The Republic of Equestria: The Rise of a New Nation

The evergreen forest outside of the village of New Hoover was quiet. No sound was heard except for an owl, some crickets, and the sound of hooves hitting the dirt. A beige stallion was galloping through the dark forest, his eyes wide with worry and his breathing short. A village guard spotted him.

"Halt!" he said. The beige stallion skidded to a stop, his breaths coming in short ragged gulps. "What is your business here so late at night?" the guard inquired.

"I...I bring news for-for Dark Flame," said the stallion.

"What news?"

"Griffins," he said. "Griffins are heading towards the village. I must warn Dark Flame."

"Of course. He's in his house. Do you know where it is?"

"Yes...thank you." The stallion then continued running in the direction of New Hoover. He galloped all the way to Dark Flame's house and knocked frantically on the door. The door opened to reveal his son, a teenage colt named Dark Star.

"Who are you?" he asked the stallion.

"I'm simply here to give a message to your father. Is he awake?"

"Yes, I'll get him." After a few seconds a loud, "FATHER! THERE'S SOMEONE AT THE DOOR!" sounded throughout the house. A few seconds later a taller figure stood in the doorway and looked at the beige stallion.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Dark Flame said.

"I'm a messenger who was sent to tell you that...that a large group of griffins are coming from the south."

"How many?"

"Around 100, maybe more."

"Dammit. We don't have enough trained fighters to deal with that many griffins." He thought for a moment. The he turned to his son. "Dark Star, I want you to go get Shadow Bolt. Tell him I want to talk to him immediately."

"Yes, Father," said Dark Star.

Dark Flame muttered to himself for a few seconds before remembering the beige stallion was standing in the doorway. "I'm assuming you'll want compensation, correct?" he said.

"No, sir. I was simply told to warn you."

"By whom?"

"I...I can't tell you his name. It is forbidden."

"I see."

"Dark Flame!" said a stallion that looked mildly angry. "What is the reasoning behind sending your son to wake me up and send me here?"

"Thank you, messenger. You may stay at the inn if you wish. If not, then head back to wherever you came from," said Dark Flame.

"Thank you, sir," said the stallion. He then left for the inn.

"Ah, Shadow Bolt. A pleasure to see you again, my old friend."

"If the only reason you called me here was to visit, then I'm heading home," Shadow Bolt said.

"I called you here to tell you to start organizing our militia." Shadow Bolt's face melted into one of worry.

"Why? We haven't had to call the militia since before my son was born."

"I know," Dark Flame said. "However, I have just gotten word that a large group of griffins, around 100 or more, is headed towards the settlement."

"WHAT!!!??" yelled Shadow Bolt. "That many?!"

"Yes," muttered Dark. "That many." Dark Flame and Shadow Bolt stood in silence for a few seconds before Shadow went to gather the militia.

"We're doomed," said Dark Flame as he entered his house, Dark Star close behind.

After a few hours of preparing, the militia of New Hoover was ready to fight. They had a few mercenaries too. The entire village was silent, waiting for the attack. Finally, after almost nine hours after the warning, a shot rang out, and a pony fell.

"Sniper! Take cover!" yelled a soldier. The militia spread out and took cover behind anything solid and started shooting at any griffin within range. The griffins were upon them in seconds, shooting one pony after another. Shadow Bolt retreated to his house.

"Son!" he yelled.

"Yeah, Dad? What is it?"

"I need you to leave the village. Take your friends with you and leave. Don't look back."

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

"Just leave! Go! I'm your father so do what I say and leave! Take this with you as well!" He threw a small pistol at him.

He looked up to argue only to see his dad was gone. So, taking his dad's advice, he left for each of his friends houses, only to find all three of them trapped between a building and a group of griffins. Without thinking he aimed his pistol and fired at the group, downing one and distracting the others. Beast, an earth pony, strangled on with his bare hooves. Nimble, Beast's brother, took another griffin's gun and shot him with it, killing him. Finally, Dark Star used his magic to make the last griffin's head explode. They all ran towards Shadow Flight and thanked him.

"No problem," he said, "but we've gotta go. Now!" They all agreed and escaped the village and ran into the forest.

After about an hour of running, Nimble collapsed. Shadow stopped and tried to get him to stand up.

"Can't...run...any...more," he said between breaths.

"I think we can rest for a bit. We're far enough away that nothing should find us until tomorrow at least," said Beast. They all agreed and made a small burrow for shelter.

"What will we do tomorrow?" asked Dark Star.

"I don't know," replied Shadow Flight. "All I know is that we need to to stay as far away as possible from New Hoover."

So the group of four slept on the forest floor for the night, glad to be safe, but worried for their families. Morning would bring all sorts of challenges to the group of ponies who have never seen anything outside of their village. They would also always have the thought that maybe, just maybe, they can save New Hoover. For now, however, they sleep.