Equestria's Race War

Race Wars: Equestria’s End All Doc version

Chapter 1: Plague

Time and time again, sixcitizens of Ponyville have proven that friendship is strong, friendship is golden, and yes, friendship is even magic. However, friendship is not forever. Throughout human history, war has become an overbearing force that destroys friendship, yet the ponies have neverencountered such problemslike tyranny, genocide, or assassinations that lead to such events. Over the course of the next seven months all ponies of Equestria become exposed to a deadly airborne pathogen known as war.The friends they once knew and the land they once called home are no longer the havens they once cherished, but rather lands of pain and violence.

“There are many things to resist, but disease is not one of them.”

― Herbert M. Shelton

Three months had passed since any clouds had passed over Ponyville, or all of Equestria for that matter. Months prior, Equestria had been getting a good amount of rain that supplied sufficient water to crop fields and the affairs of ponies carried out as usual. For reasons unknown to earth ponies, the skies remained clear for the most part from Appleloosa to Equestria’s eastern mountain ranges. The pegasi knew exactly why. It was seven months ago that Princess Celestia had allowed unicorn ponies to inhabit and be permitted to work in Cloudsdale.

Cloudsdale had once been a pegasi only territory that created and delivered clouds to all of Equestria, due to the fact that other ponies generally are unable to stand on the clouds by which the city was built, but discoveries in magic had proven otherwise. Twilight Sparkle had made a discovery in the fragmented journals of Star Swirl the Bearded which allowed her to make potions that would make clouds solid but retain their buoyancy. Upon telling Princess Celestia, Celestia declared that in an effort to increase equality among all ponies, all privileges limitted to pegasi in Cloudsdale would be removed and unicorns would be permitted to thrive there, but for safety reasons regarding the instability of Twilight’s potion, earth ponies were not yet allowed to inhabit the city.

For the first month the pegasi seemed okay with the idea of unicorns in Cloudsdale and were even happy to see more of their friends in the city, but i soon became apparent that Celestia was favoring unicorns over pegasi at every turn. The unicorns were given priority for housing, priority for work, and it even became as drastic as priority for lunch. Still, the more prominent issue was that the unicorns were creating automated magic cloud generators rather than using the traditional hurricane methods.

During the three months following what seemed like a unicorn take over, the unicorns successfully built what they thought was a rain generator. During this time many of the pegasi abandoned their work seeing as they no longer needed to lift rainwater in hurricanes; the unicorns were more capable by using mass levitation spells. Now the remaining pegasi that made the clouds would be out of work, and many left before that happened. The trouble was the generators the unicorns built didn't work. The unicorns had no clue how to make clouds, and there weren't enough pegasi to make clouds for all of Equestria.

It had been three months since Equestria had seen its proper amount of rain. It had become apparent that the unicorns had no clue how to make clouds. Their problem was they had no clue about the Power of the Pegasi. It took a real pegasus to work the heat stacks to make rain; it took a real pegasus to hoovecraft snowflakes; it took a real pegasus to mix rainbow juice.

Three ponies in particular... Well, two ponies in particular had unanswered questions that they needed to see Princess Celestia to solve.

Three ponies – Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Derpy Hooves – entered Princess Celestia's throne room on an unannounced visit seeking answers to their troubles. They entered Celestia’s Royal Castle and surprisingly, but not uncommonly, they entered Celestia’s throne room not being stopped by any guards. As they approached Celestia, Applejack spoke out.

“Umm... Princess, I've got a straight forward question for ya,” Applejack said, “Where's our water? 'Cause our apples can't take much more of the drought.”

“I assure you that the unicorns are trying their best to resolve the issue,” Celestia responded with hollow promises, “In the mean time I ask that you use your local water sources to irrigate your crops.”

“Well that’s just it Princess,” Applejack stated, “We can’t seem to manage off just water supplies from Hoofer Dam. We...” She is interrupted by the sound of Derpy breaking through a window.

“My bad!” Derpy said from outside the window.

“Aww, Derpy ya can’t just,” Applejack said. She stopped herself to speak to Celestia, “ Well, anyway Princess, we...”

“Look Celestia,” Rainbow Dash said interrupting Applejack, “the solution is simple, just give Cloudsdale back to the pegasi. The unicorns have no idea what they are doing up there and it’s throwing everypony off balance.”

“But Rainbow Dash,” Celestia responded, “I can’t just uproot the unicorns that are living there, and what am I supposed to do about the college they just built.”

“What about the water?” Applejack shouted aggressively.

Derpy broke through another window. “Oops! Sorry!” Derpy yelled. Applejack rushed to the pile of broken vases where Derpy landed to retrieve her and sit her down where she can watch her.

“Wait, did you say something about a college?” Rainbow Dash inquired.

“Ah, yes. The unicorns are turning The Stadium into a college,” Celestia answered, “I have no doubt that a college will prove more useful than a stadium.”

“But the Best Young Flyer competition is next month,” she exclaimed somewhat confused, “Where are we supposed to have it now?”

“I suggest you use a lighter tone when speaking to me,” Celelstia commanded, “Remember who you are talking to Rainbow Dash. As for the Best Young Flyer competition, I’ve decided to cancel it this year. Sorry, maybe next year.”

“You can’t do this!” Rainbow Dash cried, “You’re breaking tradition.”

Tears rose in Derpy’s eyes as she realized her favorite day of the year was gone. Applejack attempted to console her, but still listened closely to Rainbow Dash and Celestia’s conversation.

“Well perhaps you’ll learn some manners from this experience.” Celestia remarked, “Keep yelling and there will never be another competition again.”

Rainbow Dash got herself to calm down and asked, “Your highness, isn’t there something you can do to solve all of this?”

Celestia let out a sigh and responded, “This must be really important to you, isn’t it?”

“Of course it is,” Rainbow Dash said softly.

“Then no” Celestia answered.

“What?!” Rainbow Dash screamed, “Celestia this is unfair.”

“No no no no no no no no,” Derpy repeated as tears swelled in her eyes.

“These fellers are right.” Applejack said, “Celestia you can’t do this.”

“Obviously none of you know my power,” Celestia roared, “All of you out of my sight before you are banished.”

“This isn’t over Princess,” Rainbow Dash shouted just as she bolted out of the room.

“This ain’t gonna end well,” Applejack said with dismay.

Derpy finally bursted into tears. “Is it my fault?” she asked Celestia.

“No, Sugarcube,” Applejack quickly said, “It’s not your fault.”

Derpy and Applejack exited the room following Rainbow Dash. Applejack tried to console Derpy as her eyes rained like a fountain.

Later that day, the ponies discussed the events of the day in Applejack’s barn on Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Derpy explained what happened at Canterlot to Fluttershy. Afterwards, the ponies tried to think of a plan to reverse Princess Celestia’s decisions.

“I still can’t believe this,” Rainbow Dash said, “What are we gonna do girls?”

“Well I don’t know fellers,” Applejack said, “but whatever we’re gonna do we gotta do it quick ‘cause this farm can’t take much more of this.”

“Um, we could just accept the fact that Princess Celestia has banned the competition and wont solve the issue of unicorns not making weather.” Fluttershy timidly suggested.

“Listen to yourself Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash replied, “Does that even sound like a solution?”

“No, sorry.” Fluttershy said.

“I can help guys” Derpy said while she chewed five apples at once.

“Oh really Derpy?” Rainbow Dash said excitedly, “Do you have an idea?”

Derpy spat out the apples and answered, “Uumm... No. Oh! I know! I know! I could put mail in people’s boxes.”

“Derpy that’s a dumb id-... Wait a minute,” Rainbow Dash said with growing excitement, “We could inform all the citizens in Equestria about this by writing a letter and putting a copy in everypony’s mailbox in every major city and maybe if we rally enough ponies then Princess Celestia might revert her decision. Derpy you’re a genius.”

“Wo-hoo!” Derpy shouted, then fell off of a hay stack.

“That plan might just be crazy enough to work,” Applejack added.

“Okay ponies, lets get started on that letter,” Rainbow Dash said, “You ready Fluttershy?”

“Okay,” Fluttershy replied softly, but enthusiastically.

“Okay ponies lets get started,” Applejack exclaimed.

The letter read as follows:

Citizens of Equestria:

As you may have noticed, there hasn’t been much rain in the past few months. We don’t mean to point fingers, but the unicorns have not had any success in producing rain clouds as the pegasi once did. We ask that, if you would please, write letters to Princess Celestia to please change her rules back to leaving the pegasi alone to make weather in Cloudsdale, hopefully. Also, Princess Celestia has cancelled the Best Young Flyer competition so if you could please mention that in your letters to, but you don’t have to. If you want to, we will be will be having a rally outside of Canterlot’s Royal Castle on Saturday of this week, so please join if you’re free. We hope you will join our rally, but we wont be mad if you don’t.

Your friends from Ponyville,

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Derpy Hooves, and Fluttershy

Over the next two days, the four ponies spread their letters across Equestria, with the three pegasi spreading to the far off cities and Applejack delivering the letters to the local areas. Derpy was exceptionally fast at delivering letters. Not once did anypony stop to sleep. Once they had spread the letters to every major city they could, they all gathered back to the barn and slept for a full day. The next day would be the big rally. When the ponies woke, Rainbow Dash was gone.

The ponies of Equestria were now made aware of Celestia’s absurd rules. The ponies knew this had to be true because Applejack, the element of honesty, personally signed it. Tensions grew in the land of Equestria, but like any government, the ponies always have their say. A good size of the pony population was in support of speaking out against Celestia’s laws, and some were even willing to write the letters requested and attend the upcoming rally. All races of ponies were ready to peacefully protest against Celestia’s hot-tempered mistakes.

The ponies woke sometime before noon and were immediately greeted by Pinkie Pie who has been eagerly waiting for them to awaken. The first to wake was Applejack who opened her eyes to Pinkie Pie’s eyes staring at her a hand (four inches) from her face.

“Finally your awake,” Pinkie Pie exlaimed, “Did you know that you were asleep for a full day?”

“Well good mornin’ to you too, Pinkie,” Applejack responded, “Did you say a full day?”

“Yep!” Pinkie Pie shouted, still a hand from Applejacks face, “By the way I had a present for Derpy but it’s a day ol-.”

Derpy instantly smelled the muffin and jumped out of a hay stack she slept in. “Muffin!” she shouted in excitement. She immediately flew towards Pinkie Pie, hugged her, took the muffin and zoomed out of the barn. Fluttershy woke after Derpy slammed the barn door.

“Hey Pinkie Pie. Do you have any more muffins?” Fluttershy asked.

“No, sorry Fluttershy,” Pinkie Pie replied.

“Oh... Thats okay,” Fluttershy said with disappointment.

“But I have cupcakes,” Pinkie Pie stated enthusiastically.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy happily responded. Fluttershy smiled, took a cupcake and began eating.

“Here Applejack. Take one,” Pinkie Pie said, then handed Applejack a cupcake. “So I heard you girls were the ones who sent out all of those letters,” She said.

“Sure were,” Applejack anxiously replied, “So has there been any commotion around town.”

“Well,” Pinkie Pie started, “cacti went on sale, Rarity made Spike another funny little dress, Mr. and Mrs. Cake hired another babysitter which I wasn’t too happy with and...”

“Pinkie Pie,” Applejack interrupted, “has anyone been talking about the letters we handed out?”

“Only non-stop,” Pinkie Pie yelled, “C’mon! I’ll show you.” Pinkie Pie pulled Applejack out of the barn by the hoof. Fluttershy followed the other two out of the barn, but realized that Rainbow Dash was missing. Before exiting the barn, she looked back and forth for Rainbow Dash.

The ponies entered Ponyville's market place to see if the protest efforts had made any progress. Fluttershy rushed to catch up to Pinkie Pie who had been dragging Applejack by the hoof since they left the barn.

“Hey girls,” Fluttershy said, “has anyone seen Rainbow Dash?”

Pinkie Pie finally stopped dragging Applejack. “Wow. I didn’t think of that,” she responded, “Maybe Twilight might know.”

Suddenly, Soarin’ of the Wonderbolts made a crash landing in front of Applejack, who was lying in the dirt, leaving a hoof crater in the ground.

“Hey, ponies!” Soarin’ said, “I just wanted to personally congratulate you on behalf of the Wonderbolts on making a stand against Princess Celestia.”

Applejack rises from the dirt Pinkie Pie left her in. “Well,” she started, “I wouldn’t call it a stand, but we sure do mean to make a point.”

“Well still, congratulations,” Soarin’ replied. “I’ve gotta get going.” Soarin’ said, “I’ve got some business to attend to. See you at the rally.” He began to fly away, but stopped and turned after making a realization. “Hey wait a minute. Where’s Derpy and Rainbow Dash?” he asked.

“Well Derpy took off a while ago,” Applejack explained.

“And nopony has seen Rainbow Dash all day,” Pinkie Pie added.

“Oh, Okay then,” Soarin’ said, “If you see either of them tell them I stopped by. See ya.” Soarin’ took off and the ponies continued towards Twilight Sparkle’s house.

As the three ponies walk through the village, several ponies waved and smiled. Everypony was being extra friendly with them; some even gave them gifts which were mostly food items that Pinkie Pie ate up. It was almost as if they were heroes without even having to do anything yet. It made Applejack feel much better about what she had done. Even Fluttershy felt pretty proud for writing the letter. The thoughts going through their mind were that they were making a difference, they were doing the right thing, they were saving Equestria. The idea didn’t cross that they were becoming revolutionaries.

Twilight Sparkle and Spike were at their house going through her checklist of tasks she needed to do that day.

“So Spike,” said Twilight, “lets go through that list again.”

Spike began to read the checklist, “Alright, make tomorrow’s checklist, check; restock the bookshelf and include the new books we got yesterday, check; sort Star Swirl’s journals by color, then by potion names, then by practical use value, then by chronological order, then by alphabetical usage,” Spike stopped and glared at Twilight then continued, “check; visit the construction site for the new college, that took longer than expected, check.”

“Sorry about losing you back there” Twilight said sincerely, “but at least you were safe for the time I was gone.”

“Yeah, and the nice guard even gave me ice cream while I was with him,” Spike exclaimed excitedly.

“So what’s next on the list?” Twilight asked. Twilight opened her door to exit just as Pinkie Pie was about to knock.

“Hey Twilight!” Pinkie pie yelled, “Have you seen Rainbow Dash?”

“Actually, I saw her earlier today in Cloudsdale,” Twilight explained, “She asked to borrow Star Swirl’s journals. I told her I only had one of them with me but she said it was the one she needed so I gave it to her.”

“So what happened after that?” Applejack insisted.

“Well,” Twilight continued, “we said our goodbyes and she took off and Spike and I came back home.”

“And that’s it?” Applejack questioned.

Derpy crashed through Twilight’s second story window. “Sorry Twilight,” Derpy shouted, which echoed from the second story.

“Wow!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, “She is in every scene isn’t she?”

Everypony paused and stared at Pinkie Pie, then continued their conversations. “So as I was saying,” said Twilight, “Spike and I were just leaving The Stadium when we bumped into her.”

“And I got ice cream,” Spike shouted with enthusiasm.

“Quiet Spike, I’m talking.” Twilight yelled, “Now what was I saying?”

Suddenly, the faint sound of thunder followed by the ground shaking occurred. “Derpy? Derpy!” Applejack shouted.

“It wasn’ me.” Derpy said, “I swear.”

“Girls, Look,” said Fluttershy. She pointed to what looked like an ember in the sky. What ever it was, it was big.

“C’mon fellers,” shouted Applejack, “We have to help.”

The ponies and Spike rushed towards the scene. Derpy flew out the window she had just shattered and followed.

The ponies traveled to the origin of the thunder. The noise grew louder and more frequent and the flames grew brighter. The sky quickly grew red and the air filled with ash. The ponies were soon aware of the situation; The stadium had been sabotaged. The sight was unbelievable. Rainbow Dash spotted her friends and flew towards them, carrying several unconscious ponies. Rainbow Dash flies down towards her friends and speaks to them.

“Everypony, grab all the ponies you can and rush them to safety!” she shouted.

“Rainbow Dash, whats going on?” Applejack inquired.

“No time. Just do it!” Rainbow Dash roared.

Applejack found a few abandoned hay carts and she, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike began collecting as many injured ponies as they could. Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Derpy caught as many falling ponies as they could. Bits of the Stadium fell from the sky as the ponies hastily dodged them while rescuing ponies. During Applejack’s hustle she spotted what could have been the most horrific thing she had ever seen. She saw a filly pegasus laying on the floor with her wings, back hooves and parts of her mane burnt off; Applejack couldn’t see it but her skull must have been cracked because a bit of blood was in her mane; her eyes glistened as if the last thing she had witnessed was horror; the only way Applejack could distinguish who she was, was by her pink color, her egg yolk yellow mane, and her cutie mark which was slightly bloodstained. Her cutie mark was a heart-shaped ice sapphire.

She wasn’t the only one to witness the horror of this tragedy. Each pony had a view of darkness. The awe inspiring burn of The Stadium was gruesome and sickening. The ponies managed to collect a good number of ponies and retreat to town. As they returned, what remained of The Stadium fell from the sky in one massive, ground shattering heap. Everypony in Ponyville prayed for the souls of anypony that didn’t make it out. When the ponies arrived back in town only a few ponies applauded them. Everypony’s heart was filled with hate that day. Immediately after arriving in town the six ponies and Spike discuss the events that has just occurred.

“What happened?” Pinkie Pie asked with woe in her voice.

“What happened was obvious Pinkie,” Twilight said agressively, “someone blew up the new college.”

“But who would want to do that.” Pinkie inquired.

“I don’t know but whoever it was must have,” Twilight said before coming to a sudden realization, “Wait a minute... Rainbow Dash, you had Star Swirl’s journal. That journal had an entry with instructions for an incinerate potion in it.” She gasped. “You Didn’t? You wouldn’t?” She questioned.

“I didn’t,” Rainbow Dash replied worriedly, “I swear I was jus-... but, you knew about the potions, too.” anger rises in her voice as she said, “And you were at The Stadium, too. How do we know you didn’t do it. You could have done it at any time, and you probably had a motive to destroy The Stadium since it was the cause behind us speaking out against Celestia.”

“Not a chance!” Twilight screamed, “You probably blew up the future college so you could still hold your stupid competition.”

“What!” Rainbow Dash roared viciously.

“Look, girls, I’m sure there’s an explanation for all of this” Spike coaxed.

“Shut up Spike!” Twilight screeched viciously.

Spike came near to crying. Seeing this Twilight took a moment to pause. Apologetically she said “I’m sorry Spike, I don’t mean that. Rainbow Dash, did you really blow up the new college?”

“I’m done trying to explain myself,” Rainbow Dash answered with agitation, “Goodbye Twilight.” Rainbow Dash flew off. Moments later, Applejack followed her, not saying a word.

“Wait. Applejack,” Twilight yelled confused, “Well we don’t need them right Derpy?”

Derpy flew away with Applejack.

“What? Derpy?” Twilight said, even more confused, “Your still with me right Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy turned away from Twilight Sparkle and headed towards Rainbow Dash, quietly crying. Twilight was near to tears. “Fluttershy,” she whispered with disappointment. “Well Pinkie Pie, are you gonna leave me, too?” she inquired.

“I... I need a moment to think,” Pinkie Pie muttered in confusion, “I’ll see you tomorrow Twilight.” Pinkie Pie headed home trotting slowly with her head down.

“Your not gonna leave me are you Spike?” Twilight whimpered.

“Of course not, Twilight,” Spike said softly, “I couldn’t leave you at a time like this.”

“Thank you Spike,” Twilight sighed in relief, “I could really use a friend right now.”

Twilight picked up Spike and put him on her back. Both of them headed home together at a slow-paced trot.

The official report that evening was 23 dead, 17 injured. These martyrs would be the fuel that feeds the brewing fire storm. Plans hadn’t changed; the gathering was still set to occur tomorrow. The difference now was rather than a rally, tomorrow’s gathering would be a riot.

Everypony that saw the feud immediately knew what was happening. Neighbors looked at neighbors with animosity. Tensions between citizens of Equestria had reached an all time high. It was as if a broad line had been drawn in the soil putting pony against pony. They hated one another, and maybe some even hoped for vengeance, but the ponies just weren’t ready to turn on their brothers and sisters. Equestria was not yet ready to turn to violence, but the pressure was at its peak.

The day of the rally had arrived, but the attendants shared similar causes. All of the ponies wanted an end to the tyranny. Many things could have been done to prevent this day or even solve it. Maybe if Princess Celestia had stepped down, maybe if she had allowed the pegasi to take back Cloudsdale, maybe if she had conformed when Rainbow Dash had made her requests, maybe if she had never allowed the unicorns into Cloudsdale, and maybe if she had just been reasonable at any given time of these events things would have turned out better. Unfortunately, none of these things happened.

Down on the field in front of the Royal Castle, many ponies shared conversations between one another on what possible events could occur that day. The entire crowd was solely built of pegasi demanding what is rightfully theirs and earth ponies in support of the pegasi or in need of rain that they would so humbly and willingly supply. Notable members among the crowd were the original authors of the letter, all of the Wonderbolts, original residents of Cloudsdale, and a majority of Equestria’s farm owners and their kin. Notable members not among the crowd were Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity who has yet to show involvement, all Equestrian government officials, and a nation of unicorns.

Down on the field, Spitfire, leader of the Wonderbolts, gave a speech to the attendants of the rally. “Ponies, are you tired of this tyrannical hell ‘Princess’ Celestia has brought us?” she shouted.

The crowd, powered with the voices of millions, responded, “Yeah!”

“Don’t you feel that we deserve more privileges than we are getting?” Spitfire demanded.

The crowd successively wailed louder, “Yeah!”

“Don’t you feel that this has gone on for far too long?” she asked.

The crowd responded, “Yeah!”

“Are you willing to fight for your demands?”

The crowd responded, “Yeah!”

Rainbow Dash hears Spitfire’s question and flies towards her from a far distance.

“Are you willing to fall to aid your brothers for the cause?”

The crowd responded, “Yeah!”

“Are we gonna stand by while Princess Celestia and her government step all over us?”

A single buff pony shouted, “YEAH! Uhh... No!” The crowd cheered.

Rainbow Dash finally reached Spitfire and Spitfire greeted her with a warm introduction. “And here is the pony that started it all,” Spitfire said, “Everyone, please welcome Rainbow Dash.”

The crowd cheered once again even louder than before. “Wait, everyone wait!” Rainbow Dash yelled apprehensively, “We shouldn’t have to resort to any sort of violence. This is supposed to be a peaceful protest.” Whispers start among the crowd. “Ponies if we just make our demands known to Princess Celestia I’m sure we can work something out.” Rainbow Dash added, “What happened at The Stadium was a tragedy but we can’t let it overcome our better judgement...”

Rainbow Dash continued her speech which steadily, but slowly decreased the aggression held by the crowd.

Minutes prior to the speeches, Princess Celestia was informed that a rally had formed outside of her castle. She wasn’t given any other details aside from that so she went to investigate. She flew to the highest point of her castle to stand an view the rally. She saw the millions of protesters out in the field and in the pit of her throat worry began to grow. As she heard the violent roars of the crowd she got a genuine, deep-felt, strong taste of a concept she had never truly known before: Fear. Fear grew inside of her as her spine tingled, her hooves shook, her teeth chattered, her eyes widened, and she began to sweat violently. Never had a more powerful force stood against her; not even the previous wicked deities and demigods she had faced matched such power. She was sick to her stomach and she reacted with the only reaction she could think of at the time. In the middle of Rainbow Dash’s speech, Princess Celestia let out a powerful blast with her magic horn that knocked the entire crowd of ponies over. Exhausted from overexertion, Celestia retreated to the home of the only pony she could trust, her own apprentice, Twilight Sparkle.

The Blast wasn’t strong enough to kill anypony but they all knew what it meant. The guards of the Royal Castle took it as a sign of aggression by Princess Celestia and began to attack the rioting force. The crowd took the sign the same way and attacked the guards. The guards were heavily outnumbered but fought anyway. The ponies fought with wings, hooves, and any tools they had brought with them. The guards managed to kill about five rebels to every mare or stallion they lost, but they were overwhelmed. Those that survived retreated to the castle. A large shield formed around the castle pushing all ponies away and blocking entry of everypony. When this happened, everypony retreated from the Royal Castle. Where they retreated remains unknown, but one thing is for sure, when they came back they brought hell with them.