The Sides We Choose

by Frost Bear

Power of the People

Luna stretched across her desk. All the mundane paper work was finished. Majority of them were citizenry papers and land records. The Republic controlled a large portion of the map! Minimizing the control the Empire had. However, the regions the Republic owned were rural and vulnerable. Most of the land consisted of small settlements or opened spaced territories. The Empire was built more in the mountains, save for the east cost that was in danger of being flooded.

Hollow Shades, being the closest to Hayseed Swamp, developed fast travel through the hazards marshland. Baltimare came close but failed. Instead, the seaside city poured focus on the railroad and seaport. Now that the Republic controlled the railroad and decided what went where, the city was placed in a deadlock. That’s a heavy sum of munitions Celestia lost. Now for the Republic’s economy.

General goods were well enough. Glass and metal being a strongest exports. Produce was overflowing in the Republic thanks to the large amount of farmland. Luna was thankful her ponies would never starve. While the basic goods were fine on their own, they were of no interest to anyone else. The Empire held gems and all types of white smiths that made stunning jewelry. That caught the attention of the more luxurious nations such as the Crystal Empire and Griffin Kingdom. The Republic needed something that everyone wanted. Something that would guarantee economic success.

“Luna?” a filly called.

Luna turned with a smile, “Applebloom, your timing is grand. What brings you to town hall?”

Applebloom grinned and waved to some ponies to come in. Three figures pushed a red wagon that held some sort of flat box. The unicorn levitated the box onto Luna’s desk. Luna gave it a curious look.

“Applebloom,” she began, “What is this… thing?”

“I call it the Macintosh,” Applebloom declared proudly while the three behind her applauded politely.

“That doesn’t answer my question, Applebloom,” Luna frowned.

“Sorry but I… don’t exactly know what else to call it,” Applebloom confessed, “You remember those things we used for the election?”

“Of course,” Luna smiled, “Oh! I thought it looked familiar.”

“Yeah! We based this thing on that but made it better!” a minotaur calf beamed, “We built it in a shack a nice stallion let us use.”

“You made this in a shack?” Luna repeated in shock, “You must be clever little ponies aren’t you?”

“Indeed we are. Our dreams are to go far,” a filly zebra with a leaf shaped cutie mark said.

“I assume these are your friends, Applebloom?”

“They sure are! That’s Hard Drive, Tungsten, and Tufaha,” Applebloom introduced them in order (unicorn, minotaur, zebra).

“And who was the nice stallion that gave you this shack?” Luna inquired.

“His name’s Troubleshoes. He used to be a Rodeo clown before joining the Republic guard.”

“Then he has my thanks,” Luna smiled with satisfaction. She will find some way to repay the stallion for his kindness, “Now how does one… use this um… Macintosh?” Luna realized something about the name, “Do you miss your brother?”

Applebloom rubbed her leg nervously, “Yeah… it’s been a real long time and I’m hoping he’s not in too much trouble.”

“I assure you, Applebloom, your brother is fine and well,” Luna leaned in for a whisper, “And he misses you as well.”

Applebloom looked up with a smug smile, “Dream walking?”

Luna laughed joyfully, “Yes, it’s quite useful for long distance communications. If I have time tonight I might be able to guide you to his dream.”

“I’d like that,” Applebloom sat up on the desk. She reached behind the box and clicked on a button behind it.

The box lit up with a welcoming ‘hello’ on the glass front. Luna was taken back by the sudden display but was given reassurance by Applebloom. The screen changed to a simple blue background. Tungsten lifted a portion of a typewriter onto the desk and hooked a wire into the box. Applebloom set down a smaller box to the Macintosh.

“You can write reports on this so you don’t have to use so much paper,” Applebloom showed by clicking on an icon that opened a blank sheet on the screen. Using the typewriter part, letters were printed on screen.

“Amazing!” Luna giggled with glee, “Are we able to perform other tasks on this Macintosh?”

“The answer you seek has yet to reach its peek,” Tufaha mumbled, “For now we can display letters. Plans for art and sound would make this device better.”

“I’m working on that,” Hard Drive said, “I’m also thinking about a way to connect multiple Macintoshes without using wires.”

“Interesting,” Luna hummed, “Is it difficult to create these devices?”

“For me, no,” Applebloom confessed, “But I couldn’t have gotten this far without my new friends. Tungsten got us the materials, Hard Drive set up the program to open the document display, and Tufaha showed me a special brew that it power.”

“Ah yes, just a simple mixture of apples and twittermite dung. Collecting these ingredients is quite fun,” Tufaha chuckled.

“Thank you for showing me this, Applebloom. This Macintosh will prove to be a valuable export of the Republic… Once you’ve finished it.”

“Really? I just wanted to make something that would help you with all this boring paper work. Applejack once had me help with her paper work. So many numbers and words,” Applebloom cradled her head, “It hurts just thinking about all of it.”

“Well I think this is an admirable product to complete. Perfect at your own leisure. We will be far ahead in the economy thanks to your little box!”

Applebloom and her new friends celebrated the praise they were given. Applebloom still had the blueprints to the Macintosh. She could teach others how to make it. The materials were all over Appleloosa, all they needed to do was combine them. Maybe they could get more ponies to help with making them. Applebloom could show them how. If they got enough help, they’d be able to expand into a larger building and produce more Macintoshes!

Applebloom grinned widely at her plans for the future.

“Oh and…” Luna interrupted Applebloom’s thought, “Is there a way to… print these letters?”

Hard Drive nodded, “My sister, Press, made a small version of a printing press that works with the Macintosh. It’ll print out anything as long as you have enough paper. But then we wouldn’t need a Macintosh, would we?”

“No, we wouldn’t… You planned something for this situation?”

Hard Drive pulled out a turquoise cube, “The buffalo use these pretty rocks for jewelry and art. I found out they work just as well as regular crystal enchantments,” the colt pushed the stone into the box. The turquoise glowed in a light blue light, “Now anything you write on the Macintosh can transfer to the turquoise. You’ll be able to carry it anywhere! All you’d have to do to get the documents up is to plug it into another Macintosh.”

“Excellent! You young ones thought of everything. I am proud of all of you,” Luna hugged the group enthusiastically.

“Thanks, Luna, that means a lot,” Applebloom squeaked.

Luna released them from her grasp, “Well, now my business is finished, shall I escort you four to your parents?”

“Nah, my mom’s just outside. She gets a little scared when she can’t see me,” Hard Drive waved.

“Minotaurs don’t do escorts,” Tungsten declared, “I appreciate the offer but I don’t want my dad teasing me about it.”

“My temporary home is next to Applebloom’s. I shall follow you two,” Tufaha stated.

“Very well,” Luna nodded, “Let’s go, Applebloom.”

The three of them made a short trip outside. Applejack’s little house was near the apple orchid. Old habits die hard. Tufaha was a peaceful neighbor. Their first meeting went well. Applebloom’s relation to Zecora lightened Tufaha to her. What little she knew of zebra culture gave Tufaha a sense of welcome. Tufaha’s aunt was skeptical of Applejack, at first, but grew close to the mare thanks to Applejack telling her of her first encounter with Zecora. Looking back on it now; it was a foalish misunderstanding that everyone can laugh at now.

The evening sky glowed a hazy orange. Luna stopped for a moment to raise the moon. A round of applause rang for Luna once she finished. The orange haze shifted to a dark blue. Stars began to shine brightly. The moon glowed in silvery glory. Luna felt her heart warm when she saw ponies looking up with astonishment. Thousands of years ago, ponies would never look up at her stars. Now it’s the first thing they do at night. After so many centuries, Luna finally got appreciation for her night.

“The night sky is quite a beauty,” Tufaha gasp in awe, “You put great diligence in your duty.”

“Thank you kindly, Tufaha,” Luna nuzzled the zebra filly.

A loud gunshot echoed through the streets. Ponies began running away. Solar guards ran around the corner, armed with small arms. The stallions ran over themselves in a desperate escape from the Lunar guards pursuing them. However, it was the citizens that stopped most of the guards. The groups of simple towns folks held down the stallions as the guards came in to arrest them. One Solar guard managed to evade them.

This guard ran up to Luna. The alicorn stood her ground in front of the two fillies. The Solar guard glanced at the two fillies and aimed his stolen pistol at them. Luna pushed herself in front of them. The guard glared at her and aimed his gun, slightly hesitant.

“I kill you, I kill the Republic,” he maliciously laughed.

“Go ahead.”

The stallion was taken back, “Uh… what?”

“Go ahead and kill me,” Luna narrowed her eyes, “If my death will spare the lives of these innocent fillies than go ahead.”

“Bu-But…” he stuttered, “What about the Republic?!”

“Another will take my place,” Luna leaned down, “This is a republic, our leaders are chosen. I can easily be replaced by any pony willing to take power,” she motioned to the fillies behind her, “These fillies you were about to murder can not be replaced!”

The stallion shook. Luna opened her mouth and wrapped it around the barrel of the gun. She glared into his eyes as she waited for him to pull the trigger. Warm saliva dripped down the gun. The stallion’s eye twitched, his heart raced, hooves began to sweat. He looked into her eyes. Pools of teal water poured into his fiery gaze.

Those eyes he stared into… those eyes were sad. A sense of guilt, loneliness, and isolation weighed heavy on him. It felt as though he was not about to fire out of hate but of mercy. Those eyes held sorrow like no other. Sorrow only found in one thousand years of pain and suffering. The stallion looked at the fillies. Looks of fear latched onto their faces. The earth pony held back some tears. The zebra kept a hold of the earth pony, fighting an instinct to run. He did not want to be seen like that. He wanted to fight monsters not become one. He held his grip on the gun, ready to blast the alicorn’s brains out the back of her skull. He grunted as he pushed the pistol up.

Then he dropped it.

The nobel Solar guard fell to the floor bawling his eyes out. Tears ran like rivers down his face.

“I can’t do it! I can’t do it,” he sobbed, “I wanted to be a hero! I wanted mares to flock to me. I wanted foals to ask for my autograph,” he sniffled, “I didn’t want to be a monster to them. I didn’t want to be in a war against my friends, to watch them die, or be locked in prison,” he dropped his head, “I just want this war to end.”

Luna lifted his chin, “We all wish for this war to end,” Luna lightened up for the stallion, “That is why we fight. So that we may never have to again.”

The stallion looked at the other Solar guards who had been captured, “Your army is so… small. But you still caught all of us.”

“Our army is not just military rank,” Luna explained, “It is the will of our citizens to fight. The will to keep our freedom and integrity. Our army is not soldiers with guns and swords, it is everyone who is willing to put their lives on the line for themselves and others.”

The ponies cheered loudly. The Solar guards shifted nervously as they looked around. Couple of them held stern glares as they pretended not to hear the cheering. The rest were uneasy, giving concerned looks with a hint of confusion. The questioned if they were on the right side of this war. Luna offered protection in community not security. The guards thought of it as a good idea. Granting the same level of power the military had to everyday citizens. It was against their previous lives in the Empire. But… it sounded much better than the Empire.

“C-C-Can I join the Republic?” the crying guard asked.

Luna gave a warm smile, “All are welcomed in the Republic.”

The cheering stopped suddenly. Ponies gave confused glances at Luna. They sneered at the Solar guards. They booed Luna for offering the stallion a place in the Republic.

Luna lifted a hoof, “Citizens, please!” the crowed stopped their jeering, “We are not like the Empire. We do not persecute those who wish for freedom!”

The ponies lowered their ears. A few angry grumbles and toxic murmurs scattered between the crowd. One mare gritted her teeth at the sobbing guard.

“I offer citizenship to any who wish for it,” she held a hoof in front of the stallion. The stallion eagerly took it and stood up.

He took off his helmet and threw it to the ground. With a lack of restraint, he hugged Luna tightly. His tears of joy displayed for all that were present.

Another guard shakily raised his hoof, “I-I’d like to join too?”

Luna looked to him, “Do not feel as though the choice is forced. I am aware many of you have family in the Empire. We shall not deny you the right to return to them. Regardless of the choice you make, you may see them whenever you wish,” Luna warmly grinned, “Simply make the decision now or go back to the jail cell. We’ll send those who wish to return to the Empire on a train as soon as it is available.”

Many guards were hesitant. They knew well enough what Celestia would do if they failed in their mission. A hoof full of the guards threw their helmets to the ground, announcing they joined the Republic.

“Traitors! The lot of you!” a stallion shouted, “Celestia will hang you all for this!”

A Lunar guard kneed him in the gut, “That’s enough out of you. Get moving, we don’t have all night for you.”

The rest of the Solar guards were escorted to the local jail. Their train will arrive within the week. They had families to return to. Families that worried about them. Luna was positive the impression she gave them would win many over to her favor.

The guard that was crying limped over to the fillies, “I’m… sorry you had to see all that.”

Applebloom recoiled while Tufaha leaped back. The two fillies did not trust the stallion. Luna pulled him away from them. The stallion’s ears dropped. A sad look on his face. He walked away, a little depressed.

“Are you two safe?” Luna asked the fillies.

“I think so,” Applebloom shivered, “That was scary.”

“So long as you two are safe, I am happy.”

They continued their trek to their homes. They arrived latter than expected. Applejack and Tufaha’s aunt stood angrily outside.

“Applebloom! Where have you been?” Applejack yelled, “I was worried sick about you!”

“Tufaha, my dear, your absence left me and Applejack in fear!” Tufaha’s aunt ranted.

“I apologies, Applejack, I did my best to protect them,” Luna sighed, “Several Solar guards escaped their prison.”

“Beasts with faces of ponies?! You do not ease my worries!”

“No kidding, I hope you showed them what the Republic’s all about.”

Applebloom nudged Applejack, “Luna didn’t hurt them. One of them had a gun in her mouth.”

“What?!”

“Tis true, Applejack,” Luna confessed, “I dared the stallion to fire his weapon on me. I had to protect Applebloom and Tufaha from harm.”

The two mares, zebra and earth pony, gave Luna looks of concern.

“Luna,” Applejack started, “I think we should have a talk.”

Luna nodded, “Your words bring comfort to me, I’ll be happy to chat with you… tomorrow.”

“No, Luna, I mean right now,” Applejack turned to the zebra, ”Mti, can you take the girls inside?”

Mti nodded and herded the fillies inside her little hut.

“You think Luna’s ok?” Applebloom worried.

Tufaha rubbed her chin and just shrugged.

“It was real scary how she put that gun in her mouth,” Applebloom looked out the window, “I thought he was going to do it… I thought he was going to pull that trigger. I don’t know what I would do without Luna.”

“Dependence on a single mare is what this war is about, my friend,” Tufaha wrapped her arm around Applebloom, “Luna would be happy so long as you’re not being sappy.”

Applebloom pushed her away, “I ain’t being sappy! I’m just worried about Luna. She’s… one of my friends I can’t keep track of in this war.”

“Of your other friends you have told. Writing a letter wouldn’t be bold.”

“Tufaha, It ain’t that easy,” Applebloom frowned, “The Empire goes through everything. Every letter, every package, even postcards go through the Solar guards. I don’t want some creepy stallion stalking my friends over one letter.”

“You think these protectors would become predators?”

“Ew! I hope not! Then again, some of them probably are.”

The two fillies shivered uneasily at this.

“Stallions and their tastes, it makes me want to faint.”

“Let’s… change the subject,” Applebloom pushed back some rather vulgar thoughts, “What do you think about the Macintosh?”

“An invention of your that will tear down doors,” Tufaha beamed, “Thanks to our combined efforts, we’ll be rewarded in carats!”

“My family run produce farms across Equestria. Why would I want to be paid in carrots?”

Tufaha face hoofed, “Wrong carat, Applebloom. Thoughts like that will spell out doom.”

“Alright miss smarty pants; if you know so much, what are we going to do to make the Macintosh better?”

“Of this I am uncertain,” Tufaha deadpanned, “Is now a good time to carry this burden?”

“Alright, alright, I get it. We have to get ingredients first, then we’ll see what Hard Drive’s got, ok?”

Tufaha nodded with a smile.

“Great, now we got the rest of the night. What you wanna do?”

“It has been lame since we last played games. The night is young, how about some fun?”

“Your aunt’s still ok watching us?” Applebloom looked over her shoulder to see the zebra mare rocking in her chair.

“So long as we don’t go far, she won’t fall apart.”

“Well it has been a real long time since I’ve been crusading for a cutie mark. I know you already have yours but…”

“To find your mark is very smart. I will be glad to help, shall we start with felt?”

“Nuh-uh, Sweetie Belle had us do the felt cutie mark thing before. Rarity was passed out for a full season! Never doing that again.”

“Season?”

“Eeyup, completely missed out all of autumn.”

“From your tales, that is a good reason.”

“HEY! We weren’t that bad.”

Tufaha gave her a serious look.

“Ok, so we were that bad. But you and your aunt will make sure crazy stuff like that doesn’t happen, right?” Applebloom looked over to Mti.

“In bright day or dark night, no foal has ever escaped my sight,” Mti chuckled.

“Yes! Cutie Mark Crusaders…” Appleblooms ears dropped, “Cutie mark crusader… huh, not as fun without Sweetie or Scoots.”

“A letter to your friends is what I recommend.,” before Applebloom could protest, “Even with the gaze of unwanted stallions. Do you really think they can take on your battalion?”

“My battalion? I don’t have a-“ Applebloom remembered her cutie mark crusader stories, “Very funny…”

“So my words you hear? Forgive me if I do not cheer.”

“Yeah, yeah, just don’t blame me when the Solar guard come to our door steps.”

“Those who threaten little fillies, faint with the sound of billies.”

“Oh yeah, that’s weird how some ponies do that. I’ve heard Fluttershy make that sound more than once,” Applebloom looked to Tufaha, “I’ll get to the letter later. Right now I want to see if I can get a firefly catcher cutie mark.”

“What purpose would one have for a talent easily done?” Mti quirked her eyebrow.

“I’ve been wanting to do it since I got here,” Applebloom looked to Mti with puppy dog eyes.

Mti sighed, “Go have fun but please don’t run.”

The two fillies ran out to the back with bright smiles. Mti followed them with a pleased smirk. The rest of their evening was a peaceful night of collecting fireflies.

Even in war there was time for foals to play.

Author's Note:

Looked up on Google Translate; language, Swahili

Tufaha = Apple
Mti = Tree

I thought it would fit Zebras to have pony names in Swahili.