The living room was packed with ponies of a kinds. From young to old, unicorn to pegasus, rich to poor they were gathered to witness the start of a revolution. The cider barrels were tapped and soon everypony had some in hoof. When everypony was refreshed Rainbow Dash rose above the crowd to get their attention.

[Rainbow Dash]
The time is here
Right here, the magic flows through our manes
And yet beware...
Don't let the cider dull your brains
For the enemy we fight is a dangerous foe
The power of three princesses tough to beat
If we're not careful they will cut us down like flies
We must have an edge before in battle we meet
We need a sign
That we won't fight alone
Other ponies will come
And our forces combine

It's time for us all
To decide what we are
Will we cower in fear
And abandon our brethren now?
Can we stand as one
And chose our own future?
Will we idly wait
For a coming savior?
The colors of the land
Can change
By your hoof...
Blue- The world free as the sky
Black- The storm to wipe the old
Blue- The justice brought to bear
Black- The night through which we'll hold

[Applejack]
Had ya been here back then
Ya might no how it feels
To see yer kin struck down
When she's younger than ten
Had ya paid attention
Ya might have truly known
The division you caused
All throughout the nation
By turning friends to foes
And breaking loved ones hearts
Blue- The tears for loved ones lost
Black-The pit of endless grief
Blue- The squeeze of hangmare's rope
Black- The darkness of prison

[Rainbow]
Applejack, I know how you must feel
I have my share of regrets too
But I just cannot change the past
Change won't come if we sit idle
Look at these lives so horrible
How long do you think this should last?

[All]
Blue- The world free as the sky
Black- The storm to wipe the old
Blue- The justice brought to bear
Black- The night through which we'll hold

Applejack stormed out the door in frustration. Fluttershy rushed after to try to comfort her, but stopped dead just outside. Awestruck she poked her head back in and said, "you should probably see this."

She wasn't even heard as Rainbow started issuing orders to find any working gun they can. She divided the present ponies into search parties.

"Excuse me!" Fluttershy 'yelled.'

Nopony paid attention as they began to search the house. She tried desperately to get their attention.

Suddenly Scootaloo called, "Everypony look, the Mare in the Moon is gone." Sure enough the the bright moon was missing its face.

[Rainbow]
Luna escaped
I knew it! This is the hour of fate
She has returned...
Above is the sign we await
At dawn Celestia's Celebration begins
Before the Princess's eyes we will launch our surprise
We will take town hall and barricade us within
We will hold down the fort until Luna arrives
The time is here!
Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer
Let us us free all this land with no doubt in our hearts

[All]
With a united front
We'll bring justice to all!
She will come when we call!

The newly inspired Republicans went back to work double time. Parties were sent to gather arms and reinforcements. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell ran off with Apple Bloom's gear and a couple of their old classmates. Rainbow was a little ticked that they weren't doing something useful, but she let it all slide. Fluttershy went out to find Applejack. Pinkie Pie tossed ideas for booby traps with Gilda of all things. It seems their common cause allowed Gilda to at least tolerate the crazy mare.

The preparations were halted when a flash of a teleporting unicorn engulfed the room. Everypony took defensive stances as Twilight Sparkle shook away the dizziness of her spell. The purple alicorn was immensely tired. Bags had formed under her eyes and her mane had a few hairs out of place. She had spent the entire train ride meticulously planning her strategy. Now she must choose her words carefully if the first phase is to succeed.

Before she could speak, Rainbow pounced on her and pinned her wings down. With a snarl the pegasus demanded, "What are you doing here Egghead?"

Twilight tried her hardest not to roll her eyes at the poor attempt at an insult. She quickly teleported out of Rainbow's grip and gave a soft smile, " I'm here to apologize and to offer whatever help I can."

"Pfft, Yeah like I'm going to buy that. I bet your just here to spy on us."

That would be a safe bet, "don't be silly, if I wanted to spy on you why would I show up myself? You already know me." Twilight scratched the ground nervously. "Look I understand why you don't trust me. I wouldn't either in your position., but I am telling the truth when I say I'm sorry about what I've done to you, to all of you and I want to make it up in any way I can."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, "what exactly made you change your mind?"

Twilight let loose a single tear, "As you might know my last talk the Applejack and Rarity did not end well. Ever since then I had been looking over my actions. And.. they were right. I have changed and not for the better. I want things to be the way they were. I want us to fight side by side with you once again. For the good of Equestria."

The faces of the ponies around Twilight softened. "What about Celestia?" asked her greatest military rival.

She took a deep breath, "Celestia's rule has gone on long enough. She can no longer be the guardian of harmony. That task belongs the the ponies of Equestria."

The room was dead silent for a while. Pinkie Pie gasped, "All my bestest friends are all on the same team! Best day ever!!" She jumped up and hugged her two friends. "Applejack is going to be so happy!"

"Hold on a minute," shouted Gilda. The griffon tore Pinkie off the princess and gave a suspicious look to her. "how can we trust what your saying? I want to see proof before we start throwing her welcome to the Republic parties."

"Aw that was totally what I was about to do," Pinkie pouted.

Twilight knew this question would come up eventually, " I'm the one who released Luna." The collection of ponies gasped. "Nopony knows the magical workings of the moon and stars like me. With the proper books It was easy to release Luna from her prison. The two sisters are fighting as we speak." Gilda still didn't look convinced. "If you don't believe me, I wouldn't blame you, but I do have something I can do. With Celestia engaged the raising of the sun tomorrow falls to me. So I will not raise the sun tomorrow."

Pinkie's eyes, "You can do that?"

"Of... course?"

Rainbow jumped at the proposal, "Twilight, if you ruin Celestia's little holiday and keep gett'n us the low down on those imperials. I will not only forgive you but I will personally award you the Rainbow Dash Medal of Awesomeness."

Twilight saluted, "it will be done. I have to go now. They will be expecting me at the castle."

"Twi' hold it a sec," Rainbow spit on her hoof, "We work together now. Spit on it."

Pinkie bounced up and down,"Ooh, ooh, Pinkie Promise too."

Twilight froze for a moment. She knew how serious promises were to her former friends. She mentally reminded herself it wouldn't matter this time tomorrow as she went through the motions. When the Revolutionaries were satisfied Twilight teleported back to the castle. Shining Armor's guards won't be here for a few hours. Twilight decided to steal a some sleep. After all, the next day was going to be perfect if things continue the way they are.

Fluttershy found Applejack up on a great hill overlooking most of Ponyville. The twinkling lights of the town made it difficult to tell where the ground and sky met. In the darkness, the desolation of Sweet Apple Acres and the neighboring farms was obscured. If she tried, Fluttershy could imagine that nothing really changed. That she was looking down of the beautiful little hamlet of Ponyville.

Applejack was not admiring the view however. Instead she was focused on a row of five tombstones resting on the crest of the hill. Soft tears formed in her eyes as she stared at the names engraved in the stone. Not wanting to bother her friend Fluttershy sat down next to the AJ and stared at the markers with her.

For a good while nothing was said. They just sat there. Still as statues. Finally AJ broke the silence, " I didn't even get to see em buried. I suppose I expected em ta die eventually. They chose their own fate. I can't fault em for that. 'Cept now Rainbow wants to do it all over again."

"She just wants things to be better. She's right about freedom and all that. Even though we all denied it, something was never... right about the way things are. It's good that other ponies are trying to stand up for themselves."

"What do you know Fluttershy? Ya spent most of the war cooped up in yer cottage. Ya didn't even speak up during the peace."

"I know and I hate that I did nothing. I mean I don't want to fight but I shouldn't have just let ponies down just because I was scared. If I was more assertive I could have made a difference. Um, you know, I think you feel the same way."

"Are ya call'n me a coward?" Applejack snapped.

"N-No I don't think your a coward... but I think you do."

"What do ya mean?"

"Well, I'm not sure exactly but I think you blame yourself for what happened."

"It was Twilight who was responsible."

"That's not true and your not responsible either."

"Then who is responsible?!"

"I- I don't know. All I know is nopony's happy, not even Pinkie Pie. I know that all this has to stop and if that means we have to have another war then I am not going to hide from it this time. Even if I can't do much...or if I... die. At least I would have tried."

Applejack returned to a pensive state. Could the most frightened pony in Equestria be growing a spine. If she can overcome her fears then why can't Applejack. AJ thought of what Big Mac would say. He wasn't very talkative, but that stallion had quite the head on his shoulders. He would often spout metaphors about jumping and parachutes and stuff like that. Sometimes she wondered if he inspired half of Apple Bloom's cutie mark schemes.

Applejack smiled at those fond memories, "Thanks Fluttershy. Could ya leave me alone fer a while. I mean to gather my thoughts."

Fluttershy nodded and got up to leave.

Author's Note

This chapter was fun to write towards the end. Blue and Black was all over the place in creation. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find positive interpretations of black. I hope you enjoy it. Please like, comment, and critique.