The Republic of Equestria: The Rise of a New Nation

Over 200 years ago, Equestria fought against the warlike Griffin Kingdom. The war lasted 62 years and crippled the Griffin Kingdom economically. The effect the war had on Equestria was much worse, for they lost, and the griffins aren't exactly merciful. After they defeated Equestria, they burned every city, town, village, etc. to the ground, except for Canterlot. The only reason that Canterlot was spared was so that the griffins could have a stronghold in their new territory. Celestia and Luna, the last Alicorns, were publicly beheaded, causing mass panic throughout Equestria. After the death of the two monarchs, the griffins easily took the country. Most ponies fled to other nations, while others stayed behind to live their lives in what was left of a once great nation.

Cities were left in ruins of simply great big piles of steel and glass. Almost nothing was left of Ponyville, Appleoosa, and Dodge Junction. To walk anywhere in what was left of Equestria was to walk through miles of plains, or walk through empty ruins. Skeletons are all over Equestria, just rotting in the ground and spooking any pony who finds them. Most ponies and even some griffins say that it is depressing to walk the streets of an Equestrian city. The only place where you would find even a hint of civilization would be either in Canterlot or in one of the settlements around Equestria. Canterlot was inhabited by griffins and pony slaves now, while settlements provided temporary shelter for a weary traveler. Most ponies lived in settlements after the war, usually to simply have somewhere to live.

The settlements were usually built near cities. This was because most of the remaining population lived in the cities. Manehattan had three settlements, Fillydelphia also had three, Baltimare had one, Hoofington had one, Vanhoover had one, and Las Pagasus had five. There was one in the Everfree Forest and also one in Whitetail Woods. One was built between Appleoosa and Dodge Junction as well. The largest settlement had a population of about 120. Most settlers were armed, since the land lacked an army. These armed settlers did a fairly good job of defending their settlements, at least against small patrols. It was when the larger groups attacked that most settlements were destroyed. Forty three years after Equestria had fallen, only six settlements remained in the former country.

One hundred twenty three years later, in the small settlement near Vanhoover, 4 ponies were born who would shape the future of the ponies of the Equestrian Ruins. Their names were Shadow Flight, Dark Star, Beast, and Nimble. These ponies would become the best warriors in the world since the Griffin War. They would free Equestria and bring peace back to the country. But first, they needed to learn how to shoot a gun.