The Sides We Choose

by Frost Bear

A Kind Mare Goes to War

Fluttershy packed her bags. Big Macintosh and Granny Smith had been very king to her. Empire soldiers would frequently inspect their house so she had to hide in the orchard. Being public enemy number four was a big deal, not just for the Empire but for her and her friends as well.

It was her surprise that Applebloom and Applejack were public enemy numbers three and two. How cruel did one have to be to make a criminal out of a filly? Pinkie made it to public enemy number five because of the speech she gave. Which is why it was odd Fluttershy was above her solely for being the element of kindness. Of course everyone knew public enemy number one.

Celestia’s own sister.

Everyday, propaganda to slenderize Luna was dished out to the public. Ponies are gullible creatures, sure, but this was paranoia incarnate. Not an hour went by without someone shouting about the ‘evil darkness looming from the foul Republic.’ Any word against those words lead to imprisonment. Used to be banishment but Celestia realized that would increase the numbers of the Republic.

“Inspection!” a stallion pounded on the door.

Fluttershy looked over to see Big Macintosh.

She had to leave. She had to run away to protect Applejack’s family. She had to protect the farm. She had to protect Big Macintosh.

In silence they communicated with each other. His eyes said ‘I’ll miss you’ while her eyes said ‘stay safe.’

“INSPECTION!” the stallion demanded to be let in.

Fluttershy flew out the window as Big Macintosh opened the door. The Solar Guard were blind enough to not see the yellow pegasus. She took full advantage of this. The apple trees lost most of their leaves, appearing more dead than gnarled oak. The increase in pollution devastated the farmers. Crops were poisoned left and right, making the Empire’s food supply toxic. Only the prestige high class could afford food that didn’t make them sick.

“Who’s there?” a lone Solar Guard pointed his gun in Fluttershy’s direction.

Fluttershy ducked behind a browning bush. She eyed the guard, watching the gun poke through the bush. He bashfully investigated it. Eventually he shook his head and walked away muttering ‘damn squirrels.’

Fluttershy worried about her animal friends.

The increase of pollution and lack of care made the animals more aggressive and scared of ponies. Fluttershy managed to keep some semblance between the more domestic creatures and rodents, such as mice and squirrels, but anything like a bear imposed a danger on herself. She’ll have to find the courage to stand up to the deranged beasts.

With the way clear, Fluttershy rolled from tree to tree. The guards failed to see her. She hugged the last tree near the edge of Everfree Forest, her salvation. There was a patrol at the edge. Three guards meandering by a pile of waxy leaves and talking about ‘dirty blues.’

“When I get my hooves on them dirty blues,” a gruff stallion chuckled, “They’ll be as black as a zebra!”

“That’s racist,” an orange stallion stated.

“INSUBORDINATION! HIYA!” the gruff stallion knocked the orange one into the tree Fluttershy was hiding behind.

“Excellent shot sir!” the small stallion exclaimed.

“Ow… Why did you hit me with the butt of your gun?”

“Because bullets are reserved for blue scum!”

The orange stallion fell over with a sigh. From his point of view he could clearly see Fluttershy right above his face.

“I think I can see angels,” he mumbled, “or at least one of them.”

Fluttershy eeped before ducking behind the tree.

“What’s that private?” the gruff stallion walked over to them.

The small one followed close. All three of them stared at Fluttershy, now exposed. The orange one dozed off and started drooling, the small one was breathing heavily, and the gruff one stared with a raised eyebrow.

“Miss, don’t you know an inspection is going on?”

“Oh I- I-“

“Sir,” the small one squeaked, “I believe that’s public enemy number four, sir!”

The gruff one looked her up and down, “She can’t be public enemy number four! She’s not blue!”

Fluttershy blinked in confusion.

“Uh, sir, I have a picture right here,” the small one gave him a picture, “That’s clearly the wanted mare Fluttershy, sir.”

The gruff one scrunched the picture into a ball and tossed it away, “You know those pictures are in black and white! We all know public enemies are all blue, like Luna!”

Fluttershy started backing away slowly.

“Private!” the gruff one kicked the orange one, “Get up, Private, you have work to do!”

The orange one grumbled, “Just five more minutes…”

“Oh sure, you’ll get your five minutes,” the gruff one spouted sarcastically, “You’ll get five minutes IN HELL FIRE!”

He then mercilessly stomped on the orange one.

Fluttershy took advantage of the weirdness and slipped into the Everfree. Celestia had some odd members in her military, hopefully Luna’s were less violent.

The Everfree was a dark place before the war. Now, it seems to be the brightest. The strange plant life of the forest managed to adapt to the excessive pollution and created luminescent flowers that directed a clear path for Fluttershy. Almost magical in this mysterious place. She walked along the glowing petals and eerie vines. A stunning beauty, this place was, Fluttershy felt as though she’d have a happy home here.

Up ahead, she caught sight of a group in blue robes. Seeing as how the Empire eliminates anything blue, that was a good sign for her. She galloped as fast as she could. She called out to them, asking them to wait. Her quiet voice echoed through the woods as if the plants themselves were aiding her. The robed figures turned to the pegasus. One of them pulled their hood off.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy skidded to a halt, “Y-you’re a griffin?”

The griffin nodded.

The other robed figures removed their hoods. Many ponies were present but there was an even amount of griffins, hippogriffs, changelings, and buffalo! What fascinated Fluttershy were the bat ponies. She had assumed the night guards were costumed to look like bats. This revelation made Fluttershy curious.

“Um… see something you like, miss?” a bat pony teased.

Fluttershy blushed.

A bat pony mare nudged the other with a scowl, ”That’s Fluttershy, you dolt! As in, element of kindness Fluttershy!”

“So? Doesn’t mean I can’t tease her like any other pony.”

Fluttershy giggled.

“See? She agrees with me.”

Fluttershy coughed, “I- I’m so sorry to intrude but can you help me get to the Republic?”

“Of course we can!” the bat pony cheered, “But first we’re going to meet with our allies, the deer. Is that ok with you?”

“Oh certainly,” Fluttershy smiled, “I would love to see the deer again. It’s been a while since I last talked to Prince Bramble.”

The group smiled as they pulled their hoods back up. They walked deeper into the forest.

The griffin handed her a set of robes. Fluttershy accepted the robes and put them on. Looking identical to the rest of the group, she went along side them to the deer kingdom.

The journey through the Everfree was unlike the previous journeys she had with her friends. Before the war, the Everfree was a frightening jungle filled with dangerous monsters and horrors around every branch with weather that was chaotic and uncontrollable. Now the weather was mellow, monsters fled to leave room for little critters, and the plant life became wonderfully fantastic.
As the group trekked through the woods the scenery became more and more gorgeous. Glowing mushrooms, stunning flowers, luminous moths, all types of bright and weird things covered every meter of the path they took. Fluttershy thought about building her home here.

Then, all of a sudden, the trees became black. Little critters were nowhere to be seen. The scent of burnt ash and blood filled the air as they came closer to what horrible event took place. The robed figures twitched uneasily at the sight. Ever closer to ground zero, Fluttershy heard a few gasps and a sudden cry for help.

She threw away any fear and ran to aid whoever called out. Pushing past the crowd, Fluttershy found herself in front of the remains of Zecora’s hut. Broken potion bottles littered the place, embers waved out of seared straw, bloodied armor and corpses laid upon scorched logs. Fluttershy frantically searched for Zecora.

“Over here my dear friend,” a wheeze called out, “Please hurry before I meet my end.”

“Spread out! Search for Zecora, she’s a zebra so double check areas you already looked over,” Fluttershy ordered the group.

The group swiftly complied with her. Knowing a zebra’s natural fur aids them in hiding, they double checked areas they looked over. Fluttershy dove into the collapsed hut. The inside was worse than the outside. Zecora’s cauldron had cracked and spilled whatever contents it once held. Fluttershy gingerly crawled across the floor. What sort of monster would destroy the home of a peaceful zebra? The masks from Zecora’s homeland became nothing more than shards. Herbs and vegetation no longer hung from the ceiling. Instead there were holes revealing the tree tops and tiny flames desperately trying to become wild fires. It didn’t take much time for Fluttershy to finally reach her friend. Which she was grateful for.

Fluttershy’s mouth hung open at what she saw.

On the ground with an empty potion bottle was Zecora. Her rear legs were missing. All there was to prove legs were once there was a red smear and two stubs. Fluttershy trembled seeing the pained look on her friend’s face. Had there been a word worse than monster, Fluttershy would use it to describe whomever committed this atrocity.

Zecora weakly lifted herself up only to fall harshly to the ground.

“DON’T MOVE! DON’T MOVE!” Fluttershy flew to her side, “Please, don’t move.”

“I-I-“ Zecora coughed.

“Shhh, save your strength,” Fluttershy soothed her, ”You’re going to need it for what happens next.”

Fluttershy briefly went out of Zecora’s line of sight.

“W-What are you going to do?” she asked.

There was limited silence. Embers crackled in wood while the sound of Fluttershy pushing supplies off shelves tickled Zecora’s ears. There was a sudden woosh and intense heat from afar. Hoof steps and crying came closer to make Zecora’s heart stop and blood run cold.

“I- I have to cauterize the wound,” Fluttershy said between sniffs, “P-p-please don’t pass out.”

Outside the hut, the group heard a pained scream echo throughout the forest. Several immediately rushed into the hut while others were petrified at the mournful wail. The ones who went inside found Fluttershy pressing a burning stick against Zecora’s no longer legs. The cry of pain came from Zecora, bawling tears of anguish. A couple of the robed figures fainted while the rest did their best to hold back their tears. When the screaming stopped, Zecora collapsed unconscious. Fluttershy checked her pulse and stood up with a contempt sigh.

“She’ll live,” she confirmed, “but I need help getting her to professional aid.”

A griffin and bat pony ran over to her. The bat pony lifted the zebra onto the griffin’s back. The griffin steadied herself while the bat pony stabilized the weight. The two ran out of the hut with Zecora and Fluttershy.

The remainder of their trip was held in silence. Not even the war could change the looming threat that hovered over the Everfree.

At last they made it to the Deer Kingdom. Golden wood rose high across a canopy of leaves. The guards noticed the group right away and allowed them passage. The guard on the left gawked at the sight of Zecora, who was groggily waking up.

“Blackthorn?” Fluttershy called to a familiar buck.

The deer turned with a smile, “Fluttershy, I had a feeling you would join the Selene Monks.”

“Is that what you all are?” she turned to ask the griffin.

The griffin nodded.

“Talon is mute, Fluttershy,” Black thorn stated, “Do not expect too much from her.”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry if I ever prodded for too much.”

Talon waved a claw with a smile.

Zecora groaned. Blackthorn and another deer walked over to see her condition.

“Bring her inside, our healers will help.”

They rushed to the building Blackthorn ran to. Inside were does lounged on benches near a fountain of sparkling water. At the sight of Zecora, they all jumped to her to help anyway they could.

“This condition is critical,” one noted, “Bath her in the waters! We may save her yet!”

Zecora was taken to a fountain at the center of the room. The does performed a ritual never seen by outsider eyes. Blackthorn placed a hoof over Fluttershy.

“We have to leave. We may see your friend when time has passed.”

Fluttershy went along with Blackthorn. They walked to the palace of Prince Bramble. Bramble was eager to see Fluttershy once more. The monks had gone to Bramble’s father, King Aspen, to discuss an alliance between the deer and Republic. Fluttershy worried about her friend, which the deer picked up on right away. Bramble tried showing her a few toys and play with her but the sorrow Fluttershy felt weighed heavy on her. The thought of Zecora screaming in agony without legs haunted her mind.

“Miss Fluttershy?” a doe walked in, “Your friend would like to see you.”

Fluttershy hopped up and flew down to where the room they had previously left Zecora was. She found Zecora laying on a bench with two does massaging her. Zecora held a meditative look. As Fluttershy approached Zecora, the does left. Zecora opened her eyes and sighed. She looked at Fluttershy with sad eyes. Fluttershy looked down to see the blanket she wore had no bumps where legs would be. Fluttershy flinched and whispered sorry.

“This was no doing of yours, Fluttershy,” Zecora lifted her friend’s head, “You should know the culprit of this heinous crime.”

Fluttershy sat up with open ears.

“It was early this morning. I had been tending to my daily ritual. When I heard strange sounds that did not seem too foreign,” Zecora’s eyes darkened, “It was the Solar Empire that was out for blood. Their soldiers were not ponies but an iron flood.”

“Why would they attack your hut?” Fluttershy innocently asked.

Zecora glared at the ceiling, “They came to a false belief rebels had made homes in Everfree. Their mission was to make the homes debris,” she looked at the does near the water, “Perhaps they were heading to the deer along with that mission? Although, they would have to work on their vision.”

“They just suddenly attacked you without reason?!” Fluttershy shrieked, “How can anyone do such a thing?”

“You are naive and innocent as always, Fluttershy,” Zecora shook her head, “The Empire has little concern with ‘why?”

“They couldn’t have been all like that… right?”

“Before I took a blast to the knee, there was one thing I was made aware,” Zecora rubbed the stubs under the blanket, “These… beasts made pray…”

Fluttershy quirked her head, “Pray? Pray to what?”

Zecora’s face scrunched, “A pray to a student most faithful, to a goddess most hateful.”

“Twilight? They prayed to Twilight?”

Zecora nodded.

Fluttershy laughed, “Why would someone pray to Twilight?”

“A book she wrote, when her mind had broke. She spread her disease across the nation. Forever hiding her lamentation.”

Fluttershy raised her eyebrow.

“She think Celestia and herself goddess,” Zecora rolled her eyes, “Even Discord is more modest.”

Fluttershy looked at Zecora’s lower half then to her face. Zecora’s eyes were filled with a flurry of emotions. Anger, hate, pain, sorrow, and hope all rolled into one. Her normally calm demeanor became shaky. An uneasy quiver assaulted her lip. Fluttershy held the blanket as she gave Zecora a questioning look. Zecora laid back with a whimper. Fluttershy lifted the sheets to see what damage Zecora had taken. With her curiosity satisfied, Fluttershy reaffirmed herself. She got up and walked away without word. Once she was out of eye sight, Zecora howled in misery. Her home, her friends, and her legs were gone because of the Empire’s careless assault on the Everfree.

Except, she still had, at least, one friend with her.

“Blackthorn,” Fluttershy called with a stern voice, “I wish to speak with Aspen.”

“You may join the monks in the audience chamber,” he stated before escorting her to his king.

The chamber was large. Many deer ran around discussing many issues from entertainment to the environment to philosophy. At the end of the long hall stood Aspen atop a wooden throne. The monks were nearly finished speaking with him.

“Thank you for your time, your majesty,” a bat pony bowed with respect. He bumped into Fluttershy on accident, “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry. Are you ok?”

Fluttershy said nothing and walked past the monk to Aspen, “We need to talk.”

Aspen stood, “If you had been any other I would have the guards throw you out. However, since you are a friend, I will take audience with you.”

“Fluttershy?” the bat pony whispered.

“I wish for aid against the Solar Empire,” She stated with confidence.

“Those monks asked for the same. They expected me to aid them out of the kindness of my heart. What do you have to offer?”

“Land,” Fluttershy looked up with determination, “The area around my cottage is large and covers a decent section of Ponyville. If you will aid the Republic in the war, I will give you that land.”

Aspen sat down. The monks fell slack jawed. Even Blackthorn was thrown back by the sudden proposal.

“I will… consider aiding your cause. The deer do not wish to meddle in the affairs of ponies. For now, I will only aid your cause on deer land. Any action taken off deer land is yours and only your problem.”

Fluttershy nodded, “Then we have a deal,” she held a hoof to shake the king’s hoof.

“Monks, you may return to your um… president… and inform her the deer will aid the Republic only on deer land.”

The monks blinked in disbelief but accepted the terms and set off to return with to the Republic.

“Take Zecora with you too, please,” Fluttershy begged them. It was implied that they would do what she asked.

With their deal confirmed, An small army of deer set out to take the land Fluttershy gave to them. Deer mages unleashed vines down upon Ponyville to lay claim over the area. This caused a small panic. To their surprise and amusement, the self-proclaimed brave Solar Guard ran with their tails between their legs. Then two Empire dogs stalked over to their new land. They had expected at least one lone guard try to defend against them. They were sort of impressed that two came to stand against them.

“Fluttershy! It’s so good to se-“ the Solar Guard stopped dead in her tracks. Spears pointed at her neck made her jump back.

Fluttershy recognized the voice and singled Blackthorn, “There’s no need for violence, Blackthorn,” she turned with a glare at her ex-friends, “I gave them permission to take this land. You have no say in this, Empire.”

Rainbow flinched, “What the hay, Fluttershy? We’re your friends!”

Fluttershy looked over Rainbow’s shoulder with a confused look, “Sorry, but you two don’t look like *any* of my friends.”

She shouldn’t have said that. It felt, cruel… but it got the point across. If her friends put more value in their ideology than the well being of the ones they loved than they’re no friends of hers. Her heart felt pain as she turned her back on them. This was as cruel to herself as it was to them. She knew the deer wouldn’t kill them with her there. All their snarling and threats mean nothing so long as she’s there to hold them back. She wished for a friend she could count on would come to aid her.

That was when Discord appeared.

“Fluttershy! I am so happy you got out of that barn alive!”

“Discord,” Fluttershy greeted similarly to Maud.

“Ehheh… yeah, so, I destroyed Cloudsdale… and sent all the ponies to the Republic,” he squeaked.

“Did you have to destroy Cloudsdale? It was once my home,” Fluttershy glared at him.

“It was the epicenter of weather control as well,” Discord chuckled, “What is the Empire to do now that weather is no longer under their influence? Taxes! More and more taxes!” a prospector outfit flashed onto Discord as he did a little dance, “The Empire raises taxes which makes ponies mad and when their mad they riot. Soon with the unemployment of pegasi and the poor getting poorer, the Empire will be neck deep in turmoil!” he laughed maniacally.

“I knew it! I knew we could never trust you!” Rainbow pointed at Discord.

“Of course not, I’m a spirit of chaos and madness,” he glanced down at Twilight, “Although some of you think me as god of madness.”

“That is truly diabolical, Discord,” Fluttershy sighed in disappointment, “You had me believing you actually chose Celestia’s side.”

Discord shivered, “To think about being HER servant,” he gagged, “Makes me want to hurl just thinking about it.”

“Impossible,” Twilight whispered, “None can defy Celestia’s grace! None! Why would you side with Luna? Why?”

Discord literally rolled his eyes out of his sockets like dice, “First I took a look at my chances. Celestia and I don’t see eye to eye, ever, so that put me at a disadvantage of getting on her good side. But if I had sided with Luna, Celestia would label her a whore of chaos and influence ponies to join her cause.”

Fluttershy’s ears perked up as Discord pulled out several napkins out of them, “That was when I had to make Luna’s anger towards me believable,” he looked over to Twilight, “Had you forgotten that she can travel through dreams? I’ve been letting her into my little head for a long time. We’ve become great friends since my nightmare incident.”

“You realize Celestia is going to turn you to stone when she finds out about this,” Twilight growled.

“Ha! Yeah, you’re so stupid Discord!” Rainbow taunted.

“Ah but that’s the real kicker, my little ponies,” his laughter roared through the air, “You have to have the elements of harmony to put me in stone!”

Twilight and Rainbow froze at this revelation.

“You see?! I’ve been more than able to do whatever possible thing I could do and it’s all thanks to this war!”

“Your plan was never to help a side win,” Fluttershy gasped, “It was to separate our connection to the elements!”

“Actually,” Discord rubbed his neck, “I just wanted you to be happy. The severing of the elements was going to happen with or without my help. I just tipped the odds in the Republic’s favor.”

“You devious low down no good snake!” Rainbow jumped after Discord.

Discord turned into smoke as Rainbow fell through him. He reformed into a snake like version of himself, “Why thank you,” he gleefully said with a hiss.

“So you did all this for me? Was all this absolutely necessary?” Fluttershy pondered.

“Fluttershy, my dear, you loved the Republic so much I couldn’t not do this.”

“If she loves the Republic so much she should look the part,” Twilight gritted her teeth.

“What a wonderful idea!” Discord proclaimed as he put on claw on Fluttershy and ripped her flesh off. Thankfully, instead of gore, what was underneath that skin was a now bat pony version of Fluttershy.

Fluttershy looked herself over and smiled, “I… Actually really like this.”

Twilight sat there, dumbfounded. Rainbow looked disgusted. Discord patted himself on the back. No, really, he made a duplicate of himself just to pat himself on the back.

“There’s no going back now, Fluttershy,” Rainbow mumbled, “You’re dead set on the wrong side and your going to learn how wrong you are the hard way.”

“It’s hilarious hearing that from you, Rainbow,” Fluttershy hissed, ”Take a good look at the actions your Empire have done. Take a good look at the ponies that are in the middle of this war. Take a good look at Zecora and her hut and see what it means to be on your side.”

Discord cracked his fingers, “I’m sorry, Fluttershy, but I’m going to have to wipe their memory. I have an image to keep with Celestia,” he tapped his fingers on Twilight’s and Rainbow’s heads. They instantly fell over.

Fluttershy nodded, “Very well, just take them far away from here.”

With that, Discord vanished, leaving Fluttershy and the deer to claim the land Fluttershy had given. She had witnessed a small glimpse of what horrors war brought.The world was not a nice place anymore. Even her old friends became her enemies. She had shown endless kindness and compassion for everyone. What did they give her in return? Pain, suffering, and death. She was not going to take it sitting down. She was no longer going to show mercy to those who harmed others. She was and was not the same pony she was this mourning. Now she was set on victory.

Now…

She has gone to war.

Author's Note:

This long thing made me question if I should change the tags and rating It's not that bad though, is it?

Comments

[Crow_Deck]

this story is awesome!