Torn Nation

1

Chapter 1: Ignition

The group discussion had been assembled for the Equestrian Political meeting to begin. As this was a bounteous deal, Luna had gathered the courage to be at head seat, merely found her sister, Celestia, had taken it already.

"Sister, I reckoned I was being head of the meeting this month." Luna said in a hushed whisper, but with all her anger swelling in.

"Now, now Luna. I am always head of the merging. Aren't I?" Celsetia responded with no notice to Luna's apparent anger. Luna got a seat, disappointed in the fact that her sister had once again taken her opportunity to be a leader. Despite the obvious unhappiness of her sister, Celestia proceeded to sit as the various delegates arrived.

"Greetings, Luna." Said Twilight Sparkle, the pupil of Celestia. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, just Celestia said that I could lead the meeting this month, but never actually let me." Luna complained. She looked at Twilight, who looked to Celestia with a wary glance.

"Do you think Celestia is growing jealous of your popularity about Equestria?" Twilight asked, though she looked unsure of Luna's truthfulness.

"I doubt it, Twilight. She never had a reason to be envious of me." Luna responded, her eyes looking unhappy. The meeting was started before Twilight could reassure the princess.

"Celestia, what shall we do about the economy crisis in Manehatten?" A delegate asked decisively.

"We shall condu-" Celestia was cut off by Luna's voice.

"We shall try to arrive at a higher ground in the stock market, and better our chances of raising profits in the East." Luna pitched, as she wanted to supply ideas. Inwardly, Celestia was fuming.

"Luna, follow me for a moment." Celestia said calmly, before leading her sister to the back rooms. Her face shifted from sweet and helpful, to a black rage.

"What is it, sister?" Luna asked cautiously.

"That was the fifth time you interrupted me. Why? Is it because you didn't deserve head chair this time, or the head chair as a whole?" Celestia scowled at her sister.

"What if I really know how to fix a problem? Unlike you? All you do at these meetings is just dismiss all the problems, as if they meant nothing!" Luna growled in fury.

"We are not here to solve matters, we need to be an ample government. Understood?" Celestia spat.

"If you call that government, I don't desire to rule by your side. I'm from to split from your nation!" Luna shot back.

"You'll what?" Celestia snarled, getting in Luna's personal space.

"I'll split away from your petty country. Is that clear?" Luna said as she shoved her sister back.

"Fine, do what you want, but get the fuck out of my castle." Celestia growled before leaving to the meeting hall, to finish the meeting. Luna gathered her possessions, and fled towards Manehatten.

When she had arrived, the city was welcoming to her. Word spread quickly that she had a plan to build a country, and Manehatten was the first city involved. They had already armed and trained troops for a new county. Luna smiled at the gleaming skyscrapers, and high security in the monumental city. She looked from pony to pony, seeing how envious they were of her mien.

"What is this country's name?" asks a uniform stallion.

"The Lunar Republic, a country of freedom. A place where responsibility is shared, and dignity is possessed by everybody. We are the newest country in the global unity." Luna announced with a burden of pride filling her soul.

She flew to the skies, and let the air sweep over her face and hooves. Way up high was her favorite escape, though she rarely indulged in it. Now felt like the proper time to fly, and be free.

With many other ponies following her through the air, it was an encompassing feeling of unity in the new region. Where they were finally relinquished of service to Celestia. Making twists in flight Luna celebrated her new land. But the news did spread elsewhere.

In the quaint town of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle and her friends discussed the supposed division of Equestrian Soil. Rainbow Dash was the first to stand against its existence.

"We can't have two halves Equestria! That would be just insane, and clearly Luna has issues to do this out of nowhere!" She supposed in an accusing manner. I suffered quietly as Applejack retorted.

"At least she stood up to her sis. Even you know that they had an unsteady relation."

"That's not a serious reason to divide Equestria now is it?" Rainbow yelled in aggression.

"Let's all just cool down, darlings. We have to sift out what to do about this." Rarity said, with the intent to stop the argument.

"Rarity's right girls, we need to deliver a plan for the situation at hoof. If we don't stop this, it could become a civil war." Twilight said, anxiety edging her voice.

I finally spoke, in my hushed but obvious voice. "Shouldn't we just pick a position? That would make it easier to cope with."

Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack seemed to correspond with me, but Rainbow and Twilight were hesitant with their answers. I stood waiting for someone to scream at me. Normally it had been Rainbow.

It had been Rainbow. I lay on the floor, face hidden. I didn't want to cry in front of everyone. It had been a long harangue. I could hear Rarity run over to me.

Applejack shouted at Rainbow for her vicious words. "You are being rude, Dash. We remembered you were more logical, but boy were we wrong?"

Rarity sat next to me, comforting me with a hug and kind words. Such as "It'll be all right, I promise. You'll be okay now. Do you want to get home, darling?"

Pinkie stood in shock, unable to speak from the display of anger, and disagreement in front of her. It had impacted her, though no one recognized it yet. She covered her face and ran from the building. Breaking up on us and the meeting we were having.

I fought to pull myself together, and stand once more. I knew Rarity would usher me out the door to go home. I possessed nothing more to say, I had nothing left to do. She got me out as presently as she heard swear words being slung out like acid.

"Are you all right, dear? I can come in if you need some company. That was just dreadful to watch." Rarity bounced from sentence to sentence at my door. I was capable of retaining some degree of confidence in this scenario.

"I'll be okay Rarity. It could've been worse, right? Catch you soon." I said before closing the door to my cottage. She seemed concerned, but left anyway. Likely to get home before the overcast sky could dump rain on us all.

I sat on my sofa, feeling lonely. Though I had my way of recovering from this stuff, it would call for some alone time anyway. No doubts or false statements. I just sat alone, drifting to sleep slowly.

I had a solemn dream where my friends were dead from the warfare. And all I could do was watch them expire. One by one they were lost in my dream. I never had the opportunity to say what I wanted to. Not that I would voice my views anyway, Rainbow hated me for nothing. I felt betrayed as I awoke to the auditory sensations of the natural rainfall. Lightning pierced the skies, and thunder blasted over our town.

I got up, feeling a lot better about the whole issue, and knew I would have to make a choice for my life to continue. But what would I say? There isn't much room for me in the world scope. Possibly I could fake a response? Tell the truth for my own ease? Yes, do what I feel is correct. Yes. I shall be part of The Lunar Republic.

I sat in my room, worrying about the impending chaos my sister spoke of to her friends. The four of them were downstairs. Applejack paced while Pinkie stood motionless. Fluttershy was lying around. Rarity was sitting with some tea.

"We need to leave this town. Now!" Applejack demanded.

"I have to watch out for the Cake twins, and Ms. Cake. They're not leaving until the conflict begins." Pinkie said in an unhappy demeanor.

"Really? They need to think about their foals. If they get caught in the crossfire, it won't last too long." Fluttershy said, in a nervous means. Applejack agreed with her, by nodding. I stood at the peak of the stairwell to the lounge. Observing from the upper level, as they agreed to let Pinkie stay behind for the foals.

I was ordered to pack. So I collected everything I ever loved. A picture of mother and father, my Cutie Mark Crusaders cape, my old list of cutie mark ideas, and my sewing kit. They were my treasured possessions, and Rarity had a bag of her belongings.

We were departing to the boutique in Manehatten. Luckily it was roomy enough for Fluttershy and Scootaloo to stay with us. The Apple Family would live in the neighboring house. I was glad that my friends and family were going to pull through. Except my parents, they took over the Carousel Boutique. We departed, with many fallen tears, to the train station.

When we made it, we had to say our final goodbye to Pinkie. For the fact that we might never see her again. It was hard for Applejack, as she sustained a close bond with Pinkie. They powered through, and Applejack boarded the train. Followed by her brother and granny. Then her little sis, my friend Applebloom, who looked at Pinkie with sorrow.

"Tell Maud that I'll miss her." Applebloom said before making way for Fluttershy and Scootaloo. When we boarded, Rarity gave Pinkie a small hug, and went onto the train. I followed behind her. Passing a final gift to the mare who stayed on the platform. A pendant. Formed like a balloon, just like her Cutie mark.

"Thank you, Sweetie Belle. I'll be missing all of you! I hope someday we will reunite." Pinkie said, fighting back tears of sorrow.

"You too, Pinkie." I said, then proceeded into the train. I snagged a seat next to Rarity. She put a hoof around me, in an endeavor to console me. This would be the worst moment I would ever experience. Or at least my mind assumed it.

The ride was dragged out. Making me want to simply ditch the train, and go back home. In the long run, I would be safer with the group. I looked to Rarity, she looked weary. Understandable, considering the circumstances, but they realistically could've chosen a better day to attempt this. Nevertheless, we were ready for our self produced relocation to be completed.

"When will we get there? It feels like it's been hours." I say in a dreary way. She forced a small grin.

"Shouldn't be long, Sweetie Belle." Rarity said in a delicate voice. Like our mother coaxing me to bed, when I was a great deal younger.

"Alright. Thanks for telling me." I said as I drowsed off to sleep.

I waved as the train accelerated away. My friends were going to be in Manehatten by tomorrow morning. I wiped away tears, and slid on the pendant Sweetie Belle gave me. Then carried on back to Sugarcube Corner. When I entered Mr. Cake sat with a spear and some armor.

"Mr. Cake, what's that for?" I asked worriedly. He turned around to face me.

"Battle, of course." Was his mild response. He then told me that Mrs. Cake was just upstairs with the tykes. I bolted upstairs, just to find Mrs. Cake completely calm.

"Hello, Mrs. Cake. When are we leaving Ponyville?" I inquired. She gave me a sorrowful glance.

"I'm passing up my ticket. To Nurse Redheart. She will be needed in Manehatten. You'll need to take my foals out of the downtown area as soon as you hear bombings." She spouted out more information than I predicted.

"What? You're giving up your ticket? What about Pound and Pumpkin?" I demanded in shock.

"They'll travel with you. I'm so sorry, Pinkie. But I have to let somebody with medical practice go instead." She said uneasily.

Mrs. Cake went from calm to emotional breakdown in the passage of a few minutes, which surprised me. I never expected her to give up an opportunity to avoid a major battle.

"I promise, I'll care for your babies. No matter what happens, I will make it my mission to keep them safe from the war." I said in a depressed way. She kissed her children on the forehead, before running downstairs.

Days passed by. I was left in an empty store with the foals. They didn't know what was going to happen. Nor did I for that matter. We were entirely clueless as to when all hell would explode over our heads.

I decided to collect up our things, and leave earlier. Boarding a train at the last moment. Thankfully, it was led straight for Manehatten. As we rode, the two laughed as if war wasn't on the brink of--

A quake rang out. Sounds of explosive traps being detonated rang throughout the train cars. Within a few seconds I went from cradling two foals to being flung out the side window.

We hit the ground, possessions with us. I had packed them in a backpack, so we were safe from losing anything we needed. I checked on the foals. Unfortunately, Pumpkin wasn't breathing. She had her neck broken during the initial shock trough the train.

At the very moment, I broke down. Weeping and wailing at the death of someone I promised to protect. Pound was crying as well. As if he recognized his sister wasn't with us anymore. I passed the night digging a small grave for the poor filly. Pound had suffered through nothing up until this.

I knew these foals would never forget their childhoods. Pound was in all likelihood going to be depressed for a large portion of his life. Mourning a loss to an onslaught.

"Bye, Pumpkin. Remain in peace." I said sadly, before curling up to Pound, and drifting into sleep.