When I saw the ponies of Trottingham cheering over the capture of Princess Celestia and Luna I knew things around Equestria were not going to be the same. I pondered the possibilities of a new era taking place. Democracy? That word didn’t come to mind before the revolution. The feeling was nauseating. This supposed revamp of leadership was a shot heard from around the world, and I couldn’t believe Celestia and Luna were brought down from their throne. War never changes.
My name’s Wellshire Saddle, a simple stallion that’s a civilian of the city Trottingham. I’ve lived in Trottingham ever since I can remember. The city has sat upon the delta of the river Maresey for 95 years starting tomorrow. The river marks the traditional northern border of Equestria, and due to its location, Trottingham withstands the worst of Equestria's interactions with the gryphon clans, no matter the reason. Trottingham’s most known for its memorable construction of the Grand Bridge during the city’s settlement. All the exports of goods are transported over that bridge.
About three years ago is when the revolution took place. I was an overseer of the militia of Trottingham’s MREs. I made sure the ponies sent out to fight had enough rations to last them for a month. After that time, a trade cart would be sent to their location to deliver more food. No problems occurred with this situation. The only problem that lingered in my mind was the possibility of a seize on the cargo by the Princess's troops. This has happened on more than one occasion with other cities.
In my own personal opinion, I think the revolution was a mistake. I feel nopony’s ready to adjust to a democracy when for so long we’ve been under good care of the princesses. The princesses that have for many years taken us under their wing and protected us from evils such as Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, and Discord. To think other ponies aren't satisfied with the generosity Princess Celestia and Luna have given us. The revolution’s what? A sacrifice of so many innocent lives to better the wellbeing of all ponies? Damn it. These ponies have no idea what they’ve done. They’ve caused what’s now going to be constant bickering and disapproval of elected leadership. The downward spiral of a government.
Democracy is just folly towards our ponies. An idea made up by ponies who are selfish; who want more than the good things they already have. The truth will hit them eventually though, right? Elected representatives is another way of saying, “Look! It’s my turn to do better than the other pony,” when in reality, everything was fine with our usual monarchical ways. Everypony’s mind became foggy though; they became selfish. Nothing was good enough for them apparently. Now I and everypony else that sees this injustice must continue watching in awe. The capture of Princess Celestia and Luna. What has Equestria come to?
“Hey Saddle,” my wife called out to me, “Go check on the colts. I want to make sure they’re sleeping well.”
“Alright.” My wife Night Bell has also been in Trottingham all her life. I met her when Mayor Colt was inducted. Apparently she and the mayor have known each other since they were school fillies. When Colt found out he was to become the next mayor of Trottingham, he wanted Bell to become his right hand mare. I was working with the newspaper back then and I was told to get an interview with the mayor.
I got the interview, but I got much more than that. Night Bell and I couldn’t stop glancing at each other that entire day. Mayor Colt noticed it like an eagle with a telescope. He introduced us to each other after his speech. I don’t remember being as nervous as I was when I talked to her, and that puzzled me to the fullest. I was never shy around anypony, so that took me even more by surprise. I asked her to be my special somepony on Hearts N’ Hooves, and both of us were ecstatic. We eventually became engaged and had two beautiful colts; I’ve been happy ever since.
Unfortunately, houses in Trottingham have been deemed unsafe, causing the town to build an underground shelter. There was no shortage of food thanks to the large number of farmers that inhabit this town. Most ponies were devastated at first by this sudden change in lifestyle, but after a few months or so everypony started to accept it hoping one day they will be able to return to their homes.
I went underground to check on the two colts Stone and Astro. They were asleep, the first time I've seen them this relaxed since before the revolution. This war, it was useless. Damn it to Tartarus. Many ponies have been scarred and their disposition have become bitter and colorless. I guess it was for the better, right? The better for most maybe, but not all, especially for my colts.
I went back outside to see Night Bell looking at the sunset.
“The kids are sound asleep, honey.” I smiled.
“Thank goodness,” Bell sighed with relief. “I was afraid they couldn’t get to sleep.”
“They seem to be fine now that all the nonsense has stopped. Relieves stress from both of them I’m sure.”
“I feel much more at ease as well knowing no more ponies will be marching off to their deaths.”
“Still, I can’t believe it got this bad from just a few years. Look out there!”
Night Bell and I couldn't tell we were looking at Equestria. We thought of it as a land of war now. Towns that stood high and mighty in the past were now demolished and no longer visible from Trottingham. Ponies could not cross through the fields anymore as they became battlegrounds between the royal army and civil militia. Cities such as Fillydelphia and Manehattan turned into safe havens, but Canterlot is now known as “Discord’s Playground.” Fear and paranoia grew so much on the citizens of Canterlot they either became warriors of the revolution or fled to Fillydelphia or Manehattan.
My wife and I felt there was no one watching over us now.
“I wish things didn’t have to be this way,” Night Bell frowned.
“They didn’t have to be this way,” I said sadly. “This is how ponies wanted it. They wanted to feel as if they had a voice in Equestria, but they didn’t realize that they had one all along. Celestia nor Luna were cruel enough to rule Equestria with an iron fist. Everypony saw the two as tyrants when really they were leading based on other ponies’ intentions. Things got so out of hand that Grey Dawn found a way to make it look like the princesses or dictators.”
Grey Dawn; just saying the name makes me want to vomit. He was the leader of the rebellion against the royal family. Now that the princesses have been dethroned, he will become the first pony to be favored president of this new “republic.” He always made statements on how this revolution will turn out for the greater good, but I can see through him. All of it is big talk for hyping the fighters and ponies who’ve lost hope. He thought the only way to be heard by the princesses was to use force and violence. War never changes.
“Help her!” a young filly’s voice cried out. She had a pale yellow coat with a red mane and tail along with a pink bow on her head. The sadness in her eyes was as hard to see as any of the other fillies that have lost a loved one in battle. “Please! You gotta help my sister! Please!”
“We have another one, Cross,” a lookout said firmly. Cross was the head physician of Trottingham. He and his team has been caring for anypony who had been wounded from battle. “She was on the ground by the Grand Bridge when I spotted them. Multiple wounds were inflicted upon her. From what her sister was telling me, some militia from Vanhoover were looking for anypony with connections to the royal family. The mare refused to speak, so they attacked her. The fight seemed to be in her favor until…” The stallion looked down at the orange mare and frowned. He lifted up a part of the sheet and revealed the damage to Cross.
“I see,” Cross's face saddened.
“What?” the filly choked. “What do y’all see? You can help her, can’t ya?” A long silence drew on for several seconds. “Can’t ya?!”
“Her wounds are too severe and she’s not showing any vital signs.” Cross answered. “I’m sorry.” Night Bell started to tear up and laid her head on the back of my neck.
“My sister…” the filly sobbed, “She’s gone?” The filly dropped on her haunch. Everypony that she had to take care of her was gone. Everypony that had protected her, gave her hope, and risen her spirits at this time of crisis was now gone. She looked at the stretcher that had her sister on it. She put her head in her hooves and began to cry. “SIS! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME! I NEED YOU! YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE I HAVE NOW!”
Cross put his hooves around the filly’s neck to try and comfort her. “There, there,” he spoke softly. “Let it out.”
I looked up to the sky, wondering what will happen to us now. What will happen with Trottingham; to Equestria; to everypony? Everything that we once knew will be different. The land of Equestria, the Equestria that we all loved and cared about, was to change. Everything but war, because war…war never changes.
