//------------------------------// // South Equine // Story: Why is life? // by Daxisle //------------------------------// South Equine "We're in South Equine?" Twilight asked dumbly. Sin gave an irritated shake of the head before answering in the affirmative. "Demos hadn't wanted to take the risk of getting too close to Triple M.'s Head Quarters, so he dropped us off in the only place that the company held almost no influence. They will escort us on your way to Unitas, the capital city. If memory serves there are a few hidden compounds we will be able to travel on." Mac looked over to see Ace speaking quickly with two diamond dogs who seamed to be growing increasingly agitated. One of them pushed passed, an angry looking white hound with dark golden blotches, and walked up to the group. Sin turned his attention to the canine and lifted his chin. Mac's eyes widened as the dog slammed his fist into Sin's face, throwing the pony to the ground. He began to walk to Sin's aid, but Spike placed his arm in front of the stallion and shook his head. "You!" The dog growled. "That's it!" Sin barked tackling the dog and slamming him to the ground.. The white pug face grabbed Sin's foreleg and tweaked it onto the ground, holding the stallion in place. "One year gone, and you return to us like this?!" He demanded placing more pressure on his adversaries appendage. Sin growled in pain before rolling into his assailant and using the force of his movement to yank the dog into him. The element of surprise on his side, the pony rammed his foreleg against the dogs throat, pinning him to the ground. "I return." Sins applied more pressure upon seeing the dogs paw move up. It held in place than slowly retracted when the pug realized the consequence. "Because you failed in your promise to look after Windmane." The dog growled and used his claw to help pull him to his side, gasping for some much needed air. Before the pony could act, his attacker gone victim used his back legs and kicked his own out of place, causing the stallion to fall face first. Before the match could continue farther, a lavender aura surrounded them both, levitating them away from each other. The dog and Sin continued to glare at each other, neither complaining about the forced separation. "Now that's enough, both of you." Twilight scolded, though neither heeded her, instead choosing to continue arguing. "You left when we needed you most!" The pug proclaimed and motioned his arm. "You broke a promise," Sin sneered. "We're in the wrong here? Do you joke?" The canine replied in shock. "You are the one who abandon the movement and the country." "The country is dying, and there is no saving it!" The stallion barked, erecting shocked gasps all around. "I was in the Senate, I saw what was happening, and the citizens sit by and do nothing while the government kills the country." "The Citizens are scared-" "FEAR IS NO EXCUSE!" Sin yelled causing the dog to flinch. "You talk about them being afraid? How they can't make ends meet and work tirelessly? They work themselves sick and starve because of one thing... It. Is. THEIR! Choice to do so. I've lost sympathy for them allowing their fear to dictate their actions." "SIN!" Mac shouted, appalled by what he was hearing. He didn't know exactly how New Equine worked, but Sin claiming he didn't care about other suffering was just to much to go uncontested. "How can you even say that?" The pug asked. "These are innocent citizens who'd done nothing to deserve any of this! You think they choose to live under an oppressive government?" "Innocent?" Sin scoffed. "They made the choice to live the way they do. Their fear has controlled them to the point they are willing to endure what ever the local law and Senate says. You can justify it however you want, but the fact remains, if they didn't want to listen to the government; they would fight back or leave as I had." He cracked his neck. "They make their own suffering, and I refuse to feel pity for that." "Frisket." One of the unicorn ponies called. A light blue aura had over powered Twilight's over the aforementioned and slowly lowered him to the ground, remaining in place until the pony was sure her associate was calm. "And what would you have them do? Huh?" Frisket asked chuckling in disbelief. "They have no choice!" Sin too was lowered. "There is always a choice, in this instance: Listen to the government and only deal with a portion of their wrath, or walk away and own up to freedom. It's clear which choice they have made." "That's enough." Applejack called adjusting her stetson. "Nao, look here, both o' ya. We're in tha middle of Luna knows where an' y'all 'r arguin' like a bunch a fillies." The dogs of the group narrowed their eyes to the southern pony. "She means children." Sin corrected stepping in front of her. "Equestria isn't inclusive of other races, but it's not a racial thing." Sin explained. The dogs didn't look convinced but enough told the others to just let the issue die. "Whatever." Applejack rolled her eyes. "My poin' is, I don't want no more of this here bickerin' understand me?" Sin and Frisket shared one final glare before nodding their agreement. The applemare allowed herself a proud smirk, happy with her work; Mac also smiled at his sisters ability to calm the situation. After quick introductions were given, and a failed apology attempt, Ace told the already apparent reason for the detour to the unexpected state. The mares of the group were unhappy with the exceptionally long distance needed to travel in order to reach North New Equine, though Pinkie Pie reminded the group the reason for their visit in the first place was to give reports on the Federation as a whole, not just the Unicorn/Pegasi Consortium. Twilight conceded the point and smiled, though Big Mac wasn't too sure. If what their guide had told them was correct, this state was the most different from Equestria. There was relatively little money that wasn't taxed from it's citizens, and what little that was left went to buy frivolous things... How were they supposed to buy food if they couldn't work for money? The Stallion's concentration was broken when Ace announced that they needed to start moving, the journey to the first compound would take at least one day on foot. The group began trotting forward, the Equestrians taking in the land scape, with mixed results of: wonder, curiosity, and boredom . The sandy shore and salty smell of the ocean subtle turned into a darker yellow grass scape, random trees were placed every mile or so, and the thick scent of post rain filled the air. After a few hours of awkward silence, it was Twilight who finally spoke up. "So..." She said to no one in particular. "What do... what's the all inclusive term for all of the Federation's citizens?" "Oh: Everybody, Everyone, the Citizens." Ace replied with a smile. "Things of that nature." Sin let a low growl of frustration due to the numerous times they had been over the topic. "Ok, so what does everyone do for fun in South Equine?" "These commie bastards having fun?" The light blue Unicorn mare from before asked with a harsh laugh. "That's a good one." "Silvia, that's not right and you know it." Scolded a much older looking dark grey and rugged faced earth pony stallion, shooting the unicorn a look. He smiled at Twilight. "The South Equine have always found fondness within community. Typically, the Citizens of other states prefer more privacy and seclusion, we in South Equine like to spend more time with others than by ourselves." Pinkie joined in the conversation, of course asking about what parties and other festivities consisted of. This prompted the elder stallion to begin a lecture on the early years of the state, in order to put it's holidays and such into context. Mac took this opportunity to talk to Sin about what he said before. He wanted to know what kind of thought process could ever lead someone to actually relish in the suffering of another. Luckily the desired stallion walked at the end of the group a good distance, so privacy would be certain, save the night pegasus who walked with him. Though, Macintosh considered Star Shade to be relatively safe to speak around. "Sin." Mac spoke just above a whisper, "Can we talk?" Sin shook his head and let out a sigh. "I know what you're going to say. And no, it's not that I enjoy seeing beings suffer for no reason." He trotted along, both his companions listening with great intent. Growing rather bored of listening to Pinkie gasp and awe about South Equine customs, Mac pried the question a bit more. "Ignorance and laziness are the greatest hindrance to Sentience, Mr. Macintosh. Once those two are accepted and protected, a great deal of restrain and foolishness are to follow. Perhaps not from the current generation, but surly from the generation's posterity." Mac furrowed his brow, how does one protect ignorance and laziness? "I'll give you an example." Sin continued, his tone wavering from annoyed to explanatory. "When the Federation was first formed, there was no Southern or Northern Equine, it was just called New Equine..." He continued on, telling the history of how after the revolution, there was a terrible depression that had taken hold, many of the Citizens had adopted to voting for a higher tax to help feed those who couldn't work to feed themselves. Adopting a way to pay farmers for growing food while simultaneously giving nourishment to those in need. Mac liked this Idea: nobody goes hungry, nobody was out of a job, the richer ponies paid their fair share... It was a win all around. "Tha' sounds like a good system, did it keep 'round?" Sin gestured with his hoof, a twinge of disappointment on his face. "South New Equine was born from that Idea, and has since expanded on it." He looked around. "Everything from food to medical supplies, to entertainment and hygiene was all put into the hands of the government." He further explained about how the state had adopted more and more socialist tendencies, eventually sprouting into one of almost pure Communism, allowing only enough money not to be taxed in order for the citizens to purchase frivolousness from the Triple M. Corporation. Enchanted wagons, delving into the revolutionary steam engines and so on. The earth pony noticed how disgusted the stallion looked while speaking of the matter, and while the economic freedom vs economic fairness aspect of the conversation did interest him, he couldn't help but ask why. Sin chuckled a little, he didn't hate that a community wished to operate in such a fashion, elaborating on how such a system would only be in mammalian sentient nature to a degree. Helping those less fortunate, caring for the sickly who can't care for themselves and so on... Though, it was the way the system was enforced that caused the former senator to spit in bitter taste. There was no choice in the matter for any who lived within the states respectively. One couldn't keep their property should the majority wish it owned, and all who fought were met with violence, justified by the government's law. There were those who wished to leave and some did, escaping South Equine for another government type. That was one of the original intent for the separate states, according to the Libertas Clamo: The different states would have the governments that the citizens would desire. Thus allowing the individual a choice on what government they would like to live under instead of having an all encompassing Federal law to control all. It was about an hour or so of detailed explanation before Sin finally drew down to address the original question. "I have told you everything in order to give you a satisfying answer Big Mac." Sin looked to Star Shade who gave an encouraging nod. "The suffering of others for stupidity is suffering they bring upon themselves. I enjoy watching it for hopes they will learn. Mistakes will always be made: ponies, griffins diamond dogs, and all others are anything but perfect." He looked ahead to the group walking forward, Mac couldn't help but smile, aside from a suborn cyan pegasus; most of the group seemed to be in relatively good spirits. The Federation Citizens were just as curious about Equestria as the foreigners were about them. "But we do the best we can, and with out restrictions and constant fear mongering, we can achieve great happiness and prosperity." "HEY!" Called Applejack waving a happy hoof. "Y'all r' gonna get lef' behind if ya don't hurry up!" She called playfully. Mac had more questions, though he supposed those could wait for a later time. For now, maybe it was time to just enjoy a bit of tranquility devoid of drama and deep thought. He'd been thinking alot lately, topics that dwarfed the simple day to day questions he had lived his life on. And it had began to take it's toll on his mental state. He trotted ahead, pushing away mixed feelings about having his question quasi-answered and listened to his sister and her friend repeat everything the pony told them. "Hoo wee, I tell ya Mac." His sister said enthusiastically. "This place is mighty differen' from ponyville n' th' farm." She motioned to the earth stallion besides her, the one who scolded Silvia. "Pardon' my manners, this is Kondile, he was 'riginally born in North Equine and traveled down here t' be 'round folks who think like he does. Avoid too much drama and what no'." Mac smiled to the pony, it wasn't often he could look straight ahead and see a ponies eyes, but this particular pony rivaled his height; if not surpassing it. "Ah, Big Macintosh." He held out his hoof and Macintosh introduced himself. Klondile's voice was soft and deep, rather relaxing in a way. "Your sister has told me a lot about you." Mac couldn't help but blush, he knew they were kin but to talk 'alot' about him. What was there to say? Oh right... He looked to find the others were also integrating well, Rainbow Dash had found herself in an exciting discussion about an annual race of some kind, debating about if the current leader of the track "Vector" would be able to hold his own against the wonderbolts Spitfire or Soarin. Twilight and Pinkie conversed with a pair of surprisingly intelligent dogs, each going on about the technology and magical advances that had been made in the Federation, partial compliments of Triple M. in some way, shape or form. Finally, the head diamond dog held up a paw, informing the others to halt and then pointed to his companions telling them each to go in different directions. After the ritual was completed and each nodded thier head in approval, the white pug from before smirked and approached a small cluster of tanned red rocks. Mac quirked a brow and elbowed Klondile for an explanation, the dark grey pony smiled knowingly and watched as the dogs moved two bolders aside, revealing a dark whole beneath. "Follow us." Frisket called jumping down the sentient made crevice. The ponies were soon lowered in, leaving Sin and another dog outside. "We'll be along shortly." The dog said standing in Sin's way. Star Shade glared skeptically but his associate calmed his fears with a few words of affirmation. Once the Night pegasus had disappeared into the hole, the leader of the pack turned back to address. "So, care to fill me in?" He asked crossing his arms. "About?" Sin replied. "Don't play dumb with me Islander." He deadpanned. "You don't care this much about Windmane, so why did you come back?" Sin stared blankly at the pegasus and denied the accusation, though the dog had known the former Senator for quite some time prior to his departure, he knew that the two stallions had been friendly with one another during their time served. Though, the dog wouldn't consider his associate the type to travel two countries away just for the sake of helping find an old acquaintance when there was no proof he was in danger. Sin smirked. "You always were one to see through my lies, Toby. If you must know, I've heard that North New Equine had begun a great deal more deficit spending, providing subsidies to Aquafine and Triple M.'s Mercenary department. Oliver's Enterprise, Ol' MacDonald and other companies who have no business receiving hand outs. And then adding universal health care legislation? Those things aren't cheap you know." Toby eyed the pony, his light beady yellow eyes demanding more answers. "And as you know, North Equine hasn't exactly had the best time balancing a budget, between higher costs and already strained public incomes, spending cuts and higher taxes will send the public into a frenzy." "All options are closed for the State, end subsidies and cut taxes; the public is hit with higher prices to make up the difference. Maybe the money that was meant for taxes is enough to make up for the price increase, maybe not. Or the other option, continue with business as usual, put themselves further in debt and await the inevitable crash to occur." "So you're here for?" The light brown pooch asked, tired of his question being dodged. "To see what happens when the other states finally halt their capital lending, and North Equine's government has to stop subsidizing." Sin's smirk grew int a cynical smile. "As I've said before, when the foolish suffer, I always get a certain sense of satisfaction." "And what about Windmane?" "Call finding him a mutual benefit." The tan clad stallion chuckled, "Though as far as saving those willful slaves, I have no interest." Toby shook his head. "You're a very sick pony, you know that?" "I suppose honesty isn't well appreciated these days." Sin shrugged. "But by all means, if you still have faith that this system of things can be saved, work to your heart's content; I wont get in your way. Though I hold no shame when I say I will take great pleasure in standing by as this 'civilization' eats it self alive, I'd rather be called a 'sick pony' than a delusional one."