The New Equestrian Republic

Political Differences

  "Equestria has become corrupt," said a blood red stallion, who bore the marks of old age and experience, "The Princesses these ponies worship so dearly, as though they are the sole beings of power in this nation!" the stallion paused, his chest heaving with anger, "The Princesses are corrupt. There is no reason for them to raise the Sun and Moon, besides subjugation. Is it so wrong to wish for the ponies to do so? Why must our leaders posses this power?"

   He paused, and the crowd to whom he spoke held its breath, anxious to here his next words.

   He gazed over them, his loyal followers, and said, "The Princesses must be dethroned."

XXXX

   "Good morning, sister, " Celestia greeted Luna with a smile at the breakfast table.

   "Good morning," Luna sat down for some simple grains and a green apple, "how was the meeting at Las Pegasus?"

   "Splendid! A team of unicorns was formed to find any deep, underground reservoirs. The water shortage will be over soon," Celestia said.

   "Good morning, Aunties," Blueblood trotted with practiced swagger to the table, "I'll have the freshest nouvelle breakfast you can make, thank you," he told the royal waitress.

   Blueblood took the time to position his napkin and silverware in the correct position, then asked, "So, Auntie, how was Las Pegasus?"

  "They'll have plenty of water before you know it," said Celestia.

  "Excellent! I'm afraid my day didn't go quite as well. On the political landscape, many nobles are becoming rather frustrated with you two," said Blueblood.

  "What? What do you mean, 'frustrated'?" asked Luna.

  "Nothing to worry about, it's mostly just a bunch of stuck-up rich ponies day-dreaming about revolution," he said as he ate the finest Prench cuisine in Equestria, "Mostly just rumors from the 'New Equestrian Republic'."

   "The New what?" Luna said, "What does that mean? When the term 'republic' first showed up, it was-"

   "Calm down, sister. I'm sure it's nothing. Can you explain a bit more, Blueblood?" said Celestia kindly.

   Blueblood cleaned his face with his napkin, and began, "Recently a unicorn stallion named Roussan has held public speeches advocating a change in the government of Equestria, toward a federal system in which the various cities of Equestria elect representatives to control the nation, but other representatives will control each city. Roussan claims that ponies' freedom is being neglected in the current system, and that the Princesses," he nodded toward his aunts, "have no right to such power as they have. That is, the power to control the Sun and Moon."

   "It doesn't sound that bad," said Celestia, "Perhaps we could allow cities some autonomy, right sister?"

   "He also says the Princcesess should be 'dethroned', but never how. Many think he is secretly plotting terrorist actions against you two."said Blueblood.

   "That sounds pretty bad to me, sister." said Luna.

   "No worries, no worries at all. The ponies of Equestria are peaceful and friendly," Celestia said as she finished the last of her meal, "I must visit a medical meeting in Clousdale now.. So many pegasi are being born with flight defects, so some researchers put together a muscle and magic building technique. I need to approve it." she said, getting up and walking out.

XXXX

  "Excellent speech, Roussan," said a young stallion as his mentor stepped off stage.

   "Yes, thank you, Voltaire," said the old pony, "Ponies are now being to see how strange it is that one pony, a Princess, should control the movement of the star that gives us life," he paused, taking off his helmet (fashioned out of dragon skin, a symbol of strength), "There's even talk of revolution."

   "Great! But I can't see why you always just talk, sir. Can't we fight!?" asked Voltaire.

   "You are young, and so do not understand war. We must be patient, and wait to make our move." said Roussan.

   "Only one pony need die, Roussan. I'm not a killer, but Celestia is. Remember the changeling invasion? Equestria committed genocide!"

   "Few changelings died, Voltaire. Ponies will not accept that as truly evil of the Princesses, though it was. What makes you think we could just waltz to Canterlot and kill the most powerful being alive? Killing is not the answer."

   "She's not that powerful, Roussan. Make a god bleed, that's all we must do. And she's no god." said Voltaire.

   Roussan grunted and donned his helmet.

   "She may as well be, colt."

XXXX

   "Well, Auntie, you're not worried are you?" said Blueblood.

   "Yes, of course I am! He's advocating the destruction of a system millennia old!" exclaimed Luna.

   "Celestia doesn't seem worried." commented Blueblood.

   "Well, she always thinks about everything at once. She wants to be able to supervise all of it, so of course she wouldn't pay to much attention to one pony,"

   "And why do you?" Blueblood asked.

   "One pony can change more than you think. Pretty soon, they'll be trying to burn down the palace!"

   Blueblood laughed, a deep, hearty laugh, "The pitchforks and torches went out of fashion at least a thousand years ago, Auntie."

   Luna gave him an exasperated look, "I wasn't being serious. And some things never change, including revolutions and angry mobs."

   "If you ask me, I'd say ponies these day could never form a mob. Why, they break into chaos at, say, a bunny stampede. I believe that actually happened a while ago."

   Luna put down her fork and shook her head, "A bunny stampede? You're kidding right?"

   "Nope. Perfectly serious. Ponyville must of lost a few hundred flowers to those horrible, evil little bunnies! Ask Twilight about it." said Blueblood.

   The pair of royalty shared a long laugh over that story.

   Luna calmed down eventually, and still wished to know more, "Do you really think this Roussan is just appealing to lazy rich ponies?"

   Blueblood sighed, "No offense Luna, but I am more skilled in modern politics than you or your sister. Both of you can depend on your reputation, but I must use rhetoric and compromise. That being said, yes, I do believe that Roussan's ideals could never come to success in his vision."

   "But, perhaps another's vision?"

   Blueblood got up, having finished his meal, "Anything's possible, Auntie. And not always bad. Roussan is the only pony whom I've heard advocating your dethroning. Others are much less radical."