As days passed, it seemed Lucy's book was the main focus of many of the city residents who could get a copy. At Shanks garage, vanellopes friend butcher boy sat at a table holding the book, softly crying.
"Butcher, what are you reading that's so sad?" Shank asked as she walked in on him
"It's the book Van's daughter wrote, it's so sad. I'm reading how she used to get bullied by the people of this city. It's sad, and it makes me angry. I wanna crush those peoples bones into dust"
"Didn't you already do that several times?" Shank asked
"Not recently" said Butcher boy
At tappers apartment, he sat on his couch enjoying a day off, reading the book as well.
'She can sit in the closet for all I care, but we don't want her here after that tsunami she caused' tapper told my family
'Sit in the closet? Why would I want to eat in there? I'm still a human being'
"Oh mod, was I really like that?" Tapper asked himself "And to think I'm popular because I don't discriminate"
Even Candlehead was reading the book, currently reading a section after Lucy was overthrown, an excerpt by Kevin regarding the droids.
'Spare any credits? Please help a veteran get repairs' a battle droid asked miss honey
Miss honey just looked at the room of droids, disturbed. Mom and grandpa found all these droids hiding on Epsilon, avoiding the imperial patrols, who deemed battle droids illegal under the new order, and to be hunted on sight. Some planets even had bounties of 100 credits per droid scrapped. These droids were all in bad shape, many missing some limb or another. Ever since my sister showed off her plans for her kingdom, people have been critical of her droid army. But to me, they were nothing but loyal, hard workers, who deserved all the special treatment Lucy gave them when she was in power. But with her in a coma and not many places for these droids to go, well, we got some rough times ahead.
"Wow, never thought I'd feel bad for a droid" said Candlehead to herself
Lucy herself was even invited to read a small portion of her book on a morning talk show in game, with Vanellope watching from backstage.
"While I wasn't around for the reconquest of the galaxy, it is definitely an event my family holds in disdain. I'm not sure what exactly mom was thinking when she got me and my brother to get out of the game that week with dad, but it wasn't good. I know she had the best intentions for me, but she doesn't understand warfare very well" Lucy read from her book on camera
Vanellope turned and sighed, the reconquest of the galaxy was one of the biggest blunders she ever made to her family. She pretended to be Lucy in a failed war to overthrow the empire. It worked, for a couple days, and then the imperial navy from coruscant was sent to push the droids back, getting very close to earth til she could surrender. And the peace treaty that followed just ruined her family's lives.
As Lucy finished reading, she answered questions from the audience.
"One thing people forget is I'm still a person, yes I did bad things, but I wanna make up for them. Just like our resident queen bee, I see the good in people. My droids, yes they're dumb, yes they were villains, but I care about them a lot. They don't get paid, yes I've been criticized for that for some weird reason, but I do provide them with anything they need, all they gotta do is ask. I'm not the monster people think I am" said Lucy about one question
"Would you ever get into another war with the empire?" Someone asked
"Probably not. I can't stop them, and there's too many loyalists. The easiest thing I can do is coexist with them somehow" said Lucy
"Unofficial leaks say you suffer depression, is that true?"
Vanellope immediately stepped in and grabbed her daughter
"No more questions, shows over" she told everyone
Upon getting Lucy back in the car, Vanellope punched her steering wheel.
"The nerve someone has to ask that" said Vanellope
"I'm getting better" said Lucy
"I know you are. But I think it's wrong someone would bring your mental health up" said Vanellope
The words of Lucy's book definitely got those who read it thinking, perhaps many had been hard on her. It made the citizens question what the empire had done. Not all citizens felt this way, some felt the empire was still a force of good led by the people, and Lucy was still a loonatic. Bad things were gonna happen, and soon.
A few days after Lucy's tv appearance, Honey was with her daughter and son at a diner near the preschool district, district 4. Her son Zack was meeting one of his favorite tv characters, a blue alien with purple hair and yellow markings on her face, a pantoran Jedi named Lys Solay from young Jedi adventures. Zack giggled as lys lifted him with the force.
"This has been a great meal, miss Honey. I'm so glad I was able to attend" said Lys
"My son loves your show, and when I found out you and your friends existed here, I knew it'd be a treat for him to meet you" said Honey
"I'm amazed there are other Jedi in this game. And a Pantoran, I've never seen one back in mine" said Sophie
"And it's an honor to see another Jedi, and a friend of the princess no less. I'm sorry my friends couldn't attend, they wanted to but got caught up with a mission of their own. We thought of your offer, and would love to come over to play with and entertain little zack here, on one condition" said Lys
She reached into a bag and pulled out 4 copies of Lucy's book
"Would you mind getting these autographed for us?" Lys asked
Honey put the books in her purse
"I'd be more than happy to" said Honey
"Thanks. We loved reading the book, after getting through some of the uncomfortable parts. It's not easy living with the empire around, especially with the academy not far from here" said Lys
"I can imagine. I had to park near there because there was no parking here" said Honey
"It's been an honor meeting you but I'm afraid I must rejoin my friends, but we'll be over at your house this weekend to play with zack" said Lys
"And I'll have your books signed then" said Honey
Honey paid the check and left with her kids. By the imperial academy, a group of protestors were protesting outside the gates. Scout troopers with riot shields and electro batons stood at the ready in case things got nasty. As honey got closer to her car, Sophie spotted someone in a corner away from the empires eyes. It was a young girl with a white shirt, brown skirt and purse, a jean jacket, and had brown hair in a braided ponytail. She was painting over the recruitment posters
"Reese? Is that you?" Sophie asked
Reese was a classmate of hers who loved painting and art. She was pleasantly surprised to see the family.
"Oh, hi Sophie, honey, here to help me?" Reese asked
"Reese, what you're doing is illegal" said Honey
"No, it's fun. Besides they won't even know I'm here" said Reese as she continued her painting
But honey grabbed her before she could do more damage, but not soon enough. A purge trooper jumped over the walls and landed in front of the 4.
"You are all traitors to the empire"
The trooper swung his electrostaff at the group, but Sophie was quick to deflect it with her lightsaber. Honey pulled out her own in defense. The protestors nearby saw the attack against honey, and a riot ensued. By the time honey was able to kill the purge trooper, the protestors were throwing rocks at the troopers
"OPEN FIRE!"
Blaster bolts started being shot out of the academy as stormtroopers and scout troopers attempted to suppress the rioters. Honey rushed to her car and quickly got zack into his car seat, he was beginning to feel scared. She then made sure Reese was inside with Sophie.
"Reese when we get back home I'm-
Honey was stopped by the sound of an AT-ST firing a blast near her car. The walker walked in front of her car and aimed its cannon at her. Honey dropped her purse and put her hands up in surrender. Suddenly, Lys jumped on her car and leaped up onto the walker, slicing the hatch open with a purple lightsaber.
"Honey get out of here! I can't believe I'm doing this" said Lys
She ripped the hatch open and used the force to toss the pilot out before hopping inside, taking control of the walker. Honey grabbed her purse and started her car, speeding away back home and away from the academy. Unfortunately the problems near district 4 were near home as well, as citizens were in revolt against the imperial forces. Near the farmlands, the protectors, the secops troops, were firing machine guns at rioters, pro imperial rioters, who were trying to burn the farms down in retaliation. Helicopters and robotic suits could be seen in the distance fighting the rioters. Near Lucy's castle, droid starfighters and gunships remained on alert.
After making sure her kids were safe and distracted from the chaos, honey called Reese's parents, to tell them of her whereabouts.
"Reese, your dad says you're grounded for a month, and instead of taking your electronic privileges, he's taking away your art stuff" said Honey
"what?! He can't do that! Art is my life" Reese pleaded
"He'll be here to pick you up when the fighting slows and the streets are clear. Until then you're staying here where it's safe" said Honey
The riots lasted til nearly 2 in the morning. A lot of imperial property was destroyed in the city, while the damage to the farmlands was minimal. A lot of people were either arrested or killed by the empire or local police forces. It was a terrible event, but this was not the end of things to come.
(The next day, coruscant ISB headquarters)
After the riots of Litwak city last night, an emergency meeting was held with all imperial moffs and mayors from litwak city loyal to the empire on the capital planet. Each one sat in a white room at a table that encircled the room. An officer in a white uniform addressed the moffs and other leaders. Even Taffyta was part of the meeting, since she was loyal to the empire and was mayor of Litwak city district 1, where the riots started.
The white uniformed officer slammed Lucy's book on the table and faced the leaders.
"This book, this piece of filth, is causing headaches in our earth branches, and could soon cause problems should it reach our corner of space. Mayor muttonfudge, what is the status of district 1 of Litwak city?"
"Rioters have been dispersed, lots of arrests have been made. We still have citizens loyal in my district, a good amount even. Whatever Lucy wrote in this book, not everyone's going to-
Taffyta was silenced by the officer.
"Equestria has yet to receive shipment of this book" said Moff Raythe, governor of equestria
"Small sporadic shipments have made it to Kuat, won't be long before the princess ups production" said Moff Victoria, governor of kuat
"I have established a temporary blockade over Aquis after last nights issue, should any prison escapes try to happen" said Moff Juan of Aquis
"Queen Lucy made a good choice not interfering in these riots, she knows her place" said Taffyta
"Indeed, she fears imperial retribution should her army have interfered. This is entirely a civil matter between the empire and citizens of the galaxy. I spoke with Emperor Williams last night-"
"Emperor? Since when is he-"
"He does rule the empire in this game, he saw it fit. This will not interfere with his duties as grand Moff of coruscant. I spoke with him last night, and he's assured me that the ISB will have full control in bringing back peace on earth. Until our bases and imperial academy on earth are repaired, a larger presence of troops will be detached for protection, and to remind earth that the galactic empire isn't going away and can't be beaten. Queen Vanellope learned that the hard way, and so will earth. Mayor muttonfudge, other mayors, you are to ensure that your citizens know their place as we repair"
Taffyta and the mayors all agreed.
"Emperor Williams has also gone over each of our planets resources and worth. Moff Raythe, effective immediately, protocol 13 is to go into effect on equestria"
"Protocol 13? But sir, equestria is-
"We don't have a large presence outside the main settlement, and the planet lacks resources to our advantage. You will be reassigned to Coruscant to head the royal academy due to your success convincing those lower life forms called ponies to want to enlist"
"I can accept that, but we're just abandoning the world?" Raythe asked
"Emperor Williams says he has something planned, but he won't say what just yet. Til then, initiate protocol 13"