Timeline of the Eclipse War

0 DW- 4th of September- The first reveals mass amounts of blueprints for weapons and products, both for military and civilian use, that are based on human design. While many weapons and equipment have to be modified, sometime vastly, to fit with pony biology, this gives the UCI the edge it need to go against the magically boosted forces of the Solar Empire and Luna Republic. Single shot rifles, crude but effective tanks, artillery and other devastating weapons go into production. Factories, a construction system never before seen in Equestria are built, pumping out mass weapons of war never before seen. Knowing a good economy is just as important to victory as weapons and soldiers, civilian products also go into production. Medicine, trains and human based musical instruments are all introduced. These start a renaissance inside the UCI, and with the huge boost to income, repairs are quick, and soon whole cities and village are expanded. Ponies from all over hear rumours of a cultural revolution inside the UCI boarders and become citizens, not only giving them a population to rival the two powers, but surpassing them. That along with its propaganda leads it to having the largest army out of the three.

0 DW- 30th of October- People prepare for new moon night but, under propaganda and the princesses approval, it is renamed nightmare night and instead, is about the monsters and ghouls that the republic is supposedly making, so they can take the children to Luna so she can eat then. While very silly and many people lashed out at this change, it was surprisingly successful simply because a holiday about fear had never been thought up before, and most people had fun with it.

0 DW- 17th of November- the First starts being called by that title. Up till then people have never known his name or species so they called him “Leader”. When finally asked, he simply said “I am the first human to enter the realm of Equestria. My name means nothing to me, nor should it mean anything to you.” As such he begins to be called a number of titles including the General, the Leader, the Lord commissar, based on a new political officer rank given to the army, in charge of keeping morale up and inspiring the men before they charge, The Warlord by the Zebras and many more names but the most popular was the First, as he was the first human. On this day also he begins four secret projects, ones that aim to win the war, or at least act as tide turners. These include project Templar, project Locus, project Javelin and project Dusk and Dawn.

0 DW- 21st of November- Around this time both Luna Republic and Solar Empire prepare for war once again. Celestia plans to attack as soon as the cease fire ends. The First leaves Stalliongrad to seek out allies and sources of energy. Many of the new inventions he introduced need electricity to run, and a lot of his modified schematics need some kind of power source that doesn’t run out and bends reality. Knowing magic is the key, he sets out to find a source to be used in his empire, while also heading towards the Griffin Empire, making contact with the dragons, the major Diamond dog clans and finally the Zebra tribes. He chooses not to go to the changelings as he believes that they cannot be trusted, and the Buffalo to wrapped up in tradition to follow his new way of life.

0 DW- 28th of November- the Luna Empire armed forces and Solar Empire royal guard start to fortify their borders and start mass garrisons. The First arrives at the Crystal Empire. UCI intelligence speaks of how the crystals dug from the empires famous mines are known to glow when magic is forced inside them. Experiments with one Chrystal which was purchased from a merchant confirmed the fact that magic could be stored inside and released both to best reality and to act as a power source. The First plans to make a deal with the empire, safety in return for crystals.

0 DW- 29th of November- The city council agrees to meet with him. The empire was founded as a city state ruled by a king, but after the bloodline ran dry the city was taken over by a council selected by the cities merchant guilds. It was still called an empire for two reasons, first because it gave the people an impression of unity and power while making them feel that being ruled by a council instead of a king didn't change the way they lived. Another, which was used as the guilds as an excuse to stay in power if challenged, was as long as the Crystal heart, an ancient relic of power that was in tuned with the emotions of the Crystal ponies, stayed lit then clearly the council was , by the gods, fit to rule. There is much discussion over how agreeing to the terms may make themselves a target, though it is offset by those who argue that by defying the princess, they already made themselves targets. After two hours and forty three minutes of debating, they agree to the terms. The UCI now has their power sources. However, to constantly recharge them and keep the working, most unicorns in the growing army act more in engineering roles then combat ones. As a result, while the UCI will have a vast technological advantage, the two empires have a magical one.

0 DW- 2nd of December- Both sides are ready to strike but both knows whoever moves first will take huge losses in crossing the boarders. Sun Shine does come up with an idea when playing a game of chess. Seeing that the game was about predicting the foes movement, she saw its connection to the current war. She comes up with an idea that to win the match, one had to break the rules. She comes up with an idea of using dummies and blow up supplies to mimic a garrison, while the real one is redeployed.  The First sets sail to the Griffin Empire.

0 DW- 10th of December- the Royal Guard are in position and ready to execute the attack. The First arrives in the Griffin Empire.

0 DW-12th of December- To the far north, a few dozen miles from the sea, a border outpost was preparing to celebrate. Many who were stationed there were scared of the coming storm, especially due to the high build-up across the river. Their job was to hold the enemy at the bridge they were stationed at, as the river stretched along the north and crossing it would both be difficult and take time, time the rest of the armed forces could use to mount a counter attack. However, they found that many of the garrison across the river seemed to have left, most likely being redeploy to where the attack was actually going to happen. Almost all the garrison went south to the nearby town to celebrate, though one Pegasus was left behind to contact them if anything happened. Late that night, while the stallion was asleep, a huge Royal Guard attack force marched straight over the river and headed towards the town. After waking up, the Stallion found the base crawling with guards. He managed to stay hidden for some time and attempted to contact the guards to allow them to defend themselves and the town. However, he was captured before this could happen. After being confronted in the main tower by the commander, the stallion managed to break free, kill the commander, and set fire to the tower before escaping. The fire as seen from the town and a defence was mustered before the guard arrived.

0 DW-13th of December- Battle of the Green Dragon tavern- Many of the soldiers from the garrison were actually drinking from a tavern on the outskirts of town, in the direction of the outpost. As such, the battle wasn't so much in the city as it was based around this little tavern. Due to a heavy civilian population and time constraints, they wouldn't be able to fortify the town, so instead they fortified the tavern. It was based on a much smaller bridge leading over a stream so the road was easily fortified with some wagons and crates since they knew most of the soldiers would cross by the bridge, while the taverns windows were bordered up and lines of defence were established.

When the army arrived and found them in a tavern of all things, the Royal Guard commander chose a full frontal attack mainly because the siege weapons they had brought were made for bombarding huge cities not targeting a tiny pub. However they found it difficult mainly because so many of them were being forced in such a small space, and if any of them flew over or attempted to cross the stream, crossbowmen inside the pub would fill them with arrows. Eventually, due to share numbers they were forced back into the tavern, although they managed to stall the attack by using fire spells to blow the bridge. After a few hours of peace, they were attacked again by soldiers who had crossed the river further down, meaning they got attacked from all directions. Crossbowmen and magic users did cause major casualties by firing out of slits in the boarded up windows, the front door was rammed open and they spent a few minutes holding them off behind the bar before going upstairs.

Finally, in the main hallway, they did one last final stand against the foe. To their luck however, the stallion that had fallen asleep had run into a Luna Republic patrol and reinforcements were sent, driving out the attackers and saving the taverns defenders.

0 DW-14th of December- the Griffin Empire denies the Firsts attempt to form an alliance, since even though ponies and Griffins have had an old rivalry, they have nothing against them at the moment. However, he does get assistance from a group of vigilantes who despise ponies, calling themselves the Pro Griffin Militia Group or PGMG, who heard of this attempted alliance and wish to join. Overall, the group sought conflict, as Griffins were always proud warriors, and the group’s goal was to prove Griffin might to the other races. While the UCI believed in unity and equal right for all, this was only racially and financially. A griffin with much fighting strength had more respect than the average earth pony, and that was just the environment they were looking for. They would continue to recruit other griffins during the war, though the griffins only made up a small part of the army. Manly they acted as heavy troopers and the air force till project Javelin was completed.

0 DW- 15th of December- the First sets sail for the south of Equestria, towards the Zebra's. War is declared once again between the two factions and skirmishes break out around the boarders.

0 DW- 27th of December- Battle of Grey Stone bridge-This time it’s the Luna Republic that go on the offensive, Black Dye spearheading the offensive.  Not much thought goes into the attack but speed and numbers. Unfortunately, the Royal Guard had put up defences and while huge casualties were taking on both sides, they fought to a standstill. Upon hearing this, Luna becomes convinced that mimicking the Solar Empires way of war was not going anywhere. They needed to come up with new ways of fighting. He gave this job to Blackmare, who surprisingly agreed with her on this.

0 DW-29th of December- Blackmare comes up with an idea for how they can beat the Royal Guards. He comes up with a new formation of infantry, magic infantry. Up till then, magic was used on a personal level; there was just melee, winged and archery infantry formations. The new formations would work together to cast single, massive spells. However, these spells were not tide turners as hoped, but helped to give the republic an upper hand.  This includes spells that caused cloud cover, a spell that caused fear in a small group of foes and the power to summon a sphere of dark energy from the ground that while not harming anyone physically could knock them around and to the ground.

1 DW-1st of January- Despite no peace treaty or cease fire signed, all fighting stops for New Year’s Day. It does give both soldiers and commanders a chance to look at the damages. Deaths and destruction is huge as both sides try to push through the other only to fail. If it is not resolved quickly, a stalemate is likely. Sun Shine and Swordn Shield both have dinner with Celestia for propaganda reasons, though this is the first time both have actually talked to her face to face. Both find her personality somewhat cold and the dinner is more an awkward conversation about the war and the state of the empire then anything, any attempts at something more light-hearted being shot down by the princess. Ironically enough, Blackmare also organises a dinner with Luna and the council, only for everyone but Luna wanting to talk about the war and the state of the republic. The First is forced to celebrate with the crew of his ship, first acting cold but eventually lighting up after a few drinks and they sing tavern songs together.

1 DW-4th of January- The boarder assault- Not one, but three battle occur this day on three different locations, although due to the fact they have the same goal, organized by the same commander, Blackmare himself, and occurred at the same time, they are generally described as one battle.  To the north, the Luna republic manage to force the Royal guard that had attacked the tavern in the Battle of Green Dragon Tavern back across the bridge but they blew it before the Luna could cross it and take to the offense. To the south, the Republic tried to attack from swampland to get the defenders by surprise, and they succeed, however under heavy melee the guard manage to win, but only with a dozen uninjured soldiers left. However, when attacking directly west they attacked Grey Claw fortress. A small defensive watchtower, it was used as a boarder outpost and was built to keep an eye out for diamond dogs, as it was built in a rocky area were mines could easily crop up. Any attack on it was easily forced back. However, the republic attacked in force and while they managed to just barely push them back for a while, Blackmare’s new magic formations launched projectiles at the tower and, after channelling one massive one together, blew the fortress apart. They took too much casualties to keep pushing, but with the way was open and now skirmishes and battles took place all over the Solar Empire and even in the Luna Republic. Overall, it became a mobile war.

1 DW-5th of January- the First arrives and sets about organizing a meeting with the Zebra chieftains.

1 DW-8th of January- the First meets with the chieftains. However, the meeting goes horribly. The Zebra have nothing against the ponies even if they were encroaching on their territory. About to leave, frustrated, a zebra comes to him and tells of a monster deep in the jungle that is said only a true warrior can slay. If the First slew the creature, the chieftains would join him out of respect. The First sets out to slay the best with his body guards, planning to take it on with number advantage and simply say he slew it alone.

1 DW-10th of January- The creature attacks The First and his guards late at night. It slaughters everyone in sight, but the First manages to escape, though only by running and leaving his men to die.

1 DW-11th of January- the First comes across a Zebra hunter. He convinces the first to continue on his quest, and become a warrior.

1 DW-13th of January- The hunter and the First, together, find the beast’s lair. Over the last two days the hunter has given the First a lot to think about concerning what it means to be a warrior and about honour. They do battle with the beast but the hunter is killed, although the First slays the beast by plunging his sabre deep into the beast’s eye.

1 DW-15th of January- Despite the First slaying the beast, the chieftains still refuse to offer any help. To them, going to such length for their help made him a war monger. However, many zebra warriors are outraged by this choice. Ironically, they had nothing against the ponies and did not want a war either, but after finding out their leaders refused any help to what they saw now as a, the embodiment of the zebra ideals, they were enraged. They left with the First, and joined the UCI against their chieftain’s orders.

1 DW-18th of January-Battle of the grassy field- Since this battle happened in no real town, city or landmark, it’s simply called what it was, a battle on a grassy field. The Luna Republic wanted to see if they could push all the way to Canterlot. Blackmare lead a couple of platoons to try and rush for the capital, but are cut off in, what was simply a large grassy field, but Royal guard led by Swordn Shield. The battle went back and forth, each side attack and then retreating, though both armies always stayed in sight of the other. Unlike many of the other battles that just ended up in a melee, this battle played out more like a game of chess, each predicting the others moves and trying to take advantage of it. However, eventually Blackmare became sick of it all and deployed his magical infantry to disrupt the Royal Guards formations and charge in...What he did not expect though, was that just after the Boarder Assault, Swordn Shield had trained a counter measure to magical infantry. He took the best Pegasus in Equestria and in a short week, gave them the best training the Empire could afford, as well as the best weapons and armour. This airborne platoon became known as the Wonderbolts, and for the rest of the war they were the best air force of all three factions. Attacking from the cover of the clouds then launched themselves against the infantry before any spells were cast, and in the confusion the Empire charged and defeated the Luna Republic, though half of the remaining number, along with Blackmare, managed to retreat.

1 DW- 21st of January- the First arrives back and heads to the North Mountains to get the support of the Diamond Dogs. In retrospective, he realises it probably would have been best to see them first.

1 DW-23rd of January- the Diamond dog Guild master meet up, but ironically, no matter what he says, not matter what ideals he puts in front of them, no matter how much treasure he offers, they all can't agree to join for one reason... They all hate each other’s guts. The First puts it simply...What would it take for each clan to swear their loyalty to him? They all swear their clans loyalty, if they eliminate the other chieftains...So that’s what he does. Ordering his guards, they butcher every chieftain there, leaving no leaders left. Confronting their second in commands, he points out that they all swore their clans loyalty if he killed their rivals...All chieftains were dead, so they all served him now. The clans agree, either for a respect in power, or the idea of looting a posh pony city full of gold and gems. Diamond dogs would make up the heavy infantry of the UCI, usually carrying heavy weapons and wearing steel plated armor.

1 DW-25th of January- the First meets with a large number of dragons, also living in the mountains. However, they do not wish to join the war despite the treasure to be had. Neither could the First gain their respect though a show of power. He ended up walking away with no support this time, though now and again an odd dragon would come down to Stalliongrad and join by themselves for the spoils of war. However these were far from an armed group. The Griffins joined in hundreds, the Zebra's thousands, yet only a handful of dragons joined during the war, and each joined at a different point, not all at once. Still, what few did join were massive creatures that could burn whole armies alive, and as the UCI technology got more and more advance, these dragons soon became even more a threat when they wore armor plating and carried massive artillery batteries on their back. With the last of his meetings over, the First finally heads back home to Stalliongrad.

1 DW-27th of January- Around this time a small group of rebels believing the Crystal Empire should be independent from the Solar Empire and no longer provide any support to the UCI crops up. They have little to no real power, but will be helping change the Crystal Empire forever in future events. The First arrives home and celebrations are thrown. While away the UCI has finished reconstruction thanks to both an influx of urban based workers and their new technologies. More so, with the new magically charge crystals, rifles, artillery and even very crude tanks start being produced. Zebras are integrated into the army, the Griffins organize themselves into an air force, known as the Red Wing, and diamond dogs are mixed in with the divisions also, though being encased in metal armour and carrying Gatling guns and mortars.

1 DW-29th of January- A formation of Luna guards besieging a village find out that many of the occupants had taken up arms to help the defenders, constructing weapons from iron brought from merchants entering the town. According to the cease fire, if the war was to break out again, while supply lines for troops could be attacked, merchants would be untouched. However the commander decided that technically, as it was supplying the defenders with weapon making parts, it was indeed counted as a supply line and the next convoy to walk though come under attack by them.  This incident becomes a minor focal point for propaganda, as it was seen as proof that the Luna Republic would no follow the rules of war.

1 DW-13rd of February- Overall, the war has been going back and forth, Celestia taken a firm stance against the Republic and Luna, while still feeling bad about the conflict with her sister, has hardened up and is more than ready to go all the way to see victory. With his army being fitted out, the First starts to get paranoid the two empires will find out which is pretty understandable considering how strange it was they never found out when the whole government started. After a few days of thinking with his generals, the First decides both factions are practically held together by their leaders. Celestia and Luna fall, they both dissolve. While this may have been true for the Solar Empire, the Luna Republic might have stayed together due to their loyalty to her, and simply worshiped her as a prophet that made a sacrifice so they could go on. He plans to force the two leaders out in the open and destroy them there. But how will he do this without the two sisters discovering the ideal? In the end, he chooses a very very risky plan that, while not a success in the long one was rather effective. He sends two messages disguised as a messenger from the Empire and one from the Republic.

1 DW-17th of February- A Luna Republic messenger arrives at Canterlot. Apparently, Luna has requested they meet north of their empires and have a duel. The winner gets taken into the others custody and becomes a prisoner of their respected governments. Celestia leaps at the idea and accepts. She knows out of the two sisters she is the strongest and as the war could go either way, so this is the perfect chance to end the war once and for all. However, it seems almost too good to be true, and decides to take a huge chunk of the Royal Guard to protect her in case it’s a trap.

1 DW-20th of February- a Solar Empire messenger arrives at Baltimare. Apparently, Celestia has requested they meet north of their empires and have a duel. The winner gets taken into the others custody and becomes a prisoner of their respected governments. Unlike her sister’s reaction, Luna is very, very sceptical. This seems almost like Celestia's plan for Blackmare, the same plan she spoiled and ended up leaving the Empire for. Blackmare jumps at the idea however and pressures her into it, explaining that the army will back her up in case of treachery and that even if she does lose; they will rush in to rescue her and take the queen into custody. While Luna is against the idea, the fact this could end the war for good helps change her mind and she agrees.

1 DW-25th of February- The two messengers return to Stalliongrad and give the good news. However, the First is still nervous as the whole plan seems straight out of a poorly written TV episode then a military plan. It all relied on whether the Luna Republic or Solar Empire had a spy ring. If they did, it would have been easy for them to find out that the other did not send the messenger. However, espionage would not become a tool of the war till latter on, and for now, both sisters are none the wiser. They both have agreed to meet north of their kingdoms just west of the Chrystal Empire with a small attachment of body guards.

1 DW-29th of February-Battle of the red dawn- Called the tide turner of the war, this will mark the declaration of total war by all three factions, the reveal of the UCI and Officially escalate the war from a series of conflicts into full on battles. Both forces arrived at the agreed upon time, although their "body guards" ended up containing the entire Solar Empire and New Luna Republic armed forces. After a short banter over which side should surrender, Celestia attempts to use the elements of harmony against her sister.

However, they don't even start up, to the surprise of Celestia. Luna then attempts to reason with her sister, explaining that the elements not working proves her point, that she has become a tyrant. Celestia, frustrated that her easy victory is now robed of her, attacked Luna and they face off on a one on one duel. Celestia seems to have an upper hand anyway, though the battle is very close. However, half way through the duel, the combat and cheering from the thousands of soldier bystanders stop as all forces here a long, high pitch noise like an insect, that slowly sounded lower and lower. When the noise hit its lowest a long series of explosives devastated both armies. The UCI had revealed itself. The original plan was simple. Both forces would rally to defend themselves, even to the point where they put their differences apart, at least for the moment.

A first wave of rifle men would charge their lines led by the First, which would act as a distraction while a second wave uses a pincer manoeuver to surround both armies, stopping any from escaping. Once complete, both armies and national leaders would be eliminated and the war would be over, with the UCI victories. However, the First overestimated the courage of both armies. Being attacked by an unforseen force with technology they had never seen before, both forces instantly scramble. It was a complete disaster for all parties involved. Luna escaped the first chance she got, but Celestia attempted to rally her forces, but failed and she was caught in the charge. Both Solar empire and New Republic forces were run down by pursuing UCI soldiers, although the majority escaped to the First's disappointment.

Leading the first charge, the First came across Celestia, attempting a fighting withdrawal with her royal guard, and attack her himself. There duel was mainly one on one except for a single guard that attempted to intervened who was shot and killed instantly by the First. Although Celestia had her magic she had no experience fighting such a creature that specialised on skill, speed and his weapons instead of any special powers. The First on the other hand, hand been practising for a duel like this since he first arrived in Equestria, and had a clear upper hand. The duel ended were, while deflecting a beam with his sabre, he fired two bullets in the right wing of Celestia. She was soon captured as a prisoner of war. The battle ended with a decisive UCI victory but they failed to deliver the war winning blow they wanted.

1 DW- 2nd of March-The Luna Republic forces reassemble on the outskirts of the forest. After much debating, Luna decides that the best cause of action is to retreat back to Baltimare. The source of the attack is unknown but Luna believes it was not her sister’s work, since they did not wear solar empire uniform and no signal was seen to give them an order to attack. She believes the best cause of action is to wait it out and collect information on this new foe, letting the empire and this new enemy fight it out. Solar empires forces slowly collect themselves into a number of independent groups and make their way back to Canterlot, unaware that their Princess is missing. UCI forces celebrate victory. Although they failed their goal, the first acknowledged that it was due to the cowards of their opponents and not because of any factor on their part, so he allows it. Celestia herself is put away under guard, unconscious due to powerful drugs being introduced to her system. Talk begins on what to do with the princess, with most commanders wanting a public execution, while the others wish to kill her in the camp. All agree that ending her life would cause the collapse of the empire.

However the first surprises them all but declaring she would be put on a trial that he sees fit, and that if she truly is the ruler of Equestria, she would be returned to the empire. Less experienced officers argue, but the veterans agree with the first, sense experience has shown them that he has a knack for turning anything his way, and that this must be some kind of plot to further to UCI.

1 DW- 8th of March-Luna and her forces return to Baltimare. She dispatches the army to outposts and towns all along the border of the New Luna Republic. Her plan is to turtle down, getting all the facts before she decides how to act. She is frightened by the idea that there is another force besides her sister that can challenge the republic, let alone cause her armed forces to fall apart like they did. For once, the voice is quite on the matter, scaring her even more. This was supposed to be a clean war, just remove her sister and that would be it, but now she was way over her head.

1 DW- 15th of March-the first and the UCI forces arrive back at Stalliongrad. Celestia, bound, heavily guarded and drug induced to keep her passive, is drawn though the city in the middle of the parading army. With this victory, its numbers and its technological advantage, the UCI would be winning the war for quite some time starting with this event. After the Ceremony, Celestia is put into complete lockdown. Not even Viola heartstrings is allowed to see her, even though in this time she had become the Firsts right hand.

1 DW-16th of March-Solar empire forces slowly makes their way back to Canterlot. Sun Shine panics when the queen does not show up and, without asking permission from Swordn Shield, takes a detachment of guards to the battle ground to investigate. They magically are able to find Celestia's blood, but only a splatter, suggesting she was still alive, but wounded.

1 DW-17th of March-Sun Shine sends a guard back to Canterlot with her findings and sets off to try and track down the princess. Swordn Shield, weather he likes it or not, is now left alone to deal with spreading panic, military issues, finding intelligence on this new foe AND keeping a lid on the disappearance of the princess.

1 DW- 21st of March-Swordn Shield lies to the population by declaring the princess is back but resting from a wound. The first leaves Stalliongrad with only half a dozen of his best guards without telling any of the general staff or Viola. They take Celestia with them.

1 DW-22nd of March-Sun Shine makes it to Stalliongrad and makes a plan to get into the dungeon. It works until she gets there, in which case an ambush was set and the princess gone. She manages to escape, but of the guards she is with are either captured or killed.

1 DW-23rd of March--Moona panics over the sudden intrusion by Solar Empire forces (although acting alone) and the disappearance of the first. Believing she may have to take charge, she orders the UCI to start a push into the Solar Empire and New Luna Republic.

1 DW-25th of March-Celestia is taken to a remote mountain named simply "the hole", a location that even Celestia herself did not know about. The guards then beat her and using tools, remove each feather from her wings and remove her horn. The First then explains that inside this hole is an environment that evolved away from the magic and peace of Equestria, pointing out the horrific and unnatural creatures that live in its bowls. Pushed to the edge and defenceless, he then asks his guards to leave them, to their surprise. After they leave, the first give Celestia a speech about what a true leader is all about, calling Celestia to detached from the people and Luna too soft to rule effectively and that he has proven to be the better leader. He then tells her "There have been many rulers and there are many reason they became rulers but a true ruler is a far different breed. Despite what most people think, a true ruler is not born with power nor do they have power thrust upon them.

A true leader is not sly or kind or strong or charismatic. A true leader does not take power or let their power be taken. A true leader Celestia...Earns their place. Now earn yours." At which point he kick Celestia into the dark chasm and leaves. Celestia wakes a few hours later at the bottom of the dark hole, unable to see the light of day. She then begins to look for an exit, unable to fly or teleport without her feathers or horn.

1 DW-28th of March-Attacks begin on both nations borders. The New Luna Republic is able to mount an organised resistance thanks to Luna's preparations. Despite this, they are spread thin and still unable to counter the technological powerhouse of the UCI and eventually they are forced to retreat and hold up in the major cities. The solar Empire didn't stand a chance at the beginning of the push as its forces were still trying to reorganise after the Battle of the Red Dawn. During the time Sun Shine arrived back at Canterlot, she would find that Swordn Shield had left to stop the advancing UCI troops himself. Celestia finds the skeletal remains of a pony and manages to retrieve a dagger from its remains.

1 DW-30 of March-Battle of Hoofington- Continuing their push the UCI found themselves forced through a narrow strip of land since the Foul Mountains lied to the east while the Unicorn Range lied to the west. In order to continue their march they needed to pass through the village of Hoofington. Quite large for its location, Hoofington was the only city to connect Canterlot to the North which resulted in a booming trade economy, although they also had quite a large number of outlying farms. The village despite being important to Solar Empire trade was poorly defended previously since it was so close to the capital and out of the way of the Luna Republic boarders. UCI scouts report the village empty and the few defences that they did have unattended. Led by a low ranking officer due to the forces running ahead of the general staff. Believing that they smartly ran to the capital, the officer pushed his men forward, ahead of artillery support. He believed there was no point waiting for the artillery to catch up and that once they reach the town they could fortify it and establish it as an artillery outpost. Once they started entering homes however, the discovered them full of Royal guards. Rushing out of the buildings, they engage the UCI forces in close combat, were their rifles could not be used to full advantage. Although they could not fit enough soldiers in the houses to take on the UCI alone, they did hide the remainder over the hill and now that they could not form up into a firing line, Swordn Shield led a final charge into the line.

The UCI were crushed and their advance finally halted. Furthermore, without frontline protection the artillery column that was supposed to follow was abandoned, and although the Solar Empire had no idea how to use these weapons, it was a major blow to the UCI armed forces.