(Alright, this is the last time I'm posting UTF propaganda since I'm running out of candidates. After this I'm going back to quotes. If you have any suggestions, show me.)

(As you can see, the UTF has a red, black and white obsession.)

(Something to show how the UTF encourages innovation and creativity. More positive.)

----------------

Note: I have discontinued part of chapter 2.

"I for one, would like to know about what kind of music you humans produce." requested Celestia.

Scarecrow took the lead. "Music is perhaps one of the greatest expressions of human nature and ingenuity ever. We have a wide variety of musical genres people can listen too."

"One of the oldest and most renowned genres of music that is especially enjoyed me is the elegant orchestra." dramatized Rarity. "Nothing too bold though, I like my music soft."

"You should really listen to pony symphonies, they're quite riveting." invited Cadance.

"Save your self the trouble, they're probably way too slow for you." yawned Rainbow Dash.

"Actually, the 4 of us are really fond of symphonies and orchestra music." brought up X-ray. "It's one of the oldest forms of music and the fact that it hold up today is quite a marvel."

"Huh, another thing we have in common with humans." flexed Twilight. "Although I don't think are orchestras have the same way of producing music."

"I doubt it." shook Scorch. "We probably utilize the same techniques and instruments to create music."

"Well, we ponies have a whole bunch of instruments!" chirped Pinkie Pie. "We have tubas, drums, harmonicas, trumpets, pianos, cellos, violins-"

"And so do we humans." interrupted Scorch. "How long have you ponies had these instruments?"

"The instruments used in orchestras aren't recent creations. The oldest instruments that are in use today are around a few hundred years old. Some instruments like the saxophone are really new and were invented during the times of our great grand parents." informed Twilight.

"Well, the oldest instruments that we humans use, especially in orchestras and symphonies are at most, a thousand years old." said Scarecrow.

"What are the odds we'd manufacture the same tools for music?" laughed Luna.

"Why do you ponies even have instruments like that?" questioned Overwatch.

"So we can make music. Duh." pointed Applejack.

"No, we mean why do you have these specific kind of instruments?" questioned X-ray.

"I don't follow." frowned Cadance.

Scarecrow sighed and lit up a hologram from his wrist computer of a series on instruments such as a piano and trumpet

"What do you notice about these instruments?"

The Equestrians looked at each other for a moment.

"They're not what you call, animated?" guessed Rainbow Dash.

Scarecrow face palmed. "No. Look at how they're supposed to be played. Don't any of you realize something is off with hoofed creatures using these kinds of instruments?"

"Not really. We ponies can operate them fine. For the most part." pointed Twilight.

X-ray let it out. "The instruments you ponies have clearly are clearly meant for bi-pedal beings with 5 fingers to operate. Look at how a human would play the instrument."

The hologram changed to depict a human caricature playing a violin. The ponies were awe struck by the hologram itself as well as the method the human used to play it.

"I don't see the problem. That's how ponies play the violin." squealed Fluttershy.

Scorch sighed. "If you pay attention to all the instruments you ponies have, you should notice that all the chords that need to be struck to generate music are meant for delicate fingers."

"It doesn't have to be. We ponies can play these instruments just fine with hooves and telekinesis." countered Celestia.

"I can understand playing with telekinesis, but hooves. Really?" shrugged X-ray. "Shouldn't have ponies noticed that the chords are far too small for practical application with hooves."

"X-ray is right. I always found the notes on an instrument devilishly small." agreed Luna.

Scarecrow twirled his gloved fingers. "That's because they're meant for appendages like these. Because humans have multiple fingers, we can strike single or multiple chords and will."

The hologram display changed to depict a women playing a saxophone. No audio however. The Equestrians paid attention to how the caricature of the women used her fingers to play the saxophone in ways nopony had seen before.

"Meanwhile, a pony would probably have serious trouble trying to strike one chord at a time." implied Scorch. "On a piano, a hoof would most likely strike more notes than needed at times just to give an example. Also, a pony has no digits, they can't play multiple chords that are apart form each other. Or at least with any accuracy."

"Well we ponies have been aware of such a problem, but nonetheless we adapted and produced beautiful music. Pony musicians simply have their own tact for handling instruments with hooves." stated Rarity.

"But what about drums or any other percussion instrument? Why have that?" added X-ray.

"I don't see the problem in having drums. You can just smack the drumheads with your hooves." replied Pinkie Pie.

"That makes sense." relented Scarecrow. "But in order to use some percussion instrument properly, one would normally need a stick of some sort to strike the instrument to get a more accurate note."

"Well I don't see ponies using any instrument that requires us to carry a delicate object." defended Twilight.

"But aren't you ponies still uncomfortable when playing instruments?" inquired Overwatch.

Luna was uncomfortable. "Why would we be uncomfortable?"

"Look at the way one would need to properly play a cello." instructed X-ray. The commando tapped on his wrist computer to change the hologram to show an upright man in the position necessary to play the instrument.

"Speaking of a cello, you real should see this player named Octavia she's fabulous." invited Celestia.

"Has she ever told you how uncanny playing the instrument feels?" glared Scorch.

"Why would a pony play an instrument if it didn' feel right?" glared back Applejack.

"Observe the way the man has to play the instrument we likely had for a longer time than you." showed Scarecrow. "Notice how the man is an upright position to play correctly."

"Yeah? We ponies play instruments like that too, otherwise there would be something wrong with the music." replied Twilight.

"Why though? Ponies are quadrupeds." exhaled Scorch.

"And how does that have anything to do with music?" shook Cadance.

"Humans are bi-peds, standing up to play instruments isn't unnatural at all. Ponies are all on 4, they would have to alter their natural stance to play most symphonic devices and surely that isn't comfortable." explained X-ray.

"Ponies who play instruments get used to standing on two hooves." countered Luna.

"Furthermore, observe how some instruments like the clarinet and flute require not only an upright position and hands, but also for said appendages to be curved as well." demonstrated Scarecrow.

The ponies looked at picture after picture detailing how humans played music. Sure enough, the stances were similar to how pony bands played them, but it felt so much more natural when they played it.

"Those humans sure look a lot less tense." whispered Fluttershy.

"Exactly, why make instruments meant for humans to play?" questioned Scorch.

"So how else do you propose we make music?" asked Twilight back.

"Why not invent instruments that are meant for quadrupeds with hooves to operate and not the other way around?" proposed Scarecrow. "It would have been far more interesting to see brand new instruments meant for ponies to utilize, not devices humans already have."

"I was well alive when these instruments were created, and they just seemed like a good idea." defended Celestia. "Since my subjects played music well, there was no harm done."

"But whose brilliant idea was it to say 'hey we're ponies, let's make instruments an upright ape should be using'. Doesn't that bother you a bit?" inquired X-ray.

"From what I have read from books regarding the arts, it just happened. Ponies didn't get an epiphany to create musical instruments like humans, it just happened naturally." informed Twilight.

Shadow looked at each other. Without speaking, they knew what the other was thinking.

"We see." nodded Overwatch.

"How does knowing about musical instruments possibly contribute anything to the goals of the Federation?" asked Cadance wearily.

"It's not about instruments, it's about the overarching principle." trivialized X-ray.

The Mane 6 groaned.

"Something wrong girls?" worried Celestia.

Twilight flexed her mane. "Shadow squad has this theory that we're-"

"We'll get to that in a moment. As for types of music, you'll find that we may have a lot of common." brushed off Scorch.

"The genre preferred by us is classical. Although with a more modern spin which I'm sure you ponies haven't come across." insisted Scarecrow.

"Do you guys play any instruments?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Scorch can play percussion, Scarecrow can play trumpet. Me and Overwatch are pretty uncaring towards playing music but we did play clarinet and tenor saxophone in high school band." remembered X-ray.

"Could you play us a human symphony now? You sang pretty well an hour ago." requested Celestia.

"How about we show it to you? Our devices are capable of storing music data." proposed Overwatch. The counter terrorist snatched X-ray's tablet and found a great song written in 2295 by Don 'O' Martin.

"Listen"

The music started playing from the speakers of the tablet. From the screen a hologram showing a human orchestra playing the instruments. The mares and Shining Armor had to get closer to hear the song perfectly.

Needless to say, the ponies were mesmerized. From the video, the ponies saw how skillfully they played the instruments compared to even the most renowned musicians in Equestria as well as how natural it felt. With fingers, they didn't need to move their bodies in awkward positions.

As for the music. It was breathtaking. Despite Shadow's violent nature, they sure enjoyed beautiful music. There were some elements in the song the ponies didn't recognize however.

Even Rainbow Dash who hated classical and Applejack who didn't like listening to non country music were taken as well. Rarity recognized the style of music as the one she listened to. However, this song was slightly more aggressive in its tone and something that would be used in epic plays. Perhaps the excitement the song produced was what drew the two tomboys in.

Finally the song concluded and the ponies were left speechless.

"My word, that was amazing." complimented Celestia.

"Thanks. This song has been played for quite a while since its implementation a few centuries ago." nodded Scarecrow.

"Centuries?" gasped Twilight.

"Humans tend to have a habit of keeping music alive. Some artists such as Mozart and Bach have their music being played for nearly a millennium." laughed Scorch.

"Although it did sound slightly different to what I listen to." pointed Rarity.

"Like I care. That made orchestra fun!" cheered Rainbow Dash.

"Well we humans like experimenting with music." noted X-ray. "We've come across many genres. Some of which you may have like country music."

"Yeah we got dat." chuckled Applejack. "Do any of y'all listen ta it?"

"Nah it died out with the rest of farm folk culture." responded Scorch. "Most people of your descent still listen to songs played by people of the same ethnicity though."

Scarecrow continued the conversation. "A genre we humans enjoy when we want to calm ourselves is jazz music. It's basically using the same instruments as symphonies but with a more calming demeanor."

"Oh we have that." squeaked Fluttershy. "Noteworthy and other ponies enjoy playing it at the cafes. Really relaxing."

"How long have you had Jazz or Swing?" asked X-ray.

"Around the same time we invented instruments like the saxophone.. The earliest ponies who listened and played this kind of music were our grand parents." informed Twilight.

Scorch crossed his arms. "Well we humans have had Jazz music for nearly 600 years. Maybe more."

"Another genre we humans enjoy listening to which I'd rather not discuss is rock." brought up Scorch.

"Rock?" repeated Luna.

"Yeah apparently stones can talk. So can metal!" cheer Pinkie Pie.

X-ray face palmed. "Rock is a musical genre made popular in the 20th century that developed off of swing. It was modified with focus on guitar and made with a much more heavier sound."

"So that's why it's called rock! Because it's a hard form of music." chirped Rainbow Dash.

"And metal developed off of rock as an even heavier form with louder guitars and more aggressive singing." concluded Scarecrow.

"How clever, it's called metal because it's heavier than rock." realized Cadance.

"Most rock and metal bands are often consisted of a bass player, an electric guitarist, a drummer and singer as opposed to dozens of players in a orchestra or jazz band." explained X-ray.

"What's an electric guitar?" asked Applejack.

Right before the ponies could stop X-ray- "An electric guitar is a variation of an acoustic one that uses a transducer to register the vibration of strings into a electric impulses which is then transferred to a speaker which plays out the transmitted audio."

"Regardless, 4 people sounds like too little to make music." noticed Twilight.

"Not really, those two genres are very loud and strong. Especially since the sounds are enhance via machinery I'd rather not play any of that music with you mares around." warned Scorch.

"Why not?" questioned Celestia.

Scarecrow formed a sheepish grin. "Because, well, rock and metal music is so extreme and at times, upsetting. You all are so gentle-"

"Oh please you think we can't handle it?" gloated Rainbow Dash. "Play us the heaviest stuff you got."

"Besides, how can music be angry and make anypony feel down? Music is supposed to be fun and uplifting." smiled Cadance.

"You asked for it." warned Overwatch. The sniper found a rock song written in the 24th century and played it. Unlike the symphony, there was no hologram detailing the musicians, but rather just the music.

The song started with a soft acoustic and drum opening before taking the ponies by surprise with an electric guitar blast. It wasn't as heavy as metal but the fast pace was far too much for ponies. The lyrics also baffled the equines given its rebellious nature. Finally the song concluded with an a guitar solo and a replay of the chorus.

After a pause.

"That was even brash for me!" let out Rainbow Dash.

"It was a little loud." squealed Twilight.

"Those lyrics were just so depressing." cried Cadance.

"Well, I hate to break it to you. But government oppression was a problem on Helghan." snorted Scorch. "Back then, a coup occurred on the colony that instilled a xenophobic empire that vilified minorities. Many bands, such as Borderland who we just listened to, rebelled against this stance and expressed it through music."

"I didn't know music could be used as an outlet for ideas." said Celestia.

"What? You think music is just about fun times and working out?" trivialized Scarecrow. "A lot of times it's about tackling injustice and issues."

"But why did it have to be so aggressive in its approach?" pondered Rarity.

"Because injustice isn't anything we should be passive about. We have to get angry sometimes." glared X-ray.

"Such barbaric music has no place in a joyful place like Equestria." snorted Luna.

"Why? Because it would make people realize all the stuff that's wrong with the nation and try to fix it?" mocked Scorch.

"Ah just don' think we should be so worried or gettin' mad when listenin' ta music." insisted Applejack.

"Well, music is one of the most common things people enjoy, so it's a great excuse to find a way to expose injustice." defended Scarecrow.

"What happens when music like that exposes injustice of the Federation?" challenged Pinkie Pie.

"They're shot for treason." muttered Overwatch.

The mouths of the ponies dropped, only for Shadow squad to laugh.

"Just kidding. The UTF defends free speech even at its own expense." assured X-ray.

"But aren't there things some wouldn't want to hear?" whimpered Fluttershy.

"It's their fault for listening, not the musicians." countered Scorch. "At least it wasn't as heavy as metal."

"I don't think music like that can get heavier." shook Twilight.

Scarecrow didn't want to prove Twilight wrong. "Moving on, another genre we humans have is rap, which has basically died out and fused with rock permanently."

"What's it like?" inquired Rainbow Dash.

Scorch flexed his blond hair. "It's hard to describe, but it normally involves fast paced lyrics. Not as heavy as rock and metal at all, but quite fast. Rappers tend to cover various topics from romance to society. We don't listen to this type of music and neither to we think you ponies would."

"Another musical genre we humans have that's fairly popular is pop music." added X-ray.

"Pop? You mean like when balloons burst?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"No. Pop was developed around the same time as rock music but was generally more accessible with softer chords and and lighter attitudes. Mostly focusing on social life, especially romance." explained Scarecrow. "It's not something we listen to, but you ponies seem to produce music that's awfully close to it."

"Furthermore, pop music tends to mostly use electronic instruments rather than physical ones." added Scorch.

"By electronic music, you mean like what Vinyl Scratch plays right?" checked Twilight.

Shadow couldn't believe they forgot a crucial fact.

"Why does Vinyl Scratch and her coltfriend Neon-something play dubstep, or electronic or party?" questioned Scarecrow.

"Because it's their special talent silly. Electronic music was created a few years ago." smiled Pinkie Pie.

X-ray crossed his arms. "Do you have any idea how wrong this situation is?"

"So what you are saying is that we can't enjoy party music?" glared Celestia.

"No. Electronic music came to humanity well after we developed genres like rock and pop which you ponies haven't even heard of. How can you have dubstep without even having developed the genres developed prior?" trivialized Scorch.

"We're not humans, we don't have to have the same genres as you!" shook Rainbow Dash.

"You don't get it." pointed X-ray. "One musical genre has lead to another. Classical to jazz to swing to rock, metal and pop to techno. Each genre is the influence of the other. A chicken can't be born without an egg."

"What are you trying to imply?" stared Twilight.

"Just how odd it is that ponies have a very old human genre that somehow lead to the newest alliteration of music." explained Scarecrow. "How could the pony inventors of techno music randomly get the idea to create electronica without earlier genres to build off of? Ponies have successfully untouched hundreds of years of music."

"Was that last part supposed to be an insult or compliment?" pondered Pinkie Pie.

"Neither. We're just pointing out how anachronistic it is for Equestria to have electronic music, which is a genre made popular in the 20th century, despite the fact that they are lacking many other fields." defended X-ray.

"Like what?" questioned Cadance.

"Electronica comes from mostly synthesizers right?"checked Scarecrow.

"Correct." answered the ponies.

"Well to have turn tables or whatever is needed to create electornica, ponies need to or at least should have developed an understanding of machinery like the radio and the computer." informed Scorch. "And while ponies have speakers, the only form for you all to play music is through records."

"What do computers have to do with music?" asked Twilight.

"The way humans produce most kinds of music these days is through computer apps." explained X-ray. "Like playing a virtual instrument."

"Doesn't that mean humans don't have to actually be proficient in singing or playing instruments to make music?" awed Rarity.

"In a way, yes." nodded Scarecrow. "Unlike ponies, not all humans have perfect vocal chords nor are we that good in musical improv. We don't usually burst into song unless we're really high."

"Human machinery must be pretty sophisticated if you can produce music with only electronic skills." stated Celestia.

"When it comes to music, machinery is a blessing and a curse." growled Overwatch.

"How's it a curse?" gasped Pinkie Pie. "Does it suck the soul of-"

Scorch interrupted Pinkie. "In the past, humans became famous and earned money through musical talent since they could sing and play instruments like professionals. For two reasons having to do with machinery, such a dream is virtually nonexistent."

"The first thing that pretty much collapsed the industry is piracy." started Scarecrow.

"Humans broke into music stores and stole records?" gasped Fluttershy.

"No." responded Scarecrow. "No humans has ever needed to use a disc to listen to music for centuries. Instead, we listen to virtual sound files on our devices. By piracy, we mean humans finding the audio file on a file sharing website and basically copy the files onto our devices without paying."

"Dats stealin'!" yelled Applejack.

"Virtually." muttered Scorch.

"Shouldn't have the Federation cracked down on situations like that?" remarked Shining Armor.

"Not really." shook X-ray. "It trembles on a person's freedom to use the internet which the Federation won't regulate and is if a technocratic government is going to appreciate people getting rich from entertainment rather than ingenuity."

"Another reason why the music industry pretty much imploded is that technology basically allowed humans to compose songs in an extremely easy fashion without talent." added Scorch.

"I understand. Why work hard and learn to sing and play when you could simply recreate the same songs on machine?" condescended Twilight.

"Exactly. When everyone could make hit songs in a heart beat without ever having to work for it, people with actual talent no longer became special." informed X-ray. "And since everybody just pirates the music you create, humans can virtually no loner profit off of music."

"Virtually?" heard Celestia.

"The reason why neo classical music is so popular is because it's extremely hard to replicate an entire orchestra. As a result, most humans enjoy seeing an epic symphony perform." explained Scarecrow. "Also dance music has survived since most people go to clubs."

"What about rock or pop concerts? Don't humans see those anymore?" asked Cadance.

"Of course. We do. But since it's easier to create mainstream music on a tablet or machine, why waste time learning to sing or play an instrument?" shrugged Scorch.

"That's kinda lazy." scolded Applejack.

"We humans have flaws too." pointed Scarecrow. "Musicians still exist and all, but they don't last long due to piracy and the fact that the chances of them being noticed amongst a large quantity of humans is minimal. As a result most humans just make their own music or listen to old artists. But even if we can't profit form it, the fire of music still burns."

"But what does this have to do with electronica in Equestria?" questioned Twilight.

"We're curious as to why ponies like Vinyl Scratch are creating music on technologies that shouldn't exist unless previous alliterations have existed." explained X-ray.

"I believe the instruments that are used to create electronic music are simply piano like technologies that are amplified and altered by the artists magic. I've noticed most electronic singers are unicorns." inferred Rarity.

"Makes sense I guess." sighed Scorch. "So rather than creating that genre of music with programing, unicorns use sound waves emitted from their horns."

"Can we please abandon this discussion? It's making my head hurt." groaned Rainbow Dash.

"How about we change the discussion to human holidays? I would like to know what days humans have marked special as well as why." proposed Celestia.

"Fair enough." nodded Scarecrow. "The first holiday we have is new years day celebrated every 365 days at January 1st with the exception of leap years."

"How marveolus! We Ponies celebrate new years day at the same rate and time too!" exclaimed Rarity.

"Celestia and Luna. You two control the star and moon rotation of Epona right?" checked X-ray.

"It is true. Controlling day and night is an arbitrary tasks for us alicorns." answered Luna.

"Here's a fun fact. If your planet saw no direct interference in solar rotation, the extremely weak stellar gravity emitted by your star would send the planet flying." said Scorch.

"We are aware of that. Discord almost succeeded in doing that very same thing." remembered Celestia.

"Well since you're in charge of day and night, why make new year 365 days like Earth?" questioned Scarecrow.

"Beg your pardon?" frowned the solar alicorn.

"The reason why we celebrate new years day every 365 days is because that is how long it takes Earth to naturally complete a cycle around our sun, Sol." explained X-ray.

"Well isn't that how long a planet is supposed to do a complete cycle?" asked Twilight.

"No. Each planet takes its own time based on distance from the star and other factors." informed Overwatch before X-ray could rant. "Mars takes more than 680 days for a year around the same sun., Kepler 62 e takes 122 days and it's even more complex for moon colonies like Europa."

"Wow, it must be hard to memorize all those new years day parties for all the colonies huh?" empathized Pinkie Pie.

Scarecrow scratched his chin. "Not really, all colonies just celebrate the Terran new year in honor of our home world. And let's just say that new years day on this world be every 190 days."

The equestrians pondered the statement for a moment.

"But back to the question. The day and night alicorns are in complete control of planetary rotation, why choose 365 days for a new year?" inquired X-ray.

"It was not our decision. 365 days has always been a new year for ponies." defended Luna.

"But why did ponies choose 365 days like Earth and decide there would be leap years LIKE EARTH?" yelled Scarecrow.

Applejack shrugged. "Coincidence."

"I doubt it." hissed Overwatch.

"Another holiday we humans have that we celebrate on December 24th is Christmas." added Scorch. "It was celebrated by Christians in honor of Jesus Christ, but since the religion is virtually extinct, we remember this holiday for all the main things Christ taught us like love and tolerance."

"Well that's a beautiful holiday." complimented Celestia. Suddenly, the ponies couldn't stop laughing.

"What's so funny?" questioned Scarecrow.

"When humans celebrate Christmas, ponies celebrate Heart's Warming Eve." chuckled Twilight.

"You mean the day when ponies united as one nation?" checked X-ray.

Rarity cleared her throat. "Yes. December 24th is when the three pony tribes unified as one. We celebrate the day as a reminder to the ideals of friendship and harmony that our nation was founded on. Before that however, we celebrate the events involving the three founders and three advisors that lasted from late November to early December known as the week of Harmony."

"The Jewish celebration of Hanukah takes place from late November to early December." stammered Scarecrow.

Scorch taped into his radio to contact the Feds. "Are you getting this?"

"Loud and clear." radioed the HOD. "Shit is getting creepy. Keep interrogating."

"How long have ponies been celebrating Heart's Warming Eve?" asked X-ray.

"Around 2 thousand and 510 years." checked Pinkie Pie.

"Humans have been celebrating Christmas for 2 thousand and 530 years and even more so for Hanukah." said Scorch. "By the way, how long have the alicorns ruled if Equestria has only been unified for a fraction of Epona's existence?"

"For a while, the Alicorns merely saw a status as deities that oversaw the various pony nations. When the tribes united, we became fully fledged monarchs." explained Luna.

"What do ponies do during this holiday?" asked Scarecrow.

"Well, we set up a Heart's Warming Eve Tree and light a heart shaped candle every day during harmony weak to symbolize our ideals of friendship." revealed Pinkie Pie.

"We also give presents to kind fillies and colts." whispered Fluttershy.

X-ray face palmed. "Humans give presents to good boys and girls during Christmas and set up a tree as well. The whole burning candle thing is what is done on the Jewish holiday of Hanukah."

Twilight placed a hoof on her chin. "Do you sing carols by any chance?"

Scarecrow groaned. "Yes, but we've largely altered the lyrics of Christmas carols to be secular."

"Why are you so upset?" questioned Cadance.

"Because we humans find it rather odd that we have a holiday celebrated within the same time period based on the same ideals with the exact same traditions." gritted Scorch. "It's like you copied our race 100%."

"Not exactly. Christmas has nothing to do with unification." reminded Twilight.

"That's a minor detail for what may be the exact same holiday practiced by two races that evolved separately on worlds stars apart!" exclaimed Scarecrow.

"Come now. You're getting two worked up over a coincidence." encouraged Luna.

"Coincidence!" yelled Shadow and the congressmen watching from Bernstein.

Shining Armor changed the subject. "What other holidays do you humans have?"

X-ray's patience was slipping. "Well let's see? We have labour day on May 1st to celebrate the working man and labour rights? Do you ponies happen to have plagiarized this holiday?"

Before an Equestrian could respond-

"Of course not! You probably don't even know what a union is." screeched the rifleman.

Scorch was more clam. "We humans also celebrate January 14 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. as a reminder for civil rights and equality. We've been celebrating it for nearly 600 years."

"A noble day to remember." nodded Celestia. "We ponies have no Equivalent."

"Funny, since you ponies have traits regarding times dating after Martin Luther King's era." exhaled Scarecrow.

"I doubt you humans have a Summer Sun celebration equivalent celebrated on the 23rd of June." said Celestia. "That festival is used to mark the longest day and our defeat over NightMare Moon."

"Finally. Something original." calmed Scorch. The demo man faced Luna. "And you're okay with ponies celebrating it?"

"As of now, it is used to celebrate the act of Celestia moving the sun. So I'm cool." smiled Luna.

"We humans also have this holiday on February 14 called Valentines day." added X-ray.

The ponies started tensing.

"Basically Valentines day is a day dedicated to love, romance and hearts. All that mushy stuff." blurted Scorch.

The Equestrians were getting even more nervous.

"In the end it's all about finding your special somebody and all that bullshit." muttered the asexual Overwatch.

"We're not really interested in that holiday." muttered Scorch.

Cadance tried to hide her anxiety. "Why's that? Can't get any dates?"

Shadow blushed nervously.

"Well. I guess so." admitted Scarecrow. "Like we said, we never had any girlfriends." Shadow's commander could have sworn he heard a congressmen call him a looser from the COMs. Typical politicians.

"Why's that?" whimpered Fluttershy.

"Well, we're too anti social so the odds of us meeting women on Valentines day are abysmal. Made even worse by us joining the 23rd." sighed Scorch.

"Plus girls like the idea of being a mother and we can't exactly fulfill their wish. We're sterile." revealed X-ray.

"Oh my gosh!" yelled Pinkie Pie.

"What?"

"They cut it off?"

"Cut what off?

"You know, that special part males have for special reasons." let on the Pink Mare.

Shadow got even redder.

"NO THEY DID NOT CUT OFF OUR DICKS!" screamed Scarecrow. The laughs of the congressmen and women taking notes were heard form the radio signals.

Pinkie Pie sat back in her seat while Rainbow Dash and Rarity laughed at her.

"3 years ago, we had to raid a chemical weapons facility." told X-ray. "As a last resort to kill us, the terrorists detonated a series of chemical weapons. Due to our masks that filtered the air, we were saved from a slow and painful death, but exposure nonetheless made us biologically sterile. So yes, we still have our....certain organ."

"But that means none of you can have children." gasped Fluttershy as she tried to conceal her nervous attitude.

"I don't need my kids to find out I've killed more than 300 thousand humans." remarked Scorch. "Adoption is still an option anyway. A lot of kids have lost their parents from insurrection attacks."

"....."

"Spill it." dared Scarecrow.

"What do you mean?" faked smiled Twilight.

Scorch crossed his arms. "The moment we brought up Valentines day, you all started getting nervous. You're hiding something from us."

"We're not hiding anything." squealed Rainbow Dash.

"Our lie detectors went off." exhaled Scarecrow. "Let me guess, ponies celebrate Valentines day too?"

"Not fully." corrected Cadance. "We ponies have a holiday called Hearts and Hooves day."

The humans didn't laugh at the name.

"And it's all about love and finding your special somepony? Maybe even exchanging red paper hearts and eating candies?" interrogated X-ray.

"It is, and I normally oversee the festivities carried out during this holiday as the princess of love." said Cadance.

"So once again, we ponies and humans share a holiday, celebrated on the same day and based on the same ideals." shook Scarecrow. "How long have ponies been celebrating this holiday?"

"For around a thousand and 300 hundred years." guessed Twilight.

"While facts have been distorted, humans have been celebrating Valentines day since the 4th century AD. It originated as a Pagan holiday although information on the origin has been lost." explained X-ray.

"The history of Hearts and Hooves day to recounts a time when a prince gave a love poison to a Princess that was my great aunt." explained Celestia.

"Love poison? You mean those pheromone drinks that drug a person to be in the presence of another with the same pheromones unless they are kept away from each for an hour in order for the addiction to wear off? checked X-ray.

Celestia blinked one eye at a time. "Yes."

"After the prince and princesses were drugged, they could no longer perform their duties and were to busy with each other to save their town from being utterly decimated by a monster with no survivors."

Scarecrow's eyes shot open. "That's a pretty dark origin story. Why would ponies base a day on romance from a grave tragedy?"

"We don't know. Things just happen and please don't get mad at us." squealed Fluttershy.

"Well at least our love holidays aren't too similar." smiled Pinkie Pie.

"Not similar!" exclaimed X-ray. "We celebrate a day based on the principles of love on the same day, with the same traditions and both are based on pretty dark origin points."

"Come now. There's no way you humans celebrate a holiday like this." insisted Luna.

"Like what?" challenged Scorch.

"On October 31st, we Ponies celebrate NightMare Night as a remembrance of the time when I first transformed into NightMare Moon. Fillies and Colts often dress up in costumes on this holiday and go trick or treating and collect candy while the adolescents like Rainbow Dash enjoy telling horror stories pulling pranks out of immaturity."

Rainbow Dash blushed. Shadow remained silent in frustration.

Scarecrow took a deep breath "On October 31st, we humans celebrate Halloween for reasons we have forgotten where we dress children in costumes to go trick or treating so that they can stuff their whiny little faces with candy while teens and young adults watch horror films and pull pranks because they're fucking assholes."

The ponies didn't know how to respond to such a statement largely due to Scarecrow's swear throwing them off.

"How long have ponies celebrated NighMare Night?" asked X-ray with a strong sense of impatience.

"For a few hundred years." muttered Rarity.

"Well we humans have celebrated Halloween for more than a thousand years." gritted the rifleman. "Why is that ponies are continuously copying human holidays?"

"Hey we're not copying you! That would be rude." defended Pinkie Pie.

"We're not accusing you of plagiarism." responded Scarecrow. "But why is it that whenever humans invent a holiday, ponies have the compelling urge to create a counter part holiday celebrated on the same day with the same ideals?"

"I don't we think ponies are copying you humans consciously." defended Celestia. Suddenly the princess got nervous. "To be fair though, when ponies create holidays, it never seems to be a conscious decision, but rather a compelling urge. As if we need to celebrate holidays like this."

"Urge. Huh?" smiled Scorch. Shadow's theory was looking brighter and brighter.

Fluttershy had the courage to speak. "What holiday do humans have about the environment? We ponies have Arbor day that's celebrated on May 4."

Shadow nearly snapped. Had another human been in their place, they would have thrown themselves out the window.

"We.....we.....humans have a holiday called Arbor day as well.......Celebrated on May 4th to remind us about caring for nature." slowly stated Overwatch. "The exact same holiday, with the exact same purpose celebrated on the exact same day with the exact same name."

The ponies did not need a pissed off Shadow squad right now.

"Come on. Can't you just appreciate how funny this is?" pleaded Pinkie Pie.

"Funny? Ponies that live on another planet that should have lived totally different lives as us have somehow copied our culture. That isn't funny, that is ridiculous." hissed Scarecrow.

"What, does everything have to make sense to you?" accused Rainbow Dash.

"There are plenty of things that don't make sense to us." defended Scorch. "Anything is technically possible, but the reasons for ponies having the same holidays as humans would still have the most redundant explanation ever."

"Not everything needs to have an explanation!" insisted Rarity.

"It does. Nothing happens for no reason." implied X-ray. "We hoped it wouldn't have had to come to this, but we do have a theory as to why ponies may have similar traits as white-western-christian humans."

"Are ya sure this ain't some sort of cosmic coincidence?" suggested Applejack.

"A planet with an Earth like atmosphere populated by primates is a cosmic coincidence." snorted Scarecrow. "Not mythical creatures from human stories that speak English, have invented technology meant for hands and bi-peds, have the same styles of music and the exact same holidays."

"Well the ponies at Saddle Arabia have different traits than Equestria. I don't think it's fair to accuse ponies as a whole for having similar customs as humanity." pointed Twilight.

Scarecrow slammed his head on the table and nearly shattered it. "Is Saddle Arabia by any chance located in a desert and have any laws that violate women's rights?"

"How could you guess that?" awed Rainbow Dash.

"On Earth, we used to have a country named Saudi Arabia that didn't exactly treat women well." implied Scorch. "It was also located in a Desert."

X-ray rolled his eyes. "No need to describe them. We probably already know what they're like. Any other pony nations?"

Celestia felt like Shadow was ready to draw their weapons at any moment. "There's the kingdom of Stalliongrad. Come to think of it, the people of Stalliongrad have voices similar X-ray's accent."

X-ray was Armenian, but that nation was part of the USSR at the time Stalingrad was a city.

"There used to be a city named Stalingrad on Earth." growled Overwatch. "Although rather than naming it after male horses, Stalingrad is named after a dictator that killed millions."

The ponies gasped. Rarity fainted and Fluttershy started to cry.

"Why would humans name a city after a dictator like that?" cried Luna.

"Former city that seized to exist once the dictator died." assured Scorch. "Are the people of Stalliongrad communists with emphasis on labour and ruled by a single party dictatorship?"

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "It's the Kingdom of Stalliongrad."

"Oh, so Stalliongrad is like Russia during its time as an empire. Makes more sense." stammered Scarecrow.

"How would you know? You've never been there." reminded Rainbow Dash.

"Given the fact that Equestria has ripped off everything having to do with western Europe and how Zebras have plagiarized off Africa, we are certain we know how other nations are like just by hearing their names." snorted Scorch.

"Come on! You humans shouldn't get this mad." insisted Cadance.

X-ray laughed. "Sorry, but the Federation is having a hard time accepting all the anomalies occurring on this planet. What's next, we share the same name for cities?"

Twilight flexed her mess up mane. "That depends, do you humans have any cities named Manehatten? It's the oldest city in Equestria other than Canterlot at 400 years."

Scarecrow just gave up. "We have a city named Manhatten. It's existed for nearly 800 years."

"Fillydelphia?" gasped Rarity.

"Philadelphia." said Scorch.

"Las Pegasus?" questioned Rainow Dash.

"Las Angeles." corrected X-ray.

"Trotingham?" checked Applejack.

"Nottingham. Although it doesn't exist any more." growled Overwatch.

"Universe damn it!" face palmed X-ray. "Now you're ripping off America!"

"How do you know, you're not the ones copying ponies?" challenged Pinkie Pie.

"Because we've made it clear that whatever ponies have, humans have had it for a longer time." defended Scorch. "Logically, Ponies are the ones copying us. Equestria specifically plagiarizes the white western ethnicity while Zebras seem to plagiarize Africa, and the Griffins seem to like Persia."

"Do you really have to find out what's going on?" glared Celestia. "The odds of finding an explanation for our similarities are abysmal."

Scarecrow looked up. "Actually, the Federation has developed a theory derived form our notes and observations. Not just for Equestria and its resemblance to humanity, but rather the planet. It might sound extremely ridiculous, but there's enough evidence to support it."

Author's Notes:

Yes! We're getting to 200 likes. Thanks. Please, if you faved this fic, like it as well.

This chapter serves as a breather for the more tension heavy dialogue coming up. BTW, I do not count the Grand Galloping Gala as a holiday.