Author's Note
This was rushed as I played the game "Hearts of Iron IV: Equestria at War" while writing this down. This story came to me from actual gameplay as Acornage was undersiege and continued to hold-out against the Changeling army.
Thought I might as well make a story about the ponies that had to face this tragedy.
Letters
12th Solar Cycle, 12th Moon, 1010,
Dear Mom and Dad,
I know you’re still angry about my choice in joining the Canterlot Royals Division, but rest assured this is what I wanted. Grandmare always told me that I would make a great pony, serving our Royal Princesses. She had inspired me since I was but a colt. This feeling of serving Equestria gives me hope of a better tomorrow. I know how many ponies are scared about the current situation of the changelings menace performing military practices close to our borders, but they have nothing to fear. The changelings do not stand a chance against the might of Equestria. Our nation is to beautiful and strong for it to fall.
Prince Blueblood, our Grand-Commander, gave an inspiring speech that these changelings are nothing except power-love-feeding weaklings. Our intel reveals the changelings have outdated equipment and their Queen is just making an excuse to attack us to keep her crown in chitin hooves.
Mom and Dad, please know that I am safe and this so called war, is never going to happen. Please tell our neighbors, friends and family that they can sleep peacefully. A war with the changelings will never happen.
I know it will not happen because I, your son, is here at Acornage protecting the border like a Canterlot Royal!
Your Son,
Blast-off
1st Solar Cycle, 1st Moon, 1011,
Dear Mom and Dad,
The changelings actually did it! They crossed our border in the dead of night ambushing our position. The base-camp was in complete disarray and I heard over the radio that this is happening everywhere; even in the Crystal Empire. When Celestia’s sun started to rise our base-camp was in ruins. The gifts Grandmare sent me got destroyed in the struggle. Our Grand-Commander Prince Blueblood has suggested an organized retreat to a more secured position. Rumor is that the western border collapsed and Vanhoover was taken within the night. Know that I am alright and that our ponies are fine. The changelings only took one. This mare is sadly the first casualty in the Royals. She is a hero to us, as she sounded the alarm with her dying breath.
I have to make this letter short, as I need to prepare for the retreat. I volunteered to stay as the last defensive line until the rest of our ponies have made the rendezvous. Know that I am well and will do everything I can to make these changelings pay.
Your Son,
Blast-off
1st Solar Cycle, 2nd Moon, 1011,
Dear Mom and Dad,
I do not know if the last letter ever made it. I am writing these letters in hopes that one day they will find its way home.
Our retreat was a complete disaster as we found out that the changelings encircled our position. The rumor of the western border falling was true, but we never received word that the eastern border fell. The center, our line, was the only line that held firm and is now trapped behind enemy lines. The Grand-Commander over the radio told us to hold position and await a breakthrough.
I have faith that Grand-Commander Blueblood will do everything he can to get us out of this mess. Until then, we are digging in around the city of Acornage, preparing a possible attack from the enemy. The citizens of Acornage have established an emergency militia by the Mayor’s orders. They are ill-equipped, but they are helping us out however they can. I will put all my faith that within 5 moons we will be reunited with our fellow ponies and having the changelings flee with chitin tails between their legs.
Your Son,
Blast-off
2nd Solar Cycle, 5th Moon, 1011,
Dear Mom and Dad,
A Solar Cycle has passed with no word from the Grand-Commander for the passed 10 moons. The fighting in the distance of where the breakthrough was suppose to come, feels further away. Our ponies moral is wavering as hopes of returning to the front are ill.
The changelings have us completely surrounded and attack day’n’night. Acornage has seen better days as the city is shelled and bombed. These chitins have no dignity as they slaughter civilians like insects.
Our highest ranking officer, Captain Windrider has put us on high alert as the changelings may have infiltrated our ranks, impersonating as civilians or soldiers. These changelings need to be stopped and I will do everything in my power to stop them. I have strong beliefs that Acornage will not fall and that every changeling we take down is another victory for Equestria!
Your Son,
Blast-off
2nd Solar Cycle, 19th Moon, 1011,
Dear Mom and Dad,
A mortar shell got me today, only a small piece. Me and a few others volunteered to do some recon to locate changeling positions. When we found a large squadern of changelings we reported back to Acronage, so when they attacked the next time, we would be ready for it. Sadly as we tried to return back, we must have been spotted. As changeling bullets and mortar shells rained down on us. It landed squarely into my left hoof, easy to remove and not fatal. I felt no pain, but others weren’t so fortunate.
Lucky-Star a mare who was with me didn’t make it. The shell blew her backwards, killing her quickly. I felt lost knowing she was not coming back with us, but I trudge forward back to Acornage in the hopes that we would get back at those changelings by killing 5 of them to avenge her death.
I have the night shift and if I know our Captian, Windrider. He wants us to never be late. I will hold unto my belief that we will survive this and I’ll be back home soon.
Your Son,
Blast-off
3rd Solar Cycle, 2nd Moon, 1011
Dear Mom and Dad,
The battles in the distance we once heard have gone silent. Are we having a ceasefire? Since we have no communication with our Grand-Commander we do not know what is happening to the rest of the world. The Changelings have not attacked for 2 moons, which I feel should be a record.
The Canterlot Royals lost Captian Windrider 3 moons ago. A changeling infiltrated our ranks and slit his throat in the night. We mourn his loss and those who died in this terrible siege.
The city of Acornage is nothing but a husk of its former self. The school buildings are in ruins, the parks and playgrounds are filled with blast craters and fallen trees. Homes are completely smashed and many ponies now have to sleep in the cold.
I hope this is a ceasefire, maybe it will give us time to reorganize and allow us a chance to return home. The changelings can have Acornage, it has nothing of value left. The citizens of Acornage will be happy to leave and find someplace else to settle I am sure.
Mom, I miss you so much, I miss how we use to shop up in Cloudsdale always looking for the best deals. I know I hated it, but I would give anything to do that right now. Dad, know that I am sorry I never joined you more on your camping trips. I should have gone with you whenever I had the chance. When I come home, we have to do some camping. You can pick the spot and I’ll set up camp.
I want to see you all again so soon. Tell Grandmare I love her.
Your Son,
Blast-off
3rd Solar Cycle, 27th Moon, 1011,
Dear Mom and Dad,
The situation of rations has gone from nominal to critical. The rations that we had stocked are emptied. Citizens are being coerced to giving up additional foods to our ponies and their own militia force. Those who outright refuse are forced to give up foods anyways, as the mayor says, “It’s our military that protects us from changelings they’ll protect us better with a full stomach.”
The speech was not inspiring as no-one cheered. We, the Canterlot Royals, haven’t had a full stomach in what feels like years. We continued to cut rations to keep our stocks lasting longer. We tried to forge for food, but the changelings keep us trapped from wandering to far astray.
I feel for everypony here. The lack of food for us and civilians is tragic enough. The fillies and colts attend school without a lunch, unless one pony has enough to share with the rest. Mare’s and Stallions search through dumpsters and rubble, finding whatever scraps to eat for them and their families.
When is the breakthrough coming? When can we go home? Mom and Dad, I wish you could see this place, this is not what Equestria should be. We should have won by now, parading through the streets of Canterlot where crowds will cheer for our victory. Where is our victory?
Your Son,
Blast-off
4th Solar Cycle, 17th Moon, 1011
Dear Dad,
This letter is for you and not for Mom, so please, if she is by you right now, tell her to look away. This is not a bad sign or me writing a defeat, but rather a letter between two stallions. Mom wouldn’t like what I have found, it’s a marefriend. Her name is Happy Trails (I call her Ms. Trails).
Dad if only you could see her. A bright orange coat and a shiny yellow mane (if it wasn’t covered in dust and dirt). She has the most beautiful blue eyes that gives me a calm feeling, that everything is going to be okay. She takes care of the foals who have lost their parents in the fighting.
I visit her whenever I get a short break from the constant fighting. I assist her in helping the foals. We do what we can to take minds off the war and our starving bellies.
Dad, when I come home, I will introduce her to Mom, but for now lets keep this between ourselves alright?
Your Son,
Blast-off
4th Solar Cycle, 29th Moon, 1011,
Dear Mom and Dad,
The changelings have cut-off our supply of water. The pipelines have been badly damage from artillery shells and explosives. We are now having to resort to water rations. Buckets are being used to collect rainwater; old wells that were once obsolete are back in use.
The situation here is getting worse everyday. The changelings have broken through our defensive line and now we are having to fight from street to street. Civilians are no longer civilians anymore. Anypony that is able has to fight.
Happy Trails is now beside me as a squadmate. The foals follow her as they have nowhere else to go. I try to do my best and keep Happy Trails and the foals from the heavy fighting, but there's nowhere else to go. Mom, I’m scared. I am no leader and now I have ponies that look to me for guidance. What am I supposed to do? I cannot tell them everything will be alright.
Dad, tell me I am doing the right thing. Keeping these foals and this mare out of the crossfire. I want somepony to tell me everything is going to be alright.
Your Son,
Blast-off
5th Solar Cycle, 1st Moon, 1011
Dear Mom,
Today I ran out of bullets for my saddlebag rifle. I can no longer fight from a distance. The changelings are closing in everyday to the inner parts of Acornage. Mom, I can’t do this anymore. I lost five foals in one street. I want to go home, I want to go home so badly.
I’m so hungry Mom, I can’t live like this anymore.
Please, please someone get me home.
Your failure of a Son,
Blast-off
5th Solar Cycle, 8th Moon, 1011
Dear Mom and Dad,
I’m holed up in a building with a few ponies from my Division. The changelings have resorted to a loudspeaker, demanding our complete surrender. They say that Canterlot has fallen and our resistance is meaningless. I’m beginning to believe it.
Someponies left in the dead of night, likely surrendered to the changeling army. I know not what is to become of them, nor does anyone else. Ponies on watch are having to shoot any deserter on site.
What happened to Friendship Mom and Dad. What happened to our Equestria? Happy Trails and I decided that if we do escape this tragedy, we will get married and adopt the foals we have taken care of.
I don’t feel hungry or thirsty, I feel as if sitting down writing takes the thoughts of war off my mind.
I love you both so much,
Blast-off
5th Solar Cycle, 10th Moon, 1011
Dear Happy Trails,
I wish I had known the real you. I do not know if I ever did know the real you. A changeling, impersonating your very body. That chitin, ruined my life.
What is the meaning of this war? Why don’t the changelings just impersonate our lost ones and leave it at that. We can all become friends then correct?
I’m no father, I’m no leader, I’m no soldier. I don’t know if I’m a pony. I may be a changeling and I don’t even know it. If the real Happy Trails finds this, know that the foals are in a better place.
Your lover,
Blast-off
6th Solar Cycle, 13th Moon, 1011
To the one reading this,
Know that this pony pegasus is dying. My name is Blast-off and I fought in the Canterlot Royals Division. Possible cause of death: hunger, sickness or fatal injuries. My hometown is Cloudsdale and my home is 68th Softcloud wing.
If you’re a changeling, pony or griffon: please have these letters delivered as a dying wish. I want my family to know, that I love them dearly and that I’m sorry for everything.
Sincerely,
Blast-off
11th Solar Cycle, 17th Moon, 1011
Dear Mercury,
Today we liberated Acornage. It was quite a sight to behold. The city had been laid to waste and any remnants of the Canterlot Royals are a no show. A few survivors approached us, only to give us cold stares and yell at us for not having come sooner.
Grand-Commander Blueblood was a joke as we all know. He took more pride in himself rather than his own country. I’m glad Grand-Commander Princess Luna is in charge. She has made us gain ground and pushed the changelings back to their own borders within 3 Solar Cycles.
I had a local survivor fill me in on what happened to Acornage. He passed me letters that were from our little colt. Mercury, I’m sure our little colt is in a better place now. Our little Blast-off is with Grandmare, playing soldier with her I’m sure.
I’m sending these letters home to you, except for one. Our little Blast-off specifically told me to not have you ever read this letter, until he was ready. When this war is over, we will pay our respects to those at Acornage, it's the least we can do.
Your loving husband,
Gemini
