The next day, Night Breeze, Moonshine, and I went to the school as always. However, there is something very interesting today. There are four Laws lessons, during which we will be taught about the most important laws in Equestria and how they came to be. The lessons will be conducted by Luna.

I remember she once told me she doesn't see herself as a teacher. Well, I guess she changed her mind. Well, it will be good for me to see how well she can teach, especially if it concerns such an important topic as laws. Rights and obligations, freedoms, all of those are very important.

We entered the school, washed our hooves, and made a beeline to the auditorium. It was open, and we entered it. The auditorium features different night-themed colors: black, shades of blue, purple. I also noticed everything had a distinctive gothic style: window frames, tables, chairs, all of them were masterfully carved into something indescribably beautiful.

As we entered, we were greeted by Luna.

"Good morning, students." she greeted us, taking a sip of coffee. "You are welcome to take any seat you like."

Luna's voice was carried through the auditorium perfectly and clearly, giving a feel of something regal and majestic. This room is more like a throne room than an auditorium for studying.

"Ah, and good morning to you, Flame." Luna greeted me personally. "How was your night?"

"It was calm." I replied, walking to the princess. "Luna, why are you teaching us today? I thought you didn't like teaching."

"Not that I dislike teaching, per se." Luna replied. "I suppose it is hard for me to teach large groups of ponies. Nevertheless, I'm proficient in laws. My sister suggested I should teach ponies about them. Besides, I should talk with ponies more often. Thus, I came here."

"And what about the room? Was it like this before?"

"No, but I made a rearrangement. Studying rooms of the past had much more decorations, being more pleasant to the eye. My sister gives her own auditoriums her personal feel, and I suppose I can do the same." Luna smiled.

"I actually like this style." I smiled back. "Gothic?"

"In the past times, it was called "modern", but you are right." she nodded. "Now, let's take a seat. I have a lesson to prepare."

I nodded and then went to Moonshine and Night Breeze. They've already taken sears in the front row of desks. I sat to the right of Moonshine, and felt Night's gaze on me.

"Are you friends with her majesty?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"I don't want to brag but I am." I nodded. "She's a nice pony once you get to know her."

"I'm quite flattered by your kind words, dear Flame." Luna said. I blushed slightly.

Night Breeze blushed as well. It seems she didn't want her question to be heard.

***

The bell rang, and immediately all ponies stood up to greet the princess of the night.

"You don't have to stand up, dear ponies." Luna said, standing up herself. "You may sit."

It seems a lot of ponies in our class fear her to some degree. No one but the three of us sat in the front row.

"Today, students, we will talk about the basic Equestrian laws." Luna proclaimed. "They are the foundation of any and all other laws. If said laws contradict the foundation, they can't be laws." she explained simply. She loves to speak regally and... you know, how wise people speak, but she's speaking rather clearly now. "Our country is based on freedoms and obligations, for one cannot exist without the other. And while there are freedoms, there are also restrictions to said freedoms. The main principle is — your freedom ends where other's begins. It is rather simple and yet very effective. For example, you cannot make other ponies do what you want unless there is a contract they agreed to sign with you. Otherwise, it is illegal.

"Let's begin with basic freedoms to which all citizens of Equestria are entitled." Luna grabbed a piece of chalk and began writing on the blackboard. "First of all, Freedom of Life. Everyone has the freedom to live, and their lives cannot be taken unless they've committed a serious, unforgiving crime. According to this freedom, all citizens of Equestria may search for their happiness, they are free from being inflicted violence or abuse upon, be it physical or mental. It also means they may protect their lives without negative repercussions. It is so because life is much more than just existance, it is much more precious.

"Second is the Freedom of Thought. No one will be prosecuted for their views unless said views are a danger to others. For example, it is fine if you disagree with my view on, say, economics. It is not alright, however, to express said disagreement with violent actions. We can solve every problem in a civilized manner. We the princesses must hear your complaints and respond to them accordingly.

"Let me tell you another example. Through the times, there were various religions, good and bad. They don't exist nowadays mostly because of the Second Freedom. Many religions of the past restricted the freedoms of our citizens and made them do what they otherwise wouldn't. It pressed them into committing atrocities such as burning down buildings, sacrificing ponies, and other nefarious deeds better left in history.

"But what if religion helps, um, ponies to be happy?" a voice sounded from the auditorium.

"Valid question." Luna pointed out, nodding. "However, in order to follow a religion, you must also follow their specific set of rules that are mostly based not on logic but on what a god or gods of said religion expect of you. There are many baseless restriction, such as not eating daisies on a specific date. It was scientifically proven that such restrictions have no logical reason for existing.

Second, religions were always forced upon the foals by their religious parents, which is completely unacceptable, especially in our time. Religions also narrow believer's view on the world, tying everything to simple solutions that might not be true. We hope to raise foals that strive for knowledge and discovery, not those who close themselves in the confines of a certain view. I hope it answered your question."

After receiving a nod from the pony, Luna continued.

"Third is the Freedom of Speech. You may speak against anything you want as long as you back up your words with reasoning. It is even better if you back them up with facts. So, it is alright to tell us we are wrong on a specific matter. It is not alright to accuse someone of a crime without giving a proper proof. It is also not alright to lie, especially if it concerns mass media. Unfortunately, they are known for their twisted titles that use the words in a specific ways to gain attention and twist truth in the direction they want."

So far, everything sounds logically and reasonable. I don't call bullshit on those freedoms. Humanity could definitely use some of that, especially speech. Too often people say something without backing up their words with at least sound reasoning. And media... I hate it. "Metal is satanic", for example. I've read some articles about that, and they're so shit you wonder how they're not flushed down the drain already. And people believe those articles! Ugh...

"So, these are basic freedoms of our country." Luna concluded. "Do you have any questions, students?"

***

There was a big load of questions Luna had to answer. They concerned self-defense, art, and a lot of other things.

I learned that self-defense is an important right. Apparently, ponies may bear weapons for self-defense. If they are assaulted, they may use these weapons to incapacitate or kill the attacker right there and then. There won't be any negative consequences for the victim at all. Unlike in some countries where there is "too much self-defense". As far as I know, some countries value lives of criminals a lot more than they should. For example, in Russia, there is a high chance that you will get in prison if you defend yourself with a pistol against someone with a knife. Not to mention that owning that sort of firearm is illegal there. I've been to that country, and I've heard about some illogical shit.

Let's think about the art. You may create whatever you want as long as you don't use it to justify crimes. So, it's okay to write a story about someone who committed a crime and why they did that. It's not okay to say that it was right to do. Also, you may not describe disgusting things in any way: rape, torture, some weird fetishes (Luna didn't specify which, but I can guess there are a bunch of them), and other fucked up shit you don't want to even hear about.

Ponies actually took the subject of torture and rape without exaggeration. They know those things existed, they know they're bad, but it's not hidden from them. Ponies face the facts, unlike a lot of humans.

Well... It is an interesting topic. Especially concerning art. You know, some people get aroused by eating shit. In this country, this kind of folk get treated in the hospital because it's not alright to have such a fetish. And I kinda agree with them. When I searched for porn on the net, I often found some things I wish I wouldn't have to see. Ever. People are sometimes very disgusting.

I bet a lot of humans will maybe disagree. "But the freedom!" they would probably say. In my opinion, freedom is alright as long as there are limits. But that's my opinion. I've no idea what others think of, uh, everything.

Maybe some people would consider Equestria slightly oppressive because of the art thing. I'm pretty certain that there are a lot of people drawing rape. Ugh... No, that's absolutely not alright. "But it's just a drawing!" they say. It doesn't make me sleep easier knowing that there are people who like rape, even if it concern fictional characters. But that's me. I'm kind of sensitive to such topics because, well, I don't like people getting hurt for no reason. Especially so severely. Some things leave deep scars, ones you can't see with your eyes. And...

Well, it took a dark turn. Others seem pretty alright. I... well, I feel like I want to throw up.

I guess I'm highly sensitive to such stuff after all. Maybe because such stuff was hidden from me for a long time? You know, these cartoons for children where everything is white and black and there is a visible line between good and evil.

I suppose I should go to the spa again to relieve my stress. Talk a bit about that... Yeah, it'll certainly be alright for me.

***

After the lessons ended, I headed home. Moonshine soon joined me. Night Breeze, on the other hand (hoof? Which should I use?), decided to stay a little longer and talk with Luna about something.

"Hey," I heard Moonshine calling me. I turned my head. "You seem sad."

"I suppose..." I let a drawn-out sigh. "Well... I suppose that, um... Luna touched subject of rape and, uh... I suppose it led to, um... My thoughts became darker." I find it difficult to form a coherent sentence.

"But it doesn't happen nowadays." Moonshine pointed out. "It's very good, don't you think?"

"It makes me happy, yes." I nodded. "But... in my home-world, a lot of such things happen still..."

"I... I'm sorry, I didn't know." her ears folded as she looked at me with compassion.

"Don't be." I shook my head slightly. "It's not your fault. You could've done nothing to stop this. I... well, I just have to accept it and move on." I sighed again. "I'm in a much better world now, and I am happy." I managed a small smile. My words are true. "I have you, and... Everything is so much better than it was back then."

"It is good to have you, too." Moonshine nuzzled me lovingly. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

At the end of the day, I am happy. No matter what I had to go through, no matter what I've heard and seen before. I have much more than I could ever wish for.

And I will never let it go.

Author's Notes:

This short chapter was a bit depressing, but I hope not too much. Even if our planet has a lot of problems mentioned in the chapter, we can be better. We must face our problems and deal with them, not hide from them.

Also, I mentioned religion in this chapter again. You may disagree with the point, but please, don't speak without backing up your worlds. I have a lot to back up my anti-religious claim. I ask you not to start another holy war in my comments. Well, I guess I already have done it myself, but I ask not to engage in conversations about religion without reasoning and proof. Just shouting at each other won't solve anything.

I should also mention Flame's position on those disgusting things he mentioned. If you like rape, you need psychological help. Wishing harm on someone for a bit of pleasure is not normal and is not okay, no matter if it's fantasy or reality. If you like eating shit, you need help. I'm not going to argue and will delete any comments saying "but it doesn't hurt anyone". It's still damn disgusting and I will read no justification of it.

The story won't take a darker turn, it just shows the truth from Flame's point of view. I suppose some of you won't be alright with the darker things I write, but fear not — I'm not going to make this story darker. But I must say that all things have dark and light sides (aside from some exceptions) and it's foolish to disregard one of them in favor of the other.

My main principle — whatever the story is, there must be realism and no rose-tinted glasses.