Revolutionary

I gaze through the little window in our golden carriage as we fly over Equestria, and my stomach is in knots. My fellow officer and I have been tasked with collecting the taxes from the townsponies below: something I’ve never been proud of doing. Taking from those that already have very little, it has never sat well with me since our princess enacted this law. The worst part is when they don’t have the proper amount to be paid, we have orders to bring them in. I’ve seen families separated, and hearts get broken; and I’ve been too afraid to do anything. Another thing that frightens me is how cold my fellow officers can be, showing no emotion as they carry out their duties. When I first joined the force, I didn’t picture ‘this’ as the future that awaited me. Yet, I keep all this between me, a friend and my parents: whom I rarely get to see anymore, as the princess keeps us on duty full-time now. They always told me not to think about it, and just do as I’m told as to stay out of trouble. However, I don’t know how much longer I can keep that up. Watching what was once a beautiful land rot from the inside out has been killing me for far too long.

The skies have been gray for years now, yet I haven’t seen a single drop of rain; and the sun has been getting dimmer and dimmer with every passing day. I can't even recall the last time winter had come around, as I haven't seen the seasons change in so long. The pegasi have never fallen behind on their duties. It makes me wonder what's become of them. I look out this window, hoping to see a flock of birds fly by like they used to, but there’s nothing. Peering down below, I watch miserably as we fly over the decaying stretch of forest. The trees used to be so vibrant and full of life, but much like the sky, they’ve all been slowly rotting away. All this feels like some bad dream, and no matter how much I hope to wake up from it, I never do. “Officer Maple,” the officer sitting next to me calls, jolting me from my thoughts. “Are you feeling well?”

“Oh, yes. . . Yes, I’m doing fine,” I reassure.

“Good. We’ll be landing soon, so be sure you’re prepared. Just in case we face any resistance.”

“Resistance? None of these ponies have the means to fight back.”

“Just be cautious Maple, and keep your weapon close.”

“Cautious . . . right,” I mutter to myself. “. . . Haven’t you ever thought that what we’re doing is unfair?”

“It’s not our job to consider what’s fair and what isn’t, we’re supposed to carry out our duty, and that’s the end of that.”

“And you think that’s what’s right?”

“Are you questioning your duty as an officer?”

“I . . . no.”

“Excellent, let’s keep it that way. You should be more mindful of the things you say.” I wouldn’t love anything more than to continue lashing out at him, but I don’t see this argument leaning in my favor any time soon. I thought he was starting to grow suspicious of me, but thankfully not. He sounds just like all the rest: drones that only do as their told without question. For years I’ve been begrudgingly working with these ponies, despising every moment of it. Well, this is my first step towards change for Equestria. It may be a small step, but it’s what’s been knotting up my stomach throughout this whole trip. The carriage rattles, and I glance out the window to see another poor, dilapidated town. “Alright Maple, this should be our last stop for the day.” My fellow officer grabs a brown, cloth bag filled with coins, and exits the carriage. I grab my bag which I’ve been hiding under my seat, and compared to his, mine is completely empty. With this being the fifth town we’ve visited, it’s far too late to go back. I take in a deep breath to try and help calm my nerves, then leave the carriage into the musty town. The air is cold, and the townsponies appear to have made a bonfire in the center of town for warmth. I walk up to the Pegasus with the white coat of fur, and cerulean mane who was flying our carriage, ready to pour my thoughts out to him. I know him well, and he’s the only officer I’ve ever spoken to about these things. I wait for the officer I was sitting with to get far enough away so as to not have him overhear anything. As he collects from somepony some ways away, I lean over to the Pegasus.

“Rain. . .” I whisper.

“Hello again, Maple,” says Rain.

“This town is getting worse and worse every time we visit.”

“I know, but what else can we do? They have to keep paying their taxes.”

“And where does their money go? Because it surely isn’t going to repairing their homes, giving them fresh food or decent clothing.”

“I have no idea, but it’s not like Her Majesty is going to share that info with us.”

“Yeah, she really is just one big secret now isn’t she?”

“I see the cell in the back is noticeably empty.”

“Yeah, for once.” I lean back to take a look at the cage-like compartment attached to the back of the carriage. “I’m surprised he hasn’t noticed.”

“Don’t you think Her Majesty is going to wonder why your bag is completely empty?”

“I don’t know . . . I’m not too worried about that right now. I’m more worried about this town. I mean, Rain, just look around. At this rate, these ponies won’t be lasting much longer in these conditions.”

“You’re right . . . this place has surely seen brighter days. They named this place Shine Village for a reason.”

“There has to be something more we can do. Maybe you and I can convince the princess—”

“Maple, I’m just going to stop you right there. Believe me when I say I don’t like what’s happening around here as much as you do, but come to your senses. You know just as well as I do that if you so much as attempt to defy Her Majesty’s orders, or even question it, you can expect a good portion of your life being spent in the dungeon. Yet, here you are doing just that.”

I stand stunned by his words. “And here I thought you would be supporting me. I’m trying to help these ponies. You even said it yourself: this place has seen brighter days. Wasn’t that a wonderful thing? Just to be able to live and not worry about paying absurd taxes, or where your next meal is going to come from?”

“Think about this, Maple. If you continue with this, it’s not going to end well for you. It’s you against Her Majesty and The Royal Guard: a battle you won’t win.”

“What happened to you, Rain? You were never like this.”

“Well, maybe I just came to my senses. The worst you’ve done is talk about ‘rebelling’ against Her Majesty, and I never said a word to the princess assuming it was all just talk. I never thought you’d actually try something like this.”

“Great. Just when I thought there was some semblance of sanity to be found in Canterlot, the one pony I could count on is turning his back on me.”

“Maple, I’m just trying to keep you from getting locked up. You’re my friend, and you have a good heart, but I’d hate to see you get punished for attempting something foolish. I suggest you just do your job like the rest. Collect as much as you can from this town, and hopefully you’ll have enough to not get into trouble.”

“I suppose the meaning of ‘Friendship’ truly has been lost in Equestria.” With that, I turn my back to him and walk along the dry soil towards the townsponies.

“Maple! Just do what I said, alright?!” I keep my head forward, continuing down the path. I’ve known Rain since I was first brought into the force, and it shocks me to know that this is now his way of thinking. He’s become just like the rest of them. He used to support my ideas, and even encouraged me a few times. He gave me hope that perhaps I wasn’t the only one that knows what’s happening to Equestria is unjust. Now, I guess it’s just me. I adjust my silver armor as I’ve been getting a bit uncomfortable in it. I look down at the jewel encrusted into the center of my chest plate, and am instantly appalled by the shape. The violet jewel resembles the princess’ crown, and her Cutie Mark. It makes me feel like I’m permanently bound to her, trapped with no way of escape.

I see that my fellow officer has already made a few stops, thankfully he hasn’t taken anypony prisoner. I need to hit as many cottages as I can before him, otherwise I know that cage will have a few prisoners by the end of this visit. I walk up to one of many worn-out and dingy cottages, and knock on the door with my silver shoes. A mare in a filthy apron and frizzy mane opens the door, and is immediately frightened by me as she cowers behind the door. “Umm . . . I-I didn’t expect you to be here so soon, Officer,” she whimpers. “J-Just give me a moment, I’m sure I have enough to cover this month’s tax.”

“Ma’am,” I calmly begin. “Just be honest with me, do you ‘really’ have enough?”

“I . . . I-I’m not sure, b-but I can give you what I have. Just please don’t—”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“. . . W-What?”

“Don’t worry about paying. Just keep what you have, and don’t tell anyone.” The mare’s eyes shift confusedly, as she her mouth is agape.

“You’re . . . You’re not going to take me in?”

“Of course not. I want you to just go back inside, and enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Y-You . . . I don’t believe it. Th-Thank you! I can’t express my gratitude enough!”

“You don’t have to thank me. I just thought it’s about time some kindness was shown around here. Just, please, don’t tell anyone about this. If another officer found out, I could get into serious trouble.”

“You have my word, Miss.” She smiles. “Oh! Your name! Please, I must know your name.”

“My name is Maple, Maple Bough.”

“Maple Bough . . . I will never forget what you’ve done for me. Thank you so much.”

“It’s been a pleasure Ma’am.”

“The pleasure has been all mine, Miss Bough.” The mare closes the door, and I feel such a rush of warmth run through my body. A feeling so great that it fuels me to hurry to the next cottage. It’s this very feeling that’s been filling me since our first tax route. She wasn’t the first I’ve rejected to take money from, and she won’t be the last. My tax bag may be empty, and I know some sort of scolding awaits me back at Canterlot Castle, but none of that matters to me right now. It feels incredible knowing how many ponies I’ve been able to give just a glimmer of hope. To give them all just one little act of kindness to make their day just a little bit better. Cottage to cottage, I follow the same routine; and every time I tell them to keep their coin, they react just the same as the last. I haven’t been able to reach every cottage, and I’ve lost sight of the other officer. I can only hope he hasn’t taken somepony prisoner. If so, then there won’t be anything I can do.

I race through the village, desperately searching for the other officer; and upon spotting him, what I had feared is now taking place. He’s interrogating a family of four: what looks like a husband, a wife and two little fillies. The officer is shouting at the stallion as his family cowers behind him in fear. “If you cannot pay, then I’m afraid you’ll have to come with me,” says the officer. I approach them as I try to regain my breath.

“W-What’s going on?” I ask.

“This stallion is unable to pay his tax, thus I’m taking him in.”

“You can’t do this,” says the stallion. “I just need a little more time.”

“I’m afraid that’s not how this works.”

“So, that’s it? There’s no leniency with this?”

“Depending on Her Majesty’s ruling, you may be able to return in a shorter span of time.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, from what I’ve seen, it’s been years since our neighbors were taken in. How much longer until ‘they’ get back, huh?”

“Of that, I am unsure of, but you will have to come with me for the time being.”

“I’m not going to waste a second of my life speaking to your disgusting, witch of a princess, when I’d rather spend it with the ponies that mean the most to me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m afraid I’ll be placing you under arrest.” The wife and children clutch the stallion, fearful.

“Listen,” I intervene. “Can’t we just let it go for once?”

“Watch yourself, Officer Maple.”

“All I’m saying is that if he’s been paying all this time, what does it matter if he’s late just once?”

“Officer Maple, I don’t appreciate you demeaning my authority in front of these ponies.” The tone in the officer’s voice is now growing furious.

“Is me ‘demeaning your authority’ really more important to you than keeping this stallion together with his family?”

“I’m not going to be getting into this argument with you right now.” The officer grabs the stallion by his foreleg, and yanks him out of his family’s grasp as the children scream for their Father. The stallion struggles to break free, but the officer has a firm grip on him. Listening to the children’s screams and the wife’s cries, I force myself to grip my sword’s handle with my teeth, and pull the blade out from its sheathe. I point the tip of the blade towards my fellow officer as I tremble with my nerves rattling in my brain. The officer halts, and casually looks down at my blade. Ponies gather around the commotion with gasps as he and I face off.

“You let him go, now.”

“I hope you realize what you’re doing.”

“I said, now.” With his glare locked onto me, he releases the stallion and returns to his family with a warm embrace.

“Officer Maple, you’ve made a grave mistake.” I hear a blade glide against the inside of its sheathe, and I turn my head to see Rain has left the carriage and is pointing his blade towards my throat. “Looks like we’ll be taking ‘you’ in instead.” I glare into Rain’s eyes, and I can tell he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“I’m sorry, Maple,” says Rain. “But it’s for your own good.”