fan fiction Revolution is Magic

[Firestorm 8]

My Little Pony: Revolution is Magic

An MLP:FiM Fanfic byMaria Seinheart
Edited by Midnight Shadow

***

We all live in a land of peace and harmony, right? That may be true for those who live in the more peaceful places like Ponyville and Canterlot, but what about those who live in the harsh southeast regions of Equestria? For the denizens that live there, only the thought of labor runs through their minds. Ten bits a day was all the working class could ever get and most of them live in the slums and shadows of Stalliongrad, also known as the Ironworks City.

Those who live in or near Stalliongrad know nothing of happiness or harmony, which is very much abundant up north under the watchful eye of Princess Celestia. They who live in the southeast experience everlasting snow, pollution and oppression. Pegasus ponies do not regulate the weather there due to all the hazardous smoke and the mayor’s dislike for the pegasi race. This has resulted in the weather running amok, adding more woes to an already woeful region.

How in the name of Princess Celestia could this happen to a nation well-known for having a peaceful and benevolent leader? How could the princess let this happen? Most importantly, how is it even possible for ponies to survive in such harsh conditions?

That is what I am here to find out.

-Twilight Sparkle-

***

Chapter 1: The Road to Stalliongrad

“This is the final stop,” the train’s conductor told Twilight.

“There’re no other stops beyond Stalliongrad?” Twilight asked.

“Not unless you want the train to go through the Southern Wastelands,” the conductor said dryly, “Why have you come to Stalliongrad? It’s not a place known for welcoming unicorns and pegasus ponies.”

“I’m just visiting a friend of mine,” Twilight lied.

The conductor shook his head and looked Twilight in the eye in such a menacing way that Twilight took a few steps back.

“Be wary, there are no friends in Stalliongrad; only fellow laborers and, if you’re unlucky… enemies.” he said darkly.

“I’ll uh…keep that in mind.” Twilight said with a nervous grin. “Spike, wake up, we’re here.”

Her dragon assistant was still asleep on the bunk bed and it took Twilight several attempts before she could sober him up. He looked around lazily before looking outside of the window. “Oh, we’re here already?” he asked while getting off the bed and putting on a winter coat, “Felt like three hours.”

They travelled with minimal luggage but it was still heavy enough that Twilight could not afford Spike a ride on her back as she already had a heavy saddle bag. Once they stepped out of the train, they were immediately greeted by dirty snow, the smell of smoke and pony guards that did not seem like the usual guards from Canterlot. Instead, these guards wore flak jackets under winter long coats and fur caps that covered their head and ears. Twilight approached the immigration counter and presented her passport. Spike followed.

“Twilight Sparkle...unicorn…resident of Ponyville. It’s really rare to see someone from up North come down South.” the immigration officer said with a heavy accent in his voice.

He saw Spike and raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, “You’re a dragon merchant?” he asked Twilight.

“Dragon merchant? That sounds so wrong,” Spike said with a frown.

“Da, to the foreigners it is but to us ponies of Stalliongrad, it’s business. Dragons are highly prized for their scales, horns and wings. As for young dragon like you,” the immigration officer said while leaning closer to the counter, “you are worth more than twenty thousand bits. Yes, young dragons are suitable apprentices.”

Twilight took an instant dislike of Stalliongrad and her ponies, and even though she had anticipated hostility and a grim environment, from the books she had read, she had not anticipated it being this bad. She always thought that ponies feared dragons. Apparently, these ponies hunted dragons for a living and peddled them like they were goods.

“Here’re your passports. One word of advice before you go through the gates: stay away from trouble and most of all, stay away from the rebels. They’re but a troublesome lot,” the officer warned and gave them back their passports.

The rusty metal gate next to the booth opened with a creak and the two went through it. Once Spike was through, the gate closed and locked with a loud click. It startled Twilight and Spike but it did not seem to bother the other ponies that were around.

“So why exactly are we here, Twilight? I don’t think I like this place.” Spike protested.

“Neither do I but I want to know how life is in Stalliongrad.” Twilight explained.

“You could’ve picked a better place to experience.” Spike said with his arms crossed.

Treading through the snow was not as fun as it seemed and with the skies dark from all the smoke, Twilight begin to question how the ponies of Stalliongrad even got on with their lives in the dreary, polluted city. One thing Twilight noticed about Stalliongrad was that the ponies were all Earth ponies, the epitome of strength and labor. Since it was a city based on hard work and strength, it was no surprise at all but surely there had to be a variety, right?

The purple unicorn decided to check into a cheap hotel where she paid three hundred bits for a week. Of course, paying for something that cheap had its downsides. The hotel was not particularly well-maintained and the stairwell lighting didn’t help much at all. The lights flickered and pulsated so often that Twilight and Spike had to grope the railings to find their way up.

“Thank Celestia it’s only on the third floor,” Spike said while breathing hard, “Don’t they maintain the elevators?”

“I doubt it.” Twilight said in between pants. Using her magic, Twilight inserted the key into the keyhole of their room door and turned it. The door creaked open and several moths flew out. “I’m starting to regret wasting three hundred bits on a stinky little hovel with inadequate lighting and moldy bed sheets,” Twilight said when she inspected the room.

“Yeah, not to mention the lack of hot water. At least they have a toilet bowl.” Spike remarked, cringing when a cockroach crawled out from under it.

According to the Guide to Stalliongrad she’d read, the time difference between Canterlot and Stalliongrad was one hour forward. Twilight set her watch as she looked out the window. It offered her a good view of the city since the hotel was located on a small hill. As far as her eye could see, the most prominent sight of the city were the smoke stacks of factories that emitted smoke continuously. The streets were rather well-lit but the street lights were dimmed by the fog that rolled in that day. Sounds of grinding metal, hammering and heavy machinery dominated the city.

“The price we pay for technology…” Twilight muttered to herself.

“Hey, Twilight, have you seen my stash of gems? I’m getting hungry,” Spike called out.

Twilight couldn’t recall seeing it after they’d checked in at the immigration counter. It must have been stolen, she knocked her head with a hoof for being so careless, “Darn it, somepony must’ve taken it!” she replied angrily.

“Oh, that’s just swell,” Spike said sarcastically, “what’re we gonna have for dinner then?”

Twilight looked up the guide book again and noted that the cheapest foods around Stalliongrad were…well…cabbage, celery and lettuce. There were several food outlets that served gems for dragons too but they were too expensive and dragons were not allowed to buy directly. The only foods that were appetizing and cheap enough to be bought in large quantities were cupcakes and muffins.

“Looks like we’re having cupcakes and muffins for dinner tonight,” Twilight said with a sigh and closed the book.

“I’m getting sick of cupcakes thanks to Pinkie Pie but...we don’t have a choice, do we?” Spike remarked.

“We have to spend within our budget. Princess Celestia gave me only fifty-thousand bits to spend and while it’s a drag carrying so many gold bits around, it’s our only means of surviving Stalliongrad. If we lose them, we don’t have any gems to exchange.” said the purple unicorn.

Twilight looked out of the window again. She felt rather lonely without the rest of her friends. Spike was the only company she has in this unknown and hostile city. She was not sure what to expect next once she stepped out of the hotel, but Twilight had come here with a purpose. She had to fulfill it.

“C’mon Spike, grab some bits and we’ll go get ourselves something to eat,” Twilight said to her assistant.

With the luggage in the hotel room, Twilight locked the door and secretly placed an enchantment on the door to prevent other ponies from trying to break in. She allowed Spike to ride her back since there was no load in her saddle bag except for the guide, several bits, a letter from Celestia and a journal just in case she needed to log in something important.

In every corner of the city there were guards, unmoving and silent. Sometimes, Twilight wondered if they were still alive or frozen to death while on guard duty. She could not help but feel like she was being watched by not only the guards but by the Earth ponies as well, looking at her as if she was an outcast.

“This takes the feeling of getting watched to a whole new level. I don’t like this, Twi,” Spike muttered.

“Neither do I.” Twilight said when she caught one of the guards eyeing her darkly as she turned around a corner.

There was a bakery not far from where she was staying, so Twilight decided to buy something to eat there. The door to the bakery was the first door that hadn’t creaked since she’d first stepped into Stalliongrad. There was a jingling sound when the door struck the bell located above the door.

“Mm…I for one welcome the smell of freshly baked muffins,” Spike said and licked his lips hungrily.

“Oh ho, what’s this?” the shopkeeper said with a smile when he saw Twilight and Spike. “A unicorn and a dragon. Ye’re me first unique customers after so many years of seeing the same dreary faces that come in here.”

The shopkeeper looked a bit like Pony Joe back at Canterlot except the shopkeeper had dark brown mane and skin and he is an Earth pony rather than a unicorn. Unlike the rest of the ponies out on the streets, this shopkeeper was in smiles although Twilight could see hints of hardship etched onto his face. Nevertheless, the smile was a welcoming sight.

“You mean unicorns and dragons don’t come in here often?” Twilight asked the shopkeeper while Spike examined the different varieties of confectionary on display.

“Aye, that is true. Dragons aren’t even allowed into shops not because they don’t fit; it’s just that they do not even have a respectable status. They’re all considered slaves,” the shopkeeper explained.

“Hey, that’s not very nice,” Spike snapped when he heard what the shopkeeper said.

“Sorry, lad, didn’t mean to offend ye but that’s the truth here in Stalliongrad. As long as ye have a passport and a guardian with you, ye’re considered a free dragon…though the streets aren’t safe for young dragons like ye. Young dragons are very much sought after compared to adult dragons and can ye imagine the price they pay for one? Even though the princess has banned all forms of slavery and smuggling of baby dragons, Stalliongrad does not take orders from Canterlot. Here, the mayor has the final say,” the shopkeeper said sadly.

Twilight could hardly believe her ears. She never thought somepony would actually defy Princess Celestia’s authority, All the time, she had the perception that everypony in Equestria heeded to the princess.

“How could the mayor do such a thing? Aren’t we all supposed to respect the authority of Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked.

“Lassie, ye must be living under a rock. Either that or ye’ve read a text book that doesn’t tell ye everything ye need to know about Stalliongrad,” the shopkeeper said while shaking his head.

“So what is it that I need to know?” Twilight asked.

The shopkeeper was hesitant to answer her because he saw some guards looking into the shop from the windows with their mouths clutching the gun yoke, as if they were waiting for a reason to fire their rifles at the shopkeeper.

“I can’t answer to your question, lassie, not with prying eyes and eavesdropping ears about. In Stalliongrad, just watch out for two things that can get ye shot: talking bad about the mayor and doing things that gives any guard a reason to fire at ye on the spot such as tete-a-tete about local politics and conversing with suspected rebels. Heck, its better that ye get out of Stalliongrad as quickly as ye can. Something big is about to happen here and its best ye did not get involved.” the shopkeeper whispered.

Twilight didn’t feel comfortable with the way the shopkeeper talked to her. It sounded like Stalliongrad was going to hell. Twilight and Spike quickly made their purchases and bid the shopkeeper farewell before heading back to their hotel room. She removed the enchantment and the two went into their room hurriedly and Twilight closed the door and locked it.

“Twilight, I’m starting to wonder why you didn’t pick places like Manehatten or Fillydelphia to conduct your cultural studies. It’s official, I hate Stalliongrad and I think we’d better get out of here.” Spike said.

“I know, Spike, I know, but there are things I must find out about Stalliongrad. I think it would benefit all of the ponies of Equestria that we find out the truth about this place.” said Twilight as she paced up and down in the room.

“Curiosity killed the pony, Twi. This isn’t worth our lives at all,” Spike said flatly.

Spike was reasonable for once and she was inclined to agree they should get out of Stalliongrad, but her curiosity overwhelmed her inclination to flee. Besides, cultural studies were not the only thing Twilight was doing in Stalliongrad. Just before they left, Twilight received a letter from the princess asking her to “have a friendly conversation with the mayor and tour his workplace”, saying that the mayor was the best source for cultural information.

What struck Twilight as odd was the fact that the princess seemed both eager and reluctant to allow Twilight to go to Stalliongrad, based on the tone of the letter. It might be that Celestia was worried, but something didn’t add up. Twilight took out the letter from her saddle bag and reread it again while eating some of the muffins.

“Mm…these muffins are a delish,” Spike said with his mouth full, “I may hate Stalliongrad but the muffins are fantastic!”

Twilight ignored her hungry assistant and concentrated on reading the letter. She felt there was a hidden message as that the princess usually sent her rather straightforward missives, not etched with attempts to hide something.

My dearest most faithful student Twilight,

It is good to see that you are willing to step out into the world but you must know that Stalliongrad may not be the best of places to conduct your studies and observations. Dangers lurk in every corner and it is not safe for a young unicorn like you to be in a society which despises unicorns and pegasus ponies. However, if you do insist on going, go with my blessing. I will give you some money to cover your expenses there. The best source of information is the mayor. Speak to him, tour his workplace and get him to tell you everything about Stalliongrad. Consider this as my task for you as well and report your findings to me like you usually do. I believe what you learn can benefit Equestria. May your studies of the magic of friendship guide you in Stalliongrad.

Yours faithfully,

Princess Celestia

It seemed a little too specific on where to get information. Nevertheless, Twilight ruled it as the princess giving suggestions and pushed aside her feelings of doubt. She could not doubt her mentor when she never once doubted her own student.

“You…okay, Twilight? You look a bit worried.” Spike noted.

Twilight paused for a while and shook her head slowly. “Nah, it’s nothing,” she said softly and put the letter back into her saddle bag. “Spike, update the journal.” she said.

“You don’t want to write a letter to the princess?” Spike asked.

“Not at the moment. I’ll have it written after I’ve completed my stay in Stalliongrad. For now, we’ll write down our observations,” Twilight answered.

“Whatever you say,” Spike said and took out the journal and a quill.

Twilight walked towards the window and looked out of it while dictating to Spike on what to write in the journal.

Day 1, July 4th

It is only the first day in the city of Stalliongrad and the air of hostility is overwhelming. Looks of suspicion were directed upon Spike and me. Wherever we go, we could see the guards eyeing our every move. Stalliongrad may have contributed a lot to Equestria in terms of technology and equipment production,but the city’s environment and aura leaves much to be desired.Personally, I feel that everypony is just tired and I do not blame them. The factories, the smoke, the weird seasons and weather, all are not helping to liven up the mood. When this is over, I shall recommend that the mayor of this city do something about it. It is unbearable to see them suffer like that.

Twilight wished she’d had a camera with her right now because she could see almost the entire city from the Stallion Line Hotel. Not that the sight was pretty; she felt that it would be something educational for those who did not know Stalliongrad. After looking outside for a while, she heard snoring and saw that Spike was fast asleep on the bed. She smiled and decided to tuck him in, but decided against using the moldy blankets. Luckily for them, they brought along extra blankets and Twilight used one to cover Spike.

“Sleep tight, my number one assistant.” she whispered.

Twilight closed the window before she prepared herself for a good night’s sleep. Fortunately, the water that came out from the tap was clean and Twilight could brush her teeth without the fear of getting a stomach ache the next day. After spending several minutes reading some books, she lay on the couch and used her powers to flick the switch and turned off the lights. It did not take long for the purple unicorn to fall into slumber.

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Yeah, this is my first fanfic that I've submitted to EqD. It's not the best but hey, I try. Google Doc version can be found here.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/115PcfBeqzeLPxrLXV_cHX0upTYKGP04cEPQV-EBiV3g/edit?hl=en_US Edited January 19, 2012 by Firestorm