The Great Equestrian War

The Great Equestrian War

Chapter 1 - The Start of the End

"Chaos," The large figure said, standing in front of a large concrete throne. "Is a wonderful thing, Lady Diane." He dropped his pose. "The masses rely on a strong leader, but their current ones disagree." He flew closer to Pinkamena, who merely stood there. "So, our plan is to take over this forsaken land, and rule over all. Only then, can we be truly safe." He pulled back a bit. "What say you?"

"A wonderful idea, my Lord." An evil grin grew on her face.

"Just call me Discord, Diane." He flew back to his throne, and sat down. "We've already captured Stalliongrad and Trottingham, the major towns still left free. Your current mission is to secure more free land and defend it from the Empire and Republic."

"Then we wait for the War to grind itself to a bloody end!" Pinkamena looked up, a wild, crazed look in her eye. "Equestria will be ours for the taking!" She turned on her heel. "Consider the mission done, Lord Discord."

"Indeed I shall."

Twilight walked down the hall of the Dauntless, her uniform boots clomping satisfyingly on the marble floor. An odd choice, considering that the Dauntless was an airship. She returned the salutes of crew members as she passed them. She soon reached a large wooden door, and opened it. The room had a wide view of the sky, a grey mass conflicting with the bright daylight on the other side. The room had several scattered chairs that were hardly being used, but it was otherwise very orderly. She entered the room, the crew glancing at her as she approached one in particular.

"Admiral Rarity?"

The woman turned to face Twilight, her purple hair curled up neatly. "Commander Sparkle. Nice to see you." She seemed pleased that her friend was here.

"Likewise." Twilight pulled out a scroll from her bag. "A letter from the Princess."

Rarity's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I am. She said it was important." Rarity opened the scroll, and read aloud. "'Admiral Rarity, the southern front has opened up again. The Air Force is to strike at Sector E22V06. Do not fail the Empire. Princess Celestia.' My word, that is serious." She turned to the control panel, and flicked a switch. "This is Admiral Rarity. We are to head to Sector E22V06, by Princess's orders. Hooves, get your troops ready." She turned back to Twilight. "Well, looks like we'll be picking up a battle."

"Unfortunately."

Rarity pulled a chair close to her. "I wonder..."

"Oh?" Twilight said as Rarity sat down.

"How Spike is doing." She sighed. "I'm surprised he didn't join with you."

Twilight bit back memories. "He left me to myself. He didn't want to fight."

"Understandable," Rarity solemnly replied. "I don't want to fight either."

"Well, we kind of have to." Twilight regained her composition. "It can only end one way."

"Hey, AJ!" Rainbow Dash called from high up a tree. "We've got orders from the Princess."

"Huh..." Applejack said as Dash dropped down near her. "Haven't got any since tha northern front campaign." She stood up from her chair.

"Yeah, I mean, it's been about 2 years since then." She hovered next to Applejack. "It's been kinda nice, not worrying about who to side for."

"Ah, yes, ya'll have loyalty issues."

"It was easier to find loyalty before the War. But the Wonderbolts, except for me and Scoots are with the Solar Empire, as are Rarity and Twilight. Fluttershy and Pinkie went their own ways, haven't heard from them since."

"So why'ja join the Republic?"

"I guess it was the last place left. I quite enjoy being able to fly around freely-" She lifted herself higher in the air. "-but I didn't know then that the War would happen."

"Ah see. Well, I joined the 'public because I could." She turned her face away from Dash's view. "And ah guess maybe because of you."

Dash laughed. "Couldn't have me showing off without some competition, eh?"

Applejack sighed. "Yeah." She diverted the topic. "So, what are we doin' on this here order?"

Dash dropped lower. "Well, the mission is to return to the north, but our current order is to meet up with the Republic Army at Hoofington."

"Why are we goin' there?"

"She's delivering the orders in more detail there." Dash started moving off. "And we're her highest ranked officers. We have to go."

Applejack started tailing Dash "Well, it is an order, RD."

"Now, Angel, you have to eat up." Fluttershy pushed the carrot to the angry-looking rabbit. "Don't give me that look. Eat the carrot, and eat it slowly."

A knock on the door startled Fluttershy. "Hang on, Angel." She stood up and slowly approached the door, opening it slightly.

"Hey Fluttershy." A large figure stood in front of the door.

"Oh, um... Hello, McIntosh." Fluttershy opened the door wider. "Can I help you?"

"Ah've got a letter from Rarity." He handed the letter to her. "For you, obviously."

"Thank you." She opened the envelope, and pulled out a fancy piece of paper, edged with Solarium leaf. "S-should I read it aloud?"

"If ya want. Ah have time."

Fluttershy weakly cleared her throat. "Dear Fluttershy. Greetings from myself. I miss you and the others. This war is driving me rather crazy. Anyway, how are you? And Sweetie. Wish I could say high. Love, Rarity, As Rarity" Fluttershy felt a well of sadness rising. She looked up to McIntosh, eyes bleary with tears.

"See? She hasn't completely forgotten you." He took a step closer as she fell on him, audibly sobbing. "Ah bet the others still think of you."

* * *

Spike lay on his bed, looking at the well-aged owl on the perch in his bedside. "Hey, Owlowiscious?"

"Who?"

"D'ya think Twilight misses us?"

"Who."

Spike chuckled. "I still can't get used to you speaking like that." He sat up. "But still, I haven't seen Twilight in about 3 years. I think she-" A knock on the door stopped his train of thoughts. "Hang on a sec!"

Spike opened the door to reveal McIntosh. "Hi, Big Mac!"

"Hey Spike." He held out a letter. "From Twilight."

Spike's jaw dropped. "Twilight sent a letter? To ME?!"

"Eeyup."

Spike snatched the letter. "Thanks! Anything else?"

"Just some returns. That's all." McIntosh walked off, Spike closing the door behind him. It sucked, being a living mail delivery system. He blew the letters off to their intended targets, and sat down to read his own.

To Spike.

How are things without me? I honestly hope they're good. I have learned how to send letters like you, so we can talk more often. Job is going fine. Miss you greatly. Love, Twilight Sparkle.

Spike sighed. He pulled out his own piece of parchment, and a quill, and started his reply.

Dear Twilight Sparkle.

Spike here. Things are great, glad I'm not in the War. Great to hear you're still learning spells. That makes it, what, 106 spells so far? Good to hear you are enjoying yourself enough. How is Rarity? Miss you and the others too. Maybe we can visi-

A letter flew in through the window, materialising itself on his current letter. It had an eight-pointed star marked on it, and some stains of some brown liquid. Spike opened it, and his eyes widened.

To the Everfree Village.

You're next.

Pinkamena stood at the edge of the small town of Hoofswell, coat blowing in the breeze. She adjusted her glove, as a dark mechanical figure lumbered next to her.

"Lady Diane, we await your command."

"The town looks lively." She looked at the figures, toiling away like nothing important was happening. "They've had the letter for a month now, and they haven't evacuated." She grinned maniacally, pulling out her personal Plasma Cannon out of thin air with a scream of reality tearing it out.

"This should be fun." Pinkie leapt into the air, the dark figures slowly making their way to the town.

* * *

"Ah, what a wonderful day." The Hoofswell mayor said as he stretched his arms. "The sun is shining, the harvest is excellent, nothing could go wro-"

"I beg to differ."

The mayor spun around and saw a pink-haired woman standing there, a weapon slung over her shoulder. "Who the heck are you?"

"I guess you didn't read my second warning letter." She shifted her gun to a more comfortable position. "I'm Lady Diane of Chaos. Nice to meet you."

"Uh... Hi? How did you get here?"

"I jumped. I'm here to take over this city, by fo-"

"How the heck did you jump here?!"

Pinkamena looked unimpressed. "I'm about to take over Hoofswell, and all you can think about is how I leapt to the balcony?" She aimed her gun at the Mayor. "I can see why no one's evacuated."

"Is that an insult?"

"Quite." She pulled the trigger, and a superhot bolt of energy knocked the mayor off the balcony. She turned to see the masses crowding around him, and looking up. She allowed herself a grin before continuing.

"Citizens of Hoofswell! I come here in the name of the Chaos Kingdom to seize control of this town. If any resistance is met, we will deal with it. Don't put up a fight and you may live." She looked to the horizon. "Pray to whichever Princess you want."

The crowd scattered in a chaotic pattern. Most were trying to get indoors. But they were too late. The Chaos Army arrived in time. People were pulled out of some houses; some houses were merely broken into. Avians were grounded by the flying ones. Unicorns couldn't break down the defences of the grounded ones. Chaos and pointless murder filled the streets, carrying a sick-smelling aroma into the air. Pinkamena breathed in hard.

"Sometimes," She said calmly, as screams filled her ears. "It's good to be Chaos."

To Be Continued.