//------------------------------// // Introduction: Secrets Revealed // Story: Divided We Fall // by Jewbacca //------------------------------// Secrets Revealed         “Ah...another glorious day in Equestria, might I add, Sister?” Luna mused, looking at her sister’s work as she raised the sun.         The large, white alicorn mare turned around as she finished, a gentle smile spread across her snow-white lips. “Yes it is, Luna, now, I must return to my study.” she said in a calm, almost whispering tone.         Princess Luna parted the way for her bigger sister, who trotted in her usual, dignified strut. The larger alicorn walked through the halls of the enormous palace, nodding at or complementing the occasional guard that she walked by. She eventually reached the small room, and looked around, the walls were decorated with tapestries and paintings. She looked at the walls lined with shelves containing plethora-upon-plethora of books and scrolls.         She then looked at the red sofa sitting in front of the fire place. She sat down on it, and looked at the amassed group of scrolls around her. She picked one up, and started reading it.         Twilight Sparkle...I’m glad to see your progress in Ponyville, Celestia thought to herself as she read through the letter. She chuckled and set it down, then pulled up the next parchment. She read through it, A law about limiting the amount of orchids somepony can plant in their garden? Sounds a bit...excessive...         The Princess checked through several other laws, however, one caught her attention.         With the continuous decrease in profit in the apple industries. I, Charles Hoofington, the mayor of Neigh Orleans, and several other cities in Equestria, have suggested the use of ponies as assistance. However, we decree that these ponies work for free, and that they are not allowed to leave until sold.         While this does sound very outlandish, and that slavery has been abolished centuries ago, you must agree that the produce industry, especially in southern Equestria, where they are common, are falling. And, with the price of hiring workers becoming very high, we may not have a choice.         Do we have your consent, Princess Celestia? Charles A. Hoofington, Mayor of Neigh Orleans         The Princess looked at the parchment again, thinking over the details of such an ridiculous method. But, her memories were poked at, and she remembered the easier days of Earth pony and zebra slaves doing the work for everypony. The amount of produce and profit made. My...it seems so...unethical...yet...so...right. A wicked grin came across Celestia’s face. She looked at the paper once again, then took out a piece of parchment, levitating the paper, as well as some stationary, over to her, she began writing. Mr. Charles A. Hoofington,                  I look back at your request. And I realize, perhaps this isn’t a horrible idea at all. Since, being the least capable, I suggest that Earth ponies and zebras become the slaves. I will make a public address, and then we can begin. I do remember abolishing this, but, then I remember how successful Equestria was in those days. I do agree, and I will start with it. Princess Celestia, Ruler of Equestria         She looked back at the paper, her thoughts battling each other. But, thoughts of slavery overcame her. Another malicious grin spread its way across her face, and she began cackling.         Then, a knock on the door, Celestia stopped mid-laugh, and asked “Who is it?”         “It’s Sunny Days, Your Majesty, is everything alright?” the voice called out.         “Oh...er-...yes...everything is fine...return to your post...” she responded, sweating profusely.         “Yes, Your Majesty.”         She then rolled up the parchment in her hooves, and, with a bolt of magic, zapped it. The note disappeared. She looked up and started cackling again, her pupils were the size of beads, and her coat was ruffled. Princess Celestia turned into a completely different pony, and no one knew of her plans. She walked out of the study and walked towards the throne room of the castle. The guards blocking the entryway parted as she walked through, she trotted on the red, straight rug until she reached her massive, sunny-gold throne. Princess Luna, sitting next to her, noticed her new appearance, and asked, “Sister...is-...is everything alright?” Princess Celesita turned her head, and strained with a crazy grin, “Yes...everything is fine...I have very big plans for Ponyville though...”                          Luna backed in her throne slightly, uneasy about her sister’s words. She looked at her one more time, then sighed. “‘Tia....is there something you’re not telling me?”         Celestia snapped her head in the direction of her smaller sister, “Yes, Luna...everything is...fine...” The night-blue alicorn looked at her sibling, who was sweating rather profusely and looked as her small pupils darted from side to side.         “Fine...if you say so...” Luna groaned. She then felt a twinge in her haunches. She looked at her sister, “I have to go use the lavatory...is that okay?”         “Yes...sister..that is-...that is fine...”         Princess Luna thanked her as she got up, and darted out the double doors. Celestia smiled, and chuckled. ---------                  However, a mere week later, much more of the Princess’ horrific plan began to unfold.         “Hey! Where d’ ya’ll think yer doin’!” a familiar voice shouted. She looked at her family, surrounded by guards in the orchard.         “Princess Celestia has demanded that you are taken to Canterlot to be sold.” one of the soldiers barked.         “‘Sold’? ‘Sold’?! Whad’ya mean we’re gettin’ ‘Sold’?” a small, yellow filly shouted. “You’re being sold to help with the apple industry in southern Equestria.” another soldier shouted.         “Now...that sounds a mighty bit ridiculous...don’tcha think?” the orange Earth pony huffed. “Miss Applejack, Her Majesty demanded it.”         “Princess Celestia did?! Now, if that doesn’t soun’ the least bit crazy, Ah’d have ta’ go to th’ hospital!” Applejack shouted.         “Just do what we tell you, or you will be forced on!” the guard yelled.         Applejack submitted, the green mare and red stallion near them as well. She sighed, then said “Fine...take us where ya’ll need us ta’ be...”                  “Good...thank you for cooperating...now...follow me to the wagon...” Author’s Note:         Now...I understand that this is really short, and I titled it an “Introduction” for a reason.         Now...you might be curious. You might say “Alpha...shouldn’t you be working on Ridley in Ponville? An Unwelcome Visitor? Or any of those other stories you’ve been working on?”         Well, yeah, I suppose. But I got this idea since we’re beginning to learn about the Civil War. Now, if you’re not from the states, that’s fine, and I’ll try to summarize the American Civil War as best as I can:         Slavery has already been a thing in the United States of America, recently (in that time), it’s gotten a bit out of hand. The United States, or what it is at that point, splits in two: North and South. The years ensuing is the northern states, the Union, fighting off the southern states, the Confederacy, for freedom of the slaves. This war was won by the Union, but several former Confederates didn’t take kindly to this. Ever heard of John Wilkes Booth? He was the guy that assassinated president Abraham Lincoln, he was a Confederate conspirator.         Anyways, I was curious, I wanted to see if it was possible to create such an story, and, well, so far, I have an introduction. I’ll work on this much more if it becomes popular enough, which, it probably will. Anyways, another thing I want to address: Why is Celestia pro-slavery, and Luna isn’t? Well, I wanted to change things up a bit, Luna was on the moon for 1000 years, she probably doesn’t know about slavery. So, when she finds out what her sister is doing, she rebels. Makes sense? Also, while the cover picture may seem like I'm a southerner person, I'm really not, as I was born in Southfield, MI, moved and lived in Indiana for several years, and I've now lived in Florida for only a year.         Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!