NEW LUNAR REPUBLIC MAGICS AND MILITARY
December 1st
1067 AB
President Luna has declared that Ashburn has officially been ordered into the New Lunar Republic's Magic and Military.
She is to begin training in Lelian immediately after 12/10/1067 After Banishment.
Department of Magics and Military,
Lapis Shine
Ash had wanted this letter for her whole life.
She would dream of defending her beliefs, and fighting against the Solar Empire. The imaginary battles would rage on in the bathtub, small army ponies against another in boats and above the foamy sea. Sometimes, she would fight her punching bag, pretending it was a Solar solider, caught in her hooves.
Now, it wasn't pretend anymore.
Today, it was real.
Her bags packed, she headed out to the airport. Ash passed through many security lines, until she was on the plane.
"Now, who do we have here?" A kind voice said from the cockpit. President Luna emerged, and walked down the isle, until she hit my row. A smile lit up her face, and she looked in my direction. "You, are who we need. A spellcaster, and an obvious athlete."
I was surprised at the comment."Thank you President. I've worked hard."
Luna walked off, her head held high. She was followed by two stallions, one a deep blue and the other black, who were war torn. Their bodies and faces were scarred by magic, and one of their wings were bandaged. The stallion closest turned away from Ash, as if being a mare was a bad thing.
"Touchdown in thirty minutes," a male voice said over the loudspeaker, which abruptly cut off with a loud screech. Everypony winced at the noise, then returned to entertaining themselves.
What seemed like an hour later, they landed in a large field, with hills all around. President Luna trotted into sight, and said,"Here's your first mission. Get to the small hill unseen." A group of ten headed out first, followed by Ashburn and the colt beside her. Everypony else came out with who they sat with, and made it to the spot.
"Good job everypony, but it took you all a minute. You may not have that much time in battle. Now come on, the city is this way." President Luna led the herd down to a hole, only large enough to fit Luna flying down. "Next test; jump." Her hoof pointed at the gap.
"I'll do it first, because the filly of a mare can't!" A large pegasus said, and he jumped, almost knocking Ashburn in. She quickly followed, determined to show that she wasn't going to be taken from her dream. The freefall lasted almost thirty seconds, until they landed on a large, rubbery cloth, suspended above the ground.
Luna fell, and landed gracefully apon the net. "You all have passed tests of bravery and endurance, and even wills. It is almost midnight now, so please head to your current homes." She pointed to a row of small, house like buildings. They were in a circle, each with a name on the front. "Use your NLR badges to enter. Goodnight." Luna flew off with the two stallions that were with her in the plane.
Ashburn held her ID up to the small black bar on her door, and it lit up green. She opened the door, and saw a quite small living room in the back, a lofted bed above, a desk, bathroom and cabinets, all themed for the night. Her ID was held magnetically to the door, and she galloped to her couch. The material used was very nice, but not the best. Ash walked up to her bed, and climbed in. The bed was enchanted to bring good dreams, and when she woke up, she was very refreshed.
The colt from yesterday was outside her door, and she welcomed him in. "Good morning!" Ash said, not knowing his name.
"Um, I need some help. Nobody here knows how to make tea, and I saw you drinking some on the plane. Could you teach me?" He said, his face turned to the floor.
"Get some hot water."
"What?"
"Hot water."
"Okay," he said, and they got off to work.
"So, what's your name?" Ashburn said as she stirred her tea.
"I'm Wintertorn. What's your's?" Winter said, as she sipped his drink. "Mm. Delicious! I'll have to do this again!"
"Ashburn, and I'm glad that you like it Wintertorn!"
"Bye!" Wintertorn said, and he flew off.
"Goodbye!" Ashburn said, and waved him away. Her waffles were ready, so along with her orange spice tea, she sat on her chair in the living room and happily ate. Suddenly, a news report appeared on a holographic tv, notifying the new recruits that they had half an hour until they have a mandatory meeting in the center of the village. Ash devoured her breakfast, and combed out her mane. She took a quick shower, and then teleported to the outside of her front door with her badge.
President Luna was standing atop a small rock formation, ready to greet the recruits. "Hello, and welcome to Lelian. During your service, I wish to be called Commander. Understand?" Everypony nodded as she cleared her throat. "Good. A threat from the Solar Empire has been made against us. Training begins today, and we need to act quickly to neutralize the threat. General Riverrun is in charge of training in physical activity, and General Nebula is running magic training."
Riverrun stepped up, a small pain in his wing from the last battle. Once Commander Luna finished, he spoke. "Now, I will chose who to join my squad for the next fight after training, and so will General Nebula. We only want top quality soldiers, so you need to become top soldiers in only a week. Good luck, because some of you need it."
The black coated stallion, Nebula, shook his head as Riverrun spoke. "I will take the unicorns of the squad, and General Riverrun will take the rest. Do as I just said, and follow whom ever is to train with you." Nebula walked off in one direction, and Riverrun went the other way.
Ashburn followed General Nebula through the houses and into a large clearing. There were targets and dummies to shoot at, and armor hung up in lockers. Practice commenced, and she was taught many fighting spells and tactics.
"Training dismissed." General Nebula announced after two hours of vigorous training and false battles. "Riverrun will take you after lunch. Goodbye."
A quick lunch break later, Ashburn headed over to the physical training center. General Riverrun was there, already starting with the preparations.
"Ashburn. You're late." He said, his face stern.
"I'm sorry sir. This will not be repeated." Ash saluted, and walked over to the line of soldiers. The training began immediately. We were run through many drills. Ash did pull ups, running tracks, and parkour jumps. We only took a single break, testing our perseverance. They all were sweating waterfalls, and Riverrun finally dismissed us.
"Goodnight until tomorrow soldiers." Riverrun announced, and he flew towards the housing district of Lelian. The city of supporting ponies from all over Equestria, was lit up like the night sky, many lights shining and flickering.
Ashburn gathered her armor, and placed it within the lockers. Her home was welcoming, the heated cabin was a candle in the dark cave. She had received some food supplies to cook with. The stove was heated, and she made a grilled cheese for dinner. After some food and tv, she studied the history of the New Lunar Republic and the Solar Empire.
The History and Origins of the New Lunar Republic
Celestia and Luna, two beloved sisters who ruled the land. Celestia rises the sun, and Luna, the moon. Luna, the younger of the two, discovered that Celestia was truly a tyrant. Her idea of harmony was to set the sun into rule, leaving behind a younger sister and the fall of the seasons.
Luna was worried, her sister to rule Equestria alone? A stand was made against her, the original Lunar Rebublic. Celestia was only fazed by this, and banished her to the moon. A story was created to ensure that Celestia was not a tyrant, only a honest leader.
Soon her younger sister was back, her head filled with lies. Eventually, she remembered why she was fighting. The harmony here was false. Luna quickly created the New Lunar Republic, knowing that without the Elements, Celestia couldn't fight back so easily.
Twilight Sparkle, Celestia' s most faithful student, followed her mentor, believing that Luna was lying. Families were split, and the war commenced. Today, the war rages on, with no hope of ending.
Ashburn shut her book, and turned out the lights. The book was cradled in her magic along with a glass of milk and an apple. Her snack was sweet, and helped her be a little full before sleeping. Her bed was warm, and she quickly fell asleep.
~~~<>~~~
The following week, she continued training as that day went, but she managed to get there on time. Spells were learned and new fighting tactics were learned.
Today, everything was ready.
The ceiling sparkled as the moon set. It had an enchantment to show the moon in the night, but the cavern' s top in the day. The city began to wake up with the sounds of cars and buses, getting ponies to their workplaces.
In the center of the small homes, President Luna was standing apon the rocks. The soldiers were gathered around her, ears ready for any commands. "Today, a battle is apon us. We must move to protect any civilians not in Leilan. Ready soldiers?"
A unanimous yes rang out across the center, signaling the move to go to the surface. One by one, they left the city. They climbed up through the same hole they jumped into, and appeared on the surface. A battle was apon them, and they were ready.
"Move out!" Luna shouted, and the squadron followed her command. Now face to face with the Solar Empire's fighters, Ashburn rushed at the front line. Blasts of energy shot from her horn, as strong as being shocked with a small lightning bolt. They rushed forward, shouting the battle call.
"FOR THE NEW LUNAR REPUBLIC!" rang across the field. Many ponies lay wounded, but the battle continued.
Ashburn confronted a large stallion, obviously powerful. Her small stature let her slip around him, scratching his flank with her horn. He shouted in rage, her tactics working. He grabbed her leg, and spun Ash around. She was thrown against another Lunar soldier, and they both toppled over. A small pony, almost half my size, snuck up behind him, and bucked him in the flank. He toppled over, and his eyes closed.
"He's only unconscious." She said, and continued," Come on, gotta make sure that they don't take the village." The pegasus lead Ash to the heart of the battle, magic projected everywhere, hooves stomping the ground, and feathers floating gently to the ground.
The Solar Empire's leader, the tyrant Celestia, called out to her wounded soldiers. "Fall back!"
A cheer rang out across the Lunar Repubilc' s fighters. This battle was theirs. Luna commanded them back to Leilan, and everypony followed her orders.
The gentle light of the cavern was welcoming to the soldiers, and the city was celebrating their victory. Ashburn looked to her right, the mare that helped her was there. "What is your name?"
"Who me?" She said, and smiled at Ash. "Just kidding! My name's Shadow. What's yours unicorn?" Shadow giggled at her humor, but Ash wasn't pleased.
Annoyed, she replied. "I'm Ashburn, but I'm Ash to most ponies."
"Okay Ash!"
"Whatever."