In the line

(Short timeline)

• 100 C.E - Nightmare Moon is banished to the moon

-1100 C.E - Nightmare moon returns only to be vanquished by the elements of harmony

-1150 C.E - Non magical steam engine is invented, Equestria enters a period of Industrialisation

-1159 C.E - Equestria fractures after death of alicorn twilight sparkle commits suicide. Many new countries are formed: Equestrian colonies of A-mare-ica revolt and form independent nation, Germaney secedes, Horsetria secedes, Mos-'cow' secedes.

-1181 C.E - Equestria colonises 2 small landmasses forming Horestralia and Neigh Zealand.

-1191 C.E - Horestralian colonies federate, forming the Commonwealth of Horsetralia

-2011 C.E - Rapid industrialisation and rise of great inventors leads to development of flintlocks

-2021 C.E - Rapid advancements with magic and muskets leads to the development of bolt action rifles and Mounted rapid fire Machine guns.

-2032 C.E - End of Celestial Era and beginning of New Era, Germaney and it's allies declare war on Equestria and allies

-2034 N.E - The battle of Gallopily

Black clouds POV

Cold water splashed my face as I was jostled around. my rifle clanged against my helmet as the pony behind shifted to get more comfortable. Rounds whizzed past as roar's echoed around, water splashing into the Landing craft. Somepony shouted behind me but I couldn't hear what they were saying, taking a guess I grabbed my rifle and pulled back the bolt before slamming a small clip into the weapon and sliding the bolt forward. A spray of mist hit pinged on my helmet as a shell took out the landing craft to my right. several ponies ducked in fear while others whispered prayers to celestia to guide them through this ordeal. Me... I just stood their, silently waiting for the hatch to fall forward, silently waiting for the hell that was to come.

"Hatches are coming down, get ready to charge!" A voice shouted to the front of me as several ponies put away personal items such as tags, canteens and photo's of mares.

A grinding noise nabbed my attention as I looked to the front, the hatch's lock was opening, I quickly readied my weapon as the hatch fell down. The moment the hatch fell down several ponies up front were riddles with bullets, their corpses dancing as bullets thudded into them. Everypony else just let out a roar as they charged forward, a few at the front firing as they ran. As we charged more Ponies were scythed down by the enemy, their corpses tripping other troops over. A bullet hit my helmet but glanced off into the pony next to me, his corpse falling over with eyes glazed. I suppressed the urge to vomit as I charged forward, my bayonet aimed forward. Reaching the enemy trenches the gunfire stopped as Ponies leapt into the enemy lines, rifles discharging and bayonets swinging. I quickly let of a shot at the enemy before I jumped into the trench and charged down the nearest pony, my bayonet spearing his stomach. I gave off a growl as I kicked his body off the large knife. I glanced around and noticed that the enemy was dead as ponies started to celebrate, their merriment was cut short as Shells rained down upon our lines. Bodies flew and blood sprayed everywhere as mangled corpses rain down upon us. Everypony quickly took cover as bullets scythed over our trench, the rain didn't help what so ever except to make us wet and angry.

A pony a couple of soldiers down fell back as a he grabbed his throat, blood spraying every where as he bled out. I let out a prayer for his departure and quickly pulled the bolt of my rifle back before slamming it forward. Taking aim I let off a shot. I didn't have time to celebrate as a shell impacted to my right, killing off a dozen more soldiers. Medics ran here and there trying to stabilize ponies and stop the deaths of a few others. I quickly climbed up the side of the trench so I could press on.

A roar shook my ears as an explosion erupted several meters away, blasted me onto my back as sand was tossed everywhere, disorientating me and killing others. Standing up I continued on, hoping to get to the enemies trenches where I could kill the gunner that was mowing down ponies everywhere. I looked forward to the target of our assault. A long trench was dug into the ground, flashes flaring up rapidly as rifles and machine guns fired into my comrades.  Several shots rang out as other ponies took shots at the Ottomane trenches, hoping to disable the machine gunners. Lifting my rifle I aimed at the trench before sighting up one of the flashes. A crack echoed from my rifle as it bucked in my hands. I didn't spare any time as I re-affixed my bayonet and charged at the trench. Yet again I jumped into the breach, my bayonet spearing a pony in the neck. I pulled back my rifle and stabbed towards another pony. This time the blade stabbed into her shoulder. A sharp cry rang out before I stabbed my rifle into her face.

• Chapter 1 end