Chapters I should start by introducing myself. My name is Cold Steel. In the Army it was just Steel. My natural look is a silver coat with a gray mane with a silver stripe through it, and my cutie mark is a steel ingot. I was born in Baltimare as a 5 generation steelworker in our mill outside of town, and moved to Cloudsdale two years before the war. This story will follow the course of World War Equestria through the eyes of 4 ponies, including myself. Now gather ‘round your fires and hear the story of love, loss, tragedy and the folly of pony.
The war started with strained relations between Equestria and Yakyakistan and the overthrow and murder of King Thorax. Not all the changelings supported his rule and still followed Chrysalis. In the middle of a hearing, he was struck in the heart by another changeling. Chrysalis took power again and they reverted to their old ways. Meanwhile, an equestrian visitor to Yakyakistan was killed by a Yak, but he was never punished. Prince Rutherford, not wanting to start a war, traveled to Canterlot with the ambassador to meet with Celestia. However, the night before the hearing, they were both mysteriously murdered in their hotel room. Nopony was ever caught. Celestia’s government denied any part in the murder, but many suspect otherwise. Personally, I can't say because I don't want to go to the Moon.
The whole thing might've blown over, except Celestia reactivated a reserve army unit and sent it to our border with the Yaks. They became enraged and declared war. The changelings, spoiling for a fight, declared war soon after. There brethren the Northern Changelings, changelings who went north into the mountains then became albino and extremely warlike also declared allegiance to the Yaks. The Crystal Empire joined on the side of Equestria, along with Thorax’s few left supporters. There was one more player left; the Arabians. Nopony is really sure why they joined (no suitable explanation was given to Canterlot) but we rolled with it. The stage was set.
A poster went up in the center of Cloudsdale. It featured everyone's favorite Wonderbolt Rainbow Dash, standing at attention in full uniform as a formation soared through the sky behind her. The poster read; JOIN THE EQUESTRIAN ARMY! BECOME TWENTY PERCENT COOLER IN TEN SECONDS FLAT! It drew quite a crowd. A stallion stood next to it, hollering for volunteers. “Join us! Fight for your home, your country, and your princess! Adventure and glory await!” What a spiel he had. Of course it was all patriotic bull crap. But it excited me, and I drew closer. “Those who don't join are cowards! Prove your stallionhood!” That did it for me. I approached and requested the enlistment papers. A brief look of surprise flashed across his face. He thanked me and continued yelling for volunteers. I trotted home with my papers. Now, I can hear them. Whether it was or is in my imagination doesn't matter. Then I was deaf to it but now it's clear as day. They were the drums of war, and they were spreading across the continent.
Now for the other ponies. In the San Palomino Theater was a Pegasus named Hustler. Born and raised in Los Pegasus with a “small” criminal background, he said he joined for much the same reason as me, swept up in the wave of patriotism. Personally, I suspect he joined to escape persecution, but I kept that to myself during the interview. Anyway, most Los Pegasians joined to protect their homes, for directly to the southwest laid the San Palomino Desert. It's the closest point in Equestria to the Arab homeland, and they would strike there. The Desert would swallow many souls throughout the war.
Serving in the Badlands Theater was a earth pony named Hard Cider, a member of the Apple Family and a farmer from Appleloosa. His reason for enlisting was simple, he was bored at home. If he knew the horror that the war would bring, he would've chose boredom. He was the first Apple ever to become a soldier.
And finally, serving in the Northwestern Theater (fighting in Yakyakistan) was a unicorn named Big Money. Born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth in Vanhoofer, he was forced to join by his father to prove his stallionhood. He and I shared similar experiences fighting the Yaks, but I also had the Northern Changelings to deal with.
These are the other ponies who we will be following their stories. We all entered training with no knowledge of what lied ahead.
Training flew by for all, and nopony had any stories about it. At graduation, we changed our appearance and joined a unit. I changed into a white and joined the 5th Regiment of Whites. It would become one of the finest units in the army. Hustler also became white and joined the 1st Royal Cavalry Regiment. Cider became a gray and joined the 9th Regiment of Grays. Lastly, Big became a gray and joined the 2nd Regiment of Grays. Just days after we joined our units, mobilization on both sides were complete and we marched of to war.
The 5th marched north for three days. En route they were joined by the 2nd Regiment of Grays, 9th Whites, 4th Grays, 1st Whites, and a two regiment compliment from the Crystal Empire. The 5th was commanded by a rising earth pony star named 3 Star. Born into a military family, he followed his father's hoofsteps by learning at the Royal Academy of Land Warfare. He would eventually become commander of the entire army. Leading the newly formed Northern Army was Bunker Buster. You'll find out more about him later. We arrived at a wood where we could see the Yak fires from the other side of it. It was night so we made camp. As almost everypony went to sleep, I stayed up from nerves, and built a half-flanked fire. I was startled by a noise. One of my comrade, Coal Dust, emerged. I glared at him. He tsked. “You really need to take better care of your fire,” he said. “You're a coal miner, what do you know about fires?” He said nothing as he built it back up. “Isn't fire a huge hazard in a mine?” Coal Dust finally retorted. “You're steelworker, shouldn't you know everything about it?” That shut me up. Four more ponies emerged, all coming back from picket duty. There was Boxer and his twin Packer, Tree Trimmer and a pony whose name I've long forgotten. They joined the conversation. After a while of it, I got tired. “Okay guys, I'm going to bed, help yourself to the fried cabbage,” it's what I was cooking over the fire. Once asleep, Luna was not kind to me. I had dreams of violent decapitation, my bowels spilling out on the field, or getting my throat punctured by a spear. It went on all night long.
Dawn arrived at our camp. A light mist covered the ground and the forest, setting the eerie mood and doing nothing to ease our minds. By the time the mist burnt off, our camps were struck and ranks were formed. We began our march into the forest. After half an hour, we arrived at a clearing. The 5th was the first to emerge. Suddenly a hail of arrows shredded our ranks. Ponies screamed in terror and pain. However, most of the arrows that did hit stuck in our armor, and the ones that had arrows in their skin were a minority, but it was enough to shake us. A whole army of Yaks emerged from the trees, ready to trample the 5th into dust.
We readied our spears. Finally the 5th was no longer alone. The rest of the Northern Army emerged, with the two Crystal Empire regiments on the left flank, followed by the 9th Whites, 2nd Grays, 1st Whites in the center, 4th Grays and us on the right flank. The Crystal Imperials were charged by a horde of Yaks, and bitter fighting ensued. Our archers had formed up and began answering the arrows that flew our way. My first experience with death came shortly. A stallion ahead of me (I was in the second rank) was pierced by two arrows. He screamed and collapsed, twitching in a bloody puddle. His red blood soaked my white fur. To our left, focused in the small gap created by the 4th Grays and the 5th, stood a Yak horde. They charged. Their charge seemed to be focused more on the Grays then us, and only about a fifth of our regiment were engaged. Three Star gave the order for the regiment to wheel around the flank. The 5th began to wheel around. Before the maneuver was complete, two regiments of Northern Changelings appeared. Faster than lightning, they charged. The flank of us was ripped apart. I saw one pony literally ripped in half by a changeling. We stopped and turned around. The shattered ponies ran past, and a brief standoff ensued. Spears down and ready, we stared the changelings. They stared right back. Unleashing a war cry, along with arrows, they attacked. We gave them our own cheer and countercharged. My spear cut into an exposed neck of a changeling, ripping it open and spilling his blood. We slammed into them. A pony attacked a changeling, but he was ready and disarmed the pony and smashed his head so hard his brains spilled into the blood soaked ground. My spear got caught in a changeling chest plate and snapped in half. I drew my sword and attacked. One unfortunate changeling was caught in my path and I slaughtered him without second thought. They caught their breath, and now that most of the 5th had no spear and only swords, attacked. We braced. The pony who became part of my fireside group the night before who's name I have forgotten, was forced onto his hind legs, and a sword sliced his stomach open, spilling his intestines all over. What's worse, he still lived. Out of all the sounds of the battle, that was the worst. It was the grutal scream of unimaginable pain, fear for his inevitable death, sadness that he would never see his loved ones again, and anger that they did that to him. It still haunts me, to this very day. Our lines were starting to thin. Luckily, help was on the way.
On the other side of the battle, the 2nd Grays were facing relatively light resistance from the Yaks. Being a unicorn, Big had more functionality than a earth pony or a pegasus, so he was an archer. They weren't in a good position to hit much, so they were saving their arrows for a better target. Suddenly an aide of Three Star came galloping over to their position. “The 5th requires immediate archer assistance! Go to where they are at the double quick!” Unfortunately for the archers of the 2nd Grays, they didn't know where the 5th was. With Big in charge, they went to the left flank, the opposite of where they were needed. The Crystal archers had long since run out of ammunition, and the Yaks were about to break through. Even though the 5th needed them desperately, Big decided to fire two volleys into the Yaks, and then reposition to the other flank. As it turned out, those two volleys might have saved the left flank from total collapse. About facing, they galloped to the other side of the field. With the 5th thinning fast, Big ordered a volley. With the 5th acting like a levee holding back a river of changelings, it was impossible to miss. The arrows slammed into the changeling ranks with brutal effect, killing some outright and making others want the relief of death from their suffering. Two more volleys followed, and then Big ordered them to release at will. Facing a wall of gold armor, steel swords and spears, and an unrelenting rain of arrows, they began to falter.
It was noticed immediately. Together, we gathered our collective courage, and charged. My sword stabbed a changeling in the leg, and he collapsed screaming. Although the Northern Changelings were tough and warlike, they couldn't take it. The two units began to rout, leaving the 5th free. The archers at our rear ran back to the other flank to help. But the battle was not over. Three Star was quick to see the 4th Grays were also on the verge of collapsing. Gathering up unbroken spears, we charged into the flank of the Yaks attacking them. They began to run. Gathering up more ponies and steam, we rolled up the Yak flank, destroying everypony in our path. The rest of their army collapsed, and the battle was won.
The aftermath was grim. One by one, ponies realized they were now killers, cold hearted and merciless. The cries of the wounded echoed through the woods. We toured the battlefield, gathering up the wounded and identifying the dead. The 5th suffered horribly for its contribution to victory. Out of a regiment of 2,000, 700 laid dead. We walked among them, putting the horribly injured out of their misery. Healing spells could only do so much against a punctured stomach. I sat on a rock, thinking about what I've done. Celestia forgive me, because I'm now a killer. I rose and helped with the recovery efforts. The dead were stripped of their armor and weapons, cleaned as best we could manage of blood, and were sent home for burial. The Yaks were not finished though. Many more battles would be fought.
In the Desert, You Can't Remember Your Name
Meanwhile, Hustler was having a blast in the desert. The First Cavalry had been scouting a Arabian army that had arrived a week earlier. The Arabians were quick, hard hitting, and all but immune from the desert heat. On the other hoof, the price to pay from speed and heat immunity was lack of armor. Only two Equestrian units were in the desert, the First and Second Cavalry. The higher ups knew that infantry would get mowed down, and desert warfare was all about mobility, which infantry units lacked. As a result, the cavalry were some of the most elite units. And because of that, Hustler was proud to be a cavalry stallion.
He was about to receive his baptism of blood. After galloping for almost a straight week, the Arabs were exhausted. They settled into a camp for the night. The time was right for the Equestrian cavalry to strike. Hustler’s comrades gathered in the darkness. “Alright, you know the assignment.” He was quick to retort, “yeah, kill the Arabians and don't get killed yourself.” His sergeant glared. “Alright, five minutes, draw your sabers.” They had lightweight armor, easy to pierce but it would be enough, and a steel saber, the perfect weapon for cavalry. The Regiment spread out along a ridge, still behind it to shield themselves from Arab sentries. “Now.” The harsh whisper spread along the line, and one by one, the pegasi spread their wings and charged full speed across the plain.
They caught the Arabians by surprise. When it was clear that an alarm had been raised, they let a terrible war cry. Hustler's blood was up in a fury. He joined the war cry and set his sights on a fleeing Arab. His wings flapped faster and his saber entered easily into the Arab. The rest of the regiment entered the camp, slaughtering Arabs left and right. Hustler stopped flying and charged saber first into a group of Arabians resisting. His saber slashed a neck, the horse cried out, and suddenly 5 of them were converging on Hustler. His saber was blocked by a simitar wielded by an Arab. They formed a ring around him, so desperate to kill this one pony. But he had an advantage the Arabians didn't; wings. Hustler took off straight up in the air, and spiraled down directly on an unfortunate horse. The saber went clean through his body and protruded out through his belly. That was enough for the arabs. They joined the crowd of horses fleeing the camp. The 1st reformed, and began to hunt down the survivors. 5 more times Hustler got his saber wet. Yet he was different from most of the other ponies. Most of the others would receive nightmares about the horses they killed. But not Hustler. He said many times during the interview that he actually relished the killing. It shocked me horribly. But I had to remind myself, everypony is different. Anyway, the 1st Cavalry got off almost completely scot free. Only 7 ponies died in the raid and only about 20 were critically wounded. It was exhilarating in Canterlot to see a victory without many Equestrian lives lost, unlike my fight in Bellamule Woods*. But total victory was far away. The Arabians regrouped, and struck.
The heat didn't bother Hustler as much as it did other ponies. Probably because of where he lived, in Los Pegasus it's almost always hot. The only thing that bothered him about galloping through the desert was the lack of water, made worse by the huge dust clouds they stirred up. Hustler was coughing to remove the dust from his lungs when he saw something. A white horse on a sand dune. Before he could call out, a huge army of Arabs closed in from both flanks! The column halted just as they were sandwiched in between two masses of horses. They had cut through about two ranks on each side before resistance mounted. Hustler drew his saber right as the pony in front of him was impaled through the neck, spilling blood all over the sand. Hustler howled, and slashed the attacker on the face. The Arabian screamed in pain and covered his horrible wound. Before Hustler could celebrate his victory, a poorly aimed scimitar slammed on his armor. Like I said, the armor was thick enough to deflect light blows. He turned about and their swords clashed. Face to face, the two equines snarled at each other before Hustler won, and smashed the hilt of his saber against the face of the Arab. The Arabians broke of combat, daring the Equestrians to come after them. Unfortunately, they did. A horn sounded, and they charged against the left flank of “fleeing” Arabians.
A volley of arrows shredded the ranks. The charge faltered, and another horn sounded. It meant “take to the skies.” The regiment got airborne, and our own archers startled raining their projectiles on the Arabs, but they fired back and Equestrians started raining from the sky. Still in the air, they flew back to a safer position and formed a square. The Arabs followed, and charged. Reinforcements finally arrived. The 2nd Cavalry hid in the rear of the square, and as the Arabians impacted, they ringed around and hit them from the rear. The square broke and charged. Hustler’s blood was up again and he stabbed a horse in the leg and he collapsed in a pile of bodies. The Arabians broke and fled.
Tactically, it was an Equestrian victory. Although in the desert, tactically, most battles didn't matter. The Arabs were pushed back, but they inflicted heavy casualties on the 1st. Their dead were scattered across the battlefield. Psychologically, it was a crushing blow. The government was embarrassed by the near defeat and never listed causalities, so research was hard, but the regiment’s official count was about 1,000. The war was turning very deadly, and any hopes of a swift, bloodless victory were snuffed out at the same time as the 1,000 ponies.
The Badlands are characterized for its dry weather, desolate soil, strange rock formations and by the sweeping winds. It's much like the San Palomino Desert, but more rocky and less hot. The fighting here was not as fluid as the SP Theater, but it was more mobile than the north. 5 regiments composed the Badlands Army, the 4th Whites, 9th Grays, 13th Grays, 10th Whites and 3rd Cavalry. Hard Cider didn't ignore the comradeship of his fellow soldiers, and quickly became popular in his regiment. It must have been the Apple charm. But he had three best friends. Feldspar, a unicorn from a small mining town called Whinyapolis*, a pony with charm to spare, Light Treader, an earth pony born in the swamps around Ponyville who lost most of his teeth, spoke with a slight lisp, and Acre, an earth pony farmer from Dodge City. These four would be inseparable until the final months of the war.
One day, the 9th was resting for ten minutes after marching for an hour. Cider found shade under one of the few trees, and laid back. Suddenly a Pegasus dashed through the resting ponies and went to the commander. Cider was joined by his friends under the tree. “Wat do you shpouse tat is about?” asked Light. “It's anypony’s guess,” Feldspar replied. Cider shook his head, “the cavalry might had made contact with the changelings, we could be seeing action soon.” Feldspar puffed his chest out, “it's about time! If the war ended before we saw action, how could I go home to the mares and say that I didn't kill any Changelings!” Cider and Acre chuckled, while Light guffawed. The pegasus dashed away. “To your hooves, quick now!” They got up. “The Cavalry has made contact with the enemy! We are going to destroy their army where it lies!” They managed a ragged cheer.
After marching for three hours, they reached a pass in between two rocky mountains, filled with Changelings. “From!” The 9th formed ranks and had their spears jutted out before them. The pass was in such a way that three regiments abreast could march through the entrance, but only one regiment could fit in the place where they would fight the changelings. The changelings had archers behind their line infantry, ready to mow down any attackers. It would be a slaughter. But the commanders ignored the ground, and charged in the 9th, with the rest of the army behind them for support. Screaming a war cry, they thundered through the gap. Cider was beyond scared, this was his first combat and it would be bloody. The front rank impacted them with little effect. Shields were up against shields, and little was actually happening. But that was about to change.
Cider heard sounds of war to his left rear. Almost like, they're behind…. Ciders face dropped. “THEY ARE BEHIND US!” he shouted. Half the Regiment turned around to see a mass of Changelings cutting through the 10th and 13th, and getting ready to cut the 9th off. The changelings in front of them charged, adding insult to injury. “Flee! FLEE!” The cry was passed down through the unit, and ponies began to gallop. He made up his mind as a changeling cut down the pony ahead of him. Cider lunged with his spear, but it was poorly aimed and was deflected with the head cut off. He drew his sword and met the changeling's. Two more slashes and parries followed until Cider got a lucky hit to the changeling’s side, killing him. His sword now properly wet, Cider began to flee. A small section linking the 9th to the others was still in Equestrian hooves, letting the Regiment retreat. Cider decided to take up station at the end of the gap, so he could still escape if it collapsed. Two charged him and with relative ease, Cider dismembered one and cut of a leg of the other. The changeling now missing a leg screamed in agony. But it would not last. With a good portion of the 9th still trapped, the section collapsed, sealing the fate of the ponies trapped in the pocket. The entire army began to collapse, and a rout was followed. Cider was vague on the details of the rout itself, so I can imagine he did things a pony would regret. Since the changeling army was still intact, they pursued with vigor, chasing the remains back to Dodge City before they reformed and repulsed the Changelings.
Casualties were high. A quarter of the Southern Army had been destroyed with no ground gained. It was Equestria’s first major defeat, first of quite a few. It also destroyed the idea that changelings were inferior soldiers and tacticians, since they quite easily flanked around. One more lesson was learned, always recon the ground to prevent an enveloped. Now that all armies had been bloodied though, we were all veterans and more prepared for what laid ahead.