//-------------------------------------------------------// Impending Destruction -by ScootaBloom- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue - Escalation of Events //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue - Escalation of Events Authors Note:  English is not my first language, so please be critical in any errors you may find. IN THE BEGINNING Prologue - Escalation of Events It was really only a matter of time.  Those siding with Princess Celestia were shortly deemed the “Solar Empire”, while Princess Luna’s were the “New Lunar Republic.”  Shortly after Twilight and her friends had their disputes, they each went home to reminisce on the days events.  Who knew something which seemed so trivial could cause this much commotion, especially in Ponyville.  Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack all seemed to so strongly believe that their futures were most secure with the Solar Empire.  Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy believed the New Lunar Republic was the better option.  After a mere few minutes of thought, Rainbow Dash decided she wanted to do more than just argue about which side was best.  Meanwhile, Twilight decided it was best to meet with Princess Celestia.  She sent a letter in advance to at least let the Princess know she was coming.  Applejack was easily back to bucking apples back home at the farm.  Pinkie Pie was doing her own thing at Sugarcube Corner.  The sweets just didn’t taste right with the day’s events looming around in that mind of hers.  Fluttershy decided she didn’t want to be alone and went in search of Rarity, who was back at the Carousel Boutique, hard at work attempting to get her mind off of things. It seemed like an eternity before the girls met with each other once again.  They were all in to meet at Sugarcube Corner.  However, Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be found.  “Has anyone seen Rainbow Dash at all since that argument?” asked Twilight.  None of them seemed to have seen her.  “Oh, she’s probably just sleeping around up in Cloudsdale right now” suggested Fluttershy.  “You know how much she loves to sleep.”  Applejack stopped her there.  “As much as she loves to sleep, I don’t think she would miss our get togethers for a silly little nap.”  It would be days before Rainbow Dash was seen again.  Her absence only made tensions grow worse between the remaining five.  Twilight decided it was time to go see Celestia once more, and this time she was taking Applejack and Pinkie Pie with her.  Celestia explained the current situation.  “Twilight, I’m sorry it had to come to this.  Something terrible is coming next, and I’m afraid there’s no way to stop it.”  The three ponies looked puzzled.  “What are you talking about, Princess?” questioned Twilight.  Celestia continued, “Princess Luna, my dear sweet sister, has gone and left the castle.  She has taken her entire guard with her.  I can only prepare for the worse.  I know what she’s going to start, and I only ask that you and your friends get as far away from here as possible.” Princess Luna was pacing fanatically.  “Where are those accursed scouts.  Peace surrounds the land and they can’t even complete a simple task such as this.”  The main doors slammed open.  “Ah, there you are.  I was beginning to think you fell and scraped your leg or some nonsense.  What took you so long.”  One of the two scouts stepped forward to respond.  “Apologies, Princess.  None of the ponies you requested seemed to understand the situation.  One of them was relentless, and even attacked when we tried to take her by force.”  The second of the scouts called in the guard that apprehended the two ponies.  “Unhand me you brutes!  Do you know who you’re forcing around?!  This is no way to treat a lady!  Fluttershy, do something!” Rarity seemed to be having an uncomfortable time being handled by Princess Luna’s Royal Guard.  Fluttershy, on the other hand, allowed herself to be captured, and, as she showed compliance, was allowed to walk freely without being handled as cruelly as Rarity.  “Rarity and Fluttershy, its such a pleasure to meet you.  We demand that you comply this instant” demanded Luna.  Both ponies were down in an instant to bow.  Rarity was about to speak, when she was suddenly interrupted by none other than Rainbow Dash, looking rather stunning wearing her dark Armor of the Royal Guard.  “Princess Luna, these were the two ponies I asked you for.  Thank you.  I can take them from here.”  “Very well, Rainbow Dash.  Be sure they know what they’re doing here,” exclaimed Luna.  The moment the great doors shut behind them, Rainbow Dash began to explain to Rarity and Fluttershy the current situation they were all in, and how bad things were really about to get. “Princess Celestia, no matter what’s about to happen, I’m not leaving.”  Twilight was relentless in her efforts to remain in Canterlot with the Princess.  Celestia could see that Twilight and her friends weren’t going anywhere.  “It’s war, Twilight.  If this doesn’t settle down at all soon, we’re going to war.”  None of them could believe it.  If Rarity, Rainbow, and Fluttershy were sided with the New Lunar Republic...  None of them wanted to think about it.  At the same time, Rainbow Dash was telling Rarity and Fluttershy the exact same thing.  They were going to war, and she enlisted to be a part of it.  She wanted to stand up for what she believed in and convinced the girls to do the same.  Rarity and Fluttershy followed close behind, outwardly hoping that it wouldn’t have to come to war.  Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight were all with Princess Celestia, and if it came to war, it would be worse than they could possibly imagine.  It was once that nothing could ever come between the girls and their friendship.  Something like this sparking as if out of nowhere was impossible to see coming. The gals didn’t think they would lose their friendship over something so trivial as this.  They had the feeling that no matter what happens, they would remain friends.  They were all thinking it, only none of them ever brought it up.  It couldn’t ever go as far as war, could it?  This kind of thing just doesn’t happen in Equestria.  The closest thing to war they ever went through was the play for Hearth’s Warming Eve.  This is the most serious event any of them will ever go through.  Their lives will change for the worst, and for some, it won’t be long before they hate each other.  None of them knew it, but a seven year war was amongst them. It wasn’t very long before Luna’s forces began to take control of several widely-known cities.  It started with Fillydelphia and Cloudsdale.  They were easy to take control of.  Manehatten followed shortly after.  Celestia took no action; she didn’t think it would go very much farther than that.  Until Luna decided to take something major.  She ordered her forces to take control of Trottingham, Hoofington, Las Pegasus, and Baltimare.  When Celestia got word of all four regions in the hooves of Princess Luna and her New Lunar Republic, she decided it was time to stop sitting around and take action.  “Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie...  I’m sorry it has to come to this, but I must ask for your help to-”  “Princess, I want to help,” interrupted Twilight.  “I want to be a part of this.  Princess Luna is going too far with this whole little ‘war’ she’s trying to start.  Give me whatever position you think is best.”  Celestia was stunned.  She never believed Twilight would want to be a part of a war like this.  And standing right behind her were Pinkie and Applejack, determination in their eyes.  Celestia gave Pinkie and Applejack their own unique squads.  Twilight was given the position of strategizer.  Her organization skills were too amazing to be wasted on the actual field. Princess Luna had already given her three ponies their own positions.  Rainbow Dash wasn’t given a squad leader position, she was given the title Platoon Sergeant.  Four squads of thirteen warriors:  First squad was comprised of Earth Ponies, the general warriors.  For second squad, pegasi, with Fluttershy as its squad leader.  Aerial strikes and and controlling the skies.  Rainbow’s favorite squad for obvious reasons.  Third squad had the unicorns.  They were to learn the mysteries of arcane magic.  Those who were too weak to master such elements were put as strategizers and advisors.  The fourth squad was set up with all three types of ponies.  They were to be the spies; fit for tactical espionage and reconnaissance.  Rarity was the squad leader for fourth squad.  She was to go to marksman school to become a scout sniper along with one other to be her spotter.  Both factions were ready for all-out war.