seemed so sincere..."
The Mayor nodded. "The best liars always do. Twilight, I can quickly disprove this. What did he say about me? I'll show you that it was either grossly exaggerated, or in error."
Twilight's brow furrowed. "Well, he said that the Stallion's Rights movement helped you into power..."
"Not true. When I ran, I ran with the Moon Party originally. I was a fan of their forward thinking and new policies. It was exciting, the idea of being the mayor who changed Ponyville." There was a sparkle in her eye, reminiscent of a dreaming foal. "But Twilight, you must realize. When the Moon Party accepted the Stallion Right's movement as part of their agenda, I couldn't stay. The bad press was more than any elected official can handle."
"But Mayor! Press should not be an issue! We are talking about basic rights here! Isn't that at least lightly more important than what the public thinks?"
"Welcome to Democracy, Twilight. If I try to do something unpopular, I lose my power to do so. As a result, I need to act in the best interest of everypony, and any personal agendas must be put on the back-burner. Thus is politics." The mayor nodded.
"But..."
"I am not an absolute ruler, Twilight. I am not all-powerful. I have tried to pass many resolutions, which have failed. You see, when I sign a resolution, it goes by the voters. You wouldn't just need me, you would need the whole town. Surely you of all people know that." The Mayor said, sympathetically.
"We could get it! I could campaign for it! The town will gather behind us... I have already seen it." Twilight was exasperated. "I mean, if public opinion is all that matters to you, then can't I solve it by proving the public is for the change?"
The mayor was silent for a second. "In my file cabinet. Under Resolutions. Find number 27." She said, pointing to her cabinet.
"...okay?" Twilight was unsure how to proceed, so she did what was asked. Upon retrieving the paper, she read it aloud. "Stallion Equality resolution... Let it be hereforth known that any equine, regardless of race, sex, or species, shall not be barred from becoming full citizens with all powers and rights associated with... You already have a resolution written?"
The grey-maned mare nodded. "I do. It was one of the first I wrote, and even now if I affix my signature it will be sent to the voters. I considered signing it, so many times, but I could never find the guts. I was always afraid it would destroy my credibility."
"Then... sign it! We could end this whole mess now!" Twilight almost shouted.
"I'm still worried, Twilight. I am still on the fence. Public opinion is fickle, and we as a species are always looking for somepony to blame for something or other. I don't want to be that pony.."
"So... what will we do?"
"I would be willing to sign that paper... if you can prove to me that the public would stand behind that resolution. That is my offer." The mayor said, with a tone of finality. "Otherwise, I can't risk it."
Twilight thought for a moment. "This is our chance... our chance to fix everything! I will! I can prove it! It will be just like a research paper! I can prove it to you, Mayor. I will." Twilight said, excitedly.
"I hope you do, Twilight. Good luck!" The mayor said, the smile returning to her face. I know this town better than anypony. You are going to need it.
Here, this finally updated.
ENJOY IT
2863178
recipe. Also on an unrelated note, I'm literally incapable of pronouncing caramel any way other than carmel.
2975168 That "typo" was actually on purpose. I am trying to separate my "Carmel" from other fan "caramels".
2975169
Hmm interesting. So the Mayor did sign a resolution about this matter earlier. Still, it doesn't justify sending ponies/protesters to jail though. And of course, it doesn't preclude that Mayor Mare changed her mind on this matter...
Seeing how both Mayor Mare and Carrot Top are manipulative and insincere, I worry this is not going to end well...
2975119
Heck yeah! I enjoyed this. Set up more the baseline plot, a storm is brewing... Twilight better prepare her boxing gloves!
Hooray! Go Twilight! You will succeed... maybe.
Me likey.
2975219 Maybe being the operative word.
2975216 I certainly have an interesting scenario here, don't I?
2975304 Me glad...ee?
Anywho, glad you enjoy it.
I appear to have been featured.
i1.ytimg.com/vi/NddUwPUl56A/maxresdefault.jpg
2975344... I suppose it should be "plot".
2975353 hey can you add money into this because if you look at our government ( not the one that use to be and how people forgot how it really works ) you see people paying off people to do things like this is i want someone to start a war i have to pay that guy to one the role of lander so i can pass this bill to go over there for oil and what not, but i have to have to people on my side to make this bill go up to him so i pay off them to say yes to it and when i get it i can contorl more people to do what i want.
Unlike back than people where open and can see the bill what it's turely is and not lie in there face or try to keep them out of the loop.
2975430 Are you suggesting I add some level of corruption to this story?
An interesting proposition. I will consider it.
2975441 plus twilight using the media as a weapon hell look at the 99% and anti war movement they use the media to get there way if twilight can find or take pics of the colts going to jail just saying what need to be said than it can 1up her in other towns that got the news to back her up.
also by using money twilight can use it to do the some where she use her money to back her up but she useing it for the rights of other so playing at there some lvl is the right thing to do sometimes.
Also to add more detail to the media if mayor mare was idk was caught having sex with a mare or a hooker that will help twilight win this as easier than a guy with a 10 ga shotgun shooting into a barrel full of fish
I know this stuff a lot and how the world works with this shit and it's sad that my country the usa have become over the years its almost no longer than it true self.
2975216 Twilight will wins this for sure.... IF she play her cards right, they way i see it she have to use the media as a weapons to maryro mare to get her way like say taking a pic of a group of colts protesting that being take away to jail and using the news to ohter towns what's going on in the world and right there will bring more to the town to do the some sooner are later she have to make it do so.
2975219 don't worry she will just have to use the media as a weapon to them to win
Applejack will not be happy when she finds out that Mayer Mare wrote that.
2975659 Applejack won't be happy for a lot of this story.
You know. I can see Twilight making Rainbow Dash drop her anti-stallion stance quite easily. Let's say word gets back to Wonderbolts, and Soarin by extension, that Rainbow Dash discriminates against stallions and actively helps to oppress them. Not only would that ruin her fantasies of him becoming her special somepony but what about there being a rule the Wonderbolts have that prevents those who discriminate any anyone(as in not just against ponies) from joining. They likely don't want any overly sexist or racist or bigoted members on their team in order to always look good. That would put Dash between a very bad for her, good for story, rock and a hard place.
2975764
...
DOOD! Y U SPOIL MY PLOT?
Interesting, looks like the Mayor isn't as bad as I'd originally thought. Sure she's a bit cold hearted about the stallion's rights, but this is voting we're talking about. But I do wonder, by not signing it, she's pretty much setting herself against the stallions so if they do gain the same rights, she'll be thrown out. Great chapter, keep goin and stay golden^^
2975764 That would fuck Dashie over three ways 'til Sunday... and I like it.
2976699
Dashie my be one of my favorites, but when she is being an ass, I believe she deserves punishment for it.
2976703 Dash is a hotheaded, arrogant braggart. Feeding her the humble pie, out of all ponies, is particularly enjoyable.
2976727
If you pay attention to the show, she has gotten better. And if you notice during Hurricane Fluttershy and The Last Round Up, you can see her showing emotions that she doesn't normally. Theory me and my friends agree with: She is actually much more sensitive/fragile than she lets on. She just covers it with how she normally acts.
2976747 I know, I know. In-show, she mellowed out a ton since May The Best Pet Win, to the point where she's much more responsible and cautious than Lightning Dust, who's pretty much her spitting image at the start of the show. She didn't complain more than was reasonable to the wingman position, and Dust's stunts left her really apprehensive. Heck, she was willing to dump her slot at the Wonderbolts in favor of her morals; that's damn impressive for a glory hound like she used to be.
In stories like these, though, her getting dope slapped is deserved and delicious to watch, wouldn't you agree?
2976776
Most definitely.
2975764 that' would be so awesome puls am making a spin off of this with a human that love starting roits
What you did there. I see it. I am really surprised Twilight didn't though.
liars*
My god, I was hoping someone would write a fic about this exact topic. This is going to be fun! =3
2819830 It's a play on how Women had no rights in America. Blacks had far more rights than any woman did in those days.
Ponyville is essentially 5:1 female over male. Males are the minority in the matriarchal society.
2976776>>2976784 You know, Rainbow Dash is first on my "hitlist".
2978396
2978401 As a hilarious note, my autocorrect app recognized neither "lyers" or "liars". So I guessed.
2978525 Why, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
2979510
Not that kind of plot? :(
I just thought of something. There is nothing saying Spike can't vote. He is not a stallion. Hell, he is not even a pony. But still, going by that, he can not only vote but run for office.
2982552
There could be a number of creative ways to get around that.
You know, I've always found a slight enjoyment in rustling Applejack's jimmies. Don't ask why, I just do.
And that's why in sane countries, there's this little thing called the legal system that acts as a check to the wiles of popular opinion and mob rule.
2988749
The author has a policical statement to make. Little things like "plausibility" should never be allowed to hinder the statement!
2988749 I admit this story isn't perfect, but neither is the source:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOK1uJK9U8w]
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkOJTpZmYgQ]
I'm trying my best, m'kay?
2989014 What's a little thing like suspension of disbelief when you are playing POLITICS?
Wow I totally forgot to like this. Go figure.
2982723
He is a baby compared to dragons, so the easiest way to go about it would be that while as a baby dragon, he is of age of majority in pony years. Second. Celestia could just easily pass a law stating all dragons born within Equestria of a certain age are considered an age of majority and make that whatever age Spike is. Third, just dispute that the laws on age only apply to ponies and not dragons as their aging is kind of weird to begin with.
Ah so glad to see this after so long.
Yay! I read all the chapters!
. . .
Crap. I read all the chapters.
3020015
3000043 ...
Hmm... Spike.... I never thought of that...
2994938 Thank you for reading my A/N!
3004839 Glad to see you too.
3059937 Though, it's more for personal reasons...
Update this. I want to see more.
The premise of this appeals to me. I shall read it later.
3066158 fluttershy and Pinkie are indifferent, and the Princess has refused to act.
I hope that was clear.
3066174
Much like in A Bird in the Hoof with the Cakes, I just have this feeling ponies would be concerned about what she thinks whether or not she acts