Hard Times in the Future

Chapters

Prologue
The Crepuscular Tale of a Manehattenite
The Renegades of Shanty Stables

Prologue

In the dawn of the 6th New Industrial Age, when West and South Equestria fell to the advanced technology of the United Equine Aristocrats, the North and the East had nowhere to turn. As the dark shadow of the UEA swept over the land, Celestia II turned over the last of the Homeland to The Lord of Tyrants, as they call him.

With the last months of the Old Millennium, electric technology bursted and the economy sky rocketed, which was followed by promises of freedom, but instead they were met with world domination by the Civics. The Middle Millennium brought on a war between the Civics and the Renegades, a group of rebels, crushing the Civic control out of Equestria. The Immortal, Celestia II, took control from the Renegades by signing a contract stating that Celestia II would get full control over South, East, and West Equestria if the Renegades take control of the North.

Here, now, in the middle of the New Millennium, the rich have decided they no longer need the poor and middle class ponies, so they banned together, elected their anonymous leader, and took the world by storm.

The Old Millennium, or 'The Royal Age', when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna's immortality was beginning to fade away, and they knew that they would surely die, they willingly accepted their fates, but needed a ruler to take their place. Celestia and Luna consulted with the Royal Elders for a solution.

They all came to the conclusion that they would cast a spell that could shape a ruler with the life force of all eight of them, but they would need a host. One elder, the Light Bringer, stepped forth, and with all of their powers, they extinguished their lives for the good of Equestria, and the new leader was born. Her original name was kept a secret, and only a hoof full of trusted mares truly know it, so she is known as Celestia the Second, believed to be the spawn of Celestia, the Daughter of Equestria.

Being a scientist, Celestia II brought on the new age of technology, creationg weapons and machines powered by magically charged electricity, allowing communication much easier, and wars so much faster. As the timeline continues, the economy bursted, and the Equestrian Empire took its shape.

Equestria, a land once so peaceful, started to expand across the know world...

The Middle Millennium, or 'The Scroll Age', was a thousand years of data and technology. The Equestrian Empire was the Crystal Kingdom of the later years. Celestia II proved to be one of the greatest leaders in the history of Equestria, were Celestia failed, she would complete. The rich became richer, the poor became rich, and nopony was left behind. The Gryphon Kingdom pledged its alliance to the Empire, and Canterlot was changed from the capital, to the city of New Fillydelphia, which was the more modern update of the old Fillydelphia. Equestrian explorers under the name of her majesty set out for the Arctic North, and claimed some of its land, creating small civilizations on the outskirts of the old Crystal Kingdom. These civilizations bloomed and became cities. The Equestrian Trans-line was built and connected all of the cities together by electric trains, making travel fast. Carriages were, and still are, popular to use, but if there is a rush, the ET would get you there faster. The amount of different species ranged far and wide, and the population grew.

Scribes wrote down everything that happened within this millennium, which is why most ponies now know so much about it. Celestia II was at the top of her league, but something was brewing at the turn of the final century. A group of the richer folk thought themselves to be better than Celestia II, a direct violation of one of the most important laws in the entire Empire. They formed a secret group and plotted to overthrow her when the time was right. Their ruler was elected between the lot of them, but it was kept a secret until the New Millennium were 'the Event' took place.

'The Event' was the time when the aristocrats took action and tried to take over New Fillydelphia with a small army of followers armed with the times latest technological weapons. They failed and where put to death. The Event seemed so insignificant, but it was the start of the end.

In the New Millennium, or twenty years ago, the Empire fell to the hooves of the United Equine Aristocrats. This group was inspired by the small group of aristocrats who tried to take New Filly head on. This time, they gathered enough followers across the entire land and tried again, first taking over small towns, but then taking over Manehatten, which was a major industrial civilization. This brought the Empire to its knees, and the government officials were called for a meeting in New Filly.

There was only one solution, to fight back, which seemed like an easy thing to do, but the UEA was not a force to be reckoned with. They were much more powerful than most forces on the planet. One by one, the UEA tore through the peaceful land, enslaving the cities and limiting their rights. Celestia II could no longer bear with the stress of the fate of the entire land and began to lack the proper wisdom to lead her people. As the last of the Empire retreated back to Canterlot, New Fillydelphia finally fell to the hooves and claws of the UEA

The true goal of the Aristocrats was unknown, but all they seemed to want was power, and their motives were formed by their leader, who only made his or her own appearance to the ruler of the Empire herself, The Lord of Tyrants, the King of the Aristocrats. What took place in the main hall of the Canterlot Palace is unknown, the only thing known is that The Lord and Celestia II dueled, and The Equestrian Empire fell. This was known as the Duel of All Duels and after it, Celestia II surrendered and was thrown in political prison and was left to rot.

Now, not much has changed, the UEA took over the rest of Equestria. The new capitol of Equestria is New Trottingham, which is located in the upper providence of the Arctic North in the Kingdom of Aris. The Aristocratic Unit of Protection was formed to act as a political police that was supposed to protect the civilians, but all they seem to do is abuse citizens more than their government. Those uniforms scare them to death every time they come to inspect the buildings...

-DiscoBiscuits'-

Hard Times in the Future

The Crepuscular Tale of a Manehattenite

DiscoBiscuits'

The Crepuscular Tale of a Manehattenite

Author's Note: "Appalachia" (app-a-lay-sha)

Monday, July 9, 0027 NM

"Get up Appalachia! They're coming!" said the brown pegasus, her wings clung to her side. Appalachia wiped her eyes with her hooves, pushing her mane out of her face towards her horn, and stretched her neck out, letting a loud snap shake her out of her hazy state in between consciousness and slumber. Last night, her sister, Wind Dancer, had told her of the next apartment search, which was apparently happening today. She was never too good at listening to her sister on account that she never had anything too interesting to say.

Appalachia's day consisted of the same ritual activities she had been doing ever since she was assigned to work at Factory #9 down the street. Manehatten hadn't changed in over twenty years, but the security was as elevated alert on account of the rebels trying to overthrow the government. She counted the steps in her head as she went along; step one, get out of bed. Step two, wash up. Step three, get dressed in the bleak grey uniform tagged a number she had heard a thousand times. To her family, she was Appalachia, but to the state, she was Citizen 6,000,107.

When she was first assigned that number, when she was born, her father had worked in Factory #64 and her mother, #116. The time was six in the morning when she finished breakfast, and the sound of door being smashed in down the hall outside was nothing out of the ordinary, neither was the sound of screaming and thumping of batons. One time, she even heard the sound of an anti displacement rifle and the sound of what might have been body hitting the floor.

"Wind, I'm gonna' head out now," she said to her sister, trotting towards the door.

"Don't forget to have your pass stamped by the UP on your way out."

"I won't, I've been doing it for ten years."

Appalachia opened the door and was stopped by a UP officer.

"Halt, pass?"

"Right here, buddy," she handed him the small booklet and he stamped it.

Outside, the sun, now controlled by the UEA, gleamed down on the dystopic city. thousands of other ponies bustled too their assigned factory before seven o'clock where any ponies without proper identification would be shot in the streets. There was no such thing as freedom of speech in this world, but nopony thought about it, so the term 'freedom' drifted off into the annals of Royal history. There were many new laws being made each day, but the main ones applied to pegasi and unicorns. The number one rule was 'NO TELEPORTING'. It was written on every building, every billboard, and every train station in the country. If a unicorn would try to teleport, the UP would be on their flank in a matter of minutes. Plus, the UEA have Magical Interference Stations set up all over Equestria.

When she arrived at the factory entrance, she got in line and waited for her turn to enter. Between getting up and working for eight hours, waiting in line was a slice of pie that couldn't be resisted. Like a beating from a UP officer, work was long, brutal, and left bruises, big ones. The specific job of a factory worker was rotating from making weapon parts to making train hulls to making other weapon parts. Equestria had become a fully weaponized country and one of the most dangerous ones in the known world. Appalachia held her head down as the guards in the watch towers looked over her and the rest of the line.

Not because she didn't want too, but because it was a law never to look at a high ranking officer in the eyes unless you wan't to be shot. As for the rest of the laws, they mainly included where and when you can use the train system, when you can buy food and other necessities, and when you can get a promotion from factory worker to factory worker number two. To be a manager, much like in any other job, was an award that everypony strived for because it meant less beatings, and a chance to get out of Manehatten and closer to the capitol of Equestria, New Trottingham, where the big dogs (metaphorically speaking) run the entire country.

It was also illegal to utter the name 'The Lord of Tyrants' because the lower citizens are not 'worthy' enough to reference him. If somepony were to reference him, then the consequences were death, like all laws that are broken. As she approached the entrance, the small pill box attached to the electric fence contained one of the factory manager's second in commands. Being a pass checker was much better than a worker on account of being outside which was a godsend.

Another stamp on the passbook, and she was in. She got to her post at six forty, so she had time to look at the clock for the next twenty minutes while under constant surveillance. Her partners for the day consisted of Citizen 6,000,408 and Citizen 6,000,783. Appalachia was in the six million group, so all the ponies she worked with are in the six millions, which is how the system keeps track of them. The Lord of Tyrant likes to keep things organized, some rumors have gone around saying that he has OCD. The origin of that rumor, meaning the ponies who made it up, are probably dead now.

The manager walked out from the balcony of the second floor from his office,

"Attention workers, check your holocards for the next updates on the civil laws."

He turned to his equine resources, "Have all the workers checked in?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good," he turned to the factory again, "now get to work!"

The manager was a real jerk at most, he had ordered the death of over a hundred workers, some of which were Appalachia's friends. It was hard work melting down the metal and shaping it into the weapons used to enslave other civilizations, but Appalachia would just pretend she was out of Manehatten, a successful billionaire in New Trottingham. Apart from her dream of becoming an enemy and hating it, she wanted to fight the enemy and love it by joining the Renegades, who are on a never ending battle to overthrow the Tyrant.

Her entire life, ever since her uncle told her that story, has been aimed towards those two possible outcomes, if they both failed, then she would live her life the same way it is until she couldn't go on any longer, then her body would be incinerated instead of buried to save land on cemeteries. The day went on and on, and next up was the break time, which was basically ten minutes in the courtyard. As she wiped the sweat off her brow and headed outside. It felt good to unbutton the grey uniform for a few minutes to show her snow white coat. Pushing her blond mane out of her eyes once again, she was approached by another mare, a yellow earth one, the lowest of the low.

"Hi, I'm 6,000,566, I'm gonna' be your partner next shift."

"Appalachia..." she trailed off. Never had she actually met one of her partners before because she would probably never see them again. In this world, it was hard making new friends since everypony was constantly under the death watch.

"Well... Appalachia, where are you from?"

"Apartment complex 40."

"You have any family?"

"My sister, Wind Dancer. How come you call yourself by your number?"

"Oh, I don't really even remember it, I have been called that number all my life, and I seem to have forgotten it," she smiled an odd smile.

Appalachia wanted to say that that was one of the most ridiculous things she had ever heard, she was about to ask her if her family even called her by her real name, but that might have been the problem. A lit of ponies where orphans at birth and raised by artificial parents. She let it slide, she didn't feel like judging anypony today, she was saving that for her sister.

"Whatever, try not to slack, I don't want to have a beating for lazy partners," Appalachia told the mare, who was hesitant to respond, but the siren went off and it was back to work. While pressing the metal down, she wondered what Wind Dancer was doing at her job. Probably the same thing as what she was doing. Near the end of the day, she was thirsty, hungry, and tired.

Crying over it wouldn't help, she tried it before, and it resulted in a beating. A normal unicorn like Appalachia didn't deserve the life she was living. She was generous, kind, and caring, three traits that could be pros as well as cons. The intercom bursted out the managers voice;

"Attention, will Civilian 6,000,107, Civilian 6,000,566, and Civilian 6,000,857 report to the manager's office... Immediately."

Appalachia's heart skipped a beat. This was apparently going to be an extraordinary day. Five sixty six and eight fifty seven were the two partners she was assigned to and they met up at the bottom of the stairs leading to the entrance of the manager's office. He was a colt to be feared, which a clop of his hooves, they could all be killed. Celestia knows why he chose her group to meet him. They opened the door and there were three chairs facing towards the manager's desk and he looked up and smiled at them.

"Come in, have a seat."

They all took seats in front of him and the sterile room brought on a comfort only found in ones home. It felt right to be in that room, but something foul was stirring behind the gentle eyes of the strict manager. Nopony even knows the managers' names because all past history of their lives are erased. A manager could have once been even one of the most interesting ponies who ever lived, but after the brainwashing and severe discipline, that was all gone. Appalachia looked calm, but the other two looked scared stiff. The manager took out a holocard tablet and placed it on the desk. A hologram of the city showed up.

"Do you see this?" he asked with a grave change in his tone.

They all nodded.

"Let me tell you the news of what happened just a few minutes ago. In this area," he pointed out on the hologram map, "there was a bust by the Unit Protection discovered an extremely large amount of weapons cached in the basements of a few abandoned apartment complexes. You three all live in that general area, which make you all prime suspects. Do you all know the punishment for harboring weapons for rebels?"

Nopony moved.

"It's death, immediate death. I could have you all killed, but I don't think it would be a good idea to waste any innocent workers. We have a UP carriage on its way now to come and get you," said the manager.

Appalachia didn't know what to say. She was going to jail? She hadn't done anything... Had she?

"Sir, I have nothing to do with this. You have to believe me when I say I didn't know about those weapons, I mean, how could I even get any, I'm just a normal citizen!" she said.

"I will not be the judge of that, the UP will," he returned, "Now, which one of you is five sixty six?" the manager asked.

Five sixty six raised a hoof.

"You seem to be slacking in the factory. You seem tired, tired from carrying all those guns down into the basements?"

"No sir, I have nothing to do with this."

"What about eight fifty seven?"

She raised her hoof.

"I don't know too much about you, eight fifty seven. I bet that is just what you want, so you can sneak out at night and meet with your Renegade friends!" the manager taunted.

"No sir," she said frightfully.

"Then you must be one zero seven, am I right?"

The shock of being blamed for something she didn't do and the possibility of being killed over took her once again, and 566 nudged her out of the trance.

"Yes, sir, sorry, I'm trying to run this over in my head," she said nervously.

The manager studies her from every angle as her got up from his seat. He rubbed his bottom chin and hummed slowly. He looked into her eyes as if he thought he knew something that she didn't. Sadly, this was not the case, Appalachia could here the carriage pull up from outside the window and the clicking of hooves coming down a cobblestone pathway. The doors opened up and the workers stopped the machines. Factory #9 was in a lock down and Appalachia plus two were held down and slapped with hoofcuffs. They were led outside in front of the carriage where a baton came down on all three of their heads, and the warm feeling of unconsciousness overtook them.

The hazy vision of Appalachia returned as a bucket of cold water splashed over her. Her soaking wet uniform became heavier after soaking up the rest of the liquid. From where she could tell, she was in a small room, maybe seven feet by seven feet. She was in a chair (well, restrained in a chair), and two other UP officers were in there with her. One holding a baton, the other slinging an anti displacement rifle. They didn't look like any sort of high ranking officers, just normal patrol units, who take up the job of beating the citizens and interrogating. A small window was situated at the top of the room, letting the sunlight shine in and penetrate the darkness of the room when it's shades were drawn. A glowing halo of light danced around the stock of the rifle which was now being pointed at her from a small distance away.

There were no words to be said, only small grunts Appalachia noted that the chair was hooked up to small switch that lead to a small electric generator. It did not have enough volts to kill somepony, but really mess them up. The switch was activated with the baton as her body conversed for a few moments and then relaxed. Finally, she worked up enough courage to talk.

"Where... Where am I?"

Tuesday, July 10 -

After a long day of interrogation without an answer, the two UP units switched stations, and only one unit came in. She couldn't tell if it was one of the two before, their masks covered their faces, and their flanks were covered with the rest of the uniform. Appalachia passed out somewhere between the fine line of night ending, and dusk rising. The only satisfaction the UP were able to get out of her was the thought of knowing how much pain she was in. The morning sun came in through the window and her face was dawned with new bruises and cuts. This was the hell that thousands of unlucky citizens went through each day, but this was futile, she had nothing to do with the weapons.

"Wind Dancer, get me out of here," she said to herself.

The officer heard her, "You want out?", he taunted.

She sat still, soaked in her sweat until he repeated what he said in a more angry tone. To this, she nodded her head as tears strung down from the corner of her eyes. She wouldn't show tears, she wouldn't give them any more satisfaction. She held them back.

"I want out," she said, looking towards the window.

The UP smiled and switched the lever, sending another jolt of electricity, then shut it off and slammed the door behind him, leaving her alone with the morning sun. No matter how much she begged to Celestia II, who was probably in as deep trouble as she was, she was just another pony, nopony special. These thoughts plagued her mind as she sat, alone.

Afternoon -

A plate of grub was served to her. They were probably trying to keep her alive.

Wednesday, July 11 -

Appalachia noticed something that day, through the window. There was one of those teleportation stations that block the spells that help unicorns travel. The door opened up and this time, they let her out. She was escorted outside of the small room and down a hallway filled with other doors. Some of them where open with a few other UP officers looking out. They slammed them shut as she walked by, but she could get a glimpse of some other citizens in chairs similar to hers.

"Where are we going?" she said.

"To the warden."

"Why?"

"You do not have permission to any further information."

"But-"

"You do not have permission to any further information!" he yelled and brought the baton across her face, cutting her lip. She spat out some crimson liquid.

She was brought out into a large courtyard, now she was sure this was a prison, a warden, the cells, the torture. It all made sense, the gates opened, and she was hit on her four knees and she went prone. The gates opened a few minutes after and the two citizens she arrived with walked in. What was their numbers? 566 and 857 came down next to her and knelt, nopony said anything. The gate in front of them opened up and a pony dressed in robes and a hood came out, being escorted by six officials. Now Appalachia was scared, the morning sun shined down on the warden's brown robes. He was carrying an old Equestrian sword, one used to decorate an esteemed war hero back in the Old Millennium. It was refurbished and silver, but to her it looked like a sore thumb sticking out.

The warden approached them, and the hood came down, revealing her to be a mare. She was, amazingly, not quite the same as the others. She looked like a normal citizen, with a long mane and a bright coat. She started to speak;

"One of you, or maybe all of you, have taken part in the trafficking of illegal weapons suspected to be used for the Renegades against the United Equine Aristocrats. This charade is going to stop... Now. Are the cameras off? I don't want any of the higher powers seeing what is about to happen..."

One of the UPs confirmed they were.

She drew the sword and 566 started to whimper and cringe.

"We are going to do this the old fashion way," and she put the blade up to Appalachia's throat. The UP officers behind them took out their ADRs and aimed for the other two heads. Now she started to cry, she wanted out, and she wanted it badly. She wished that freedom would swoop down and save her.

"Who was it?" the warden asked.

857 coughed hoarsely, and the sword that was once pressed up against Appalachia's throat came down into the chest of 857. The rest was history as the eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell over. More cries came from Appalachia, and 566 was also crying.

"I had a hunch it wasn't her, but you..." she pointed at 566, "You are the odd one out of the bunch."

"I didn't do anything!"

Slap!

"Do not talk unless you are given permission!"

This warden obviously had a passion for murder, there was no justice in this act, and all that Appalachia could think about was to run, just get the hay out of there, to escape. She would be gunned down in a minute, but it wouldn't matter, she would just need to get away from that one spot, next to that dead body, just for a moment. The UP officers aimed down their sights, and the warden spoke again;

"If you aren't going to talk, I'll have to kill you both."

She got ready to strike down on Appalachia's head, but then, as if Celestia II was looking down on them, a miracle happened.

The teleportation station in the background, with its large antenna, exploded and fell in the fields on the outskirts of Manehatten. The sirens went off and the radio hooked onto the UP officers acted up.

"All personnel report to their immediate stations, the city is under attack by the Renegades."

"I'll deal with them later, we must evacuate," the warden told the UPs, "take these two back to their cells and then report back to me."

"Yes, ma'am."

There was a mass panic among the UPs, and Appalachia was thrown in her cell, but she was not locked in the chair. There was many moments of silence, except for the occasional sound of explosions and gunfire from the background. Suddenly, the door unlocked itself, and opened. She had nowhere to go but out, so she did, and the rest of the prisoners. A panic drove the crowd across the prison, slaughtering the UP personnel and breaking down the gates. Appalachia ran for freedom, and when she bunched up with the crowd of other ponies, and pushed their way out, they found themselves among the fields on the outskirts of Manehatten.

Some of them ran for the hills, others waited, but Appalachia had to save her sister. The city was a mile away in the distance, whilst thick black clouds overhung the buildings, and smoke was bellowing from most of the high skyscrapers. Millions of citizens began flocking into the hills, running for cover. Manehatten was returning home, to the Homeland. As she raced, galloping valiantly into the battle, she tore off her uniform, finally being able to show her true coat. Even if she was covered while in prison, her white coat was stained with dirt and blood.

As she approached the streets, dead UPs lay in the cross sections and the windows of most of the buildings were smashed. Carriages were overturned, and the train stations she passed were destroyed. When she made it to her apartment complex, she kicked in the door, finding her sister hiding under the kitchen table.

"Appa... Appalachia? Is it really you?"

"Yeah, but we have to go, now!"

"I thought that they killed you, you didn't return two days ago, and I thought that they took you!"

"They did, I spent the last two days in jail, but I'll tell you the rest later, I need you to..." she stopped, somepony was coming down the hallway. She could hear radio chatter.

"Get under the table, quick!" she whispered harshly to Wind Dancer.

"What?"

"Now!"

Wind did so and Appalachia pressed herself up against the wall between the door hinges, hiding herself. When the UP came into the room, he immediately spotted the hiding Wind Dancer under the table, which gave Appalachia time to grab a lamp from the coffee table next to her and smash it over the his head. He was carrying a anti displacement rifle, which she grabbed. She knew how to operate one on the count of having to learn how to build them in the factory. After she raided the rest of his body for ammunition, they set off.

Outside was mass chaos, gunfights erupted in the streets and death lay around every corner. Citizens across the city have picked up enemy weapons and are fighting back, pushing the United Equines out of the city. Appalachia did the same, the adrenaline pumping through her, she had no idea what she was doing. She was shooting at other ponies, but she didn't even realize it until it was all over. She didn't even know if she was hitting anything. After fighting their way through the street, they were back out in the fields, about a half a mile away. A large boom erupted and they turned around to see one of the tallest buildings crumble down in the city center.

In the center of Manehatten, there was a main reactor which powered all of the buildings in the city. If that was to melt down, the entire city would become a massive crater under the circumstances. Manehatten was an industrial city, not a war fortress. The Renegades had been saving up for an attack like this, scavenging and building weapons powerful enough to do this much damage must have taken a long time.

"Let's hide out in the plains, I saw most of the citizens retreat back there when I went to get you," Appalachia pulled her sister. The rifle was empty now and it was of no good use. They galloped far.

Time passed and it was the late afternoon, some citizens packed up blankets and spare food. They formed tiny camps that dotted the plains to shelter them, some of the UPs must have gotten out and were probably searching for anypony who got out. If the reactor in the hadn't blown up by now, then they were safe. The lights on the horizon over the hills were the flames erupting from the city. Appalachia looked around the small camp and met a few more citizens, some where in the five millions, which she thought she would never meet on account of the citizens being arranged according to number. The six million sector was the only sector Appalachia ever knew.

During her time earning how to make guns, she also read books and looked at maps at her apartment, so she knew that the surrounding cities and towns must have heard the bombs going off, but she wasn't sure if anypony would send help. She acquired a few blankets, some rope, and some sticks to build a tent and some bedding for her and her sister. When the moon came up, they sat by the fire next to each other in blankets.

"Appalachia, you're shaking..."

"I know, I haven't had time to be scared yet. I have been away from home for days, and when I get out, I find that it's gone? It's too much to believe."

"Don't worry, we'll find another home."

"No, we wont, Wind Dancer, we are enemies of the state, if any UPs find us, it's us or them. Back in the city, I don't know if I killed anypony, and I don't want to, I just want to keep you and I safe," Appalachia put a hoof the the back of her sister.

They rested their heads up against each other and waited for something to happen, maybe the city would blow up in a fireball, or maybe an UP unit would come over the hill and mow them all down.

"Sis, I saw the teleportation station blow up, can you teleport now?" Wind asked.

"No, I don't even know that spell."

"What do you mean?"

"That spell is illegal, most unicorns don't know it, and if they do, they must be very old," Appalachia explained.

"Illegal spells... What has this world come to?"

"Greed... There is one thing that still bothers me."

"What is that?"

"I was thrown in jail for the accusation that I was smuggling weapons and keeping them in our apartment complex basement. Why would the Renegades attack the city if they knew that a shipment of their weapons were going to be destroyed?"

"Maybe a distraction?"

"Maybe..."

Same time, New Trottingham -

"My lord, Manehatten has fallen to the Renegades and the main power reactor is entering the first stages of a catastrophic state."

"Yes, I have heard."

"Then, my lord, what are we to do? Manehatten was one of our main resource cities!"

"You are not one to tell me what I know and do not know."

"A thousand apologies, my lord."

"Manehatten has been lost, these... Rebels are resisting. The time has come to take serious action."

"My lord?"

"Any citizen who does not have a pass will be killed and all the cities will be on full alert. The Kingdom of Aris is now on lockdown."

"And what about the Private Guard?"

"Warn Noble Osirus that 'it' is happening, he will know what to do. The day is over, it is time to rest."

"Yes, my lord."

The servant left the room. The Tyrant looked out the large stainless window towards the frozen tundras of his kingdom.

"I think it's time to tie up some loose ends."

The Renegades of Shanty Stables

DiscoBiscuits'

The Renegades of Shanty Stables

In the year 274 of the New Millennium, a group of explorers were sent out into the West for research. When they came upon what seemed to be a settlement in the middle of the desert long ago, judging from the ruins of wooden houses and broken statue buried halfway up in sand, they began to dig. They found a time capsule of a sort, and in it was many things, but their best find was a journal. It was unmarked and in very good condition; what they found has been deciphered below.

My name is Dusty Trails, it is February ninth in the year twenty eight New Millennium. I acquired this journal from the shop across from the saloon a few years back, and I haven't used it ever, but something happened, and I think it should be recorded.

Out here in the West, there is less influence of the UEA than there is in the urban areas. About half a year has passed since the United Equines lost contact with Manehatten, and not much is known as of today amongst the town folk since the hostile activity in Equestria has died down. With a large population of a hundred and forty three ponies, a few buffalos, and a handful of griffons, we get by just fine out in the desert, practically cut off from the rest of society. The only time we have any remoteness of the Aristocrats here in Shanty Stables is when a convoy gets lost out in the desert and stumbles into our neck of the woods to fill up on juice and marmalade.

My job here, is to protect Shanty Stable's townsfolk, so that makes me the sheriff, and I will defend this place to the death, but since we are under the rule of a tyrant, I don't really have control over anything besides who lives and who dies in this town. We don't have any of those fancy shmancy rifles that shoot lasers and lightening, but what we have are simple, hoof operated and craw operated lever and bolt action rifles, revolvers, and the spinny guns the crank up to a hundred bullets in ten secs of a whip. Hay, the only 'technology' we have around these parts are the train lines that lead into the city and the holocards that the UEA supplied us with to keep in touch with the rest of the world.

After hearing about the event that happened in Manehatten, I have a hunch it has something to do with those Renegades, the ones who have been fighting the enemies of the state for over half a century or something like that. I don't really know if we should be happy or not because the Aristocrats obviously have taken extra standards to protect their king, who just sits up on his porcelain throne and kills a hundred ponies with a clop of the hoofs.

Yesterday, something happened in the afternoon that changed the town of Shanty Stables, down in the saloon over yonder past the Pony Express building. I was sitting at the bar, enjoying a glass of brandywhine when a small group of ponies and griffons came in, some holstering a few swords, others a few revolvers that looked brand new. I recognized a few of the peacemakers from the shop in town, a fine price. They all sat at the bar with me, I was on the right end side, next to the exit of push and pull saloon doors. The pony next to me was wearing a hat and a coat, I couldn't see anything but her face, which was obscured by a bandana, like the rest of them.

"I hear that you are the sheriff of this town, correct?" her voice was typical city folk, a rarity in these parts.

"You have heard correct," I returned softly, I had a few drinks in me.

"Then, I must ask of a favor for you, a special one that may decide the fate of Shanty Stables, do you accept the terms under the Renegades?"

I had no idea what to believe in at that tie, whether I was drunk or scared or nervous, it didn't matter. This group talked the talk, but did they walk the walk? I returned with a question as any other pony would do in this sort of a situation; "What?"

"Let me buy you a few more drinks and then we can discuss this at the sheriff's- I mean- your office."

I drank until I had my fill, I was not right in the head by the time I was done and I was gay as I could be, dancing around the room hoof in hoof with other ponies as the pianist played the old tunes from the Royal Age, how I longed those times. The group of so called Renegades used this opportunity to seize me, drag me down the town street, and throw me into a chair back at my office. One of the griffons held me down, his accent was from up East, maybe Hoofington Scott, which was a small part of Hoofington Pass, a trading hub.

"Don't let meh' tell ya' again, stay daown' n' shoot' ya trap!" he yelped, I obeyed. He was a burly fellow who looked like he would rip the forelegs off a pony in seconds, not to mention his massive wingspan. I got chills just looking at him.

The pony with the coat came over to me, she spoke in a soft voice, one to help calm my nerves, but I couldn't understand half the stuff she was saying until she whipped out her horn and touched my forehead with it. It gave a great light and my drunkenness was gone! Being a simple earth pony as was the rest of the town, the joys of magic was also a rarity like many, MANY other things.

"Now, as I said, this favor will cost you and I need to know if you are willing to take the costs.'

"Listen her, little lady, I don't know, by any means, what any of this is about."

"The UEA are closer than you think, I can show you, but you must agree under the terms of the Renegades."

At this moment, I realized that I was going to have to sing some contract, whether it be by hoof writing or tongue. She was convincing enough packing heat and a rag tag group that looked like they were ready for a world war at the least, scary as that was. I was sheriff, this was my town, and I was going to do what ever was best for her. That moment, I took a leap of faith and said my answer; "No, I don't."

"No?" she asked as if she was surprised.

"Yes, I think what I don't know wont hurt me or my town."

"That is a mighty fine thing to say, but for this situation, I would advise you rethink your motives, sheriff."

"I'm sorry, but I think somethings are best left unsaid..." I returned.

"Listen, ya blook' headed rascaal', Ah'm gon-" the burly griffon stepped in.

"Wait... If his mind is made up, then it is what it is," she stopped him, smiling, "but maybe if I bend the rules a little bit, I can show him."

"You know that cannot be done," another pony from the small group stepped in.

"Sometimes, things have to happen differently to work properly in the future," she said as she reached for her pocket.

I quickly drew my revolver, but my hostility was maxed tenfold by the group as I was shoved in the face with rifles, swords, and revolvers. I holstered my piece faster than I drew it as the pony withdrew a blue holocard. She pressed the button in the middle and a hologram of the West appeared.

"I don't want to know this information, I told you!" I stamped.

"If you do not know this information, you will surely die as well as your town!" she stamped back and I finally shut up.

"The UEA are closer than you think, sheriff. Underneath the dunes about three miles north of Shanty Stables is a cave entrance which we are certain leads to a small underground UP facility that are supplying other UP stations throughout the West."

Now I wish I had said yes, the town was in trouble, the UP were experimenting right underneath my snout and I hadn't noticed. They could be standing on the side of a red barn with a black bullseye and I would miss 'em. I let her continue.

"We need good marksmares, weapons, and a place to stay for the next two nights, will you aid us?" and she held out a holocard.

Here came the responsible part, the part where I make one of those big changes in life, one that would save the entire town.

"Yes."

As time passed, I set them up in rooms above the saloon for free, which was a bad play on my part, but it was of use to them since the money they were carrying was no good here. Out West, we still use the old golden bits, but in the cities, they use credits. The only reason they acquired the guns from the shop down the street was because they threatened the cashier, but I let it slip, seeing what the situation was.

February 10 -

The tenth of Feburary, now, is recruit day. We, the folk of Shanty Stables, are true gunslingers, but we need to be persuaded, otherwise we don't show it. I rounded up the town in front of the court house in the center where we normally do hangings to listen to what these Renegades had to say to my people.

"Shanty Stables! I bring news!" the unicorn in the coat and hat said, "The UEA have come to the West and are planning something big right underneath us as we speak."

There was a chatter among the townsfolk, some good, some bad. I just prayed to Celestia that they would come to terms and see things the way I saw them lat night. She pulled out the holocard of the underground map and activated it.

"We need ponies and griffons who are willing to claim their land back from the UEA and keep this region safe. All who are in favor, please step forward for testing, we need marksmares and skilled swordsmares," she finished and waited.

There was a long silence as a tumbleweed rolled across the center of the street. I was sweating as I took my hat off and wiped my forehead. I thought that if I stepped in, it would encourage some other ponies. I got up to the front of the group and said aye. A few more started to step forward, but not enough. We had five volunteers and everypony else backed down which scared me. One pony spoke up out of the crowd, "Where is your proof?"

"Is the holocard not good enough, sir?"

"Not for me, I want to see what we are going up against before I agree to something like this."

"Out in the desert, there is a cave entrance which leads to a group of tunnels and UEA facilities. If you and ten other ponies step forward to make twenty one, we can set out and show you just exactly what we are up against."

I spoke up, "Now listen, what this unicorn is telling is what appears to be the truth in my eyes. Don't y'all see what this means? Shanty Stables is an old town with old ponies and old stories, this is our opportunity to make a name with ourselves and sock it to the UEA. Y'all remember what happened in Manehatten last year? These freedom fighters are one of the last symbols of hope in our country against our tyrant ruler! Now, we are going to go underground and take out all of those UEA fillyfoolers who is in charge of this neck of the woods, who is with me!"

I had taken half of that speech from a book on Starswirl the Bearded and I had no idea what I was talking about. Maybe I was scared, scared that the folk would just trot away and let in inevitable happen.

Some agreed, we had eighteen ponies, which was a fair sum, but the unicorn didn't approve, "We are going to need more firepower than this."

I stepped in, "We can use the wagons to carry the spinny guns and a few boxes of dynamite, would that help?"

"Dynamite?"

"Of course, we have a mighty large supply of it at the sheriff's office's basement."

"Great," she said in a change of heart tone, "we'll head out tomorrow morning, Sheriff, now supply these people with weapons and if all goes right, then we will save the lives of thousands."

It was with those words, that I realized how much of an honor as it was a curse to defend Equestria and her ponies to the death, and after being sheriff for twelve years, I have seen what it truly meant to be an Equestrian. I went to the armory and grabbed as many guns as I could pass out, set up the wagons, and by the end of the morning, we were a small army. It was now time to practice shooting. We set up bottles and targets on one of the old barns on the outskirts of town. Most of us were pretty decent shots, but the group that came rolling in last night, the Renegades, could shoot a bit out of the sky from a hundred miles away.

It was amazing to watch them shoot and swashbuckle with each other, they were trained in ways I never saw. The sword fighting was extreme, they clashed them and sparks bounced off. I will have to continue writing after practice is done, until tonight.

Night -

Everything was set for tomorrow morning, but I fear I may not be able to go through with it. While shooting practice was going on, I found some shade in a barn across from the other ones to have a sandwich and some water. I didn't notice that the unicorn had followed me in there. I found a nice hay stack to rest on and I tilted my hat over my eyes as I chewed softly, my golden sheriff star shining. She revealed herself, this time she was not wearing her hat. She approached me, and spoke.

"Sheriff, you do understand the risks we are taking?"

"Wha- Oh, I didn't see you come in, rebel. Would you like a piece?" I offered her a piece of my sandwich.

"Yeah, thanks. Some of these ponies are not going to make it back, I hope you know the dangers, and I hope you have enough wood for coffins," she returned.

"I do, but I have to ask you a question... Why do you have so much hope in Shanty Stable to take down this facility?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

I swallowed, "Shanty Stables is a small town in literally the middle of nowhere, yet you guys come rolling in like Celestia II herself, throwing down info like a secret UEA lab underneath us, then you take twenty of us, suit us up to the teeth with guns, and we plan to kill every last one of those fascists."

"About half a year ago, I lived a simple life under the rule of Equestria's tyrant, I didn't have too many worries, and I lived in a somewhat safe environment, but things changed. When I joined the Renegades, I had to train hard and learn many things that I was not able to learn before. I had to learn how to trust somepony before I met them, I had to practice the way of picking somepony out of the crowd. Shanty Stables is one of many, but anypony can become a fighter, it just takes time and hope."

She drew a long sword from her holster, it was a beautiful weapon, crafted with the strongest steel as she explained, and was given to her after the completion of her training.

"I have been to parts of Equestria ranging from the aquatic civilizations of Whales to the Nomads of the Arctic South, just opposite of the Kingdom of Aris and New Trottingham. I just got back January fifteenth, I haven't even been in the country for more than a few weeks. This lab beneath us is supplying resources to UPs all over Equestria, and if it falls, we go one step further into our plan," she said.

"What plan?"

She bit her tongue while chewing, "Ah! I shouldn't have said that, I need to learn to keep things to myself. Forget I said anything about that last part."

She got up and left the barn, while I was left there wondering about what she said. I tremble as my quill touches these blank pages; for death is looming over me and it's right on our front door. I must catch my rest before we go to battle, I will write back before we head out in the morning to write my thoughts.

February 11 -

We leave in five minutes, I have my best sheriff suit on, a vest, some suspenders, a coat, and a holster for my revolver and one on my back for my rifle. I'm enjoying my last glass of brandywhine before I get up on my wagon with the spinny guns pulled by buffalo and we set off into the dunes. I hope Celestia is watching over us this day, for I am scared. All the dynamite went into boxes and were loaded onto separate carriages, but I kept a few sticks and matches in a satchel that I'm keeping with me.

I'm right behind the wagon as I write and I see the other seventeen ponies saying goodbye to their families. I hope that they all make it back, for what I have heard from the rebels, the UEA have much more powerful weapons in the labs underground that they are experimenting on and they are much more dangerous. The unicorn rebel gave a speech a few seconds ago.

"Today, we ride into the desert to fight for a royal cause underneath Celestia's flag. You will be remembered, whether you die on this day, or you live past one hundred. A pony once told me about a land, one blooming with fruit and flowers, one where the freedom was unlimited and the possibilities; infinite. This is what we are fighting for, a peace for which heroes strive for and peasants long for. Today, we set out to save Shanty Stables and others alike, under one ruler, Celestia. Today, we ride for freedom."

She paused then, "Let's head out."

I don't know why, but I feel a strange connection to the unicorn, one that I had felt all my life. I am just realizing it now, probably because I have some alone time before we reach our destination. The buffalo are quiet as they pull, but I can here some of the other ponies talking outside. I feel a strange loneliness.

I think when this is all over, I'm gonna' start a family.

Night -

Today, I fought a battle, I saw ponies die, we saved thousands. I sustained a few injuries, but none of them compare to the ones I sustained to my heart and mind. Out of the eighteen, fifteen returned, and I have copied the letters to the families down below, but I left their names out in the journal, I can't bear to look at them;

Dearest family of...

On this day, February 11 of twenty eight NM, your son, brother, and friend was killed, fighting valiantly beside his own kind against the tyranny of the United Equine Aristocrats, whom we thought left us alone out here in the wild West, but to my foolishness, I let us let our guard down, and they were here all along. ... was a treasured member of Shanty Stables and he will be missed by us all. He will be missed at the saloon, at the store, and around town, but do not grief because of his loss, for he died a hero, and will always be remembered as one, nothing less. I will take full responsibility in ensuring his burial on the grassy patches of the apple orchard to the north of Shanty Stables, as he told me on his dying breath. I wish it was it was me more and I would trade in my life to protect the lives of the creatures of Equestria, but now, we must wait, together.

Dusty Trails

Dearest Family of...

Your daughter, by now you have heard, tragically perished on this day, February 11, twenty eight NM. She was one of the only mares to answer the call when Shanty Stables was in dire need of assistance, and she fought with bravery, courage, and such a will power. When our Renegade friend gave the speech this morning, we were told we were fighting for peace, which was the main reason your daughter, sister, or friend, came to fight. She was one of the bravest ponies I have ever met, this being a small town, heroes are scarce. She will have an empty coffin buried on the Great Plains near the many lakes. As I said, heroes are scarce, and it saddens me to realize that we have just lost one.

Dusty Trails

When we returned home just a few hours ago, I was a different colt. Before, I was just plain old Dusty Trails, a loving, caring sheriff watching out for his peaceful town, but as I write, I am becoming more of an emotional wreck. If only I could describe what I saw, what I did...

We pulled up to the cavern entrance in the side of a dune, just an ordinary dune, but in the cave, we came upon a large rock wall. We all stood ready for anything and one of the Renegades (I finally counted them, five) walked up to the wall, placed her horn to the wall, and it lit up like a Hearth's Warming Eve tree. The wall slid open and it led to a metallic tunnel, which was where we proceeded. Down in the tunnel, we came to the first lab, the one the unicorn told me about, and everypony started shooting at each other. I got into cover as fast as I could, and as fast as it started, it was over. Nopony had taken any damage and we continued to the next lab. I didn't look at the UPs on the ground, I couldn't.

The next few labs were a challenge, they had laser beams and swords and high powered thingamajiggers that I thought were impossible to be built. That was when we lost the colt I wrote about. Stabbed right in the chest with a UEA standard issue sword, he didn't even see it coming. I pulled my revolver and shouted at the top of my lungs, then that UP looked right at me through his mask, and I shot him clean in the forehead. I couldn't do anything but pull the sword out quickly, and the fighting stopped immediately. He told me where he wanted to be buried, and then tears swelled up in his eyes.

"I don't wanna die..."

"I know... I know..."

"I wanna go home."

I'm sorry, my friend, I am truly sorry. I wish it was me.

We came to the center of the complex, where the main generators were located, and where the dynamite I packed would come in handy. The buffalo that was carrying the crates of dynamite tripped as he ran over to the generators and they rolled all over the floor towards the UPs who were shooting at us. That is when I grabbed my small stash and got ready to throw myself into the generators. We were being overwhelmed by the UPs, soon we would all have been shot. I lit the long fuse, three times along as a normal stick, and charged towards the generators, then I was shot in the back left leg. The stick rolled on the floor, and the mare who was with us picked it up.

"Wait! You can't, I'll do it!" I begged her to stop.

"No, sheriff, you go back to Shanty Stables, protect them."

She seemed so sure that this was what she wanted, even though it was suicide. I called everypony to fall back to the exit, and we galloped as fast as we could until an explosion burst within the generator room, sending a fiery wall up the shafts and blowing out the front of the cave as we made it out just in time. The rest was history. It was one of those 'you had to be there' moments to fully understand it, but I never want to relive something like that again in my entire life. I felt as if I had just rang a door bell and ran for my fillyhood life, hoping I wouldn't get caught.

An hour ago, the unicorn came back into my office, and she talked with me for w while.

"How are you doing?" she asked.

"I don't know, I wrote these notes to the families of the deceased, but I'm not to good at writing those kinds of things, what do you think of them?" I handed her them two notes and she read them over carefully, studying the words. She took a deep breath and stared;

"I couldn't help but notice you said you wish it were you. Sheriff, I know we came in here in an 'all-of-a-sudden' manor, we showed you something you didn't want to see, we made you take your people and fight a battle you had no idea that was coming."

"We Equestrians fight for the good of its ponies, Shanty Stables, though peaceful, is not a stranger to death," I smiled, which was the only expression I thought seemed right at the moment, not because I was happy, but because I was proud.

She said that she and her posse were departing and I asked, "Where will you go now, rebel?"

"Off to fight the tyranny, my friend."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, if you must know, I think we are going to the other side of the world, wait until some more info comes up from our resources..." she paused for a second. "Ever since my life changed and I joined this whole struggle, I have believed that one day, everything will change. I'm not supposed to say this, but... the Princess has a plan."

"But wha-" I managed to stumble out, and she was gone.

April 17 -

It has been two months since I last saw the mysterious unicorn and her ragtag group of rebels, and in honor of their help for the town, we built a small monument for them out in the center. Time has flown by fast, and I have taken my words before to heart, I think I'm going to start a family. I have been trying for a while, and I will have to update as soon as possible.

December 4 -

I think I might have found the right one.

May 4, 0029 NM -

I'm getting married.

February 11, 0035 NM -

It is National Rebellion Day in the town of Shanty Stables, and my family and I are going to pay our respects to the two who lost their lives on this day. Today, we are making a time capsule just to let the people in the next millennium know who lived here and what they did. In it are valuables such as bits, photographs, bullets, clothes, my sheriff star, and this journal, which I plan to put in the capsule tonight.

In the next paragraph, I will be addressing the creatures who find this journal;

Greetings my fellow Equestrians and/or other countrymares, I am sure you have just finished reading my story of the mysterious rebels, and I hope that times are much easier in Equestria, now that it is one thousand years into the future (or whenever this is discovered). I only hope that the downfall of the UEA has actually happened, and if not, then I hope the Renegades are trying as hard as they can. Please take my sheriff star and other artifacts. Just remember as I have wrote, the Princess has a plan.

Dusty Trails

As the researchers and explorers continued to search the desert, they came

across the sheriff's office, which was still in good condition despite the two hundred years of loneliness. Over the hill, there is a cemetery, with one of the graves marked; Dusty Trails, born 997 Middle Millennium, died 67, which would make the narrator of the journal seventy years old. His remains were dug up and examined, his cause of death was from cardiac arrest from old age.

Historians have made thousands of copies of this journal and was adapted into the best selling short story called 'As the Sand Blows Over the Dune", read by millions of Equestrians to this day.

Explorers also found the old and crumbling tunnel that led to the UP facility underground, where they found old research papers, remains of experimental weapons, corpses, and other things.

Dusty Trails was seen as a historical figure, starting off as a simple, small town sheriff, to a war hero, saving thousands, and loved by millions.

Excavation log #768

Hail Princess Celestia