War Reaps The Hate We Sow
by corythompson32298
First published
What began as a movement to lift up the bat ponies has turned into an internal conflict unlike anything Equestria has seen.
When Nightmare Moon first emerged a thousand years ago, the Thestrals sided with her and supported her vision of an eternal night. After her defeat and banishment, they were punished for their betrayal and stripped of all rights and privileges. In the present day, they are still heavily discriminated and oppressed. Feeling responsible for their plight, Princess Luna works to bring about change for her old allies by helping reintegrate them as Equestrian citizens once again. Her movement is a fast growing success but a devastating terrorist attack on one of their marches causes a rift in Equestria. Many begin to think that Celestia, who was originally hesitant to support Luna, ordered the attack. This rumor causes many provinces to secede and side with Luna, causing an internal conflict unlike anything Equestria has ever seen.
This story is inspired by the Hearts of Iron 4 mod "Equestria at War." Unlike the game, this story will focus on the down to earth tales of the characters affected by the war. It will also feature a format similar to George R.R. Martin's "A Game of Thrones." The cover image is temporary, I'm hoping for a better cover in the future
Chapter 1: Princess Luna
The sun begins to set over Equestria. Another day has come and gone, now the night shall take over, for now. But the darkness has not settled in quite yet. As the sun sets, the bright blue sky turns into a soft orange, clouds turn from white to light pinks and soft purples. This is the time that Princess Luna loves to wake up to, the twilight sky brings always gives her peace. Her sister is finishing her half of the job, now Luna must get ready before she has to take over.
The navy blue colored Alicorn throws the covers off and climbs out of bed. Her previous day's rest was a little rougher than she had before, but she can't let some bad sleep ruin her night. She walks across her room over to her desk and mirror and begins to brush her night sky mane, but she notices something...off. She winces at the mirror, "oh, of course," she says as she uses her magic to pick up an dark purple aerosol spray can with the words "Flowing Mane Spray" written in legible calligraphy on the bottle. She sprays her mane and tail and, with the magic of chemicals, they begin to flow as if a gentle breeze is blowing through. She finishes her routine by dawning her usual accessories, four sparkling pale blue pony shoes, a sparkling black chest guard with a crescent moon, and a black tiara.
As she exits her room, she looks across the hall outside a window and notices the sun still hanging in the sky. "I guess Celestia is being held hostage by talkative dignitaries," she chuckles, "well that gives me more time to line the halls with my lavender." She begins making her way toward the castle's nursery. As she walks, she occasionally looks out the window to see the activity happening below. She sees guards rotating positions, servants heading home for the night, and, occasionally, a little bird tucking into it's nest. Her old self would've grown jealous to see all these ponies and creatures shunning her night, but instead she has grown to accept it. Ever since she was given more command over the dream realm, she has found a better way to connect with the ponies of Equestria than just holding the sun hostage.
She arrives at the nursey and, as per usual, the head gardener is expecting her. A cheery, soft orange earth pony with purple eyes, a light brown mane and tail, and a trowel cutie mark greets Luna at the door. "Ah Princess Luna," says the little pony, "you're here, I'm just finishing up your cart of lavender, let me get it for you." The door slams closed as the pony rushes back inside. An orchestra of tumbling items ensue.
"If it's no trouble Miss Azalea," Luna shouts through the door, "I can fetch the cart myself, there's no need for you to fetch it for me."
The door flies open, barely missing Luna's muzzle, "Oh it's no trouble at all Princess," Azalea remarks as she pulls out the cart of overflowing lavender flowers, "it's the last thing I do for the day before I lock up. Plus, you don't want to go in there, it wasn't exactly a harmonious day today."
Luna smiles and nods as she grabs the cart, "I understand, last day wasn't exactly harmonious for me either."
"Another nightmare," Azalea asks.
Luna nods, "the fifth one this week, and I still don't know what is causing it." Luna composes herself, "but I can't let it affect me now, I've got a job to do."
"Now Luna," the princess recognize what the serious tone meant, "you can't just push this under the rug and hope it goes away. You promise me that if these nightmares become too much of a problem, you'll seek help." Luna looked Azalea in the eye, and nodded. "Good, now you have a good night princess, I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning."
"Goodnight Azalea," said Luna as Azalea Blossom walked down the hall towards the front castle door.
Luna thought about what Azalea said. She did always have a problem of trying to go to other ponies for help when she needed it. The only times she ever did were when her problem began effecting other ponies or they became too big to solve. This time though, she needs to learn to swallow her pride and seek help...when it becomes a problem. And since it hasn't really become a problem just yet, there's no rush to make good on that promise. Right now, it's time to begin the lavender rounds.
Luna finishes arranging her lavender at the one place she finishes every night, right outside the throne room, where Celestia always ends her day, listening to the gripes and complaints of Canterlot's elite. As she replaces the flowers, Luna hears the muffled arguing of four ponies, what sounds like three mares and a stallion. Normally, Luna abhors listening to these kind of conversations, as they usually involve something extremely petty, although the shouting and occasional vulgar insult is starting to peak her interest. As she sneaks toward the elegant double doors, she wonders what petty argument Celestia is moderating. Perhaps someone borrowed a tea set for a little too long, maybe somepony exceeded a property line by an inch, or *gasp* someone cheated at golf!
Luna presses her ear against the left door, "Your highness these...activists...simply can't be allowed to hold their demonstration so close to our facilities," shouts one of the mares in a French accent.
"They are blocking our entry ways, harassing our employees, and disrupting our shipments," shouts the stallion with a low gruff voice.
"Yes, I understand your frustration and my guards are doing everything they can to contain the protesters," says Celestia in her usual calm demeaner.
"Clearly they are not," interjects another mare with a Southern English accent, "if your guards can't even defend Equestria from Queen Chrysalis, then why should we trust that they have the ability to hold back a bunch of low-class picketers?" Luna winced at the comment, they're lucky Shining Armor isn't there to hear this.
"Since your guards can't satisfy our demands," says the final mare with a snooty tone, "We ask that you bring in a division or two from your military to remove these vermin." Luna's jaw drops to the floor and her eyes widen. Are they asking what she thinks they are asking?
"You are serious about this request," asks Celestia in a horrified tone, "you are asking me to use military force to end a peaceful protest? I can not violate these ponies right to protest!"
"Then perhaps you won't mind if we take our business to another nation," threatened the gruff stallion, "Because I am sure that Nova Griffonia would appreciate having more consumer goods, or perhaps the Kingdom of Olenia would like to have a few more armament factories since they share the largest border with the Changelings."
"It's your choice princess," says the French mare, "approve our request and the Captains of Industry will forever be loyal to the throne, deny us and Equestria will suffer the largest unemployment rate anypony has ever seen."
"You're willing to let Equestria, your home, suffer because of a few protesters," Celestia exclaimed with shock.
"Our home is our business," said the snooty mare, "what will it be, your highness?"
A heavy pause of silence filled the room, quiet enough that Luna is able to hear their breathing. Finally, Celestia breaks the silence, "You will have my answer when we meet again tomorrow, I need the night to sleep on this."
"Very well, Princess," sighed the gruff stallion.
Luna hears their hoof steps walking towards the door. In a panic, she rushes back to her cart and acts like she was hanging lavender the entire time they were talking. She attempts to avoid eye contact as she hears four sets of hooves walking behind her. When the ponies finally leave, Luna looks behind and see Celestia standing at the door, her head bowing, her eyes are shut, and her mouth in a saddened frown, all together painting a picture of despair. Luna walks over to Celestia, hoping to make some attempt to comfort her.
"Sister," says Luna, "is everything ok? Are you ok?"
Celestia looks up and tries to give Luna the "everything is perfectly fine" look, a warm smile, relaxed eyes, and an upright head. But Luna has known Celestia long enough to know this is look she gives when everything isn't perfectly fine. Luna raises her right eyebrow in skepticism, making Celestia realize that she isn't buying it, and returning to her picture of despair. Celestia sighs, "as much as I wish, it is not. I'm guessing you probably listened in on some of the...discussion?"
"I may have listened a little bit," Luna confesses.
"Then you must know the precarious situation that I am in," says Celestia, "I do wish I could discuss this with you right now, but I barely have enough energy left to lower the sun."
"Perhaps I can visit you tonight," proposes Luna.
"If you have the time, that would be lovely," says Celestia, "Well I'm going to lower the sun and then I call it a night. Goodnight, Luna."
"Goodnight, Celestia," says Luna, "I hope we may see each other tonight."
Celestia walks toward the exit of the throne room, as Luna turns her attention to her cart; but before Celestia leaves she turns around and says, "oh Luna," Luna looks up from her cart, "the lavender does look lovely tonight." Luna blushes and smiles, Celestia smiles back and walks out of the hall.
As Luna finishes up her rounds, her mind keeps repeating the discussion Celestia had with those ponies. Why are those protesters even there at the facilities to begin with? Are these Captains of Industry really willing to take the risk to use military force against them? Are they serious about their threat if Celestia choses to deny their request? Will Celestia actually approve the use of the military in this way? More and more questions keep popping up in Luna's mind, this sounds like something Celestia can't handle on her own. Celestia may be an idealist, but this doesn't mean she isn't afraid to be pragmatic. She has always chosen what is best for Equestria, but sometimes those choices aren't easy.
As Luna finishes, she sees the sun finally begin to dip below the horizon. It's time for her to start her shift now, hopefully some time in the dream realm with Celestia will help clear things up.
Chapter 2: Night Prancer
A sleeping stallion awakens from his slumber on the couch and looks outside his tenement apartment window. While most of the view is blocked by laundry wires, shaky fire escapes, and other buildings, he's able to just make out the evening sky, even a few purple and orange clouds. While most ponies would be heading home or just now getting off work, his day, or rather night, is just beginning. He throws off his thin blanket and stretches his legs, neck, and bat-like wings. He looks around his one room apartment, he's reminded off how small of place he lives in.
All the rooms you would expect to find in a normal apartment are all jammed into a small 250 square foot area. The kitchen is two counters made with aging wood, a metal sink that one would find in a public restroom, a faded white fridge that doesn't have a secure door, and a gas oven that seems to have been around since the Two Sisters were born. The living room consists of a old, red couch with stains and fuzz popping out the left side arm rest, a coffee table with cuts on the surface and a leg that's shorter than the others, and a small, two shelf book case with a few books but mostly nick-knacks and a few pieces of garbage, above it is a 2x1 mirror. The dining room is just a small, square, plastic table with two metal folding chairs. To any other Canterlot pony, this would seem like an absolute nightmare to live in, but the stallion and all the other bat-ponies who live in similar circumstances, this is home.
The stallion finishes his gaze and hops off the couch on to his four hooves. He walks over to the mirror above the bookcase to his left. As he walks towards it, a sharp pain in his back appears. "Ow," exclaims the stallion in a gruff, low voice, he grunts, "great, another rough night on the couch, I wish I could afford a real bed." He reaches the mirror and examines himself. He brushes off any bits of couch fuzz on his dark, winter blue coat. He runs his right hoof through his long, wavy, dark grey mane and tail. He rubs out the sleep in his yellow, cat like eyes. He opens his mouth to examine his fangs, they're a little more yellow today, "hm, I better brush my teeth before I head to work." He looks down and grabs his tooth brush and tooth paste off the second shelf, before he backs away he notices his bar of soap and wash cloth, "probably should take a shower as well," he says to himself as he grabs the two items.
He walks towards the front door and walks into the hallway. The hallway of this tenement is a barely lit area with run down floors and cracked walls, accompanied by some roaches and even the occasional rat. This evening, the hallway is bustling with other ponies who also posses bat-like wings. While the kids play, the adults either make their way towards the exits on both ends or towards the public bathing rooms. The stallion makes his way towards the right, as that is the direction to the stallion's bathing room. As he walks, he hears a medium pitched, friendly voice behind him shouting his name, "Night Prancer, wait up," the voice shouts. The stallion known as Night Prancer looks back and sees another stallion bat pony with a dark purple coat and short midnight purple mane tail, with a smaller build and slightly shorter height than Night Prancer. It's his neighbor, co-worker, and good friend Midnight Storm.
Midnight finally catches up with Prancer, "you're up earlier than usual today," Midnight comments.
"I just want to get this day started and over with as soon as possible," Prancer replies.
"Kind of self-sabotaging yourself by getting up early aren't you," questions Midnight.
"Eh," Prancer shrugs and continues his walk, Midnight joins him, "anyway, why are you up so early as well? You're on suspension aren't you?"
"Don't remind me; the kids outside my apartment woke me up, couldn't go back to sleep."
"Well at least you'll get a head start on doing whatever you want today," says Prancer.
"I want to work today, but noooo, I had to get suspended because I spilled one small box of out dated fuses," Midnight remarks, with a saltier attitude than usual.
"Well that's what happens when our floor managers are a horn head and a dirt eater," says Prancer, "they'd suspend us for breathing if they could." A horn head and a dirt eater are what the bat ponies call the unicorns and earth ponies that they don't like, which is just about everyone of them.
"It isn't fair that they get to run us like that," says Midnight, his frustration growing.
"Every thestral who works there knows it isn't fair," says Prancer, "but that's the way it is, no two ways around it."
"They should let one of us be floor managers, thestrals should only be managed by thestrals."
"You know that's not possible," says Prancer, "look, why don't I help you get your mind off this non-sense? I still got a few hours before my shift begins. Let me go wash up and we'll go down to Donut Joe's for some breakfast, alright?"
Midnight nods. They arrive at the bathing room, Prancer turns to Midnight, "I'll only be a few minutes, meet down in the lobby." Prancer walks through the bathing room door as Midnight heads through a door right across that leads to the stairs.
Night Prancer walks out the main building doors and sees Midnight Storm leaning up against the building to his right. He walks over to him, "you ready to go," asks Prancer.
"You took longer than you promised," remarks Midnight, "did your wavy mane need more hair spray than usual?"
"Piss off," says Prancer as he playfully punches Midnight's left shoulder, "so do you wanna fly or walk there?"
"Let's fly," says Midnight, "these wings aren't just for show." With that said, the two bat ponies take off and fly towards the uptown part of Canterlot.
As they sore, they look down to see Lower Canterlot, aka their home. While that's the official name of the place, the bat ponies there call it by a different name, "Sanctuary definitely looks lovely tonight," remarks Prancer.
"Sure, if you find shit covered tenement buildings lovely," Midnight suddenly feels a wallop on his left shoulder, "Ow, what the hell was that for?"
"Come on man," says Prancer, "it may not be much but it is our home. Besides, it's--"
"It's not the buildings but the thestrals that make it home," says Midnight in annoyance, "I've only heard you say that like a million times."
"And it still holds true, we don't need riches or luxuries to be happy. This," Prancer points down to local market place that's bustling with other bat ponies, "this is all we've got and it's all we need."
"I guess," sighed Midnight, "but it could be better."
"How?"
"We could be living up there," Midnight points to the castle where Princess Celestia and Luna live.
Prancer laughs, "oh sure, all you need to do is be is an Alicorn princess that is able to raise and lower the sun or moon."
"Or I can join the Royal Canterlot Guard," says Midnight.
"Wait, are you serious," asks Prancer, "in that case let me laugh harder." Prancer mockingly laughs and Midnight takes it in annoyance.
"Well, why not," retorts Midnight, "It can't be too hard to join, plus I'm sure they'd appreciate having nocturnal guards for night shifts, the pay has to be a hell of a lot better than we make now, and I bet boarding is ten times more luxurious than our apartments. Why not join the Royal Guard?"
"Because we're thestrals," explains Prancer, "we lost our privilege to hold any military position when our ancestors sided with Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago. There's no way they'd allow our kind into the military, especially not one that's in charge of protecting the Royal Sisters."
"We lost a hell of a lot more than just military service," Midnight mumbles.
"Look, there's Donut Joe's," says Prancer, pointing out a building with a giant donut on it, "let's just drop this discussion and get some fritters."
They fly down to the front door of the donut shop and walk in. A bell rings as the door opens, alerting a bulky cream color stallion with a brown mane and donut cutie mark. "Hey Night Prancer, Midnight Storm," exclaims the stallion with a Manehattan accent from behind his counter, "glad to see you guys again, you want the usual?"
"Certainly Joe, and can we get some black coffee as well," says Prancer.
"You got it, I just made a fresh pot," Joe grabs a waxy like piece of paper and pulls out four apple fritters from his display case and places them on the counter where two stools are. Prancer and Midnight sit down in front of the fritters as Joe pours the coffee into two dark blue mugs, "So did you guys read about last night's hoofball game," says Joe, trying to stir up conversation, which he successfully does.
The three ponies talk for about thirty minutes about hoofball, arguing stats and who's the best player. They're talking so much that they don't notice two off-duty guards walking into the shop, one with a white coat and the other with a dark grey coat, they are still in their standard gold armor.
"Hey Joe," shouts the grey guard catching Joe's attention, "how about some bear claws?"
"Certainly sir, I'll get right to it," says Joe as he walks back to his display case.
The two guards sit on the opposite end of the counter, they both look over at Prancer and Midnight, who are avoiding eye contact. "Well, well," remarks the white guard, "it seems the blood suckers have finally decided to venture beyond their domain."
"Probably got tired of feeding on their own," says the grey guard, "now they've come looking for fresh blood."
"Actually," says Prancer, "we're just here to get some breakfast before we head to work."
"Well, before he does," says Midnight, "I have the night off."
"Ah yes," remarks the grey guard, "because why bother be a contributing member of society when you can hunt down and feast on the blood of other ponies?"
Midnight can feel his blood start to boil, "that's not what we do."
The white guard gets up from his stool and walks towards them, "oh please, that's the only reason your kind joined Nightmare Moon in the first place."
"That was a long, long time ago," says Prancer calmly.
"It doesn't matter," says the grey guard walking up to the white guard's side, "once a blood sucker always a blood sucker."
Midnight jumps from his seat and gets in both of their faces. Eyes angered, nostrils flared, teeth gritting and possibly considering on ripping their eyes out with his fangs. Joe, watching this ordeal begin to escalate, interjects, "now that's enough you three, I will not tolerate any sort of violence in my shop!"
Prancer calmly gets up from his seat and pats Midnight on the shoulder, "come on Midnight, let's go, it's not worth it." The two of them walk towards the exit, avoiding any eye contact with the two guards.
When they exit the building and make it at least a block away from the shop, Midnight lets it out. "They shouldn't be treating us like that! We've already paid enough for our ancestors crimes, we don't deserve any of this shit! How dare they call us blood suckers! Thestrals have never wanted to suck the blood of other ponies!"
"Midnight," Prancer interrupts his rant, "keep your voice down or you'll wake all of Equestria."
Midnight was about to react but he takes a deep breath and replies, "I'm sorry, I'm just pissed off at those two guards, it isn't right how they treat us."
"We know it isn't right but there's nothing we can do about it," says Prancer, "not you, not I, not even those protesters at the factory."
"Hey at least they're trying to spread the word about what's really going on!"
"You really think those horn heads, dirt eaters, and cloud kickers really want to face this reality? This reality of bigotry and inequality in the land of 'peace and harmony?' No they don't!"
Midnight wants to rebuke him, but he knows deep down Prancer is right. It doesn't matter what anyone does if no one is willing to force the rest the Equestria to look this reality in the eye. Midnight begins to huff angerly, tears begin to swell up in his eyes. "When is this going to end man," he says, voice cracking, "when is this going to end?"
Prancer walks forward and embraces his friend, "I don't know," responds Midnight, "it's going to take a miracle." He steps back and let's Midnight wipe the tears away. "Come on, let's get out here and somewhere else."
"But don't you to work," asks Midnight.
Prancer thinks about it for a bit, "well, maybe those fritters weren't cooked properly," says Prancer with a wink. The two chuckle and take off into the night sky.
Chapter 3: Rarity
An alarm clock chimes on a night stand next to a glamorous bed. A white snow white hoof rises up and begins beating the table top in search for the clock. The hoof finds it's mark and stops the clocks incessant ringing. Rarity lifts her from her grave of pillows, her mane resembling a bird's nest from tossing and turning in bed from the previous night. She squints at the clock to see the time, 5:00 AM. She takes a quick glance out her window, the sun hasn't even thought of getting up yet. The starry night sky still dominates and the moon reigns above.
Normally, Rarity would go back to sleep since, according to her, every mare needs her beauty rest. Not this time though. A recent special order for a new dress calls for a particular kind of fabric called Crystal Silk. Made like normal silk, what makes it special is it is made by a unique breed of silk worm, that is only found in the Crystal Empire. The thread of this Crystal Silk gives a sheen that resembles the glow of crystals, a sheen that even sateen can't rival. However, due to the rarity of the worms and popularity of the fabric among the elite, Crystal Silk is always in high demand and highly expansive. So much that when new shipments come in, Equestria's supply of Crystal Silk runs dry within 24 hours. Rarity learned this lesson the hard way by visiting the only store in Canterlot, three times in a row, that only sells to fabric to find out, three times in a row, that it was all sold out. This time, however, she is determined to get there as early as possible before Dazzling Fabrics runs out, even if it means cutting into her beauty sleep.
Rarity begrudgingly forces herself out of bed, pushing the covers off and planting all four hooves on the floor. "If I'm going to get that fabric," she thinks to herself, "I need to get moving." Her horn lights up in her light blue aura, the light switch on the opposite end of the room gets covered in the aura and flips the switch to on, bringing the lights to life. The sudden flash causes her eyes to squint, as her pupils adjust to brightness. She looks around the room for her hair brush.
The rooms she is staying in is slightly larger than a typical one-pony room, it's slightly large enough to hold a queen size bed in addition to a dresser, closet, and desk. The rooms isn't glamorously decorated like her room in Ponyville, aside from the furniture boasting color patterns of white, purple, and green, décor is lacking. She had been meaning to get her temporary room for the Canterlot Boutique decorated but she has had very little time recently.
Rarity find the silver, soft bristle brush on her dresser. She casts her magical hue, causing the brush to hover and begin a brushing motion through her mane and tail. After about ten or twenty strokes, her mane and tail reclaim their natural wavy design. She sets the brush back down on the dresses and casts her magical hue on a crystal bottle of perfume, hovers it over, and gives herself a few spritz. Usually she would just take a shower, but the fabric must take priority. She set down the bottle and casts her hue on a saddle bag just behind her, hanging on one of the bed posts, and puts it on her. Looking into the mirror, she gives herself a determined glare and begins a pep talk, "right, now you listen here, Lil Miss Rarity! You are going to get that fabric and finish this job! You will not be distracted, you will not be deterred! You will be focused, single minded, and determined! No pony is going to bring. You. Down!"
Finishing her pep talk, Rarity faces the door, pulls herself back ready to launch. Then she lunges into a proper trot, because a lady does not sprint.
She trots out of her room into the main office, from the main office to the floor. The boutique takes on an eeriness in the dark. The dressed manakins are either silhouetted or given white glow from the moon peering into the front windows. As Rarity walks towards the front door, she notices the unique lighting on her outfits, "hm, I may have to experiment with this lighting, but not now, focus Rarity!" She makes it to the front exit and head onto the empty streets of Canterlot. She takes a left and heads towards Dazzling Fabrics. Thankfully the store is only three blocks away and is a straight shot from her boutique.
As Rarity trots along, she begins to feel her bag bouncing a bit more than usual. At first she ignores it, but after the first block, the bag begins to bounce more. "Did I remember to tighten it before I left," she thinks to herself. Her question is quickly answered as her bag slips off to her left, spilling a good portion of the contents onto the sidewalk. "Damn," Rarity says under her breath, she proceeds to pick up the contents using her magic.
As she is picking up her stuff, she hears a set of hooves walking towards her. As the hooves stop in front of her, she looks up and see a stallion with a dark grey coat, charcoal black mane and tail, and some rather peculiar features she's only seen at one time. Usually she would be worried about being approached by a male stranger in the dark, but his face looked to be warm and friendly, bearing a small smile with two little fangs peaking out the corners of his mouth. "Do you need any help ma'am," he says in friendly, medium tone.
"Oh yes," Rarity said, her worries quickly subsiding, "I would gladly appreciate the help."
The stallion then begins to help her pick up. As they work, Rarity notices him using wings to pick items up. While Rarity knows that Pegasi use their wings to pick items up, the design of this stallion's wings is what throws her off. They look like bat wings. She looks at his face and notices his narrow pupils, deep yellow iris, and long pointed ears. Not too mention the fangs, he looks exactly like Fluttershy when she was turned into Flutterbat.
The stallion catches Rarity glaring, who quickly turns away blushing in embarrassment. The stallion smiles and gives a small chuckle, "so what intrigues you the most," he asks.
"Excuse me," Rarity responds, looking up from her work.
"My fangs, the wings, maybe the eyes," he says.
"Oh, well, your eyes are rather unique," she says, feeling a bit more comfortable.
"Eh, not really," he says, "just about every Thestral has eyes like mine. But I guess they're pretty unique when compared to the eyes of a horn-head."
"A what," she asks, feeling a tinge of offense.
"Oh, sorry," he says, realizing his mistake, "I meant to say unicorns, I didn't intend to--w-what I mean--that's what we--," he stumbles over his words trying to find the right thing to say.
Rarity chuckles, "it's alright dear," she puts her right hoof on his chest, calming him down, "no harm, no foul."
The stallion chuckles nervously, he then looks down and sees a coin purse on the ground. He bends down and picks it up with his mouth, "I believe this is the last things," he says through his teeth.
Just as he was handing over the purse, a shout comes from across the street, "You! Blood sucker! What the hell are you doing!" The stallion freezes in terror, his eyes are wide open, and his wings are standing up straight. Rarity, more confused than concerned, looks across the street for the source of the voice. The voice came from a unicorn night guard out on the patrol. The guard comes charging across the street, he shines his horn, casting the bag in the Thestral's mouth in a dark blue aura, ripping the bag from his teeth. The guards stops between the two, he faces the Thestral and gives him a death glare.
"What do you think you're just trying to do here," the guard interrogates, "you're the fifth blood sucker I had to deal with tonight, and my patience has long since gone."
"I-I-I was just trying to help," says the Thestral as he begins to crouch in terror.
"Oh yeah, just trying to help yourself to her bits," the guard shouts.
"You've got it wrong sir," interjects Rarity, "you see, I dropped my bag and a lot of the contents spilled out and he came along to--"
"To see if get big score huh," the guard interrupts, creating his own conclusion, "just like any typical blood sucker. Ma'am, I suggest you leave, I'll deal with this thief." The guard hands Rarity her coin purse.
"What? No, he's not a--," Rarity is interrupted by the guard giving her the death glare now. Afraid of what may happen, Rarity runs off. As she runs, she is unable to hear the rest of the exchange between the two, but she is scared to think of what the rest of the conversation. Instead of dwelling on that ordeal, she reasserts her focus back on getting the Crystal Silk, though her mind finds great difficulty in forgetting what just happened.
When Rarity finally arrives at Dazzling Fabrics, the sky is just starting to change color. She looks inside the shop windows and sees the lights are on and only the clerk is inside, a clerk she happens to know very well. Rarity taps on the glass to catch the clerks attention. The pale pink coated and silver mane and tail mare clerk does notice and rushes to the door. She unlocks the door and greets Rarity inside, "Raarity, daarling, so good to see you again," she says with a rather pretentious tone.
"It's good to see you as well Ms. Dazzle," says Rarity as she walks into the shop, "I'm surprised you would let me in this early."
"Well, that's because I know exactly why you're here," says Dazzle, "If you would wait by the check out counter, I'll head in the back and get your fabric."
Rarity walks over to the counter and takes a load off while Dazzle heads into the back room. Rarity looks around the shop to kill time, a wide diversity of fabrics on display all over the shop, all kinds of fabric weaved into all kinds of patterns. As Rarity is looking around, the front door bell rings, she looks over and sees another Thestral. This one is a mare with a purple-blue coat and a long, wavy, navy blue mane and tail. She doesn't notice Rarity, instead is fixated on looking for her fabric.
Dazzle comes back with a full of Crystal Silk. "Here you go Rarity, I had this roll set aside just for you," says Dazzle.
"Thank you so much Ms. Dazzle," Rarity opens her bag and magically pulls out thirty-five bits and lays them on the counter. She uses her magic to lift the roll of silk, she's considering on going ahead and leaving, but she decides to stick around for a little bit. "If you don't mind Ms. Dazzle, I would like stay for a little bit and look at the other fabrics, there might be something here that will work with the outfit I'm designing."
"Certainly Rarity," says Dazzle, "take as much time as you need."
"Thank you so much dear," Rarity walks off into the sateen section of the shop. As she heads that way, the Thestral makes her way over to Dazzle.
"Excuse me, miss," says the Thestral in a timid voice.
"May I help you ma'am," says Dazzle, but her tone is different, rather than overly nice, it's cold and annoyed.
"Uh yes, I'm looking a thin wool fabric in a sunset red," says the Thestral, "my daughter's birthday is coming up and it's her favorite color."
Rarity, overhearing this conversation, mentally applauds the little girl's taste in color. A sunset red is a beautiful, warm color.
However, Dazzle remains unamused, "ma'am, Dazzling Fabrics doesn't open for another two hours, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"What," exclaims the Thestral confused, "but you let that other mare in."
"She is a special case, you on the other hand," Dazzle quickly glances up and down, "well...you are not. Either leave now or I will get the night patrol involved. Understand?"
The Thestral, seeing no way around this, walks out with a defeated look. Rarity watches her leave, her face is frozen with shock. Dazzle had always been kind to other ponies, why was she acting this way to her? Determined not to let that poor mare's search go unsuccessful, Rarity goes over to the wool section and immediately finds the fabric she was looking for, thin wool in sunset red.
Rarity, with a face disappointment, walks over to the counter and places down the roll and ten bits. "Ah, wonderful choice Rarity," says Dazzle, "Sunset red is always a lovely color."
"Save your sweet remarks for somepony else," Rarity says as she walks away from the counter and out the door with both rolls of fabric.
Rarity turns her head up the street and notices the mare. "Miss, excuse me, miss," Rarity shouts and she runs towards the Thestral, "I believe this fabric belongs to you," she hovers the fabric over to the mare.
Her face freezes with surprise, "you got me my fabric?"
"I couldn't let your search go unsuccessful," says Rarity, "after all, your daughter has excellent taste in color."
The mare, overjoyed, leaps at Rarity and wraps her forelegs around her. Rarity hugs back and begins to sense the mare beginning to cry, "thank you so, so much for this," says the mare trying to hold back her tears, "I was afraid I wouldn't get to make her dream dress, but now I can because of you," the mare pulls back and looks at Rarity, "you are most generous pony I have ever met in my entire life, thank you!"
"You're welcome my dear, what is your name," Rarity asks.
"Misty Wind."
"Well Ms. Wind, I'm happy I, Rarity, was able to help make your daughter's dreams come true," says Rarity, "now if I'm not mistaken, you have a dress to make?"
"I do, yes I do," Misty then runs past Rarity shouting, "thank you again for everything Rarity!"
"You're welcome," Rarity shouts back.
A rather eventful morning so far and the sun hasn't even risen yet. Both of these ordeals with these two Thestrals certainly seems that events like these have been happening for a long time. If so, why hasn't she noticed anything before? Granted she has never spent a lot of time wandering the city streets late at night or very early in the morning. But she would think that this kind of stuff would be reported daily in the news. Are the journalists even aware of what's going on? Do any of the city officials know? Do the Princesses know?
Author's Notes:
I made a blog post recently stating that I was considering on changing the title of this story. After some careful thought and idea boiling, I've decided to rename "All Quiet on the Homefront" to "War Reaps The Hate We Sow." I will keep the cover image the same as to not make things too confusing.