The Equestrian Civil War

When the train pulled into Canterlot Station, the Mane 6 stepped out, and stretched their legs. The train ride to Canterlot always drained them.

“Twilight, look over here!” She turned, and saw Shining Armor walk up to them.

“Hey, little sis,” he said, “The Princess said I should find you and get you all to your rooms in the castle.”

“How’s your new promotion going?” Twilight asked. Shining Armor was promoted to Supreme Commander of the Royal Equestrian Army during the plague, and has since held the rank.

“Apart from some minor skirmishes around Stalliongrad and Marelaysia in the East,” he replied, “Equestria is pretty peaceful. Celestia and Luna just finished their Royal Tour of the East a few weeks ago. I accompanied them. The East is really beautiful.”

Twilight and Shining Armor exchanged small talk while Fluttershy talked with Rainbow Dash about the party.

“I wonder who will be there.” Fluttershy said, “Do you know, Rainbow Dash?”

“No, not really,” she replied, “I guess all the stuck-up ponies here in Canterlot will attend.”

“I know Fancypants will attend,” Rarity said, “I guess that’ll give me time to catch up with him. I do hope he remembers me. It would be shame if he didn’t.”

“Oh, he’ll remember ya.” Applejack said, “Ah know ah would.”

“You didn’t have to say that, Applejack.” Rarity blushed.

“Oh,” Rainbow Dash taunted, “Rarity’s got a crush on Fancypants!”

“I do not!” Rarity scoffed, “I just, admire his fashion sense.”

“You totally like him, Rarity.” Rainbow Dash snickered. “Admit it.”

Rarity turned her head away, and said, “I do not. I don’t know what would make you think that?”

“Because you blushed when Applejack said that she would remember you if she was him,” Rainbow Dash said. “That seems like you like him.”

“Well I do not. How many times do I have to tell you?” Rarity said.

As Rainbow Dash and Rarity bickered, Fluttershy took in the scenery. The entire city was decorated with banners of Luna and her own personal flag. It was a simple one, with a light purple crescent moon pointing downwards with a star of the same color below it. One blue bar was above and below the star and moon, and everything was on a dark purple field.
There were also banners of a dark purple showing the Mare in the Moon at the top. But, on top of the castle, was a very large flag, showing an eclipse of the sun and moon on a white field, which could be seen anywhere in Canterlot. It flew in the wind, and seemed to glow in the sunlight.

As the group made their way to the Castle, they were escorted to their rooms. When they all went inside, they all found a letter from Luna waiting on their beds.

“Dearest friends,” it read, “I am so glad you could make it to my celebration. When the moon is visible over the castle, I will be making a special announcement. I want you all to listen carefully, it is very important.”

Everypony was confused by the letter. What was so important that Luna had to write a letter saying to listen closely? After a few minutes though, everypony stopped thinking about it. Everypony except Twilight, who didn’t like the feeling it gave her.

But she figured it was something not too important, and that she was reading too much into it. Still, the feeling gnawed at the back of her mind, and she never truly let it go.

The afternoon passed slowly, as everypony in Canterlot waited anxiously for the party to begin at dusk.

At sundown, everypony dressed in the exact same dresses they wore to Shining Armor and Princess Cadence’s wedding. It was fitting; it was a Canterlot party after all.

Everypony hooked up outside the gardens, where the party was being held. They were all so excited; they had never been to a Princess’ birthday party before.

When dusk came, the gates were opened, and the party began. Everypony mingled with each other, and the party seemed to be going well.

Twilight got into a discussion with Cadence about how nice their wedding had been.

“Oh, it’s been wonderful, Twilight.” Cadence said, “When Shining Armor escorted the Princesses to the East, I came along with them. You should see the jungles of Marelaysia, they go on for miles. And Stalliongrad was beautiful, almost as much as Canterlot.”

“That’s good.” Twilight said, “And how has Shining Armor treated you?”

“Like a princess, if you’ll excuse the pun.” Cadence let a chuckle go. “It’s been magical. He’s everything I ever wanted.”

Rainbow Dash met up with Spitfire and Soarin’, and she talked about the goings on in the Wonderbolts.

“Since the plague,” Spitfire said, “We’ve really done nothing. It’s been boring, to say the least.”

“Except for the fact that we’ve been given some new aircraft,” Soarin’ pointed out, “Those Super Hornets are just plain amazing.”

“Well, they’ve never been put into combat.” Spitfire sighed, “I know I hate saying this, but without conflict, the Wonderbolts are kind of boring.”

“What?” Rainbow Dash said, “But you’re the Wonderbolts! How can it get boring?”

“The novelty really wares off, Rainbow.” Spitfire said. “Being in a peacetime army isn’t exciting. Since the Equestrian-Zecor War, we’ve really only been marketing ploys for the army.”

“Did you guys fight in the Zecor War?” Rainbow Dash asked. The Equestrian-Zecor War was fought seven years ago against the zebras south of Equestria. It went on for years, and millions died.

“Yes,” Spitfire said, “But it wasn’t like the plague. They were shooting at you too.”

As Rainbow Dash talked about war stories with the Wonderbolts, Rarity met up with Hoity Toity and Fancypants.

“Rarity,” Fancypants said, “How nice it is to see you!”

“It’s been too long, Fancypants.” Rarity replied, “What’s happened with you and Hoity Toity?”

“Well,” Fancypants said, “I don’t know about Hoity Toity, but I’ve been investing in some Manehattan businesses. They’ve been returning me some nice bits, and I’m thinking of establishing a golf club outside of Canterlot.”

“Well I’ve been busy all across Equestria.” Hoity Toity said, “Fashion shows in Trot-Along, Manehattan, Trottingham, St. Ponysburg and Fillydelphia. It’s only coincidence I’m in Canterlot right now.”

“You’ve been to Trottingham?” Rarity asked, “But that is only second to Canterlot in fashion!”

“Exactly why I was there,” Hoity Toity explained. “So many ponies are wanting my clothes, I can’t seem to find a break anywhere!”

“I do say,” Fancypants said, “That is quite remarkable.”

“Yes,” Hoity Toity replied, “I am the stallion in fashion these days. None can rival me.”

As those three mingled, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack stayed together.

“Is it just me,” Applejack said, “That it seems everthang in this party is so stuck-up?”

“I know!” Pinkie exclaimed, “This isn’t a real party! And Luna isn’t even here!”

“Oh,” Fluttershy said, “It must be horrible missing your own birthday party.”

Applejack went over to the hors d’oeuvre table, and picked up a cheese slice. She bit into it, and looked at the party. She never did like fancy parties. Too, fancy, for her tastes.

But then, trumpets sounded, and Princess Luna and Celestia arrived. Everypony flocked to catch a glimpse of the Princesses, and soon the entire party stopped so they could get a look at them.
***

Nightmare Moon disliked the crowd she was getting, but put on a happy face. It was her birthday after all.

“Please, please,” she said in Luna’s voice, “There’s no need to crowd.”

Everypony backed off, and Luna mingled with the guests. She thoroughly disliked everypony there, but she needed to look like she cared for them if her plan was going to work.

“Happy birthday, little sister,” Celestia said. She was smiling at her, as though she knew that Nightmare Moon was going to be loyal to her. Ha! Imagine her face by the end of tonight!

“Thank you, big sister.” Nightmare Moon said in Luna’s voice. “It was so nice of you to throw this party for me.”

“Don’t thank me.” She said, “It wouldn’t have been possible if ponies from across Equestria came here to Canterlot to help celebrate!”

“Yes, thank you.” Nightmare Moon said, “Could you tell me where the delegates from Marelaysia and Stalliongrad are? I’ve wanted to ask them something since we got back. That’s why I invited them.”

“They’re over there, sister.” Celestia said, “Go mingle. It is your party.”

So Nightmare Moon walked over to the delegates. They were sitting at a table, waiting for her to sit down.

“Yes, hello comrade Luna,” said the delegate from Stalliongrad, Thunder Roller. He was an aging Pegasus with a gray mane. But his coat was still bright red, a characteristic shared by most citizens in Stalliongrad.

“Greetings, Princess Luna.” Loyal Shadow, the Marelaysian delegate, said. He wore glasses, and had a small moustache across his upper lip. He wore a cap with a yellow star in the middle. His coat was a pale yellow, and he had a dark black mane.

“Are we ready, gentlemen?” Nightmare Moon asked. “I need to be sure before we go through with this.”

“Da, everything is done.” Thunder said. “We will crush Celestia. This day will be known as Independence Day for all ponies.”

“We can mobilize in an instant.” Shadow said, “Our forces are ready to wage war before the sun rises over Canterlot. We have a plane waiting for you to take you to Stalliongrad, the capital of the New Lunar Republic.”

“Good.” Nightmare Moon said, “I want St. Ponysburg to be the first to fall. It is a major trade city in the East, and we need it if we want a prolonged war.”

“Then our next objective would be Damarescus,” Thunder said, “Where we will send a force into space to take over the Orbital Friendship Cannon.”

“I want this done, gentlemen.” Nightmare Moon said, “No mistakes.”

She got up, and went into the party. She talked with other resistance leaders from all over Equestria. While the main concentration of New Lunar Republic troops would be in the East, she had contacts in Las Pegasus, Nagdad, Mexicolt City, Constallionople, and Coltenhagen.

Unintentionally, she ran into Twilight Sparkle, who greeted her with the highest regards.

“Princess Luna,” Twilight greeted, “This is such a nice party. Oh, where are my manners? Happy birthday Luna!”

“Thank you,” Nightmare Moon said, “Can I ask you something, in private?”

“Of course!” Twilight said, “I’m honored you chose me.”

She dragged her over to a secluded corner, and looked her in the eye.

“Twilight,” she said, “If you had to choose between Celestia and myself, who would you choose?”

“That’s such a big question,” Twilight said, “I don’t know how to answer that.”

“Oh, never mind.” Nightmare Moon said convincingly. “It was just a playful question.”

Twilight smiled, and walked off. Nightmare Moon shook her head. Why did she ask her that! Did she want to get exposed!

No, she didn’t know. It’s still alright to go through with the plan. If she had figured it out, she would have said it, right?

There was no use wondering. Nightmare Moon had come too far in this half-week to stop now. Her forces were loyal, so fiercely loyal to her. She only needed to say a word, and war would ravage Equestria. This party was just a way to get the word out, to make sure everypony in Canterlot would know that the tyrannical reign of Princess Celestia was over.
Her finger was on the button, but she needed to wait just a bit longer.
***

Twilight was confused by Luna’s question. Why would she have to choose between Celestia and Luna? Maybe she was just seeing if she was Twilight’s favorite.

“Hey, Twilli!” Shining Armor called, “Come over here, I want you to meet Summer Forest. She’s the head of the army in Mexicolt City.”

“Hola,” she said, “I met your brother when he stopped in Mexicolt City on his way to Neighjing. Good man, good man.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said, “What is it like in Mexicolt City?”

“It rains every day.” She said, “At about five o’clock in the evening, rain sweeps across the city. It’s because we live in a jungle. It is very refreshing though. Though it is much cooler in Canterlot.”

“Be glad you’re here in the summer.” Twilight said, “It gets very cold here in the winter.”

“I would imagine.” Summer Forest said. “Now, Shining Armor, did you serve in the Zecor War?”

“I did,” he said, “I fought in the Battle of Whoazambique. I had just joined, and I was promoted after a Zebra air strike decimated our platoon.”

“I am glad there aren’t many wars in Equestria.” Summer Forest replied, brushing her black mane out of her face. She was an Earth Pony with a tan coat and black eyes. She spoke with a thick accent that few could understand.
“Although that might seem laughable, since officers get promoted because of victories in battle.” She continued, “Though I’m just happy that there is nothing wrong in Equestria. Beautiful country, it would be a shame to see another war mar this land.”

“Yes,” Twilight said. “It would be terrible.”

The party went on for a few more hours, until the moon was over the castle. Everypony stopped as Luna walked up to a podium to speak to the guests.
***

This was it. The war would begin after these words were spoken. Nightmare Moon cleared her throat, and put on her Luna voice.

“Ponies of Canterlot and Equestria,” she said, “Thank you all for being here tonight. After tonight, you will remember what I say for years to come. This country is beautiful, and I am truly gifted to rule it.

“But,” she said, raising a finger. “This country is too beautiful to be ruled by a tyrant.”

There were gasps and confused faces from almost everypony. Everypony except those she had talked to.

“Princess Celestia has been ruling this nation for thousands of years,” she said, “And without her, Equestria wouldn’t be what it is today. But she has outlived her purpose. With the thousands of years she has ruled, she has grown corrupt and despotic. She despises anything not Equestrian, which is why she waged war against the Zebras years ago.
“She is nothing but a tyrant. I am here to save you all! Join my crusade against Princess Celestia, and together, we will proclaim a new nation! A nation ruled by the ponies of Equestria, not one ruler. A republic ruled by you! This new nation will be founded by me, but I will bow to your demands! This new nation will rise from the ashes of the old.

“This is the dawn of a new age.” She said, “This is the age of the New Lunar Republic! Already in the East, ponies are fighting for their freedom. A new capital has been proclaimed, Stalliongrad, the birthplace of freedom for all ponies!

“If you join with me, I will not judge you if are a Zebra, a Griffon, a Unicorn, a Pegasus or an Earth Pony as Celestia has! Look around you! The capital city of Equestria is inhabited by mostly Unicorns, what Celestia views as a master pony race!

“Today will be the dawn of an uprising for freedom for everypony, every stallion, every mare, and every filly in this land! Join with me, and you will be granted your freedom. Stand against me, and you will die in the flames of the sun. The moon will be the ruler of this land. The sun has had its turn; it even banished the moon for a thousand years!

“But, the moon has had enough! Join with me, my compatriots, for it is our turn to rule!”

The delegates backed away from the crowd, and unleashed concealed weapons. They opened fire, and bodies littered the gardens. Nightmare Moon teleported to the waiting plane, and climbed inside.

“Leave for Stalliongrad.” She said, “It is done.”

Tell me what you think! Just for clarification, here are the real-world equivalents of the Equestrian cities I named. Stalliongrad=Stalingrad, Marelaysia=Malaysia, Mexicolt City=Mexico City, Neighjing=Beijing, Nagdad=Baghdad, Constallionople=Constantinople (now Istanbul), Trottingham=Birmignham, Whoazambique=Mozambique, St. Ponysburg=St. Petersburg, Trot-Along=Hong Kong (I'm pushing it a little with that) and Coltenhagen=Copenhagen. Glad I got that out of the way. Anyway, so now, the Equestrian Civil War begins! Next chapter: New Lunar Republican insurgents rise up in Canterlot, and will the Mane 6 survive? Find out in the next chapter!