by Max Barry

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Region: The Alliance of Dictators

Sanctuary Point wrote:“Huh, that’s an interesting way about it.” The Lieutenant replied as Tempest’s perpetual frown deepen slightly. “I think I’ve been to a few planets that do much the same. Though the priestly crowd still complains about it being unorthodox.” He shrugged and motioned for Peachy lead on. “Remind me, if you will, of the major points of Reformed Ponyism.” Tempest asked as she followed behind.

Peachy said, "I'm not much of a preacher, but Reformed Ponyism teaches us that all three Pony Kinds are to embrace the two great virtues of Harmony and Unity. In practice this means that all Ponies should work for the greater good while embracing their inner talents. Alicorns are considered sacred paragons, the living embodiments of all that which is good in the Ponykind. Their word should be considered law, for they see the deepest desires and aspirations of common Ponies and know what is truly good for us."

The Overseer took Tempest and the others into a large movie theater inside the main building. It was empty now aside from a Pegasus projectionist. However, there were enough seats for hundreds of Ponies, probably for everypony who lived in this particular building and worked the surrounding fields.

"You should watch one of the films we show to our Earth Pony workers every day, both to entertain them and to motivate them into working harder," Peachy said. "The one scheduled for today is titled 'The Heroic Sacrifice'. It's one of the most popular ones."

Without waiting for a reply she nodded to the Pegasus projectionist who started the film.

The film turned out to be decently made but blatantly propagandic. It told the story of a misguided Earth Pony filly who dreamed of being a great warrior. She practiced fighting and neglected her work in the fields, forcing her poor mother and father to work twice as hard. But one day their idyllic village was attacked by an Ursa Major. When the Earth Pony filly saw the monster, her courage failed and she fled in terror. But before the Ursa Major could eat anypony, the brave Captain of the village's Pegasus Guard and a tavelling Unicorn Mage faced the monster in combat. Both the Captain and the Mage gave their lives in defending the village, but in the end they managed to vanquish the monster. Inspired by the noble sacrifice of the two higher caste Ponies, the misguided Earth Pony filly decided to sacrifice her dream and became the hardest worker in the village. And on that day, she gained her Cutie Mark: a plow.

Midway through the film, there was a knock on the door. A Pegasus sergeant of the farm's guard entered the darkened theater and came to talk with Peachy Pitt in a lowered voice.

When the sergeant was gone, Peachy explained to Tempest, "Nothing to worry about. Our aerial patrols have spotted a pair of intruders at the outskirts of the farm. They didn't look armed. The guard will take care of them, so we can continue the inspection as planned."

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