Welcome to Equestria, many, many years after the famous six Elements of Harmony lived. In those years, Equestria changed drastically as technological advancement grew faster and faster until Equestria became the most advanced nation in the world. It has planes, helicopters, and more to bring flight to unicorns and earth ponies, and even pegasi as they traveled many times faster than the average pegasus in some cases. The Digital Age has settled itself across the land, connected Equestrians via the Internet, and information spread at the blink of an eye. Ponies everywhere could now connect with others at vast distances at the speed of light, but alongside this boom of civilian tech, so has military. The Equestrian military, which just a few hundred years ago was armed mainly with spears, swords, and other medivel type weapons, now is fully armed with tanks, rifles, grenades, and other modern technology. The Equestrian royalty, which was once the fully accepted, cheered rulers of Equestria, have found themselves ruling over a populace that, as a whole, is slowly becoming more and more uncertain of them. The situation, although promises the possibility of uprising, still has the possibility to be solved, but with each passing day, that peaceful solution becomes ever so slightly dimmer...
Steel had just finished a successful court case defending a earth pony politics student who just so happened to speak his mind during a royal visit to the canterlot university. cadence and Luna were level headed and fine with it, Celestia was the only one who took offence. "Okay, the forum should be up and running about now". Steel thought to himself. "I've already added that guy I was defending and a few workmates as a mod". He finished writing up the rules and started a few discussions before refreshing the page. "woah, harmonyRepublic01 (the student he was representing in court) must of invited everyone in his class". he let off a relieved smile due to his hard work paying off.
the Problems of the Royal Family The Royal Family, Celestia and Luna, have ruled Equestria, but at what cost? We have been left with no say in the direction of the nation, and not even being able to question their reign. You ask for proof? Very recently, a young colt was put ON TRIAL for 'sedition and spreading of treasonous information', do not let this fool you. All he did was bring up the wrong question at the wrong place, and because of that, he could have IMPRISONED for LIFE. A shout out to those great lawyers who successfully defended the innocent from corruption and oppression, you have helped further the cause of democracy in our great nation, thank you. -Anon "Aand send." Equest muttered as he finishe his newest 'Anon' post, soon, social media across the Internet will see his post, one of the advantages of being the one responsible for the existence of the Internet in the first place.
Leo looked at his cellphone. "Where the bloody hell is she?" He muttered silently to himself, keeping his distance from the others at the stop. He looked up for a second and watched car after car pass. He looked back down when he felt his cell vibrate and picked it up, diverting the sound to his earbuds. "Heeeyyyy, Leo." The uncertain female voice rang in his ears like clockwork. "Sup." He replied, watching another car pass by. "Yeah, there's a problem and i'll have to stay later at work. Sorry, hun but that's how it is." His mind was cooking like a boiler, close to the point of rage. "Right. I'll walk home then." Before she could reply, he hanged up, put on some music and walked away from the bus stop. Leo kicked up the door to his house and barged in. Noone at home. Great. His thoughts were clouded by the whispers that echoed in his head. He made a turn to the kitchen and poured a bowl of cereal along with milk and sat down by the Tv, shoving it on and indulging himself in a bowl of cereal. "The hell do ya mean, it was his fault? It was clearly that stupid royalty that we have! She clearly needs to sit down, take a beer and relax!" He responded to the Tv as the whispers morphed his thoughts with their chatter. He took the empty bowl of cereal and put it in the dishes, then boomed upstairs and went into his room. "Untidy and messy, just like i want it." He said to himself upon the sight of his room. It was messy, with clothes everywhere, papers and books on the floor, opened cabinet and more. He shut the door and jumped, landing gracefully on the bed and shutting his eyes, falling into the world of sleep. Only the whispers disturbed him, but they wouldn't stop anyway.
Steel law spotted a post online and decided to check it out, it seemed to be getting quite a steady rise of views. He read through it before commenting. "As I am lawyer, I was hired as that guys lawyer. After being told his side of the story personally the current state of power is unbalanced, my idea after reading about it in a newspaper is we do something similar to the griffon kingdom. have a central parliament and 3 different political parties and every four years WE the ponies get to vote as long as your 17 or older. also Celestia's the worst out of the royal family as for what the stallion told me Cadence and Luna were fine with him voicing his opinions, whatever happened to free speech?".
Hurren, or known to her friends as Ria, lazily dashed through a cloud. A nearby helicopter buzzed annoyingly. Sighing, she dipped into a impressive nosedive towards the ground. Her wings moved faster and faster, manipulating the air around her. She spread them gracefully, and hovered. The air swirled around her, and pulled her up into a series of twists and flips, while her only things moving were her feathers. She landed gracefully on top of her house, and pressed a button. The panel glowed with a green light. "Please state name." said the cool voice of the computer. Hurren cleared her throat. "Hurren "Ria" Cane." "Hoof Identification, please" replied the voice. Ria placed her hoof in the spot implied. The computer scanned it for a moment. "Voice and Hoof Check completed. Please wait" Ria heard the click of the door, and it opened. She climbed down the ladder into the hole. The door closed behind her, and a few lights flickered to life. Ria walked towards her room. She didn't like the security measures her parents had taken. They had always been worried that someone would take advantage of her special talent, so, despite it being annoying, she tolerated it. It was what she had grown up with, after all. She went to her computer and pressed a button. A blue backround came onto the screen. "Voice Command Activated. How can I help you, Ria?" asked the computer. "Could you look up the most trending articles, computer?" "My pleasure." A few moments of silence, while the computer searched. Ria grabbed a mug and set it on the counter. She turned on the kettle, and put a teabag into the cup, along with some sugar. "Ria, here are some recent articles." said the computer finally. "I have filtered out some due to your pre selected tastes." "Recent Griffon Spottings, by Blueberry Lemon." began the computer. "Pass."" sighed Ria, pouring the scalding water into the mug. "Studies of Hoof Eye Coordination, by Dr. Whoovington" continued the Computer "Ooh, save for later."" commented Ria, stirring the tea. "The Problems of the Royal Family, by Anon" said the computer. "Hmm. Select that one, please."" said an interested Ria. She sat by the screen and began to read. "The Royal Family, Celestia and Luna, have ruled Equestria, but at what cost? We have been left with no say in the direction of the nation, and not even being able to question their reign. You ask for proof? Very recently, a young colt was put ON TRIAL for 'sedition and spreading of treasonous information', do not let this fool you. All he did was bring up the wrong question at the wrong place, and because of that, he could have IMPRISONED for LIFE. A shout out to those great lawyers who successfully defended the innocent from corruption and oppression, you have helped further the cause of democracy in our great nation, thank you. -Anon" Ria sat back in her chair. "Huh. Computer, can you see how many ponies have shared this?" "Certainly." "Thanks." Silence. "Ria, 253 ponies have shared this in the last 5 hours." "Wow. I was wondering because I see his point. But, y'know, they are princesses. I'm sure they know what they're doing."
Crystal was busy in her armchair writing her report. She and a group of other senate members were busy attempting to pass a bill that would heavily benefit Equestria. After spending the past 7 hours on her computer, she decided to call it a day and rest for the night. The Next day, she arrived at the senate. Just before she walked up the steps of the facility, she received a message from an anonymous sender on her ihoof. She read the message, muttering everyword under her breath. "The Royal Family, Celestia and Luna, have ruled Equestria, but at what cost? We have been left with no say in the direction of the nation, and not even being able to question their reign. You ask for proof? Very recently, a young colt was put ON TRIAL for 'sedition and spreading of treasonous information', do not let this fool you. All he did was bring up the wrong question at the wrong place, and because of that, he could have IMPRISONED for LIFE. A shout out to those great lawyers who successfully defended the innocent from corruption and oppression, you have helped further the cause of democracy in our great nation, thank you. -Anon" She then noticed how many shares this has had, which now acuminated to at least 1500 shares. “Wow, it’s amazing what technology can do nowadays.” She said. She got her phone out and called somepony. “Hello….. Yes…. We need everypony on this….. Ok……Goodbye.” The phone then hangs up. “Let’s see where this goes.” She said and then went to do her job in the Equestrian Senate.
Ria sat forward. "Computer, could you dictate a response for me?" "Certainly, Ma'am." soothed the computer. Clearing her throat, Ria began. "True as it may be that the government may be troublesome for some ponies, think of all the ways they help us. They help us with wars, make sure the country doesn't go into complete chaos. Although, I'll admit sometimes they can be ridculous, we should also be grateful, maybe? ~Ria"
The replies to the newest Anon post went ignored, as always. Equest only used them as a way to spread his message, one that nopony or noone could connect to him. His public views made him look like a stereotypical traditionalist monarchist, but inwardly, he was a progressive democrat. He also had much bigger fish to fry than just some responses, from lobbying the new, but very weak Senate, an entity that might a well not exist, but one that held great potential, if one knew had to wield it. The other thing was something he was just about to to... "I call this board meeting into order!" He said as he banged a novelty gavel on the board of director's desk. "First order of business, the incompetence of the current CEO and owner, Azul Mark." A quick muttering rose and died through the room, "Due to her inept handling of this company, which has only been negated by our own actions, a vote must be held over the impeachment and replacement of Azul Mark. But as with keeping with tradition, a canidate must be a member of the Mark family in order to do so, but I would like to say that I have recently found out that I am the great-great-great grandson of Red Glory, son of Dark Light, sister to Snow Mark." Another murmur went through the room as Equest put his family tree up on a projector in a PowerPoint display fashion. "We shall have our vote then." The vice-head of the Board said, "All in favor of dumping Azul and placing Equest in her stead say 'Aye'." A collective 'Aye' came from every snout. "So, by unanimous decision, Equest Dark Firemane is now the CEO, CBO, Owner, and Head of the Board for Mark Company." A small round of hooves clopping together followed." Equest nodded and said, "Now, to business."
Ria sat for a few minute, deep in thought. "Erm, computer?" she asked. "Yes, Ria?" responded the computer smoothly. "Would it be ok if I went out for a bit? I want to go to town." "Be back by 7:30." reminded the computer and the door slid open. "I will. Thanks!" she flew out of the hole and flew towards town, the air greeting her once more, cradling her in its drafts. She landed softly in town, and walked by the shops, browsing for something to eat.
Across Equestria, a new message from Anon popped up on any device that had Internet access. Hello again, I come to be the bearer of good news. The largest company in all of Equestria, Mark Co, has endorsed the Equestrian Senate AND has decided to bring in democratic proceeds into their own company. The FORMER owner of Mark Co, Azul Mark, heavy monarchist, has been expelled from her position and replaced with one a bit more lenient to our cause. Soon, the Equestrian Royal Family shall find their one time friends are now their enemies, and they will be left alone against the voice of Equestria! And once the Equestrian monarchy falls, soon other nations will follow! -Anon
Leo looked with tired eyes at the pill bottle that his doctor shook, pills rattling inside. Leo snapped and ripped the bottle away from his doctor, who smirked as his patient took one of the pills and gulped it down. "So, how has your day been?". Leo simply leaned back on his chair and looked at her. "Apart from the constant whispers, staying away from talking to anypony 'cept my girlfriend and my mom, constantly living with the fear of dying any minute? Pretty good, actually." His thoughts were clearer now that he had taken the pill and the whispers had died down. The doctor, whos name's Skyheart, smiled warmly at Leo. He was getting better at going through life with the things he have and it made her feel comfortable. "That's good. How are the whispers coming along?" Her question made Leo twitch and look at her with a emotionless face, as if he wasn't thinking anything at the moment. "Well... to tell you the truth, they've gotten worse since we last met. Louder and more obnoxious than before. But one thing... they've made me learn something more, something that i know will benefit me." Leo leaned in and looked deep into her eyes. He was gonna tell her something big. She listened with interest. Leo shut the door to the therapist and looked out on the world. Gray. Dull. Would need a spark, don't you say? They whispered inside his head. "Shut up. I know you've broken through the walls of the chemical shutout, but can you just shut up for a while when i take the pills? I wanna be able to take them like normal." He replied. To his surprise, they seemingly shut up and went silent the moment he finished his sentence. He chuckled to himself and headed out into the town, the enviroment around him taking his attention away. An attention that would probably be interrupted by whispers. Or hunger. Whichever came first.
"Hmmm, yeah that is a great idea, one international senate to settle the biggest of international crimes and set a bunch of rights intitled to every sentient creature.' 'Rise of the United Kindgoms (UK)' ' this is an idea that just popped in my head during work this afternoon basically international council between every nation and a set of rights inteitled to every race. Anyway here is the list to the Rights of all sentient beings please open spoiler. Spoiler: sentient rights Article 1 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2 Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4 No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. Article 5 No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 6 Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. Article 7 All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. Article 8 Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law. Article 9 No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 10 Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. Article 11 (1) Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense. (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offense, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offense was committed. Article 12 No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. Article 13 (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Article 14 (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 15 (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality. Article 16 (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. Article 17 (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. Article 18 Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Article 19 Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 20 (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. Article 21 (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (2) Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. Article 22 Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. Article 23 (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Article 24 Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. Article 25 (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out-of-wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. Article 26 (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. Article 27 (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author. Article 28 Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized. Article 29 (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 30 Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Crystal walked into the senate as usual, got her equipment ready for work, turned her computer on and made herself the occasional cup of coffee. What she didn’t expect is what was going to happen today; a powerful and influential member from Mark Co went up to her and began to speak. “Crystal, our senate is very new to Equestria and holds great potential for its people. We currently are leaderless, and we have only survived for so long under the watchful eye of overseers from other government corporations. We are wondering if you can guide us towards the senate’s true potential, where the senate is recognised as not only as a party/government but as what it was created for, as the headquarters of all worldwide government instution’s. We are asking you to become it's leader.” Crystal was taken aback by the request. “Me..... Leader of the senate? There are dozens of other candidates that could lead the senate much better than me. Why in Celestria do you want me to lead?” “We believe that you are the only one that could be able to lead the senate to be a powerful batch of Equestria’s government. Congratulations, you new promotion takes effect in 1 hour. Your new office is on the top floor.” The stallion said. Crystal was shocked. “Thank you so much, i don’t know what to say.” Crystal jumped half a meter in the air in excitement that she was now a powerful member of the government. Not only was she very organised, she knew how to transform the senate into something beautiful.
Equest looked up from his desk to see one of his lobbyist some hours after his promotion, "Did it work?" The lobbyist nodded, "Yes, the Senate approved the nomination, and now the best of the bunch now leads them." Equest allowed himself a small smile, "Good, soon the Senate will have enough power that the royalty will find themselves regretting ever agreeing to it's formation. You can go back, thank you for the information." the lobbyist nodded and left the room, and then Equest instantly sent a pair of particularly powerful messages to his choice Senator, now the Senate Chairman, one under his actual name, and the other under Anon. Dear Senate Chairman Crystal, We here at Mark Co, especially me, Equest Firemane, Board Director, CEO, owner, and CBO of the company, would like to congratulate you on your recent election to Senate Chairman. Though while publicly, Mark Co has always endorsed the royalty as the rulers of Equestria, we privately encourage and support the Senate with all of our heart, you bring voice to those that otherwise would not. To help the Senate and support its cause would net you a very powerful ally, one that has some very big strings and fingers in Equestrian government. Sincerly Equest Firemane. Equest then set his Anon F-mail (e-mail, it means fire mail, as a reference to dragons like Spike) aside and waited for awhile, seeing if Crystal would respond.
Kleft stood unblinking in his usual spot outside the royal chambers. The castle of which he guarded wasn't up to it's usual splendor, and under his standards. Wonder if the janitors are on strike again? Celestia knows we need that again, he thought. A telltale fly landed on the tip of his muzzle, and he fixed both his eyes on it for a fleeting moment before returning them to forward. The stupid buggers were spawning all over the castle like... well, like flies. A shadow appeared at the end of the hallway, and Kleft fixed his posture slightly. The announcement of another pony rang through the hallway as he clopped in in a bit of a rush, which was odd, seeing as nopony was scheduled to come through here for another two hours. The new guard appeared before Kleft and gave him a quick salute, which Kleft deftly returned, unsmiling. "I have orders to take your spot, sir!" The newcomer said, eliciting a frown from Kleft. "Who told you this?" "Princess Cadance herself. It wasn't even a messenger." "Did tell you why she wanted me replaced from Celestia's personal chambers? It's not like it even affects her." "It is not my duty to question orders, sir!" Kleft frowned again, annoyed. The Royal Family had recently been rather difficult to deal with. Just anything, you bloody fools! Kleft thought as he moved out of the way for the new guard to replace his spot. You're losing their trust. You're going to burn yourselves out at this rate! Kleft walked out of the hallway without another glance at the younger guard. When he was out of eyesight, he levitated his phone and pulled up SHIRI to talk to. Even this castle was much too vast to navigate on memory alone. The familiar feminine voice was also, admittedly, pleasant to have a chat with, despite it's artificial intelligence. "SHIRI, get me home please?" "Sure thing! Let me get a reading on where you are real fast..."
After her brand new promotion to top of the senate’s hierarchy, Crystal took some time to set up her new office. The office was enormous and overlooked the entire city and the ocean nearby. She then turned on her new computer, which was much more powerful than her other computer. The moment she turned it on, she received a message from Firemane. She began to read, and smiled at the end. “Happy to help....” she said to herself.
As Kleft was walking home, he was suddenly met with two figures that landed in front of him that looked like members of the high royal family, until he noticed that they had a horn as well as wings. "Hello Guard." The grey one of the pair said, he had a mane of the color of lightning and looked like he was about to be struck by lightning and his iris's seemed to be made of pure electricity. The other was a light blue with a light, fluffy dark blue mane and orange eyes. "You have been assigned to our guard Kleft." Said the blue one, who seemed much more friendly than the grey one.
Kleft raised an eyebrow to the two ponies staring him down. He slowly moved his phone back into his bags and said "A'ight then, when do I start? I was just on my way home for the night." While glaring into the eyes of the gray alicorn, he used his trained peripherals to examine both of the ponies. What's this then? Sir Thunder and Lightning? Never seen these two before, I bet it's some stupid hoax...
The grey one cleared his throat, "I am Prince Tremalion, or King, depending on what country you are talking about. I am the King of Storms and I am the brother of Celestia and Luna. This is my brother, Prince Heculius, Prince of Calm. And just in case you don't believe me..." Tremalion cleared his throat then yelled using his Thunder Voice, which shattered many near by windows and set off many car alarms. Heculius shook his head at his brother's antics then said, "You were supposed to meet us at the castle and accompany us during our visit to Equestria. You also probably don't recognize us as we've been stuck in the External kingdom for the past lifetime dealing with issues that seem to be brewing right here in Equestria."
