Prologue

An old mare walked into her family’s farmhouse. She spied her usual chair in the corner with a table beside it. A newspaper sat on top of it. She walked over to it, her hooves clopped on the wooden floor. She sat down in the chair and picked the paper up, reading the article on the front page once more.

Equestria Decreed Dry!

After much anticipation and build-up Princess Celestia has issued the Trotstead Decree, illegalizing the manufacture, transport, and sale of alcoholic beverages. This decision is the result of months of debate and mounting pressure on the Equestrian Government by temperance organizations. Despite support amongst many of the larger cities of Equestria, the new law enacted a mere two weeks before the start of cider season has caused uproar amongst cider loving rural towns. Particularly Ponyville, Fillypine, and Whinnypeg, these towns were the center of opposition to the temperance movement in the months leading up to the Trotstead decree. Particularly vocal members included the Smith family of Whinnypeg, the Apple and Trotter families of Fillypine, and the Apple and Rich families of Ponyville. Polls have indicated that as few as half of Equestrian residents are in support of the Trotstead Decree. Already protests against the new law have been staged across Equestria. Despite the opposition Princess Celestia has stated that the majority of ponies are still in favor of temperance and she shall remain firm on the matter.
Temperance organizations argue…

Granny Smith put the paper down and sighed.