The Equestrian Civil War

Over a week had passed since Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity had stowed away to Stalliongrad. Upon hearing this, Twilight immediately notified Celestia. When the response came, Celestia ordered for them to head immediately to Fillydelphia, where she would be waiting for them.

They left immediately by train. They would reach Fillydelphia in only two days. While they traveled, the three who had stayed could not help but think badly of their former friends. The very thought that they would go against Celestia, following Luna, who they had fought only a few years ago sickened them, especially Twilight.

She just could not see the logic of joining Luna’s revolution, dare she call it that. Sure, they were winning victories in the jungles and deserts of the East, but what will happen when the full force of the Royal Equestrian Army is upon them? They should surely crumble, Twilight thought to herself.

But Celestia was not perfect. No ruler could ever hope to be. But Celestia was as close as one could get. She has ruled Equestria with kindness and equality for one thousand years. She just could see no reason for rebellion!

The supporters say because of the favoritism of the Unicorns and the segregation between Equestrians and their foreign neighbors. Twilight scoffed at the very thought. They kept them out, because they were one step away from open hostility! Now, with this Civil War, all of Equestria’s enemies can invade and take away their freedom!

And there was no favoritism of the breeds of Equestrians either! It’s just that Unicorns are the most politically adept, and so Celestia has many of the smartest and brightest of the Unicorn community live in Canterlot and be her advisers. It just happened that not many of them were Pegasi and Earth Ponies.

When they arrived in Fillydelphia, they were greeted by the Princess herself.

“Twilight Sparkle,” she said regally, “We must go. Come, I have much to speak to you about. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, come as well.”

She walked into a limousine, and Twilight, Dash and Pinkie climbed in after her.

“I’m glad you came so soon.” Celestia told Twilight, “And told me of your friend’s defection. It is a shame, but I hope that the Elements can soon be united again.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Twilight replied, “We must crush the resistance.”

“But we must show kindness in the Reconstruction of our nation.” Celestia said. “We must show our neighbors that we have this under control.”

Twilight nodded in agreement. The limousine cruised on, and there was nothing to speak about until they got to where Celestia was heading.

“Fillydelphia is such a beautiful city,” Celestia said. “I do think we should make this the Capital until we rebuild Canterlot.”

“It is,” Twilight agreed. “Where might we be heading, Your Highness?”

“To the City Hall,” Celestia said, “There is nothing that can accommodate royalty. I am staying in a hotel until they can find somewhere to suit my needs.”

The limousine stopped, and they got out. They were flanked by Soarin’ and Spitfire, who led them into the Office of the Princess. It was simple, save for the large map of Equestria and the flags of Equestria and the State of Prancesylvania.

Celestia sat down, and she looked to the three ponies in front of her.

“We must be brief.” She said, “I am due to give a speech to the ponies of Equestria addressing the rebellion and our crusade to end it.”

“Yes,” Twilight said. “Now that our friends have defected to Luna, we have unanimously agreed to enlist into the Royal Equestrian Army.”

“Of course,” Celestia smiled. “You will serve this nation well in this time of need. Rainbow Dash,” Dash snapped to attention at the mention of her name. “I, Celestia, hereby assign you to Wonderbolt Squadron. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Rainbow Dash saluted her. When she had agreed to enlisting, she had no idea she would be a Wonderbolt! This would be the greatest day of her life, if it weren’t for Fluttershy and the others defecting. She hated the word, defect. It was so ugly.

“Your Highness,” a voice behind the door shouted, “We are ready when you are.”

“Thank you.” Celestia replied. She looked to the three in front of her and said, “Shall we go? Equestria is waiting.”

She stood up, and walked towards the door. Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie got up and followed her. As they walked through the halls, cameras and reporters swarmed Celestia, but the Wonderbolts made sure that they never came too close to Celestia.

“Princess Celestia,” a reporter called, “Have you prepared a statement about the rebellion in the East?”

“No comment.” Celestia said skillfully, “All will be answered soon.”

As Celestia approached the entrance of the Hall, Twilight was continually blinded by the flash photography. She tried to shield her eyes with her hand, but to no avail. Also, all the questions reporters were bombarding Celestia with made her ears ring. She never did like the press, and this only reinforced her feelings.

As the door out of the City Hall was opened for Celestia, there were even more reporters, and there were TV cameras everywhere. Every major Equestrian news station was broadcasting live. The National Equestrian Broadcasting Channel, the Pony Broadcast Corporation, the Manticore News Network and other news stations all centered their cameras on Celestia.

The National Anthem of Equestria, “The March of Equestrians, United in Friendship and Neighbor” began playing, with a choir singing the lyrics.

“United Forever, In Friendship and Neighbor,
Our Great Equine Empire shall ever endure,
The Mighty Celestia in all of her grace,
Created this world to be our sacred place,

Long live our Equine Motherland,
Long live our Empire so Grand,
Long live Equestria united and Free,
Strong in our Friendship Trialed by Fire,
Long may that Violet flag Inspire,
Shining new glory for Ponies to see,

With Luna our princess, Our Ever Loved Goddess,
The Elements of Harmony Returned her to Grace,
The Night was Eternal, Her punishment Infernal,
Nightmare Moon was put in her Rightful Place,

Long live our Equine Motherland,
Long live our Empire so Grand,
Long live Equestria united and Free,
Strong in our Friendship Trialed by Fire
Long may that Violet flag Inspire,
Shining new glory for Ponies to see,

The struggle continues, The parasprites are bad news,
But we see right through them, we know they were abused,
With Faust our creator, we destroyed the invader,
And see Them become a Cutie Mark Crusader,

Long live our Equine Motherland,
Long live our Empire so Grand,
Long live Equestria united and Free,
Strong in our Friendship Trialed by Fire
Long may that Violet flag Inspire,
Shining new glory for Ponies to see!”

Everypony in the crowd cheered and applauded, some with tears in their eyes. Equestrian flags flew throughout the city, and on every possible place around the City Hall. Celestia walked to a podium adorned with the Grand Coat of Arms of Equestria: Celestia and Luna flying around a yellow sun eclipsed by a crescent moon.

“Ponies of Equestria,” she said, “We have a great trial before us to face. Princess Luna, who had ruled jointly with me for years, has rebelled once again. She has retreated to Stalliongrad, the capital of her so-called ‘New Lunar Republic.’ This rebellion has happened once, and we came out on top.

“But, we only were victorious because we stood united against her. This should be no different than one thousand years ago. While the technology may have changed, the outcome will not!”

Everypony applauded, and Celestia paused to read the next few lines of her speech and take a sip of water.

“We must stand united in friendship and harmony with our brothers and sisters! This unity has been tried many times, but through the Elements of Harmony and our greatest weapon: friendship, we have come out victorious every time.
“Princess Luna has claimed that I am a bigot, racist and a tyrant. Why would she say that? I rule with your best interests in mind. Look around you; have we ever been occupied by enemy forces? No! We will, we will be united in our great patriotism towards our Motherland! This great Crusade Against the Moon will end with the Sun swallowing the Moon!”

Again, applause roared from the crowd. Rainbow Dash stood next to Soarin’ and Spitfire at attention behind Celestia. She hoped that the cameras would catch her. Tears were brimming her eyes; Celestia knew how to give a rousing speech!

“This insurrection will not be long-lived,” Celestia pledged, “This is just an uprising, our military forces will rout the rebels, and Luna will be brought to justice. But, this will be achieved only if we are united against her. I know that many have defected to her, but they are no longer your family, friend, spouse or acquaintance. They are now the enemy, and they must be treated as much.

“Of course, I will forgive them once we crush the rebellion.” She said, “But now, there is no room for forgiveness. We must treat them as though they are a foreign enemy, wanting to take away our freedom! They will not take our freedom, for we will lay down our lives so that others may not!”

Everypony applauded. Twilight was now letting tears run down her face. This was such an eloquent speech; no speech had ever made her so proud of Equestria, and its willingness to fight for its freedom!

“This fight will be hard.” Celestia pronounced, “I will not tell that this will be easy. Luna has already brainwashed so many, and we must re-integrate them into our Equestrian society. You may have noticed in our anthem, I did not take out the verse about Luna. Even though I am fighting against her, I am taking away her claim of independence by still mentioning her in our great anthem.

“This great Equestrian nation will destroy this rebellion.” She looked around the crowd, “And the sun will rise on a new age for Equestria: an age of re-integration, reconstruction and healing. Until we finish that task, I will not rest until our brave soldiers raise the Equestrian flag over Stalliongrad! We will destroy the New Lunar Republic! Stand with me, my subjects, and we will stand victorious! Thank you, and may the sun never set on Equestria!”

She walked off the podium, and applause drowned out any other noise. Celestia gathered Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Twilight, and guided them inside.

“Now,” Celestia sat down at her desk, and said, “I will give you your first assignment in the field. You know that the fight in the Sahayra Desert still goes on, yes?”

“We do, Your Highness.” Rainbow Dash said, “We still hold Jerhoofalem, while NLR forces are using Damarescus as a platform to begin their assault on Jerhoofalem.”

“I am glad you know that.” Celestia said, “Because you will be heading there. I know this came suddenly, but I need you on the front. I am moving a division there, and they are leaving tonight, I want you all to go with them.”

The three of them snapped to attention, and saluted her. They turned around, and walked out of the room.

Celestia sighed, and looked down at her paperwork. She had always hated paperwork, and with this war, it wasn’t helping her.

She picked up the phone, and dialed for Shining Armor.

“Yes, Your Highness?” Shining Armor answered. “What is it?”

“I wanted to notify you of this,” she said, “Your sister and two of her friends will be accompanying you to Jerhoofalem.”

“You’re sending Twilight?” He said. He sounded so shocked, so caught off guard by Celestia.

“Yes,” she said, “And they are leaving with you tonight. Make sure they stay alive. I already have three of them with Luna; I don’t want any of them to die this early.”
***

It had been over three days since Fluttershy had been deployed to this airfield in the middle of the desert. It had mostly been compiled with long hours of doing paperwork, but now she was ready to take the fight to the REA.
She sighed, and leaned back in her chair inside her tent. When she said she wanted to fight for Luna, she hadn’t meant this.

She looked to a framed photograph she had taken with her here into the desert. It was a picture of her and her friends in a field. It had been taken after they defeated Nightmare Moon and became friends. She smiled as she looked at the picture, and her mid began to drift.

“Lieutenant Fluttershy,” she heard from outside the tent, taking her away from her reverie. “Major Mist Flicker requests your presence in the Briefing Room.”

“Oh,” she said nervously, “I… I’ll be right there.”

She put the picture down, and put on her desert-camouflaged beret, with a Lieutenant’s emblem on the right side. She got up, brushed the dust and sand off her pants and shirt, and walked out of the tent.

She walked the fifty yards towards the large concrete building beside the airfield. It was dreadfully hot in the desert. The sun bore down on Fluttershy, and she began to sweat. She walked briskly towards the door, and stepped into the air-conditioned lobby.

She walked up to the second floor, where the Briefing Room was. She opened the door, and sat down in a chair. Major Mist Flicker was standing beside a projector, and waited for everypony to sit down.

Mist Flicker was a Pegasus, just like Fluttershy, but she looked more like a stallion than mare. She had a short, cropped magenta-colored mane, and her coat was a dark navy blue. She wore an air-Pegasi uniform, but wore the officer’s beret. Her face resembled the shape of a stallion’s but still looked like a mare’s. Normally, it would look ugly, but Mist Flicker wore it well.

“Now that everypony’s here,” she turned down the lights, and turned on the projector. “We can begin.

“We all know that here in the Sahayra Desert, we are pushing back feeble REA resistance in the area around Damarescus. But,” the projector showed a map of Damarescus and Jerhoofalem and the surrounding desert, “Serious REA detachments are moving towards Jerhoofalem. Princess Luna has notified the top brass that she wants it taken before they arrive.

“And that is where we come in.” She said, “We are to be the spearhead of Operation Moonlight Blade. At 2000 hours tonight, we will take off, and assist NLR army and marine forces in the push to Jerhoofalem.”

She pushed a button on a remote she held, and it showed the same map, only with the front line and the last-known locations of NLR and REA divisions and brigades in the area.

“We are to assist the 15th New Lunar Republican Army Division in their advance through the Tyropony Valley, fifteen clicks from Jerhoofalem. All attack helicopters will be on close air-support duties for the duration of night while fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons will attack any and all REA armored units in and around the Tyropony Valley.”

Fluttershy listened closely during the briefing. She was finally going on her first mission! And she was to help Rarity and Applejack as well!

“Alright,” Mist Flicker said, “This offensive is very important to us. If we take Jerhoofalem, we will deal a huge blow to Celestia. There can be no mistakes here. If we retreat, this offensive will fail. Any questions? No? Good, dismissed. Be ready to go by 1900 hours ponies.”

Everypony got up, and walked out the door. Fluttershy walked out of the Briefing Room, but was pulled aside by Flicker Mist.

“Lieutenant,” she said, “I took the liberty of looking through your file. I know this might be hard, pulling the trigger on real ponies. But you can’t hold back. Everypony needs to do their job, and if somepony isn’t pulling the trigger in an attack helicopter, that’s a liability. I want you to think why you came to Stalliongrad in the first place, and use that to channel your anger at Celestia.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Fluttershy said sheepishly, “It’s just that…”

“I know what you feel.” She sighed, and put her hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder, “Listen, I felt the same way you do now ten years ago. I served in the Zecor War, and I was hesitant to pull the trigger. Because of it, dozens of ponies died. I can’t have that happen with you Fluttershy. Promise me you won’t hold back?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Fluttershy saluted, “I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all we can hope for.” Mist Flicker smiled, and said, “I can see great things from you, Lieutenant. Don’t muck this op up.”

She walked away, leaving Fluttershy there. The Major did have a point; she couldn’t wimp out of this one.

But the thought of killing real ponies tore at her kind heart! She had no problem killing those Zombie Ponies, but a real pony was pushing it.

She shook her head, and walked back out into the sun towards her tent. She shielded her eyes from the blinding sun and blowing sand, to head into her small tent she shared with her co-pilot.

“Anything new, Fluttershy, or is it more paperwork?” He asked from behind an explicit magazine.

“Oh,” Fluttershy said as she walked in from the sandstorm outside. “Yes, we’re going on an offensive. And I wish you would stop reading those magazines. But, if you want to, I guess…”

“Fluttershy,” he put down the magazine and held up a hand. “You’re a Lieutenant. I’m a Sergeant. You need to start giving me orders.”

“Alright, Solar Chaser,” Fluttershy said sheepishly. “The Major said we should be ready by 1900 hours.”

“Got it,” Solar Chaser blew his blonde mane out of his eyes. “I’ll be ready. You can do whatever, don’t worry about me Flutter.”

Fluttershy nodded. She hated the nickname he had given her, but she couldn’t work up the courage to tell him to stop it. She turned back to her desk, and read over reports on the Tyropony Valley. It was one of the least fortified passes into Jerhoofalem. Fluttershy figured there should be some moderate resistance breaking through.

How wrong she was.
***

Rainbow Dash put on her helmet as she climbed into her F/A-18 Super Hornet she had named Rainbow Bolt. She climbed into the cockpit, and turned on the ignition.

“Wonderbolt 1-6,” she heard through her helmet’s comm link, “This is tower. Proceed to runway.”

“Roger, Tower,” she replied, easing the Hornet out of the hangar. She looked back to her so far silent co-pilot.

She was dark-coated, with a purple sheen to it. She had a short light pink mane, and had large magenta eyes. She put her visor down, and linked in with Dash.

“You can hear me, yes?” She asked.

“Roger, Flare Crackle,” Dash answered, “You ready to fly?”

“As you say, Dash,” Crackle chuckled, “Rock and roll!”

“Tower, are we cleared for takeoff?” Dash asked through chuckles.

“Roger that, Wonderbolt 1-6,” the Tower said, “You are cleared for takeoff.”

Dash jammed forward the thrust level, and the engine roared. Dash was thrown back into the headrest as the fighter propelled down the runway. She put both hands on the stick between her legs, and pulled up hard.

The jet slowly lifted into the air, and soon, Dash was airborne. She looked back to Crackle, and gave her a thumbs-up. She turned back to the sky in front of her, and formed up with her squadron.

“Wonderbolt Squadron,” Spitfire said over the link, “Report in.”

“This is Soarin’, everything’s just fine.”

“Fleetfoot here, let’s go.”

“Rapidfire reporting in.”

“This is High Winds, I’m good to go.”

“Rainbow Dash here,” Dash said, “Let’s rock and roll!”

“Alright,” Spitfire said, “We’re flying a routine patrol over the Tyropony Valley. Our orders are to identify first, and fire later. I don’t want any friendly fire here, everypony.”

Everypony murmured their comments of assent. Dash kept the plane steady, and looked over the desert surrounding her. It was getting late into the evening. The sun had just set a few minutes ago. It was serene, being up here, a Wonderbolt.

“Wonderbolt 1-1,” a male voice said, “This is callsign ACE.”

“Go ACE,” Spitfire said, “This is Wonderbolt 1-1.”

“There are a number of unidentified objects on radar.” ACE reported, “I have eyes on over two dozen at angels three, and ten at cherubs four. Keep your heads on a swivel, I don’t like this.”

“Roger, ACE.” Spitfire responded. “Soarin’, Fleetfoot, take the rookie down to the cherubs. I’ll take the angels.”

“Roger, 1,” Soarin’ said. “Come on Dash, let’s say hello.”

“Copy that.” Dash could hardly stay calm. Her first patrol as a Wonderbolt, and there already was excitement! She couldn’t believe her luck!

She pulled up behind Soarin’s plane, and followed him down to the cherubs.

“I don’t like this, Spitfire.” Soarin’ said. “You think it’s the NLR?”

“No,” Spitfire said, “I just don’t know. Maybe a Camel exercise that got too close. Let’s just check them out.”

“Wonderbolt Squadron, come in!” ACE shouted over the comm link. “This is ACE, do you copy?”

“Affirmative,” Spitfire replied. “Go, ACE.”

“You are cleared hot. I repeat, you are cleared hot Wonderbolt Squadron!” ACE said, “It’s a Charlie Foxtrot down here. The NLR, they’ve launched an offensive! Shoot first and ask later!”

“Acknowledged,” Spitfire said, “Wonderbolt Squadron, let’s roll!”

Dash rolled out of Soarin’s jet stream, and flew down towards the targets. She activated her weapons systems, and looked for the cherubs.

“Target identified,” Dash said, “Cherubs are helos. There’s a hayload of them down there.”

“You are cleared to engage!” Spitfire said, “Let’s go!”

Dash banked to her left, and came up behind an attack helicopter. She got a lock, and fired to Sidewinder missiles at its tail.

“Fox-two, fox-two!” Dash called. “Hostile helo down!”

She fired her Vulcan minigun at another helicopter, and it went down in flames onto the desert floor. She pulled up, and turned down towards the helicopters. It was easy picking from her jet.

“Dash, on your six!” Crackle called, “Hostile on our six!”

Dash barrel-rolled right, and banked hard to the left. She pulled up, and went above four thousand feet. She went down into a hard right diving turn, and saw the jet pass above it.

“I have eyes on a hostile MiG.” Dash called, “Going hot!”

She turned to meet the plane head-on. Blood rushed to her legs, and she felt weighted to her seat. She pulled harder on the stick, despite the pain in her legs. Her vision began to grey-out, but she leveled the plane two thousand feet behind her foe.

“Come on,” she muttered as the computer struggled to get a lock. When it did, Dash slammed forward the thrust, and fired one missile at the fighter.

“Fox-two!” She said. She watched as the sole missile followed the plane as it veered to the left. She followed it, and fired a short burst from her Vulcan to make it level out. That was its downfall.

The plane leveled out, and the missile slammed into the fuselage. The jet exploded in a magnificent fireball, and Dash turned back towards the battle.

“Confirmed kill.” Spitfire said, “Good job, Dash. Your first kill.”

“Thanks,” Dash said. It felt weird, having her first kill. She didn’t feel remorse, or joy at ending that pilot’s life. She felt, empty. Rainbow Dash was not accustomed to this feeling, but she needed to focus on the task ahead.

She turned back towards the furball that had ensued above the armored and infantry advances inside the Valley. Dash knew she had to keep them from breaking through, but she couldn’t leave her wing mates out to dry.

“Dash,” Fleetfoot called, “Could use some help here! I can’t shake this bucker!”

“Acknowledged.” Dash said, “Let’s go!”

As she was flying towards Fleetfoot’s position, she looked towards the sky, and saw a large supernova erupt through the sky.

She heard her engine shut down. Dash looked down at her instruments, but they were all fried.

“Dash,” Crackle called, “What’s going on?”

“That was an EMP!” Dash shouted, “The entire thing’s fried! We’re going down!”

DUN DUN DUN!!!! Who set off the EMP? I have an idea, but I’m not telling you until the next chapter! So, just to clear things up, cherubs is Air Force jargon for altitude below 1000 feet, and I took the liberty for labeling the attack helicopters cherubs because of their altitude. The same goes for angels, except they are altitudes over 1000 feet. So “angels three” is slang for three thousand feet. And, the Tyropony Valley is play off of the Tyropoeon Valley just outside of Jerusalem. I thought it was pretty fitting. And lastly, the National Anthem of Equestria is not owned by me. The lyrics belong to Gentlecolt. Glad I got that cleared up. Next chapter: Dash crash-lands in the middle of the Tyropony Valley, but will she make it out alive? Find out in the next chapter!