I understand that this may be difficult for thee, Private. But we must know about what happened. Doth thou comprehend?
I know...I know. It's just so...painful to remember such things. Just give me a moment, Lady, okay? I-I mean, Princess.
...
Alright. I'm ready. Where should I start?
With the Rebels? Okay. Well, I don't know a whole lot, but I hope it's enough.
The Rebels. What can I say about the Rebels?
As a starting point, I can say that they were a large group of ponies who wanted to overthrow Her Majesty's rule. It's a basic answer, but it's one of those explanations you give to any Storm, Stick and Carry. Alright, now for a slightly more detailed answer.
The year was 989 PNM (Post Nightmare Moon). 11 years before you came back from the moon. At the time, there wasn't a lot of space to build new houses or factories and such. Migrants, traders and budding businesscolts flocked into the country from all over the world. Mainly for work. Some were refugees from some conflict elsewhere. Naturally, houses were bought or rented off, but that wasn't enough. More establishments needed to be built and a lot more resources needed to be made. Most of the land that was needed to build refugee camps and houses were bought out by Nobles and Politicians. Heck, hardly any of them were even in use. They were just patches of regular ol' land with a name to them. It was a damn waste of space if you ask me.
Now, from what I understand, the Princess had received stacks upon stacks of complaints from the General populace. Hundreds of thousands of complaints came in for a week, and this was enough to get the Princess to do something about it. So, in 9990 PNM, Princess Celestia had created a Law in which any land owned by Nobles that was not in use, and had no plans to be used, were to have its ownership removed and free for public use. And this is where the juicy parts come in.
For 2 years, Equestria was hit with series of Terror attacks. The source? Angry nobles who were just a bit upset with the loss of their land, and so had hired Ponies to do their dirty work. These attacks consisted of magical explosives planted in local courts and shops, the burning of houses, executions and everything horrible. Nothing like this had been done before, and I pray that it does not happen again.
The attack resulted in the death of 2743 ponies in total . 77 were Royal guards and a handful were Griffons and what not. This event was enough to get the Princess, and the Royal Police Force, to do something about it.
After the arrest of several Nobles, it is found out that there are two nobles who are the main culprits behind the deadlier attacks. They both supplied weapons to the ponies who they had hired, and word was out that these two ponies weren't just your regular Talentless noble who grew up in a rich family. These guys were something different. Warlords. Militaristic ponies who grew up in a rich family.
Leaked intelligence showed that these two ponies were working together. They had built up an army together and trained the ponies. Like the nobles I spoke of before, these two were angry at their loss of land. Their goal was to build up an army strong enough to topple Princess Celestia and seize control of the country. This army's name was the "Reclaimers". Stupid name, I know. But it is kinda relevant; they want their land back, so on and so forth. However, they soon became known as The Rebels. It's more sensible name. In the 2 years of terror attacks, the pair had built forts, trenches, bunkers and had even managed to capture a large city. Today, the city is known as Baltimare. Y'know, that little city by the sea. Turns out, the terror attacks were only something to distract everypony from the happenings in the eastern part of Equestria. They fortified the whole place up, and cut off the roads and trainlines. Which, in turn, stopped any reports from coming out. However, they didn't take precautions for unicorn magic being able to send messages. So...yeah. That's how we found out that it was going to be their main base of operations.
That's all about the Rebels I guess. I apologise if it isn't a lot, but it's what I know, your Highness.
What next?
Could you give us something about the war?
The war. What a long, bloody conflict that was. I'll try to spare some of the de-
Nay, little pony. Do not refrain.
...Shit. You're really gonna test my memory and my stomach, huh? This is going to go well.
I wasn't the first pony to get into the fight. I spent a year and a half in training whilst the terror attacks were still happening, so the war was young when I got out of training . The first battle between our army and theirs only lasted a few days. And in that time, each and every fort surrounding Baltimare was prepared to fend off any Royal Guard to the last pony. Let me tell you, regular infantry had a preeety small chance of getting into a fort. That's where I came in. The military branch I was in were specialists in the field of Seiges and what not. Anypony could seige, but we were the best. I was fortunate enough to not go into the main battles until the very last push into Baltimare.
It took us 5 years to get there. Took us 1 year to get in. But, that's a story for later.
While the Guard fought, we were busy taking over fortifications. It was really simple. I'll give you the basics, princess. We and 2000 or so Guards would surround a fort. We established road blocks, firing lines for Unicorns in our unit and made sure to poison the dirt so anypony thinking about digging a tunnel under us would fall dead in moments. It wasn't a pretty job, but it paid well and...it was...sorta fun. I don't know what it is, but it was really fun. W-we'd play games, shoot into the forts, bury the dead and whatnot. I actually started to like it. What really pissed me off was that I was never considered for promotion. It sucked plot.
...
Don't give me that look, Princess. You told me not to spare any details. Details include my personal thoughts, correct?
Good. Now shut up and let me speak....Ugh! I know that you didn't say anything. Just...don't look at me or something.
Ahem. In a way, Seiging itself is a game. Heck, we've even kept scores. Scores on which fort held out the longest. Before Fort Fetlock, the former champion lasted 5 months. But...up until that point, the gaming aspect ends there. Accounting for the losses on our side and the reports we neede to send back home are just...painful. They were the pin to our little pink party balloon.
Painful, thoust says?
Yeah. It's painful. Many ponies dies, I can accept that. Death by sword, magic or infection is normal in war. But...what if so much damage is done that you can no longer recognise somepony? Charred faces...bodies reduced to ash...Oh gosh...it sickens me. Memories like that haunt me each day I live.
Private, please, do not cry. I understand your pain.
No! Those ponies!
They had names!
They had faces! They were born, raised and cared for! Everything they grew up for! Every dream, every hope and every single fucking memory of theirs just vanishes...j-just like that...fuck...I'm shaking...
How could you possibly say that you understand...? You can go fuck yourself.
**Sigh* We're afraid we will have to cut our interview short. Guards, escort this pony to his quarters in the Infirmary. I will see you again tomorrow, Private Centre Fold.*
...
Shame that our session had to be cut short. Poor thing.
And so, the Lunar Princess left the room. In her wake came three stallions. 2 Guards and a physically shaken pony.
The story the pony had to tell could fill Princess Luna in with one of the most recent events in Equestria's history whilst she was still on the moon. Such an event has left a huge mark on Equestria. And both Luna and her sister, Princess Celestia, are to use such information to ensure that nothing like the events described in the interview were to happen again.
Why must we fight? We don't live alone. We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other. So why...?
...I must say that ponies of the future must learn a lesson. A valuable lesson. The time will soon come when, if ponies will not learn that lesson, then they will be taught in fire and blood and anguish. ~Princess Luna
