Prologue: The Great Divide
Once upon a time, Equestria knew harmony.
It was ruled by two sisters, Celestia of the Sun, and Luna of the Moon.
But soon, Luna grew jealous of her older sister, and let her emotions turn her into Nightmare Moon.
1,000 years later, her return sparked the destiny of a young unicorn. Twilight Sparkle.
In time, Twilight became the Princess of Friendship, and the town of Ponyville became her domain.
As she continued to study friendship and harmony, a shadow lurked over the city of Canterlot.
Celestia had noticed the shadow, as it belonged to her sister.
Every day, ponies spoke out, saying that Luna should become the only ruler of Equestria. Rumors and Lies about Celestia began circulating, causing distrust everywhere.
Even though she should be above it, Celestia became angry at the ponies. She couldn't see where all of this rage was coming from.
Then, something worse happened.
Early in the morning, as Celestia began to raise the sun, a group of shadowy clad ponies attacked the palace. When they did, they shouted a line that would be heard through Canterlot:
"For the New Lunar Republic!"
Furious at this attack, Celestia confronted Luna.
"Luna!" Celestia hollered as she entered her younger sister's room. "Your fans just attacked the palace!"
"My 'fans'?" Luna whispered.
"They want to form a Lunar Republic." Celestia informed Luna.
"Oh, I know Tia." Luna chuckled, "I was there when we established it."
"Why, sister?" Celestia begged, "Why would you betray me?"
Luna strode over to her window and proceeded to open it. "Because you had betrayed me 1,000 years ago." She replied, before she jumped out of the window. As she flew away, Celestia could hear Luna's final words, "I declare war against Celestia, me, and my Republic!"
Paradox Theory presents. . .
A World Divided
Celestia stood over a map of Equestria. Over the past few weeks, Luna's forces had taken over several cities. Las Pegasus and Manehattan had joined Luna willingly. Cloudsdale and Trottingham resisted the offer and instead offered to help Celestia. And Ponyville declared full neutrality, it's borders were open as long as there is no bloodshed inside of them.
Celestia sighed as she began moving her troops. Then, she remembered a platoon stationed far to the north.
Grabbing a scroll, Celestia began writing:
Captain Theory, I have need of your platoon in Manehattan. A group of terrorists have made their home there. Please, take care of it.
Your Princess,
Celestia.
Celestia looked out of a window as she spoke only three words.
"It has begun."
Rainbow Dash, a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, and a green unicorn with an auburn mane were walking and talking outside of Ponyville when a mail pony gave the unicorn a letter.
Vortex Nebulae dropped the letter in disbelief. His father, Captain War Theory, and Theory's platoon had been slaughtered.
His platoon had marched right into Manehattan, unaware of it's allegiance to Luna.
Vortex placed a hoof to his head, grief overcoming him. As a child, Vortex only had his older brother and his parents. His mother died while he was young, and his brother disappeared for awhile.
Now, the only member of his family that he was close with, was gone forever.
"Is something wrong, Vort?" Rainbow Dash asked from above the green unicorn.
Vortex used his hoof to push his auburn mane away from his eyes as he answered, "My father. . . he's gone."
Rainbow frowned, "Didn't you say your father was stationed near the Empire?"
Vortex nodded, "My father had been there since before the war."
Rainbow's eyes widened, "So that's why he had no problem going to Manehattan?"
"That's the strangest part," Vortex spoke slowly, "He wasn't suppose to move his platoon until he's given orders to. He was sent to his death."
"So, what are you going to do?" Rainbow asked quietly as she landed softly next to Vortex.
"Well, I have to go tell my brother in Canterlot, he deserves to know that much." Vortex answered, "Rainbow, go to Twilight, tell her that I want to get in touch with Celestia."
Rainbow nodded, "You can count on me!" She answered with a salute before flying off.
Vortex sighed, "Now can I count on my brother?"
With that, the young unicorn found himself on the Friendship Express heading towards Canterlot, and a destiny he could never imagine. . .