> My Little Civil Activist: Equality is Magic
>  by GrouchoMarxDisciple
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: What does "inferior sex" mean?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Diamond Tiara?"

"Here, Miss Cheerilee!" the pink pony said in her nicest, sweetest voice. Applebloom wanted to gag.

"Scootaloo?"

"Here, Miss Cheeri-OW!" Scootaloo suddenly yelped as a spitball hit her right in the flank. Diamond Tiara quickly hid the bendy straw that she used to launch the projectile as Cheerilee looked up from her attendance sheet.

"Is something wrong, Scootaloo?" Cheerilee said in a concerned yet bubbly voice.  No, everything is NOT alright! Scootaloo's flank was sore and Diamond Tiara was at fault. She was about to speak up when the purpotrator of the crime shot Scootaloo a nasty look, the "say anything and I'll kill you" kind of nasty look.

"Uhh... No, Miss Cheerilee. Everything is fine." Scootaloo quickly chimed. Her flank was still sore, but she decided against telling on Tiara. That would make her a tattle-tale, and everypony hates tattle-tales.

"Well, if Scootaloo is here, that means everypony is present today!" Cheerilee exclaimed. There was usually at least one pony gone for one reason or another, so this was an exciting prospect. "And that's a good thing, because today's topic is very important. Everypony knows that the Mayoral Election is coming up, so today I decided we are going to talk about the democratic system in Ponyville." The entire class groaned.

"Can't we ahll wait 'till we 're old enough ta' vote before we worry about politics?" Applebloom complained, voicing every foal's opinions on the matter. 

Cheerilee smiled. "I know it doesn't seem importaint now, My Little Ponies, but Ponyville's democratic system is a truly fascinating subject. Did you know that Ponyville is the only city in Equestria which decides its leadership through elections?" There was a pause, as the students looked at her with blank stares. The magenta mare explained: "A democratic system is one which decides its laws and leadership by popular vote instead of being decided by a royal family or dictator."

Sweetie Belle raised her hoof. She wore a confused expression. "How come Ponyville is the only one? Don't other cities get their mayors appointed by the Princess?"

Cheerillee smiled. "Good question, Sweetie Belle. Ponyville was founded by Earth ponies, and the first settlers that came here were used to the way of 'electing' their leader that most explorers use. Instead of having a pony royally appointed as 'governor' like most cities, ever since Ponyville was founded the entire leadership has been chosen by the residents." Cheerilee smiled widely. Everypony knew she though very highly of this subject, she hadn't been this excited since Hearts and Hooves day... though for entirely different reasons. "Now, can anypony tell me how often we hold mayoral elections?"

Twist spoke up, as usual. "We haf' electionth every four yearth!"

"That's right, Twist! Mayor Mare was elected four years ago, beating out Mayor Shucks by a landslide. But now the four years have come and gone, and anypony who wants a shot at it can declare themselves a candidate! Isn't it exciting to know that someday, any one of you could be elected mayor?"

The foals started talking among themselves excitedly about how cool it would be to call the shots. But even through the noise Cheerilee could clearly hear two male voices in the back of the room. "That is exciting, Snails!" Snips said. "Maybe I'll run for mayor when I grow up!"

"I'd vote for ya, Snips!" the slow-witted unicorn smiled. "Maybe you could run for mayor this election and skip the growing up!"

Cheerilee sighed. Every four years, this topic came up. And every four years, she would have to break some hearts. Being a teacher wasn't always fun and games. "Actually, Snails, I'm afraid that's impossible"

Snips missed the point. "I know I can't run this election, Miss Cheerilee! I was just about to tell Snails that there is an age-limit and a height limit and..."

His teacher cut him off. "That's not what I mean, Snips." she said in a soft, caring voice.

"Then what do ya mean, Miss Cheerilee?" Applebloom spoke up. Other ponies must have heard, so suddenly all eyes were on the teacher. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Cheerilee wished she could get her students to listen like that all the time.

"I mean that Snips can't run for mayor." the teacher said plainly. 

"Why not? Would I be a bad mayor, Miss Cheerilee?" Snips was confused.

She shook her head. "No, not at all. It's just that ... according to the current laws, Stallions cannot run for any office, vote, or own land in Ponyville."

Silence. Every time this subject came up it was silence. The silence of tiny minds trying to process this information.

Sweetie Belle broke the awkward moment with her childish, squeaky voice. "You mean... Featherweight and Snips and Snails... can't run for mayor? Or vote? Or even buy a house?"

Cheerilee mentally prepared herself to answer, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes. This is so wrong. A democratic system isn't truly democratic if any party or group is not represented. After a few seconds, she began speaking, smoothly and evenly. "That is correct, Sweetie Belle."

Diamond Tiara huffed. "I don't know what you are talking about. My dad owns a lot of land. He does work in the real estate business, after all."

Cheerilee thought for a second. "He probably buys the land under your mother's name. That makes the most sense to me, anyway."

The rest of the class was still lost in thought. "But... Why?" Scootaloo finally said.

"There are a lot of reasons. The first is tradition. When the first mares that settled here wrote the law, they allowed "Every Mare" a vote. This doesn't include Stallions. When Stallions started arriving, the law didn't get changed." Cheerilee didn't look at Scootaloo, didn't smile, didn't even add the usual bounce to her voice. It almost seemed as if this fact was... was painful to say.

"That's a dumb reason. Why don't they just change the law?" Diamond Tiara said a little more condescendingly than needed.

 She never gets this interested in my lectures. I wonder the sudden change of heart. "Because of the second reason. There are a lot more mares than stallions in Ponyville, so every time a candidate tries to change the law, they lose the next election. Changing a law that fundamental to the Ponyville Constitution is no small task." Cheerilee explained.

"That's not fair!" Applebloom shouted. "Stallions and mares are the same species, we share the same space, and we pay the same taxes! We should be given the same rights!"

"My mommy says that the greater sex has to keep the inferior one in line, and make sure that stallions don't mess up our society with their brutish impulsiveness." 

Cheerilee quickly scanned the room for the speaker, singling out Silver Spoon. She was about to respond with a counter-argument when she was interrupted by the one who started this all.

Snails spoke for the first time since Cheerilee started talking about voting rights. His question almost broke her heart. "Miss Cheerilee, what does 'inferior sex' mean?"
> Weekly meeting cut short
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a predictably perfect day in Ponyville. There was no rain scheduled for the rest of the week, so the skies were clear and the sun was shining bright. Rays of golden sunlight glinted majestically off of the buildings, giving the town square a warm, welcoming glow. The weather was warm but not hot, as it was still late spring. The days of scorching heat were not to come for at least a month.

If one were to walk down the main road of Ponyville at that time, one would have seen a purple unicorn and a baby dragon quickly making their way through the marketplace. 

It was a Saturday, which for most ponies meant grocery day, and as a result the marketplace was packed. For Twilight Sparkle, though, it meant it was time for her weekly get-together with her friends. Pushing and shoving her way through the crowd, she hurried in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. It was in sight now, and even in the throng of the crowd Twilight could still see her friends sitting in the window table there, the one Pinkie always reserved just for them.

"C'mon Spike!"Twilight said, when she noticed that Spike had stopped at a stall. He was eying a very large sapphire hungrily. "We're late as it is already!" 

"But Twilight! Can't I just look around for a little bit?" the baby dragon whined.

"No. You're coming with me and that is that." Twilight said firmly.

"I don't wanna go! You know that I don't like any of the food at Sugarcube Corner!" Spike said , a little more loudly than necessary. 

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. "Why don't you like Pinkie's cooking? Pinkie Pie is one of the best pastry chiefs I know." 

"Because there are no gemstones in the cupcakes she makes." Spike said, as if that explained everything. 

"Ugh. Spike, you know I don't have the bits right now. I used them all getting groceries yesterday. My stipend from the Princess doesn't come until tomorrow. Until then, you will just have to make do." Twilight said, rather decisively. "Besides, we are still running late!" She turned around and started trotting off. 

"Can I just stay here and look around?" Spike called after her. "There are so many cool things in the marketplace!" Twilight turned around to see that he wasn't following her.

'How can I convince him to come... Spike usually doesn't complain this much. He must be taking whining classes from Rarity. Wait a second...' "Rarity is going to be there!" 

--- Spike charged into Sugarcube corner fast enough to make Rainbow Dash jealous. Twilight soon followed, making 5 mares in the room. Applejack couldn't come usually, her apples sold like hotcakes on Saturdays, and she was needed at the stand. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were already there, and Pinkie was leaving the table, probably going to the back to get some food for everypony.

Twilight took her seat. "Hello, girls! Sorry I'm a little late." She smiled sheepishly.

"Think nothing of it, Twilight. I just got here myself." Rarity returned the smile, though hers was more sincere.

"I was late too. I, umm, needed to make something special for Angel before I left." Fluttershy's soft voice could barely be heard across the table. Her head was down, and her mane covered one of her eyes.

"I was here on time! I guess all of you just aren't fast enough!" Rainbow Dash's voice was scratchy and brash, a direct contrast to the timid and light voice her fellow Pegasus had.

"Didn't you help Pinkie make the cupcakes for today's meeting?" Twilight said, in mock sarcasm mode.

Rainbow waved her hoof. "Not really. She only needed my help getting the ingredients. She did most of the actual work." Rainbow laughed. "Still, I don't know how she makes that Spectra taste good in her cupcakes. It's normally so spicy!" 

All of the mares in the room shared a hearty laugh. Twilight was the first to speak after that. "The election is in two days. I'm so excited! My first democratic election ever!"

"It is truly marvelous." Rarity smiled. "I usually don't get involved with politics, but this year Mayor Mare has my vote. She has been doing a great job in office and I simply cannot think of anypony competent to replace her.

"Mayor mare is the one who made aerial tricks over Ponyville illegal! So not-cool!" Rainbow Dash protested.

Fluttershy spoke up. "I think it's a nice law. If one of your tricks went wrong, you could seriously hurt somepony. Or some animal.."

"Yeah, but my tricks don't go wrong. EVER." RD would not let the subject go. "And besides, even if one did I would make sure not to hurt anypony. I could totally swerve out of the way or aim for a hay bale or if I was doing a loop I could do a barrel roll and re-direct my momentum..."

Rainbow Dash continued on and on about different ways she could avoid disaster, but nopony was really listening. Everypony's mind wandered to the coming election. Mayor mare and the Sun party had just been elected 4 years ago, replacing the Moon party administration that that lasted 12 years. Certainly a lot had changed since then, but something still bothered Twilight..

"Ohmygosh that would be so cool, if I did a reverse back-flip over a alligator pond and didn't flare my wings until the last second..."

It appeared to Twilight that Mayor Mare was running on an... unstable platform. She was pandering to the majority (which was, statistically young mares) with more maternity leave, better insurance for ponies, and more restrictions on sports. however, that left many minorities dissatisfied. One minority angry was one thing, but 7 minorities can quickly become a majority. The moon party hasn't announced their candidate yet, but she would certainly have to be very savvy and able to pull all of the minorities in Ponyville together.

"And me and Soarin would get married and we would live happily ever after!" Rainbow beamed, completely unaware that nopony had been listening. "What do you think?"

"I think that it's time to change the subject." Twilight said, after a brief pause. "About the coming election..."

Rarity interrupted her. "If I was a betting mare, I would already have my money on Mare to win it all. It doesn't matter who the Moon party brings to the plate, Mayor Mare already has the vote of the younger mares in Ponyville.

"The problem is, even though the largest demographic is young females in Ponyville, if you add up all the stallions, extra-pony species, and independent voters, you get a majority."

Everypony stared at her blankly. Was it something I said?

"What's the problem? Is there something I'm missing? Some custom I don't know?" Twilight was confused. What did her friends know that she didn't.

"Are you telling me you never explained to her?" Rainbow Dash said accusingly to Rarity.

"It just never came up in conversation. I figured with all her studies, she would have known..." Rarity defended.

"Umm... I don't like talking about politics... it makes everypony mad..." Fluttershy added.

"What in Celestia's mane is going on? Can someone please tell me?" Twilight was tired of guessing games. The answer needed to come out. Apparently, she had missed something important about Ponyville.

Rarity decided to speak up. "Well, Twilight... The truth is... We just meant..."

Suddenly she was interrupted by a stallion's voice. It was loud and obtrusive, and sounded like it was coming from outside. Over a megaphone, if Twilight wasn't mistaken.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts! The time has come!"

Rarity and Rainbow Dash groaned. "Not this again!"

"Won't he give it a rest already?'

"EVERY. FOUR. YEARS. THE. SAME. THING!" Rarity said in her 'the worst possible thing' voice.

"Who? Does what?" Twilight was confused. Who were her friends talking about? Was this some kind of event that happened every election?  Her train of thought was cut off by the voice again.

"We are equal citizens in Ponyville! We pay taxes, do our jobs and even go to fight when Equestria needs it. And what is our  thanks? Nothing. Our rights are being infringed on every day when we are ruled by a party we had no hand in selecting! By an administration we have no power to ask for anything! And no political leeway to say anything! I say it's time somepony changed this tradition! Somepony fought for all citizen's rights! It's time that somepony cared about us!"

Twilight made up her mind. She was going outside to see who this mystery speaker was. He seemed angry, and judging by his speech, he had good reason. "If you won't tell me, I'll go find out myself." and she stood up, leaving the table.

"But Twilight!" Rarity yelled after her.

"Don't go out there!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Umm... If that's okay with you..." Fluttershy added. But it was too late. Twilight was out the door and looking at the square.

The marketplace was still crowded, but a large group had gathered around a stallion standing on an apple crate. The stallion looked familiar, Twilight knew she had seen him before. Carmel, his name was. He was speaking into a megaphone to the crowd. Never before had Twilight seen so many stallions in one place since coming to Ponyville. She didn't even know there were this many. Oddly, there were almost no mares there, though.

Twilight studied the speaker. The megaphone was on a stand, and the apple crate was pretty small, so Carmel was standing on the back edge, with his hind hooves on the ground. It was hard to see his face as a result, but the mane she could see was messy and crazy. Rarity would have a field day with this one.

He lifted his head up to speak, and Twilight caught a glimpse of his eyes. He had this intensity, not an angry intensity, but the kind that stems from somepony who is determined to reach his goal. Twilight could tell by his face that he meant business, whatever it was he wanted.

"All of us are fed up with the current way things are run! It is time, Ponyville."

Time for what? Twilight was confused.

"It's time to give stallions the right to vote!" The crowd erupted into cheers.

Twilight was at a loss for words.  

 (A/N Below, please read!)
> Apples and Carrots
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been a pretty good day at the marketplace. Ponies usually bought the Apple family apples like crazy, which was not surprising because everypony who has ever tried one knows they're the best in Equestria, but today had been especially fruitful. And it was only mid-morning! Applejack turned away from the crowd for a second to count how many apple crates had been emptied so far.

 Okay, so ah've sold one... two... Applejack scracthed her head. Ah coulda sworn I sold at least three crates by now. Ah guess the day hasn't been so spectacular after all. Oh well, it's still early and the ponyfolk are still buying.  

The marketplace was bustling and loud, and Applejack had to shout at the top of her lungs to be heard over the chaos that was the Saturday market. "Fresh apples for sale! The best in Equestria! Only 2 bits!" With so many ponies in the marketplace, there had to be at least one pony who wanted an apple. Somepony... Anypony...

A pony approached the stand. 

Anypony but that one.

"I would like two apples please." the yellow mare smiled smugly.

"Carrot Top? What the hay are y'all doin' here? I thought ya hated apples." The anger in Applejack's voice was matched only by her confusion.

"Well, maybe I changed my mind! There is no law that says ponies can't change their minds... Though if somepony watched you for long enough they might think there is."

Applejack glared at her old enemy. "Juhst give me your bits, take yer apples and git. Y'all are lucky I even let you come within five feet of mah stand after what you did." 

"Why so angry? I come here to give you some business, (which, judging by the fact that you are still wearing the same old dusty hat you desperately need), and you insult me."

"You're the one givin' me trouble! You have been for years!" Applejack's voice was angry and loud, alerting some other ponies to the fact that something was up. A small crowd began to gather around the stand.

"And now you are yelling at me! Is this any way to treat your customers? Tsk tsk tsk...." Carrot Top shook her head. "I always thought you were a better businesspony than that. You, of all ponies, should know that the customer is always right." She laughed.

"Ah refuse to do business with a pony who will come to mah stand and insult me like this! Now will ya kindly move along?!" The cowpony accentuated her last statement with an angry snort.

"So pushy! Okay, okay, I'm going. But before I leave, I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you." She nodded briskly, and turned to leave.

"Whaddoya mean 'forgive me'? Shouldn't you be the one apologizing?" Applejack called back. 

Carrot Top smiled as she turned around slowly. Yes, Applejack. Keep digging yourself deeper. "Oh, I don't just mean about today. I mean for everything you did to me. We have had a... rocky relationship, you and I." At this Applejack grumbled something under her breath. Carrot Top cleared her throat and continued: "However, I have decided that the time for our petty squabbles is over. It is time for both of us to move on. In fact, that is why I came here in the first place. I was hoping to make up and move on, but it appearssomepony just can't let the past go." 

"Okay, spill the beans. What are ya tryin' to get me to do? Haven't you humiliated me enough for one lifetime?" Ah know Carrot, and Carrot doesn't juhst be nice. There has ta be another reason.

The orange-maned mare looked around.  Enough ponies have gathered. Time to make my move. "I was actually coming to see if I could convince you to vote for me." Carrot Top spoke louder than necessary. "I have been asked by the Moon Party to run against Mayor Mare this year."

"YOU  WHAT!?!?!?" Applejack shouted. "I wouldn't vote for ya if you were the last mare on earth! It would be bad enough if you were running for the Sun party or independently, but running for the Moon party? Those hooligans who don't know left from right, prentendin' that this 'new age' requires new laws that are the exact opposite of Ponyville's time-honored traditions? The laws you fight against are inherited from my great-grandma and the laws she set down are the laws that will stay. Do you expect me to jus' throw up mah hooves and let Ponyville be overrun by fillies with air in their heads and stars in their eyes? Fur-get it! You can take your politicking and fancy 'new age' idears and just MOVE ALONG!"

Carrot Top gave her best 'hurt' face to the crowd. "Well... If you are going to be that way, I'll be off. But hearing that makes me think... If the Sun Party's supporters are going to act that way to their fellow mares, then maybe it is time for a change. Maybe it's time for a more caring and open-minded candidate. Somepony like me, not like you."

Applejack thought for a second. With all these ponies around... "Wait just an apple-pickin' minute... you baited me! You wanted me to get upset and yell to make the ponies think that all of the Mayor's supporters are crotchety and insensitive!" And Ah fell for it!

"I baited you? It seems that any move on my part was unnecessary. You proved any point I was trying to make much better than I ever could have." She took a second to relish in her enemy's frustration. But she couldn't stay long, duty called. "If you will excuse me, friend, I have a rally to attend. Carmel and the stallions asked me to speak at the 'stallion's rights' rally in the marketplace today, and I wouldn't want to be late. By the way, can I borrow one of those crates?" Carrot Top quickly grabbed a large crate and trotted off, her nose high in the air. She could take a little time to bask in her victory elsewhere (and maybe celebrate with a carrot smoothie), leaving Applejack with the disapproving stares of everypony in the crowd.

"Ah... Ah didn't mean... She was... I didn't..."

Maybe today was a bad day after all. Ah, buck.
> Carmel Apples
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rally had been going on for some time now. Twilight had not budged since she arrived, a mixture of shock and curiosity keeping her from leaving or even moving. The rest of the crowd, though, was very active and vibrant. Twilight noted that while most stallions stayed the whole time, the mares tended to wander in and out.No wonder. She thought to herself. Carmel had been explaining what he called his 'plan for freedom', which probably seemed very risky and radical to most mares in the crowd. Twilight couldn't blame them, though. She didn't agree with them, but didn't blame them. These mares have a reputation to uphold. Besides, it's not their neck on the line, and if these stallions get their way the mares of Ponyville actually lose power. She paused. Still, that doesn't mean it's okay to just sit there while your fellow pony is pushed around and treated as a second-class citizen! Even if it seems wrong or weird, anypony with half a brain can quickly reason that fighting this movement is pointless. And maybe even dangerous. She shuddered.  These stallions are really angry, and one false move could start a riot. Supporting this movement, or at least not getting involved, may be the best line of action for everypony. Twilight watched as the mares shifted nervously, afraid to show support or even be noticed in the crowd. The stallions, on the other hoof, would follow Carmel to the end of Equestria and beyond, as made evident by their almost military level of attention and almost fanatacal responses.

Twilight Sparkle's train of thought was derailed by Carmel, who was finishing talking about why voting is so crucial. "... are being denied many rights besides voting. Two of the most blatant are the right to travel freely, and the right to own land. Nopony should tell us we have to stay here, and then tell us that we can't have a place to call our own."

"These laws are unjust and based  on prejudice alone. And to make it worse, Mayor Mare has spent the last four years fighting to keep it that way. She has resisted our attempts to compromise and fought to keep us quiet and submissive. Even now I fear that she is planning a strategy to shut me up. But, Mayor Mare, I must ask you: Why are you so afraid a few stallions? We have no votes, we have no rights, we don't even have a right to speak at town hall meetings."

There was a pause. The entire gathering sat in suspense, waiting for the answer.

"Mayor Mare is afraid
because she knows. She knows that the moment we gain this crucial right to vote, we can change those laws. The second we can decide on our leaders is the same second those who keep us down lose their power. Suddenly the stallions become part of the voting base, and outnumbered as we are, we would still hold much sway over the elections. 

The crowd applauded wildly. Carmel smiled as he continued:

"Yes, my friends, the mayor is afraid because she knows that this fight is the first and last battleground for the plight of equality! This will be our greatest victory yet!"

Twilight noted that even some of the mares joined in.

"But how, you ask, will we make this radical change in such a short amount of time? Don't political changes require much time and planning? Who  are we to try something this crazy? All of you believe, I'm sure, that this feat is impossible.

Some nodded their heads warily.

"But it's not."

Here Carmel paused for effect. The stallions in the crowd looked up at him, awaiting his explanation. Everypony who knew Carmel knew that he was a showpony at heart. He relished the anticipation, the electrifying  suspense. "The answer is quite clear. We are going to take a stand that will be felt throughout Ponyville, whether you agree with us or not. We will show the mares just how much they need us and our supporters! Boycotts and strikes will be our best weapons, for it is through these non-violent means can we best prove that stallions are both entitled to these rights and worthy of them." There was a pause here for a moment. Carmel's normally stoic expression flashed for a second. It looked like he had seen a ghost. Twilight could tell something was off, but before she could investigate Carmel continued.

"There are three ponies who, every election, fight us to the bitter end. Every step we take is matched by equally strong resistance by these three. We must bring the fight to them if we are to succeed at anything." The crowd waiting in anticipation. "Our first target is the captain of the weather team, Rainbow Dash. Cloudsdale, as you well know, holds a lot of sway here in Ponyville. As captain of the weather team, Rainbow Dash has a seat on the counsel there. Celestia knows that she uses it, too." He shook his head. "What she doesn't understand is this: the weather team cannot operate without the stronger stallions help, so that is a good place to strike first. Ranbow Dash has already made her intentions clear, but perhaps if we show her just how much she needs stallions in Ponyville, and how important this is to us, she will have no choice but to support our cause. To this end, I challenge all Pegasi who wish to fight for freedom NOT to aid Rainbow Dash's team until Cloudsdale officially supports our position! On this we cannot budge!"

At this, a cheer went up in the crowd, with several Pegasi flying up in the air to accentuate their participation. This made Twilight nervous. If the weather team is short-hoofed, this could spell not just inconvenience, but danger for the general population! If a particularly nasty storm comes in from the Everfree...

The crowd died down, and Carmel continued. "Our next step is a boycott. There are two local businessponies who have fought our movement since it's inception. Two specific ponies who have tripped us and held us every step of the way. I believe it's time to bring the fight to them! Without the business of the freedom fighters, these businesses will be forced to relent or close. When faced with this decision, the owners will have to help us or leave town! We will prove how great of a foe we can be!" The audience exploded as Carmel yelled into the loudspeaker. "Friends and brothers, I am officially calling for a boycott on Carousel Boutique and Sweet Apple Acres. We can all live without apples and dresses for a few weeks, and the story we will tell our grandchildren will be nothing short of amazing. We will boycott the products of those who support the mayor and her unjust ways, starting with Sweet Apple acres! Nopony who believes in our cause should give bits to somepony as bitter and bigoted as Applejack, or else she will use that money to influence the mares of Ponyville like last election. Nopony should give bits to somepony as clever and subtle as Rarity, for her manipulations of the government through favors and promises are the very thing holding us back! From this day until our freedom day, nopony should buy apple family or Carousel Boutique products! We will prove to them we can be just as stubborn, subtle, and strong as these businessponies claim to be! Who is with me!?!?!" Once again, the crowd exploded with cheering. Twilight was worried, to say the least. These guys are entirely serious. This could be trouble for Rarity... and Applejack...

Carmel loved watching the crowd get this excited. While they were cheering, he took a quick head count. The stallions who came every year were there, including his good friend Doctor Whooves. He noted with sadness that Big Macintosh was absent. If he woulda come, we might have been able to skirt all this 'boycott apples' business. I hate doing this to him, but freedom comes first. Sorry, Big Mac. He looked around the crowd. Many mares who had never attended before had showed up, Carmel noted Berry Punch, sober for once, and Ditzy Doo as such. This year. This year will be different.

The audience started to die down. "My frieinds, we have fought this battle for years. My father before me petitioned the government to change these unjust laws, and his father before him. The struggle has lasted almost three generations now, and still we have no change. Our struggle has always been opposed heavily from all sides. We have been laughed at, shunned, and even persecuted. If you remember the story, my father died in prison four years ago." A single tear. "His heart gave out, the heart that beat for every stallion who has no say in his future. The heart that beat for every colt with dreams of greatness. That heart, that beat for his son, who wanted to go to Canterlot to study law." Carmel's voice was getting softer. "That was the year I took over. That year we fought bravely. That year we got Mayor Mare elected.  She promised to aid us, to get us our rights. But she hasn't. She forgot us, and started trying to garner support from the Apple family ilk. She betrayed us, and everypony knows it. I vowed that year that Mayor Mare would not see another term. Mayor Mare may have turned her back on us, but this year we have a candidate who can and will defeat her with our support."

Twilight was suddenly interested, snapping out of her introspective shell. The candidate... Could she be the candidate for the Moon party? Who will stand up against such a vast majority?

"That candidate we have decided to support is... Ponyville's very own Golden Harvest!" Carmel announced. "She has graciously accepted our request to run as a representative for the stallion's rights movement, as well as her native Moon party. I have asked her to say a few words of encouragement, after which each of you should meet with your respective faction leaders for more information. Pegasi go talk to Storm Chaser, Earth ponies should meet with Doctor Whooves, and Unicorns will get their assignments from Morning Glory."

Somepony in the crowd complained "but Morning Glory is a mare!"

Carmel shot him a nasty look. The speaker was none other than 'Roid Rage, a very muscular Pegasus with tiny wings. "Yes. She is a mare. I am a stallion. You are a Pegasus. I am an Earth pony. Your coat is white. Mine is brown. What difference does that make to who we are? Isn't that the very message we are trying to send? Are you suggesting that mares and stallions are not equal? What happened to tolerance?"

A silence filled the crowd, as many looked down, ashamed. It was the silence of a foal being reprimanded by her mother.

Carmel's expression softened. "We will stand together, stallion and mare, Unicorn and Pegasus, pony and pony, to fight this fight! We can, together, make a difference, and we can, together, win this battle!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Carmel left the "stage". Carrot Top smiled approvingly at him as she stood on the apple crate. Because she was of a smaller build, she could stand on the crate entirely, making her seem tall and commanding. Twilight lost interest in the speech, however, when she noticed several Ponyville police officers begin arriving. Police? Are they here for crowd control? I guess with an audience as violently dedicated to the cause of freedom as this one is, violence is a very real possibility... That must be the reason. It's a safety precaution. Twilight smiled briefly, but then a frown started fighting it's way through. What if its not? What if they are here to arrest somepony? What if there is a criminal in the audience? Or what if... No. No way in Tartarus are they here to arrest one of the leaders. Carmel may be revolutionary, but having crazy ideas is not illegal! Carrot Top was speaking very eloquently and fluidly, but all the purple mare heard was "Vote for me, mares/Get your wives/very special someponies to vote for me, stallions! I will not let you down!"

Carmel was walking off. He carried himself with the air of one who knew what he was doing, and trotted confidently to the road leading to the edge of town. What is he up to? It seems odd that the very leader of the movement would up and leave when there was organizing to do. Twilight decided to follow him and find out. At the very least she hoped she could find out what this was all about.

---

Carmel had been walking through the village for about ten minutes when he stopped in a corner of the market without any stalls. Many stalls were deserted, but there was still a good amount of ponies wandering around. Twilight hoped that Carmel hadn't noticed he was being tailed.

"Big Mac!" Carmel suddenly shouted as the unmistakable red stallion approached the place where Carmel had been waiting. "It took you long enough." He laughed, before continuing. "I didn't see you at the rally."

Big Macintosh nodded. "Ah didn't come."

"But, why, Mac? I could have avoided making a scapegoat of the Apple family! Now there will be a boycott organized. If you had been there, I could have reduced the amount of demonization Sweet Apple Acres got in the speeches." Carmel looked at him sternly. "Don't tell me you didn't come because..."

"Eee-yup." Big Macintosh cut him off. "She told me that if ah came, ah would be betrayin' her and mah family."

"So now stallions don't just have their political lives controlled by mares, but their beliefs and personal lives? How can you let your sister push you around like that?"

"You have your ways of fightin' an' ah have mine." Big mac had never been a stallion of many words, so it surprised Twilight to hear him talk so much.

"I can't believe this! Sweet Apple Acres would be toast without you. Applejack knows that. Everypony knows that! If you do your share around the farm you should have your say about the management too!"

"Ah manage." Big Mac said flatly.

"You really don't care, do you? You are truely content to let your life and destiny be controlled by somepony else." Carmel's voice was getting louder.

"No. Ah stay 'cause ah want to. If ah wanted to do somethin' else, ah woulda left Ponyville years ago like all th'other stallions." Big Mac's voice stayed even and cool.

"Big Mac, sometimes I can't believe you."

"Same goes fer you.

There was a long silence, and then both of them suddenly burst out laughing. Odd. One minute they are at each other's throats and the next... They are laughing?"

Carmel stopped laughing and continued, albeit lighter. "You really should consider my offer. We could take care of you, and stick it to Applejack."

Big Mac looked at him sternly. "Ah don't abandon mah family fer' nuthin."

Carmel nodded. "If that is your choice, my friend. If you will excuse me, I have other things to do today. Take care of yourself, Mackie."

"You too, Carmel. Ah don't wanna see mah best friend gettin' himself hurt."

Carmel nodded and started to walk off.

"Ahnd, ah may show up to yer next one." Big Mac called after him.
> Meeting the leader
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peace. For the first time today, peace and quiet.

Carmel sat in his favorite stall in his favorite cafe. Celestia knows he deserved a moment of respite. It had been a long day and there was still work to do. The weary stallion closed his eyes, feeling much older than he was.

Carmel started thinking on the work left before the day was out. Let's see... I have a planned meeting with the Ethnic Minorities of Ponyville Union, then I have to attend the Moon Party's official Candidate announcement banquet, and I can't forget Doctor Whooves asked me to be the best stallion at his and ditzy's wedding. The rehearsal dinner is tonight, and I can't miss it for the world. Work, work, work...

He smiled, despite the growing mound of work. But for now, I have a few seconds of peace. The union isn't expecting me for another fifteen minutes. Perfect time for me to grab a mayflower sandwich and rest a bit...

His time of peace was cut short, however, by a mare's voice. "Excuse me. Are you Carmel?"

ARGH! CAN I REST FOR ONE SECOND? He opened one eye and looked at the purple unicorn. Why does she seem so familiar? "Yeah. I'm Carmel." He stretched. "Take a seat, I can tell you have a question for me."

The mare Midnight? No, that's not right... (Her name always reminded him of some mushy vampony romance book, but he couldn't put his finger on it.) hesitantly took a seat across from him. She thought for a moment before speaking. "Thank you. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I..."

"THAT'S IT!" Carmel suddenly shouted, getting some very funny looks from the other patrons. He looked around sheepishly. "I apologize. Go on."

She cocked an eyebrow. "...I am the Princess' personal student. She has sent me here to Ponyville to study the magic of friendship, but she never told me about... This."

Carmel looked at her oddly. "This... meaning..?"

"You were leading a rally earlier this morning. I happened to be in the area at the time, and I heard you speaking..."

Carmel's jaw dropped. "Wait. You're telling me that you had no idea about the stallion's rights movement?"

Twilight nodded. "Exactly. I am new here, you see. I admit, I was very excited to see my very first democratic election. I mean, I grew up in Canterlot, where Princess Celestia personally chooses all government officials.The idea of a leader being chosen by the people was fascinating and foreign to me."

Carmel finished her thought for her. "But, when you got here, you realized Ponyville isn't as democratic as you thought." .

Twilight smiled sheepishly. "Pretty much. I'm surprised the Princess didn't warn me about something as vital as an entire town stuck in the middle ages."

Carmel seemed to not be listening. He interrupted, "I remember you, you were the pony in charge of Winter Wrap-up last year. First time I can remember we have ever been on time." He chuckled to himself.

Twilight didn't share the joke. "I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind."

"I don't. Ask away, Twilight Sparkle." Carmel smiled.

"Let's start at the beginning. You mentioned in your speech that stallions are not allowed to vote, own land, or travel freely. Could you please explain these laws to me?" She looked at him quizzically.

"Sure thing, Twi." He cleared his throat. "All our troubles started with one simple phrase that was poorly thought through. I quote the Ponyville Constitution:'And in this new towne, henceforth named Ponyville, evyre Mare of good standing and upright character shall have a vote in all elections and laws.' That is in the preamble, drafted by the first settlers here, including the Apple Family."

"The same part that gave Ponyville its uniquely democratic system. I am familiar with the Ponyville Constitution, though, I never thought..." She trailed off.

"Exactly. The problem was the lack of thinking things through. The original lawmakers were mostly mares, because the stallions of the time were busy with building, working, and feeding their families. It was well known and commonly practiced that mares would simply represent the family legally."

Twilight thought for a second. "I guess that makes sense, if there is harmony between the stallion and the mare there would only be one vote necessary."

Carmel nodded. "And it did work, for a time. The problem is that this law never got changed. Colts grew up. Young families had foals of their own, fillies and colts born into a developing frontier city, kind of like Appleoosa. Many colts, just like fillies, had dreams of greatness. One wanted to run for mayor, he happened to be my great-grandfather. I'll get to my family history later. Anyway, the times quickly made that particular part of the constitution outdated,"

Twilight sighed. "But the law stayed."

Carmel frowned. "Not only did it stay, the situation got worse. Approximately seven years after the founding of Ponyville, a law was passed that said only tax-paying voters could own land. This was to stop ponies known as 'squatters', who sat on land until it sold at incredibly inflated prices."

Twilight nodded. "But this had the side effect of barring Stallions, who could not vote, from owning land as well."

"You catch on quickly." He smiled. "Now, stallions of the time decided these new laws were a bunch of hayseed, and so there was a mass exodus of Stallions from Ponyville. This left the problem of..." he cleared his throat, "Male-to-Female ratios. Ponyville was killing itself off slowly. As more Stallions left, less were there to marry and work."

"So, how did the lawmakers react?" Twilight said naively.

"In the worst possible way. Exactly twenty years after the founding of Ponyville, a new law was passed stating that Stallions born in Ponyville could not leave without official purpose and documentation."

"That part is the hardest for me to accept. Stallions are not allowed to leave Ponyville? While the other two laws are certainly unfair, that one is just..."

Carmel cut her off. "Outrageous? Believe me, I know." He quickly looked around, and then said in a quieter voice, "Many stallions run from this town anyway, because the moment we leave Ponyville the laws here no longer affect us. We are simply considered Equestrian Citizens. Have you ever wondered why the ratio of stallions to mares is so lopsided here?" 

Twilight stopped. "But... isn't that..."

"Illegal? So now, stallions wanting a better life is illegal? What is worse, in your opinion? Simply hopping a border and running or denying a colt his dreams of greatness?"

Twilight hastily spoke up. "Point taken. Continue."

Carmel huffed. "Sorry, that is kind of a touchy subject for me. Anyway, about my lineage. My great-grandfather, one of the original settlers, was against this law from the beginning. His wife was the only one to vote against the ratification of the Ponyville constitution, a fact I am constantly reminded of. Every generation my family has fought this law, trying to sway public opinion to our side."

Twilight spoke a bit quieter. "You mentioned that your father..." she trailed off.

"Died in jail? Don't worry, I am okay with it. It's not like he was mistreated or anything, it was a heart attack. He was 60 years old on the day of his death." He said, almost as casually as he had been speaking previously. Twilight could tell that the  story still weighed heavily on him, however. The normal spark in his eyes was gone, and suddenly the twenty-something stallion looked old and tired in her eyes. 

"I am so sorry." Twilight had a sincere tear in her eye.

"I stepped up to replace him at the head of the Stallion's Rights movement that year. I was twenty three at the time, four years ago. I remember that we had one of the best turnouts in history, if not the best. It was the Stallion's Rights voters who elected Mayor Mare."

Twilight shook her head. "That can't be true. Mayor Mare is, from what I hear, one of the most anti-Stallion's Rights mares in Ponyville." Her eyebrows furrowed.

"She wasn't when we elected her. Mayor Mare promised us change, hope, and freedom, but only a week after her election, she banned holding rallies in public without a permit, which is only attainable..."

"Let me guess. By voters."

Carmel nodded. "Sad as it is to say, Mayor Mare went to great lengths to stop us from having a turnout like that again. I wouldn't be surprised if she was already plotting ways to stop us now."

Twilight thought back to the rally. The policeponies... "Is that why law enforcement showed up to the rally?"

Carmel smiled. "Yup. Probably came to arrest me."

"And you don't have a permit, I'm guessing." she said flatly.

"Nope! Never even seen one."

"So, why didn't they stop you?" Twilight was slightly horrified and slightly curious. 

"My good friend Carrot Top has one. I can speak under her name in public, as long as she is present. The law can't touch me for the rally today." Carmel chuckled. At least, not about that particular law...

As Carmel resumed the conversation, though, he didn't notice the two policeponies enter the cafe, and singling out his table, the head one made a beeline for Carmel.

"Are you Mr. Carmel Candy?" She said in a gruff voice.

Carmel turned, and made eye contact with the uniformed detective. He smiled warmly at her. "Good evening, Inspector JaMare." He laughed at his own pun. "I am kind of sad that you don't recognize me. It was me who went with you to the prom all those years ago. Ring a bell? You and Berry got drunk, and the band filed a restraining order, and..."

"Mr. Carmel, you are under arrest."

Carmel's smile melted like a snowman in a tanning booth. "Under arrest? For what, exactly? As you well know, all my permits were in order."

"For thievery, inciting a riot, and disturbing the peace."	

"That is outrageous! I never stole anything! You have no proof." Carmel shook his head.

"A vendor says you stole a crate of apples from her to use for a stand and it was destroyed." She said bluntly. "The rest of the charges, you have no way to refute. You have the right to remain silent..."

He shook his head. "I can't believe this! one measly crate?"

"...can and will be used against you in a court of law..."

As she started cuffing Carmel, he looked over to Twilight. She looked like a deer in the way of a stampede. "Don't worry, Twi. I have been arrested more times than I can count. I'll be back on the street in no time." He smiled hopefully at her.

"But... But..."

"Can I ask you to do me a favor, before I leave?" He said, confidently.

Twilight, who's expression was a mix between shock and horror, weakly asked "What?"

"Tell Whooves that I'm gonna be late for the rehearsal dinner." Carmel laughed as the policeponies pulled him out of the cafe.

---

"Twi! Twilight! Are you okay?" A voice pierced the blackness.

Twilight slowly opened her eyes to see a pair of blue ones looking back at her. "What happened?"

"Well, I was walking down the road, well, maybe not walking, it was more like skipping, you know how I like to skip, but anyway I was skip-walking (or is it walk-skipping?) down the road plotting a recepie for my cherry-chonga I am going to make for Mrs. Cake tomorrow, when suddenly my back leg kicked. Of course, when my back leg is a kick'n that means that Twilight is about to faint, and so I rushed here to the cafe and found you lying on the ground like this!" The pink party pony said, seemingly without taking a breath.

Twilight had been slowly getting up throughout the rant. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Pinkie, but do you know where a stallion named "Doctor Whooves" lives?"

Pinkie smiled. "Of course I know where he lives. He lives in D. Whooves 42 wallaby way Ponyville! But you won't find him there now because he is busy at the rehearsal dinner for his wedding which I helped plan and ohmygosh I'm gonna be late!" Pinkie said, suddenly taking a determined look. "Sorry, Twilight, but I gotta go. I Pinkie Promised I would help tonight and I am almost late as it is."

Twilight thought for a second, then said "Do you think I could come with you?
> All is fair
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Whooves was very smart, and everypony in Ponyville knew it. His ability to reason was unparalleled and his debating skills were top-notch. In fact, before he got involved with the Stallions Rights movement, he was a well-known political commentator and author, having written several books on philosophy, politics, and even religion. The fact that he held a Ph.d and several Masters degrees certainly helped the fact as well. Unfortunately, he was quickly discredited by the political opposition (Mostly the Sun Party) when he started casting his lot with Carmel. His current job was a low-paying one, stocking shelves at the Ponyville bookstore. Even there he was on probation for hiding the copies of Fifty Shades of Neigh and telling customers they were sold out. 

Ditzy Doo is a mailmare, or was, until she got fired for badly battering several important packages. She had a sight disability, and to her everything was blurry and distorted unless she made a conscious effort to straighten her eyes, which was difficult and taxing. She also had a slightly air-headed personality, giving her the nickname "Ditzy". This did not mean, however, that she was stupid or incompetent. In fact, despite her bouts of clumsiness, she was famous for being a hard and dependable worker, friend, and even adopted mother to a sweet young Unicorn. 

These two ponies, who seemed so different from each other to all observers, were getting ready to tie the knot. Everypony agreed that they were a cute couple, but nopony could have told you that they would ever get this serious. Their romance was truly one in a million, the exception and not the rule. It was a beautiful sight to behold. 

Doctor Whooves was laughing as the music died down. "My dear, I must say I have never been so exhausted. Are all Pegusi as energetic as you? I haven't danced so much in my life!"

Ditzy smiled at him and nuzzled his side. "All I know is that I am approaching the happiest day of my life. I have never been so alive!" If it wasn't for her innocent tone, you would think she was being seductive.

The Doctor laughed. "I tell you, everything will be perfect. I have personally seen to all aspects of the wedding. There is not a mare out of place, or a problem left un-addressed." he smiled. If only Carmel would make his appearance... 
---

Pinkie Pie bounced along the sidewalk, seemingly without a care in the world. She was talking at a hundred miles a minute, and every word seemed to change the direction of the string. It was classic Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.

Whereas usually her friends politely listened, Twilight was lost in her own thoughts, and largely ignored the party pony. Carmel has been arrested, and here I go to the Doctor's rehearsal dinner to spoil it all. I hate being the bearer of bad news... And to think, this atrocity happened in Ponyville. If the Princess were here, she would never have... 

Pinkie was suddenly interrupted by Twilight suddenly shouting. "The Princess! Pinkie, if the Princess knew what was going on, surely she would step in! She will never tolerate this kind of injustice!" Twilight's sudden outburst was soon followed by another one of the same tone.

Pinkie gasped. "The Princess will want to stop the wedding? But they are such a cute couple! And I already planned the party, and I'm gonna make cherry changas for the first time, and..." 

Twilight shook her head. "No, Pinkie. I'm talking about Carmel getting arrested today. I think the wedding is going to go fine." She smiled. If there's one thing she knows will never change, it's Pinkie Pie. 

"Wait, Carmel got arrested again?" Pinkie looked lost in thought. 

Twilight hesitantly nodded. "Yes. He was arrested in the cafe you found me in." 

"That's a new record for him, Twilight. That brings his arrest time record to two and a half hours. That's pretty impressive." She spoke as if he had just won a pie-eating contest. 

"Wait... what?" Twilight stopped, confused. "What are you talking about?" 

"Duh! Every time Carmel holds a rally, he gets arrested shortly after. Him and I have been keeping track of how long it takes, and the previous record was Twenty-Three and sixteen-seventeenths of an hour. This is the shortest it has ever taken!" She laughed. "I will have to throw him a party when he gets out." 

"Pinkie. You realize Carmel has been imprisoned on trumped-up charges, waiting for a trial in an unjust system, and this is a serious affront to freedom, right?" Twilight was amazed at how nonchalant Pinkie was to this whole dilemma.

"Yup. But I am not complaining about something I can't change. Carmel never does." Pinkie said, and started bouncing down the road again.

"Maybe we can't, Pinkie." Twilight muttered. "But the Princess can."

---

The rehearsal dinner had gone splendidly. The Doctor couldn't be more proud of himself, having planned the whole thing. Everypony had gone home, getting a good night's rest before the wedding.  This wedding was going to be...

WHAM!

The door slammed open, and confetti flew everywhere. "I'm here!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "I'm ready to help set up everything! I am gonna need streamers, and balloons, and party favors, and candy, and..."

The Doctor, though initially startled, recovered his composure. "Candy for decorations, Pinkie?" he said, giving her a quizzical look.

"No. Candy for me. I get kinda hungry." Pinkie said, and started setting up the room. The Doctor shrugged. Pinkie being Pinkie, as usual.

"Doctor Whooves, is it?" a voice said, behind him.

"At your service." As he turned around, he looked at Twilight with a thoughtful expression written across his long face. "I think I know you from somewhere... Oh yes! You are Twilight Sparkle, the princess's personal protege and bearer of the Element of Magic, correct?" His face went from a thoughtful smile to a suspicious glare. "What brings you here?" The Doctor asked. Everypony knew that Twilight was friends with the other element-bearers, most of which were enemies of Carmel's.

"I was asked by Carmel to come and tell you that he will not be here tonight." She looked around at the empty ballroom. "Though, I suppose it's a bit late for that." She said sheepishly.

"Really? Do you know what is keeping him?" The Doctor asked. "I know he wouldn't miss it for nothing. I hope he's okay."

"He kind of got arrested." Twilight said, cutting straight to the chase. "I'm still having a hard time believing it myself."

"Oh, it's just that? I was afraid he would be hurt or something." The Doctor said, tension leaving his face. "Carmel will be okay. He always finds a way out of those situations. I am down one best stallion, though. Maybe I can call..."

"Wha- I just told you that your best friend has been arrested on trumped-up charges, and that he is being held in custody for no good reason, and all you can think about is your best stallion at your wedding? What is wrong with everypony? Don't they realize this is a horrible miscarriage of justice and..."

He shushed her. "What kind of a stallion do you take me for, Miss Sparkle? I do care about Carmel, very deeply too." The Doctor, noting Twilight's confused expression, clarified. "He will be out within a few days. They never have enough to keep him for long, no matter how much dirt the prosecutor tries to dig up. I know this for certain. We have kept his record completely clean. It has almost become a routine, at this point. He is arrested, I create a public outcry, they have no evidence, and he goes free. We set up another rally, and the cycle starts over. We have tried to change the cycle, but all our attempts have been, at least thus far, fruitless."

The purple unicorn thought for a second. "I think I might have a solution to this mess. I can send a letter to the Princess, she can fix everything..."

The Doctor looked her square in the eyes. "I don't think that would be the best idea, Miss Sparkle. The Princess may be powerful, yes, but any interference of hers would put our mission of public acceptance in jeopardy. We are trying to win the public over, and such an affront to democracy would only make the public opinion sway away from our side."

"But... We must do something-"

"We can. We can fight. We are close. We have been struggling for this cause for years, and I feel that we are approaching the crux of our battle. You watch, Miss Sparkle. Mark my words. By the next election, things will be different." Whooves said, reassuringly. "I promise".

---

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am writing to you about an issue that has recently been brought to my attention. The local democratic elections have been exciting to watch, but there is one small issue. The local laws regulate that only mares may vote, own land, or travel without papers. It is only because of the voting law that the others remain in play.

As if this weren't bad enough, recently the only stallion with the bravery to stand up to these laws has been imprisoned. I am afraid that these developments are leading in a direction that will be detrimental to our  society. Democracy is well and good, but it must be stopped when the majority decisions infringe on the rights of the minority. Surely you can see this!

I was sent here to study the magic of friendship, and so far I have been successful. But, I am not so certain friendship can overcome all, anymore. All of my friends (except Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie) are siding against this equality movement. I fear that if I do anything, it may drive us apart. What is the correct course of action? Which is more important?

I suppose I am asking your advice, Princess. What should I do?

Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle.
> BONUS CHAPTER: Celestia's response
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna walked into the Royal Throne room. The grandiose building had lost it's luster on the Royal sisters hundreds of years ago, especially when Luna was dead-tired. She simply trudged toward her sister's throne, where Celestia was reading a scroll of some sort. "Sister, why hast thou called me into thy presence at such an unseemly time of day? I have had a most trying night, and need all the sleep I can get."

Celestia peered over the letter she was reading. "The only reason I would awaken you at this time of day is that I need your counsel."

"Hah. you need my counsel? Sister, do tell. Could it be a Stallion? It's a stallion, isn't it?" Luna perked up. This might prove to be... what's that word Twilight used?... Oh! "Fun".

"It's not just one stallion. It is a city full of them. Read this letter, Luna. I would like to hear how you would respond." Celestia magicked the letter to her sister, who quickly began reading.

As her eyes scanned the page, her smile dissipated. "Twilight is... having a hard time accepting that Mares are superior to Stallions? This seems clear-cut. Simply tell her that that's the way it is. It has been since the dawn of..."

"Sister, in your absence, a lot has changed. Almost everywhere, stallions are given equal rights. This is how it has been for nearly 500 years." 

Luna snickered. "That explains Blueblood." she laughed. "And here I thought that he was just acting out-of-place." After seeing Celestia's steely glare, she cleared her throat. "And now we see the predicament. Thy power far exceeds this... isolated democracy, but..."

"It wouldn't be democracy if I stepped in, would it?" Celestia finished her sister's sentence. "So, what do we do?"

Luna thought for a second, and then her eyes lit up. "We could use this to test thy student's astuteness. We can send her a 'follow  your heart' type letter, and watch carefully as she makes her choices. It may prepare her for..."

"Her greater purpose." Celestia smiled. "Mother and Father must be watching, after all. Twilight is being prepared."

---

My faithful student,

At this time, for reasons you already know, I am unable to directly affect any of the proceedings in this town. That being said, I hope that I can still help the matter at hand through you.

I am not going to tell you what to do. You must do what you feel is right, of course. Your friends may not agree with you either way, but in the end it is up to you to decide what you value most.

If you were to ask me what I believe, I would simply say that equality is the inherent right of all sentient beings, as is friendship. I feel very strongly for this, but unfortunately cannot act on it in this particular case. Democracy must take  its due course.

I have all faith that you will do the right thing, my pupil.

Your mentor,

Princess Celestia
> Well, Twilight? Ready to fight yet?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
> Interlude 1: Cutie Mark Crusader Investigative Reporters!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sweetie Belle was looking deflated. Her ears had been drooping just a bit, she hadn't been laughing as much, and she didn't even correct Scootaloo when she said "funner". 

The Cutie Mark Crusaders had been trying things all day. Everything they could think of had been tried, from sheep-shearing (they owed Applejack extra chores for a week after that mess) to water-skiing (and then, duck wrestling, albiet accidentaly.). It was approaching the time of evening when they were forced to return home and dream up more adventures to be had then next time they got a chance.

Applebloom walked ahead of the other two, as they trekked the long path on their way back to Ponyville. They were soaking wet from the lake, as their attempts at a water-skiing cutie mark had quickly turned into a try for a swimming cutie mark. All three of them knew they were in for a talking-to when they got home. Applebloom, though, was still upbeat, as she always was when her friends were nearby and there were more ideas to try.

"We could do ice skatin'!" She burst out, suddenly. It was a good idea. Ice skating cutie marks were not uncommon...

"With the way we failed at water skiing, I don't think we should try something without something soft to land in." Scootaloo pointed out. "Otherwise, we could get hurt."

"Ah'm not sayin' we hafta go fast or anythin'! We could be one of them fancy figure skaters!" Applebloom smiled. "We could do spins, and pir-uh-wets, and maybe even a figure seven!"

"You mean a figure-eight?" Scootalooo asked.

"Well, that too." Applebloom blushed. She had no idea what a figure seven or a figure eight was, but part of the fun is making things up as you go!

Sweetie Belle observed this conversation from the back, and still not participating. It was about at this point that it struck the other two crusaders odd that Sweetie Belle hadn't even chimed in yet. "Hey, Sweetie Belle, is something the matter?" Scootaloo called back.

"Yeah, you are lookin' a mite sad." Applebloom added.

"I'm just thinking..." Sweetie Belle said, in a somewhat grave tone. "About what Miss Cheerilee said about voting."

"Ya mean that Stallion's can't vote in Ponyville?"

"Yeah, Ihad no idea. It doesn't even make any sense, I mean, what makes a Stallion different from a Mare, anyway?"

Scootaloo chuckled. "Well, could you imagine letting Snips and Snails vote for the mayor? They would probably vote for somepony crazy, like that Trixie character."

Applebloom took the sentiment a little more seriously. "Well, Ah asked Applejack about it, and she said that it has more ta' do with "tradition", or somethin'. She said it was how our parents did it." To tell the truth, Applebloom wasn't really paying attention at the time.

"I asked Rarity about it and she said that stallions are more likely to make 'uncouth' and 'unladylike' decisions than mares, so letting them vote is 'positively out of the question.' And then my dad said that he didn't mind, as he and mom always agree on who to vote for, so he is represented that way."

"Well, Ah guess that's fair..."

"But then I asked about stallions who weren't married, and he just shrugged and said 'some things we just can't change'. Now how in the hay is that fair?"

"Whoa, there, Sweetie Belle. No need for that kind of language." Scootaloo cautioned.

"Sorry. But the more I think about it, the less sense it makes. I mean, stallions pay taxes and work jobs just like everypony else! I just think it's wrong."

"So, whut do we do? We're juhst three fillies who don't even have our cutie marks yet." Applebloom said, trying to bring her friend back from hopelessness in the worst way possible.

"I don't know. Maybe go talk to the mayor?"

"I think the mayor may be a bit too busy for that."

"Well, then, get the word out!"

"And how do ya expect we do that?" 

There was a moment of silence as all three considered.

"I know" Scootaloo suddenly said. "We could write for the Foal Free Press!"

"No! No way in tarnation are we gonna do that again! Do ya remember last time..." Applebloom objected.

"That's because last time we were spreading lies. Remember? This time, we just talk about the inequality in Ponyville..."

"And maybe we can git folks to change their minds!"Applebloom finished.

"That sounds like a great idea!"Sweetie Belle squeaked. "We can be investigative journalists!"

"And maybe we can help change this place for the better!" Scootaloo smiled.

The three hoof-bumped.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS, YAY!"

---

Excerpted from the Foal Free Press

Dear all,

I know it has been a while since you have seen me, and we weren't on great terms last time, but I promise this will be different.

I have decided to begin reporting again, but this time covering a very different subject.Prepare to see interviews, opinion columns, and other media related to serious matters in this weekly section.

I hope you can forgive me for last time, and we can start fresh and ready to tackle the news together once again.

Sincerely,
Gabby Gums
(Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle.)
> Petition Suspicion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Doctor walked calmly down Town Square, towards the jail. He was off to visit Carmel, and while he didn't have the bits to post bail, he thought he would go talk to the fearless leader for at least a little bit. As he walked, the Doctor's brilliant mind was on full steam. He was planning. Thoughts of his (now postponed) wedding were behind him. All he could think about was the fight.

After we get our leader out of the jail, which should be in about a week, then we should probably have another rally. Talking points should include how we are gaining popularity and how we are being oppressed by the officia-

It was  at this point that something caught his eye. That something was, in fact, a very large painted sign that read "Stallion's rights petition!" The first thing that would be obvious to the passerby is the fact that it was made in a hurry, resembling more a lemonade stand sign than a political one. Red paint marked on crudely-cut wood, and a pair of flimsy-looking posts holding it all up were more than enough to give away the amatuer-ness of the design. The second thing an observant observer would see is the pony underneath the sign, holding a paper and quill.

That pony was Twilight Sparkle.

It was agreed that while Carmel was in jail, The Doctor would be his eyes and ears on the outside, always watching for any new developments. This, the Doctor thought, was enough to merit being counted as a new development. He approached the crudely-built stand.

"Good morning, Miss Sparkle." He said, in his usual refined tone, that had a slight hint of a Trottingham accent. "I see you have been... busy."

"Well, sorta. I'm trying to get signers to this petition. If all goes correctly, the Mayor has promised to send a Stallion's Rights resolution to the voters if I can prove that it would pass. I figured the easiest way to go about it would be to get a representative petition. At first I was thinking a survey, but then I realized there would only be one question. So I decided to use this." She presented a small piece of paper with about 7 signatures affixed.

The Doctor furrowed his brow. "Miss Sparkle, I understand that you have the noblest of intentions, but honestly. This is the mayor we are talking about. Public opinion means everything to her."

Twilight nodded. "That is exactly why this would work! If we can prove the voters would be behind it-"

"Think this one through. If public opinion matters so much to the mayor, don't you think she would be keeping close tabs on what the population is "getting behind""?

"Well... Maybe-"

"The mayor is a smart pony, Miss Sparkle. If the public was truly behind this movement, she would have done something years ago. And, besides, four of these signatures are from the stallions themselves, who would not receive a vote on this resolution."

"I just thought..."

"Their opinions don't matter, not politically. None of ours do. Miss Sparkle, I am afraid you are wasting your time here." Doctor Whoves spoke with an air of confidence. "Trust me, we have exhausted this recourse already. I don't believe that any kind of continuation of this would be fruitful, not at the moment at least."

"But... We have to keep hope alive. It is our only source! I have to fight! This is the only way I know how. I will prove that the opinion has changed."

The Doctor shook his head. "Despite the passion you obviously bear for this,  no amount of zeal can change the cold, hard fact: The Stallion's Rights movement is still accepted by a minority of Female Ponies."

Twilight looked down at the ground, seemingly lost in thought. "So, then, the challenge is not to prove that ponies would get behind this movement..."

"...The challenge is convincing them of it." The Doctor finished. "Most of the ponies here are good, honest folk. They honestly want what they feel is best for all of us, Stallion and Mare. We merely try our best  to show that supporting Stallion's Rights is the correct course of action."

"But that is obvious to anyone! There is no logical reason to be opposed to such a movement..."

"You are correct. There is no 'logical' reason. Give me five minutes with the most vocal detractor, and they will be nothing more than a babbling fool that cannot accept the changing times." When The Doctor said that, Twilight's mind went to Applejack. She winced. Applejack... You don't exactly have very many friends on this side of the debate. "Nevertheless, ponies are vehemently against our cause. I think I have found the reason."

"And that is?"

"Pressure. Three out of the six Elements of Harmony are against the movement, as is the Mayor and several of the wealthiest ponies in town. We have the issue that because a few key ponies are fighting us at every step, the rest of the town feels railroaded into following them."

"So... what you are saying is..."

"You need to confront your friends. Make them see reason. I can't do it, they wouldn't listen to me. But you... you are bound to them in ways mystical, they will at least listen to you. And if you are smart and perceptive as I have been told, I expect great things." He smiled.

"But... I can't..."

"You have to. You are the only one who can get their ears on something this fundamental. Now, I must be off. Good luck, Miss Sparkle." As he said this, he turned to leave. Perhaps we can do something without the upcoming election, after all.

"T-thanks!" Twilight said, trying to sound upbeat. No longer was this assignment a research paper.

It was now a battle. A battle of minds.
> The Athlete
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"According to this survey, when compared to this census, the main voting population is divided by race, Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth Pony. Earth Ponies represent the largest subgroup, while Pegusi are the smallest. This is largely due to the fact that the inhabitants of Cloudsdale do not vote directly, as they do not actually own land, but as a result Cloudsdale is allowed to take care of their own affairs with "city commissions."" Twilight's head was stuck in a book read on Ponyville Politics, written by Doctor Whooves back before he was politically active. "These commissions carry the same weight as law in Cloudsdale jurisdiction, unless they are repealed by either The Mayor or the Ponyville City Council, though in practice this is a rare sight. In fact, many times Ponyville will accept into its own books the laws for which Cloudsdale Commissions are a prototype."

"The members of the Cloudsdale Council are as follows, each having the ability to present and vote on commissions, Magistrate (appointed by the Mayor), two Cloudsdale Representatives (Elected), the Chair of Academics (Appointed by the Magistrate), the Captain of the Weather Patrol (Appointed by the Magistrate), and the CEO of the Weather Factory (Privately chosen by shareholders)."

That means... Rainbow Dash is on the council! She could propose a commission...

"Furthermore, it is the custom of Cloudsdale to officially 'endorse' one candidate for Mayor. Though this technically has no weight, in practice whoever Cloudsdale endorses has won the Ponyville Pegasus vote."

Hmm... I wonder when the Cloudsdale council's next meeting is. If I can get Rainbow to fight for the Stallion's Rights movement there, we are in a good spot to start.

---

Rainbow Dash was sleeping. She wasn't napping or dozing, she was sleeping. As in, she was exhausted.

It had been a really long day, with the majority of the Stallion's on strike, and most of the Pegasus mares not strong enough to do the heavy lifting, the majority of the grunt work had fallen to the weather team's Captain. It was not an easy day, and thank Celestia for the fact that there were no major storms. 

It was late in the afternoon when Twilight found Dash, in a tree. It took several attempts to rouse her from her slumber, as Dash stubbornly held on to her time in Luna Land. It was only when she magically shook the impromptu bed that Dash was so fond of that she got any sort of intelligent response.

"Uh, wha- I'm up!" Dash said, still somewhat half asleep. "Wait... it's still the middle of the afternoon! Why the hay would anypony wake me up? Whoever you are, when I get a hold of you..."

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called. "I need to talk with you."

Rainbow, looking down, smiled at her friend. "Oh, hay Twilight. Say, did you see someone shake this tree just now? I swear on Celestia's mane, when I find them..."

"That's not important right now, I need to talk to you." A hint of gravity infused her voice. "It's important."

"Uhh, no can do, Twi. I'm still" *yawn* "Recovering from the last few days. Maybe tomorrow." And she turned back over, trying to sleep once again.

"I'm sorry, but this can't wait. You know that the Cloudsdale council meeting is tomorrow, at sunrise, right?" Twilight approached the tree, so her friend could not try to ignore her.

"Duh! Why do you thing I am trying to catch some shut-eye! If I don't sleep now, I'll sleep through the meeting!" She said, and then jokingly added, "Though I probably will anyway. It is usually a snooze-fest. I'd rather listen to you talk about egghead stuff than sit through another one of those things."

"Rainbow Dash, are you familiar with the laws that govern Cloudsdale? You are one of the most powerful mares there. You also have a bit of a cult of personality around Ponyville, especially among the Pegusi."

"If what you just said means that ponies think I'm awesome, I agree." She smiled.

"So have you ever considered putting that 'awesome' to good use?" Twilight cut to the chase. "Like helping the stallions gain the right to vote?"

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Whoa. This is about Carmel and his guys?" At this point Rainbow Dash flew down from the tree and looked Twilight square in the eyes. "That's like, not cool. Those guys are crazy!"

Twilight was taken aback. "Rainbow, you work with stallions all the time! Why would you be against them being treated just like us?"

"Well... I dunno! I just am!" And with that, Rainbow turned away. "Besides, if I got behind something that negative, ponies might think I am... less cool." she said with a shudder. "Believe me, Twilight. When you want to become a Wonderbolt, popularity means a lot. If no one likes you at home, how can they expect people to like you on the road?"

And so the truth comes out. Twilight thought for a moment. So, how do I approach this? It looks like if I can convince her that she won't be losing her shot at fame, or the bit of it she has here, she might be willing to listen. So how do I do that?

At this moment it was as if a light bulb went off in her head. I don't need to! There are things more important to Dash than popularity, like...

"Rainbow Dash, I have a question for you. Who is the hardest working member of the Weather Patrol?" Twilight said, abruptly.

"Uhh... I dunno. Roid Rage has been doing more than his share recently." But then she flared her nostrils. "That is, until he up and ditched me! What the hay is wrong with him?"

Uh-oh. "But think of the other times. Would you say he was always behind you? Would you say he was your wingpony?"

"I guess." Rainbow said with a waiver in he voice. "What are you trying to say, Twilight?"

"Would you say he's been... loyal?" Twilight played her trump card.

"Of course! He was next to me when I needed him the most, like that tornado last week when everypony else ran away! Before this whole mess happened, he was the most trustworthy guy on the team!"

"Then, why do you fight to keep him, and others like him, from chasing their dreams? How many stallions do you think have aspirations outside of Ponyville? You wouldn't want to stay here forever, so why would he?" Clincher.

It was Rainbow's turn to pause. ..."He did tell me that one time he wanted to fight in the Equestrian Wrestling Federation..."

"But he can't. He can't leave here. Now, tell me this, Rainbow Dash, how have you repaid him for his loyalty?"

There was certainly a waver in her voice now. "B-b-but I... I mean... You can't just..."

"Who do you think the Wonderbolts want, somepony who betrays their wingpony for popularity, or somepony who stands up for them no matter what the cost?"

"..."

"Do you see what I mean, Rain-"

SWOOSH! And she was gone. Rainbow Dash had flown off at top speed, just like that. Twilight Sparkle paused, looking at the sky. "Hopefully I got through to her."

---

Carmel sat in his cell, throwing his favorite ball across the wall, and catching it as it came back. There wasn't much else to do, at the time. That is, until the guard walked in.

"You have a visitor." He said gruffly, and unlatched the door. It was at this point Carmel smiled.

"Carrot Top! Doc! Good to see both of you." Carmel stood up. "How has it all been going?"

Golden Harvest laughed. "Better than last time, I assure you."

The Doctor spoke up. "How are they treating you?"

"Eh, same old, same old. The food is still terrible. Alright, down to business. What have you two been up to on the outside?"

"I have a fascinating development..." The doctor started, only to be cut off by the mayoral candidate.

"Things are going great! I'm ahead in the Unicorn polls, but it looks like Cloudsdale is going to endorse the Mayor. My first debate is tomorrow night, but of course you'll be unable to attend, but I trust you and your group will be there for moral support afterwords!" Carrot Top smiled. "With your help, I can win this."

"Thank you. Now, Doctor, about your development..."

---

Knock knock

...

POUND POUND

shuffle shuffle

Creeeeeak

"YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES?" Roid Rage opened the door, and was surprised to see his boss standing there. She looked at him for a second, her eyes a bit teary.

"I'm sorry. I won't betray you again. I promise." She said, and flew off.

---

Excerpted from the Foal Free Press

Cloudsdale Council endorses Golden Harvest!

In what is considered a major victory for the Stallion's rights movement, Cloudsdale has endorsed Moon Party candidate Golden Harvest for mayor.

This is largely due to the campaigning of the Weather Team's captain, Rainbow Dash. When asked why she suddenly changed her mind, she said simply,

"I just thought about what was the most important to me. And I realized my friends, both Stallion and Mare, mean so much to me that I had to do something like this.

The Cloudsdale council has also announced plans to draft a bill to allow Pegasus Stallions the right to own clouds.
> The Prayer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ma and Pa,
Celestia says that if Ah talk, y'all can hear me. Now, I don't know if that's true or not, but Ah hope you can hear this and send me an answer. ...Somehow... An' even if this is just me talkin', it'll still do me good. Cause... Ah got some things Ah need tah say...

The Apple Family is one of the oldest in this town. Granny and Grampy Smith helped make the laws of this town, way long ago. You and Granny remember how the town was back then? When it was smaller and safer. Things didn't change, because things didn't need to. Everything just... worked...

But now, everypony is making a huge fuss about the laws that have worked all these years. It is our traditions, our way of life to have the mare represent her family! That’s just how it’s always been. But now these hooligans are attemptin' to change it with nuthin' more than a few loud words!

How many more changes are tah follow, Ma? What will they come after next? What if some smooth talker decides we got too much land? What if they decide we’re not allowed ta sell our apples anymore? Things ain’t broke, so why do they need ta be fixed?

And Pa... Ah need guidance, Pa. You wer' always there when Ah needed' ya, and Ah need ya now. How do I stop this? Big Mac ain’t there for me. He ain’t talkin to me. He just... he just does his work, real quiet... I mean... quieter than usual. An’ Ah need tah know how to stop this.

...

Should Ah stop this?

Your daughter, Applejack.
---

The day was young. The breeze blew the grass slowly, and the apple trees swayed in the wind, slightly, as if stretching out their limbs, each one in order. An occasional over-ripe apple tumbled from the branches, but in general the tree simply swayed and never shook.

Applejack watched the trees move, that morning. Yesterday had been hard, and today was not looking easy. It was unusual, then, for Applejack's mind to be on something other than the harvest, other than getting the apples to the market, other than usual life on a farm.

Applejack was lost in thought. The serene scene of sunrise contrasted heavily with the uncertainty in her heart. As she sat in the orchard, watching the trees, her brain was going 100 miles a minute. She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Big Macintosh come up behind her. It was only when he cleared his throat, which was a very loud sound coming from a stallion of his size, that she turned around and noticed him. Big Macintosh wasn’t talking to her. Granted, he usually didn’t say much but... it was different now, and some part of her was deeply happy that he had approached her, instead of the other way around.

"Hey Big Mac. How'd ya sleep?" she said, throwing on a smile and standing up. "Looks like it's turnin' out to be a beautiful day."

Big Macintosh said nothing.

"Well, no use in sittin' around. We got a lotta work ta do. You eat yourself somethin'?"

Applejack stared at the scarlet stallion, hoping for a nod or a shake of his large head. Like a statue, he stood, unmoving save the rise and fall of his broad shoulders. His head was down, his eyes staring at the grass as if he couldn’t bare to face her.

"Mac, we need to get started on the day. Didn't ya hear?" Applejack's tone hardened. "We don't have..."

"Sis, Ah need to talk to ya."

Applejack was silent. Big Macintosh rarely spoke, so when he did, she knew to listen. Even Apple Bloom would halt whatever shenanigans she was up to if her older brother opened his mouth.

"Uhh.. sure, big brother. What do ya' have in mind?" she said uneasily. This better not be about...

"Ah wanna go with ya to the debate tonight," he said bluntly.

Applejack did a double-take. "Wait, what?" She paused a moment. "That's funny, fer a moment there Ah thought ya said ya wanna go see the debate." She chuckled nervously.

The green eyes of the stallion remained on her.

"Well, ther'd be no point. Ah already know who Ah... no, who we're votin' fer, and all the debate would do is muddle the matter with fancy poly-ticks. We need to stick to our guns, Big Mac, like Ma and Pa woulda wanted."

The stallion said nothing. Applejack couldn’t really tell if she was getting through to him or not, but she liked to think she was.
"And besides, you wouldn't be able to see anythin' anyway. We both know that unless a stallion is somepony's campaign manager, they don't let em' in. There'd be no point, seein' as ya don't vote anyway. Big Mac, the answer is no. We have work to do here. We can't just drop everythin' and run off to some town function."

Applejack was smiling as she looked to Big Macintosh, quite happy with the argument she had made. She expected him to turn and get to work, but he remained sitting there. She expected him to admit he was wrong, but his mouth didn’t move. His green eyes were focused on her, and she didn’t like it. Eventually, she broke the silence. "Cmon, Big Mac, let's go get some-"

"Ee-nope."

If Applejack had a drink in her mouth, she would have done a spit-take. "Whaddoya mean, 'no'?" she said, tone rising. "You don't want breakfast?"

"Ee-nope."

"Oh, I get it. You wanna go ta the fancy debate. You wanna stand outside with Carmel and his gang and protest the laws and try an' bamboozle the socks off the townfolk like they do every year. You wanna betray me, Granny, Bloom, Ma and Pa. You wanna betray your family just cause it’s the cool thing to do? Well no deal, Big Macintosh. We have work to do here and you are going to stay and help like the rest of the family."

Big Macintosh looked her square in the eyes, and a tense moment of silence ensued.

"Well, Big Mac? Ya ready to forget this nonsense an' go eat somethin'?"

The large stallion’s head slumped, as did his shoulders.

"Well, Ah'm goin. You wana join me, that's fine," Applejack said, and she began to walk off. When she knew Big MAc wasn't looking, she closed her eyes. Ma, Pa, it's gettin' harder and harder to fight. Please help me.

"Sis," Big Macintosh called after her. She turned around warily.

"Yes, Big brother?"

"Ah'm goin. With or without you." And with that, Big Macintosh turned and galloped off.

---
"...and, after reviewing the evidence, this court finds no need to hold the defendant any longer. Carmel Candy, you are free to go."

The judge rapped her gavel, and the courtroom adjourned. Carmel packed his things and prepared to leave. His movements were almost mechanical. There was no smile like one who had beaten the system, and no frown of one wrongfully accused. Just the slow packing of his things, and an equally mechanical trot out the door.

"Congrats, again," the Doctor smiled, as he and Carmel exited. "You ready for the debate tonight?"

"As ready as I’ll ever be. I fully expect Harvest to have a good showing. It's just a bit sad that we won't be able to see it."

"Ah well, perhaps next election will be different," the Doctor said with a smirk on his face. "Then again, perhaps that is just the dream of two silly colts who never grew up."

Carmel smiled. "You know, your particular brand of sarcasm is what I look forward to every day," he said, equally sarcastically.

They shared a laugh. It was a deep, mirthful laugh, the kind exchanged between old friends.

"So, what do you think of the news I brought?" the Doctor asked.

"Not a chance,” Carmel said a sort of sad acceptance. “No matter what Twilight thinks her friendship is capable of, this is a whole different matter. By the Sun, I wish this could all be fixed with some magic trinket. Besides, one of the ponies she would need to convince is Applejack, and we both know that's not happening."

The Doctor nodded. "So we proceed as planned?"

“We trusted the mayor, and look what happened. I don’t care what Twilight Sparkle says, it’s Carrot Top or nopony. That’s just the way it has to be. It’s great Twilight got Cloudsdale and all, but it means nothing in the long run.”

The Doctor shrugged. “Maybe Twilight is right... If public opinion is truly on our side, the mayor would be forced to..."

Carmel stopped in his tracks, right on the steps of the court house. He closed his eyes. "I can't support the mayor, not after what she pulled." He opened his eyes slowly, and looked at his friend. "That is final. We need to make absolute certain Ms. Mayor Mare is not in that seat come this time next month."

"If that is what you wish," the doctor said, and they continued walking. "You got your pre-debate speech ready?"

"Of course. I was up all night working on it." Carmel smiled. "It will be a speech they won't soon forge-" Carmel stopped once again, this time looking more like a deer caught in headlights.

"Ee-yup," the stallion in front of him said.
> Interlude 2: A house divided
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Let this very special emergency meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders commence!" Applebloom shouted, pounding her hoof on the table before her. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both tapped their hooves on the table as well. The blinds of the clubhouse were opened wide, letting the sun shine in. It was a warm day, and quite pleasant in their little tree house. Snacks that Applebloom had brought were on the table for later. “Sweetie Belle, you wanted us all tah come here. What’s up?”

"We are going to cover the debate tonight!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “It’ll be exciting, especially since we can get press seats... the best seats in the house! Cheerilee asked if we could write about the debate for our column, since we were talking about the elections and all in class. She thought it would be good if we saw democracy first hand.” The cream colored filly was bursting with excitement, much to the amusement of her two friends.

"I think the other newspapers might be covering it, though. It seems like pretty big news," Scootaloo said, standing up. "Why does Cheerilee want us to cover it?"

"She wants us to see it, first hand, and write something the whole class can read in class. And we can also write it for the stallions who can't go, instead of just the voters." Sweetie Belle shrugged.

“I think it’s great,” Applebloom said. “I mean, we covered the stuff happening in Cloudsdale, but by the time anypony read our article it was old news."

"But we got an exclusive interview with Rainbow Dash! That made ours more awesome!" Scootaloo objected.

"Still, it would be nice tah get noticed, once and for all,” Applebloom said. “Cheerilee trusted us with this, an’ ah got a good feeling ‘bout it. I say we cover the story, but we do it real special like."

"We should take the story and write it like an action movie!" Scootaloo yelled suddenly. "Just imagine our headline: How Rainbow Dash Deals with the Dangerous Debate! We'd be a hit!"

The other two crusaders looked at her as if lobsters were crawling out of her ears. Sweetie Belle cleared her throat after an uncomfortable silence.

"Or... we could maybe just write it like a serious news article."

Applebloom quickly nodded. "Ah think that might be the right call. This is pretty serious stuff. Mah brother and sister ‘ave been talkin’ bout it, on and off. They don’t talk about it when ah’m in the room though, so it’s gotta be juicy."
Scootaloo slunk into her desk and mumbled something to herself, though the other two crusaders didn't quite catch it.
Ideas were exchanged between the three friends, as cookies were munched and juice was drank.

“I just… I got ah good feeling about this,” Applebloom kept saying, almost at routine intervals.

“It’s a good idea,” Scootaloo said, “but we have to make it interesting to our readers. I don’t even think most mares read about the election. How are we going to get a bunch of fillies and colts to bother? And stallions who have no stake in it?”
Sweetie Belle opened her mouth to say something, but closed it quickly. She opened her mouth again, and said, “Well, maybe we'll come up with an idea before tonight. We all need to go get permission to go anyway. I kinda haven't asked my parents yet." A cute blush formed on the cream colored filly.

”I’m sure they won’t say no though! Or, I’ll just ask Rarity. As long as I’m out of the house, she’s happy. Probably has some extra important order to finish up and can’t spend the night with me anyway.”

"Ahnd Ah'm sure Applejack won't mind. She usually lets me go to these things, especially if Ahm with you two. She knows we can get ourselves in trouble, but she also knows that we can get out of it jus' fine too. Ah'll be there."

---

"No way, no how, am I lettin' you go to that debate!” Applejack said. With a grunt of exertion, she kicked her powerful hoof back and slammed it into a tree. Much to her frustration, most of the delicious fruit remained on the branches. “First Big Mac, and now you? How hard is it to just stay on the farm and mind your own business for once?"

"But sis!” Applebloom shouted. “Ah need ta' go! It's for the student paper! Besides, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo will be there too! Ah can't let them down."

Applejack turned to her sister. "Ah'm sorry, 'Bloom, but I need yah help tonight. We got a lot of apples to buck and prepare for the market, ahnd Ah need all hooves on deck. "

"But... but... but..." Applebloom replied stupidly.

"No. We have work ta do tonight. Real work. We can't waste our time listenin to some fancy yarns ‘bout stuff that don’t need changin’. Now go get Big Mac an' tell him it’s time ta start workin."

"Sis, I ain't seen Big Mac ahll day. Do ya have any idea where he might be?"

Applejack eyes’ opened wide for just a moment. Her concentration lost, she hit the side of the tree instead of dead center, and ended up scraping her hoof over the bark. Although she turned to the tree, ready to curse, she remembered Applebloom, and bit her tongue.

"Ah saw him early this mornin', an he told me..." A sudden look of horror crossed her face. "Bloom, go inside. I got an errand to run." Before the filly could question her sister further, Applejack took off, heading towards town. When he said he was goin' ta the debate, ah didn't think he meant it! How foalish of me. Big Mac's an Apple, an' Apples never lie.

Applebloom watched her sister run off. When certain she was out of sight, the filly also took off toward the town, careful to take the long road.
> The Debate Part 0: Carmel's speech
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bravo!? Bravo! Come here! I didn't hire you to slack off. I need your advice."

"Yes ma'am?"

"Now, refresh my memory please. I was under the impression you said she wasn't a threat."

"I know that, ma'am."

"But now Cloudsdale is lost, due to her direct action."

"I know, ma'am. But, if you look at the grand scheme of things..."

"The grand scheme of things? The grand scheme of things? You want to talk about the grand scheme of things? You know as well as I that the political landscape can be radically changed by the smallest nudge. One newspaper article, one missed beat, one eccentric action and all a politician's hard work is unraveled. Now, add in one of the brightest minds in Equestria, who also happens to be one of the most powerful and influential voices, and set her directly against my political platform. Suddenly, I lose a major demographic of the voting populace, and have two others hanging by a thread."

"It's true. We did underestimate her. But all is not lost, Ma'am. You could always pull out plan B..."

"Plan B?"

"You know. The way we came up with. How we can force her to stay neutral."

"But... I usually don't resort to such... underhanded tactics. My races are always squeaky-clean. Democracy is of the utmost-"

"Save it for the constituency. It's time to act, now or never. Do you really want to get re-elected? Do you have the guts to go as far as you need?"

"I- I..."

"Then all you gotta do is remove our favorite librarian from the equation."

"... You're right. I'll go talk to her immediately."

---

"My friends, our time has come!"

The crowd erupted into cheers. The speech had just started, and already Carmel's rhetoric and turn-of-phrase was exciting the masses, and masses they certainly were. Unlike Carmel's previous rally, Twilight noted, the vast amount of listeners this time seemed much more uninhibited, much more free from social bounds, and much more in agreement. And there were more of them.

The city hall had never been this busy, not since Twilight had moved to Ponyville. Not even Winter Wrap-up got this kind of turnout. At least I can know, and know for certain, Twilight thought, that Ponyville cares about its politics.

The crowd began dying down as Carmel motioned to speak again. "We have waited years for this day. Many of us have waited our entire lives. Some have had to live with being told we weren't special, we weren't great. We were told time and time again that we would never go anywhere. We would never do anything. That for all intents and purposes, we were only useful as menial labor. And because of the unjust laws we are stuck under, solely based on our gender and location, so far those ponies have been right." Here he paused. Carmel looked out at his crowd from where he was standing on the steps of City Hall. He nodded at them.

"They have crushed our wills, piece by piece, until we had nothing more to dream about. They told us to stay home, to ignore our dreams. Our hopes. We were told we weren't smart enough to think for ourselves. That we are inferior."

He paused. The audience seemed to pause with him. The courtyard was silent.

"But not anymore. Today, we show the world that we are a force to be reckoned with." His tone began to rise. "We prove to the masses that we are worth listening to. Today is the day we cement in the history books as the day that Stallions are given a platform on which to voice our grief. Today is the day our grandchildren will talk about, the day they will say was the day of victory. Today is that day, when we can finally walk with our heads high, knowing full well we are not inferior, that we are not mindless. Today is the day we will rise, and never be taken down again! Brothers, today is our day of triumph!"

Despite his megaphone, Carmel's voice was very difficult to hear over the sound of the escalating audience. They ate his speech up, hinging on every word, believing with all their souls that Carmel was talking about their own personal freedom.

"My fellow Ponyvillians, I wish to personally thank each and every pony who refused to show up to weather duty. Thanks to the pressure you put on the weather team, we were able to reach the captain, and through her the Cloudsdale Council. We have seen one strain of bigotry crack, and I have full confidence that if we continue to apply pressure, the others will follow suit."

"It is time for the affluent of this town to realize that we are not simply going to lay down and take whatever they throw at us. We will prove that the fire in our hearts is hot enough to melt the manacles of sexism. It is time to show that this level of discrimination had no place in a modern Equestria. It is time to show the elite that without us, there is no them! Now who is with me?"

Carmel basked in the agreement that the others gave. He pumped his hoof in the air, and was met by a sea of hooves performing the same gesture.

Meanwhile, Twilight was attempting to process Carmel's speech. Lost among the faces of the pre-debate crowd, her mind was free to wander. Hmm... Carmel is certainly an eloquent speaker, but I think he might be manipulating the facts a bit. The boycott gave me the platform to talk to Rainbow Dash, but I think I could have found another way to her without it... But perhaps it's for the best that he is talking like that. Supporters want to feel like they're making a difference, and really they are. It's just a matter of scope.

Her train of thought was derailed by the leader's next statement. "Now, I know some of you have asked about my name, telling me it's misspelled." He closed his eyes. "It's not. What I'm about to share, I have only told two others in my entire life. It is a very personal story, and I hope that you can understand if I get a bit choked up."

For his story, Carmel adopted a fatherly tone. "When I was a young colt, I had big dreams. I wanted to attend a famous law school in Canterlot. I wanted to meet the Princess. I wanted to make something out of myself. I dreamed of being the first Earth Pony to teach writing at the School for Gifted Unicorns."

"But, as you all can relate to, my dream was stolen from me at a young age. Both my parents were spending their entire lives trying to fight this system of injustice, fighting for my future. When my mother died, I was 14. It was devastating to my father, who dedicated his entire rest of his life to the cause. It didn't leave much time for me, but I never really blamed him."

"My mother's sister... she needed counseling after my mother died, but was too proud to go get it. She began drinking, began getting in with the wrong crowds. She had a new coltfriend every month, getting more and more unsavory as she went. When my dad was working, I stayed with her."

He exhaled, slowly. "My mother named me Caramel Candy, after the color of my coat. She always told me how handsome and smart I was, instilling in me a sense of purpose, a sense of individuality, a sense of excellence."

"It was thanks to her that I was able to survive the time at my aunt's house. Somehow, someway, my caretaker blamed my father for my mother's death. And when she looked at me, all she saw was him. She would hit me, would call me names. She always told me I had a freakishly long neck, I looked like a camel. She called me Carmel, and never failed to remind me how hideous she believed I was. Her coltfriends thought it was a riot to pick on me, and soon that became my entire existence at her house."

"The worst part is that, when I got old enough, I finally decided to report her to the authorities. I was 17, and still living under her roof most of the time. My father had spiraled further and further into his all-consuming work, trying to win this movement. Even though he was busy, he always listened to me. I decided to tell him all the atrocities that were happening at my aunt's house.

"But I didn't get the chance. When I spitefully told her that she was never going to see the light of day again, after we report her, she hit me one more time,  but this time with an empty bottle, and it broke over my head. When I woke up, my head was bleeding profusely and I was dizzy and disoriented. Of course, my aunt was nowhere in sight. I needed stitches, or I was going to die.."

"I don't know how I got the strength to get to the hospital by myself. It was late, and nopony was there to answer my cries for help. Thoughts of my mother, my father, my life flashed before my eyes the entire way. I don't know how long I was on the road, but I remember making it to the door to the ER."

"When I arrived at the hospital, the nurses told me later, I was on Death's doorstep. Celestia only knows how I survived. When I told my father what happened, he was furious. He demanded a travel permit to go and search for my aunt, so she could be brought to justice."

Wiping a tear from his eye, Carmel spoke three words that completed the story.

"It was denied."

"The police put out a warrant for her, but no one really tried to find her. After a month of searching, they gave up. We were told that she was hiding too well."

"I still have dizzy spells because of her. Sometimes I'll simply fall over,  and it takes me a while to get up. I keep the name Carmel to remind me what I'm fighting against. I keep it to remind me of all the horrors happening behind closed doors, hiding behind the powerlessness of the victims. That's why I am called Carmel. My name is my own rallying cry against oppression wherever it is found."

"It is thanks to all of you that this is being changed. The debate today marks the beginning of the end of this reign of terror. We will not only prove that we are not going to be shut up anymore, but we will prove that we deserve and demand equal status, as full tax-paying citizens of Ponyville! My suffering was not in vain. The shards of that bottle ignited the flame, the very flame that will consume this miscarriage of justice."

"My friends, our struggle is won! Rejoice! The day my grandfather dreamed of is upon us! We will see this completed in our own time, and will be able to pass this liberty on to our children! We. Have. Won!"

Several blocks away, the cheering could still deafen any conversation..
> Mini-Chapter: Chains
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, unfortunately, that's about all I can do. The rest is up to them. Hopefully I was convincing enough."

"Eeyup."

"Maybe you can give a speech after the debate. Really send them home impressed."

"Eenope."

"Can you say anything but Yes or No?"

"Ee-sometimes."

Laughter.

---

The crowd was oppressive. There were literally ponies shoulder-to-shoulder, jockeying for position in an ill-defined and frequently contradictory line. What was normally a pretty clear spot in town had suddenly become the epicenter of a flood of people. And Applebloom really, really, didn't want to go in there. Not that she had much choice. She was already in trouble for sneaking away from home.

"Alright, 'Bloom. Do ya see him anywhere?"

She didn't have to ask. The glut of ponies in and around the town square was enough to successfully hide anypony, even one as large and brightly colored as her brother.

"Well, he can't go in to the debate. We can jus' wait him out." Applebloom said hopefully. "Maybe once all these ponies are seated, he'll stick out like a sore thumb!"

"Ah don't think so. The debate's not startin' fer another forty minutes. We can find him sooner than that, ah'm sure of it." Applejack said, sternly. "Besides, Ah want this mess taken care of as fast as we can, so that we can get out of here and put this nonsense behind us. Ah think all this talk of "change" got to his head, and it'll get to ours if we let it."

Applebloom's face fell. "I don't like this very much..."

"Just stay close to me. You'll be fine." There was a moment of silence, and then a mischievous smirk crossed the elder Apple's face. 

"Maybe you can git a "Private Investigator" Cutie Mark."

---

"Ah still can't believe you knocked the entire line over. Ponies don't jus' fall down like dominoes."

As ponies licked their wounds and gave Applebloom dirty looks, Applejack attempted the impossible task of scanning the crowd without making eye contact with anypony.

"Bloom! Bloom! Ah think I see him." Applejack held her hoof over her eyes like a visor and squinted. "Isn't that him over there?"

Applebloom started to look in the direction of her elder sister's hoof, but was immediately deterred by the glares of those she was pointing over. She replied with a neutral "Maybe."

"Let's go find out. C'mon." Applejack snagged her sister's arm, and the two began plowing through the crowd, one with a determined look and the other staring at the ground.

---

The Doctor, Carmel, and Big Macintosh stood by the wall of a nearby house. Whooves and Carmel were talking while Big Mac listened attentively.

"So, how did you get into the debate again, Carmel?" Doctor Whooves asked, a quizzical look on his face. "I thought the limited seating kept all but voters out."

Carmel smiled. "Voters and Campaign Staff. It was quite simple, really. I am Golden Harvest's official "Grassroots Coordinator". As such, I have a seat right behind the debaters."

The Good Doctor smirked. "You realize that title is completely AS, right?"

"100%"

The two shared a laugh. The normally stoic Big Mac even hinted at a grin.

Carmel shook his head. "But seriously, I can't wait to see the look on the Mayor's face. She'll take one look at me, turn red, and then she'll say-"

"-What in tarnation are ya doin out here?"

The conversation halted, as the intruder made herself known. Applejack had just detached herself and Applebloom (who was very interested in the specific kind of dirt on the courtyard ground) from the ponies in the courtyard. Carmel and The Doctor moved defensively between Applejack and Big Mac, who simply closed his eyes. 

"Big Macintosh! I demand an answer!" Applejack stomped her hoof. "Ya've been acting might foalish, stormin' off the farm an' leavin' us high an' dry like that. I had always thought higher of ya then that. You are just like Bloom!"

Bloom moved to complain, but thought better of it.

Applejack's expression softened. "C'mon. We're going home. We lost a lot of light as it is. We're gonna have to stay up late to make up the lost time." 

Carmel simply stared at her, almost appraisingly. Whooves mirrored Carmel's extreme calm.

"I'd like to kindly ask ya to step aside. This ain't yer business." Applejack said, addressing the other two for the first time. When they didn't move, she lifted her hoof. "Shoo."

Carmel looked back over at Mac. His eyes remained closed, his head down. There was a tense moment, as both Carmel and Applejack searched for words. Carmel struck first. "Mac, you don't have to listen to her."

"Mac, listen to me!"

"You are your own stallion."

"Ya have responsibilities!"

"You can make your own choices."

"Family comes first, Mac."

"We need you here."

"We need you home."

They alternated sentences at an almost staggering pace, but the last one was spoken in unison.

"Do the right thing."

Carmel turned around once more, and his eyes met Applejack's. She was a pony, just like him. Just because somepony is being unreasonable didn't mean they were somehow sub-pony, despite his political rhetoric. He looked into her green eyes with that piercing stare of his, and then suddenly smiled.

"You can't control him anymore, Applejack. No one can."

Before she could respond, they were gone, and she was left with a (very muddy) Applebloom. The crowd closed in, and the light faded.

"Mac?"
> The Debate part 0.75: Shenanigans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The doors were open, and the makeshift auditorium was beginning to fill up. Carmel had already taken his seat behind the speakers, along with the rest of the campaign staff. It was pretty loud, with many conversations occurring at once. The room was already approaching capacity, and the line didn't seem to be getting any shorter. It was shaping up to be a standing-room only affair.

Twilight was just about to take her seat near the back when she was hailed by a friend. 

"Twilight, darling, how good to see you here. Come on, I have an extra seat handy!" the Element of Generosity shouted, barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

"Rarity!" Twilight made her way down to the front, and the two shared an embrace. "You were saving me a seat?" 

"Of course, Twilight. I knew with absolute certainty that you would show up to this thing, and I figured since I helped set up the place, I might as well reserve a seat for you." Rarity responded as the two took their seats. "Unfortunately, it appears that we are the only two Elements who will be making an appearance today."

"It's just us?" Twilight cocked an eyebrow.

"It used to be just me. Applejack thinks debates are a waste of time, Pinkie Pie always has something or other to plan, Rainbow Dash came once and was asleep before the thing even started, and Fluttershy doesn't do so well in crowds. I find the entire thing fascinating, and I love to listen to the two candidates duke it out for my vote." She exhaled. "Although I admit," with this she looked around, "This is a larger crowd than we usually draw."

Twilight nodded. "There are some important things on the ballot this year. I bet that has something to do with it."

Rarity nodded. "That rabble-rouser Carmel has been up to his old tricks again this year. He even has a seat in this auditorium." She pointed to where he was conversing with Golden Harvest, behind the Moon podium.

"Rabble-rouser? Carmel has always struck me as the kind of stallion that would avoid such... 'rabble'." Twilight said, in her most unsure tone. 

"By the by, Twilight, I've heard from a few... sources... that you have become a little bit involved with this, *ahem*, 'Stallions Rights Movement', as they choose to call it. Some even say that you 'converted' Rainbow Dash, leading to the commission from Cloudsdale. Please tell me these are simply nasty rumors. It wouldn't be the first time the Foal Free Press misled me on important details." Rarity's eyes caught Twilight's, and a moment of silence ensued as the latter tried to come up with a response.

"No, that's basically correct. I talked to Dash, and got her to see her stance wasn't valid. I hardly consider that a "nasty" story, Rarity." Twilight said, her tone darkening.

Rarity nodded, slowly, once or twice. "You do realize the implications of the bill passing, I hope." She spoke in a cold, measured tone.

"Implications?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What in the wide, wide world of Equestria are you referring to?"

Rarity fake smiled. "Well, for starters, many precepts in the Ponyville charter would need to be re-written. The Ponyville Constitution in effect would become outdated. Now think hard, Twilight. Who would the job of re-writing the Constitution fall to? What provision is there?"

A moment passed as Twilight searched her knowledge of the constitution. "I can't think of one."

"Precisely my point. There is an amendment process, but the amount of amendments and repeals required to comply with the bill as written would take time. Time and organization. An infrastructure that Ponyville simply does not have."

"But... the purpose of voting is to tackle the big issues, and let the government find a way to implement them." Twilight responded, quickly.

"This brings me to my second issue. Twilight, you will have to simply trust me when I say this: I have known Carrot since we were foals. She is a slimy, no-good, dirty, uncouth, unladylike ruffian who cares about nopony but herself. I wouldn't vote for her if she was the last pony on earth. She is running on the Stallions Rights platform, correct?"

Twilight's voice was weak. "Correct."

"I do not trust that mare any further than I can throw her." She stopped for a moment. "No, scratch that. I don't trust her any further than Snails could throw her. She is bad news. My issue is this: in implementing this new infrastructure, how many chances will Carrot get to try and 'back-door' in her own agenda?"

"But... But the Princess would not stand for any sort of abuse of power, especially a self-serving one. Surely she would intervene if something crazy happened."

"And that would effectively end Ponyville's Democratic Experiment." Rarity finished. "We would end up just like Manehatten, with a royally-appointed mayor." She nodded. "I cannot support Carrot Top, and stallions as well-intentioned as Carmel don't realize the implications of their actions."

Twilight closed her eyes for a moment, processing. Carrot Top? Could it be she is playing the whole town? Are we really that gullible? Or... She slowly opened her eyes once more, and began to refute.

"Rarity, I know you. You are smarter than this. There are multiple issues with that argument, the first being it hinges on a fallacy: 'Slippery Slope'. In your argument, you basically say that Carrot Top's election means the end of democracy."

"I didn't-"

"Let me finish." Twilight cut her off. "Secondly, the fact that the Princess hasn't intervened in this whole 'Stallions Rights' mess and brought Ponyville up to date on par with the other cities is proof that she is taking a more 'hooves-off' approach to Ponyville. You can't possibly convince me that she would completely suspend democracy, not unless Carrot Top declared herself Princess of Ponyville."

"But if you just-"

"And, there are alternatives to simply letting the mayor run the gambit. We could create a council, or even an oversight committee. A bill being passed does not give an official the right to suspend democracy, and in a place as small as this it should be quite obvious if something that serious is happening."

Rarity was staring at the ground at this point. There was no response from her.

"So Rarity, I want to ask you. Really. Why are you against this?"

Rarity sighed deeply, and paused a moment before beginning to speak. "I suppose my argument could have been a little better thought out."

"So, there's something else?" An awkward pause.

Rarity perked up. "I believe there is somepony trying to get your attention, Twilight." She said, pointing.

Directly behind Twilight stood a large, imposing stallion. He wore a suit and sunglasses, which gave him the appearance of a high-scale bouncer. 

"Miss Sparkle?" He said in a gruff tone. His eyes were imperceptible through his sunglasses, and he was completely stoic. "The Mayor would like to speak to you. In private." From his tone, Twilight could tell he was not there to argue.

"Is something wrong?" She ventured, as calmly as she could. In response, she got nothing but silence, his expressionless face revealing neither anger nor malice. After a short moment of silence, Twilight finally nodded. "I trust the mayor." She smiled at her friend. "I'll be with you in a moment."

She stood up and followed the stallion behind the curtain, and out of sight. Rarity simply sat there, lost in thought. Why don't I just tell her?

---

Carrot Top nodded at Carmel thoughtfully, as they stood behind the curtain. "I will certainly try my best. But I am a political candidate, not an evangelist. I can't make my entire platform about this one issue."

He nodded. "I get that. I'm just letting you know, I made a little speech outside. They seemed receptive."

"Thank you." Carrot Top smiled. "Hey, I just want to give you a heads-up."

"What about?"

"The nature of politics means I may have to... "soften the message". It's part of appealing to a broader audience. I just want to let you know, if it seems like I am 'straddling the fence', it's just because I am 'playing to the crowd'. I'm with you guys all the way, even when it sounds like I'm not."

Carmel shifted uncomfortably. "That doesn't seem totally honest..."

"That's politics. You have to be willing to bend the truth a bit, or you'll never get anywhere. You know what I mean?" Her expression softened. "Hey, this doesn't change anything. Let me buy you dinner afterwards."

He smiled back. "And after that?"

She laughed. "Who knows? I missed you more than you know, Carmel."

He nodded. "I just don't know why we can't tell anypony about... us. I'm sure there is a good reason?"

She nodded. "Just until this nasty election is over. Then we'll go public. Might even get engaged." She beamed.

He laughed. "Who can possibly wait that long, hmm?" He leaned in and planted a peck on her cheek.

She blushed. "Can't you at least wait until afterwards? I don't want anypony to see us."

He didn't even think to ask why.
> The Debate Part 0.99: The Beginning (preview)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That's a big responsibility, Ma'am..."

"With how... heated, this election has been, nopony else will take on the challenge. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to see first-hand the entire process, from start to finish."

"But why me? Especially with how... not impartial about certain issues I am?"

"You streamlined Winter Wrap-up, and it was the first time it was ever on schedule. Our election system is similarly... wanting."

"And why so suddenly, literally minutes before the debate?"

"Everypony else we asked said no. This is the sound of desperation."

"I didn't even prepare! How would I even start?"

"The questions are all written out, all you need to do is read and time them."

"And you really have nopony else?"

"We don't. We need you, Twilight."

"..."

"Please."

"...I guess I can help. It's just moderation and counting, right?"

"Moderation and overseeing the counting. That's all."

"Give me ten minutes to read over the questions. I won't let you down."
---


The debate was slow to start, as usual. Carrot Top was waiting in her chair, chatting with Carmel and the other Moon Party personnel. The auditorium was packed to the brim, with nearly every seat taken and even standing room was nonexistent. 

Rarity noted with concern  that Twilight hadn't returned. The friendly usher would only let her save Twilight's seat for so long, no matter how much Rarity insisted. The Mayor is trustworthy, at least to my knowledge. Twilight is probably just going over logistics before the debate.

The lights in the room dimmed, with only spotlights on the stage shining through. To Rarity's surprise, Twilight was on the stage.

Twilight cleared her throat, and using the amplification spell set on the stage, she began. "Mares and Gentlestallions, welcome to the Mayoral debate! The candidates are prepared to take the stage, so..."

There was an awkward pause. Twilight shuffled her cue cards. "...uhh.... so please- please prepare for the debate, which will start in five minutes!"

The audience applauded, quietly. Twilight looked over at Rarity, who was smiling right back. She glanced at Carrot Top, who was busy chatting with the filly behind her. She glanced at the press booth, with the Cutie Mark Crusaders (sans Applebloom) furiously taking notes.

But then she glanced to Carmel, who was staring daggers back at her. Her smile melted, and she went over her speech in her head. Was it something I said?