The Equestrian Civil War

by Fluttershy24

Rating: mature
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Nightmare Moon, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Romance
Length: 74500

When Nightmare Moon takes over Luna, she begins a bloody civil war to take over all of Equestria. With the Mane 6 split, which side will win, the New Lunar Pony's Republic or the Solar Empire?

It has been months since Discord was defeated, and his Zombie Pony army cleasned by the Elements of Harmony. But what will the Mane 6 do when they can't use the Elements of Harmony and Nightmare Moon rises again? When Nightmare Moon took over Luna, she declares a new country in Equestria, the New Lunar Pony's Republic, with her as the Queen. What will the Mane 6 do when it is split, with three siding with Luna, and the other three with Celestia? What will they do when both sides cannot use the Elements of Harmony to end this?

Published 2012-09-04 06:04:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-30 19:27:55 UTC

Chapter 1: Prologue

It was a normal day in Canterlot. Raising the sun wasn’t a problem for Celestia, and the citizens went about their business.

Inside the castle, Princess Luna was walking through the Castle Gardens, with her guards by her side. She sighed with boredom. She needed something to do. Being the younger Princess meant everything important was done by her sister. Except raising the moon, that was Luna’s sole responsibility. Apart from that, she couldn’t do anything.

Oh, but that’s what her sister wanted, wasn’t it?

Luna silently cursed. She wasn’t a child anymore. The 1000 years she spent on the moon matured her.

You know you could always fight back. You do know that, don’t you?

No, she wouldn’t succumb to that voice. It was the voice that possessed her to revolt against Celestia. That was the voice that had made her evil, the voice of Nightmare Moon.

She shook her head. She needed to just keep that voice quiet, and she stayed herself. She needed only to think of how beautiful today was, or how exquisite the hedge figures were.

Don’t try and fight me. You know I will get out of this mental prison. There’s no use resisting. Fight Celestia. She’s been repressing you, along with everypony else. She’s a dictator. You won’t be fighting for you; you’ll be fighting for Equestria!

“No.” She said audibly. The guards came up to see what was wrong, but Luna held up her hand, signaling that she was alright.

She cursed again under her breath. The voice was never this loud, this, convincing.

No! Luna needed to keep her composure.

“I will be heading to my quarters.” Luna said. “You are dismissed.”

The guards nodded, and Luna went to her room.

Once she was inside, the voice of Nightmare Moon only got stronger.

You know what I say is right. You know you want to.

No, she thought, I am Luna. I am not Nightmare Moon.

Ah, you sound so cute. But you know who you are. You’ve always been Nightmare Moon, and you know it!

Luna then went to her knees, pulling at her hair in frustration. This bout was one of the worse ones she has.
She went up to a mirror, and she looked horrible. Her hair was out of order, and her eyes were red.
Suddenly, the voice inside her head became her real voice.

Her figure grew, and her hair longer. Her voice grew deeper, and soon, she was Nightmare Moon again.

“Your Highness,” a guard said from behind the door, “We heard a lot of noise. Are you alright?”

“Damn,” Nightmare Moon switched to Luna’s voice, saying, “Oh, I just stumbled. I’m fine.”

There was no response. Nightmare Moon looked out of her tower to see Celestia looking through a telescope.
Nightmare Moon would have her revenge. And whether or not she succeeded, there would be blood, lots of it.

***

Twilight Sparkle closed her book. She sighed, and walked outside to get some fresh air. She walked into the Ponyville Market, where Applejack was selling some apples.

“Well hiya Twilight!” Applejack greeted, “Whatcha up to?”

“Just getting some fresh air,” Twilight brushed her hair out of her face with magic. “How’s business?”

“Well ah think it could be a bit better, ya know?” Applejack replied, “Ah’ve only got a few bits today.”

“Really, that’s weird.” Twilight said. “You usually have lots of customers.”

“Ah know!” Applejack threw her arms up in the air. “Somein’ ain’t right Twilight. But ah just don’t know what.”
Right then, Rarity and Fluttershy walked up to Twilight and Applejack.

“Hey,” Twilight greeted, “What’s happening you guys?”

“Oh nothing much,” Fluttershy replied, “Rarity was just helping me find a dress for a party for relatives in Fillydelphia.”

“Oh, I’m not helping that much!” Rarity said, “I’m just telling you what doesn’t work for you.”

“But Rarity,” Fluttershy replied, “I really liked the green one.”

“Green is not your color, Flutter.” Rarity said, “You are more of a light pink, my dear.”

“Oh alright,” Fluttershy said, “You do make dresses.”

“So, Applejack,” Rarity said, “How’s the stall doing?”

“Not so good, y’all,” Applejack sighed, “Ah haven’t made much money at all.”

“Oh,” Rarity said, “But you’ll make more as lunchtime comes.”

“Speakin’ o lunch,” Applejack said, “Ah am pretty hungry. How ‘bout y’all come over and have some of Granny Smith’s apple pies?”

They all agreed. The four friends made their way over to Sweet Apple Acres, where Granny Smith was making some of her famous apple pies. They dug in, and they talked about why Fluttershy needed to go to Fillydelphia.

“Oh,” she said, “There’s a wedding there, and I need to attend. It’s nothing special, really.”

“Then how about we come with you then?” Rarity asked, “You know how you get when you travel alone.”

“Oh that would be great!” Fluttershy beamed, “Thanks.”

“Anytime Fluttershy,” Twilight said, “It’s been awhile since we left Ponyville. Especially after the virus, it’s been a few months.”

“Oh please,” Rarity said, “Can we not talk about that? It was the most horrid time of my life.”

The memories of the Zombie Pony Virus seeped back into their minds. They had trekked across most of the central Equestrian cities, including Manehattan and Fillydelphia. They had seen the full power of the Orbital Friendship Cannon; a weapon of mass destruction, used on Manehattan. They had defeated Discord, who was responsible for the plague, with the Elements of Harmony.

“How would y’all like some apple fritters?” Granny Smith asked, “They’re fresh out of the oven.”

“Thanks Granny Smith!” Twilight said, “I’ll take one for Spike. You know how he gets.”

“Oh you’re quite welcome.” Granny Smith smiled. “Y’all can have some too.”

So, the four friends took some apple fritters. When Granny Smith offered them, you never, ever, refused.

“Well, ah gotta git back to the stand.” Applejack said, “See y’all later.”

And the friends parted ways. Twilight walked back to her tree house, to find a letter waiting for her inside.

“Spike,” she called, “Who’s this letter from?”

“I don’t know, Twilight.” Spike said, “I didn’t read it.”

Twilight lifted it with magic effortlessly, and opened it. She began to read it aloud for Spike.

“Dearest Twilight,” she read, “I, Princess Celestia, do request you and your friends’ presence in Canterlot. There is a festival for Princess Luna’s birthday, and she requested you all by name. The celebration is in three days, giving you just enough time to pack and get here by train. Sincerely yours, Princess Celestia.”

“We’re going to Canterlot?” Spike asked.

“I guess we are, Spike.” Twilight said, already packing her things. “You pack; I’m going to tell the others.”

“Alright, Twilight,” Spike said, “I wonder why Princess Luna wants us there.”

Twilight shrugged, and walked out of the tree house. It had been awhile since they went to Canterlot, not since they were awarded medals after the plague over six months ago. She walked through the streets of Ponyville, until she found Pinkie Pie bouncing down the street.

“Hey Twilight,” Pinkie said, “What are you doing?”

“I was looking for you.” Twilight said, “Princess Luna has invited us to go to Canterlot for Luna’s birthday celebration.”

“A party?” Pinkie nearly went into orbit she jumped so high. “I love parties! Are we going? I would hate it if we didn’t go. So are we?”

“Yes, yes,” Twilight chuckled, shaking her head, “We are. If you could tell the others, I need to help Spike with packing back at the tree house.”

“Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie said, bouncing away. She was so happy that she was going to a party. It had been almost a week since she threw one, a new record. She ran to Applejack, and told her the news.

“A party?” Applejack said, “Of course ah will come! Ah wouldn’t miss it for the whole darn world, Pinkie.”

“This is so exciting!” Pinkie said, “I can’t believe that we’re going to a royal party! Do you think there will be cake? What about cupcakes? And pie too?”

“Ah think there will be enough to starve even you, Pinkie.” Applejack laughed.

Within an hour, she had told everypony except Rainbow Dash. She couldn’t find her anywhere.

“Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie called, “Where are you? I can’t find you anywhere!”

She saw a rainbow form over the mountains, and saw Rainbow Dash fly across the sky.

“Hey Rainbow Dash!” She jumped up and down at an unbelievable pace, “Come down here! Can you hear me? Rainbow Dash!”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes when she heard Pinkie Pie tell her to land. She pulled up into a climb to slow herself down, and went down into a shallow dive. She landed on the ground in front of Pinkie Pie.

“What is it?” She asked, crossing her arms, “I was kinda in the middle of something.”

“Oh Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie beamed, “We’re going to Canterlot! We’ve been invited to Luna’s birthday party!”

“Good for Luna.” Rainbow Dash said, “When are we leaving?”

“Tonight, silly filly!” Pinkie Pie laughed, “It takes two and a half days to get to Canterlot, remember? And the party’s in three days!”

“I guess I have to come.” She said, “Maybe I’ll do a Sonic Rainboom for Luna.”

“Alrighty then!” Pinkie Pie jumped up and down, “Go pack, we’re leaving in a few hours! I’m so excited for this! Aren’t you Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah, thrilled.” Rainbow Dash replied. She didn’t like Canterlot parties all that much. It was always too stuck up for her taste. But, if Luna invited them by name, it might be a little fun.

Rainbow Dash flew up to her house in Cloudsdale, and opened a suitcase. She packed a few days of clothes, and a few Daring Do books. She was flying past a shelf, when she stopped, and opened a box.

Inside the box was a loaded Colt M1911 pistol. She picked it up, and checked to see if the safety was on. She looked at it, and the notches on the grip. That showed the number of Zombies she had killed with this weapon.
She put it, and two other magazines, inside the suitcase. She figured it would be prudent to carry some protection with her. With all the crime in Canterlot, a mare like her could use a pistol like that to good use.

She finished packing. She laid down on her bed, next to her suitcase. She sighed, and picked up a Daring Do book. Daring Do and the Adventures in the Trot-Along Valley it read. Trot-Along was the largest Eastern Equestrian city, apart from Stalliongrad and Neighjing.

She had already read this book, but she opened it at page one and began reading regardless. She had read almost every Daring Do book, and waited anxiously for the next one to come out.

When the sun started to go down, Rainbow Dash put down her book, and flew over to the train station, where she met up with her friends.

They were all sure it was going to be a great party, and a memorable one. But they didn’t know how memorable it would really be.
***

Nightmare Moon chuckled in her Luna form. She had everything about Luna, but Nightmare Moon was still in control. Luna had requested a birthday party months before, and the time Nightmare Moon took over couldn’t have been better.

All she needed was a crowd, so that she could reveal her plans to all of Equestria.

Tell me what you think with a comment! This is the sequel to The Trotting Dead, as you could already tell. I think the way Nightmare Moon took over Luna was a cool scene, but you are the judge. This story is going to be really fun to write, and it is going to be much longer than its prequel. Just so you know, the ponies are in anthro form, but they have human characteristics, apart from their coat and mane color and Cutie Mark. Just thought I should let you know. Next chapter: the Mane 6 arrives in Canterlot for the party. What does Nightmare Moon have planned? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 2: The Declaration of 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!

Chapter 3: The Battle of Canterlot

Rainbow Dash dove to the ground as soon as she heard gunshots. She reached inside her boot, and grabbed her Colt M1911.

She got up, and shot one of the gunmen in the chest two times. She turned, and fired at another three times.

“Spitfire, Soarin’,” she called, “Could use some help!”

“Got it Rainbow Dash,” Spitfire called, “Soarin’! Get Celestia to safety! I’m going to help Rainbow Dash!”

“Got it Spitfire!” Soarin’ shouted over the gunfire. He flew over to Celestia, and escorted her inside.

“General Shining Armor,” Spitfire shouted, “I would advise you help get everypony that’s still alive out of here!”

Shining Armor nodded, and began to get everypony inside the castle.

Spitfire rolled over to Rainbow Dash, who had flipped over a table. She upholstered her Glock 17C pistol, and switched the safety off.

“Never leave home without it.” She smirked, and stood up and fired three shots. Rainbow Dash rolled out of cover, and fired the rest of her magazine into another gunman. Blood spurted from his chest and neck as he fell to the ground, dead.

She ejected her empty magazine, and loaded another one. After this clip and another, and she would be out of ammo.

“We need to get out of here!” She called to Spitfire. “And get some better guns!”

“Agreed!” Spitfire replied, “Let’s finish these flank-holes off!”

They both stood up, and fired at the rest of the gunmen. They walked over to the dead bodies, and looted guns and ammo.

Rainbow Dash picked up a MP5K submachine-gun and three magazines from one gunman and another four magazines from another gunman.

Spitfire looted an Ingram MAC-10 and half a dozen magazines of ammo. They looked at each other, and nodded.
They ran out of the Castle Gardens, and onto the streets. Gunmen were running through the streets, throwing Molotov Cocktails into houses and firing into their walls.

“This is just like Whoazambique.” Spitfire mumbled, “Rainbow Dash, we have to kill as much of them as possible.”

“Got it,” Rainbow Dash said, running behind a vegetable stand for cover. She pulled the charging handle for the MP5K, and raised the gun at a gunman.

“Hey, you!” She called, waiting for the Earth Pony to turn his head. She let loose a short burst, and watched as he fell into a pool of his own blood.

“Target down!” She called to Spitfire, “Let’s move!”

Rainbow Dash tore at her dress to make her more mobile. It wasn’t easy running around in a dress.

They made their way to an intersection, where a lot of gunmen were engaging Canterlot police and Royal Equestrian Army soldiers.

Rainbow Dash looked to Spitfire, and nodded.

She raised her MP5K, and fired a short burst at a gunman. The others turned around, and fired at Spitfire and Rainbow Dash. They dove into an alley for cover, and Spitfire stayed close to the entrance.

“They’ve got some heavy armament.” Spitfire said, “They must’ve broken into the armory here. It looks like they have a lot of assault rifles and light machine guns. We’ll never kill them all with our pea-shooters.”

“Damn,” Rainbow Dash said, “Was this Luna’s plan all along?”

“I don’t know, Rainbow.” Spitfire said, “But for now, focus on killing these flank-holes.”

She nodded, and got behind Spitfire. They rolled out of the alleyway, and opened fire at the barricade the gunmen had set up.

“Get to cover!” Spitfire shouted, “They’ll kill us here in the open!”

Rainbow Dash flew on top of a roof, and looked down on the barricade. She looked down, and checked her ammo. It was good enough.

She ran back, and took a deep breath. She ran towards the ledge and jumped down. She unfolded her wings, and landed inside the barricade.

She turned, and fired five shots at a gunman’s back. He screamed as he fell down, getting the attention of the others. They turned to Rainbow Dash, and opened fire. Rainbow Dash rolled behind a truck that had overturned inside the barricade, and reloaded her MP5K.

Bullets were whizzing past her, and the gunmen were approaching. She stood up, and fired at a female gunman. Bullets tore at her neck and face, and blood spurted from the wounds. She was dead before she hit the ground.
Rainbow Dash was aiming at another gunman, when a bullet hit her in the shoulder. She screamed in pain, and fell to the ground. Blood was oozing from her wound, and the pain was unbearable.

As she was lying down, a male Pegasus gunman stood over her, and aimed his AK-47 at her. Rainbow Dash grabbed her MP5K, and shot him in the legs. He fell to his knees, and she shot him point-blank in the head.

His head nearly exploded from the impact of ten bullets hitting it. Blood splattered on Rainbow Dash’s face as the gunman fell to the street, dead.

She got up, and hid behind the truck. She could hear the soldiers coming close. She just needed to hold out a little longer. She grabbed the gunman’s AK, and all of his magazines.

She flew up to the roof she was on, and called out for Spitfire.

“Spitfire, where are you?” She waited but heard no response. “Looks like I’m on my own for now.”

She went to the ledge of the roof, and aimed her AK-47 at some gunmen. She fired a short burst, and hit one in the abdomen. He cried out in pain, and fell to his knees. The other three turned, and returned fire at her.

She dove down onto the floor of the roof to take cover. They were exceptional shots; they must have been ex-Army.

She looked over the ledge, and shot at one gunman. The bullet hit the gunman in the shoulder, and twisted him around as she hit the street.

Gunfire was littering this intersection, and Rainbow Dash saw a tank roll up to the barricade, and fire its turret. The barricade exploded in flames. Rainbow Dash looked over the ledge, and saw nopony alive in the barricade.

She flew down to the soldiers, and asked what was going on.

“Canterlot’s a war-zone.” An Earth Pony replied, “These gunmen, who say they’re from the New Lunar Republic, have been shooting up Canterlot. We’re stretched horribly thin. We could use any help we can.”

“I think that can be arranged.” Rainbow Dash replied, holding her assault rifle upwards and resting it on her good shoulder, “Where to then, soldier?”
***

As Nightmare Moon’s plane left Canterlot, she could see flames all across Canterlot. It made her so happy that her loyal soldiers had caught the tyrannical Royal Equestrian Army by surprise.

She sipped at her cider as she saw an explosion rip through the Residential District of Canterlot. That must’ve been from her soldiers destroying the fuel depots stored there for the citizens. Smoke spewed from everywhere in Canterlot.

A phone that rested next to her rang. She picked it up, and put on her Luna voice.

“Yes?” She asked, “Who is it?”

“Everything is going to plan, Luna.” A gruff Eastern voice said, “Many soldiers are dying, and we have the upper hand.”

“Good,” she said, “Now, I want you to execute Order 24. I want Canterlot leveled by sunrise.”

“Order 24, are you sure?” The voice asked, “All of your loyal troops in Canterlot will die in the blast.”

“In war, there are casualties.” She said. “Now, I want you to execute the order. No mistakes or we face a prolonged war against Celestia.”

She hung up the phone. She went back to sipped from her drink as she watched the once-great city of Canterlot burn.

With Celestia dead, there would be nothing stopping her from liberating Equestria from the tyranny that was Celestia.
***

“Alright, everypony,” Soarin’ said, ushering everypony inside the castle, “Stay here. There will be evac helicopters inbound. Stay put.”

He ran out of the room. Applejack watched as he opened the door, and was greeted by Royal Guards. They handed him a M4 assault rifle, and closed the door.

The room they were in contained the few living ponies. Rainbow Dash had gone off with Spitfire, and the rest of Applejack’s friends stayed behind.

“Is everypony alright?” She asked, “Do y’all need medical help?”

“No,” Fancypants said, “I think we are all fine. Now can somepony please tell me what in the name of Celestia is going on here?!”

“Ah don’t really know.” Applejack replied, “But it looks like Luna’s had enough of being the younga sister, if ya catch my drift and all.”

“So she starts a war?” Fancypants replied, “That seems like the most selfish thing I have ever heard of.”

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Twilight said, “Why would Luna do this? It doesn’t seem like her at all.”

“And the way they butchered the guests out there,” Fluttershy said, “Was just horrible!”

“We’re lucky we made it out with our lives,” Fancypants said. “This can’t be happening. Oh, I wonder what’s happening in the rest of Canterlot.”

Amid the hysteria, Celestia sat in a chair. When she had had enough, she raised her hand.

“Everypony,” she said, “We just need to stay calm. The Army is taking care of this threat. Luna will be apprehended for her crimes tonight.”

Everypony nodded.

Celestia continued, saying, “What is important now is that we stand together as a nation to quell this threat. Right now, the Army is combating Luna’s forces in the East. This matter will be dealt with and Luna will be punished accordingly.”

Fluttershy looked at Celestia. She knew it wasn’t right, but she thought that Luna was right to a point. She had seen how Zecora had to live in a shack outside of Ponyville, and how the Griffons live in seclusion, barred from entering most major cities in Equestria. It just didn't seem fair

She shouldn’t be thinking of things like that, but she couldn’t. She was the spirit of kindness, after all. And Luna strived to be kind to all species native to Equestria with her New Lunar Republic. Of course, she kept these thoughts to herself. She was still loyal to Celestia, but she could see where Luna was going with this.

“I’m just glad all of us made it out of there alive.” Fluttershy said, “That was horrible the way they just fired into the crowd.”

“It also gave Luna time to escape for Stalliongrad.” Celestia said, “Shining Armor, come with me. We need to talk.”

“Yes Your Highness.” Shining Armor snapped to attention, and followed Celestia into the castle.

The night was surely not silent. Everypony could hear gunfire, explosions, cries for help, and collapsing buildings. Smoke came from most intersections in the city, and the muzzle flashes of guns firing lit up the streets.

“Oh my,” Fancypants said as he looked out the window, “This is certainly not what I was expecting from this party.”

“I just hope Rainbow Dash is alright.” Rarity said, “She went out there with Spitfire. Did she have that gun with her the entire time?”

“I guess so.” Twilight said, “I never noticed.”

“That was pretty wise if I do say so myself.” Fancypants remarked, “Now, what are we to do?”

“Ah have no idea,” Applejack said, “Ah guess we should stay here for now.”
***

Rainbow Dash crept silently with the soldiers. She had been given painkillers for her shoulder, and a medic had dressed her wound. She was heading with the soldiers to a location where a lot of these terrorists were wreaking havoc in Canterlot.

The squad leader raised his hand to signal a stop, and everypony stopped. He poked his head out of the alley there were in, and looked back towards the squad.

“I have eyes on ten bogies.” He said, “Take your positions, and wait for my go.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, and slid behind a parked car. She pulled the charging handle on her AK-47, and looked towards the squad leader.

He waited for everypony to take cover, and he nodded his head. Everypony stood up, and opened fire on the gunmen.

Six of them went down in the first exchange, while the other four took cover, and returned fire. Bullets whizzed past Rainbow’s head as she crouched down in her cover.

“I’m taking fire!” she said, “I’m pinned down!”

“Covering fire men!” The squad leader shouted. The soldiers opened fire, and Rainbow Dash ran towards the squad leader.

“Grenade out!” He called, and threw a grenade at the gunmen. One ran out of cover, and he was immediately shot up. The grenade exploded right as he hit the ground.

The explosion ripped apart a motorcycle parked near it, and it erupted into a huge fireball. The explosion threw the gunmen into a café, shattering the windows. The soldiers got up, and ran into the café. The gunmen got back up and raised their weapons. They never fired a shot.

As the night wore on, Rainbow Dash and the squad of soldiers went through Canterlot, taking out as many gunmen as they could. It was tiring, and by dawn, most of the gunmen had been killed, but Luna was nowhere to be found.
But, the soldiers looked up in the sky, and saw two large planes flying towards Canterlot.

“What’re they doing Sarge?” One of the soldiers asked.

“I don’t know,” the leader said, putting binoculars down.

Then, Rainbow Dash saw the two planes fly over Canterlot, and began to carpet bomb Canterlot.

“Get down!” The squad leader said, “Get to cover!”

They ran inside a cake shop, and watched the bombs drop. They exploded in mid-air, but the fireballs were enormous.

The shockwave destroyed the windows of the shop and toppled the pastries over. The three bombs ripped through everything that stood in its way.

“Sarge, what the hay are those?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“They look like thermobaric bombs!” He called, “Canterlot’s going to be nothing but rubble after this!”

As the bombers flew over the cake shop, a bomb fell a few dozen feet from Rainbow Dash and the soldiers. The shockwave itself wiped out the cake shop, and the fireball burned her wings and back. She cried out in pain, but it was drowned out by the explosion. Rubble flew over her head, and her ears popped multiple times under the extreme pressure.

When the explosion subsided, Rainbow Dash was trapped under a wooden beam. She couldn’t move, and it was pinning her to the floor. There were fires everywhere, and she was very disoriented.

“Buck,” she muttered, “Can somepony help me! I’m stuck here!”

“Easy there,” a male Earth Pony said, “Let me get you out of there.”

He lifted the beam off of her, and asked her if she was alright.

“That doesn’t matter,” she said, “We need to head up to the castle and see if Celestia is alright.”
***

Twilight watched as the bombers destroyed Canterlot. Tears ran down her face as entire blocks were wiped out by the explosions. The shockwaves destroyed the windows in the castle, and broken glass was everywhere.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Luna said that they would remember the speech for years to come, but they never imagined it would be like this.

Tell me what you think! So, with Luna escaping to Stalliongrad, the first stages of the war begin. And with Canterlot being carpet-bombed by New Lunar Republican planes, it seems that Luna has the upper hand. But will this last? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 4: Plots, Secrets and Plans

Celestia felt the rocking of numerous explosions from the underground room she was in. She was strategizing with Shining Armor when the rocking disturbed them.

“What was that?” Shining Armor asked.

“I don’t know.” Celestia turned towards the door, and said, “But I’m going to find out.”

She walked out of the room, and to where the others were being kept so that they could be evacuated. Once she came to a window, she was shocked.

Canterlot was almost completely leveled. Celestia was dumbfounded, and tears flowed from her eyes. She cried the city that grew to prosperity during her reign, gone in a single night. She raised the sun, and the destruction was more apparent. Most of the city was completely leveled, while some parts of the city were still standing but heavily damaged. Yet other parts of the city were only damaged partially. Still, it would take years to rebuild the city.

“How could this happen?” She asked, but nopony answered.

“This,” she said, “Is not an act of terrorism; this is an act of war. Shining Armor, I want a full mobilization of the Royal Equestrian Army. I also want our Defensive Readiness Status at the highest level. Shoot down any unidentified planes.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Shining Armor said, “Right away.”

“And when we reach it,” she said, “I want Stalliongrad razed to the ground. Leave no building standing. Luna will pay miserably for this.”

She walked away. Celestia could not stand to look at the ruins anymore. Anger was boiling inside her. She needed to be alone.

Fluttershy watched as Princess Celestia stormed off. She couldn’t help it, but she found that Celestia wanting to raze Stalliongrad, the Jewel of the East, to the ground was uncalled for. More and more, she sympathized with Luna. The severe punishments that Celestia passed down on her were unbearable. Suddenly, she felt a drawing to Stalliongrad, to Luna.

Fluttershy could not stand to be loyal to Celestia any longer. There was a changing of the guard, the passing of the old ways. Fluttershy silently pledged allegiance to Princess Luna and the New Lunar Republic. But she knew that she couldn’t leave alone. She needed her friends to come with her.

She felt that she would ask those who weren’t so close to Celestia. That immediately threw out Twilight. She also disqualified Rainbow Dash, because she would always be loyal to Celestia. She was then left with three opportunities: Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack.

“Rarity,” Fluttershy said, “Can I ask you something in private?”

“Of course Fluttershy,” Rarity said. She followed Fluttershy, and they walked into a secluded area of the room.

Fluttershy drew a deep breath, and asked Rarity her question.

“Rarity,” she began, “What will we do with this war?”

“I don’t know, Fluttershy.” Rarity said, “But I think Celestia wanting to raze Stalliongrad to the ground is a bit unwarranted. I think this especially since it is the Jewel of the East.”
“

I know Rarity.” Fluttershy replied, “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

“And what Luna said was a teeny bit true.” She said, “I mean, you don’t see any Zebras or Griffons here in Canterlot, or anywhere for that matter.”

“Yes,” Fluttershy said, “But, Rarity, I think I may side with Luna.”

“Do you know what you are saying?” Rarity said, “We are in Canterlot after all!”

“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy ducked her head, “But I don’t think it’s fair, especially since we waged war with the Zebras for almost no reason at all.”

“That is true,” Rarity concurred. “But, I think it might be a little extreme to come out and say ‘I’m with Luna.’”

“But,” Fluttershy said, “How about we sneak away to Stalliongrad? I’m sure Luna has recruiters everywhere.”

“I know, but,” Rarity paused nervously, “But how can we be sure that Luna will win?”

“I’m not saying Luna will win.” Fluttershy swallowed, but said, “I’m saying that Celestia is a bigot and that Luna will change Equestria for the better.”

Rarity sighed, and looked at Fluttershy, saying, “Fluttershy, you know that I will always be there for you. But this, this is a little extreme! Siding with the rebels is something that will be branded on you for life! What if Luna loses? Everypony would look at us and wonder if we would continue the fight. They wouldn’t think of anything other than ‘rebel’ when they think of Fluttershy.”

“It’s worth the risk,” Fluttershy held her head up high, “For standing up in what I believe in.”

“I guess you’ve got a point.” Rarity sighed, “Alright, I guess I’m with you, Fluttershy.” Fluttershy smiled, and hugged Rarity. “But we have to get somepony else to come with us.”

Fluttershy let go, and said, “I think the most likely to come with us are Applejack and Pinkie Pie.”

“I would prefer we recruit Applejack.” Rarity said, looking towards Pinkie Pie. “After all, she would take this seriously.”

Fluttershy nodded, “Then Applejack it is.”
***

Nightmare Moon stepped out of the jet, and onto the Stalliongrad runway. It was cool, with a brisk breeze blowing through. There were no planes on the runway, but Nightmare Moon could hear fighter jets flying sorties in the distance.
She was greeted by two red Earth Ponies, who escorted her inside a limousine.

Once she climbed inside, she was greeted by Thunder Roller and Loyal Shadow. There were noticeable bags under their eyes, and they looked dead tired. But still, they had manila folders labeled “CLASSIFIED,” and handed them to Nightmare Moon.

“What are these?” She asked, opening one.

“Order 24 went according to plan, Princess Luna.” Loyal Shadow said. “Canterlot is all but destroyed. But the castle escaped any major damage though. Princess Celestia lives.”

“No matter,” Nightmare Moon scanned through satellite photos of the destroyed Canterlot. “This is enough to show that Celestia can’t protect anypony but herself.”

“Yes,” Thunder Roller said, “And comrade, I have reports from St Ponysburg and Damarescus. Our forces are pushing back Equestrian resistance. Their army is disorganized and confused.”

Nightmare Moon opened that manila folder, and cycled through the photos. One showed a destroyed REA tank, while others showed Republican soldiers raising the flag over small villages and towns.

“Might I ask how many are joining our cause?” Nightmare Moon looked up, “We cannot fight a war without soldiers.”

“Ah, yes,” Shadow readjusted his reading glasses, “We have sleeper agents everywhere in Equestria. All sympathizers are being herded here to Stalliongrad. Our numbers grow stronger every day. There have actually been uprisings in Vanhoofer and Mexicolt City led by these sleeper agents.”

“And they are doing well, I hope?” Nightmare Moon asked. The limousine was moving out of the airport, and was heading to the Governor’s Palace, which would for now be Nightmare Moon’s residence. New Lunar Republican flags were flying across the city, and Loyalist shops and homes were burnt and destroyed. It made her feel good that so many were blindly following her; they would be very useful soon.

“Da,” Thunder said, “The uprisings are very successful. The REA detachments there are having trouble identifying Loyalists from Republicans, which gives us a large advantage.”

The limousine pulled up to the Palace. A brown Pegasus opened the door for Nightmare Moon, and saluted her as she walked out. She merely nodded as she walked inside and was being briefed by Republican generals.

She opened the door to her office, and sat down at the desk.

“Now, gentlecolts,” she said, “I want a full report on our victories and defeats across the front.”

“Princess Luna,” a blue Earth Pony saluted, “My name is General Royal Charmer, from Nipponi. Our forces in the area of Nipponi and Marelaysia are facing continued resistance from REA divisions in the area. Though the resistance is mounting, we are pushing them back.”

“Good,” Nightmare Moon looked to a map of Equestria, and pinned the Marelaysian jungles. “Now, what of our gains in St. Ponysburg, have we made progress?”

“Da,” Thunder Roller said, “The REA forces in the area are being pushed back by Republican divisions. We are expected to have taken St. Ponysburg in three weeks at most. They are crumbling, and we keep pushing the offensives.”

As news of victories and defeats in the East reached Nightmare Moon’s ears, she knew what she needed to win this war. The war would be decided by victories in the fields of Equestria, yes, but she needed something else to tip the scales in her favor.

“Hand me intelligence files on residents of Ponyville.” She said, and was handed a folder. She fingered through them, and dragged out six files.

“These six mares,” she said, “Need to be rallied into our cause. They are known as the holders of the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony. I need to know where they are, and have them all contacted by our sleeper agents.

“I know this might not be possible,” she said, “Especially with these two. Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, who are considered the two most powerful of the six. Twilight is the faithful student of Celestia, and Rainbow Dash embodies the Spirit of Loyalty. But the other four can be swayed into our grasp.”

“But how can we be sure that these six mares from Ponyville will win the war?” Shadow asked.

“Because,” Nightmare Moon replied, “They may not be active military, but they ended the plague. They have immense power, and can be the stopping power we need to abdicate Celestia. I want them to come to us willingly, gentlecolts. They have the power to eliminate our war efforts. At the very least, I want them divided.”

They nodded. Nightmare Moon listened to more reports, and dismissed them. She turned her chair around, and stood up. She walked to the large window behind her, and looked out to Stalliongrad. The beautiful Sarcidano River turned in and out through the city, and glistened in the pale sunlight.

Nightmare Moon looked on her Capital, and smiled. This was to be known as the City of Perpetual Night soon.
***

When the Mane 6 arrived back in Ponyville, Rarity and Fluttershy had yet to speak to either Applejack or Pinkie Pie. They still had to choose the right wording, and plan a route to Stalliongrad, over two and a half thousand miles away. Once they had stepped off the station, everypony was greeted by the residents of Ponyville.

“Oh, thank Celestia you’re all alive!” The Mayor said, “When we heard Canterlot was destroyed, we thought the worst.”

“Well, we got a little roughed up.” Rainbow Dash said, motioning towards the bandages on her head and back. “But we’re fine.”

“That’s good.” The Mayor said. “Now, REA soldiers will be stationed here now. We want to be kind to them; they are protecting us from those horrid rebels.”

“We’ll be fine, Mayor.” Twilight smiled, “Thanks for the concern.”

The Mayor nodded, and walked off. The crowd dispersed, and the Mane 6 went to the bakery, and Pinkie Pie got them cupcakes on the house.

While they were eating, Rarity and Fluttershy motioned for Applejack to sit down with them. Applejack complied, and sat down at a table inside the shop.

“What’s the matter y’all?” Applejack asked as she sat down.

“Well, Applejack,” Rarity looked around to see if she wouldn’t be heard, and said, “Fluttershy and I have been thinking that maybe Luna isn’t really wrong in revolting against Celestia.”

“Do y’all know what y’all are talking about?” Applejack asked, “This isn’t right, this is…”

“Applejack,” Rarity said, “We’ve already decided we’re going to Stalliongrad. It’s up to you if you want to come with us. Think about it, has Celestia really been honest to us? Applejack, you’re the Element of Honesty for crying out loud!”

“Well,” Applejack glanced to her side. They did have a point. Celestia never really told them anything about anything. Especially with the wars against the Zebras and Griffons, she only told them that they had attacked Equestrian border outposts. But she never saw the funerals for these dead “soldiers.”

“Ya do have a point.” Applejack looked around, and said, “Alright. Ah guess Ah will come with y’all to Stalliongrad. Ah really wouldn’t be honest to myself if Ah didn’t come with y’all.”

“There you go,” Rarity said. “I guess three is enough. Now, when should we leave?”

“Ah heard there are ponies around here that can get us there.” Applejack said, “It’ll just be a matter of finding ‘em.”

“I’ve heard that too.” Fluttershy said, “But who could they be?”

“Ah don’t know.” Applejack said, “Y’all have any ideas how to find ‘em?”

“No,” Rarity sighed, “Fluttershy and I hadn’t thought of this.”

“Maybe I can help.”

All three snapped their heads behind them, where a black-coated Unicorn sat down a table behind them. He had a green mane, and a moustache covering most of his upper mouth. His piercing green eyes could sway anypony, and his expression was one of many secrets.

“So you want to join Luna, eh?” He asked, “I can get you to Stalliongrad.”

“But how can we be sure ya won’t kill us?” Applejack questioned.

“You can,” he said, “Because I am a Republic sleeper agent. My name is Tuxedo Masquerade, and I was born in St. Ponysburg. She sent me here to recruit some of you. Are you all whose coming?”

“Yes,” Rarity said elegantly, “The others were, uncooperative.”

“Alright then,” Masquerade looked around and said, “Meet me at the train station at three o’clock this morning. Don’t be late.”

He then got up, and walked out of the cake shop. Fluttershy watched him go. Something about him was mysterious, but he seemed honest. Nopony says they are a sleeper agent, right?

She looked over to Twilight and the others she was leaving behind. She hoped that when Luna won, that they would be spared. She wouldn’t live with herself if they died in the war. She looked longingly at them, wishing they could come with her. But she knew they couldn’t.

But still, her heart yearned for their companionship, especially Rainbow Dash. She was oblivious to Fluttershy’s plans, but still, Fluttershy wished she could come with her. Looking at her almost made Fluttershy regret stowing away to Stalliongrad, but Fluttershy had to. Everypony needed equality in Equestria, and Luna would be the one to make it so.

She looked at the cupcake in front of her, and said, “I’m not really that hungry.”

“Are you okay, Fluttershy?” Twilight walked over, and sat next to her. “You seem sad, is everything alright?”

“Oh, yes, Twilight.” Fluttershy responded sheepishly, “Everything’s fine.”

“Are you sure?” Twilight prodded, “You don’t look alright.”

“I’m sure.” She responded, “Just thinking about Canterlot.”

“That’s behind us, Fluttershy.” Twilight put her hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder, and said, “Look, you know that all of us can help you. All you need to do is ask.”

“But,” Fluttershy said, “I’ve been thinking, what should Celestia do with Luna? Will she banish her to the moon for another 1000 years?”

“I don’t know.” Twilight said reassuringly, “But you shouldn’t think about Luna. We need to stay together.”

“Alright,” Fluttershy responded quietly, “Thanks, Twilight.”

Twilight smiled, and walked back to her table. Fluttershy got up, and left the cake shop.

She flew home; tears flowing down her face. Once she got into her home, she flew to her bed, and cried like a foal. She didn’t want to leave her friends, but she had to. She had to save Equestria from Celestia. But the burden was too much for her. The very thought of meeting her friends on the battlefield and having to kill them pulled her apart inside.
She hoped, she prayed that she wouldn’t have to kill her friends.

Fluttershy, for the first time in her life, hoped that somepony else would have to kill her own friends.

Tell me what you think! This chapter was mostly for build-up for the next few chapters which will mostly be combat-oriented. Thank you so much for all of you who have favorite and commented on this! It inspires me to write more, and to make my story more appealing for others. Thank you so much for the comments on how to improve my story; I am really trying to make this story work for you! Next chapter: Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack arrive in Stalliongrad, but how long until their friends back in Ponyville find out? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 5: Escape

Rarity stepped onto the train platform just before three o’ clock. It was deathly silent; somepony would really have to listen to hear what would be said. There was a cold breeze blowing through, cold enough to make Rarity shiver.

She heard somepony walk up behind her, and Rarity turned around in an instant with a knife drawn.

“Whoa, it’s me, Rarity!” Applejack whispered.

Rarity put down her knife and apologized. Nerves were running high for her. Applejack nodded in agreement, and they stayed close together for warmth. The full moon was out, but it had been since the night of the party. All the stars were out, it was very beautiful.

“Where’s Fluttershy?” Rarity asked, “It’s past three, and that Tuxedo guy isn’t here either.”

“Ah don’t know.” Applejack replied. She patted her thigh, and Rarity heard flesh strike metal, “But ah came armed. Just in case, ya know?”

“That’s what I thought about my knife.” Rarity replied. She looked towards the moon, and saw something black pass through it. She squinted her eyes, and saw it had eyes, and a knapsack.

“And that must be Fluttershy.” Rarity pointed, and watched as the figure touched down in front of the train depot. It walked forward, and Fluttershy appeared under the dim light.

“Hello everypony.” She said. Her eyes were red and stuffy from crying, and her skin was paler than usual. Her hair was out of order, through Rarity walked over, and tried to help her fix it.

“Fluttershy,” Rarity asked, “Have you been crying? What’s wrong?”

“It’s just that…” Fluttershy stopped, looked away and said, “It’s nothing.”

“You know you can talk to me, Fluttershy.” Rarity grabbed her shoulder, and Fluttershy flew into her arms, tears forming in her eyes.

“I’m having second thoughts, Rarity.” She sobbed, “I don’t want to be the one to kill the others! We’ve just been through too much for me to do that!”

“Fluttershy, oh you poor thing!” Rarity exclaimed. “You won’t have to do that! We probably won’t see each other until this is over.”

“But I wish they could come with us.” Fluttershy sobbed, and said, “I’m sorry, but I’m just too kind sometimes. I really don’t want to hurt my friends.”

“Fluttershy,” Rarity gripped Fluttershy’s shoulders, and looked her in the eyes. “We’re going to hurt them by doing this. But we need to do this. If not, what will we do then?”

“You’re right.” Fluttershy sniffed, and nodded, “We have to do this.”

“Glad to see we’re decided.”

Everypony turned around. Tuxedo Masquerade stepped into the light. He was wearing a trench coat and matching fedora. The only thing recognizable about him was the green moustache and eyes.

“If you would just follow me.” He said. “I have an airplane waiting in a field not too far from here. You’ll be in Stalliongrad before anypony realizes you’re gone.”

He walked off, and didn’t wait up. Everypony struggled to keep up with his brisk pace. As he walked out of Ponyville and into the outlying fields, Applejack always kept a hand near her gun. Of course Tuxedo knew that she had one, but it was reassuring if he was a Celestial spy.

Tuxedo suddenly stopped in his tracks, and bent down. He crept forward silently, until he came in front of a bush.

“The moon is full,” he whispered, “And bright as the sun.”

“Only because it reflects the sun’s light.”

Tuxedo relaxed, and walked into the field, where a small plane was waiting for takeoff.

“Three this time,” he said, “Though these are high-value candidates. Fly low; we don’t want Equestrian fighters on your tail.”

“I know, I know.” Fluttershy turned her head, to where a white female Earth Pony walked around the plane. “I know how to get somepony important to Luna. I’ve been doing this for a week now, Tuxedo.”

“Alright,” he shrugged, and said, “Godspeed.”

“Thanks.” She had an accent that made Fluttershy immediately think of Trottingham and Lundy. She had a dark blonde mane, and brown eyes. She had a plane in flight as her Cutie Mark, and she wore a cap and a headset. She was an Earth Pony, and was taller than most.

“My name’s Honey Song.” She greeted, “I’m guessing you’re here for the Republic, eh?”

“Oh, yes.” Fluttershy replied, “When are we taking off?”

“Whenever you are ready,” Honey replied, wiping her hands on her pants, “And when Lightning Dancer decides to finish rearranging the seats to make way for three. At most we’ve only taken two at a time.”

“Lightning Dancer?” Rarity asked, “Who might that be?”

“She’s a Pegasus,” she replied, “From Neighjing. She’s my co-pilot. And she is taking forever!”

“It’s not my fault!” The reply came in a coarse hiss. “Stupid seat won’t get in here!”

“Would you excuse us for a second?” Honey Song sighed, and climbed into the plane. Everypony heard something along the lines of:

“What in bloody hay are you doing…? No, it goes here…! Oh, buck it all! Dammit!”

Honey poked her head out of the plane, smiled, and said, “Just a moment please. No, you do it like this you twit!”

She went back into the plane, and finally she came out and said that they could climb in.

Applejack didn’t like the plane. It was too small, and she was feeling claustrophobic. She never did like being cramped in between some ponies and now wasn’t an exception. Fluttershy was on her left and Rarity her right.

As Honey Song turned on the engine, it sputtered for a few seconds, and came to life. The small piston engine drove the plane across the field, and Honey Song expertly lifted it off the ground. She turned it west, and steadied it at three thousand feet.

“Alright,” Honey Song said, “We should be arriving at Stalliongrad by noon Canterlot Time. Princess Luna will be waiting for you chaps. She’s wanted something to tip the scales like you.”

“So,” Rarity said, “Are you from Lundy or Trottingham? Your accent made me think that.”

“Oh yeah,” she replied. “My father was a very influential man in Lundy, and we lived the good life.”

“So why side with Luna?” Applejack asked, “Ya don’t seem like some’n that’d rebel.”

“Well,” Honey Song turned control of the plane to Lightning Dancer, and told Applejack her response.

“I think Equestria is due for a change of leadership.” She brushed her mane out of her face, and continued. “Celestia’s had enough time to rule. And what has she done? Write laws that segregate ponies from the Zebras and Griffons. She made sure only ponies, particularly Unicorns, lived well while everypony else broke their backs providing for them. It’s not bloody fair, I’m telling you.

“My father only lived well because he was a schmoozer. He bribed local politicians through his business, and we were never taxed the way we should have been. I might have lived in luxury, but I will not stand idly by while others are being put down by Celestia.”

She turned back around, and took back control of the plane. The plane flew silently as the pilots focused on flying the plane and Fluttershy and Rarity looked out the windows.

A few hours later, they flew past Las Pegasus; where Honey Song flew lower than usual. She didn’t want to be caught by Celestial fighters, she said.

The entire city was blacked out. No lights escaped from buildings or car’s headlights. It was almost that the city itself wasn’t there. But it was. It was weird, watching a city usually alight with thousands of headlights, streetlamps, and other sources of light, completely black. It was ominous; it just didn’t feel right.

Those thoughts passed through Applejack’s mind as they flew past the city. She could make out the half-mile high skyscrapers, but the usual glow of the city was gone. She had seen pictures of Las Pegasus at night, and it was purely mystifying. Now it looked malevolent and eerie.

The city soon disappeared over the horizon, and the plane flew on. Honey Song returned the plane to its normal cruising flight, and told us that we were going to pass the Eastern Ocean, and eventually fly into the Sahayra Desert.

Jerhoofalem was the religious capital of Equestria and the largest city in the desert it was the only city apart from Canterlot that had a Temple of the Sun. It also had a Temple of the Moon as well, where faithful Equestrians would gather at the setting and rising of the sun and moon, and worship Luna and Celestia. Though now, both Temples would be desecrated by both sides of the war.

Applejack felt a twinge of pity that how war can drive somepony to do something completely horrific and unacceptable. Mass murder, pillaging, rape, all were not tolerated, but happened in torrents when an opposing army occupied a city. It was how war worked in this world, there was no other war than total war. Every citizen was driven to hate the enemy, and when they occupied a city, all hay broke loose.

Applejack could only hope that things were tamer during this war. After all, ponies were fighting other ponies. The thought of lining up Luna or Celestia supporters in front of a grave they had dug themselves, and shooting them one by one made her grimace. War was not one of the things Applejack endorsed, but she was always prepared to fight for what she believed.

She smirked after that thought. How quickly an uprising could bring her entire upbringing of the old ways of life into question. Of course Celestia was kind-hearted, but only to her kind, specifically Unicorns, though she was always quick to deny such claims. Applejack only grew up knowing that Earth Ponies were the backbone of the Equestrian economy, but she had no idea.

The thought of preferring one breed of ponies over another made her sick. She then thought about the discrimination of half-breeds. Half-breeds were essentially fathered by one breed (say a Pegasus) and mothered by another breed (an Earth Pony.) They were given half the traits of both parents, so half-Pegasi usually had weak wings or none at all. This led to living in specialized workplaces for them, where they could excel, or so Celestia said. Basically it was a camp for the half-breeds to labor without any outside contact with Equestria. It was their fault they were born half-breeds, and they would pay the price with sweat, tears, and eventually blood.

The thought of Celestia, the perpetual Leader and Goddess of the Sun, lying to her own subjects, made Applejack cringe. She knew that Celestia couldn’t tell everypony absolutely everything, but the fact that she separated the three breeds, and segregated half-breeds even more, told Applejack that Equestrian Unity would never be accomplished.

Under Celestia it was just a myth, at the very least.

Applejack could only wish that it was possible under Luna. That what Luna promised would come to fruition, and that she wouldn’t go back on them. Applejack had known too many liars in her time, from the smaller ones, like Trixie, up to the biggest one, Celestia herself.

“Would you look at that sunrise? It’s absolutely stunning.”

Applejack jolted. She had been so deep in thought, that she hadn’t noticed how much time had passed. She looked, and saw they were over the Eastern Ocean. It was enormous. There was absolutely no land in sight.

The sun was rising over the horizon, and it made the ocean sparkle. It was truly captivating, something that could only be truly described by seeing it firsthand.

“It’s the most beautiful sight I have ever seen!” Rarity concurred. She found it truly marvelous, if she only had a camera! She would take so many pictures, and try to capture it inside the perfect dress! Alas, she had neither a camera nor the supplies needed for a suitable dress to truly match the beauty and character of this sunrise.

“It never gets old.” Honey Song said, “I used to fly an airliner for Las Pegasus airlines. I would always ask for the night flights, just so I could watch this sunrise. Of course I lost my job to a Pegasus, but I thought nothing of it. Until that speech Luna gave a week and a half ago. It opened my eyes the way nothing else could.”

Honey Song turned the plane downwards, and flew just above the waterline. She flew like that, and then pulled up gracefully, and did a barrel-roll as she steadied the plane. Of course it made everypony a bit nauseous, but Honey Song apologized soon after.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “Sometimes, I daydream about being a Pegasus, and flying across this ocean. It would just me, nothing else and nopony with me. I’m telling you, I was a bleeding Pegasus in the past life.”

“It’s quite alright.” Rarity smiled nervously, “Because how many times do you experience that while on an airliner?”

“Exactly,” Honey Song said, “You know, smaller planes are better than those bloody hulks of steel. I can do so much more in a spit second. That comes in handy, especially now.”

They flew over the ocean for only an hour, and soon they could see the other half of the Equestrian nation, the East. The Great Sahayra Desert stretched for miles, and only a few villages dotted the sands, and those villages around small oases.

This desert was where three nations met: Equestria, Zecoria and Camelu, the nation of Camels. The Equestrians were usually unfriendly to both, but preferred Camelu, only because they supplied oil for Equestrian machines. But, they butted heads over Jerhoofalem, because both Equestria and Camelu claimed it to be their religious capital. Celestia had taken it though through the Holy Pony Crusades six hundred years before, over the course of fifty years. And so it stayed in Equestrian hands.

“We’ll be coming up on Jerhoofalem and Damarescus soon,” Lightning Dancer announced, “Though we won’t go anywhere near Damarescus. There’s still some heavy fighting in the area. Lots of SAMs there, we would be crazy to go near there.”

The three ponies in the back nodded. They were feeling very tired; it was just before dawn in Ponyville. Twilight and the others would soon find out in a few hours of their escape from Ponyville to the East.

Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity could only imagine what their friends would do when they found out. But they didn’t know whether they would fight for Celestia, not fight at all, or stow away to Stalliongrad as these three had. They could only hope and pray it was the latter two.
***

“Hey, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight called to a cloud where Rainbow Dash was sleeping on, “Have you seen Fluttershy?”

“Why?” Rainbow Dash said sleepily, “What’s going on?”

“I can’t find her anywhere.” Twilight said nervously, “And her house is empty. All the animals were let free.”

“What?” That jolted Rainbow Dash awake. “Where are they?”

“That’s what I don’t know!” Twilight ran her hand through her hand as if it would calm her down. “And I can’t find Applejack anywhere either. Neither can the Apples.”

“Now this is weird.” Rainbow Dash landed in front of Twilight. “Let’s ask Rarity. She was the last one they were with.”

Rainbow Dash nodded. She couldn’t come up with anything better to do with this. Hay, she had just woken up to this. Her mind was still fried.

The situation at Fluttershy’s house bothered Rainbow Dash. The fact that the animals were set free meant that she had either been kidnapped and the kidnappers wanted to seem like she ran away or she did run away.

But Fluttershy wasn’t one to just pack up and run away.

“… Fluttershy did fly out of the sweets shop with tears in her eyes.” Twilight thought out loud, “Would that have anything to do with it? But, where would she go? There is Fillydelphia, but I doubt that the wedding would still be on. And she wouldn’t let the animals out for that. Damn, I can’t think of anything, Rainbow.”

“Neither can I.” Rainbow Dash replied. “This is just too weird.”

They came to Rarity’s boutique, and knocked on the door. It was answered by a red-eyed Sweetie Bell. She had obviously had no sleep, and was probably crying.

“Do you know where Rarity is?” Sweetie Bell asked, “I woke up around four, and Rarity wasn’t there!”

“Rarity’s not home?” Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash. “Do you have any idea where she could have gone?”

“Canterlot,” she beamed, but sunk down and said, “But it’s destroyed. There’s Trottingham, though she wouldn’t have left in the middle of the night. And if she did, she would have left at least a note.”

“This is not coincidence.” Twilight muttered, “Three ponies missing without a trace. Rainbow Dash, I need you to scan the area around here. Find any trace of them.”

“Got it,” Rainbow Dash nodded, “But, what are you going to do?”

“Find out what to do with Sweetie Bell.” Twilight replied, “I have to find somepony to take her in. She can’t live here alone. Maybe Applebloom would like her to stay with her.”

Rainbow Dash gave Twilight a thumbs-up, and took to the sky.

No matter how long it took, Rainbow Dash would find out. But she didn’t know what she would find, and their reasoning behind leaving.

Tell me what you think! Firstly, for clarification, I made the East like Earth’s Far East and Russia, separated by an ocean. The East is so far east that it is really west, unless you looked at a map of Equestria. Also, if somepony could send me a program that I could make a map of Equestria, I would gladly thank you and post it to my dA account. Next chapter: Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy meet Luna, and begin their fight for Equestrian freedom. But how long will it be until Twilight and Rainbow Dash find out where they went and why? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 6: Arrival

It was about four in the morning local time when the plane touched down in Jerhoofalem for fuel. Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack stepped out of the plane to stretch their legs and get something to eat.

They walked into the airport, and ordered a small breakfast. They ate at a round table, and waited around for Honey Song to get them back in the plane.

“I am so glad we’re out of that plane.” Rarity brushed her mane behind her neck. “It was too cramped in there.”

“Ya think?” Applejack replied, “Ya weren’t the one who was stuck in between the two of ya. Ah nearly suffocated mahself back there in that plane!”

Everypony chuckled at Applejack’s statement, and took a bite of their breakfast. It really was just a bagel, a cup of coffee and orange juice. They were told they would get something more suitable when they arrived in Stalliongrad, another two hours to the northwest.

“This desert is terrible for my mane!” Rarity scoffed, “It’s going to get frizzy in this heat! And this airport’s lack of air conditioning is not helping at all!”

“It is a bit hot.” Fluttershy said, “It never got this hot in Ponyville. The mountains always kept us cool.”

“Yeah,” Applejack muttered. Her thoughts immediately went to her home. She could only think of what Granny Smith, Big Macintosh and Applebloom were doing right now. It broke her heart to leave, but she really had to. It would have been selfish to stay.

“What do y’all think is going on in Ponyville right about now?” Applejack asked.

“I hope Sweetie Bell is fine.” Rarity said, “She must feel so terrible right now. I wish I could’ve left something for her, at least a note.”

“Ya think the others are lookin’ for us?” Applejack sipped her coffee. “Ah think they would be.”

“Of course they would.” Rarity said, “Why wouldn’t they? They’re probably trying to piece it together right now.”

“I would hope they would.” Fluttershy agreed. “We did leave with no trace.”

“We did.” Rarity said. She looked down into her coffee, and put in a packet of sugar and cream. She watched it swirl and sink into the coffee, and stirred it with her straw. She felt terrible for Sweetie Bell; she really did wish she left her at least something.

No, that would have exposed her. It was better this way. Oh, but it tore at her heart! Why was it so hard?

The minutes went by terribly slowly. Rarity could only hope it tore at her friend’s hearts like it did hers.
***

Twilight and Rainbow Dash had spent most of the morning looking for their missing friends, until Rainbow Dash found a large clearing outside of Ponyville with large tracks.

“It looks like a plane took off from here.” Twilight said after inspecting the grass in the field. “Do you think they left on this plane?”

“Seems like it.” Rainbow Dash said, “I mean, we have looked all over Ponyville for them. This is the only thing we’ve got, Twilight.”

“Alright,” Twilight sighed. “Should we tell Pinkie now?”

“I don’t see why not.” Rainbow Dash agreed. “She’s in the cake shop, right?”

“She should be.” Twilight said, “I’m going back to the library. I need to find out what tracks these were. You go tell Pinkie.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, and took to the skies. She steadied herself, and flew back towards Ponyville. It was still a mystery where they went, but now they had at least something.

Rainbow Dash touched down at the Ponyville Square, where a large statue of Celestia and Luna stood. Only Luna was now trashed and desecrated. Seeing it made her anger boil. Why would Luna do something like this?

As she was brooding, she ran into a Unicorn. She fell down on her back, and got up almost immediately.

“Hey what’s your problem?” Rainbow Dash yelled, “Can you see at all?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” The Unicorn replied. He had a black coat, and a green mane. He also had a moustache of the same color.

“You better be,” she said, walking away.

As she walked into the cake shop, she was muttering insults under her breath, when she was greeted by Mrs. Cake.

“Hello Rainbow Dash!” She greeted, “How are you today?”

“Fine,” Rainbow lied, “Where’s Pinkie Pie? I need to talk to her.”

“Oh, she’s upstairs.” Mrs. Cake smiled, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No, thanks.” She replied, already heading up the stairs. As soon as she knocked on the door, it was opened.

“Hi Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie said, “What are you doing here? Is it some sort of game? Can I play? Oh, I love games? But is it a game? Or is it a party? Oh my gosh, is it a party?”

“Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash said, “Calm down. I need to tell you something.”

“Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie Pie sat down in a chair immediately. “What is it, Rainbow Dash? Is it a secret?”

“Sort of.” Pinkie Pie nodded, and leaned closer. “Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity…”

“Want me to throw a party for them?!” Pinkie Pie jumped up, “Oh boy! I can’t wait! What should the theme be? Maybe I should do an all pink party! What do you think, Rainbow Dash?”

“Let me finish, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash cried. “Now, they have gone missing. We think they might have left in a plane. We don’t know where they are, and it might take us awhile.”

“Oh,” Pinkie Pie dropped her head, but snapped it up. “Do you think they were kidnapped? They could’ve by Luna spies! I saw them talking to a black-coated Unicorn, did you see that?”

“No,” Rainbow Dash said, “But I just ran into one back in the square. Did he have a green mane and moustache?”

“Yes!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, “We got to find him! Let’s go!”

Pinkie Pie dashed down the stairs, and Mrs. Cake didn’t do anything except shrug and let her go. Pinkie knew that if he was a Luna spy, she had to catch him quick. He could be on his way to Stalliongrad right now!

She ran as fast as she could, with Rainbow Dash trailing behind. She could hear her yell at her for something, but Pinkie Pie didn’t stop. She just kept running.

She came up to the square, and stopped immediately. Rainbow Dash ran into her she stopped so quickly.

“Shhhh,” Pinkie Pie said, “I think I see him.”

She looked past the corner, and saw the black Unicorn walking across the square. She walked out casually, and walked up to him.

“Hi,” she said, “I’m Pinkie Pie! I don’t think I’ve met you, which means I have to throw you a party!”

“Oh,” the Unicorn said, “I actually need to be somewhere right now. So if you would just let me…”

Pinkie Pie stepped in front of him, and Rainbow Dash stepped behind him.

“Listen,” Rainbow Dash said, “Come with us. We need to talk to you for a moment.”

“Alright then,” he smirked, “Is this about your friends?”

“Come with us.” Pinkie Pie said. She picked him up, and draped him over her shoulder, and walked beside Rainbow Dash.

They walked back into the cake shop, where Pinkie Pie put him in a chair, and tied him to it.

“Alright,” she said, “Spill the beans! We know you kidnapped our friends! Tell us, where are they?!” She grabbed a toy pistol (but the Unicorn didn’t know that), and held it to his head.

“You wouldn’t shoot me.” He said, “You don’t even know who I am. Besides, would you want to go to jail to rot for killing me? I’m just a passerby you kidnapped. I could have you arrested right now.”

“But you won’t,” Pinkie said, “Because I could always shoot you.”

Her eyes flared, and the Unicorn looked away for a second.

“I don’t know where your friends are.” He said, “I don’t even know their names.”

“Talk!” Pinkie Pie said, pistol-whipping him across the face. Blood splattered on the floor, and the Unicorn looked to her.

“You think I’ll talk?” He spat at Pinkie Pie, “I wouldn’t tell you tomorrow’s weather!”

“Really?” Pinkie Pie retorted. She pulled the hammer back on her (toy) revolver, and pushed the Unicorn’s head with it. “I can do worse, you know.”

“Do it,” the Unicorn said, “You won’t. Too many witnesses.”

“Try me.” Pinkie’s hair straightened itself, and her voice turned sinister. “Tell me, or I will blow your brains out, and paint the room with your blood!”

“You sure?” Pinkamena only nodded. “Alright, your friends weren’t kidnapped by Luna spies. They contacted me for transportation to Stalliongrad. I complied, and now they should be heading to Stalliongrad to speak with Luna right now.”

“Why you little…” Pinkamena blinked, and her mane became curly again. She threw the gun away, and said, “You fell for it! That was a toy gun! You fell for it hook, line and sinker!”

She then began to roll on the floor laughing while Rainbow Dash cut the ropes binding the Unicorn.

“Tell nopony about this,” she whispered in his ear, “And we won’t either. Continue on, we don’t want to interfere.”

“Thanks,” he whispered back. “What’s with her?”

“Don’t bother.” Rainbow Dash replied. She cut the last rope, and the Unicorn got up.

“My name’s Tuxedo,” he said, rubbing his wrists, “Tuxedo Masquerade, by the way. Talk to me if you want to join your friends. But I’ll be leaving tomorrow for Baltimare, so decide quickly.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, and let him go. She turned to Pinkie Pie, and shook her head.

“The toy gun trick, again?” She chuckled, “Where did you get that anyway?”

“I really don’t know.” Pinkie Pie jumped up, and said, “Let’s tell Twilight! Does she know? What if she doesn’t?

How will we break it to her? Should we throw her a consolation party?”

“No,” Rainbow Dash sighed, “She knows. We just need to tell her that we know where the others went.”

“Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie Pie smiled, “Let’s go!”
***

“This is Breaker 9-2-3-niner, coming in for my final approach.”

Fluttershy looked out at the window, and saw Stalliongrad Comrade’s Airport, where they would land, and a limousine would be waiting to take them to Luna. Suddenly, she felt apprehensive. She hadn’t seen Luna since the party; she had no idea what to expect.

As the plane dipped down onto the runway, Fluttershy was still glued to the window. The city was beautiful, but the thick black smog hovering over the factories detracted from it. There was a heavy overcast; it would rain soon.

The plane jostled as it hit the runway. Honey Song pulled back the throttle, and the plane came to a stop a few feet from the limousine. Honey Song killed the engine, and turned around to the three mares in the seats behind her.

“Well, girls,” she said, “It’s been a good one. I guess I’ll see you blokes around then.”

“Yes,” Rarity said, “We shall. Let’s go, Applejack, Fluttershy, we have Luna waiting for us.”

The others followed Rarity into the limousine, which immediately started its engine and pulled out of the runway. Rarity sat in the sofa facing the back of the limo, while Applejack and Fluttershy sat opposite of her.

She grabbed the coffee pot, and poured the glass halfway. She grabbed the cream, and filled it to the top. She put in three sugar cubes, and stirred it into the cup with her straw.

“So,” Rarity took a sip of the coffee, “We’re here.”

“It would seem so.” Applejack said, “Ah think this city is a real beaute if ya ask me.”

“Except for that smog.” Fluttershy said, “It’s really unattractive.”

“Well it is an industrial city of the Hooviet Union,” Rarity said, “These ponies really don’t care for the environment. Though they make some good material in those factories.”

The limo left the airport, and police cars began to flank it. They turned on their sirens, and all other traffic pulled over.

Rarity was surprised. She knew that they were important, but she never thought she would be a target for assassination! It was really an honor when she thought about it. The fact that somepony cared enough about her to kill her was disturbing, but strangely rewarding at the same time.

She happily sipped from her coffee. She really couldn’t wait to speak with Luna. She was itching to prove her worth. Everypony she knew knew her as somepony who wouldn’t get her hands dirty. But she was willing to if she believed in the cause enough.

She didn’t know why her mind was racing this much. Maybe she put too much sugar into her coffee, but she knew she never thought like this. Not even when she was brimming with inspiration while working on a dress.

Oh, making a dress. How long would it be before she sat down and made a new one? She figured it would be months, possibly years, before she would. She sighed, she knew she believed in the cause and all, but was it worth sacrificing her livelihood?

Before she could answer her own question, the limousine stopped in front of a large mansion. The door was opened by an Earth Pony, and held Rarity’s hand as she climbed out.

“Here we are, girls.” Rarity said, “Now, let’s go. We shan’t keep Princess Luna waiting.”

They nodded in agreement. They were saluted by Republican soldiers, and they opened the door for them. They were escorted through the mansion, which was obviously built during Stalliongrad’s founding.

Stalliongrad was an old city by normal standards, but when compared to Zebra or Camel cities, it is just reaching its adolescence. It was founded along the Sarcidano River six hundred years ago, to be the capital of the Hooviet Union. This mansion was built by the Great Strong Soldier to be both his residence and office.

The halls of the mansion were decorated by artifacts and souvenirs of past conquests of the East: pickaxes from the long-lost Penguin Empire of the Far North, swords from North Camelu fortresses, and now, rifles from the Great War, an all-out war between Zebras, Camels, Griffons, and Equestrians. Equestria was the sole winner, and established its place as the world’s superpower.

A large door opened, and guards saluted their entry. There was a large desk with a small Republican flag at all corners. The chair was turned towards the window, but Rarity could see Luna’s reflection.

This was it, the moment they were all waiting for. There would be no going back now.
***

“Princess Luna,” Thunder Roller said, “I introduce to you Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity of Ponyville.”

Nightmare Moon turned the chair around to face them. They were all nervous. They had no idea to expect. She smirked for a second, and addressed them in Luna’s voice.

“Hello, my dear friends.” She said, “You can relax. Sit down; might I get you a drink?”

“No thank you, Your Highness.” Rarity answered for them. Nightmare Moon saw that she regarded herself the leader of the group. She might have to change that.

“Please,” she held up a hand. “Call me Luna. I wish to shred my royal ties. Now, I believe I know why you all stand before me, I presume?”

“Yea,” Applejack responded, “We’re all here to join ya.”

“Good.” Nightmare Moon smiled. “That is very good. Now, as you may know, we are making good progress in the East. But,” she motioned for a large world map to come down behind them, “We are having trouble breaking through Celestial lines near Jerhoofalem. I would very much enjoy taking Jerhoofalem, but I couldn’t. Until you three stepped into my office today.”

They looked nervously in their chairs, and shifted.

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy said, “Are we going to fight so soon?”

“No, not at all, that would be too harsh of me!” Nightmare Moon said, “I wish to let you get over your jetlag. Once you are able, I will dispatch you to our forces near Jerhoofalem and Damarescus. I will be putting you under the control of Major General Thunder Roller. Applejack, I present you with the rank of Major. Rarity, Fluttershy, you will be Lieutenants. I want Applejack to be the leader of your group.”

Fluttershy nodded. Nightmare Moon inferred that she didn’t want to lead. But Rarity looked a bit annoyed. She could see it in her eyes, but she didn’t show it in her body language. She was good at hiding her emotions, she would give Rarity that.

“Now,” she said, “Do any of you have special characteristics that would make you stand out?”

“Well,” Applejack said, “Not really, no. Ah am a good shot with an AR though.”

“I used to fly helicopters.” Fluttershy said. Everypony looked at her; they had no idea. “I used to fly aid to the Zebras once the Zecor War was over. It was before I moved to Ponyville.”

“I guess I could be a good shot with a sniper rifle.” Rarity said. “I just can’t fire an assault rifle properly; there’s no way for me.”

“Good to know, all of you.” Nightmare Moon said. “Rarity, you will be part of the Sniper Detachment for the 15th Infantry Division. Fluttershy, you will be integrated into the Fourteenth Attack Helicopter Squadron. Applejack, you will be part of C Company, 15th Infantry Division, along with Rarity. You are all dismissed now.”

They got up, thanked her, and walked out of the office. Once they closed the door, Nightmare Moon could not keep down her satisfaction. The very fact that three of the six she needed to win the war came to her willingly had surprised her so!

But, she still needed to get the other three.

That would be a problem.

Tell me what you think! So, now the Mane 6 are split in the Civil War: Three with Luna, three with Celestia. Now, the real war begins. Alright, since I forgot to explain it last chapter’s Author’s Note, I’ll do it with this one! Basically, Equestria is supposed to represent a real-world equivalent to most of Eurasia, North America and some of the Middle East. The Zebras are supposed to embody a real-world equivalent to Africa. The Camels represent the Middle East, and the Griffons, I really don’t think they embody any real-world places. So, glad I got that cleared! Also, Pinkamena may or may not appear in later chapters! Next chapter: Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity begin their fight for Luna, while Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Pinkie Pie try to figure out what they will do. Will they join their friends in Stalliongrad, or fight for Celestia? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 7: First Combat

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!

Chapter 8: The Tyropony Valley

As everything inside the plane shut down, Dash tried desperately to push open the cockpit. After thirty seconds of trying, she grabbed her Colt, and fired three shots. She then kicked the glass, and it shattered.

“Crackle,” she shouted over the howling wind, “We need to get out of here!”

She undid her seatbelt, and stood up. She jumped out, and unfurled her wings. She stayed over the plane, waiting for her co-pilot. Only she didn’t come out.

“Damn,” she muttered under her breath. “Don’t worry Crackle, I’m coming!”

She turned downwards, and sped towards the plummeting plane. She was going so fast, her face began to be pushed up against her skull, and she could barely see. The wind whisking past her ears made it nearly impossible to hear anything.

She latched onto the side of the Super Hornet, and shouted to Flare Crackle.

“You’ve got to wake up!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. “Flare Crackle, come on!”

When she didn’t wake up, Rainbow Dash grabbed Crackle, and flew away from the plummeting jet. She pulled her parachute, and fell slowly to the ground while she tried to get Crackle to wake up. She checked her pulse, and breathed a sigh of relief. She was still alive.

When she touched down, she dragged her behind a rock, and began to shake her.

“Come on,” she said, “Wake up! Come on Flare Crackle, don’t do this to me! You’ve got to wake up!”

Tears were falling down her face, but Dash didn’t care. She only wanted to get Flare Crackle awake, and get the hay out of this Valley.

Gunfire and explosions sounded all around Dash and Crackle, and lit up the dark night sky. Dash could hear Republican officers shouting orders to soldiers, and she could almost hear them breathe from behind the rock. She was whimpering now, trying desperately to get Crackle to wake up.

Rainbow Dash knew she couldn’t leave here without Crackle; she was her copilot. Even though they had just met a few days ago, they had caught on as instant friends. You had to, or else life would be terrible. Crackle was a rookie just like her; she was recruited into the Wondebolts by Celestia, just like Dash.

So many emotions were passing through Dash’s mind: despair, anger, sadness, grief. There was no end to the bombardment against her. She laid Crackle down on the ground, and checked her pulse. There was nothing.

Dash knelt beside Crackle, and pressed her lips against Crackle’s. She breathed in twice, and placed both her hands over Crackle’s chest. She compressed thirty times, and breathed in again. She did this for three minutes, all the while Dash was crying and whimpering, hoping Crackle would wake up.

But she wouldn’t wake up. Dash began to cry and sob now, trying futilely to wake her up. Her tears made the sand around her as wet as the sand on the bottom of the ocean. Dash couldn’t comprehend the fact that her copilot was dead. She just couldn’t be.

When Dash stopped crying, she looked at Crackle’s dead body. She looked so peaceful, but Dash just couldn’t leave her there. She had to get her back to Equestrian lines with her. Not too hard, she figured. It has to be only a few hundred feet to their lines.

So, she picked back up her Colt, and wrapped one arm around Crackle’s chest. She needed to have some sort of protection against Republican soldiers.

She had no idea how handy it would become.
***

“Ponies fall in!” Applejack shouted over the gunfire. “Y’all need to get over here now!”

Her squad of eleven Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth Ponies circled around her.

“We need to get onto that there ridge over there.” Applejack ordered, “Brawny Runner, cover us with your LMG while we move to that position. Are we clear y’all?”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Good,” Applejack said. She switched the safety off of her AEK-971 Assault Rifle. She held her fist up, and said, “On mah mark! Three, two, one, mark, move it!”

She ran out of her cover, and dashed towards the next piece of cover. Bullets impacted the sand around her, but she kept running. To stop and shoot would be suicidal.

Once she got behind the rock, she looked over with her night-vision goggles. She saw three Celestial machine gunners surpassing her squad. She laid down on the sand, and aimed her assault rifle at them.

She let loose a short burst from the rifle. One bullet hit a machine gunner in the shoulder, but the others totally missed. She hadn’t accounted for the recoil.

“Buck!” She yelled as they fired on her. “Can somepony help meh out here! Ah am pinned here!”

Her squad aimed their weapons, and fired on the machine gunners. Applejack jumped out of cover, and fired a bust, hitting another machine gunner in the chest. She fell to the ground, dead. She ran back behind cover, and waved for her squad to catch up.

“What’re y’all waitin’ for?!” She shouted, “Come on now!”

They ran beside her, and Applejack looked towards the ridge she was going to scale. It was about two hundred feet from the machine gunners, but it would suffice as a good firing angle on them. The only problem would be scaling it. The machine gunners would tear her to bits!

“Buck,” she said, “Didn’t think of that. Anypony got any ideas?”

“We need air support now, Major!” A male Unicorn said, “We’re getting pinned like hay here!”

“Shadow Masquerade, you better get that darn air support here, now!” Applejack ordered. “We’re getting torn to pieces here!”

Applejack detached a grenade from her vest, and pulled the pin. She counted to three, and hurled it over towards the machine gunners. That would give them some time.

Applejack needed to take this area. It was vital in the assault on Jerhoofalem. This one hill held by those machine gunners was holding up this part of the assault. If she didn’t take them out, they would lose their momentum.

She heard a distant crack! in the distance. Applejack looked, and saw that another machine gunner was down.

“Oh, no need to thank me.” Rarity said into Applejack’s radio link. “I just pulled a perfect neck shot from over seven hundred meters away. Please, hold your applause!”

“Will ya shut up Rarity,” Applejack said, “And focus on shooting these flank-holes? That would be nice.”

“Well you don’t have to be so rude.” Rarity said, “Just because you’re a Major doesn’t mean you bad-mouth your friends.”

Applejack sighed, and shook her head. She didn’t like it when Rarity was being Rarity. She was too sophisticated for Applejack’s tastes. She had had enough to last her a lifetime living in Manehattan.

“Let’s move!” Applejack said. She led them out of cover, and ran up onto the hill. She aimed her AEK-971 at the wounded machine gunner.

“Now ah am lettin’ ya choose.” She said, “Live and run, or try and pull that there pistol and die.”

The Celestial soldier said nothing. He tried to reach for his pistol, but Applejack was too quick. Before she let go of the trigger, seven bullets had pierced his chest, neck and head. He was a bloody mess.

“Alright now,” she said quietly, “Let’s move. Don’t wanna keep Luna waitin’, do we?”

She climbed down the hill, and advanced farther into the valley. She was joined by four dozen other soldiers and three M4 Shermane tanks as they advanced to the main Celestial lines. Applejack jogged to keep up with the tanks. They fired their main guns on the Celestial defenders while attack helicopters hovered above the valley, bathing the lines with rockets and gunfire.

“Major, what’s that?” Applejack looked up to see a large explosion light up the night sky.

“Ah think that might be one of them EMPs,” Applejack said. “We just took out all of their damned vehicles.”

Everypony cheered as they moved towards the front line of the main Celestial defense. Tanks fired their guns relentlessly on the stone and concrete fortifications, while the infantry took cover behind the tank traps left around.
Applejack ran behind one, and looked at the trenches the REA had dug. It would be easy to take if they didn’t have AT turrets set up inside the trenches. Applejack exhaled, and thought it out. There had to be some way.

She looked to her left, and saw an Earth Pony get up to throw a grenade, only to have a sniper bullet hit her in the head. His head exploded in blood, and she fell to the ground. The grenade rolled to Applejack, primed and cooking.

“Damn it!” She shouted as she threw it over the barricade. She heard the grenade explode, and calls for medics. She smirked, and got out of cover to get behind the more suitable cover of a large rock.

Once she got behind that, she fired her AEK-971, taking out a rifleman. She smirked, and took out her empty magazine. She opened a pouch on her waist, and took out a loaded one. She put it inside her gun, and pulled back the charging handle.

She looked, and saw an opening towards the next piece of cover. She got up, and left the cover. When she turned the corner, what she saw shocked her.

There was a pistol aimed straight at her head. It was held by a blue Pegasus, dragging another almost black-coated one. The dark one looked dead, but the blue one still was dragging her away.

She took off her night-vision goggles, to see the Pegasus was none other than Rainbow Dash. She dropped her rifle, and looked right into Dash’s eyes.

“Rainbow Dash, is that you ah’m seein’?” She asked slowly.

“Applejack,” Dash said, then looked away, “Go ahead. Shoot me. I have nothing left to lose.”

“Now why would ah do that?” Applejack asked over the gunfire. “You’re mah friend, Rainbow Dash.”

“Then why did you leave us?” Dash yelled, tears falling from her eyes. “Why would you join Luna after what she did in Canterlot? She’s a murderer, and you’re supporting her!”

“Ah don’t care what ya might be thinkin’, Rainbow Dash,” Applejack replied, “But ah think that Luna will be better than Celestia. That’s all.”

“So you fight a war for it?” Dash screamed, “Dammit Applejack! Why won’t you listen to me?! I want you to come back, to fight with us, not against us! I was heartbroken when you left! You didn’t even leave a note! We found out through some Unicorn!”

“Damn that Masquerade.” Applejack muttered. “Dash, ah needed to not let you know…”

“Shut up!” Dash screamed, “And just kill me! You’ve already killed me inside! Applejack, why would you do this? Do you not love us?”

“Dammit Dash!” Applejack said, “Just go! Ah am not killin’ ya here! Go, before I change my mind!”

“I thought we were friends.” Dash muttered as she got up, and left her friend behind. “She was a good mare. But you and your “New Lunar Republic” killed her. I hope you’re happy.”

Dash then unfurled her wings, and flew off. Applejack watched her go until she couldn’t. She had not expected to see her here. What she said tore at Applejack’s heart, but she needed to push on. But it was too hard to not let them seep through!

“Oh, buck it all!” Applejack shouted. She picked up her rifle, and dashed to her cover.

“Squad, report in!”

One by one, everypony in her squad reported in.

“Good,” she said, “I want y’all to follow the tanks on their advance. Ah am going to distract their fire.”

There was some protest, but Applejack immediately denied them any say. She got up, and ran towards the trenches.

Bullets zoomed past her, but Applejack didn’t stop until she had bounded over the barbed wire, and hid in front of a pillbox fortification. She took a deep breath, and left the cover.

She fired into the trench, and took out three Celestial soldiers with her long burst of rifle fire. She hid back behind the cover as others fired back. She grabbed a grenade, and pulled the pin.

She threw it into the trench. It exploded, and Applejack left her cover and dashed towards the trench. She jumped down into it, and ran down one side.

A Pegasus officer ran into her, and fumbled for his sidearm. Applejack raised her AEK-971, and fired a burst into his chest. His chest was unrecognizable when he hit the floor of the trench. Applejack leaped over the body, and ran on.
She got to a machine gun nest, and reached for her knife. She crept up silently towards the two machinegun operators, and raised her knife.

She slit the throat of the one who fed the MG the bullets, but the gunner turned around at the sound she made. The female Earth Pony tackled Applejack, and they hit the ground hard.

Applejack had the wind blown out of her when she hit the ground. Applejack wrestled with the Earth Pony while the Earth Pony tried to wrangle the knife out of Applejack’s hand.

Applejack struggled, and she rolled to the side, landing on top of the Celestial soldier. She raised her knife hand, and tried to drive into her chest, but the Earth Pony grabbed Applejack’s wrist with both hands and stopped the stab before it punctured her chest.

The Earth Pony bucked Applejack off with both legs, and Applejack flew off of her. She got up, and grabbed her revolver she had at her waist.

Applejack ran after her, knife raised and ready to strike, but the Earth Pony raised the revolver, and pulled the trigger.

Click!

The Earth Pony looked at the revolver, and cursed out loud. It had jammed. Applejack charged at the Earth Pony, but she hit Applejack in the face with the revolver. Applejack fell to the ground, and wiped the blood from her lip.

She got up, and punched the Earth Pony in the stomach. She bent down, and Applejack elbowed her in the head while she was bent over. When she hit the ground, Applejack kicked her in the ribs, and knelt down next to her.

She plunged the knife into the Earth Pony’s neck. Blood spurted from the wound as she pulled the knife from the Earth Pony’s neck. The Earth Pony gasped for air, but no sound came out. Applejack had cut her windpipe in two.

Applejack then began to stab the Earth Pony in the chest and stomach multiple times to finish her off. Applejack began to cry hysterically as she stabbed and stabbed again. Her hands were red with blood, and the knife shined in the moonlight from the blood on the blade.

Applejack dropped the knife, and looked at her hands. They were shaking uncontrollably, and were drenched in the Earth Pony’s blood. Applejack didn’t even know that Earth Pony, but she murdered her in cold blood.

She got up, and grabbed her rifle. She still had work to do.
***

Pinkie Pie pulled back the charging handle on her M240B. She pulled the empty ammo box away, and loaded in a new one. She slammed the receiver on top of it. She pulled the charging handle again, and peered through her sights.
She pulled the trigger on a few Republican soldiers that tried to advance on Pinkie’s position. Pinkie couldn’t help but laughing. It was like those video games Dash invited her to play.

She rotated the M240B, and surpassed another group of Republican soldiers. Bullets flew from the gun, and empty cartridges surrounded Pinkie’s feet. She was having so much fun! The sound of the machinegun firing just energized her so much!

“Pinkie,” her spotter called to her, “Hostiles at our eleven o’ clock!”

“Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie Pie shouted. She aimed her MG at the advancing Republican soldiers, and fired. The bullets hit two of the seven that were advancing. The other five dove to the ground, and returned fire.

“Oh, they’re shooting back!” Pinkie Pie shouted, “Oh boy! This is so fun!”

She suppressed them while other Equestrian soldiers in the trenches took them out.

Pinkie Pie was and her spotter were inside a pillbox. They were on the first line of defense, and were holding back the Republican advance. Sure, the EMP had wiped out their air support and communication, but that was all too complicated for Pinkie Pie. She had all she needed in her LMG: bullets.

“Tank at two o’ clock!” Pinkie Pie shouted. She put down her M240B, and picked up an RPG-7V2. She aimed it at the tank, and fired. The rocket hit the tank in the turret, and it exploded violently. Flames engulfed the tank, and Pinkie Pie watched as three ponies ran out of the tank, on fire.

She picked up her M240B again, and fired at advancing Republican troops. It was a turkey shoot; Pinkie really didn’t need to aim. But she did, she thought it was fun. She just kept firing until she ran out, then she reloaded. She was laughing her head off the entire time, freaking out her spotter.

She saw one pony try to dash towards the trenches, and Pinkie aimed her M240B at the movement. She fired at it, but it was at an angle that making a shot would be nearly impossible. She had to abandon that one, and focus on the others.

Pinkie Pie let her mind drift to cupcakes while she was shooting. She thought about how tasty putting chocolate tapioca icing on a cherry cupcake with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Her mouth began to salivate at the very thought. When she got back, she had to make one!

There were more and more Republican soldiers now, and Pinkie Pie could hardly keep up. She heard that the trenches were being breached; it was time to withdraw to the second line.

She turned back to the force of Republican soldiers and tanks, and picked up her RPG-7 and RPG rounds. She got out of the pillbox, and ran.
***

Fluttershy kept her Mi-35 Hind attack helicopter hovering over the trenches. Since the EMP went off, there would be no threat of SAMs. The attack helicopter was only flying because they had modified the helicopters and aircraft to be more resistant to the EMP, though not invincible.

Fluttershy had almost lost control of the chopper when the EMP was detonated, but she managed to get control before it was too late.

Now, she razed the second line of defenses with rockets and gunfire. Her copilot, Solar Chaser, gave her targets.

“Target, three o’ clock low, get them Flutter!” Solar Chaser called. Fluttershy turned to the right, and fired a volley of rockets at a pillbox. It exploded as the ammunition inside ignited. The flames lit up the area around it, and Fluttershy gunned down the surrounding infantry.

“I’ve got a target, two o’clock low!”

“Acknowledged, Solar, engaging the enemy,” Fluttershy replied. She flew over, and fired the minigun cannon. The bullets tore through the trench, and butchered anypony inside. Fluttershy was glad she couldn’t see the carnage she was wreaking. It would be too much.

After the last strafe run, her helicopter was running low on ammunition. Fluttershy needed to turn back, but she needed to stay as long as she could.

“Solar,” Fluttershy said, “I’m running low on ammo. Should we turn back?”

“I’d say wait until we run out of rockets, ma’am.” Solar Chaser replied, “It’s up to you.”

“Okay.” Fluttershy said. “I’ll make one more strafe run back at that trench.”

“That’ll definitely help.”

Fluttershy turned her helicopter around, and prepped it for the last strafe run. She pushed the stick forward, and pushed forward the rotor power. The helicopter then began to fly towards the trench. Fluttershy gripped the trigger, and pressed it as she passed over.

Explosions rendered that trench area unrecognizable, and killed anypony that was unlucky enough to be in there. Fluttershy evened out the helicopter, and turned back towards the airfield twelve kilometers away.

She had done her part in the Battle of Jerhoofalem. She hoped it would be enough.

Tell me what you think! So, to explain why the Lunar Republican aircraft stayed up after the EMP is because of technology. The Cold War-era Soviet aircraft and helicopters had a different avionics technology than its American counterparts that revolved around vacuum tubes. These were more resistant to EMP detonations than American aircraft were. But, they were not completely foolproof. Some systems were damaged, and I hope I illustrated that correctly with Fluttershy in the Hind. That is also why she is in a Hind and not an AH-64 Apache or an AH-1Z Viper, because Hinds had vacuum tube technology. Now that I got that science lesson over with, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Next chapter: New Lunar Republican forces push further into Jerhoofalem during the day, but what will the sun bring? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 9: Breakthrough

“Twilight, I got a target. Target is one thousand, nine hundred meters away to your two o’ clock.”

“Acknowledged,” Twilight replied. “He’s done.”

She brought her face down into the dirt, and closed her left eye. Her right eye was looking into the scope of a Barrett M82 .50 caliber sniper rifle. She adjusted the scope, and she looked right at her target.

It was a Republican tank commander. He was a Unicorn with a white coat and a green mane. He was directing a group of Republican tanks wreaking havoc on the entrenched Equestrian troops.

“Alright,” Twilight muttered, “Get ready to die. Three, two, one, and…”

She pulled the trigger. The bullet flew from the barrel and hurled itself almost two thousand meters straight into the tank commander’s chest. Blood exploded from the wound, and the commander fell from the tank turret he was leaning out of.

The tanks stopped, and stopped firing at the sight of their superior dying from a sniper’s bullet. That gave the AT soldiers in the trench a chance to destroy most of the group. Twilight smirked at her handiwork.

“This is Twilight. I have a confirmed kill. The commander is down.”

“Good work,” her commander said into her earpiece. “We’ll give a new target when we find one.”

Twilight got up from her prone position, and watched the battle from afar. The explosions of tanks, rockets, and the miniscule muzzle flashes of the guns looked almost pretty. It almost looked like a fireworks shows. Twilight sat back, and watched the battle unfold.

Although it was dark, Twilight used the muzzle flashes to show her how the REA was performing. And from what she could tell, they weren’t doing all that well. The NLR forces were bombarding the Equestrian defenses from their aircraft and helicopters, and the tanks and infantry were shoving ammunition up their flanks.

Twilight looked through her scope to get a better view of the fight. She looked at one pillbox firing its machinegun at advancing Republican forces. It was holding its own, until a tank drove up and destroyed it. The explosion was spectacular as the ammunition inside the pillbox ignited. The ten-foot high fireball lit up the area around it, and Republican troops dropped down into the trenches.

“Damn it,” Twilight muttered, “How are we losing? How are their aircraft still up?”

She looked through the scope again, and watched as the Equestrian soldiers fled to the last line of trenches before the uphill no-pony’s land that led straight to Jerhoofalem. At least it would be for the Equestrian defenders without any tanks or air support.

Twilight picked up her Barrett, and ran towards a higher spot on the hill she was on. She crouched down, and picked up binoculars.

“Alright,” she said, looking across the front, “We need to reinforce the western flank to help stem the Republican advance.” She watched as Equestrian soldiers tried to move to the western flank, but they were mowed down by Republican tank’s coaxial machineguns.

“Damn,” she muttered, “I can’t do anything about that. And the comm link to my commander is the only one working!”

She pondered for a moment, and slapped her hand against her face.

“Oh Celestia, why am I so stupid?” She cried. She activated her earpiece, and called her commander.

“This is Twilight,” she said, “Do you read me?”

“We read you, Twilight.” Her commander responded, “Give me a sitrep. What’s going on down there?”

“We’re getting overrun, sir.” Twilight answered, “They’re breaking through our second line of defense. We need reinforcements, sir.”

“We can’t spare any without sending troops straight from Jerhoofalem.” Her commander replied, “And with those Republican aircraft still up, we can’t rule out an airborne invasion of Jerhoofalem. Your own your own, Twilight.”

“Yes sir,” Twilight labored to say through her frustration, “I understand, sir.”

She shut down the comm link, and picked up her Barrett. She held it at her waist while she looked down at the Tyropony Valley. She hated being frustrated. The way her commander just nonchalantly told her he can’t spare reinforcements angered her so!

Her head snapped up when she heard glass break, and a sharp crack that followed. She was being targeted by a sniper!

“Buck!” She yelled. She dove to the ground, and picked up her Barrett. She looked through the scope, only to find it shattered. The bullet had shattered it!

Twilight hid in the grass. There was no way the sniper couldn’t find her, right? She hoped so. She had to.
***

Rarity muttered a curse as she saw her target dive down into the glass. She had missed!

She pulled back the bolt on her L96 Sniper Rifle, and let the round eject itself. She then pushed it forward, and looked through the scope.

“Mother Goose,” she said, “This is Eagle Eye. I have confirmed a hostile sniper in my AO.”

“Roger that, Eagle Eye,” Mother Goose, Rarity’s commanding officer, replied. “Have you made contact?”

“Yes ma’am,” Rarity said, “She found me, and I have her suppressed now.”

“We’ll fish her out, Eagle Eye.” Mother Goose replied, “Just make sure she’s down and out when we get there.”

“Acknowledged” Rarity said. She looked through her scope again, and tried to find some movement. She squinted her eye, and saw a little bit of swaying in the grass near where the Unicorn had dove.

She heard the bullet whiz through her mane, and heard the crack soon after. Rarity cursed, and aimed at the swaying grass. She hastily pulled the trigger, and watched the bullet go too left to hit it. She cursed again.

“Mother Goose, Mother Goose,” Rarity said, “This is Eagle Eye. I am suppressed. I cannot make the shot!”

“We read you, Eagle Eye.” Mother Goose replied, “We’re sending a Hind to your AO. Do not engage, I repeat, do not engage!”

“Acknowledged, ma’am, I will not engage.”

“Good. Hang in there, Rarity, ETA thirty seconds.” Mother Goose replied. Rarity exhaled, and laid herself flat on the ground. There would be no way that sniper would get her.
***

Twilight used magic to repair her scope quickly, and find the other sniper. From what she could tell, the sniper was a Unicorn, and female. Other than that, she was in the dark as to who it was.

Soon after Twilight had taken the shot, she heard the thumping of helicopter rotors. She turned her head, and saw the lights of an attack helicopter.

“Buck!” She muttered. She got up, and dashed for some suitable cover. Meanwhile, the thumping came closer and closer, and Twilight saw the grass around her being beat by the rotor wash.

She ran as fast as she could, yet the helicopter easily kept up with her. Bullets soon began to whiz pass Twilight and impacted the desert floor around her as she sprinted helplessly away from the helicopter.

She desperately tried to think of a solution, but could find none. She was going to die here unless something miraculous happened.

Then, Twilight got an idea. She reached for her fragmentation grenade, and pulled the pin. She counted to three, and threw it. It flew into the air, and fell into the rotors.

The grenade exploded once one of the rotors hit it. The explosion tore the rotors apart, and the helicopter went down. Twilight then crouched down, and looked through her scope.

She saw the sniper stand up, and Twilight used magic to account for the variables in the environment, and fired.

The .50 caliber bullet left the barrel in no time at all. It flew across the Tyropony Valley, and caught the sniper in the arm. The sniper went down to the ground, and Twilight smirked. That had to be over 1500 meters!

She got up, and ran back to a valid sniper position to help defend against the Republicans. She didn’t think about the sniper she hit. She should have.
***

“Major! We need orders!”

“Wah?” Applejack turned, and found her squadmates jumping down into the large crater formed by a crashed Celestial helicopter. Bullets were riddling the carcass, and there was a fuel fire. It was going to explode at any moment. She had to get her squad out of there.

“Major,” a female Pegasus in her squad called. “Awaiting orders, ma’am!”

“Oh,” Applejack muttered, “Yeah. Lightnin’ Flicker, I want ya and Brawny Runner to suppress ‘em while we get out of here and cover your escape? Am I clear, y’all?”

“Yes ma’am!”

Applejack nodded. She took the time to reload her AEK-971, and waited for a pause in the machinegun fire. She found her chance not too long after.

“Now, y’all!” Applejack called, “Get the hay out of here! Haul ya flanks now!”

Applejack got up, and dashed towards and slid behind a tank trap. She waited for everypony to find cover, and got down onto the sand. The sun was rising, and the Celestials were holding the last line of defense savagely. And what was more frustrating was that there were snipers all over the damn place!

“Squad, coverin’ fire!” Applejack ordered. She aimed her AEK-971 at a pillbox, and let loose a long burst of rifle fire. Bullets riddled the pillbox, and some made it inside. She could hear the screams of the wounded.

Once the two ponies had gotten behind cover, Applejack fired the rest of her magazine into the pillbox, and rolled back behind the tank trap. She ejected the empty magazine, and groped for another magazine.

She found one, and loaded it into the AEK. She pulled back the charging handle, and looked at the Celestial trench. There were too many machine gunners. She would never make it.

“Damn,” she muttered. Over the deafening sounds of war, she yelled towards Brawny Runner. “Brawny, you better give me some coverin’ fire!”

“You got it!” Brawny shouted back. He looked over the slab of concrete he was crouching behind, and turned to the rest of the squad. “Squad, covering fire!”

Applejack threw a grenade as soon she rolled away from the tank trap. She got up, and ran towards the trench. A few other Republican soldiers followed her as she sprinted desperately towards the trench.

When she got to the edge, a Celestial rifleman stopped, and looked at her. Applejack fired her AEK-971, and the rifleman fell to the floor, her neck and head unrecognizable. Applejack dove down, and with the others that had followed her, ran towards a pillbox.

“Alright y’all,” she said, “When we get in there, don’t hesitate to shoot them buggers!”

“Yes Major!”

“Good,” Applejack muttered, “On my mark! Three, two, one, mark! Go everypony, go!”

Applejack ran inside the pillbox, and fired at the machine gunner. He leaned over his MG, his brains spilling onto the rounds.

The spotter turned around, and dropped his pistol as he saw the five Republican soldiers aiming their assault rifles at him.

“I surrender!” He put his hands in the air, “Don’t shoot me, please!”

“Open fire!” Applejack ordered. The five ponies fired their weapons. Each bullet made the spotter step back, until he had taken over twenty bullets to the chest, neck and head. He slumped on the wall, blood leaking from almost every part of his torso.

Applejack pushed the dead machine gunner off the MG, and aimed it at the next pillbox over. She pulled the trigger, and bullets spewed from the barrel. Bullets impacted the concrete fortification, although some missed the concrete and hit the machine gun, rendering it useless.

“What’re y’all waitin’ for?” Applejack shouted, get the hay over here!”

Applejack let go of the machine gun, and picked up her AEK-971. She got out of the pillbox, and jumped back down into the trenches. She was joined by a large group of Republican soldiers, who immediately began to fan out and eliminate the Celestial defenders.

The sun had begun to rise, and it was starting to get warm. Applejack began to sweat more as the temperature climbed. She sure hoped that she would stop for a quick break before pushing into Jerhoofalem, though she knew that was not an option.

She shook her head, and ran farther into the trenches. She fired at two Celestial soldiers running down the trenches. They were both Earth Pony; one a white stallion and the other a purple mare. They both had yellow manes, and shared similar Cutie Marks.

“Damn,” she muttered, “They must have been family!”

She ran farther, and fought until the rest of the Celestial defenders retreated from the trenches and ran for Jerhoofalem. By then, the sun was high up in the sky. It was close to noon, and Applejack had been awake for over twenty four hours now. She was dead tired, but she knew she couldn’t stop fighting.

“Alright everypony,” Applejack said, “We get half an hour’s rest. Them Celestials will be out of Jerhoofalem by sunrise tomorrow, ya hear?”
***

“Twilight, give me a sitrep.”

“Sir, the Republicans have broken through our last line of defense.” Twilight replied as she got up, “I think it’s safe to say we lost the Tyropony Valley.”

“Damn it.” Her commander sighed, and said, “Well then, I’ll get you a bird to get you out to the Fifth Fleet on the coast. Princess Celestia has requested you by name.”

“Yes sir,” Twilight answered. “Permission to inquire, sir?”

“Go ahead, Twilight.”

“How can you send a bird out to me?” Twilight asked, “I thought the EMP wiped out all electronics in the area.”

“The Fifth Fleet was out far enough to not be effective.” Her commander replied, “They hauled flank when they saw it. They’re about twenty miles out from the coast. ETA is five minutes, Twilight.”

“Thank you sir.” Twilight sighed. She strapped her Barrett around her right shoulder, and looked out onto the valley, one hand shielding her eyes from the sun.

From what she could see, the Republicans were holding back against the retreating defenders. Twilight figured they were too fatigued to pursue. Good, she thought. It gave the Equestrian Naval Air Force a chance to hammer them before they advanced across three miles of open desert towards Jerhoofalem.

A few minutes later, the helicopter came, blowing sand and dust everywhere across the hill she was perched on. She climbed in, and buckled in. She gave a thumbs-up to the pilot. The pilot then lifted off of the ground, and turned towards the northwest.

Twilight looked at the different valleys leading up towards the Jerhoofalem Plateau. There was smoke belching from most of them, and many consisted of retreating Equestrian forces. Twilight cursed. If it hadn’t been for that EMP, they would’ve held their positions!

As the helicopter flew over Jerhoofalem, Twilight looked at the destruction that dominated the southern parts of the city. Entire city blocks were leveled, and fires raged across many more. Smoke darkened the sky around the city, and the pilot had to turn away from Jerhoofalem just to see well enough to fly safely.

Through the smoke, Twilight could see that the Temples of the Sun and Moon still stood. Twilight figured as much. Luna only wanted Jerhoofalem because of the religious importance of the city. It would deal a huge blow to Princess Celestia if Luna paraded her forces through the religious capital of Equestria.

The helicopter then flew over some beachheads that were swarming with Equestrian reinforcements. In the distance, she could see the Fifth Fleet.

It was enormous. It contained three aircraft carriers, the Princess Celestia, Element of Honesty and Las Pegasus. It also contained of thirty five other destroyers, frigates, cruisers, submarines and auxiliary ships.

As the helicopter flew closer towards the fleet, Twilight could see aircraft squadrons soar past. They were heading towards the front, with this Twilight had no doubt.

The helicopter touched down on the RENS Princess Celestia five minutes later. She came off the helicopter, and she was escorted to the bridge by two light blue Pegasi. They immediately made her think of Rainbow Dash.

She gasped as she remembered that the EMP took down all Royal Equestrian Air Force units in the area. She silently prayed that Rainbow Dash was alright. She couldn’t bear to think of life without her. Hay, it would be hard to think of life without any of her friends.

As she entered the bridge, she was greeted by a dark blue Pegasus. He kept his orange mane short, but there were some gray and white hairs in both his tail and mane. He had a large pipe in his mouth, and wore aviator sunglasses. Twilight could tell by his uniform that he was a Vice Admiral.

“Twilight Sparkle, I presume?” He asked, “My name is Vice Admiral Wave Roller. Glad to make your acquaintance.”

“The pleasure is mine, sir.” Twilight saluted. “I believe you know why I’m here.”

“Ja,” Wave Roller said, “Princess Celestia has been howling in my ear for quite some time for you.”

He spoke with a thick accent that hailed from Flankfurt or Marelin, in the state of Germaneigh. Germaneigh always hosted the best admirals in the navy, so the fact that he had a thick accent didn’t surprise Twilight.

“Ensign, I vant you to try to get to Princess Celestia,” Wave Roller ordered, “As soon as I can get back to ordering z’is attack, z’e better.”

She watched as a magenta Earth Pony mare picked up a red phone, and immediately handed it to Twilight.

“Yes?” Twilight heard in the receiver, “This is Princess Celestia.”

“You’ve been asking for me, Your Highness?” Twilight asked nervously.

“Oh yes, Twilight!” Celestia said, “Tell me, have we lost Jerhoofalem yet?”

“No,” Twilight answered, “Many of the forces have just retreated from their fortifications in the valleys.”

“Good.” Celestia answered, “Then we still have a chance. We must hold onto Jerhoofalem, Twilight. I want you back in the field as soon as possible. We can’t afford to not have you in the defense.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Twilight answered, “I will leave as soon as I hang up.”

“Very well then.” Celestia said, “I want you back in Fillydelphia as soon as the dust has settled. I have some important information that cannot be sent over the phone. I hope to see you soon, my loyal student.”

“And I you, my Princess.” Twilight said. She hung up the phone, and watched as a F-35 Lightning fighter lifted off from the flight deck. It rolled left, and flew towards the shore. Twilight wished she could be as free as a bird then. She knew she was already sick of war.

Tell me what you think! Sorry for not getting this out as quickly as I had hoped, writer’s block bludgeoned me with a sledgehammer and left me with a brain hemorrhage in a roadside ditch. I really hope you like where this is going, because this is how I plan to write most of the battle scenes. And, for clarification, Flankfurt is a ponified version of Frankfurt, Germany and Marelin is a ponified Berlin, as Germaneigh is equivalent to Germany. Next chapter: as the Battle of Jerhoofalem proceeds into urban combat, who will come out the victor? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 10: Reinforcements

Thunder Roller walked towards the door of Princess Luna’s office. He swallowed hard before he knocked on the door three times.

The sun had just barely risen. According to his calculations, it was mid-morning in Jerhoofalem, where his forces were routing the weak defense hastily set up by General Shining Armor of the Royal Equestrian Army.

“You may enter.”

Thunder Roller nodded to nopony in particular, and opened the door. He saw Luna looking through paperwork. She looked up, and motioned for him to sit down in a chair.

“Tell me, general.” Luna said, “How does our offensive fend in Jerhoofalem?”

“Comrade,” Thunder Roller replied, “Our forces have exceeded expectations. Our midnight assault caught the REA off guard. We routed them from their fortifications by dawn. We only need wait for additional reinforcements before pushing into Jerhoofalem itself.”

“And why is this, General Thunder?” Luna looked up from a paper, her eyebrow cocked in curiosity. “I thought we routed them. Why must you require more reinforcements?”

“I have received reports that the Fifth Fleet of the Royal Equestrian Navy under Vice Admiral Wave Roller has been dispatched off the coast of Jerhoofalem. Their naval and air forces are hammering my men. We won’t be able to take much more.”

“It seems we did not plan for this.” Luna acknowledged. “Very well then, General. I will sign over the 4th Infantry Division under General Tough Boulder to your command. Do not disappoint me, General. I want Jerhoofalem under the Republican banner before the week is out.”

“Da,” Thunder Roller complied. “It will be done, Princess Luna.”

“You may go, General.” Luna said, “I am quite busy at the moment. When you return, I want it to be good news.”

“That it will.” Thunder Roller nodded his head. “I will not disappoint.”

“Good.” Luna said, “Go.”

Thunder Roller nodded. He got up from his chair, and left the room. He did not think it would be that easy. He gave a silent sigh of relief. Hopefully these reinforcements would give the push his forces needed to advance on Jerhoofalem.
***

Rarity groaned in pain. Her sun-burnt face cringed from the pain in her left shoulder. Whoever the sniper was, she did a damn well job. Her collar bone was definitely broken, and it had bled badly. She only stopped the bleeding by smothering blood-soaked sand onto the wound. She couldn’t bear to think about the infections it would cause.

“Eagle Eye, do you read me? Rarity, are you there? Rarity?”

“Yes?” Rarity groaned into her earpiece.

“Oh, thank the heavens you’re alive! We’ve been trying to reach you for hours. Give us a sitrep, Rarity.”

“Oh, I’m quite alright.” Rarity said sarcastically, “It’s just that a sniper’s bullet nearly tore my arm off! Other than that, I’m peachy.”

“Rarity, are you alright?”

“No I am not!” Rarity scoffed. “The very thought that I am alright is preposterous!”

“We’re evacuating the wounded from the battlefield. We’ll make sure you get a bird to take you back.”

“That would be appreciated, ma’am.” Rarity groaned and said under her breath. “What I would do for a spa day after this is over.”

Rarity’s commanding officer then signed off from her comm link, leaving her alone in the desert. Of course, she heard an occasional burst of gunfire or explosion, but she felt so alone. It had been so long since she was last with her friends. But it had only been a few days. It felt like an eternity to Rarity.

She turned her head over, and saw Equestrian Air Force jets roar over Lunar forces and strafe them with guns and bombs. Tanks exploded as the napalm ignited their fuel tanks. Smoke stained the blue, cloudless sky as the blood of so many ponies had stained the yellow sands of the mighty Sahayra Desert.

The stench of dried blood and mud assaulted Rarity’s nose. She had always hated the putrid smell of caked mud, and now it was paired with the smell of dried blood and all over her body! It would take hours to get the stench away!

Rarity’s moping was cut off by the distant thump thump of a helicopter. Rarity turned and saw a twin-rotor helicopter came in from the horizon. It had a large red cross on the sides of it. There would be no shooting it down.

It stabilized a couple of feet away from Rarity. The rotor wash swept over her, and made her once glorious mane even more disheveled. Rarity saw two medics pick up Rarity brutally and put her on a stretcher. They put an IV into her arm, and attached it to a plasma bag.

She was then ferried into the helicopter. The smell of it was far worse than the stench on Rarity. It smelled of vomit, urine, fresh blood, feces and various medicines. It was almost enough for Rarity to upchuck herself.

“Get her some cleaning agents!” A Unicorn medic called, “And some antibiotics as well! Listen to me, can you hear me?”

“No, I’m deaf.” Rarity said. “Of course I can hear you!”

“You don’t have to be so rude.” The medic said. He brushed his orange mane away from his dark violet-colored face.

His teal eyes were deep, but Rarity couldn’t see his emotions play through his eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Rarity said, “I just had a sniper nearly blow my arm off!”

“Alright, alright, geez,” he threw his hands up in surrender. “You win. Are you happy?”

“Yes, quite.” Rarity smiled. “Now, where are we heading?”

“To an airfield not too far from here,” he said. “That is, if the Celestial Air Force hasn’t bombed it into dust. We’ll be there in a few minutes, okay?”

He turned to walk away, but Rarity reached for him with her good arm.

“Wait, you didn’t tell me your name.”

“Oh,” he said. “I’m Dapper Crescent.”

“My name’s Rarity.” She said.

“Well, I’ve got to help somepony else now…” Dapper said, “I guess I’ll see you around, Rarity.”

“Yes. We will.” Rarity said. She had instantly felt attracted to him. The way he carried himself, his personality attracted her. She also wouldn’t deny his physical characteristics. His orange mane, despite being surrounded by death and blood, stayed glowing. His teal eyes showed compassion and kindness, and his violet coat completed it all.

Rarity couldn’t believe herself. Falling for her doctor? She felt like she was in a bad daytime soap opera. But, she was glad she was the prima donna. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
***

“Shining Armor, what I would like to know is why we let them through!”

Shining Armor looked up. Princess Celestia looked enraged by his and Twilight’s reports on the battle. Her office in Fillydelphia was filled with his staff and subordinate officers.

“And the fact that the entire Wonderbolt Squadron, which included one of the Elements of Harmony, might I add, was shot down boggles my mind! I didn’t appoint you Commander of the Royal Equestrian Armed Forces for nothing!”

Shining Armor swallowed, and stood his ground. “I had no idea of Luna’s intentions to use a nuclear-triggered EMP. We had no intelligence of her gaining any tactical warheads at all…”

“I do not care, General!” Celestia shouted. “What I want to know is why their aircraft stayed in the air while ours did not!”

“We believe they functioned on a different operating system than our more advanced planes and equipment.” Shining Armor said nervously, “Their old Hooviet equipment relied on vacuum tube technology, which is more resistant to EMPs than our electronic avionic systems.”

“And so because we were stripped of our military vehicles, our forces fell apart?” Celestia cried. “That is pitiful, General! Our infantry is the best in the world, and they fall to a band of rebels?”

“It is quite hard to hold a trench with tanks breathing down men’s necks, Your Highness.” Shining Armor said, “If you would recall the Great Equine War against the Elks and Deer…”

“I am all too familiar, General.” Celestia said, getting up from her chair. “But this is not a history lesson. This, this is an example of a poor force falling to superior firepower and will.”

“But, Your Highness,” Shining Armor interrupted, “With the Fifth Fleet in position, we can reinforce our positions in Jerhoofalem and drive the rebels back.”

“You better hope that works, General.” Celestia declared, “Because my faith in you has gone down considerably because of what has happened.”

“Princess, if I may,” Shining Armor said, “We might have lost the fortifications around Jerhoofalem, but I am telling you, we will not lose Jerhoofalem. With the Fifth Fleet in close vicinity, we have regained aerial superiority. I have confirmation that Wonderbolt Squadron has suffered few losses, and can be sent into action as soon as they can receive new planes.”

Celestia sighed, and said, “Forgive me, Shining Armor. These past few days have been extremely stressful on me. And on top of that, I have a conference with the Elk and Deer leaders in a few days as well. Luna couldn’t have timed this any better.”

“It is quite alright.” Shining Armor said, “You have my word. They will not take Jerhoofalem.”

Shining Armor then stood up from his chair, and put on his military cap. He saluted Celestia, and turned on his heel the way an officer should. He walked out the door with his entourage, leaving Celestia alone in her office. That was the way Celestia always liked being in an office, alone with nopony to try and influence her.

She got up from her chair, and looked out of her window towards the Business District of Fillydelphia. The sun had barely risen over the city, and the early morning traffic had already congested the roads. Celestia sighed. She could only wonder what it was like halfway across the world, where thousands of ponies were laying down their lives, for her.

The city was truly beautiful. Celestia knew that Luna would never touch Fillydelphia. That she was sure of.
***

Rainbow Dash landed on the beachhead a few miles away from Jerhoofalem. She had searched for hours for a flyable plane, but the EMP had fried everything. Once she heard jet engines, she flew at top speed towards the beach, hoping to find something.

And find something she did. The beachhead was completely cramped with soldiers, tanks and other combat vehicles moving off the beach and onto one of the valley passes up to Jerhoofalem. There had to be thousands of soldiers alone.

There was a sea of desert camouflaged uniforms, and a rainbow of manes and coats.

Dash spread out her wings again, and flew up into the sky. She could see a fleet of ships out in the distance. She decided that would be the place to get her a plane. She leaned forward, and sped towards the fleet miles away.

Flying over the ocean calmed Dash. The ocean was a dark blue, and very clear. Dash could see schools of fish under the surface of all different colors.

But, the darkness of the sea reminded Dash of Flare Crackle. She still couldn’t comprehend that her co-pilot was dead. It was just too hard to think that a mare she barely knew but one she valued as a friend had passed in the blink of an eye. It was just too much to take in at once.

Rainbow Dash was shaken from her reverie by a squadron of Equine Fighter Typhoon fighters. She dove down in a split second to avoid being hit by a jet. Once the jets had passed, she breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t believe she had been so stupid!

She looked to the horizon, and saw she was at most a mile away from the fleet. She figured they had to be friendly.

They hadn’t shot at her yet. That was a good sign.

She sped up as she neared the aircraft carrier in the middle of the fleet. She flew towards the back of the flight deck, and touched down behind a group of parked Super Hornets.

The sound of the deck was deafening. There were multiple jet engines revving, and two jets every thirty seconds being launched off the carrier. There were also the sounds of helicopter rotors, and voices at their loudest volume.

Dash weaved through the parked Super Hornets, and made her way inside. If anypony was going to give her a jet, it had to be the commanding officer. She turned towards stairs leading upwards, and ran up them.

When she came to the top, she was stopped by a brawny Earth Pony. He had a dark navy blue coat and an even darker purple mane. He had a large scar going down his left cheek, and towered over Dash. His green eyes sent shivers up Dash’s spine; they were so deep and piercing.

“What are you doing here?” He demanded, “All pilots are to be in their aircraft.”

“I’m not from this ship.” Dash replied. “Now, who’s in charge of this tin can?”

“This is the ENS Princess Celestia,” he replied in his very deep masculine voice, “This is not a tin can.”

“Yeah, yeah, alright,” Dash said, “I need to talk to your superior.”

“Vice Admiral Wave Roller will not be disturbed at this moment. He is in conference with the Princess.”

“I’m an Element of Harmony for Celestia’s sake!” Dash cried, “Now move it!”

The Earth Pony let her pass. Dash ran past him, and found her way to the bridge after half an hour of searching.
When she neared the door, it opened. Dash was running so fast, she couldn’t stop from running into the pony that opened it.

Dash fell flat on her flank. She rubbed her stinging head. She had bumped heads with the other pony.

“What’s your problem?” Dash heard a familiar voice say. “Dash, is that you?”

Dash opened her eyes to see Twilight standing above her.

“Twilight?” Dash asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing.” Twilight said. “I was here to speak with the Princess.”

“Oh,” Dash said, “I was going to speak with that Admiral pony. I was hoping to see if I could, um, borrow a plane.”

“You know her?” The stallion who had to be the Vice Admiral asked. “This is, unexpected, is it not Twilight Sparkle?”

“Very.” Twilight responded, getting up and brushing herself off. “And what do you mean by ‘borrowing’ a plane?”

“Well,” Dash said, “My plane kind of went down after the EMP. I need a new one.”

“And why should I give one to you?” The Admiral asked. “Mind you I have to outfit over 100 pilots with their own planes? I have few spares.”

“What if I told you I was part of Wonderbolt Squadron?” Dash asked. “Would you give me a plane then?”

“Well,” Wave Roller said, “Wait, you said you were part of Wonderbolt Squadron? Ja, ja I will give you a plane! Ensign, outfit her with her flight suit and give her a spare plane.”

A young-looking green-coated mane stepped forward. She kept her bangs away from her eyes, and had her mane reach the bottom of her neck. It was mostly dark maroon, but there were magenta highlights. She looked extremely disciplined; there was no smile on her face and never seemed to be one.

“Follow me.” She said. She led Dash through different corridors down into the hangar under the flight deck.

“Your flight suit is over by the lockers.” She addressed Dash, “And your plane is up on the flight deck.”

She then turned on her heels, and walked out of the hangar. Dash felt completely foreign in this environment; she had never even been on an aircraft carrier, not even the antiquated carriers left over from the Great Equine War.

She walked over to the lockers, and had to have tried on seven thousand different suits before finding one that fit her perfectly. She grabbed a helmet, and headed towards the door.

The thing that was getting her most nervous was the takeoff. She had seen Navy jets take off, and it had to be terrifying. She knew that she had done it on foot, but never in a 50 million bit jet. She was nervous, but kept up an atmosphere of serenity and calm. It wouldn’t be good seeing a Wonderbolt nervous about a simple aircraft carrier takeoff.

At least, she hoped it was simple.
***

It was past noon before Applejack received orders to push forward. The main Republican attack force needed reinforcements, and they had arrived an hour ago. Now was the time to take Jerhoofalem from the iron fist of Celestial rule.

“A’ight y’all,” Applejack said, “We’re all gonna take that there city, ya hear? There ain’t gonna be any mistakes, Ah don’t wanna see any of y’all get killed. Am Ah clear?”

“Yes Major Applejack!”

“Then let’s go!” Applejack said. She grabbed her AEK-971 off of a rock it was resting on, and hitched a ride on a Shermane main battle tank. It kicked into gear, and the Republican offensive continued.

Applejack looked towards the no-pony’s land that was leading up to Jerhoofalem. Dozens of destroyed tanks, APCs, and other military vehicles littered the desert, and smoke belched from most of the wrecks. There were also bodies in various states of injury. There were quite a few charred ones, while most had been shot down by helicopter strafe runs.

The smell of burning oil coupled with charred flesh assaulted Applejack’s nose. It almost made her vomit. She had never smelt a more hideous, putrid smell in her life. She had smelt sun-bathed manure that gave off a better scent!
The sound of jets above startled Applejack. She turned, and saw a formation of Celestial fighters streak across the sky. She knew that couldn’t be good. If there were fighters up, they could take down the ground forces.

Applejack could only hope that wouldn’t happen to her.
***

When Fluttershy returned to the vicinity of Jerhoofalem, she was given her orders.

“Lieutenant,” the airbase commander instructed her, “Your objective is to take out any and all enemy armor and equipment inside and around Jerhoofalem. It is heavily guarded with SAMs, but with the intense fires raging inside the ancient walls, we doubt any missile will take you down.”

“Acknowledged, Colonel.” Fluttershy responded. “Moving to objective now. Get ready, Solar Chaser, it’s going to get a little rough here.”

“You don’t have to be so nice in telling me.” He responded. “Come on, Flutter, take charge of your rank. You can be assertive, I know it.”

“Alright.” Fluttershy said shyly, “I’ll try.”

Solar Chaser just shook his head behind Fluttershy.

“Alright, just focus on flying, ok?”

Fluttershy nodded. She leaned the stick forward, and nudged the throttle forward. The helicopter moved faster towards the burning city.

The old residential districts of the city were alight with fire, while the newer Financial and Industrial Districts were largely untouched. The skyscrapers were a stark contrast to the dark black smoke billowing from burning buildings no more than one hundred yards away.

Fluttershy pulled back on the stick, effectively stopping the helicopter. She turned it, and went down on of the main avenues leading into the city. It ran southeast of the city, away from the approaching Republican forces. Fluttershy had been told that this was a major supply line for Jerhoofalem.

Sure enough, there was a small convoy of about seven trucks and a tank to guard it from infantry attacks. But it was in no shape to stop an attack helicopter.

“Weapons free, Flutter.” Solar Chaser said, “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Alright,” Fluttershy said, “I’m ready.”

She pulled the trigger on the stick. The Mi-35 fired its minigun, while Solar Chaser launched a volley of missiles at the convoy. Explosions tore apart the road, and flames engulfed the trucks that weren’t directly hit.

The tank took a particularly hard hit. The modern Stallion Main Battle Tank was hit by three missiles and countless amounts of minigun bullets. It was one of the first vehicles to implode. When Fluttershy had turned around to head back towards Jerhoofalem, there was absolutely nothing left of the convoy.

“This is Fluttershy,” she reported, “I have a confirmed kill on supply convoy approximately two clicks from Jerhoofalem combat area. Is that ok?”

“Acknowledged, Lieutenant,” she heard through the comm link. “And yes, it’s alright. Just head back towards the combat area. We need you there.”

“Alright then,” Fluttershy said, “Heading there now.”

As the helicopter neared the city again, she saw an armored column head across the desert to combat the Republican advance. The six M-5 Stallions would destroy the M-3 Shermane tanks the Republican Army was using.

“Fluttershy to base,” she said, “If it’s not too much trouble interrupting, I have eyes on an enemy Stallion Tank group heading to engage our forces.”

“Weapons free, Fluttershy.” Fluttershy heard a familiar voice say. She looked, and saw another Mi-35 pass by her.

“You didn’t have to be so flashy, Major.” Fluttershy said, “But, if you really wanted to, that’s fine too.”

“Do us all a favor, and shoot the damn tanks.” Mist Flicker replied.

“Okay.” Fluttershy said. “Weapons free, Solar.”

She approached the tanks, and prepped the minigun. It still had seven hundred rounds of ammunition, well over enough to take this column on.

The two helicopters approached the tank column much like two hawks descending on a group of squirrels. Once the Hinds were in range, they both opened fire with their miniguns and missiles. The tanks burst into flames as dozens of missiles impacted the group of six tanks.

“Targets down.” Mist Flicker reported. “That was a turkey shoot, Fluttershy!”

“Oh, yes,” Fluttershy said sheepishly, “Let’s keep going. There are bound to be others.”

Fluttershy rolled the helicopter to the right, and turned back to follow the Republican tanks heading into Jerhoofalem.
The second phase of the Battle of Jerhoofalem had begun. And it seemed that the New Lunar Republic had the advantage.

Tell me what you think please! So sorry for not uploading in over a week, but it’s been really hard to write with my schedule being locked up tight. I am also in the process of uploading the twenty-odd chapters of a separate project on my account, which is taking up some of my very limited free time. In the next chapter, Republican forces surge into Jerhoofalem, with Applejack and Fluttershy leading the way. Will Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie be able to repel the Republican attack with assistance from the Royal Equestrian Fifth Fleet? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 11: Stalemate

The sound of explosions brought Pinkie Pie back from cupcake heaven. She pulled back the charging handle on her M240B, and placed it on a slab of rubble overlooking an entrance into the ancient city.

There were about thirty other soldiers with Pinkie guarding the door, waiting for the Republican troops to come through and trot right into their ambush. The sounds of gunfire, sporadic explosions and the engines of fighters and helicopters all added to the suspense Pinkie was feeling.

She couldn’t figure out why, but she couldn’t wait for the Republicans to come. She craved the feeling of the machinegun being driven back into her shoulder made her feel ecstatic. She hadn’t felt this way since the Plague, when Pinkie was fighting in Canterlot, and Fillydelphia, and Appleloosa, she felt so, alive.

A gray stallion with an amber mane held up his hand to signal everypony to be quiet. He crept up beside the opened gate, and looked out.

The crack of a sniper rang through the street, and the stallion fell to the street, his eye blown out. He was still alive, and he was screaming his lungs out.

“MEDIC! I NEED A BUCKING MEDIC HERE!”

Pinkie Pie cringed at what she heard. A red-coated mare dragged the stallion away from the street, and gave him morphine.

“Celestia save us all,” a Stallion near Pinkie muttered. “Damn, everypony stay down! We’re holding this position! Nopony gets through!”

A wave of explosions sent everypony down lower onto the ground. Pinkie could see smoke over the crumbling walls. She also saw two attack helicopters rise from over the wall, and turn towards the city.

The rumbling of tank treads also alerted everypony that the Republicans were coming. Ponies rushed to their machineguns, and aimed it at the door. Others reached for anti-tank weapons, and made sure they were loaded.

The tank treads stopped suddenly when they sounded to be right outside the door. Pinkie heard voices, and footfalls. They were right outside the walls!

“Open fire when they all come through,” the stallion officer ordered. “I want to make sure that there won’t be any reinforcements coming in when we’re engaged.”

“Yes sir.” Pinkie said. She raised the M240B’s sights, and trained them on the street. She watched as a couple dozen infantry units walked through the walls, accompanied by five Shermane tanks. The helicopters had long since passed over Pinkie’s position. Those Republicans were all alone.

Once the last tank had passed through the city walls, the stallion stood up. He raised his rifle, and shot down a soldier.

“Open fire!” He ordered. Pinkie fired a burst of her M240B, and took down a pink mare. Her blood splattered onto a Shermane, which turned its gun at the building Pinkie and seven other ponies were on top of.

“Oh hay,” the dark green stallion shouted. “Get the buck off of this!”

Pinkie Pie grabbed her M240B, and ran after the officer. The tank fired its gun, and threw Pinkie Pie onto a fire escape two stories down. She hit it hard on her left leg.

“Ow!” She said. “That hurt!”

“Pinkie Pie,” the officer shouted, “You alright?!”

“Yeah,” Pinkie said, grimacing as she got onto her feet. “I’m fine!”

She ran inside the apartment building, only to jump back as the entire façade of the building collapsed onto the street. She got up slowly, and grabbed her machinegun. She limped to the edge of the building, and laid down. She deployed her bipod, and laid the M240B on the floor.

There were more and more Republican soldiers were coming through the gates. Pinkie’s forces were being decimated by the Republican tanks and soldiers. The sounds of gunshots and explosions drowned out everything else.

Pinkie Pie fired a burst at a group of Republican soldiers taking cover behind a slab of rubble just below her. Blood splattered onto it as one soldier fell. The other two turned around, and returned fire. Pinkie jumped up, and ran back towards the fire escape.

The sound of three fighter jets above got her attention for just a second. They passed over the street, and dropped cluster bombs.

It all happened in a split second. Suddenly, the entire street was enveloped by explosions. The sound of the explosions were deafening beyond belief. The shockwave of the explosion toppled the building Pinkie Pie was on, and she only narrowly escaped certain death.

“Ow,” she grumbled, “That REALLY hurt!”

She got up slowly after that. She grabbed her M240B, and limped off. There were few, if any, survivors, and Pinkie knew she needed to get somewhere else to get help. The ambush had failed, and the Republicans had a way to enter the city.

The Equestrian defense was falling apart. The only hope for survival would be the reinforcements from the Fifth Fleet.
***

Rainbow Dash swallowed hard as her plane taxied onto the steam catapult. She had gone through her pre-flight checks, and only needed to wait for the catapult to launch her into the air.

“This is tower, Wonderbolt 1-13.”

“Go tower,” Rainbow Dash replied.

“We have eyes on Republican aerial forces inbound for the Fifth Fleet. You are being redirected to assist in the defense. You will not be heading to Jerhoofalem.”

“Roger, tower.” Dash said, “Wonderbolt 1-12 reads you.”

“Roger that. Wonderbolt 1-12, you are cleared for takeoff.”

Dash dreaded to hear those words. She had never been so nervous about flying since she was a filly. She had never taken off from an aircraft carrier, had never been launched by something she couldn’t control. She could only strap in, and be ready to take control once she left the flight deck.

Two seconds had passed before Dash heard the catapult release. She was sent back into her chair as the F/A-18 Super Hornet was launched across the flight deck, and was thrown off.

Dash immediately grabbed the stick, and pulled it towards her. She also grabbed the throttle, and slammed it forward. The plane was off, and Dash turned to the left to meet the Republican air units head on.

“Wonderbolt 1-12, this is AWACS callsign COLT, do you read me?”

“I read you, COLT.” Dash said, “What is it?”

“The Republican forces are seventeen clicks from your present AO. There are about a dozen of them, most of them fighter bombers. You, along with War Horse Squadron will confront and destroy them.”

“Roger that,” Dash said, “Moving to location.”

Dash turned her head to see five other F/A-18s fly behind her. They were all painted a pearly white, and had a brown horse rearing up on both sides of the cockpit.

“Wonderbolt 1-12, this is War Horse 1-1. I have been instructed to be put under your command. What is our plan of attack, ma’am?”

“Oh, um,” Dash said, “We’re going to attack them head-on. They’re mostly fighter bombers, so we can outmaneuver them. After that, do whatever’s necessary to take them down.”

“Roger that, Wonderbolt 1-12.” The mare said. “Alright, War Horse Squadron, let’s show these Republican flank-holes what we can do!”

“Hostiles are seven clicks, and closing quickly.” COLT reported, “Get ready, Wonderbolt 1-12.”

Dash ignored the comment. She focused on the specks on the horizon that were the Republican air units. There weren’t too many of them. She could easily take them on. Dash and her group of fighters were moving closer and closer to the Republican forces. Their squadron was becoming tighter and tighter, until their wings were almost touching.

“Three clicks,” COLT reported, “Get ready to engage.”

Like Dash needed that remark. She was born ready to dogfight. Why she hadn’t joined the Air Force earlier, she didn’t know. She guessed it was destiny that she would stay in Ponyville and befriend Twilight and the others.

She shook her head. She shouldn’t have been thinking of fate at a time like this. She needed to focus.

“Stay in formation,” she ordered, “You stray, and you die.”

There was no answer, but nopony strayed. As the two groups of military aircraft neared, Dash’s heart beat faster and faster inside her chest. Sweat was beading her eyebrows; this was certainly nerve-racking for the mare.

In a split second, the two crossed paths. Almost immediately, the squadron rolled to the left, and came up behind the group of fighter bombers. Upon investigation, Dash identified them as Sukhoof Su-34 fighter bombers. They were painted a cerulean blue to blend into the ocean.

“Everypony pick an individual target.” Dash ordered, “Not one reaches the fleet, do you hear me?”

“Yes ma’am!” Everypony answered.

“They’re behind us sir!” Dash heard through her comm link, “Should we do anything, sir?”

“No,” she heard another voice say, “Shadowbolt Squadron, you will stay in formation.”

Dash maneuvered behind one of the fighter bombers, and got a radar lock on it. The pilot pulled the aircraft up in a desperate attempt to evade Dash. She followed him, keeping the lock on him.

“I’m locked on!” Dash heard, “Evading!”

The Su-34 rolled over twice to the right, and dove towards the ocean. Dash, caught by surprise, followed a few seconds after. Whoever this pilot was, he was pretty good.

“COLT,” Dash reported, “How am I hearing hostiles on my comm link?”

“We don’t know, Wonderbolt 1-12.” COLT replied, “We are attempting to figure it out. Until then, use it to your advantage!”

Rainbow Dash stayed on the Su-33’s tail, who tried every maneuver in the book to try and get out of Dash’s lock. It climbed rapidly, only to perform a split-s maneuver to try and shake Dash. And the Shadowbolt almost did. Dash could barely stay on its flank.

The Su-33 leveled out one hundred feet above the ocean. It kicked in the afterburners, and sped by at supersonic speeds. Dash smirked, and followed. She could barely keep up, but she pushed the Hornet to its limits.

She let loose a shirt burst of machinegun fire, which grazed the right wing of the Su-33. Hydraulics and smoke leaked from the wing. The pilot turned to the right, and pulled up. Dash effortlessly followed it.

Finally, after two minutes of intense maneuvering, she finally got a lock. She fired two AIM-9 Sidewinder rockets at the exposed Su-33.

“Fox two, fox two!” Dash called. She watched as the missiles impacted the Su-33’s fuselage. The aircraft was torn apart by the explosions, and Dash saw no parachute.

“He’s down.” Dash declared, “I have a confirmed kill.”

Dash turned back towards the furball that had ensued between War Horse and Shadowbolt Squadrons. She kicked in her afterburners, and sped towards it.

There had been two confirmed kills from Shadowbolt Squadron, leveling the playing field. Everypony was engaged in some sort of dogfight, and the comm link was filled by correspondence from both sides.

“COLT, this is Wonderbolt 1-12,” Dash said.

“Go, Wonderbolt 1-12.”

“Requesting reinforcements, sir,” Dash reported, turning behind another Su-33. “We can’t hold our own against them!”

“Say no more, Dash.”

Dash turned her head, and saw three F-15 Eagles swoop past her. They parted, and shot down two Su-33s immediately.

“Took you long enough, Spitfire,” Rainbow Dash groaned.

“We wanted to be fashionably late.” Spitfire said, “What can I say? It took us a long time to get our hands on these babies.”

“Shadowbolt Squadron,” Dash heard again over her comm link. “Mission has been aborted. Retreat from airspace.”

The remaining nine Su-33s turned away from the furball, and flew back towards the horizon. Dash was turning to pursue, but relented when COLT said otherwise.

“Wonderbolt 1-12,” COLT ordered, “Your orders are to return to the ENS Princess Celestia to receive refueling and armament and head to the Jerhoofalem airspace. Leave Shadowbolt Squadron to lick its wounds. You’ve done your job.”
***

“GRENADE!!!”

Applejack heard the scream from across the street. She turned her head to watch a Republican soldier grab it, only to have it explode it in his hand. He fell to the sidewalk, his arm and side mangled beyond recognition.

She hid her head behind the slab of rubble she was behind when bullets slammed against it. She watched a Shermane tank drive up the street, and take an entire wall down of a building at the three-way intersection they were trying to take.
Applejack laid down on her chest, and crawled to the side of the rubble. She aimed her AEK-971, and fired blindly to suppress them while other Republican soldiers ran forward. She got up, and ran inside an open-air market to take cover from rifle fire.

“Major!” Applejack turned to see a purple coat and blue mane run up beside her. “We need to take out that machine gunner on that apartment balcony!”

“Well let’s get goin’ then!” Applejack agreed. They ran out of the market, and onto an abandoned parking lot. They hid behind a red sedan, with a perfect firing angle on the machine gunner.

“Supressin’ fire y’all!” Applejack shouted. She rested her assault rifle on the hood of the sedan, and fired on the balcony. The machine gunner laid down on the floor to avoid the fire.

The Pegasus went up into the air, and threw her grenade onto the balcony. Three seconds later, and explosion sent the balcony crashing through three others before coming to a rest on the sidewalk below.

Applejack slid behind a wrecked car in the middle of the street, and reloaded her rifle. Bullets pounded the other side of the car, but failed to hit her. Applejack pulled out the empty magazine, and reached for a new one, only to find none.

“Damn,” she muttered. She reached for her sidearm, a lone .44 Magnum. She crept out of cover, only to jump back as machinegun fire suppressed her. She hated to admit it, but she was pinned down.

“Ah need some cover fire y’all!” Applejack shouted, peeking her head above the hood. She heard three Republican troops get behind the car a few feet behind her, and heard them load their rifles.

“Covering fire!”

The Republicans opened fire on the apartment complex at the fork of the road that was suppressing them. Applejack bolted out of cover, and rolled inside a diner as small arms fire hissed past her head.

Applejack upholstered her Magnum, and pulled back the hammer. She trained its sights at the entrance, waiting for the Celestial troops that were sure to come.

Applejack was growing fatigued and tired. She had been fighting for over fifteen hours straight, and she desperately needed sleep. Only the adrenaline coursing through her veins kept her awake. Though she could go on for a few more hours, she knew she would give in to the demand of sleep soon if the Celestials didn’t retreat.
***

Twilight sparkle climbed into the AH-6 Little Bird helicopter that would take her back to Jerhoofalem. While she had been invited to stay by Admiral Wave Roller, she had politely declined. She needed to head back into combat.

As soon as she climbed inside the Little Bird, the pilot turned on the engines, and they were airborne in thirty seconds. The flight deck of the Princess Celestia was virtually empty now; nearly all of the jets had taken off.

It was mid-afternoon, and Wave Roller had been notified that Republican troops were now attacking Jerhoofalem itself. He had promptly called Princess Celestia to report the bad news, and she had not been pleased.

Twilight sighed. She never did like war or fighting of any kind. But when Princess Celestia said they would be fighting, how could she refuse? There was just no way of telling her no. She usually was very compassionate and benevolent, but when there was a crisis, she took things very seriously and not so light-heartedly. More than once, when Twilight was living in Canterlot, she had seen Celestia unleash her anger on subordinates.

The helicopter was cruising over the Meditermanean Sea that Jerhoofalem was set up against. Even though she was miles away, Twilight swore she could see each and every explosion destroying the ancient city.

She checked over her Barrett rifle. There seemed to be nothing wrong cosmetically. She then placed it on the floor, and disassembled it with her magic. She slowly inspected each and every piece just to occupy herself. She needed to keep her mind off of what was going on inside the city.

“We’re nearing the DZ, ma’am.”

Twilight looked up, and reassembled the rifle. She slung it over her shoulder, and grabbed the door handle. When they arrived, she wanted to get off as fast as she could. She knew she didn’t want to be caught in a helicopter crash.

“Three hundred meters to the drop zone, ma’am!” The pilot called. “The DZ’s hot!”

Twilight threw open the door of the Little Bird, and was immersed in the sounds of warfare. Cracks of gunfire, booms of explosions, cries of soldiers, and the crumbling of buildings all startled Twilight. Even though she was no stranger to fighting, she had never fought in an urban environment.

The Little Bird maneuvered towards a small, two-story apartment at the fork of a road in the Residential District of Jerhoofalem. A large volume of Republican troops were concentrated there, and the Admiral directed her to go there to keep them there.

As the helicopter neared the apartment, Twilight immediately wanted to head back to the ship.

For a second, Twilight regretted saying no to Wave Roller.
***

“We need to get her to the operating room, stat!”

The medevac helicopter carrying Rarity and other wounded touched down on the airfield. Rarity was immediately put onto a stretcher, and taken to an operating room, where a surgeon was waiting.

“What seems to be the problem here?” The doctor asked as he put on the clear latex gloves.

“She has a bullet lodged in her shoulder,” Dapper Crescent explained. “She’s lost a lot of blood as it’s lacerated her left subclavian artery. She’s already lost consciousness. We need to get the bullet out, and mend the artery.”

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” the doctor reached for a scalpel. Rarity was wheeled under the light, and the doctor cracked his knuckles.

“We need her to stay alive, doctor.” Dapper Crescent said before leaving, “She’s an Element Bearer.”

“Oh, that’s where I’ve seen her before.” The doctor chuckled, “I’ll make sure she won’t die. Now, if you would…”

Dapper Crescent was already out of the door. The doctor picked up the scalpel, and began to cut into Rarity’s shoulder to find the bullet.

It would be four hours of intensive surgery before Rarity left the operating table.
***

“This is Tar Hoof Armored Battalion to anypony hearing this, we need air support! We’re pinned down!”

“Guess that’s us, Flutter.” Solar Chaser said.

“Let’s go.” Fluttershy responded. She had just left the airfield having been refueled and rearmed. She was heading back into the fight alongside a different squadron of recently acquired Hoofcopter Tiger attack helicopters.

“This is AWACS FULL MOON to Fighting Tiger Squadron,” Fluttershy heard through the radio. She had the frequency set to this squadron’s, as her own frequency would be too confusing this far from the city.

“Go, AWACS.” The leader of the squadron replied.

“Tar Hoof Battalion needs your support in the Residential District. It is essential that you get there in time. They’re getting hit hard from up here.”

“This is Flutter 1-1 to AWACS,” Fluttershy said, “I am moving with Fighting Tiger Squadron to provide CAS, over.”

“Be advised Flutter 1,” FULL MOON answered, “There is a heavy concentration of AA weaponry in the area. Keep moving.”

“Roger that, AWACS,” Fluttershy replied a little sheepishly.

“Flutter 1,” the Fighting Tiger leader said, “You’re that Element Bearer, aren’t you?”

“Oh, yes.” Fluttershy said. “I’m flattered somepony even knows me.”

“It’d be hard not to, what with saving Equestria every week or so.” The leader said, “Call me Tiger 1 for clarification. It’s easier that way.”

“Okay, if you say so.” Fluttershy said. “Let’s get going then, Tiger 1.”

As the group of about ten helicopters moved towards the Jerhoofalem airspace, a cluster of about 12 cruise missiles flew past them and impacted onto a street intersection below. Buildings collapsed as the rockets tore up the street and anything on ground level.

“Airspace is hot, everypony.” Fluttershy reported, “Stay together, and I think we’ll stay up.”

“You heard the mare,” Tiger 1 replied, “Tighten up!”

“Uh, Flutter,” Solar Chaser said behind Fluttershy.

“Oh, what is it?” Fluttershy asked nicely.

“We’ve got incoming aircraft, twelve clicks from our current AO.” Solar Chaser answered, “Get down low.”

“Aircraft inbound, stay low!” Tiger 1 ordered, “We need to get to that armored battalion!”

“Seven clicks away, two clicks from missile range.” Solar Chaser said grimly, “Everypony stay below seven hundred meters!”

Fluttershy could now see the enemy aircraft in the distance. They seemed to be going extremely fast, and from what she could tell, they looked to be stealth aircraft.

“They’re in missile range!” Solar Chaser yelled. “We’ve got a lock!”

“Throw flares!” Fluttershy yelped, “Everypony throw flares!”

There was a spectacle of missile-avoiding flares everywhere as the ten helicopters threw off a volley of flares to counter the missiles inbound. The missiles missed, and either hit the streets, or the few high-rise buildings still standing.

The jets zoomed over the helicopters soon after that. The entire event took less than thirty seconds. The jets dropped cluster bombs, and turned away. They weren’t going for the helicopters. Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief, and continued on to provide close air support.

They reached the Tar Hoof Battalion soon after. They hovered above the intersection, and pounded the large, five-story hotel with rockets and minigun fire, allowing the infantry and armor below to advance.

Fluttershy let loose a barrage from her rocket pods before she heard a rapid beeping inside the cockpit.

“What’s going on?” Fluttershy panicked.

“We’ve got a lock!” Solar Chaser yelled, “Evasive maneuvers would help!”

Fluttershy yelped and yanked the stick back and to the left. The helicopter raced back to avoid the missile. Inside the cockpit, there was an incessant beeping pounding against Fluttershy’s ears. It was completely annoying, and only panicked her more.

Suddenly, the beeping stopped. Fluttershy looked back to Solar Chaser, who only shook his head.

“I don’t know what happened.” He said. “You’re the pilot.”

“Well I do.”

Fluttershy cocked her head suddenly, and replied.

“Tiger 1, what do you mean by that? What’s going on?”

“I know what happened to the missile, ma’am.” Tiger 1 replied. She sighed, and said, “We can’t have an Element bearer go down in flames, now can we?”

Fluttershy gasped, and said, “Tiger 1, you don’t mean…”

“Of course I do.” She replied. “I got the missile off your tail. Tell my coltfriend I love him, alright Tiger 2?”

“Yes ma’am.” Tiger 2 replied coldly, not unlike a robot. “I’ll make sure of that. It’s been an honor, ma’am.”

Fluttershy looked to see the Tiger helicopter get slammed by the rocket. It hit the helicopter in the fuselage, and tore the helicopter apart. It completely destroyed the tail, and the helicopter descended in a flat spin towards the hotel. It crashed into the center floors, and the hotel erupted in flames.

Tears were streaking down Fluttershy’s face as she saw this unfold. The immense kindness and sacrifice on her behalf by a complete stranger shocked her.

“Uh, Flutter.” Solar Chaser said, “I hate to interrupt, but we have a mission to do.”

“I know.” Fluttershy replied in a cold tone. “They’ll pay for that.”

Fluttershy climbed, and flew towards the hotel. She fired a volley of missiles at it, and watched the flaming wreck collapse. She turned around, and strafed the infantry and light armor at the fork of the road with gunfire and missiles. Explosions rose above the tallest apartments on that street as the highly flammable fuel ignited.

“Tar Hoof Battalion to CAS,” Fluttershy heard through her helmet, “Thanks for the assist. Come on now, let’s move ponies! YEE-HAW!”
***

“What I want to know is why we’re still fighting in Jerhoofalem, General!”

Thunder Roller looked down at that remark. His forces had been bogged down in Jerhoofalem for over a month and a half now. It was the only city in eastern Equestria Celestia still held, apart from Nipponi Island. The Fifth Fleet was continuously harassing his advances, and the fighting there had evolved into building by building, floor by floor, and room by room combat.

“Miss Luna,” he said, “If we are to win in Jerhoofalem, we need to take out the Fifth Fleet. With them breathing down my neck, I can’t hope to advance because of their battleships and aircraft carriers.”

“Then I want it sunk, General.” Nightmare Moon replied harshly. “I thought you would have a quick victory there. It seems I was mistaken. Everywhere in the East except for Nipponi Island is held by us, and you can’t take a simple city?”

“It is not that easy!” Thunder Roller shouted, but immediately silenced himself. He knew he had gone too far.

“Not that easy, you say?” Nightmare Moon said calmly. “I think taking a city would be child’s play compared to running an entire nation at war, with generals who can’t seem to accomplish the simplest objectives! This battle has been going on for a month and a half now, and I must invade the west before winter arrives in two months. And you are making it very hard to accomplish this goal.”

Nightmare Moon stood up, and looked out towards the city of Stalliongrad. Already, temperatures were crisp in the northern city. The ponies walking the streets wore their heavy coats and hats to protect themselves from the bitter wind gusts the city was infamous for.

She turned, and looked at a map of Jerhoofalem. Along the map, there were blue and white blocks representing large concentrations of Republican and Celestial troops. The city seemed to be split down the middle, with Nightmare Moon holding most of the Residential and Park Districts, while Celestia held the Financial and Industrial Districts, and most importantly, the Temple of the Sun and Moon.

She looked at it, and glanced at Thunder Roller. He was nervous; sweat was beading down his forehead. He was pulling at his collar, and swallowed loudly.

“General,” she said, standing up, “Right now, my sister is begging the Elk and Deer for military support. I will be leaving for Whoazambique to talk with the Zebras, and to Sibearia City to convene with the Bears. While the Bears are communist, I hope to obtain an alliance from both of them. They are enemies of Celestia, and it seems likely they would help me. I am appointing Loyal Shadow to be the de facto leader of the New Lunar Republic while I am away.”

“Loyal Shadow?” Thunder Roller asked, astounded that she would pick his rival for Supreme Commander, “Comrade, I think that I…”

“Say nothing further, General.” Nightmare Moon said, “I have already made my decision. And if I am not mistaken, you have a city to take. Make no mistake, General. I want this done.”

Thunder Roller saluted, and walked out of the office. Once he did, Nightmare Moon picked up a red phone, and immediately, the other line picked up. This phone was connected to Ibearia, the country of the Bears.

“Hello, Comrade Luna,” their Premier, Ivan the Coldhearted, answered, “What can I do for you today?”

“I trust you got my cable?” Nightmare Moon inquired.

“Why yes, Comrade.” Ivan replied, “When will you be stopping by?”

“After I make a stop in Zecornia.” Nightmare Moon answered, “I believe we can have a very fruitful alliance.”

“Da, you are not the only one who wants to see Celestia dethroned.” Ivan said. “And you are leaving for Zecornia when?”

“Soon, Premier.” Nightmare Moon said, “I bid you goodbye, Premier Ivan.”

“And you as well, Comrade Luna.” Ivan replied.

Nightmare Moon hung up the red phone. Her plan was working exactly the way she planned it would.
***

Applejack had been exhausted beyond belief for the past three weeks. She had had little sleep, and even then it was a very light sleep. She was awake for twenty hours day, with only four hours of very uneasy rest. After that, she was back into the hell of war.

Right now, she was inside another bland apartment block the Celestials were using as a forward command post. She had acquired a submachine gun from a dead Mare, a UMP-45 equipped with a holographic sight and foregrip. So far, she had killed more ponies with it than she could count.

They were about to breach the entrance. No doubt there were machineguns guarding the entrance. Many of these good ponies would die. So many of them did, she could hardly keep track of who died and who lived in her battalion.

“A’ight, on one, we breach that there door, ya hear?” Applejack said over the gunfire. “Three, two, one, breach it!”

A violet stallion with a yellow mane kicked open the door. Almost immediately, he was shot up, and fell to the street a bloody mess.

“Damn it!” Applejack shouted, “Somepony get a grenade in there!”

A yellow mare grabbed a grenade, and threw it inside the room. The explosion erupted four seconds later. Applejack got up, and dove inside the door. She dove behind a sofa, and waved her hand at her squadmates.

“Get in here ya scaredy ponies!” Applejack shouted, “Ah can’t do this alone, ya know!”

Her four other squadmates ran inside the apartment, and took cover behind furniture. Applejack looked over the sofa, but ducked down after a burst of gunfire hissed past her ear.

“Open fire!” Applejack ordered. She rolled on the floor, and aimed her UMP-45 at the kitchen, where the Celestial soldiers were holed up. She fired a burst from her submachine gun, but hit nopony in the kitchen. Gunfire sent her back behind the sofa. Her other squadmates were firing into the kitchen with their assortment of weaponry.

“Keep it up, y’all!” Applejack shouted, “Just keep firin'!”

Applejack vaulted over the sofa, and took cover behind a wall. She was so close to the Celestials she could hear them breath. She crept to the edge of the wall, and stuck her UMP-45 into the kitchen. She fired blindly into the kitchen, and heard the screams of injured Celestials.

Silence swept over the apartment. Applejack turned to her squadmates, and nodded. They got up from their cover, and walked next to her. She reloaded her UMP-45, and combat-rolled into the kitchen.

There were only two Celestials out of the five that were in the kitchen that were unharmed and alive. Once they saw the squad of four Republican soldiers pointing weapons at them, they dropped their weapons. They slowly raised their hands over their heads, and went to their knees.

“A’ight,” Applejack said, “Get ‘em out of here. Ah want them extracted now.”

She sighed, and sat down on the sofa. While this apartment was quiet, the entire apartment block was filled with the sounds of gunfire. Outside the block was even louder. The booms of explosions could be heard miles away.

Applejack shook her head. She couldn’t believe that she had been doing this for a month and a half.
It had to end soon. It had to.
***

Rarity awoke in her hospital bed calmly. Her bandages on her shoulder had been removed, and she could move it slowly with a moderate amount of pain. The doctors told her it would be another month before she could go back into combat. But she didn’t mind. She was never one for fighting a war.

She sat up, and sighed peacefully. She was well fed, bathed, and taken care for. She had even gotten around to designing a few dresses!

“Good morning, Rarity.” Dapper Crescent greeted.

“Good morning, Doctor.” Rarity responded sleepily. “Anything from the front?”

“No, nothing, I’m afraid.” Crescent sighed, “It’s been over a month, and thousands have died. It’s absurd, don’t you think?”

“Of course I do!” Rarity exclaimed, “When I had my arm nearly blown off, and they’ve only advanced a few feet. It’s appalling, I tell you!”

“No need to be so dramatic about it.” Crescent chuckled. Normally, Rarity would have snapped at anypony else who would’ve said something like that, but all she could do now was giggle and conceal her red cheeks. He just made her feel so giddy. Sadly, he didn’t pick up on her attraction. Rarity had made it her crusade to make him love her before she went back into combat a month and a half from now.

“Well, I’m dramatic.” Rarity said. “A fashion designer such as myself can’t get anywhere without it.”

“So that’s what you are. A fashion designer,” Crescent said, checking her readings on the machines she was strapped to. “I’ve seen almost everypony, but no fashion designer.”

“I’m one of the biggest designers in Western Equestria, I’ll have you know.” Rarity said. “My dresses are worn to balls in Canterlot, Manehattan, Trottingham and Marelin, well, before the war.”

“A lot of ponies are talking about before the war,” Crescent said, sitting down on a chair beside her bed. “Maybe it’s because I’m around wounded and dying ponies every day.”

“Well,” Rarity sighed, “Do you have any stories from the pilots on the airbase?”

“I do have one, now that you mention it.” Crescent replied. “There was this one Pegasus Mare. A cute one, might I add; she’s a helicopter pilot. Pilots one of those gunships that fly over and strafe the city and kills a lot of Celestials. She told me that when the battle began, in the first few days, she was moving with an entire squadron of Hoofcopter Tigers, and that they were attacking a roadblock, and that they…”

Rarity stopped listening to Crescent, and only looked towards his face. She intricately studied his entire chiseled face. His violet coat shined under the lights of the room, and made him look angelic. His orange mane swept over part of his face, almost going down to one of his teal eyes, making him that much dreamier. His body was in shape, and his muscles were large, but not so large that they were unattractive. He seemed to be one of those doctors who worked out at the airfield gym after work.

Rarity was almost drooling when Crescent asked her a question.

“Excuse me?” Rarity asked embarrassingly, “I didn’t quite catch that.”

“It’s a lot to take in.” He agreed. “I asked if you knew the pilot.”

“Well,” Rarity said, “I know of a friend who pilots a Hind gunship, but she doesn’t sound like who you were talking about.”

At that moment, the door to the room opened. Rarity turned, and saw Fluttershy walk in shyly.

“Hello Fluttershy!” Rarity said, sitting up in her bed. “You’re early today.”

“Oh, well,” Fluttershy said sheepishly, “I have another sortie over Jerhoofalem in an hour, and I was afraid I wouldn’t see you today.” She turned to see Dapper Crescent, and smiled shyly. “Oh, hello Doctor, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“You know him?” Rarity asked.

“She was the pilot I was telling you about!” Crescent said indignantly. “You weren’t listening to me!”

“Oh, did I do something wrong?” Fluttershy asked, lowering her head.

“No, you didn’t.” Crescent said. “Rarity, I thought you were listening to me. You were looking at me so intensely…”

His eyes widened, and then he smirked.

He chuckled, and said, “I know now.”

“What do you mean?” Rarity chuckled.

“You were shaping me up, weren’t you?”

“What?” Rarity exclaimed. “No! Well, yes. Well…”

“I am good looking,” Crescent gloated jokingly, “Mares find me irresistible wherever I go.”

“Oh stop your gloating!” Rarity said, smacking him on the shoulder. “Whatever happened to being modest?”

“I will be,” Crescent replied, rubbing his shoulder, “If you don’t hit me again.”

“I think I’ll be going, now.” Fluttershy mumbled, backing away towards the door. She liked reading romantic novels every now and then, but she didn’t want to watch them act like that awkwardly.
Rarity and Crescent were looking at each other, until the door shut behind Fluttershy. Crescent cleared his throat, and got up from his seat.

“I should check on my other patients now.” He said awkwardly.

“Of course.” Rarity looked away, blushing a little. “I’ll see you later, then.”

“Yeah.” Crescent replied. “See you, Rarity.”

When he closed the door, Rarity nearly fainted.
***

“Wonderbolt 1-12, Wonderbolt 1-12, come in.”

“Go COLT.” Rainbow Dash answered. She was flying towards Jerhoofalem again for the thousandth time in her newly acquired F-15 Eagle. This time, she was flying with the rest of Wonderbolt and War Horse Squadron were flying to the NLR’s main airbase in the area.

“I have multiple perceived bogies on radar.” COLT reported. “You and Wonderbolt Squadron are cleared to engage.”

“Affirmative,” Spitfire replied over the frequency. “Wonderbolt and War Horse Squadrons are moving to neutralize.”

“You think it’s that Shadowbolt Squadron that’s been giving us trouble, Spitfire?” Soarin’ asked, maneuvering his F-15 closer to Spitfire’s.

“There seems to be enough of them.” Spitfire said. “Let’s just focus on taking them down, and then worry about who they were, okay?”

“Roger that.” Soarin’ replied. “So if it was Luna in one of those planes…”

“Be quiet, Soarin’.” Spitfire answered coldly, extinguishing his fun. “We need to focus.”

“Geez, tough crowd.” Soarin’ said. “Hey Dash, did you laugh?”

“COLT to Wonderbolt and War Horse Squadrons,” COLT interrupted, “Bogies are identified as Shadowbolt Squadron. Move to engage. Weapons hot.”

“Roger that,” Spitfire said. “Let’s move ponies!”

The group of about twenty F-15s and Super Hornets streaked over the ruined city of Jerhoofalem towards their objective. Rainbow Dash had a new copilot along for the ride, and this time was a stallion, a quite large one in fact. He had a blonde crew cut mane, a white coat, and tiny wings. Dash learned before they took off his name was Snowflake.

“You ready to go, Snowflake?” Dash asked, “It’s going to get a little hectic.”

“YEAAAH!” Snowflake shouted. “LET’S DO THIS!”

Dash rolled her eyes jokingly at his overenthusiastic attitude. He had been there when she went to the Wonderbolts Academy only a few years ago. When neither of them became Wonderbolts, they lost touch, though they never really talked to each other.

“Shadowbolt Squadron is within ten thousand feet,” COLT reported, “Go get ‘em!”

Dash looked to her right over towards Spitfire’s F-15. It was painted in the Wonderbolt paint job, blue with yellow lightning bolts going along both sides of the fuselage.

“Wonderbolt Squadron,” Spitfire said, bringing Rainbow Dash back to reality. “Engage!”

Immediately after that, the Wonderbolts broke formation. Dash climbed above Shadowbolt Squadron. She looked down onto them as she maneuvered herself in front of the sun. She activated her weapons systems, and turned down to engage.
She punched forward the throttle as she came within seven thousand feet of the Shadowbolts. She was coming in fast; she would only have time for her guns.

She fired a quick burst of her machinegun before diving below them. She knicked one of the Su-33s in the wing, and the Shadowbolts broke formation.

“We got one of them on us!” Snowflake called, “PULL UP!”

Dash immediately pulled back the stick. Her F-15 cut its speed drastically as it turned upwards. While Snowflake was questioning why she would do that, Dash knew what she was going to do.

She waited until the Su-33 passed under her three seconds later. Dash let the F-15 stall, and let it correct itself. When it did, she was right up behind the fighter.

“Fox 2!” Dash called as she let loose a Sidewinder missile. The missile accelerated towards the helpless Su-33. Rainbow Dash watched as it impacted the engines, and the entire fighter exploded into pieces. There was no time for the pilot to eject.

“He’s down!” Dash called, “Moving to engage other targets of opportunity!”

Dash pulled up, and saw the major furball that was ensuing. Even though the Shadowbolts were outnumbered almost two to one, they had already taken out three of the War Horse Squadron fighters. As Dash sped towards another fighter, one streaked past her nose.

She rolled over, and pursued it. Her instincts were so fast, she came up too close to use her missiles.

The Su-33 rolled to the left, and performed a tight turn to avoid Rainbow Dash. She just barely stayed on its tail as she struggled to try and salvage a good shot.

“I can’t get a shot!” She yelled to nopony in particular.

The Su-33 was guiding her on a wild goose chase. It had dived down close to the dunes outside of Jerhoofalem, and was trying to lose her in them. Dash desperately tried to stay on it as she maneuvered through the rising and falling of the dune landscape.

“He’s good.” She said, “But I’m better!”

She fired a burst of her machinegun as the Shadowbolt flew across her crosshair. The bullets impacted, and she saw smoke coming out of where she hit the fighter. While it still flew with little problems, it gave her a signal to follow if she lost it.

As the two fighters flew across the dunes, Dash could see something in the distance. She paid it no mind as she tried to get another shot on the enemy fighter. After hitting it with her guns, it was trying harder now to not get hit.

Dash kept an eye on the jet as she had an idea. She pulled the jet up, and slowed down. As she did, the jet got farther and farther away.

“You’re just letting him go?!” Snowflake shouted. “YOU’RE AN IDIOT!!!”

“Shut up, Snowflake!” Rainbow Dash retorted. “I know what I’m doing!”

As she righted the plane, she saw the jet was far enough to use her missiles. She got a lock, and fired another Sidewinder missile. The missile hit the Su-33, and it crashed onto the top of a dune.

“Have fun, Rainbow Dash.” She heard over the radio.

“COLT,” Dash responded, “Did you hear that?”

“Wonderbolt 1-12, get out of there!” COLT said hurriedly, “You just stumbled onto their airbase!”

“So that’s where he was leading me!” Dash said. “Damn it! I’m so stupid!”

“Um, Dash.” Snowflake said quietly, “You might want to hear this.”

“What?” Dash said, “Spit it out!”

“We’ve got three bogies on our tail.” Snowflake said, “They’re in missile range!”

“Buck!” Dash shouted, and immediately turned hard to the right. As she flew over the airbase, she got a lock from SAM sites below.

“Get out of there!” COLT said, “They’ve got a lock on you!”

“You think I don’t know that, COLT?” Dash said, “Now just shut up and let me fly!”

A rapid beeping erupted inside the cockpit as the SAMs on the airfield fired missiles at Dash. She punched in the throttle, and dove back into the dunes. She flew in between just about each and every dune as she tried to avoid the missiles on her tail.

“Dash,” Snowflake said sheepishly as the beeping sped up and got louder.

“I know!” She shouted as she performed a hard turn around a dune. As she did, one of the SAMs impacted that dune, and sent sand everywhere. She sighed as one of the other two lost her heat signature and impacted the hot desert sand as well.

“Two down, one to go.” Dash said. “See, Snowflake, I’m not that bad…”

“DASH!!!” Snowflake shouted, “WE’VE GOT A LOCK!”

“Oh buck it all!” She said, pulling the F-15 up into the sky. She rolled over and over to attempt to lose the lock. When she did, she rolled upside down, and dove. When she came up, she was face to face with the three fighters that were pursuing her.

As they passed, she fired her machineguns, hitting one in the cockpit, and sending it spiraling down towards the ground. She turned to the left, and followed another.

“Let’s go!” Dash shouted, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She followed it, and almost immediately got a lock. She fired her last Sidewinder at it, and watched as it combusted the fuselage and ripped the plane apart.

She smirked as she looked back, and saw the last of the three jets behind her. She pulled back the throttle and the stick, decimating her speed. The jet overshot her, and she leveled out behind the last fighter.

She fired her machinegun at it, and watched as one of the Su-33’s engines went out. The Su-33 belched smoke from its backside, and went down hopelessly, as it had stalled from the sudden loss of speed, never to recover.

Dash breathed a sigh of relief, and wiped a pool of sweat from her eyebrow. She looked back at Snowflake, and smirked.

“I told you I knew what I was doing.” She said.

Snowflake only shook his head and chuckled.

***

Two weeks after Dash’s mission to the airbase, the Equestrians began to take the upper hand. They had knocked out the runways for the Republican airfield, and with the air superiority, they began to retake the city of Jerhoofalem.

Thunder Roller, as a result, called in reinforcements from the Republican-held cities in close vicinity, Damarescus and the port of Trippony. The first waves of the reinforcements were arriving, and they were bogging down the Equestrian advance.

Nightmare Moon read over the report as she flew towards the capital of the country of the Bears, Ibearia. She had talked with the Chief Magistrate of Zecornia, Zeboro, and had secured an alliance on one term: if the Bears were willing to aid them financially and militarily, he would dispatch a Zebra Expeditionary Force to Jerhoofalem.

“Your Highness,” Nightmare Moon’s personal assistant, Peach Hooves, sheepishly said, “We are approaching Sibearia City airspace in a few minutes.”

“Good,” Nightmare Moon said, “You may return to your seat now.”

The bespectacled female Earth Pony nodded, and sat down. She had a snow white mane that went down to her shoulder blades wrapped in a tight pony tail, and a dark navy blue coat. She had magenta eyes, and wore thin, jet black eye glasses. If there was a need for a typical assistant, Peach Hooves would be the perfect choice.

Nightmare Moon sipped on a cup of her favorite mix of latte as the plane descended towards the runway. The plane was not large, but not small either. It used to be the private jet for a wealthy Stalliongrad entrepreneur, but he had given it to Nightmare Moon as a sign of his allegiance.

It was painted in a midnight blue coat, with the emblem of the New Lunar Republic on both sides behind the doors. The emblem was a yellow crescent moon tilted to the left with a star of the same shade where the middle of the moon if it had been full would have been. This was flanked on both sides by green olive branches, topped by a bright yellow star. Below this, was a scroll reading “Luna Nobis Custodit” which read “The Moon, our guard” in the ancient Equestrian language.

As the plane touched down and stopped, Nightmare Moon stood up, with the battlefield report by her side. She walked over to the door, and stepped onto the stairwell after Peach Hooves opened it.

The weather in Sibearia City was temperate and mild. There were few clouds in the sky, and the sun shone onto the capital city of the Bears.

Once she stepped off of the stairwell, she was greeted by none other than Ivan the Coldhearted. He shook Luna’s hand, and opened the door for her into his limousine, which was bearing the flags of the New Lunar Republic and Ibearia.

“Comrade Luna,” Ivan greeted, “It is so nice to meet you in person.”

“And I you, Premier,” Nightmare Moon replied. “The weather could not be better, if I do say so myself.”

“This is a rare gem here.” Ivan sighed, “It is usually cold and rainy, as the mountains separating us from the Elk and Deer countries keep the rain falling here.”

“Trust me, Premier; I am quite used to the cold.” Nightmare Moon said, “The cold nights of Stalliongrad leave no room for negotiations.”

“Ah, but this weather does.” Ivan said as the limousine began to pull away from the airport and onto an expressway. “Now, what can we do for you?”

“That is what this meeting will decide, Premier.” Nightmare Moon replied nonchalantly.

“Good answer.” Ivan said. “I will wait for us to return to the Palace before we talk of politics.” He reached for a bottle of
brandy, and poured himself a glass. “Something to drink, Your Highness?”

“No, thank you.” She replied. “I don’t drink.”

“Ah, I see.” Ivan chuckled, “Here, it does not matter if I get a little tipsy. If the people complain, I take away their electricity, or maybe their gasoline. They are at my mercy.”

The limousine seemed to be the only vehicle on the expressway as it sped towards Sibearia City. It was a very historical city, and there were few high-rise buildings. The vast majority of the buildings in the city were housing developments, and there were few temples for worship, as the Ibearian government had outlawed quite a few religions, though the worship of Celestia and Luna was accepted by the State.

There were also many factories, as the communist country needed to keep manufacturing military equipment to be on the guard for a possible Deer or Elk attack at any moment. It was such an attack that had sent the world into conflict almost eighty years before, resulting in the Great Equine War, as Equestria supported the Bears after the Deer and Elk attacked unprovoked. Equestria won, and the Deer and Elk sided with Equestria after the war to avoid another war of this caliber.

But, the talks between Nightmare Moon could begin a war that would be much larger than anything the world had seen in over a thousand years.

Nightmare Moon smiled at the amount of power she held at the moment.

Tell me what you think! Sorry I couldn’t get this out sooner, but my brother needed my flash drive for a week and a half, and it held all of my writing. I also tried to conclude the Battle of Jerhoofalem in this chapter, but now I see that I couldn’t without it exceeding 10,000 words. *Sigh* Anyway, for clarification, Trippony is a pun for Tripoli, Ibearia is a pun for the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, Sibearia is a pun for Siberia, and Whoazambique is a pun for Mozambique. Also, "Luna Nobis Custodit" is Latin, for clarification. If I was mistaken in the translation, feel free to tell me! Next chapter: Will the talks between Nightmare Moon and Ivan the Coldhearted result in an alliance between the Zebras, Bears, and the New Lunar Republic? Will Celestia call on the Deer and Elk for assistance, bringing on a world war? What will happen to the Mane 6, and of all their companions? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 12: Branching Out

“Derpy, be a dear and get me another cup of coffee.”

The Doctor shivered. It was deathly cold outside the warmth of Stalliongrad. And the fact that the hut they were living in didn’t have heating either didn’t help.

“Yeah, sure,” Derpy smiled, “It’s coming up.”

“Thanks.” The Doctor replied. He rapidly tapped the keys on the keyboard, sending commands to the supercomputer set up in the middle of the hut. He was desperately finding a back door into the OFC Database in Manehattan, but so far, he was having no luck.

Suddenly, the phone rang. The Doctor swiveled on his chair, picked it up, and immediately went back to the computer.

“Yes?” He said into the phone.

“Doctor?” He heard a staunch Canterlot accent that he recognized as Luna. “Has there been any progress?”

“I am afraid not,” he replied, “Celestia’s got some good programmers. Although it’s only a matter of time until I break into the central database.”

“I would hope so, Doctor.” Luna replied, with static almost drowning her out. “I need that cannon in our hands.”

“Of course,” the Doctor replied, smiling in thanks as his coffee was put beside him. “I’m working on it now. Have fun in…”

“Sibearia City, Doctor,” Luna replied.

“Yes, yes, Sibearia City.” The Doctor murmured, “I’ll have that cannon ready and operational. You can count on that.”

“I better.” Luna then hung up her phone. The Doctor sighed, and replaced the receiver. He took a sip of the black coffee, and turned back to the computer screen.

“Come on,” he said, “There’s got to be something going into the database that I can bug…”

“Um, Doctor?” Derpy asked, “Are you going to sleep? It’s getting pretty dark outside.”

“Sleep?” The Doctor replied, “I haven’t slept in thirty six hours! I need to stay awake, or else I’ll miss my chance to get into the database!”

“Yeah…” Derpy said, trying to understand. “I guess this is good night?”

“Why, yes, of course.” The Doctor said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Derpy smiled, and walked off. The Doctor sighed. He couldn’t have picked a better assistant. Sure, Derpy was ditzy, but that meant she didn’t question his methods. He always hated those pestering assistants. He would rather be alone.

But, there was something, magnetic, about her bubbly personality. Something that made him laugh. Yes, that was it. She made him laugh. You don’t run into ponies that are in the field of science and technology that can make a pony laugh.

He shook his head. He turned back to the computer screen, and began sending commands into the computer. He tried again and again, but there was almost no way to get inside the firewall. IT almost made him pull his disheveled mane out.
He took another sip of coffee, and shook his head. There was no way to get inside.

Except, from the inside!

The Doctor turned, and picked up his phone, and dialed the number for the Republican Intelligence Ministry. He was onto something, he was certain.
***

Rarity was finally able to move her arm without pain. It had taken her almost two months, but now it was back to normal.
She was just walking out of physical therapy, when she saw Dapper Crescent pass by. She followed him instinctively, but from a distance. She didn’t want to seem stalkerish. Besides, her room was down the hall.

When Rarity reached her door, she coughed purposely, and very loudly. Dapper Crescent turned, and smiled when he saw her. He started to walk over, and Rarity’s heart fluttered in her chest.

“Hello Rarity,” he greeted, “How is the arm feeling?”

“Oh, it’s just delightful!” Rarity exclaimed, “It doesn’t hurt anymore. I can move it fully now.”

“That’s very good.” Dapper Crescent looked outside, and sighed. “It’s a shame we had to move north to Murmanesk.”

“Well having an air strike pummel your airfield, which is your only line of supply will do that.” Rarity answered. “Besides, I think the snow is prettier than the sands of the Sahayra.”

“I guess you’re right.” Dapper replied. “So, I believe you’ll be leaving soon?”

Rarity’s stomach dropped hearing him say that. She knew she didn’t want to go back to combat, but what say did she have? She sighed, and nodded.

“Yes, I believe I will.”

“Well, I think I’ll be staying here.” Dapper Crescent said, “I guess I’ll see you around then.”

He turned to walk away, but Rarity grabbed his shoulder. He turned, and looked annoyed.

“Well,” Rarity said, “I was thinking about going out tonight,” she said, “Since I’m being discharged today. I was thinking that it is dangerous for a mare to be out in the cold at night.”

Dapper Crescent looked out the window again, and turned to her. “I could come with you. Because that arm could still be acting up, you know?”

Rarity smiled. Dapper Crescent really sucked at covering up his emotions. She blushed, and said goodbye to him. He left, and she opened the door.

When she walked inside, she was met by a gray Unicorn mare with a dirty blonde mane. She wore a jacket and tie, all black. She wore sunglasses, which were also black, and carried a tan suitcase. She was flanked by two black-coated Pegasus stallions wearing matching suits. Beside her as well was a face she had not seen in months: Honey Song.

“Honey Song!” Rarity beamed, “It’s been too long! It was so sweet of you to visit me!”

The Unicorn cleared her throat obnoxiously, and said to Rarity, “I trust that you are Rarity, bearer of the Element of Generosity, and resident of Ponyville?”

“Why, who would I be then?” Rarity scoffed. “Who are you?”

“That is classified,” the Unicorn replied, “But I go by the alias Diamond Treasure. I was sent here by Princess Luna and
General Loyal Shadow to speak with you.”

She motioned for Rarity to sit down. She sat down on her bed as Diamond Treasure briefed her.

“I trust you know the Pegasus mare by the name of Derpy Hooves?” She said, showing her a picture of Derpy.

“Why yes, of course.” Rarity answered, “But what does she have to do with…”

“Then by extension you know Doctor Whooves, resident doctor of Ponyville?” Diamond Treasure asked, handing her a picture of the Doctor.

“Yes, I am quite acquainted, but…” Rarity said.

“They are in an undisclosed location outside of Stalliongrad.” Diamond Treasure said, “They are attempting to swing the balance of the war in our favor.”

“And what is that, exactly?” Rarity asked, “I demand an answer!”

“The good Doctor is having some difficulties with this task.” Diamond Treasure continued.

“But what in the name of Discord is he doing?!” Rarity asked, very annoyed.

“He is attempting to break into the Orbital Friendship Cannon Database,” Diamond Treasure answered, “But the firewalls are too sophisticated for even him to handle. But, if we can get somepony into Manehattan, and deactivate the firewalls, the Doctor should be able to take control of the cannon.”

“And where do I fit in?” Rarity asked, “I am flattered by this attention, but…”

“What we mean to tell you is that Princess Luna and General Loyal Shadow have agreed that you are the mare that should do this task.” Diamond Treasure answered, “Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will comprise of Miss Honey Song transporting you to Manehattan.

“From there, you will disable the firewalls in the Central Database by implanting a virus designed by the Equestrian Intelligence Agency. From there, the Doctor will be able to wrench control of the cannon over to our side.” Diamond Treasure said. “Do you accept the task given to you?”

“I have always wanted to go back to Manehattan since the plague,” Rarity muttered. She couldn’t decide then. She knew that the expectations of a princess and the Head of the Army were on her shoulders, but she was afraid she would be captured.

“What of my identity?” Rarity asked, “Won’t the Celestials recognize me?”

“We have that covered.” Diamond Treasure answered coldly. “Now, do you accept?”

“I believe I have no choice.” Rarity answered. “Yes, I accept.”

“Good,” Diamond Treasure said. “You will embark for Manehattan in four days.”

The four ponies walked out of her room. Rarity was left there, sitting on the foot of her bed. In the span of twenty minutes, she went from bachelorette to spy.

Well, at least espionage was more graceful than sniping.
***

The column of APCs and Marekava Mark IV main battle tanks rolled through the main boulevard of the ruined Financial District of Jerhoofalem. Ironically, they passed the Marekava Weapons Industries headquarters, the arms manufacturers who developed the Shermane and Mark IV tanks.

Pinkie Pie sat bored inside one of the APCs. Her leg was in a splint after the fall she had taken, but not much else could have been done. She stroked the top of her M240B, and counted the number of bolts going up the wall.

There was intelligence that suggested that a high-ranking Republican officer was hiding in the Financial District, primarily in the rubble of the M.R. Sahayran Coffee building. M.R. Sahayran was a popular coffee manufacturing company, and accounted for 23% of all coffee sales in the last year.

Pinkie Pie shook her head as she looked at the picture of the officer. The officer was a Pegasus mare, with a navy blue mane, with a light magenta coat, which was similar to Pinkie Pie’s.

She shrugged, and stuffed the photograph in her pocket. She looked at the pony across from her.

“Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie.” She said, “What’s yours?”

“Mine?” The mare asked. “Mine’s Vinyl Scratch. And her over there, she’s Octavia. We enlisted together.”

“Oh I remember you guys!” Pinkie Pie said, “I threw a party for you before the war!”

“Oh yeah,” Vinyl said, “You’re the one! You sure know how to throw a party.”

“That’s my special talent!” Pinkie Pie smiled.

“Would you three keep it quiet?” The gruff, gray-coated Sergeant Major hissed, “We need to be ready for anything!”

“Yes sir.” Octavia answered, “Won’t happen again, sir.”

The three ponies fell into silence. Only the rocking of the APC kept the cabin from being completely silent. Octavia looked her rifle, a standard M4A1 equipped with a holographic sight and a foregrip. Pinkie Pie began to look through the sights of her LMG, which was pointed at the floor. Vinyl put rounds inside of her Uzi submachine gun magazine, and placed the filled one in a pocket on her left side.

Without warning, the convoy slowed to a stop. All three of the mares looked up in confusion, and squinted their eyes when the back door opened, allowing the cabin to be drenched in sunlight.

“Alright, we’re here.” The Sergeant Major said, “Let’s go. Stay close to the convoy. There’re Republican snipers everywhere.”

They got out of the APC, and turned the safeties off of their weapons. Pinkie Pie could hardly contain her excitement. She loved playing a good game of hide-and-go-seek! She was beaming as they walked to the side of the desert-camouflaged APC.

“Alright everypony,” the Sergeant Major began, “Fan out. Holler if you find any Republicans.”

Pinkie Pie nodded, and moved to search in a hotel, which wasn’t hit as hard as the others.

The rubble from bombings and general warfare littered the streets. The buildings that were left standing were missing walls and floors, so only the skeletons of the once towering skyscrapers remained. Of course, there were a few relatively unharmed buildings, but the walls were riddled with bullets and all of the windows blown out.

Pinkie Pie kept close to one wall, with Octavia and Vinyl right behind her. They crept up to where the door should have been, and entered the building. The main lobby was completely ruined. Bodies in various stages of decay littered the floor, and bullet holes were everywhere.

Once they entered, Octavia went on all fours, and began to vomit at the sight of a half-decayed mare. Vinyl knelt next to her, and tried to calm her.

“Come on now, Octavia,” Vinyl said soothingly, “It’s alright. You’ve got to get up. Come on, we’ve got work to do.”

But Octavia stayed on the floor, vomiting. Vinyl looked up at Pinkie Pie, thinking she would have an idea.

“You stay here with her,” Pinkie Pie said in a surprisingly serious tone, “I’ll go have a little look-see.”

Vinyl nodded, and watched Pinkie Pie walk up the stairs, silent as a mouse. Though she didn’t act like one. She crept on her tippy-toes, with a very serious look on her face and with her LMG pointed forward. It almost looked comical, seeing a fully armed Equestrian soldier sneaking around on her tippy-toes.

But Pinkie Pie didn’t care. It’s how she sneaked around places silently. Any other way, and she would be heard a mile away. Pinkie Pie tip-toed up the stairs silently, getting onto the second floor with no problems at all. Now, she crouched close to the floor, and crept up to a door.

She stopped when she heard voices.

“We’re set to go, Colonel.” Pinkie Pie heard a male voice say.

“Good,” she heard a mare voice reply. It had to be the officer they were looking for. “We’ll wait until they start leaving.
Just stay quiet, and they won’t find us here.”

“Yes ma’am.” The stallion said, “Oh, and Major Applejack has given us the thumbs-up across the street.”

“Tell Applejack that they’ll fire after us.” The officer ordered.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Applejack?!” Pinkie Pie said, and then covered her mouth in horror.

“What was that?” The officer asked, “Private, check to see.”

Pinkie Pie heard a rifle being cocked, and footsteps towards the door. Pinkie Pie got up, grabbed her M240B, and ran down the stairs to where Vinyl and Octavia were sitting.

“Have you found anything yet, Pinkie?” Vinyl asked. She saw the look on Pinkie’s face, and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“They’re coming!” Pinkie Pie said, training her weapon at the door leading to the stairwell.

“Who?” Octavia asked, “Who’s coming?”

“The Republicans!” Pinkie Pie said almost incoherently because she was scared out of her mind. “I was upstairs, and I heard their voices, and then I heard something about Applejack and…”

“Wait, Applejack?” Vinyl asked, “You mean from Sweet Apple Acres?”

“CELESTIALS!”

Everypony turned their heads, and ducked down as bullets peppered the wall behind them. All across the street, gunfire erupted, and the shouts of officers filled the air.

Pinkie Pie, Vinyl and Octavia had all taken cover behind an overturned marble desk. It had to have been the concierge desk. Pinkie Pie rolled on the floor to the edge of the desk, and fired a burst of her M240B before rolling back into cover.

“They’ve got us pinned down!” Vinyl screamed, “Octavia, you got a frag on you?”

Octavia reached for her vest, and unlatched a standard-issue fragmentation grenade. She tossed it to Vinyl, who caught it with one hand. In the same motion, with her other hand, she pulled the pin off the grenade, starting the fuse. She stood up, and threw the grenade at the doorway.

“Get down!” She shouted, “This is going to be loud!”

And loud it was. After the grenade exploded, all the mares could hear was ringing. When they got their hearing back, they saw that the doorway as they had known it, rectangular in shape, was gone. All that was left was some dust and debris, and a huge opening in the wall. The Republican soldiers that had followed Pinkie Pie lay on the floor, mutilated and dead lying in a pool of blood.

Octavia whimpered at the sight of the carnage, but stopped when Vinyl finally slapped her across the face.

“You’ve got to get it together!” Vinyl said, “I’m not gonna drag your ass through this battle, okay? You need to do this.”

“Yeah… yeah okay,” Octavia said, “Let’s… let’s go.”

“There we go.” Vinyl said, pecking Octavia on the cheek, and brushing her hand across it. “Let’s go, Pinkie. I’ll take point.”

“Wait a minute,” Pinkie said, “You’re filly-foolers?”

“Yeah,” Vinyl replied, “What’s it to you?”

She then began to walk over the bodies and up the stairs. The other two followed behind her.

They were then pinned down by Republican fire from the second floor, which might as well have been the top floor, as the others had been blown out by bombing.

Pinkie Pie set up her M240B, and began to suppress them while Vinyl and Octavia moved forward to neutralize the threat.

This is going to be a long day, Pinkie thought.
***

“What the hay is goin’ on, Private?!” Applejack yelled over the outburst of gunfire.

“I don’t know!” The mare replied, “Apparently somepony shot at somepony else across the street!”

“Ah know that!” Applejack replied, “What caused it?”

“Celestials meeting us?” The private said unsurely, “It’s the most logical explanation.”

They were then silenced by machinegun fire from a Marekava tank’s machinegun turret. Applejack dropped to the ground, and grabbed her UMP-45. She turned off the safety, and turned it to semi-automatic. She needed to conserve ammo.

“Protect the Colonel, y’all!” Applejack ordered, “We can’t let ‘er fall into their hands!”

She got up, and fired four shots at the gunner. All of them missed, and only served to get his attention. He turned to .50cal machinegun, and fired into the office space they were hiding in. Applejack took cover behind a desk, and flinched as she felt bullets slam into the other end.

“Damn it,” Applejack shouted, “We gotta take out that there tank!”

At that moment, an auburn Earth Pony stallion grabbed an RPG-7V1 rocket launcher, and aimed it at the tank. He fired it, and watched as it impacted the engine compartment, but it didn’t explode.

“Buck it all,” the stallion shouted, “It was a dud, Major!”

“Ya think Ah don’t know that?!” Applejack shouted. She sighed, and looked at the column of tanks and APCs. There had to be four tanks, and three APCs. That meant about thirty Celestial soldiers against Colonel Diamond Darling’s force of about forty. Still, Applejack reasoned the Celestials were better equipped, so the Republicans were at a disadvantage.

She looked across the street to see in the ruined hotel, Colonel Diamond Darling firing down a staircase. She looked back, and saw Applejack. She shook her head in disgust, and turned back. Applejack hoped it was the situation. She never did like Applejack.

Diamond Darling was the daughter of an influential jewel dealer in Damarescus. Her flowing black mane, coupled with her tan coat, made for a very attractive mare in these parts. She had many a stallion looking for her affection, but she had vowed to never marry. When given the chance, she signed up for the Republican Army, and was granted the commission of Colonel to secure for Luna the trust of the Diamond family.

Applejack snapped back to reality when an explosion assaulted her eardrums. She looked down on the street, and saw a flaming APC. She also saw ponies, burning alive, run everywhere across the ruined street, screaming their heads off. She aimed her UMP-45 at them, and put two out of their misery.

“Direct fire at them APCs,” she instructed, “And PRG fire on those tanks. Then we can take the advantage.”

The soldiers around Applejack grunted in compliance. One of the soldiers set up a PKP Pecheneg Light Machinegun, and began to suppress the Celestials still on the street. The RPG-bearing stallion stood up again, and fired at another tank. This time, it went up in flames, and it was rendered useless in seconds.

Applejack stood up, leaning against the desk, and began to fire down onto Celestial soldiers. She shot one down before the others turned in her direction, and fired at her. She ducked in cover, and fired blindly at them.

“We gotta get outta here y’all!” She said, “Take the fight to ‘em!”

“Yes ma’am!” The group responded.

She got up, and fired three more rounds at the soldiers on the ground, emptying her magazine. She ran down the stairs, and was soon onto the street where the convoy was located. She ran outside, and took cover behind a ruined tank. There she pulled out her empty magazine, and loaded a new one. She pulled back the charging handle, and motioned for the others to follow.

They were coming out, when one soldier was shot in the neck. The poor mare fell to the ground, and began to choke on her own blood. One soldier tried to get to her to administer aid, but was shot in the chest four times, and fell next to her, dead.

“Buck!” She shouted, “Stay back! She’s baited!”

She crouched beside the tank, and fired at the Celestial soldiers. They were falling more and more, and the Republicans were gaining the advantage.

Maybe screwing up the plan was the best thing to happen to the plan.
***

After the airfield at Jerhoofalem had been destroyed, Fluttershy’s squadron, which by her request was now War Horse Squadron, was stationed at the port city of Neighjing, only thirty miles away from Nipponi Island, where the Republican Air Force and Navy was battering the last major stronghold Celestia held in the East.

Fluttershy was enjoying the more mild weather of Neighjing. It was cooler thanks to the ocean air, and there weren’t any major air strikes. While the Celestials occasionally sent a few planes to Neighjing, most of the air force on Nipponi Island was dealing with the naval blockade.

Fluttershy was busy finishing up the paperwork finalizing her transfer to War Horse Squadron. It was tiring work, and she hoped she would never have to do it again.

“Fluttershy, ma’am,” she heard on the speaker phone, “This is Lieutenant Colonel Lightning Strike.”

She immediately picked up the phone, and answered, saying, “Yes? What is it, sir?”

“We have a sortie for you and your squadron.” Lightning Chaser said in a thick Neighjing accent. “Your squadron is waiting for you in the briefing room.”

“Oh my,” Fluttershy said, “I’ll be right there. I hope I wasn’t a bother.”

“No, no!” Lightning Chaser replied, “Just get here, now.”

“Oh, okay then.” Fluttershy hung up the phone, and put on her cap, showing her new rank of Captain. After serving valiantly in Jerhoofalem, she was promoted so that she could take over War Horse Squadron. She fitted the navy blue cap on her head, made sure her mane went nicely with it, and walked out of her office.

She walked down a few corridors, until she came to the briefing room. She opened the door, and walked inside. Lightning Chaser turned to see her as she opened the door.

Lightning Chaser was a slight Pegasus stallion. He had a light yellow coat, not unlike Fluttershy’s, a jet black mane and matching black, slightly slanted eyes. He displayed a sense of arrogance; his family was very influential in the industrial city
of Neighjing.

“Lieutenant Colonel,” Fluttershy greeted, snapping to attention and throwing a smart salute. “Captain Fluttershy is reporting for duty, sir.”

“Captain, take a seat.” Lightning Chaser replied. Fluttershy nodded, and sat down, flattening her skirt before she did. She looked at the Lieutenant Colonel, who was referring to a map projected onto the wall.

“As you all know,” Lightning Chaser began, “We have been using Neighjing as a base of operations for our naval siege of Nipponi Island, a highly industrialized and technologically advanced region. If we were to take this, it is in Princess Luna’s best interests that Intelligence finds out all the secrets Celestia is hiding there.

“Today, General Loyal Shadow has given the go-ahead to Rear Admiral Regal Wave and General Thunder Strike to commence ground operations on Nipponi Island.” Lightning Chaser continued, saying, “Aerial intelligence has showed a decreased amount of anti-air missile batteries on the island, as many were destroyed by the Navy. The Army has already begun shipping ponies to the shores. We will be assisting the 76th Infantry Battalion on the shores near the city of Sappony, a medium-sized industrial city. The first wave has come ashore, and the close-air support accompanying it is coming back for fuel, and they have called on War Horse Squadron to assist.

“You will be serving as close-air support for the ground forces.” Lightning Chaser explained, with the sternest of stern looks on his sullen face, “There are no set objectives, and there are no restrictions on targets. Civilian casualties are unavoidable, but do not go out of your way to attack hospitals or schools unless it has been cleared by myself or AWACS FULL MOON.”

Lightning Chaser turned to face the congregation of twenty five pilots and copilots, and said, “Operation Smoldering Dragon has begun. Nipponi Island will be under our control, and Celestia will no longer have the East to rule. Dismissed, and may the moon guard you.”
***

Nightmare Moon was being driven once again to the Zamok, Iberian for “Castle”, which was the residence of Premier Ivan and the meeting house of the heads of the ruling, and only, political party in Ibearia: the Ibearian Socialist Worker’s Party.

Sibearia City was a dreary city. It was almost always overcast and raining. The citizens looked sullen and depressed as they walked down the streets. Nightmare Moon took mental notes. There was a fine line between totalitarian communism and slightly imposing socialism. She was intrigued by the way the Ibearian Worker’s Party ruled the country, but she noted all of the things that they did wrong. She wondered if she could make her Republic a better-oiled machine than Ibearia.

Before Nightmare Moon could come up with any concrete ideas, her limousine stopped at the Foreign Ministry Office, where she spoke with Premier Ivan and Foreign Minister Maxim the Ambitious. Nightmare Moon stepped out of the limousine, and was escorted by armed bear guards into the office where Maxim and Ivan waited for her.

“Your Highness,” Ivan falsely smiled as he greeted her, “How nice it is to see you again. I trust you have met Maxim, my Foreign Minister?”

Maxim was much more disheveled than Ivan, but not too much. His hair was disorderly, and his clothes did not match each other. His tiny bifocals made his small eyes much larger, and intimidating. He had a small black moustache, which complimented his brown fur. He smiled as Nightmare Moon looked over at him, and he stood to greet her personally.

“I cannot believe Ivan would keep such an important figure away from me.” He chuckled in a thick Ibearian accent, “It is appalling. Now, I hope these talks will be, fruitful, yes?”

“I agree,” Ivan said, sitting down behind an ornate desk, decorated with personal items of his, “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

Nightmare Moon and Maxim sat down, and Ivan began speaking.

“Princess Luna,” he said, “I know the talks of the past three days have gotten us nowhere. It is apparent that a full military alliance coupled with financial and military aid is out of the question.”

“Unfortunately,” Nightmare Moon responded coldly, “This is just what the Republic needs, a nation that will recognize us and join us in the crusade against Celestia.”

“It is no illusion that we hate Celestia,” Maxim replied, “But to join you and assist you in the fight, that is suicide. Celestia has the most powerful military in the world. It is a wonder why you are even claiming victory!”

“We are claiming victory,” Nightmare Moon replied, “Because the Royal Equestrian Army is frail, Minister Maxim. It poses as steel, when it is nothing more than fragile ply board. We have taken most of the East, and we will need your assistance if we are ever to invade the West.”

“Are you telling us that you plan to take over all of Equestria?” Ivan asked, “I know you seem confident because of your victories, but it is just not possible!”

“Which is why I need your assistance.” Nightmare Moon said, “Why else would I be here? It is obvious that Jerhoofalem and Nipponi Island will fall, and the East will be ours. But I have no plans on coexisting with my sister. I will not rest until I see her paraded through the streets of Stalliongrad, a shell of her former self.”

“Princess Luna,” Maxim said, folding his immense clawed hands, “We would join your crusade, but, we are not well-liked in the world. Celestia’s allies, the Deer and Elk, would jump at the chance to attack Ibearia. If we were to ally ourselves with you, there would be an invasion.”

“That is a shame,” Nightmare Moon said, “But, what if the Deer and Elk were not a problem?”

“Then we would cautiously join you.” Ivan replied, “But what do you mean by that, Your Highness?”

“I’m going to let you in on a little secret.” Nightmare Moon said, “You know of the Equestrian Space Program, yes?” Both bears nodded in agreement. “Then, you know of the terrible power of the Orbital Friendship Cannon, and how it possesses the power of two hydrogen bombs in one powerful beam.”

“Where are you going with this?” Maxim asked, “We all know that Celestia can destroy a country in three hours, but what does that have to do with this?”

“Imagine if the cannon were to go offline.” Nightmare Moon continued, “And rebooted, but not by the technicians in Manehattan, but in Neighjing, Shanghoof and Stalliongrad. This is going to be a reality. We are beginning the first steps of taking over the cosmos from Celestia.”

“So, if you had control of the Cannon, that would deter an Elkian and Vandeer invasion!” Maxim exclaimed.

“Yes.” Nightmare Moon said, “If this were to happen, your stance on us would be?”

“Well,” Ivan said, “It would be no question. We would recognize you, and fight with you.”

Nightmare Moon smiled wickedly on the inside. “This is what I thought. Gentlemen, I can assure you that the nation of Equestria will be quaking in its boots by the end of next week. After that, I will expect full cooperation from your military forces, yes?”

“I will discuss with the Head General of the Army,” Ivan said, “And I am sure he will agree.”

Oh, he will. Nightmare Moon thought, he better.
***

“Sweet Luna is Murmanesk cold!”

Rarity chuckled at Dapper’s interjection. They were walking together down a large boulevard. The bright lights illuminated the night, and Republican banners flew across the city. There was nothing in the city that conveyed war in any way, to the couple, it was just a cold city during the night.

Small black sedans sped down the boulevard, and Dapper was growing increasingly jealous of the drivers. They went on for another block, before he hailed a cab, and they drove to their restaurant, a classy joint that required a dress code.

Rarity wore a magnificent purple dress that had gems encrusted into the slender skirt that went to her shins. They sparkled under city lights, and she wore a matching hat with an elaborate white feather along the right side. She wore black heels that gave her an extra two inches in height, and she carried a little magenta change purse. She let her curled mane go down to her shoulders, which gave her a dazzling appearance.

Dapper wore a plain suit, with a red tie. His black slacks fit him perfectly, and his brown dress shoes complimented his pants and jacket. The tie itself had a design showing a Unicornian emblem, tow Unicorn heads looking at each other, horns crossing each other, making an x-shape. Dapper wore a black fedora to shield himself from the snow and wind, and wore a brown coat over his suit.

The little cab sped down the streets of Murmanesk, and gave them a shelter from the cold and snow. Rarity looked outside the window, and watched the snowflakes fall onto the city. Dapper, meanwhile, couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was simply beautiful. Everything from her long, slender legs to her bright blue eyes attracted Dapper to her. There was just no way for him to put into words what she truly looked like.

The cab stopped in front of the restaurant a few minutes later, and Rarity paid the fare, at Dapper’s resistance.

“Please,” Rarity said, “I can take care of myself. Besides, I’d rather pay the cab than the dinner.”

“So I’m paying for dinner?” Dapper chuckled, and ran his hand through his mane, “Alright then. Just don’t order everything.”

“How do you think I stay this thin?” She asked, “I can’t just eat, I have to pick what I eat, and eat a little then. It’s very hard being a successful fashion designer and stay thin at the same time.”

They walked in giggling, and Rarity went up to the waiter, and whispered something incoherent to him through the waiter’s ear. His eyes went wide, and he nodded. The waiter guided them throughout the restaurant, towards a small booth towards the back of the restaurant. Here, there was a quintet playing classical music; there would be nopony eavesdropping here.

Rarity and Dapper sat down, and smelled the fragrances of the restaurant before looking at each other.

“This is nice.” Dapper said, “Nopony can listen to us.”

“That’s exactly what I was looking for.” Rarity mumbled. She looked at Dapper, and blushed, “Oh, excuse me. Yes, I requested this, because I hate it when somepony listens in on my conversations.”

Dapper smiled in agreement, and reached for a menu. He opened it up, and looked through its contents. Rarity grabbed the one on the bottom of the pile. She opened it up, and grabbed a small SD card. She grabbed out her phone, and placed it inside the slot. She would play it back at the hotel she was staying at. For now, she would enjoy the meal.

She looked at the menu, and browsed through the options. She couldn’t decide what she wanted to eat, but she had decided on a drink. It was not a moment too soon. A slightly attractive white Unicorn waiter walked up to the table, and asked if they wanted something to drink.

“I will take the Lundy Cocktail.” Dapper Crescent said, “With ice and an olive.”

The waiter looked at Rarity, and she said, “And I will take the very best Elkian wine you have to offer.”

“Does Elkenburgian Wine, aged twenty years sound fine, madame?” The waiter asked in an old Hooviet accent.

“Yes, that will suffice.” Rarity said, “It will be awhile before we order.”

The waiter nodded, and walked off. Rarity turned to Dapper, and smiled.

“So, how is work at the hospital?” Rarity asked, “You always seemed glum until you came into my room.”

“Oh, I did?” Dapper Crescent blushed a little, and said, “It’s very stressful. I have to remember one pony can’t take antibiotics, while another can only take flupirtine. It can get annoying when you are whisked around the Emergency Room for a five-hour shift. I’m glad I didn’t have to come in tonight.”

“Yes, I am glad as well.” Rarity said, “Because I’ll be leaving Murmanesk tomorrow afternoon.”

“Are you going back to the front?” Dapper asked nervously. “With that arm, I don’t think it would be wise at all…”

“Don’t worry, darling!” Rarity smiled, “I’ll be riding a desk in Stalliongrad for a few weeks, and I’ll be back here before the winter solstice.”

“That’s good.” Dapper said, “It would be terrible if your arm got damaged again.”

“Yes, yes it would.” Rarity said, instinctively rubbing her arm as if it hurt. She hated lying to Dapper, but Intelligence said that not even he could know her occupation now. It tore her apart. She just wanted to blurt it out to him, but she knew that if she did, her cover would be blown to potential Celestial spies.

“Stalliongrad’s a beautiful city.” Dapper said, “I traveled the former Hooviet Union a few years ago when I was young. I found out my great-grandfather emigrated from St. Ponysburg to Baton Hoof, and I wanted to see if there were records. Of course, all I found was an empty bottle of vodka.”

Rarity chuckled at his story. It was typical of tourists to get drunk this far north in the East. She looked back at her menu, and asked if Dapper had decided.

“Well,” he said, “The Murmanesk Salad looks good to me. How about you Rarity?”

“I don’t know yet,” Rarity said, “I’m thinking the Fettuccine Alfredo with butter and broccoli sounds delectable.”

Rarity and Dapper exchanged small talk before the waiter came with their drinks in a few minutes and took their orders. Dapper sipped from his Lundy Cocktail, a shot of whiskey watered down and mixed with lemon juice and sugar, while Rarity reminisced out loud about Ponyville.

“… and my sister, Sweetie Bell,” she said, “Oh, she was just a delight to have around! She and I would give each other makeovers, and bake together, and sometimes, she helped me design a dress. Though most of the time, she was with her friends, trying to get her Cutie Mark.”

“Did she ever get it?” Dapper asked.

“No,” Rarity sighed, “I hope she still hasn’t. I would’ve missed it.”

Suddenly, a twinge of guilt shot through Rarity. She couldn’t bear to think what she would say to Sweetie Bell if she came home to see Sweetie Bell flaunting her Cutie Mark to her. She felt like a terrible sister to her.

Dapper, as if he was reading her mind, said, “Hey, if it happens, it happens. It’s not your fault. War can do so many things to a pony, and that includes getting a Cutie Mark. I’m sure she will understand if you missed it now.”

“But what if I feel like a terrible sister?” Rarity asked.

“You are not a terrible sister.” He said, “From what I heard, you sound like the best sister a pony could ever ask for. So what if you miss her getting her Cutie Mark? You’ll still be there for her as she grows up from a filly to a mare. If you miss it, just make sure to make extra time for her. It’s all you can do.”

By now, Rarity was tearing up. She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, and sniffed her nose. “Thank you. I really needed that.”

“Why else am I here?” He asked. He smiled, and Rarity smiled too. This had to be the first stallion she had dated who made her feel comfortable. There was no awkwardness. It just felt, natural.

Finally, their food came, and Rarity ate her food slowly, and sipped her wine. It was bitter, just the way she liked it. It was the most perfect shade of red, and it tickled her throat as it trickled down. The Fettuccine she ordered was cooked to perfection, and she loved every bite of it.

“I’m so glad we could do this tonight.” Rarity said, “I really wanted to do this before I left.”

“I’m glad I’m here, too.” Dapper said, “Though I wished I paid the cab instead of the dinner.”

“You think a mare like me couldn’t think about when to pay?” Rarity chuckled, “Dapper, you should be ashamed.”

The dinner went on like that, with Rarity and Dapper ribbing each other while eating their gourmet food and drinking their fancy drinks. By the time the bill came, two hours had passed, while it had only felt like thirty minutes. Both Dapper and Rarity were loosened by the alcohol, but they weren’t entirely drunk. Besides, they were taking a cab back. Dapper paid the bill, and they walked out of the restaurant.

As they waited for a cab, Rarity barely noticed Dapper’s hand lock with hers. She figured it was the alcohol, or maybe it was that everything just felt so natural.

The cab took them back to Rarity’s hotel, and Rarity pecked Dapper on the cheek. That would be the last time she would see him for weeks.
***

The whirling of helicopter rotors broke the silence of early dawn in the city of Neighjing. The thick smog hindered transportation for Republican forces, but they had learned to adapt. Fluttershy looked back to Solar Chaser, who gave her a thumbs-up and a smirk.

She lifted her new Mi-28 gingerly into the air, and turned it towards the sea. She led War Horse Squadron in formation over the naval armada that was carrying the second wave of the invading force. Intelligence reports stated that there would be little air resistance, as they had been dealt with during the three-month blockade. Fluttershy relaxed when she heard that in the briefing; she would not like a repeat of Jerhoofalem.

“War Horse 1 to War Horse Squadron,” Fluttershy said quietly, “Report in, please.”

One by one, the eleven helicopter crews of War Horse Squadron responded. Fluttershy leaned the helicopter forward, and the helicopter was off towards Nipponi Island.

“This is AWACS FULL MOON to War Horse Squadron,” Fluttershy’s radio came to life, “The 76th Infantry Brigade are facing heavy resistance from Celestial forces inside Sappony. You will provide close air support. Beware, just because there is no aircraft doesn’t mean there are no SAMs. Be on guard.”

“War Horse 1 reads you, FULL MOON.” Fluttershy answered shyly, “We’ll try to not get killed.”

For the next fifteen minutes, the squadron of helicopters cruised at 150 miles an hour before reaching the shores of Nipponi Island, more particularly, the port town of Hoofoshima.

“FULL MOON to War Horse Squadron, you are approaching Hoofoshima. Sappony is twelve clicks to the northeast. Continue on until further orders.”

Fluttershy complied, and turned the helicopter towards the digital waypoint FULL MOON had placed on radar. It was another two minutes before they saw the shores of Sappony. What they saw was complete carnage. There were burnt-out shells of tanks, jeeps, APCs, and pillbox fortifications. Smoke streaked from the buildings in the city as jets streaked across the sky to drop their payloads inside the city.

“FULL MOON to War Horse, War Horse come in.”

“This is War Horse 1,” Fluttershy said, “Go, FULL MOON.”

“You have free reign in this combat area. Do anything to assist the infantry. Get going, War Horse!”

Solar Chaser answered confidently, and Fluttershy ordered the squadron to split up. Once the formation had broken, Fluttershy went on a strafe run down a road leading towards the landing beach. Fluttershy let loose a barrage of missiles at a column of tanks and APCs moving to suppress the soldiers on the ground, and watched as the vehicles imploded.

Suddenly, Fluttershy saw flashbacks to Jerhoofalem.

She hoped it would be a quick victory in Nipponi Island.
***

“General, please tell me why I am receiving these reports?” Celestia asked angrily as soon as Shining Armor closed the door.

“Your Highness,” Shining Armor answered, “General Honorable Sword has told me that Nipponi Island has been attacked by Republican forces in the south of the island along the cities of Hoofoshima, Neighasaki, and Sappony. Early reports have stated that Republican forces are advancing at a breakneck speed.”

“And what would you advise we do to stop these rebels?” Celestia said through gritted teeth angrily, “Because it seems that General Honorable Sword is cracking under pressure. And don’t give me a bullshit answer.”
Shining Armor swallowed audibly, and said nervously, “I would advise that we abandon the cities, and combat the Republican in the open countryside of Nipponi Island. We could also destroy the dams along the Neighkong River, and bottleneck their advance. That would allow us to effectively stop their advance, and then we can drive them back to the sea.”

“Are you sure such a tactic will work?” Celestia asked, “Because Honorable Sword has also reported that he has a limited supply of aircraft. If we are to combat them in the open field, the Republicans would have aerial superiority.”
Shining Armor bit his lip, and stood up straight, “Your Highness, how desperate are you?”

“Excuse me?” Celestia asked.

“How desperate are you to find victory?” Shining Armor asked.

“What have you got in mind?” Celestia stood up from her desk, and looked at a map of Nipponi Island, with her back turned to Shining Armor.

“Would you be willing to sacrifice Hoofoshima and Sappony to ultimately drive out the Republicans?” Shining Armor asked with no emotion.

“And how would I be able to sacrifice them?” Celestia turned to look Shining Armor in the eye. She was intrigued in what he
had to say. His face was emotionless. He gave away no hint as to what he would say.

“In this case,” Shining Armor said, “I would call for a full retreat, and blast the city with an orbital strike when the Republicans think they have won. It would mean the deaths of over a million civilians, but war is horrible, is it not?”

“Do you know what you are saying, General?” Celestia asked. “You are telling me to wipe two major Eastern cities off the map. That is preposterous!”

“There is also a chance that the blast will disable most of the Republican Navy.” Shining Armor stood up straight,

“Which will allow for an invasion of the East, preferably around the city of Marelaysia, where Republican garrisons are at its weakest.”

Celestia sighed, and sat back down. She ran her hands through her hair, showing her stress levels to Shining Armor.

“General,” she said, looking up to him, “I will not authorize that until it becomes hopeless. But, there is a way we can pull
a victory out of this. Are you familiar with the Elkenburg Concordant?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Shining Armor answered.

“Then you know that in extreme crises,” Celestia explained, “Each signatory is compelled to come to the defense of the other signatory nations.”

“What good will the Elk and Deer do?” Shining Armor asked, “With all due respect, Your Highness, if we get the Deer and Elk involved, what will stop Ibearia from invading the Vandeerlands? This will spark an international war on a scale unknown!”

“Do you know how desperate I am, General?” Celestia hissed, “I am rapidly losing land in the East, all because of a band of rebels led by my very sister. Thousands are dead, cities are burning, and you think I’m not desperate?”
Shining Armor said nothing as Celestia continued on her rant.

“This has all made me a desperate Pony. I cannot stand to watch these socialist rebels take over the most powerful country on this planet!” She sighed, and said, “Unless the war turns in our favor, I’m keeping all options on the table. Whether it be through conventional means or weapons of mass destruction, I am considering all options.”

“I understand, Your Highness.” Shining Armor responded, “And what would you have General Honorable Sword do?”

“I know how the Nipponese work,” Celestia said, “They will fight to the last man. You are dismissed, General. Do not come back until you have good news.”

Shining Armor saluted Celestia, and walked out of the office. Suddenly the war had taken a new and probably unintended course after this meeting.

Or was it intended? Shining Armor shook his head as he walked towards his personal limousine. Princess Celestia had mellowed; she wasn’t the war-mongering monarch she was a few hundred years ago. But the thought still nagged him as he sat down in front of his own desk.

He sighed. This war should’ve been decided in one battle.

Tell me what you think! Geez, I sure do love writing long chapters now! Well, as you could tell by my blog posts, I made a map of this MLP universe, it can be found on my deviantart.com account at http://byakuyakuchikiftw.deviantart.com/#/d5t35pm I know the quality is a bit sub-par, but I have a crappy scanner, and it looked much better on the original paper. I am going to be working on a better quality one over the weekend (hopefully) because I feel bad for giving you guys such a crappy map. Anyways, Sappony is a pun for Sapporo, a city in Japan. Nipponi Island is a pun for Nippon, the Japanese word for Japan. I hope you liked how I illustrated the side ponies! I also noticed that Twilight and Rainbow Dash didn’t make an appearance in this chapter, but they will appear in the next chapter. Next chapter: as the invasion of Nipponi Island continues, how will Celestia deal with this war? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 13: Acceptance

It was raining in the city of Stalliongrad when Rarity arrived. She put on her fur coat, and got out of the black sedan that she was riding in. She was escorted inside by two handsome-looking stallions. When she walked inside, she hung up her coat, and she was escorted to the office where Diamond Treasure was waiting for her.

She walked up to the door, and knocked gently on the door. It immediately opened, and she walked inside. Diamond Treasure looked up from a sheet of paper, and stood up to greet Rarity.

“Ah, Rarity, it is nice to see you.” She put on a fake smile to greet Rarity.

“The pleasure is mine.” Rarity responded before she sat down. She was wearing a simple black suit with a skirt. She was also wearing a small black beret to shield her scalp from the rain. She took it off, and placed it on her lap.

“We have everything prepared for you, Miss Rarity.” Diamond Treasure explained. “All we need to hand you a few files, and answer any questions you have about this mission.”

“Yes,” Rarity answered. “How long will I be undercover in Manehattan?”

“At most,” Diamond Treasure said as she sat down, “Two to three weeks. You will be having a temporary internship under a Mr. Quirky Code. He has, sympathies, to our cause. He will be your mentor, and he will give you the materials needed to take down the quintuple firewall protecting the OFC database and central control panel.”

“Two to three weeks is all?” Rarity asked, “I had thought it would be at least a month.”

“No,” Diamond Treasure responded. “That would increase the risk of you being discovered. Now, you do know that you will have an alias, yes?”

“You had mentioned that in the hospital in Murmanesk.” Rarity answered. “What will be my new name?”

“While you are working for us,” Diamond Treasure said, “Your identity will be Illustrious. We have already forged the birth certificates. You were born in Baton Hoof, twenty-three years ago…”

Twenty-three? Rarity asked herself. They sure are doing me justice, at twenty-nine.

“You have a keen interest in electronics, and received a degree in Informational Technology at the Neighjing Institute for Informational Technology. You have just gotten out of school, and are looking for a temporary internship to garner experience in the field.”

Diamond Treasure reached into a manila folder, and grabbed a photograph. She handed it to Rarity, who then examined it closely. The mare in the picture was quite attractive, with a very light pink coat and a straight bright blue mane.

“Wait a minute,” Rarity said, “Am I supposed to look like this?”

“Well we just can’t have you walking around the OFC Database looking like you now could we?” Diamond Treasure said, “You would be caught immediately and executed for espionage. Now, back to the identity, you also have a slight Baton Hoof or southern accent. Do you know anypony you can model your speech after?”

“Yes,” Rarity said quietly, thinking about Applejack.

“Alright then, if you have no further questions,” Diamond Treasure stood up from her chair, “Honey Song is ready for you at the airport. It will be a long flight, so you will have to eat in the car. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

“No, it’s quite alright.” Rarity said, “It’s worth it, if I’m going to be eating fine Manehattan cuisine.”

“That’s the spirit.” If Diamond Treasure had any emotion in her voice, it would sound peachy. The gray-coated Unicorn walked Rarity out, and said before she walked into the car, “You will be given instruments to aid you in the car. Listen carefully to the instructions. They could save your life.”

Diamond Treasure then embraced Rarity briefly, and watched as she walked down the stairs to the street, where the same black sedan was waiting. Rarity climbed inside, and looked at Diamond Treasure as the car pulled away. She stood straight, with no emotion on her face. Typical behavior coming from a professional spy, she said to herself.

“Hello, Miss Rarity!”

Rarity nearly jumped out of the car when she heard the masculine voice. It was then that she saw a burly Earth Pony stallion looking at her. His once-orange mane was balding, and his yellow coat was losing its color. He was a bit overweight, and smelled of cigar smoke.

“You can call me Espie.” He introduced himself. “I will be handing you your gadgets for this mission.”

“Please,” Rarity panted, “Do try and introduce yourself without giving me a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry!” His eyes went wide with fear, “I didn’t mean to frighten you!”

“No, no, it’s quite alright.” Rarity said, “You told me you were giving me gadgets?”

“Oh, that’s right!” Espie smiled as his cheeks went bright red. He reached into a tiny suitcase, and opened it. Inside the suitcase was a set of earrings, a ring, and a hairpin. “This tool,” he said, reaching for the ring, “Has a laser inside the diamond. It can break any lock in Equestria. Handy if you need to break into an office where you aren’t dropping off coffee.”

He chuckled at his own joke, while Rarity laughed awkwardly. “These earrings have a GPS inside of them.” Espie continued, “We will know where you are whenever you wear them. They’re waterproof too, so you can wear them in the shower or if you’re fifty feet underwater!”

Rarity looked at the golden earrings, and placed them on. She heard a faint beep, and Espie clapped his hands not unlike a kindergarten filly. “And this hairpin has a deadly dart inside of it. If you need to take out somepony silently and efficiently, this is your tool. This also lights itself on fire when it’s done injecting the poison. It will leave no evidence.”

“That’s it?” Rarity asked as the sedan got onto the freeway before immediately taking an exit to the airport.

“Yes, it is.” Espie said, “When you go on longer missions inside Equestria, there will be more gadgets for you. Until then, be glad with what you’ve got. That’s two million bits you’re holding there, so be careful. It’s very hard to replace these things.”

Rarity nodded in agreement. She reached inside her purse, and grabbed a mane straightener. She turned on the cordless tool, and straightened out her mane. Espie realized what she was doing, and gave her blue mane dye.

“This is criminal,” Rarity complained, “My mane was beautiful!”

“But very recognizable.” Espie answered, “You need a bland mane-do if you want to stay incognito. And here, take these pills with your lunch. They will help turn your coat from white to very light pink.”

Rarity nodded in acknowledgement, and placed the pills in her purse. “Take them with every meal until they run out too.” Espie continued, “These pills last seven hours before wearing off. If you take them with every meal, before you go to sleep, and once you wake up, you should be fine.”

As soon as Espie finished saying that, the car stopped. “It seems we are the airport,” he said, “Best of luck to you, Miss Rarity!”

Rarity smiled in thanks, and climbed out of the car. She breathed her first breath of fresh air since getting in the car.

She always hated the smell of cigar smoke. It stuck to ponies, and it was the worst stench she could think of at the moment.

She sighed when two Unicorn stallions with plain suits walked up to her to escort her to her plane. She placed two pills in her mouth, and swallowed them with her spell. She suddenly didn’t want to do this; she wanted to head back to Jerhoofalem.

Now it was too late.
***

“Flutter, I’ve got a target! Three hundred meters to the northwest! It’s a column of Celestial tanks!”

Fluttershy gave her copilot a thumbs-up, and turned her Mi-28 Havoc helicopter towards the advancing column. The 76th Infantry Brigade had led the charge into Sappony, and they were driving back the weakened Celestial defenders. With help from War Horse Squadron and other air and naval support, it was almost impossible to stop the Republicans.

Fluttershy flew above the tanks, rocket pods blazing. Over a dozen rockets impacted the seven tanks heading towards the 76th. Explosions rocked the streets below as the tank’s fuel tanks ignited. Smoke belched from what was left of the column as Fluttershy flew away from them.

Fluttershy turned her attention to a barricade the Celestials had set up along a main boulevard that the 76th was attempting to get onto. She leaned the helicopter forward, and Solar Chaser peppered the infantry behind the barricade with machinegun fire. Fluttershy could see body parts separate violently with their host bodies. She almost lost her lunch there.

“Thanks for the assist, War Horse!” Fluttershy heard over her radio link with the 76th. “We are advancing!”

Fluttershy flew past the 76th, and began to hammer more defensive locations the Celestials had set up. She strangely felt little remorse as she watched dozens of Celestial soldiers die, and she knew why. They had chosen to stay loyal to the racist despot that Celestia was, and so they deserved this treatment.

“Uh, Flutter,” Solar Chaser said, “I’ve got a lone helo inbound. It seems to be an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.”

“Where is it?” Fluttershy asked.

“One click to the east,” Solar Chaser answered.

“I’m heading there now.” Fluttershy said, “I sure hope the 76th won’t need help.”

Solar Chaser sighed, and said, “They are grown mares and stallions. You aren’t their foalsitter. Just do what you feel like you need to do. And if you feel like this Apache is a threat, then by all means, go ahead.”

“You’re right.” Fluttershy said, “Where would I be without you?”

Solar Chaser smirked, and said, “Nowhere, Flutter.”

Fluttershy blushed a little, before she saw the Apache on the horizon. She leaned the stick forward, and the Havoc gained speed. As she grew closer and closer to the Apache, she slowed down, and fired a lone missile at the helicopter.
The Apache rolled to the right, and narrowly avoided it. It grew closer, and fired its machinegun. It hit the Havoc below the cockpit, and Fluttershy could feel the bullets penetrate. She climbed up into the sky to escape the hail of gunfire, and flew closer to the helicopter. She fired two missiles, but they flew on either side of the Apache. It soon left Fluttershy’s line of sight, and she stabilized the Havoc.

“It’s right behind us!” Solar Chaser said, “And it’s turning around!”

Fluttershy climbed, and turned to the left. She could soon see the Apache out of the corner of her eye. She stabilized the helicopter, and she fired a burst of gunfire at the Apache. The bullets struck the cockpit, and shattered the glass. Fluttershy then charged the Apache, and fired a volley of five missiles at the Apache.

This time, one missile struck the Apache in the rotors. The Apache spun out of control, and plummeted to the ground. Smoke and fire spewed from the rotors, and Fluttershy watched it impact a hill, and explode. There was no doubt that the pilot and the copilot were dead.

“Good kill, Flutter!” Solar Chaser exclaimed, “Let’s head back to Sappony. We’re out in the suburbs.”

Fluttershy nodded, and flew back towards the city. It felt weird having killed another helicopter. She knew this chopper wasn’t meant for air-to-air combat. No helicopter was. But she had just engaged in it, and she had claimed a helicopter.

She soon reached the city again, and almost immediately, the 76th requested air support.

“We’re pinned down!” She heard in her headset, “They have AT soldiers in the buildings!”

Fluttershy responded with, “War Horse 1 inbound. ETA is one minute. Hang tight, my little ponies.”

The Havoc sped towards the 76th at speeds of over one hundred and twenty miles an hour. Fluttershy and Solar Chaser dashed towards them, and they flew high above the low-rise apartments where the 76th was held up in.

When they approached the chokepoint, Fluttershy checked her ammo. She had gone through about three quarters of her ammunition, and would need to return to base for ammo and fuel. She became determined to dish out the most devastation against the Royal Equestrian Army yet.

She got her chance soon. She reached the apartments where the 76th was pinned down in the streets below.

Fluttershy stabilized, and hovered above the apartments. First, she used every last bullet in her minigun to kill the AT soldiers. Then, she moved in for the final kill.

She pulled back, and climbed into the air. She then leaned forward, and fired half a dozen missiles into one apartment. The devastation dealt against it was truly epic. Huge pieces of the apartment was blown away, and fell to the street. Part of the apartment even began to collapse as Fluttershy flew past the apartment.

She then turned around, and repeated the same process against the other apartment. Only this time, ten missiles pounded against the walls of this apartment complex. The building was all but left standing as it collapsed almost entirely. Fluttershy stabilized the helicopter, and turned towards the ocean and base.

“War Horse 1 is out, forty bogies confirmed KIA.” Fluttershy reported, “War Horse 1 is RTB for resupply. Good luck, 76th.”
***

“Alright, everypony, listen up.”

Rainbow Dash looked up from her decorative combat knife to listen to what Spitfire had to say. She had gathered all of Wonderbolt Squadron, all twenty-six mares and stallions, into her tiny cabin.

“I’ve just got orders from General Shining Armor in my hands here.” Spitfire said through her sunglasses, holding up a manila folder with “CLASSIFIED: TOP SECRET” plastered all over it. “We’ve got rebasing orders.”

“Where are we heading, Spit?” Soarin’ asked, “Are we heading to Nipponi Island?”

“No,” Spitfire said, opening the folder. “We are to report to Baton Hoof Airbase in four weeks.”

“We’re going to Baton Hoof?” Dash blurted, “But there’s not any fighting there!”

“According to Shining Armor,” Spitfire retorted, “We are there to protect the Louisimana River from Republican attack. His logic is that if the Republicans take Baton Hoof, it will effectively split Western Equestria in two. We can’t have that happen, so we are leaving Jerhoofalem, along with the 5th Fleet.”

“So we’re pulling out?” Fleetfoot asked, “We’re just giving up?”

“Shining Armor’s told me that Princess Celestia is thinking that fighting in Jerhoofalem is like fighting over a mound of rubble. The city is trashed. Luna can have her damn city. We’re pulling out.”

That hit Rainbow Dash hard in the stomach. “What about the infantry on the ground in Jerhoofalem?”

“They will be evacuated from the combat zone and onto the ships in the next two days.” Spitfire said, “Then, we will depart across the Eastern Ocean. We will be in Flankfurt in three and a half weeks, and then we will fly as a group to Baton Hoof.”

Rainbow Dash sighed in relief. Twilight and Pinkie Pie would be safe. Granted, they hadn’t been captured. Or killed. Damn it all, Dash hated not knowing about her friends! She didn’t even want to get started on Rarity, Fluttershy or Applejack. They might as well be lepers in her opinion, although at one time, Dash did fancy Applejack a little. But what she did erased all admiration Dash had for her friend.

There were grumblings in the room about just abandoning the city, but Spitfire stopped them, saying, “Hey do you think I want to do this? Do you think I want to abandon the Temples? No, I don’t. But this is coming from High Command, and do you think I want to dispute them? We’re leaving, and that’s final.”

There was a collection of sighs, and the Wonderbolts got up from their improvised seats and left the room, all except Dash. She stayed there, hands folded and holding up her chin, with brow furrowed. She was obviously in deep thought about her friends. Spitfire turned to do rearrange some pictures, but was startled slightly when she saw Dash sitting there.

“Hey, Dash, are you home?” Spitfire chuckled when Dash snapped out of her thoughts and snapped her head to look directly at Dash. “What’s gotten a rough and tough mare like you so philosophical?”

“Is Shining Armor sure he can get everypony out of Jerhoofalem?” Dash asked.

“Well, obviously he can’t.” Spitfire responded with a scoff, “But why would you think…”

Spitfire then remembered why Dash would say that. She walked over, and sat next to Dash, who was sitting on the foot of Spitfire’s bed. She put her hand on Dash’s shoulder, and reassured her, saying, “I’m sure Shining Armor will put Twilight and Pinkie on the first boats. He wouldn’t want to risk you guys, right?”

“I guess you’re right.” Dash said, “But what if they’re dead or captured already?”

“Don’t you think that if Celestia or Shining Armor got wind of this, we would go on foot to rescue them?” Spitfire said,

“Look, what I’m trying to say is this. Your friends are fine; you shouldn’t worry about things that are out of control. You’re a Wonderbolt! Wonderbolts have no fear, remember?”

Dash sighed, and looked at Spitfire, “You’re right. I’m a Wonderbolt, and my friends are fine. They’re too smart to get captured!”

“That’s the spirit, Dash!” Spitfire said, smiling. “You keep thinking like that, and you’ll make it out of this, okay?”

Dash nodded, and Spitfire patted Rainbow Dash on the shoulder. “Now, why don’t you go to the mess hall and get a coffee? You look like you need it, and it’s only a few hours before we fly our last sortie.”

Rainbow Dash stood up, and walked out the door. She stopped herself, and turned around. “Thanks for that,” Dash said, chuckling and rubbing the back of her head, “I’m really not good at saying these kinds of things.”

“Then don’t.” Spitfire said, taking the tone of an officer. “I order you to go down to mess and get a coffee.”

Dash threw a snappy salute, and said, “Ma’am, yes ma’am!”
***

“This is Sparkle, I have eyes on a HVT.”

“Roger that, Sparkle. You have authorization to wound, not kill. We want this bastard alive.”

Twilight Sparkle responded by saying, “Yes sir. Send the evac chopper now. He’ll be down by then.”

Twilight then switched off her comm link. She looked through the scope of her Barrett .50cal, and peered at the Republican officer she was aiming at. He was a broad and strong-looking Pegasus, with a gray coat and a black mane. He wore sunglasses to shield himself from the harsh Jerhoofalem sun. Twilight smirked; it just lowered her chances of being caught.

“Wound, not kill, Twilight,” she said to herself quietly. “Wound, do not kill.”

She aimed the crosshairs at numerous targets that would take down the officer. There were so many possibilities: both arms, both legs, the shoulders, the hips, and her favorite for stallions, the groin. There was always something satisfying about taking down and castrating a pompous Republican stallion.

She was about to take the shot, when she saw another two Republican soldiers cross the street behind the officer. She cursed, and activated the comm link.

“This is Sparkle to Overseer, hold the evac copter.” She said, “I have eyes on multiple confirmed hostiles. Requesting reinforcements on my AO sir.”

“That’s a negative, Sparkle.” Overseer, her commanding officer, replied, “Reinforcements are stretched thin. You’re on your own, Sparkle.”

“Roger that sir,” Twilight replied, “Sparkle acknowledges.”

She shut off her comm link again. She cursed again. Why was it always before she took the shot? It was as if Luna was playing a sick joke on her. She scanned the area for more hostiles, but found that those three soldiers were all there was. She found it weird that an officer at the rank of colonel would have more guarding his pompous ass. She deduced that based on this observation, the Republicans were having the same reinforcements problems.

She found it likely, since the Equestrian Royal Air Force had begun airstrikes on the nearby cities of Tripponi and Damarescus. She had also heard rumors that the Republicans had also begun attacking Nipponi Island.

She sighed. How long had it been since she had done an experiment? Making these observations reminded her when she would perform experiments in the Everfree Forest when she lived back in Ponyville. How long had it been since she had seen something other than this hellish desert? Two months? Maybe it was three?

She shook her head, and looked through the scope again. She aimed the crosshairs at the soldier that was wielding what seemed to be a Hooviet light machinegun. That would be the biggest threat to Twilight if she were to be compromised. She aimed a little bit in front of the soldier, and made last minute adjustments to her aim before squeezing the trigger with her index finger.

The rifle bucked into her shoulder with recoil as the .50BMG round left the rifle. She watched as it impacted the machine gunner in the neck, and as his blood splattered onto the sidewalk below him. The other soldier and the officer lowered themselves instinctively. The Colonel hid behind cover, and the soldier lagged behind. Twilight smiled darkly as she decided the fate of this poor mare.

She fired the rifle again, and the bullet hit her square in the small of the neck. The mare didn’t have a chance. She fell to the street, with a pool of blood slowly growing under her. The officer took note as to where Twilight was, and began firing a handgun at her.

Now, Twilight stood up, and hid behind a wall. She looked out of her cover, and saw the Colonel reloading his pistol. She got out of cover, and aimed at the officer’s groin. She fired immediately, and saw the officer fall to the ground. He writhed in pain, which encouraged Twilight.

She placed the strap of the rifle over her shoulder, and grabbed her Desert Eagle handgun. Even though she could see no other Republicans, she could never be too sure. Twilight crept to the stairwell that took her down from the first floor to the street level. Twilight moved almost silently, all she could hear was the creaking of the floor and the whimpers of the wounded Colonel.

What a pussy.

Twilight opened the door, and ran across the street, bent low towards the street. She reached the Colonel, and grabbed a pair of handcuffs. She cuffed the Colonel, and looked at him in the face.

“So, this is my assassin.” The Colonel spat when he looked at Twilight, “A mare sniper, eh?”

A sexist too.

“I’m not going to kill you.” Twilight said coldly. She looked at him, and shoved the barrel of the Desert Eagle against his forehead, and said, “Though I am authorized to use lethal force.”

“So, the tyrant wants me back?” The Colonel laughed, “You know you’re not going to get anything out of me, darling.”

“Anypony can talk under enough dunks under water.” Twilight replied, making a reference to water boarding. The Colonel’s eyes went wide, and he begged her to kill him.

“Face it like a stallion, will you?” Twilight asked, “I’ve met fillies with more bravery than you.”

Twilight turned on her comm link, and said, “This is Sparkle to Overseer, I have HVT alive. What is the ETA of evac?”

“ETA is seven minutes, Sparkle.” Twilight rolled her eyes at the response. Great, that meant more time with the sexist bastard. “Hold tight.”

“Yes sir.” Twilight replied, and shut off the comm link. She grabbed the Colonel by the forearm, and got him up. “Come on, it’s cooler inside.”

“So, you’re the Twilight Sparkle?” The Colonel chuckled, though Twilight figured it was from the adrenaline draining from his blood. “They make you a tiny sniper? Ha! If you would only see what we did with Applejack…”

“What’s this about Applejack?” Twilight turned around and hissed. She kept the Colonel walking, though she held the pistol against the side of his head, with the safety off, which was unknown to the Republican.

“Oh, we made her a Major.” He said, “I even got to talk to her a few times. She said she liked you, but you were a little indoctrinated, like the others.”

“Indoctrinated?” Twilight asked, “Is that what Applejack said?”

“She’s the Element of Honesty, isn’t she?” The Colonel replied, “She’s not one to lie, or so I’ve heard.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, and threw him onto the floor of the ruined apartment block she was hiding in. He hit the floor with a solid thump, and winced in pain. There was a growing stain of blood around the stallion’s groin. It didn’t seem fatal, and that was good. Celestia knew that Twilight was not opening that stallion’s pants.

Twilight sat down across from the officer, and asked, “What else has Applejack said?”

“Where do I start?” The Colonel said to himself as he sat up. “Oh, there is always her criticism of Celestia. Apparently, she was a bit, oh, what’s the word? Oh yeah, it was dishonest! You know the opposite of what she stood for? Why else do you think she joined Luna?”

Twilight stood up in anger, but the Colonel only laughed, saying, “You know that if you do anything, I’ll die. And then where would you be?”

Twilight sat back down, and asked, “Did she really say I was indoctrinated?”

“Not only that,” the Colonel said, “You were also naïve. Naïve in thinking that Celestia’s rule would last forever. She’s had over a thousand years, and it’s Luna’s turn. Celestia built the Empire, and now it is Luna’s job to maintain it. Do you really think that these past thousand years were as harmonious as the history books say? Being in the Republican Army has really opened my eyes, and it would open yours as well.

“Celestia is not the kind-hearted teacher you know, Twilight Sparkle.” His tone darkened and became suddenly serious. “There were numerous wars, millions of deaths, and dozens of diseases during the past thousand years, and Celestia’s to blame.

“Why do you think the Deer and Elk follow Celestia unquestionably?” The Colonel asked, “It’s because Celestia threatened to burn them out of existence with the sun. It’s what created the Sahayra, you know. When the last Crusade against the Camels ended, Celestia burned the enormous city of Meccamel to the ground by bringing the sun closer to the Camel’s homeland. It baked the land so much, it created the largest desert in the known world.

“There is so much history that Celestia has hidden from the history books in the classrooms.” The Colonel stated, “We have been living in a bubble, while the rest of the world are at each other’s throats. Celestia has planted the seeds for a world war, and Luna will reap the harvest. Are you prepared, Miss Sparkle? Are you prepared for the devastation? Are you prepared for the death? No! And you can thank your damn teacher for that!”

“Shut up!” Twilight lifted the Colonel by his neck with magic. The Colonel began to choke. Twilight drew her pistol, and aimed it between his eyes, and said, “You know you’re lying. This rebellion will crumble.”

She let him down, and the Colonel coughed violently, and Twilight saw blood splatter on the floor. He looked at Twilight, and said, “They said that before the East was in our hands. You know that powers rise and fall. This is the fall of Celestia, and the rise of Luna. Admit it, you are on the wrong side!”

“No!” Twilight screeched. She walked over to the Colonel, and switched the safety off of her Desert Eagle. She was about to pull the trigger, but she heard the distant thumps of a helicopter.

“Looks like I was saved by the bell, Miss Sparkle.” The Colonel smiled. “I’m glad we had this little talk.”

Twilight dragged him up, and walked outside. She shielded her eyes from the dust with her free hand as the AH-6 Little Bird landed in the middle of the street. Equestrian Special Forces got out of the helicopter, and grabbed the Colonel.

Twilight was in a daze when the Colonel left her grasp, and was loaded onto the helicopter. Too many thoughts were racing through her head.

But one dominated her thoughts:

Was he right?
***

Pinkie Pie was growing exhausted. Their convoy had been ambushed eighteen hours ago, and they had been fighting bitterly against the Republican forces, which had gotten reinforcements during the night. While she had received reinforcements, the Republicans were withdrawing, leading them on a wild goose chase throughout the Industrial District.

It seemed that Vinyl Scratch and Octavia were faring worse than Pinkie Pie though. They could barely stay awake, despite the life-threatening circumstances they were in. While Vinyl was still willing to fight, Octavia was breaking down mentally, and nopony could make her pick up her rifle again. She had resorted to hiding behind cover in the fetal position, with tears streaming down her face.

Such was the nature of war.

“Pinkie Pie!” Vinyl shouted, “We’ve got Republican riflemen up there on the second floor! Take them out!”

Pinkie nodded, and set up her M240B on the street. She aimed at a second-floor window, and fired seven shots at a Republican soldier. The bullets missed, and the Republican hid behind cover. Pinkie Pie then began to suppress them while the other Equestrian soldiers moved forward, cornering the force that was desperately trying to protect their Colonel.

And Applejack.

Pinkie Pie shook her head, and let the rhythmic bucking of her machinegun take over her thoughts. She needed to stay focused. But it was so hard to. She couldn’t help but let her thoughts drift back to Ponyville, to a time simpler than this urban hell.

Applejack’s favorite cupcake was Apple flavored.

“Pinkie Pie, keep them down!” A stallion shouted, “What the hay are you doing?”

Pinkie Pie snapped back into reality, and began to fire the M240B again. Bullets peppered the building, and kept the Republicans behind cover. She kept firing until the belt ran out. She silently cursed, and reached for another ammo box. She unloaded the spent one, and loaded the other one. She pulled back the charging handle, and began to fire in bursts of five again at the office building.

Her fellow soldiers were moving forward quickly, and were soon halfway to the building, which was one hundred meters away. Pinkie Pie kept firing her machinegun, but stopped when she saw a Republican soldier fall. She hadn’t expected that.

The Republicans began firing again, and some Equestrian soldiers began to die.

Pinkie Pie blinked, and shook her head. She couldn’t believe her focus was drifting this much. This was no time to let her mind drift, when so many lives were depending on her. But she couldn’t help it.

But she had to.
***

“Major, they’ve stopped firing!”

“Then return fire, y’all!” Applejack shouted, “Are ya thick in the head or some’n’?”

Applejack brought her UMP-45 to her shoulder, and began firing at the Celestial soldiers. The sun had just risen over the dead city of Jerhoofalem, and it was starting to heat up. Sweat dripped from Applejack’s brow, and some of it got into her eyes. She tried her best to ignore the stinging, but when it got too much, she hid behind a wall, and rubbed her eyes.

Damn it, since when did she became such a wimp?

Applejack hid behind where the windows used to be, and moved quickly to Diamond Darling.

“Ma’am, what should we do?” Applejack asked, “We ain’t gonna stay here until them Celestials come up here, will we?”

“It’s all we can do, Major.” Diamond Darling answered in a thick Sahayran accent, “When the sun is up, the Celestials rule the sky. Unless we want to be blown to Cloudsdale by their bombs, we’re staying here.”

Diamond Darling ducked her head down when a bullet whizzed past. “We need to just hold them back until we can get armored assistance.”

“Ah understand, Colonel,” Applejack said, “But with them having that machine gunner out there, they’ll be here soon. We can’t hold this much longer, Ma’am.”

“What the buck did I just tell you, Major?” Diamond Darling shouted as she fired her AK-74M outside of the window. “We’re staying here, and that’s final.” She looked to her side, and shouted to the others, “Keep fighting, ponies! We can hold the Loyalists!”

Applejack nodded, and fired a few rounds out of the window at a Celestial soldier. The mare fell to the ground as bullets impacted her chest, abdomen and shoulder. Blood spewed from the impact, and she span around when she fell.

Applejack aimed at a stallion, and fired three rounds in quick succession. They missed, and the stallion returned fire. Bullets smacked and punched holes into the wall, allowing sunlight to pour through the tiny holes. Applejack cursed. They were cornered, and there was nowhere to run.
***

“Pinkie Pie, move forward!”

Pinkie Pie got up, and ran behind a burnt chassis of what used to be a pickup truck. She deployed the M240B’s bipod onto the top of the cabin, and aimed at the office building. She squeezed the trigger, and bullets flew. They hit one soldier, and the stallion fell out of the window. Pinkie Pie was too tired now to react. She was in pure survival mode as the adrenaline kicked in, once again.

She watched as Vinyl got up from her cover, and sprinted towards the office building. Pinkie Pie covered her advance by holding down the trigger of the machinegun, keeping the Republicans behind cover. Vinyl reached the wall, and unlatched her last fragmentation grenade. She lobbed it up, and it landed inside the office building.

The explosion sent Republican soldiers flying out of the building, and some chunks of the walls fell to the street below. The Equestrians took advantage of this, and ran towards the office building, with Pinkie Pie stayed behind, covering them.
***

“Major, what in the hay was that?”

“Frag grenade, ma’am!” Applejack shouted over the gunfire. “Ah can see five wounded, and a few more dead.”

“Buck,” Diamond Darling shouted, “They’re coming up! Guard the stairwells!”

Applejack turned around, and kicked over a ruined office desk. She reloaded her UMP-45, and looked at the door that led to the stairwell. She could hear the footfalls of the Celestial soldiers coming up the stairs.

“Open the door, soldier. The Republicans are right inside that room.”

The room fell silent. Applejack could hear her heartbeat thump in her throat, and sweat dripped down the side of her head. Her index finger traveled up the gun towards the select fire switch, and turned on fully automatic mode. Her finger then wrapped around the trigger, and she aimed the sub machinegun at the door.

She heard more footsteps, and couldn’t help but hear a ticking. Her eyes went wide with realization. They had planted explosives on the door!

She couldn’t get the words out of her head before the door disintegrated in the explosion. A few Republican troops died from shrapnel, and fell to the floor. Applejack shielded herself with the desk, and then stood up, and fired a long burst of automatic fire into the doorframe.

She heard screams, and she ducked down as the Celestials returned fire. Applejack looked to her side, and saw Diamond Darling fire almost her entire magazine at the doorway, before she ducked down. She nodded at Applejack, and Applejack stood up, and fired another burst into the doorway.

“Hold ‘em there!” Applejack shouted, “Nopony gets through that there door, ya hear me?”

A round smacked into the table, and Applejack dropped to the ground.

“Colonel, just how many are there?” Applejack asked, “We can’t hold ‘em forever, ya know!”

“I don’t bucking know!” Diamond Darling responded, “Just make sure we get out of here alive!”

Applejack reached for her last grenade, and pulled the pin. She cooked it for three seconds, and threw it into the doorway.
***

“GRENADE!!!”

Pinkie Pie ran down the stairs, and dove to the ground. She held her hands over her head, and she heard the grenade explode. There were screams of the wounded, and ringing in her ears when she got up. She picked up her M240B, and ran back up the stairs.

Vinyl followed her upstairs, and they took cover on either side of the doorway. Vinyl got out of cover, and fired into the office area. Pinkie Pie crouched down, and fired her M240B into the office, and saw a Republican soldier fall to the ground with blood splattering everywhere.

Other Equestrian soldiers came up the stairs, and covered Pinkie Pie and Vinyl as they ran for cover. They both took cover behind a cubicle wall, and they quickly reloaded their weapons. Vinyl reloaded her Uzi before Pinkie Pie, and fired a burst blindly at where she thought the Republicans would be. During that time, Pinkie finished reloading her machinegun, and dropped to the ground. She crawled beside Vinyl, and fired a long burst to cover the other Equestrian soldiers running into the offices.

Pinkie Pie got up as a Republican aimed his rifle at her, and fired at the floor beside Vinyl. Pinkie dropped her machinegun, and pulled Vinyl back with her arms behind cover. Vinyl looked at her in shock, and then saw the bullet holes in the floor. She turned back, and nodded in thanks.

Pinkie smiled, and grabbed her M240B again. She stood up, and fired six bullets at a blue Unicorn stallion. The bullets slammed into his chest, neck, and head. His brain matter splattered everywhere as the rounds blasted open his skull.

Pinkie Pie got up from her cover, and ran across to another cubicle wall. She had a better angle at Republican soldiers, and killed off two in quick succession. She turned her M240B to fire at another mare, but she stopped. Her eyes went wide, and she lowered her machinegun.

There she was, Applejack, shooting at Pinkie’s friends. Applejack couldn’t see Pinkie, but Pinkie couldn’t stop staring at her. The noise of the firefight dimmed in her head, and all she could focus on was her friend.

She looked like she had been put through Celestia knows what. Her mane had blood, mud and dust caked in it, and her face was marred with cuts and gunpowder. Her hat was worn, and there were quite a few bullet holes in it.

“Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?!” Vinyl shouted over the gunfire, “Come on focus!”

Pinkie Pie blinked, and looked at Vinyl. She slowly nodded, and raised her M240B. Her aim shifted from Applejack, to another mare. She had a black mane, and had a tan coat. She wore a tan helmet, and a desert camouflage uniform. Pinkie Pie’s finger squeezed the trigger, and three bullets hit the mare in the shoulder and upper chest. The mare fell, and

Applejack turned her head to see what had happened.
***

“Colonel!” Applejack shouted. She ran over to look at the damage. Diamond Darling was bleeding profusely from three gunshot wounds, and a pool of blood was flowing under her. Applejack held the Colonel’s head up.

She smiled weakly, and said, “Applejack, I knew this was going to happen. Do you think we could’ve kept going?”

“Nah, we can still save you.” Applejack said, “Ma’am, if you would let me…”

“No.” Diamond Darling hissed. “I want to die today. It was my destiny. I want to die a warrior, not live as a cripple.”

“Ah guess this is it, then.” Applejack said slowly.

“Yes, I believe so.” The Colonel replied, “Tell my father I died… honorably.”

Diamond Darling’s eyes went wide, and blurred. Applejack lowered her head, and closed her eyes for a few seconds.

The battle around her was forgotten. Applejack opened her eyes, and closed Diamond Darling’s. She had died honorably.

Applejack lowered Diamond Darling’s head, and grabbed her UMP-45. She stood up, and killed three Celestial soldiers in a single burst. Applejack as beyond angry, as pure wrath and hatred took over. They had killed her superior officer, and now she was going to fight to the last bullet.

She vaulted over the table she was using as cover, and ran at a Pegasus mare. The Celestial looked shocked as Applejack charged her. Applejack smashed the butt of her UMP-45 into the mare’s face, and watched as she crumpled to the ground. Applejack placed her boot on the mare’s chest, and fired three bullets point-blank into her face. It was unrecognizable when Applejack left the corpse.

Applejack aimed her UMP, and killed another Celestial soldier. She dropped to the ground, and reloaded her last magazine into the sub machinegun. She got up, and killed another two. All that was left were two mares now. And Applejack was closing in for the kill.
***

Pinkie Pie and Vinyl had just killed what seemed like the last Republican soldier. Pinkie Pie looked over her cover as silence fell over the office. She didn’t know where the Colonel was, the Pegasus was nowhere to be seen.

She then hid behind cover, and smacked herself in the head. Duh! Why hadn’t she known it earlier? The officer must’ve died earlier in the chase, and they must’ve not known it!

“Vinyl,” she said, turning to look at her friend. She raised her machinegun when she saw a mare run towards her friend.

Pinkie Pie froze when she saw it was Applejack.

“Applejack!” Pinkie Pie said, “What are you doing? It’s me, Pinkie Pie!”
***

Applejack stopped running when she heard her friend’s voice. She had been chasing after Diamond Darling and Applejack’s forces the entire time?

“Pinkie,” she said, “What are ya doin’ here?”

“What are you doing trying to kill us?” The other mare turned around, and said. Applejack gasped as she recognized her as Vinyl Scratch, the town’s DJ. Applejack lowered her UMP-45, and looked at the two mares.

“You’re the officer we’re going after?” Pinkie Pie asked, “Because we were looking for her!”
Pinkie Pie handed Applejack the photograph. It was an old photo of Applejack’s commanding officer before Diamond Darling, Cloud Head.

“She’s been dead for weeks, Pinkie.” Applejack said, “What ya got there is outdated intel.”

“So, there’s no Colonel?” Vinyl asked.

“Well,” Applejack said, “Somepony did replace Cloud Head, her name was Diamond Darling.”

“Where is she?” Vinyl asked.

Applejack sighed, and said, “She’s also dead. She just died in this here room. She’s right over there if ya don’t believe what Ah’m tellin’ ya.”

Vinyl and Pinkie Pie got up, and walked over to Diamond Darling’s dead body. They stood there for a few seconds, though it felt like hours, and walked back. Pinkie Pie chuckled softly, and her head went to the back of her head.

“Oh, that was Diamond Darling.” She said, chuckling, “I think I might’ve killed her.”

“Ya killed her?” Applejack asked. Pinkie nodded, and Applejack sighed, and said, “Ya know what, how about we walk away from this, and ya ponies say ya killed them all, okay?”

“Why should we?” Vinyl asked, aiming her Uzi at Applejack.

“Because,” Applejack said, “If ya haven’t remembered, I represent the Element of Honesty. Ya don’t wanna kill me, Ah know that for a fact.”

Vinyl sighed, and slowly lowered her Uzi. “Fine,” she said, “We’ll stay here, and confirm the kills. You go. This is the only time I’m going to do this. The next I see you, you can trust me when I say you will die.”

Applejack nodded, and said, “Ah wouldn’t expect anything different. Ah guess this is goodbye then, Pinkie. We never really said it to each other.”

Pinkie Pie looked up, and smiled. “Yeah, I guess it is. I’ll see you around, Applejack!”

Applejack slowly nodded, and turned to walk down the stairs and out of the office.
***

Nightmare Moon looked out to see the skyline of the modern portion of Sibearia City. It was an ancient city; the first city founded by the Bears. To be precise, it was formed seven thousand years before she was banished to the moon. It is rumored among the academics of the world that all modern species in the real world originated on the continent of Cervidia, containing modern-day Elkia, Ibearia and the Vandeerlands.

Nightmare Moon sighed, and looked at the files she had been given from Stalliongrad. Rarity had accepted her mission, and was en route to Manehattan as she was reading it. There were rumors in the intelligence community that the Celestials were preparing to withdraw from Jerhoofalem.

Finally, Nightmare Moon thought, I didn’t think they would stay there that long.

Now she could begin drawing up plans for an invasion of the West. She guessed it would be another month and a half before Nipponi Island fell, given the rate of the Celestial retreat from Sappony and Hoofoshima. But, she would need to send troops to beaches outside of Hoofyo to fully ensure a quick victory. If the capital of Nipponi Island fell, they would hunker down in the northern cities of Pyongman-e and Buckahama, which could be easily blockaded.

But, she would need the full strength of the Republican Navy if an invasion of the West would be successful.

Nightmare Moon shook her head, and looked at the map of Western Equestria. She would like to invade near the border with the Buffalo Lands, maybe close to Las Pegasus and Mexicolt City, but she liked the prospect of attacking Baton Hoof. Controlling the Louisimana River would cut Western Equestria in two. And, if that were to happen, the chances of recruiting the Griffons seemed likely. The Griffons hated Celestia more than the Bears and the Zebras combined, and if they got involved, it would sound the death knell for Celestia.

But, there was always the prospect of crossing the Eastern Ocean and hitting Celestia in the back door, near the industrial powerhouse and major naval base of Flankfurt. Nightmare Moon smiled at the choices that she had. It definitely felt euphoric to be on the winning side of a war.

Nightmare Moon heard a knock on the door. She looked up, and invited the guest inside. She put away the papers into the files, and placed them on her lap, where they wouldn’t be seen.

A slender female Bear walked inside, and handed a letter from the Foreign Ministry. She opened the envelope, and reached inside for the letter.

“Your Royal Highness Princess Luna,” it read, “At the order of Premier Ivan the Kindhearted, the nation of the Socialist Union of the Ibearian People has begun to take steps of officially recognizing the new nation that is the New Lunar Pony’s Republic. A treaty is already in the works, and it is our genuine hope that the cooperation of our two nations knows no bounds.”

Nightmare Moon smiled wickedly while she was reading the letter. This is better than what she had expected at this stage of the talks. She also noted the change in Ivan’s name. How far propaganda went in this nation startled her slightly.

“Since it has come to our attention that you are currently in a state of war with the Kingdom of Equestria, the Ibearian people know full well what the consequences of this move are, and are still willing to recognize you. As the first nation to recognize you, we will protect you with the full armaments of the Bear’s Liberation Army, Navy and Air Force. This piece of correspondence is to be destroyed as soon as it has been read. Sincerely, Foreign Minister Maxim the Sly.”

Nightmare Moon nodded as she finished reading it, and walked over to the fireplace in her suite. She threw the letter inside, and watched as it burned slowly.

She could not help but make the link between the burning of the letter and the burning of the supremacy of Equestria. It would soon come crashing down violently around her sister, and Nightmare Moon would be the master of the known world.

Tell me what you think! I hope you liked the scene between Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Vinyl, because I really enjoyed writing it. Also, Meccamel is a camel pun for Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, and Hoofyo is a pun for Tokyo.

I would also like to credit someone for helping me with my writing. A few days ago, I was browsing through the Amazon eBook store, and came across 2K to 10K: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron. I was kind of skeptical, but it was 99₵, so I bought it. Wow. I finished this chapter in two days. I know what the date says on my fanfic, but I work on another fanfic, and I work in a cycle. I do one chapter for this story, and then one chapter for the other. Each chapter usually takes me two weeks or more to write. Since I read this book, I wrote 4785 words yesterday and 3307 words today, excluding the Author’s Note. I definitely recommend this book to you who have trouble writing. It will make you a better writer for sure!

Next chapter: With the Bears pledging support to Nightmare Moon, and Celestia’s forces in retreat wherever they combat the Republicans, will a world war spark from this civil war? Find out in the next chapter of The Equestrian Civil War!

Chapter 14: Escalation

The next few minutes went very slowly as Pinkie Pie and Vinyl remained in the office, giving Applejack ample time to get away. Pinkie Pie anxiously looked over her M240B, while Vinyl sat down, and looked at the wall in front of her.

“Let’s go.” Vinyl got up, “We don’t know what’s headed our way.”

“Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie Pie jumped up behind Vinyl. “That sounds fun!”

“If only,” Vinyl muttered. She looked around at the office, and sighed, “Octavia’s probably cowering downstairs. Let’s get her, and get the hay out of here.”

Vinyl then went down the stairs, and found Octavia sitting in the fetal position with tears running down her face. There was dirt, sweat and blood all over her marred uniform, and her M4A1 was smoking.

“There were a few Republicans outside.” She said, “I shot them all. They cried out in pain, and I shot them again. I’m an animal, Vinyl. I can’t go on like this.”

She then hung her head into her arms, and began sobbing. Vinyl walked up beside her, and rubbed her shoulder. Pinkie Pie sat down in front of Octavia, and smiled.

“Hey, Octavia,” Pinkie Pie said, “Why are you sad? They’re dead, you’re not. That seems like something to be happy about!”

“But I killed them!” Octavia was struggling to regain her composure. “I’m losing it.”

“Hey, we’ve got to get going now, Octi.” Vinyl said softly, “And we can’t be heard. We need you to keep it together for now, and then when we’re safe, we can let it all out together, okay?”

Octavia sniffled, and nodded at Vinyl. Vinyl smirked, and helped her up. Pinkie Pie picked up her machinegun, and walked towards the door. The city was dead silent. It was weird hearing silence in the middle of the day. Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.

She walked outside the office building, and crossed the road cautiously. She leaned up against a destroyed tank, and waited for Vinyl and Octavia to catch up. Pinkie Pie looked out towards the east, where the ocean was, and where their headquarters resided. There was nothing for what seemed like miles.

Pinkie Pie nodded at Vinyl, and jogged slowly down the street. She was alert for any noises that could possibly be made. Footsteps, gunshots, explosions, engines, helicopters, she was ready to hear anything, but heard nothing. Pinkie Pie felt alone in the shell of a city. It seemed like everypony just dropped their weapons, and abandoned the city.

It was then that her comm link came alive with a male voice trying to be heard over the sounds of hundreds of ponies milling about and doing everything under the sun behind him.

“This is Colonel Ironclad,” she heard. Pinkie Pie stopped where she was, and listened to the rest of the message. “If anypony can hear this, you are to return to base for further re-tasking. Command has labeled the city of Jerhoofalem a lost cause, and has called for a complete withdrawal from the city. I repeat, if anypony can hear this…”

Pinkie Pie, Vinyl and Octavia stayed where they were for a few minutes trying to comprehend what they had just heard. They were leaving Jerhoofalem. It seemed that they would stay there forever, trying to beat back an ever-growing force. It was almost as if the heavens parted and the world was ending. They had just grown so used to fighting for this heap of rubble for close to three months now, and to hear they were suddenly leaving was shocking.

Octavia lit up, and smiled. “Are we going home, Vinyl?”

“I don’t know,” Vinyl said, “But let’s just focus on getting out of here, okay? Pinkie, take the rear. I’ll take point, and Octavia will be between the two of us. We don’t stop until we see Equestrian soldiers, okay?”

The other mares nodded as Vinyl took the lead, and began to jog faster down the large street. Pinkie Pie let Octavia go in front of her, and she took the rear. Pinkie Pie was still in shock; she had to throw a party for this when they get out of here.

The thought of throwing a party thrilled Pinkie Pie. Her mind drifted to the land of cakes and cupcakes, of party hats and lame party games. Pinkie Pie was exuberant, and she could jump to the moon and back if she wanted to.

“Oh, buck!” Vinyl hissed, and went down on one knee as they reached an intersection. “We’ve got a Republican patrol up ahead. If we’re careful, we can sneak past them, okay?”

Pinkie Pie smiled, and Octavia nodded silently. Vinyl raised her Uzi, and crept across the intersection. Octavia followed suit, and Pinkie Pie kept her machinegun aimed at the Republican soldiers. She knew she didn’t want to shoot another gun again, but what choice did she have?

They got across the intersection fine, until Pinkie Pie tripped on a brick lying in the street. She had been so concentrated on the Republicans she didn’t pay attention where she was walking. She lost balance, and shouted as she hit the street with a solid thump.

“Damn it.” Was all Vinyl could get out before the Republicans turned around and opened fire.
***

A group of four lone F-15 Eagles swept across the empty Jerhoofalem sky. Rainbow Dash focused on flying in formation, she always hated being so precise. Meanwhile, Snowflake was listening to what COLT had to say about why they were flying into Jerhoofalem, again.

“You are to provide close-air support to retreating infantry forces.” COLT explained, “We’re pulling out of Jerhoofalem, and we need to make sure we get every soldier out that we can. Intelligence tells us that there are a number of Shermane, Marekava and Stallion tanks in Republican possession. Take out as many as you can, to give everypony back home a fighting chance when they cross the pond.”

“Roger that, COLT.” Spitfire replied, “Alright then. Soarin’ and I will protect the north flank. Rainbow Dash and Fleetfoot will protect the southern flank. Don’t stray too far. There should be limited to no air resistance. Let’s show the rebs why we’re Wonderbolts, okay?”

The flight of four Eagles then split into two groups of four. Rainbow Dash took the lead of her group, with Fleetfoot in tow.

“Say, Fleetfoot,” Rainbow Dash said cockily, “Wanna see who can take out more tanks?”

“Oh, you’re on, Dash.” Rainbow Dash smirked at the reply. “Whoever loses owes the other a cider back home.”

“Alrighty then,” Dash said. “Let’s do this thing!”

They streaked across the sky, and watched as they saw hordes of Equestrian soldiers retreat down the streets. About half a mile away, there were dozens of Republican tanks and infantry pursuing. This was a perfect chance to rack up as many kills as Dash could. She was determined to beat Fleetfoot; she wanted that cider!

She hit the afterburners, and went into a shallow dive, aiming her nose at the Republican forces. As she made her first strafe run, she peppered the Republicans with gunfire, and with a barrage of missiles. She was saving her two thousand pound bomb for the big finale.

Explosions bloomed on the street below, and Dash counted six tanks down in her first strike. “Ha, beat that Fleetfoot!” Dash exclaimed over the radio. She pulled up, and made a shallow turn around the Republicans to watch Fleetfoot’s response to Dash’s strike.

Fleetfoot dropped his bomb immediately, and Dash counted four tanks down in the blast radius alone. She swallowed loudly as he took down another six with missiles and gunfire, along with an unknown amount of soldiers.

“Looks like I did, Dash.” Fleetfoot snickered.

“It’s not over yet, alright?” Dash said. “Beginner’s luck, I say.”

Dash leveled her fighter out, and flew towards a large column of tanks. She fired a dozen missiles and a seven-second burst of her machinegun at the column. Almost all of the eight tanks ignited immediately, and imploded in a beautiful fireball. Dash smirked as she was put ahead of Fleetfoot.

“No fair, that was my target!” Fleetfoot complained jokingly. “It doesn’t matter, I’ll still beat you!”

Fleetfoot then pounded the Republicans with such ferocity that Rainbow Dash left her mouth hanging open. Well, as much as she could inside her flight helmet. Fleetfoot let loose a flurry of missiles and gunfire, and eight tanks were left flaming when he pulled away. About half of all the tanks were down, and the Equestrian infantry was close to the extraction point, although Dash knew it wouldn’t stop there.

Dash was beginning to regret betting against Fleetfoot as she peppered the Republicans with her arsenal. This time, she dropped her bomb, and caught two tanks in the fireball. She destroyed another four before her missiles ran out. She cursed as she counted up her total: 20 tanks were credited to her, and Fleetfoot had claimed eighteen. This bet was going to be close.

“Oh look,” Fleetfoot said, “There seems to be five tanks left. And it just so happens I’m two behind and I still have enough ammo to do another run. You want to give up now, Dash?”

“Rainbow Dash never backs out of a bet!” Dash responded. “Go ahead, take them out. I’ll get you your damned cider. I hope you choke on it.”

Fleetfoot laughed as he hammered the remaining tanks with the rest of his arsenal. Dash grumbled as they all imploded, and she knew she owed him a drink. They formed up, and Fleetfoot was ecstatic.

“Thanks, Dash.” Fleetfoot said, “That cider better be cold.”

“Oh damn you, Fleetfoot!” Dash said, “Let’s just rearm and refuel, and take out the rest of those damned Republicans, okay?”

“But I don’t get to gloat?” Fleetfoot asked, “Harsh.”

Dash rolled her eyes as they flew towards the Princess Celestia.
***

Twilight Sparkle looked outside at what was left of Jerhoofalem as the AH-6 Little Bird flew towards the Princess Celestia. She was to be one of the first evacuated from the battlefield, as Celestia didn’t want one of the Harmony Bearers to die in this hellhole.

While there were still some firefights being fought in the streets, the city seemed relatively calm. This allowed Twilight to think about the Colonel she interrogated. Was she really indoctrinated, or was she just loyal? Twilight couldn’t believe that Applejack would just say those things aloud. It wasn’t like her.

Twilight sighed, and leaned her head on her hand. One thing she was certain of was that she needed to get out of here, quickly. There was only so much that a mare could take, and three months of urban warfare was not her thing per se. She would much rather be giving orders than following them. If she were, things might have been different.

Her thoughts drifted to her brother, Shining Armor. Was he alright? She figured he had to be taking a lot of heat from the Princess over this. She had seen Celestia’s rage, and she knew she did not want to be in her brother’s shoes right now.
The helicopter cruised on, and Twilight watched four F-15 Eagles streak across the sky. She observed the Wonderbolts emblem on one of them, and her undivided attention went to them. Maybe Rainbow Dash was with them!

How long had it been since she had seen Rainbow Dash, or any of her friends? Being a lone sniper had its drawbacks, Twilight figured. She watched as the four Eagles split up, and went their separate ways. Two of the jets flew over the helicopter, and began attacking what she hoped were Republicans. She watched the fireballs rise into the sky, and Twilight kept her eyes glued on the action.

“Ma’am, we’re nearing the DZ. You’re going to be dropped off there, and placed onto a patrol boat, and taken to the carrier.” Twilight turned away from the action to listen to the pilot.

“Can’t you just take me directly to the carrier?” Twilight asked, “It would be much faster.”

“Orders are orders, ma’am.” The pilot replied. Twilight sighed, and nodded. She turned back, and watched the jets again. She was captivated like a little filly. She had never wanted to pilot a high-tech flying instrument of pure death more in her life.

After two minutes of watching explosions in the distance, the helicopter leveled out, and landed in an open-air market close to the water. Twilight was snapped from her reverie, and grabbed her rifle. She placed it over her shoulder, and grabbed the handle of her door. When the Little Bird landed, she opened the door, and walked into the hot desert air. She was confronted by a young, scrawny Captain who looked way over her head.

“Name and rank, soldier,” the Captain ordered.

“First Lieutenant Twilight Sparkle, 76th Sniper’s Detachment.” Twilight saluted, and the Captain nodded.

“Alright, Miss Sparkle,” the Captain said. Damn it, Twilight hated being called that! “Hop onto this boat. You’ll be on the deck of the Princess Celestia in half an hour. Keep your head down, there are Republican snipers everywhere.”

Twilight saluted, and walked over to a rather large patrol boat. It was manned by two burly Earth Pony stallions, and they noticed when Twilight’s slender figure walked on board. They stared at her until she turned around, and sent a dirty look their way.

“Are we leaving?” Twilight asked, annoyed at the perverts. If they hadn’t been so perverted, she would have been slightly attracted to them.

“Well, uh, you see,” one of the stallions explained in a Lundy accent, “We’ve gotta wait for other high-value persons to get on board.”

“Oh, of course,” Twilight answered. She waited patiently, and focused on the pandemonium happening in front of her.
There were hundreds of Equestrian soldiers desperately trying to get onto any boat they could get their hands on. There were a few officers trying to corral them, but it was almost impossible to keep it orderly.

There were a few high-ranking officers that walked onto the boat Twilight was on. There were six Captains, four Majors, and three Colonels on when the Captain knocked on the boat’s hull, and the Stallions pulled it away from the harbor.

The rocking of the boat immediately made some of the officers seasick, and they leaned over the side as they vomited into the ocean. Twilight looked away, but could still hear them. She sighed, and shook her head.

It was about fifteen minutes before the boat came up against the carrier. There were rope ladders leading upwards to the lower decks, and Twilight was the first to climb up. It was daunting at first, but Twilight got the hang of it, and began to clamber onto the carrier.

Once she was onto the carrier, Twilight finally relaxed. The threat of dying was lowered substantially now. She was escorted to her cabin for the next few days until the Fifth Fleet arrived in Flankfurt. Twilight placed her rifle onto her cot, and was told she was wanted on the bridge. Twilight nodded, and was escorted up towards the bridge.

“Ah, Twilight Sparkle,” Admiral Wave Roller greeted as Twilight entered the bridge five minutes later, “It is so nice to see you, Fräulein.”

“Admiral,” Twilight answered as she saluted him. “I was told you wanted me?”

“Ja,” Wave Roller said, “I am correct if I say you are Celestia’s prized student?”

“Of course, Admiral,” Twilight said, “But I don’t see as to why that has any bearing on the situation…”

“I need help with logistics.” Wave Roller said bluntly, “I only have a few hundred free cabins, and there are almost half a million troops wanting to get out of Jerhoofalem. I need somepony who can help me make sure everypony gets a bed for this journey.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up at the request by the Admiral. It had been forever since she had been doing any organizing at all! She walked up beside the Admiral, and looked over an electronic document that the Admiral had set up.

“We have four hundred and thirty five available cots on the Princess Celestia,” Wave Roller explained, “And another three hundred sixty four on board our sister ship, the Prince Blueblood. We have to be able to make it up with our destroyers and cruisers.”

“This seems to be a daunting task, Admiral.” Twilight said, “A lot of these soldiers are going to have to be airlifted out if we want to get all of them out. There is just no way we can squeeze half a million ponies into this fleet.”

“You’re right,” Wave Roller said, “But this is all we have. And we can’t just leave them here. Celestia will have me fired and exiled. We are in quite a predicament.”

“That we are, Admiral.” Twilight said. But it was in predicaments where Twilight did her best. Besides, she had saved Equestria plenty of times before. Organizing the evacuation of half a million ponies was nothing compared to stopping Discord umpteen times.

Or so she hoped.
***

Rarity had been told that instead of flying directly to Manehattan, she would fly to Yuktobearia City Ibearia, drive to the Anterial City in the Vandeerlands, and fly to Manehattan from there. It would be too risky to fly into Manehattan directly from Stalliongrad.

Rarity had packed what little belongings she had in a small suitcase, and followed the suited stallions through the terminal, which was full of armed Republican guards. She was guided down onto the maze of runways, where Honey Song was waiting with a medium-sized private jet.

“Looks like you traded up, darling.” Rarity said joyfully, remembering the cramped plane she arrived in Stalliongrad with.

“These blokes have money flowing out their flanks, it seems.” Honey Song replied, brushing her mane from her eyes.
“So, shall we get going? It’s going to be a long flight to Yuktobearia City.”

Rarity sighed, and replied with a yes. Rarity climbed into the plane, and was relieved when the suited stallions did not come with her. She placed her suitcase near the door, and sat down at a reclining chair. Honey Song came in after her, and closed the door behind her.

“Right, then,” Honey Song, “We’ll be taking off soon, Rarity. Then it will be a six hour flight to Yuktobearia City. The weather there is cool, at fifty-four degrees, with a chance for showers.”

“It always seems like it’s raining in Ibearia.” Rarity said, “It must be quite depressing living there.”

“It rained a lot in Lundy, so you eventually get used to it.” Honey Song said, “Though it was relaxing to watch the rain fall on the streets with a cup of tea. Well, enough with that, Lightning Chaser and I will get this thing airborne, okay?”

Rarity smiled, and nodded. Honey Song turned around, and said, “Lightning Chaser, get this hunk of junk ready to fly!”

Rarity grabbed a novel she had taken with her out of her suitcase. Its title read The Rise and Fall of the Crystal Empire. She had been so very interested in the Crystal Empire since she had visited the Empire only about a year before.

How much things could change in a year shocked Rarity. In a year, Equestria went from a prosperous, peaceful superpower to a fractured and bloody state. Rarity had also heard of the prospects of a possible alliance with the Zebras and Bears. While she did not necessarily enjoy either’s company, with the notable exception of Zecora, she greeted the news positively. With nations recognizing the Republic, it could end this blasted war sooner.

The plane taxied onto the runway, and Rarity opened her book when Honey Song drove the plane down the runway, slowly gaining speed, until it lurched into the air. It climbed at a shallow angle, and after about five minutes, they were at cruising altitude, and Rarity was free to move around the cabin. Only she didn’t, because reading about the political war going behind the scenes of the Crystal Empire was much more entertaining.

According to the novel, King Sombra was not in line to ascend to the throne for a long while. So, he organized the assassination of a few of those ahead of him to hasten his waiting. Fearing for her life, the Crystal Royal Family sent Princess Cadence to be put under the guidance of her aunt, Princess Celestia, to avoid being put in the crosshairs of Sombra.

After three heirs to the throne died in one night, security in the Crystal Empire was increased drastically. Seeing as he could not murder anypony else, Sombra wrongly accused his father of the killings. This led to a schism in the Royal Family, and plunged the Crystal Empire into a fierce but short civil war, where Sombra emerged King of the Crystal Empire.

Free to do as he wished, Sombra closed the Empire’s borders to anypony who wasn’t a Crystal Pony. Then, Sombra drafted law after law that limited the freedoms of his subjects, giving him more power all the while. Within a few short years, Sombra had gone from a kind-hearted stallion to an authoritative dictator who wanted to rule over every prospect of life in the Empire.

Rarity was enthralled by the story of it all. She had never learned anything about the Empire like this before, because Princess Celestia and Luna’s explanations were very brief. Sombra was evil, and that Rarity and her friends should help Cadence and Shining Armor stop him from regaining power. Since returning, Rarity desperately searched for anything related to the Empire, and left empty-handed, until Twilight learned of her plight.

Twilight gave Rarity books about the history of the Empire before and during Sombra’s reign, the culture of the Crystal Empire, which included the food, lifestyle, and, the most important, fashion of the Crystal Ponies. Rarity could not thank Twilight enough, and devoured the cultural books, leaving only the history.

Rarity continued reading the book as she became more and more addicted to everything Crystal Empire. With almost unlimited power in the Empire, Sombra subjugated the Crystal Ponies into a totalitarian state, where everything in the Empire had to approved by Sombra, or it was condemned as heresy. Of course, there were a few brave ponies that resisted, though Sombra sent them to the gallows, to be set as an example.

With the main resistance leaders dead, the Crystal Empire settled into life that was ruled by Sombra. The citizens had to adore everything Sombra did, or they would risk being censured by the state, thrown into jail and ultimately being killed. This led to a fearful society, where neighbors accused neighbors of being rebels to gain respect from the state. Many had hoped that this would only be temporary, though Sombra had unlocked the secret to immortality using black magic. He declared that he would be King Eternal of the Crystal Empire.

The Crystal Empire was under the boot of Sombra for over a thousand years, until modern technology discovered what was going on in the North. While many had though the Empire had died, it just so happened that Sombra shut off the Empire to the world. Fearing for the lives of the Crystal Ponies, Princesses Celestia and Luna headed an international taskforce consisting of the Deer, Elk, Camels and Zebras to invade the Crystal Empire and remove Sombra from power.

The war lasted only three days. The antiquated army of the Crystal Empire shattered under the might of modern military technology. The international task force marched to the capital, and forcibly removed King Sombra from the throne, and installed Princess Cadence, the true heir to the throne. Cadence had also learned the secret of immortality, but she learned it through becoming and Alicorn, while Sombra used black magic to cheat death.

The novel then described how the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony journeyed to the Empire to protect it from King Sombra, who had escaped Equestrian captivity. He was eventually defeated when Princess Cadence activated the Crystal Heart, which had been extinguished since Sombra had taken power over a thousand years before.

Rarity closed the book when she had finished reading the two hundred page book. She looked out the window, and checked her wristwatch. Two hours had passed, with another four hours of flying before they arrived in Yuktobearia City.
Rarity sighed, and grabbed her sketchbook that she kept with her at all times. She opened the worn and old book to one of the last fresh pages, and grabbed a pencil. This was the book where she drew the very basic designs for her dresses, so she had something to go off of when she actually made them in the Boutique.

She drew up a basic idea for a dress idea she had. Inspired by the Crystal Empire, she designed a dress that was made of the finest silk, colored a very subtle magenta. The top was very basic, but she intended for all attention to be directed at the bottom of the dress. Along the skirt that went down to the ankles lay dozens of tiny crystals of every color that would reflect any light that struck them, giving the entire dress a magnificent luster. Rarity then listed the crystals and gems she would use for the dress. They would eventually include sapphires, emeralds, rubies, pearls, amethysts and quartz. Satisfied with her work, she placed the book away, and sighed. Only half an hour had passed, and Rarity decided to have a quick nap before they landed in Yuktobearia City. It would be a long drive from that city to mainland Ibearia, and then to the Anterial City in the Vandeerlands.

Rarity shut her eyes, and found that sleep found her easily.
***

The jeep hit a pothole, which awakened Applejack. She snapped awake, and remembered where she was. She was heading out of Jerhoofalem, where there were high ranking officers requesting for her in Damarescus, a three hour’s drive away from the ruined city of Jerhoofalem.

After months in that urban hell, Applejack could hardly find it believable that she was out of the city. She had grown accustomed to the fighting, and now she felt weird, driving down a road, and not being on the lookout for Celestial soldiers.

She sighed, and relaxed her tense muscles. She was getting out; there was no need to fear the Celestials any longer. She looked around inside the armored jeep, and found a Colonel, another Major and a one-star General. She breathed deeply, and looked out the window into the desert.

“You’re Major Applejack, aren’t you?” Applejack turned to see the General was striking conversation with her, “The Element Bearer of Honesty?”

“Uh, yes sir, Ah am Applejack.” She replied. “Wha’s th’ matter, did Ah go an’ do somein’ wrong?”

“No, no, not at all.” The old General chuckled, and went into a coughing fit. “I’m sorry, excuse me.”

“It’s quite a’ight, sir.” Applejack replied. “Was there somein’ ya wanted to say?”

“Yes, there was.” The General had a faded red coat, which looked pink. His mane had also faded with age, and was silky white. Wrinkles creased his face, and his speech turned “s” into “sh”. “You know how the fighting in Jerhoofalem went, you were on the front lines, am I correct?”

“Yes sir.” Applejack answered, “But Ah don’ see where you’re goin’…”

“Then you realize that many of our soldiers cracked under pressure and deserted en masse.” The General continued.

Applejack nodded, half of her initial battalion had deserted during the first two weeks of fighting. “I have correspondence from General Thunder Roller and Princess Luna,” the General coughed, and wheezed, but continued, “Saying there is a dire need for trained soldiers if the fighting were to continue and if we were to invade Western Equestria. They gave me free reign to find officers with combat experience to train these new recruits.”

“That’s nice an’ all,” Applejack said, “But Ah really don’ see why ya…”

“What I’m trying to say, Major.” The General said, looking directly at Applejack, “I would like you to be one of those officers. Imagine it, being in charge of a nice camp near the Marelaysian Jungle, no fighting, just training. I know quite a few officers who would jump at the chance, and I think you would too, Major Applejack.”

“Th' truth is, sir,” Applejack said, “Ah don’ think Ah am up to th’ task of trainin’ these troops…”

“Think of the propaganda you would cause!” The General exclaimed, “An Element Bearer, training the bravest of the Republic to rise up against the tyrant Celestia! If you aren’t doing it for the training, then you’re doing it for the cause.”
Applejack sighed, and looked at the General. He looked he should have died when Luna was banished to the moon one thousand years ago. He looked as giddy as a filly, and Applejack would hate to ruin this old stallion’s spirit.

“A’ight, Ah’ll do it.” Applejack sighed, “Where will Ah be assigned?”

“The camp is finishing construction outside of Ho Chi Mane City, Major.” The General said, “You’ll be staying in the city until the camp is completed. Here, have this file. It is a top secret file, and if you open it, there is no going back.”

Applejack nodded, and opened the file. Inside was a paper that read “Harmony Initiative”. Applejack was intrigued, and looked up at the General.

“It is an initiative started by the Princess,” he explained. “Premier Ivan and Chief Magistrate Zeboro have signed on. Currently she is trying to get King Gilliam of the Gryphon Kingdom to sign on as well. It is an initiative for an international battalion headed by somepony of your caliber. It will be manned by Ponies, Zebras, Bears and maybe Gryphons. This is mostly propaganda to show international will against Celestia, but we are determined to make sure you all don’t get blown to Discord when you step foot onto the Equestrian mainland.”

“Wait, somepony of mah caliber?” Applejack asked.

“Yes, your caliber, Major.” The General said, “And to show my determination, I will place you up for promotion once we reach Ho Chi Mane City.” He cleared his throat, and continued, “Now, back to the Harmony Initiative. This is not to just be infantry, and air forces are to be integrated into the Initiative. We have contacted Shadowbolt Squadron, and they, along with the War Horse attack helicopter Squadron have complied with our request. You will act independently in the field, only to take orders from myself, General Thunder Roller and Princess Luna herself.”

“A’ight, General…” Applejack said, not knowing the old pony’s name.

“Battle Bowler,” the old pony laughed, “Where were my manners? My name’s General Battle Bowler.”

“Ai’ghty then, General Battle Bowler,” Applejack said, thrusting out her hand. Battle Bowler shook it immediately. “We have a deal then.”
***

Fluttershy landed her Mi-28 Havoc onto the helipad after another attack run on the Celestials in Nipponi Island. Only now, instead of landing in Neighjing, she was landing in Hoofoshima. The Republican ground forces had broken through Celestial defenses, and were eating up Nipponi Island. It was predicted that Luna would possess the entire East in only a week or two at most.

Fluttershy took off her helmet, and rolled her head, reorganizing her mane, and opened the cockpit. She climbed out, and breathed the relatively clean air of Hoofoshima. It had averted the damage Jerhoofalem had sustained, and even before the war, it was a clean city, relying on nuclear power instead of oil or natural gas, much like the rest of Nipponi Island.

Fluttershy walked off of the helipad, and turned around when she heard Solar Chaser call after her.

“Flutter, wait for me!” He called, catching up. “You want to get a drink? We don’t have another sorty for another two days.”

“Oh, yes, that would be nice.” Fluttershy said. “It’s a beautiful day.”

“Oh, yeah, it is.” Solar Chaser said, acknowledging the cloudless sky. “I’m surprised Celestia still keeps the sun rising here.”

“That would be terrible!” Fluttershy exclaimed, “Then it would be night forever!”

“Which is what makes Luna different that Nightmare Moon, I guess.” Solar Chaser said, “Nightmare Moon would want eternal night, while Luna just wants an Equestria without Celestia.”

Fluttershy nodded, and asked, “I don’t mean to be a bother, but what about that drink?”

“Oh, let’s get going.” Solar Chaser said, “Come on, I know a great saké place in town…”
***

Cameras flashed, and Celestia blinked to avoid them blinding her. She walked slowly to the podium, while the National Anthem played. Even though the band playing it was phenomenal, all attention was directed to the Princess. The band stopped playing, and Celestia swallowed, then leaned towards the microphone.

“My little ponies,” Celestia greeted. “In Equestria’s great and long history, there have been more than quite a few crises. Discord, Nightmare Moon, the Crusades into Camelus, the discovery of the Changelings, the Great Equine War, King Sombra and now Princess Luna and her New Lunar Pony’s Republic have all plagued the peace and harmony of Equestria. And even though these problems seemed hard to come through, we pushed through, though with some difficulty.

“The same difficulty with crises can be seen as right now.” Celestia explained, “With Princess Luna in control of most of the Eastern portion of Equestria, many of you are growing concerned of a Republican invasion of Western Equestria. I will be honest with you, I am as well. And as a result, I am fortifying the port cities of Baton Hoof, Fillydelphia, Manehattan, Flankfurt, Marelin, Trottingham, Lundy and Las Pegasus for such an occasion.

“But there are some of you who ask why we don’t use the Elements of Harmony to end this insurrection.” Celestia said. She sighed, and said, “But the truth is, half of the Element Bearers: Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity defected to the New Lunar Republic. This has caused me great heartache, and I am all the more determined to defeat my sister.”

She paused, and continued, “But such a task cannot be completed under these circumstances. As a result, I am suspending civilian habeas corpus, and placing the whole of Equestria under martial law until further notice.” There were gasps, and one reporter asked if any more freedoms would be impeded on.

“That depends,” Celestia said, “While we are under martial law, you may still speak your mind. Although, if you have Republican sympathies, you will be kindly escorted out of the country, we have no room in this time of great distress to have naysayers in the land. Any praise of the Republic will be dealt with.

“Effective immediately,” Celestia said, “The Kingdom of Equestria is no more. Now, the Solar Empire of Equestria and Ponykind remains. I, Empress Celestia the First, will assume the throne in Trottingham, the new capital. This new government will operate with myself as head, and the top leaders in the military and select government departments will be my personal advisors. You, my little ponies, will be expected to obey the laws of the land, or punishment will be swift and harsh. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I am very desperate.”

Celestia stepped off the podium, and the reporters in the crowd shouted questions at her. She nodded at a Captain, who led military police to corral the citizens away from the City Hall. Celestia walked inside, and was greeted by Shining Armor and Princess Cadence.

“Is it done, Auntie Celestia?” Cadence asked.

“Yes, Princess Cadence.” Celestia asked, “And I shall be referred to as Empress Celestia or Your Highness.”

“Oh,” Cadence said, “Yes, of course, Empress Celestia.”

Celestia smiled, and stroked her niece’s cheeks. “I fear for your life here in the Solar Empire. I wish for you to return to the Crystal Empire, and bring news to the Crystal Ponies. I want to know if they are with us in our crusade against Luna.”

“Speaking of which, Empress,” Shining Armor said, “I have correspondence from Prime Minister Elton from Elkenburg and President Venus from the Vandeerlands. They are mobilizing their militaries, and have declared war on the Republic. Although,” he said, “We have also received declarations of war from the Zebras and Bears.”

“Insolent bastard races,” Celestia grumbled, “If the Bears so much as move across the border, blast them back to the Stone Age with the Orbital Friendship Cannon. Am I clear, General?”

Shining Armor straightened himself, and said, “Yes, my Empress!”

Tell me what you think! Wow, that was unexpected! Oh, who am I kidding? We all knew it was going to come to this, New Lunar Republic against the Solar Empire. Anyway, I know I short-handed Fluttershy, but I really felt like getting this chapter out, so I guess Fluttershy was the unlucky one. Also, Celestia becoming a tyrant was also kind of expected, because of the dire circumstances. Finally, Yuktobearia City is a pun of Yuktobania, a country in the Ace Combat video game series. So, next chapter: Applejack begins her new job, Fluttershy continues her mission in Nipponi Island, Rarity arrives in Manehattan, Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Rainbow Dash leave Jerhoofalem, while Nightmare Moon and Celestia are in command of millions of soldiers, trying to outdo the other. Who will be victorious in the end? Keep reading The Equestrian Civil War to find out!

Chapter 15: Readjustments

The cabin of the Havoc was silent as Fluttershy and War Horse Squadron flew through the skies of Nipponi Island. The grasslands below the helicopters were littered with craters, shelled out tanks, bodies and scorched earth. Fluttershy preferred to not look down to see the carnage.

"This is FULL MOON to War Horse Squadron," Fluttershy's radio crackled, "Come in War Horse Squadron."

"This is Fluttershy, FULL MOON," Fluttershy responded, "We read you."

"Good, you all need to listen up." FULL MOON said, "Reports from the front line are telling us that the Celestials have had their defenses shattered along the Hoofshu Hills. They are retreating en masse towards the northern city of Pyongmane. Your mission is to harass the Celestial tanks and vehicles all the way there. Reports tell me that there is intense air traffic there, so be on the lookout for enemy jets and helicopters."

"Roger that," Fluttershy said, "War Horse Squadron moving to objective. Let's move out."

Fluttershy was beginning to become more and more cold as this war moved on. She was less resistant to kill, and was actually beginning to enjoy watching the explosions blossom from the ground. While this was concerning her, her superior officers were welcoming the changes. They were glad that Fluttershy was finally beginning to toughen up. They thought that the sooner Fluttershy toughened up, the better it was for the Republican cause. Fluttershy, despite wanting to help the Republicans and Luna, was beginning to fear that she might not embody the Element of Kindness like she was supposed to.

She pondered about this for a while, as they flew towards the front line. Was this war really changing Fluttershy? Fluttershy had heard of war changing ponies, but she thought that it would never happen to her, because she was the Element of Kindness. Somehow she thought that she was immune to the evil allure of killing and destruction.

Minutes passed as she thought about this. It really concerned her that she might not embody kindness anymore because of this war.

“FULL MOON to War Horse Squadron, you are entering the combat zone. Weapons free.”

Fluttershy blinked, and returned to reality. Kind or not, she needed to make sure she made it out of here alive.

“War Horse Squadron engage!” Fluttershy ordered, “Make sure not a single tank makes it out in one piece!”

“Yeah, let’s go!” Solar Chaser shouted behind Fluttershy. “You ready, Flutter?”

“Oh,” Fluttershy said, “Yes. I’m ready.”

“Something the matter?” Chaser asked.

“No, nothing’s wrong.” Fluttershy said, dismissing his concerns, “I need to focus here, if it doesn’t offend you.”

Solar Chaser only shook his head. Fluttershy then focused on flying her instrument of death. She could see smoke billowing from just over this one hill in the distance, and Fluttershy could only imagine what was on the other side.

She leaned the attack helicopter forward, and sped towards the hill. The rest of the squadron followed behind as Fluttershy led the charge into hell.

When they reached the other side of the hill, they found a mass of Celestial troops and light vehicles retreating while tanks were on distant hills, pounding the advancing Republican forces with artillery fire. It also didn’t help that AH-IZ Viper attack helicopters swarmed the air, peppering the Republican tanks.

Fluttershy turned on the weapons systems, and activated her head’s-up-display, or HUD. As it blinked to life, it identified the enemy tanks and helicopters, and Fluttershy placed a waypoint over a hill where Celestial ground troops, light armor and main battle tanks were entrenched, making advance impossible for Fluttershy’s allies.

The Havoc flew high above the hill, and Fluttershy locked onto a group of two Stallion tanks with a guided missile. She pulled the trigger, and watched the missile as it sped towards its target. It slammed into the ground between the two tanks, and a fantastic explosion tore apart the hill. It flipped over one of the tanks, and left the other unharmed.

Fluttershy switched to unguided missiles, and fired a volley of seven rockets at the hill. It whaled on the trenches and light armor, and explosions destroyed anything in its path. Still, Fluttershy fired the helicopter’s cannon, and saw bodies fly from the trenches.

When the smoke cleared, it was apparent there was little left of the hill. The one tank left standing was disabled as its treads were torn to shreds as if it were butter. The crew clambered out, and ran for their lives. Fluttershy decided to spare them, and move onto the next target.

Only, when she turned to attack the next hill, she looked straight at an enemy AH-1Z Viper. It was flying right at Fluttershy, and she could only imagine the carnage the gun could do to the aircraft. She yanked the joystick left, and pulled the trigger for the cannon. Bullets streaked past the Celestial helicopter as Fluttershy desperately tried to evade the wrath of her foe.

“Damn, Flutter,” Solar Chaser said, “That was quite the shock.”

“That was terrifying!” Fluttershy quietly exclaimed, “But I don’t think it’s going to leave us alone.”

“I’d say, he’s coming right at us!” Solar Chaser cried. “Evasive maneuvers, Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy rotated the helicopter again, and saw the Viper streak past her nose. It was going too fast for the cannon, but Fluttershy skillfully maneuvered behind the Viper, and attempted to get a lock with a guided missile.

“It’s not going to work!” Solar Chaser said, “He’s got friends!”

“Oh no!” Fluttershy said, “What are we going to do?”

“I thought you knew!” Solar Chaser said, “You’re the pilot!”

Fluttershy sighed, and looked around. There were another two helicopters moving in. Given the ferocity of this fight, she assumed that there would be air support. If she could only survive until MiGs and Su’s destroyed the helicopters, Fluttershy would have it made.

“This is War Horse 1,” Fluttershy said, “I need jet support on my AO! They’re too many enemies on me!”

“We read you, War Horse 1.” FULL MOON replied, “Shadowbolt Squadron is inbound. Get ready for the storm, ETA is five minutes.”

“Oh, I think it’s here.” Solar Chaser remarked.

Fluttershy meanwhile, had blocked it all from her mind, and was focusing on getting out of this confrontation alive. There were three Vipers wishing her dead, and she had about five minutes to survive. It seemed easy.

Fluttershy climbed, and flew backwards, attempting to get a good shot on the enemy helicopters. They climbed to her level in the clouds, and tried to get a shot as well. But, Fluttershy had employed a strategy Rainbow Dash had taught her: lose them in the clouds.

She flew through the clouds, while her HUD told her where the enemies were. They were flying forward, trying to find her, and she was right on their left side. Their radars must have been malfunctioning in the clouds. Fluttershy smirked, and she felt her warfighting side of her personality take over.

She turned to the left, and found herself behind the enemy. She kept flying, until the Celestials got out of the clouds. They stopped, and looked around for Fluttershy. They never thought of looking behind them though.

Fluttershy was right behind them, and stabilized the Havoc. Her fingers wrapped around the trigger, and she fired the cannon, and fired a guided missile at one of the helicopters. She nicked one with the cannon, and hit another with the missile. It tore apart the tail, and it tumbled down towards the hills.

Fluttershy overshot the other helicopters, and she immediately tried to evade the returning fire. She rolled to the right, and dove towards the ground. Her helicopter was now moving like a jet as Fluttershy tried to avoid the Celestials.

She guided the helicopter masterfully. As she was diving towards the ground, she had her rotor exposed to the Celestials. But, she was moving too fast, and they couldn’t get a shot. Fluttershy stabilized the helicopter, and flew above the road as the two remaining Vipers pursued.

Fluttershy looked behind her, and saw one of the Vipers above her, looking straight at her. She gasped as she saw bullets impact the ground right next to the helicopter. She then pulled back on the joystick, and stopped the helicopter. The Vipers overshot, and tried to turn around.

The timing could not have been more perfect. Right then, Shadowbolt Squadron streaked across the sky, and fired on the Vipers. They imploded in the sky as gunfire and missiles struck them, and Fluttershy watched as they crashed onto the ground below.

“Shadowbolt Squadron to War Horse 1,” Fluttershy heard, “Looks like your problem is gone.”

“Thank you for the assist, Shadowbolt Squadron.” Fluttershy said, “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t arrived when you did.”

“Glad we could help.” Shadowbolt Squadron then broke formation, and began strafing the retreating Celestials.

Fluttershy shook her head, and climbed back into the sky. She had just barely survived that encounter.

Applejack would not believe her.
***

Rain fell softly onto the jungle floor as Applejack rode in an unmarked pickup truck. The driver, a pale blue stallion with a light magenta mane and goatee beard silently guided the truck through the muddy roads.

“You picked the wrong time of year.” He said in a thick Marelaysian accent, “It’s right in the middle of the monsoon. If you had waited a month and a half...”

“We don’ have time.” Applejack said bluntly. She wore a dark green uniform and beret, showing her rank plainly. On her chest, there were ribbons for active combat, twenty confirmed kills, rescuing a wounded soldier, and being an Element of Harmony Bearer, just in case anypony forgot.

“Oh, I see.” The stallion said, “You military types don’t give a damn about the weather, and I end up risking my neck to get an officer out into the middle of the jungle.”

“Ya complain one more time,” Applejack said, “And Ah’ll make sure you were risking ya neck.”

“Republicans.” The stallion snorted. “Just like Celestia.”

Applejack decided to let that comment slide. He had two strikes, the next time he complained about getting her out here, he’d have a bullet in his head. She reached for her thigh, and found her .44 Magnum there. Yes, that would do the trick.

The pickup bumped along, and soon, there was a clearing in the woods. Applejack saw the Republican flag flying, and she knew she was at the right place. The stallion stopped at the gate, and Applejack opened the door, and climbed out of the truck, knapsack in hand.

Two sentries walked out from the guardhouse to greet her. She smiled, and pointed at the pickup truck.

“He comes ‘round here again,” Applejack said, “Ah want ya both to make sure he don’ come back.”

They saluted, and saw the truck off. Applejack sloshed through the mud, and walked up to the only other concrete structure apart from the guardhouse. She knocked on the door, and it opened within seconds. She was greeted by a stoic-looking gray Unicorn mare with a yellow and baby blue mane. She wore slick black glasses, and held the rank of Corporal.

“Ah’m Major Applejack,” Applejack said, “Ah need to see General Battle Bowler.”

“Of course.” The mare said in a Hooviet accent, “Right this way, Major. Did you have a nice flight from Damarescus?”

Applejack had to admit, the flight to Ho Chi Mane City was much more enjoyable than the flight she took with Fluttershy and Rarity to Stalliongrad. Thinking about that flight reminded her that she had not seen either of them in months. She had heard that Fluttershy was leading War Horse Squadron, but she hadn’t heard anything about Rarity. She would have to check to see if the General knew anything.

The mare guided her to a door, and the mare knocked on it, and said softly, “General, it is Major Applejack.”

“Oh, yes, let her in.”

The mare nodded at Applejack, and she opened the door and walked inside. General Battle Bowler looked up from paperwork, and smiled at the sight of Applejack. He was smoking a cigar, and smoke hung around him, but it went towards the door before the Hooviet mare closed it.

“Major!” Bowler greeted, “Please, have a seat. Would you like some coffee?”

“No sir,” Applejack said as she took off her now soaked beret and sat down.

“Well then,” the old General said, “We better get down to business then. The recruits will be here tomorrow at 0600 hours. You will greet them, and what you do for initiation is up to you. Make them run through the jungle for an hour or two, or maybe just make them do one hundred pushups in the mud. But that’s not important.”

The General opened a manila folder, and said, “Princess Luna and General Thunder Roller are very interested in the Harmony Initiative, but they are not naive. They know that some of the Pony recruits will be, prejudiced, against our Zebra and Bear counterparts. I have assigned Sergeant Leatherneck to deal with the day to day conflicts, but you will mediate anything that gets out of hand.”

The General paused to take a puff from his cigar, and exhaled smoke as he said, “The Zebras and Bears are watching the Harmony Initiative even more scrutinously than the Princess. Any fuck-ups at this stage will deal a major blow to Prime Minister Zeboro and Premier Ivan’s faith in Luna and the New World Order.”

“So, if Ah screw it up,” Applejack said, “It all falls apart then?”

“Exactly.” Battle Bowler said, “Now, I can tell you this. If this crashes and burns, you will just be sent to the front. I, meanwhile will be ‘liquidated’, and transported to Stalliongrad and dishonorably discharged. Our careers in the military depend on the success of the Initiative."

“Ah didn’ think of it like that.” Applejack said.

“Well now you know.” Battle Bowler said, “I just wanted to let you know, so that you know that we’re all depending on you.”

“Sir, Ah am up to the challenge.” Applejack said.

“Good.” The General took yet another puff, and said, “Dismissed, Major.”

Applejack turned to leave, but Battle Bowler said, “Oh, but if this succeeds, you can count on being promoted. I just thought I’d let you know of the reward of the success of the Harmony Initiative.”

“Thank ya, sir.” Applejack saluted, and turned to leave the office. She had no idea there was so much pressure when she took the job. But, there was no turning back now.
***

Rainbow Dash had only been in Baton Hoof for a week now, but already the environment was changing her. For the most part, the citizens of this city were unconcerned with the war, unless something big appeared on the news, or they saw somepony in uniform. Dash had ditched her uniform in her apartment for just this reason, and stuck with a gray tank top and brown khaki slacks. She wore her mane in a ponytail, though it was much tighter than Applejack's.

Dash walked the streets alone, and wandered through the city. Since they had gotten here, Dash had felt foreign. She was a country mare, unused to having so many ponies in close proximity to her. Cloudsdale and Canterlot were never like this.

Now, she sat in a bar, with a Flankfurt lager sitting in front of her. She took a small sip as her mind drifted to different, easier times. It had only been five months since Canterlot was firebombed, and now the New Lunar Republic ruled the East. It could only get worse now. Newspapers had told Dash that the Bears and Zebras had recognized and were now allied with Luna. It was rumored that now Empress Celestia would call on the Deer and Elk for assistance.

But Dash wasn't thinking of the war. She thought of the times she and her had in Ponyville. Why did Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack have to be so damn stupid and leave? Dash shook her head, and drank her beer. It was times like this when Dash began to doubt herself. She never had any time to do this during the Plague, but now she had plenty of time to.

Dash was shaken from her thoughts when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned, and saw a light green Pegasus stallion with a white mane standing next to her.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked. Dash nodded.

"Why not?" She answered, "Sit down."

The stallion did, and introduced , "My name's Jazzy Cider, what's yours?"

"I don't think my name matters now." Dash said.

"Alright then," Cider said, "You from around here?"

"No, I'm from Ponyville." Dash took another sip of her beer. "It's near Canterlot."

"Now why is a fair mare like you doing in Baton Hoof, so far from home?" Cider asked, "You a soldier or something?"

"Yeah, I'm a pilot." Dash said.

"Does that mean you've been in combat?" Cider asked.

"Look, if all you're going to do is ask questions," Dash said, "You'd better find another drinking friend."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." Cider said, "It's just that I haven't seen a new face here in a while..."

"Yeah, I was in combat." Dash interrupted, "I was in Jerhoofalem. Even though I was up in the air, I could see the desperation of those down there. It was awful. We just got transferred here a week ago, and I've been taking it solo. I just happened to walk into this bar tonight."

"Wow, Jerhoofalem." Jazzy Cider said, "I had a friend in the Army. He died in the first few days of fighting in Jerhoofalem."

"I'm so sorry." Dash said.

"Don't be." The stallion replied, "Let's not talk about the war. We're in a bar after all, right?"

Dash nodded, and slowly finished her beer. While she liked the taste of it, she wasn't one to rush drinking. Jazzy Cider ordered a glass of brandy on the rocks, and they both drank together. Dash could feel her spirits rising as she drank more and more, but knew that this was because of the alcohol.

"You know," Dash said, "Being a pilot is not that bad. It is so beautiful in the sky."

"And so peaceful too." Cider said, "Is that why you joined the military?"

"No," Dash said, "I joined because I was offered a spot with the Wonderbolts."

"You're it the Wonderbolts?" Jazzy Cider exclaimed, "Why didn't you say so?"

"I'm not one to tell somepony everything about my life." Dash answered. "I guess I should tell you my name now."

"You've got to be Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty!" Cider said, "You were in the papers everywhere when you joined. Wow, I cannot believe I just drank with a Wonderbolt and the Element of Loyalty!"

"Yeah, well the novelty wears off eventually." Dash said, "Once three of the other Elements left for Luna, it doesn't matter that I embody an Element of Harmony."

“What do you mean by that?" Cider said, "You can't just say that. Empress Celestia picked you to be an Element bearer, bearer and now you say it doesn't matter? You must be a sad and pathetic pony to think that."

"Do you know what I've been through, Mr. Judge of my life? I've been fighting a war for half a year, and all you've been doing is getting drunk here!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" The stallion said sarcastically, "I forgot who I was speaking to. A depressed, half-drunk, dead-beat mare."

Dash stood up from her stool, and promptly punched the stallion in the face. He fell to the floor with blood trickling from his nose. Dash walked over him to get to the door.

"Bastard," she muttered, "I'd like to see him in a warzone."
***

Twilight was sick of sea travel. She had been on the Princess Celestia for well over a week now, and she wanted off. She had been told that it would be another nine days before they reached the port of Flankfurt.

Of course, she had had her hands full during the evacuation. The evacuation process was slow, as thousands of soldiers needed a place on crowded ships. And all the while Republican helicopters and jets were harassing them. But, Admiral Wave Roller accredited Twilight for the success of the evacuation, and she had been told that she would receive a promotion and pay raise when they reached Flankfurt. She would be a First Lieutenant.

Right now, Twilight sat in the cafeteria, and read a pocket novel, titled The Troubled Lands of the East. It was telling her about the troubled histories of Zecornia, the Hooviet Union, and Camelus. It was very interesting, and it allowed Twilight to forget where she was.

She sipped from her bitter black coffee, and then took a sip from a water bottle she kept next to her coffee. Twilight was used to putting cream and sugar in her coffee, but that was a luxury that she couldn’t get. So, water was her savior.

After placing her water bottle down, Twilight turned back to her book, only to find it missing from her table. She looked around, but couldn’t find it anywhere.

“I had it here just a second ago.” She muttered, “Where could it have gone?”

“Looking for this? Looks boring, Twilight.”

Twilight turned around, and looked at a familiar pony. When she recognized who was standing in front of her, Twilight could only chuckle and shake her head in disbelief.

“Come on, give it back.” Twilight said.

“That’s the hello I get? Way to be a sour puss, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie said. “Here, have it back. I wasn’t going to keep it anyway.”

“How did you get here, Pinkie?” Twilight said, “I took a headcount of everypony who stepped foot onto this ship.”

“Well you missed me!” Pinkie Pie laughed. “I just thought I would surprise you. SURPRIIIIIIIIIIISE!!!!!!!!!!”

“It’s been too long, Pinkie.” Twilight got up, and Pinkie Pie smiled as she jumped Twilight in a surprise hug.

“I have so much to tell you!” Pinkie cried.

“I do, too, Pinkie.” Twilight let go of her friend, and sat down, “Want a coffee?”

“Coffee?” Pinkie asked, then laughed, “I already had three!” Twilight’s eyes went wide. “Ha, I was just kidding! I don’t need coffee!”

“So, you said that you had a lot to tell me?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, yeah!” Pinkie Pie sat down next to her friend, and then said, “I saw Applejack.”

“What? Really?” Twilight was shocked to hear that name. She had forgotten for just a moment that Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity had abandoned them for the Republic.

“Yeah,” Pinkie said, “She’s a Major. We were fighting in Jerhoofalem, and Vinyl Scratch and I found Applejack aiming her gun at us. We stopped fighting, and we talked for a few minutes. She wasn’t like herself, though. She didn’t even call me sugar cube!”

“Well, that is odd.” Twilight said, “What happened next?”

“Then,” Pinkie Pie said, “She told us that she was the highest ranking officer alive, and we were supposed to take an officer alive.”

“Did you take her into custody?” Twilight almost stood up in excitement.

“No, silly!” Pinkie Pie said, “Vinyl and I let her go!”

“Why?” Twilight nearly shouted. “Pinkie, if we had taken her in, we would only need Rarity and Fluttershy, and then we could use the Elements of Harmony to defeat Luna!”

“Oh, well I didn’t think of that!” Pinkie laughed. “That’s why I leave the thinking to you, Twilight!”

“I guess it’s nice that you saw her.” Twilight said, “Was she like what she was before?”

“What do you mean by that?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Oh, nothing. Forget I said it.” Twilight replied. She began to think of the Colonel she had extracted not too long ago. She particularly remembered what the Colonel said about Applejack, and that she thought Twilight was naïve and indoctrinated. It had shaken Twilight to her core, and she wondered if Applejack had said anything like that to Pinkie Pie.

“Well, Applejack seemed normal,” Pinkie had her thumb against her front tooth in thought. “Yeah, she was like what she was before, Twilight.”

“Good,” Twilight sighed. “Say, where are you staying?”

“Not too far from the cafeteria.” Pinkie said, “Which would be nice, if we had some cupcakes!” She directed the last part at the chef behind the counter.

“You’ll eat all the damn cupcakes you want when we reach Flankfurt!”

Twilight chuckled, and said, “How would you like to stay with me? I’ve got an extra bunk.”

“Really?” Pinkie Pie’s face lit up with excitement, “You do?”

“Yeah,” Twilight said, “Let me show you to my room.”
***

Rarity tensed up as she walked up to an Equestrian Customs Officer. The Officer was a bored-looking tan Earth Pony mare with a black coat and blue eyes. Her uniform was a plain blue, with a badge.

Rarity was wearing a red t-shirt, with a pair of blue skinny jeans. She wore eyeglasses, which was a central piece to her fake identity as Illustrious, the mare from Baton Hoof. The Customs Officer looked at Rarity’s papers, and then at her face. The Officer stared for a few uncomfortable seconds, and handed Rarity her papers back. Rarity smiled in thanks, but received no response.

Rarity then walked through the exit of Manehattan International Airport, and was assaulted by the overwhelming bombardment of different sounds, sights and smells. There was a line of yellow taxi cabs taking Camels, Elk, Deer, Griffons and Ponies to their destinations.

Rarity walked to the curb, and found an empty cab. She walked over, and tapped on the glass window. The driver, a light yellow Unicorn stallion with a green mane and beard, stirred, and awoke from a light slumber. He jolted when he saw Rarity, and got out of the cab.

“You got luggage, Miss?” He asked in a thick Manehattan accent.

“Yes,” Rarity walked to the trunk, which was immediately opened. Rarity placed her bags inside, and climbed into the back seat of the cab. The driver then got behind the wheel, and turned around to look at Rarity in the eye.

“Where do you need to go?” He asked.

Rarity looked down at a slip of paper, which read “Hoofdorf-Astoria”. She looked up at the driver, and said, “The Hoofdorf-Astoria Hotel, please.”

“Oh, you’re a high roller, eh?” The driver said as he left the airport and turned onto a large avenue. Buildings towered high into the sky, and the streets were overly congested with cars, bikes, buses and taxis. The sidewalks were not much better either, as pedestrians were squished in between the large buildings and numerous street vendors.

So, this was Manehattan when it was full. The driver was already in the thick of the traffic, and he was getting frustrated at the obvious incompetence the other drivers had that Rarity couldn’t see. In Ponyville, very few ponies had cars, because you could walk everywhere. But, in a city like Manehattan, cars were a great way to get around, if you enjoyed being trapped in traffic.

“Can you please turn on the radio?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, any music you like in particular?” The driver asked, “Or would you like some talk radio?”

“Just get me the news, please.” Rarity said, “Particularly the Coyote News Network?”

“Alrighty then.” The driver then turned on the radio, and tuned in to Coyote News, the primary center-right wing news agency in Equestria. Coyote was one of the most popular, being surpassed only by the Equestrian Broadcasting Company, or EBC.

“Welcome to Coyote News at Six,” the radio buzzed, “I am Star Cloud, your anchor. Headlining this newscast today is that the countries of Ibearia and Zecornia have begun troop movements, and are meeting with Republican forces for the first time. We now go to Daytime Ace, live in Whoazambique.

“Thank you, Star Cloud.” The radio spat out some static, but Rarity could understand it for the most part. “The atmosphere here in Whoazambique today is tense as the citizens remember to Zecor War not too far back, which devastated the economy of this Eastern country. Chief Magistrate Zeboro today has said that ‘The rule of Celestia over Equestria and the world will now come to an end. The oppressed ones of this world are uniting to fight against the privileged, and our forces will find victory.’

“While the Zecor Army is outdated with old military technology,” Rarity listened as the cab was slowly crawling down the avenue, “The fact that they will be joining forces will Ibearian and Republican forces means that they will be seen as a real threat...”

Rarity then began to think about her mission. She was to meet Quirky Code in a room that was prepared for her. She had her resumé filled out already, all she needed to do was hand it in to the OFC Database, and she would be in. The only thing she needed to work on now was her Baton Hoof accent.

While she was practicing in the back, the driver asked, “You an actor or something?”

“Whaih would ya think thayat?” Rarity said in her accent.

“You had a different voice when you got in.” The driver responded.

“Oh, yes, Ah am an actor.” Rarity improvised, “Ah am going to traih out for a role in tha theatre.”

“Must be nice...” The driver trailed off.

Rarity sighed silently, and still practiced her accent all the way to the Hoofdorf-Astoria. She got out, and paid the extremely high fare of 35 bits. She gave another 5 bits, just because she was feeling generous. The driver thanked her, and drove out into the street.

Rarity turned around, and looked up at the 45 floor building that was the Hoofdorf-Astoria Hotel. It had the flags of Equestria, Elkia and the Vandeerlands flapping in the wind above the doors. Rarity was almost intimidated, but walked in after she was bumped into more than a few times.

When she walked inside, she was greeted with silence, which seemed to be a gift from Luna herself given the noise just outside the doors. Rarity walked up to the concierge, who looked up at Rarity, and smiled in greeting.

“Hello, and welcome to the Hoofdorf-Astoria Hotel.” The Unicorn mare greeted, “Do you have a reservation?”

“Actually, Ah am hyar for a Mr. Quirky Code.” Rarity said, “Can ya tell him that tomorrow will be beautiful in Baton Hoof?”

“Oh, of course.” The receptionist smiled, and said, “He is in room 34F. Have a nice stay.”

Rarity nodded in thanks, and walked over to the elevator. She pressed a button for the 34th Floor. The elevator doors closed, and it crawled slowly upwards towards the 34th Floor. The music was bland and boring. If Rarity had been put in charge, she would have made sure that Octavia would be in charge of composing it.

Or was it Vinyl that liked the classical music?

Rarity had no time to think that, because as soon as the elevator doors opened, she was greeted by who she assumed was Quirky Code. He had a red coat, and a gray mane that was dishevelled. He was a Unicorn, and wore thick horn-rim glasses, and his Cutie Mark was a sequence of 1s and 0s, which showed his proficiency in coding and computers.

“Illustrious, did you have a nice flight?” Quirky Code asked as Rarity walked out of the elevator.

“Yes, Ah did.” Rarity said, “Though the traffic hyar is darn near impossible to get through!”

“Advice for next time,” Quirky Code said, “Just walk. It’s faster and free. Come now, let’s head into my room so that we can be alone.”

Rarity nodded, and the techie took her into his apartment room. Once Rarity walked through the door, Quirky Code locked the door with both the chain and knob lock, and placed a chair under the knob, making sure that nopony would enter unless they broke down the door.

After he was done, Quirky Code showed Rarity the apartment. It was nicely furnished, with two single mattresses sitting in front of a large television set, which was showing EBC broadcasts. There was a full bathroom, and kitchen as well. There was also a room that had a large computer on top of an even larger table, with a swivel chair placed next to the table.

“Here is where we will be staying, Illustrious.” Quirky Code said, and then said in a hushed voice, “Keep your accent up at all times. You don’t know who is with Equestrian counterintelligence.”

Rarity could only nod.

“Well,” Quirky Code clasped his hands together, and said, “Tomorrow you will come with me to the Central Database. There, I will show you my office. You will be my intern, and everypony who works with me will know that. Still, it couldn’t hurt to get acquainted.”

Rarity looked a little uneasy about the last part, to which Quirky Code said, “Don’t worry. I’ve already hacked into every single one of their personal wireless networks and their accounts on the Database’s network. They’re not hunting for us.”

“Good,” Rarity said, “Ah was gettin’ worried that they were.”

“Now,” Quirky Code said in a quiet tone, “What your job will be mostly is making sure that nopony walks in on me. You will seem busy, but you will watch my door at all times. I will be breaking their firewalls discreetly from an encrypted network. They won’t catch me, but my coworkers might.”

The Unicorn sighed, and said, “Other than that, no stupid mistakes. Are we clear?”

“Crystal, honey.” Rarity answered.

The Unicorn smiled, and sighed. “Good.” He then walked into the computer room, and logged on. He then opened a few windows, and soon, all Rarity could see were 1s and 0s dancing across the screen. Then, they all suddenly disappeared, and then it was all blank, until readable text appeared on the screen.

“> Attempting to establish connection

>> Username: tech_junkie

>>>Password: ***********

>>>> Security Question: Where did my father work in Ibearia?

>>>>> Answer: Yuktobearia Financial, Incorporated
.........................................

> tech_junkie successfully logged in

>> Accessing encrypted server #425967

>>> Access Granted. Welcome, Quirky Code.”

The Unicorn nodded, and typed in a few more commands.

“tech_junkie: Hello, is the Doctor in?

doctor: It’s been awhile, Code.

tech_junkie: You have been quite generous, there were no problems.

doctor: Good. You will show her what she needs to do?

tech_jukie: When the time is right, my friend. She needs to do nothing right now. It is only when I break through to the firewall source.

doctor: Just make sure she knows before we need her.

tech_junkie: You think I didn’t know that?

doctor: There is so much riding on this, Code. We can’t afford a mistake.

tech_junkie: Don’t worry about that. Tell Derpy I said ‘hi’, okay?

doctor: But of course.
......................................

doctor has ended chat. Find another pony to chat with?”

Quirky Code sighed, and closed the program.

“Would you like some dinner?” Quirky Code asked, “I heard that there is a Nipponese restaurant here that has the best fried rice in town.”

“Sounds good,” Rarity said, “Let’s get a goin’ then.”
***

The sun rose slowly over the Fillydelphia skyline. Celestia watched it as she sipped from a cup of espresso. She looked down at a cable from the Elkian Embassy, located in Manehattan. It had narrowly escaped destruction, only because Celestia abhorred foreign policy so much she said that Canterlot would house no embassies. Many had chosen Manehattan as a result.

“Princess Celestia,” the cable read, “Prime Minister Ludovicus has been communicating with the Embassy furiously in the past three days. I show you an exact copy of the cable I received not one day ago:
Celsus,
The actions of the Bears along the border with the Vandeerlands has caused the Foreign Ministry quite the headache. They fear of the war in the East spreading onto our continent. I do not know if the Foreign Minister has spoken with you, but I will send his message regardless: Tell Princess Celestia that given the circumstances with Ibearia, the Elk Congress has given me and the Defense and Foreign Minister emergency powers. We have full control over the Army, Navy and Air Force. We are ready for war, though we would prefer to stay out of this conflict.
Prime Minister Ludovicus

This civil war of yours has the potential to become a global war. While we stand with you in whatever choice you make, I need to tell you this on behalf of Prime Minister Ludovicus. If you intend to drag us and the Deer into this war, you better be sure that we can win.
Sincerely Yours,
Ambassador Celsus”

Celestia sighed, and twirled a tuft of her mane with her finger. The war had been going terribly for the new Solar Empire, and the East was now under Luna’s control. And now with Zecornia and Ibearia declaring war, Celestia had no choice but to call on her allies to help preserve freedom.

But was she really fighting for freedom? Luna had proclaimed a Republic, though she was acting much more like a Queen or despot than an elected official. Granted, there was no time for elections, but Celestia was skeptical that the New Lunar Pony’s Republic would really be a Republic at all.

Celestia then used magic to place a typewriter with paper in front of her. While technology had rendered the typewriter obsolete, Celestia preferred this to the computers much of her subjects were drawn to. There were no distractions with this invention.

She began to type out a response to the Elk ambassador, when she heard a knock on her door.

“Come in.” She said louder than necessary. Immediately, Shining Armor and other high-ranking military officers walked into Celestia’s office. They took off their caps, and saluted Celestia.

“What do you need?” Celestia asked with contempt. “It better be good news.”

“Yes, well, Empress,” Sea Breeze, Head Admiral of the Navy, answered, “The Ibearian Navy was mobilized yesterday, and is heading towards one of our southern cities, presumably Baton Hoof or Mexicolt City.”

“Is something being done about it?” Celestia asked, still typing on the typewriter.

“Yes, Your Higness.” Sea Breeze said, “The Fourth Fleet has been tasked with intercepting the Bear Fleet, and submarines in the area have identified exactly where they are. We are readying for a cruise missile strike, and then we will send in our destroyers and cruisers will move in along with aircraft to clean up the rest.”

“Very good.” Celestia said, “General Shining Armor, what have you to say?”

“Your Highness, we have stopped the Republican advance in Nipponi Island. We are fortifying Pyongmane for an assault from Republican forces, and are using the hills in the area to pound them with artillery.”

“Can we drive them back?” Celestia asked.

“Yes,” Shining Armor said, “Their momentum has died, and now we can press home the attack.”

“Give the order.” Celestia said curtly. “Any other reports?”

“Empress Celestia,” Star Clipper, the female Chief of the Air Force, said, “Initial UAV patrols over the Ibearian border show no Bear willingness to engage the Deer fortifications. And on your order, we can begin strikes on Ibearian nuclear power and nuclear enrichment plants.”

“Go ahead, Chief,” Celestia replied, pulling the finished paper from the typewriter, “I don’t want the Bears sending out ICBMs at us. Shining Armor, I want our silos to be put on the highest alert. I want them to be able to launch in five minutes or less at all times.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Shining Armor answered, “And of our nuclear carrying subs and bombers?”

“Have them at full alert.” Celestia said, “Even though we have the OFC, I still want our nuclear arsenal to fall back on. Dismissed.”

The three officers saluted, and left the office. While the door was open, Celestia called out.

“Spike, would you come in here please?”

The small purple dragon walked into the office, and said, “Something I can do, Your Highness?”

“Yes,” Celestia said, “I want this sent to the Elk Embassy in Manehattan.” Spike grabbed the paper, and turned to walk away, but Celestia said, “Oh, and Twilight’s on her way home. I think after this, you’ll want to head to Las Pegasus. That’s where the Fifth Fleet will be stationed.”

“Really?” Spike asked, “Thanks!”

“Well, I’ve still got to have a shred of kindness.” Celestia explained. “I won’t let this war envelop what I was.”

Tell me what you think! In case I haven’t said it before, Pyongmane is a pun for Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. Since it is Asian, and in close proximity to Japan, I figured why not place it on Nipponi Island? Also, the Hoofdorf-Astoria is a pun for Waldorf-Astoria and Coyote News is Fox News and the EBC can be the BBC, ABC, or NBC, I haven't decided yet. I hope Rarity’s Southern accent is good, because dear God is it hard to write! Anyways, I know it has been a long time since I have updated, but I have been hard at work writing my novel, and I was also distracted by the likes of Minecraft and Battlefield 3. I hope I can get the next chapter out sooner. Speaking of the next chapter: Applejack meets her new recruits, Rarity heads to the Database, Twilight and Pinkie arrive in Las Pegasus, Dash bides her time, and Fluttershy is still badass in her helicopter. The stakes are getting higher, who will be victorious? Find out by continuing to read The Equestrian Civil War!

Chapter 16: Tranquillum

The sun rose lazily over the Republican-held airfield outside of Nipponi City. The city had largely been spared of destruction, and the citizens went along their daily lives. Fluttershy sat on a bench close to the air traffic controller tower, watching Su-30s take off and fly towards their targets.

Fluttershy couldn’t help but want to be in the air, to be free from the war. Before this all happened, she never got Rainbow Dash’s apparent obsession with the air. But, after clocking dozens of hours in her Mi-28 Havoc, she found herself sitting on the edge of her seat, waiting for the next chance to lift off into the air.

Fluttershy sighed, and watched a flock of birds fly across the airfield. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like, being a bird. No worries, no wars, no conflict, there would be nothing Fluttershy wouldn’t have to worry about.

She was brought back to reality after a Su-30 thundered over her head, startling her. She shook her head, and looked back at the sunset. She was surprised Celestia still allowed the sun to rise over the East now.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Fluttershy jumped out of her seat, and saw Solar Chaser standing behind the bench.

“Did I scare you, Flutter?” He asked, “I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s quite alright.” Fluttershy responded, “I was just thinking. About everything.”

“Sounds entertaining.” Solar Chaser jumped over the back of the bench, and sat down, “So, what’re you doing up so early? Couldn’t sleep?”

“Oh, um, yeah.” Fluttershy shyly said, “I thought I would catch the sunrise.”

“Your file said you were from Ponyville.” Solar Chaser said, “That’s rural, right? You must’ve seen a million of these.”

“Oh, yes.” Fluttershy answered, “And you were from...?”

“Hooflyn,” Solar Chaser replied, “It’s next to Manehattan. I’ve never really seen a true sunrise.”

“That’s so sad.” Fluttershy sat down beside her copilot. “I usually took these for granted.”

“You learn something new everyday.” Solar Chaser said, “Our next sortie’s in a few hours. We’ve got some time to kill.”

Fluttershy only nodded. It was odd, she had never really spoken with a stallion like this before. She had always been a little frightened of them, and especially their rough demeanors. But, Solar Chaser was always different. He laughed with her, and always sat with her when they ate. She thought of him as a good friend.

“You know, Flutter,” Solar Chaser said, “Have you ever thought of what would happen after the war?”

“Oh, no, I haven’t.” Fluttershy said, “I would think I would return to Ponyville, and all my animals...”

“That’s nice.” Solar Chaser replied, “I was thinking of moving away from Hooflyn, you know? I’ve kind of grown tired of the city. Maybe I’ll move south, maybe near Tampa Neigh. It’s nice and warm there.”

“Tampa Neigh’s nice.” Fluttershy agreed. “Don’t you have any family in Hooflyn?”

“Ah, I can’t get enough of them!” Solar Chaser said, “They’re always in my business. I joined the Republic just to get away from them! I needed the freedom, you know?”

"No, I don't think I do." Fluttershy , "My family was almost always supportive of me. They never intruded on me."

Solar Chaser sighed, “I guess we just come from different worlds. You’re a country mare, and I’m a city colt. That’s cool.” He reached into his pocket, and took out a pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Fluttershy, “You smoke?”

“Oh, no.” Fluttershy replied, “I’ve always been too shy.”

“It’s not for everypony.” Solar Chaser lit up, and took a puff. “You know, I guess the country isn’t too bad. You get to see this everyday.”

Fluttershy nodded, and she sat back down. Fluttershy’s father, Flutterbrave, had smoked, but Fluttershy could never bring herself to smoke, especially after he died of cancer. Her mother was devastated, and Fluttershy couldn’t think of it anymore, thinking about what her mother would think.

In the distance, there was a rumbling, and Fluttershy knew from experience that it was artillery. Republican forces had been bogged down in the Hoofshu Hills for a week now. Fluttershy knew the area well, and hid behind the hills, and struck whenever the time was right. She was glad that she was in a helicopter, and not on the ground, she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Killing zombies animated by Discord was one thing, but Fluttershy knew she didn’t have the guts to pull the trigger on a pony she could see with her own eyes. To Fluttershy, she just destroyed vehicles and equipment, she never hurt anypony. Or, that was what she forced herself to think. She knew she was a killer, but she wouldn’t dare think of it.

After a few minutes, Solar Chaser put out his cigarette, and asked if Fluttershy wanted some breakfast. She answered yes, and they stood and left for the mess hall. As they walked, another Su-30 took off, startling Fluttershy. Solar Chaser laughed, and Fluttershy blushed. She had embarrassed herself once again!

“It’s fine.” Solar Chaser chuckled, “Those things used to scare me too. Come on, I heard there’s going to be recognizable oranges in the mess hall.”

They entered into the mess hall not too long after. Fluttershy sat down, while Solar Chaser got the food. He returned with a small stack of pancakes, eight slices of toast, two oranges, and a cup of coffee for the both of them.

“The early bird catches the worm, eh?” Solar Chaser sat down, and split the food between them. Fluttershy quietly ate her pancakes and toast, thinking about Ponyville, and her friends. Would things ever be the same? Only time would tell.

Fluttershy was shaken from her trance when Solar Chaser nearly choked on his coffee, and yelled at the cook, “What the hell is this? This is liquid scat!”

“Not my problem!” The cook yelled back, “Live with it, faggot!”

“I’m not in a warzone cooking!” Solar Chaser yelled back. The cook looked like he was about to burst, but decided that Solar Chaser wasn’t worth the trouble. Solar Chaser laughed, and bit into a slice of toast.

“That wasn’t very nice.” Fluttershy said.

“What? He started it.” Solar Chaser replied, acting like a little foal. “Anyway, don’t drink the coffee.”

Fluttershy nodded, and continued eating the rest of her large breakfast. When she finished, she looked at the clock on the wall, and noticed her sortie would be in just over five hours.

Strangely, Fluttershy wasn’t beginning to dread the time when she had to climb into the cockpit. She hoped it wouldn’t last.
***

Twilight had grown sick of sea travel. She thanked Celestia that it would only be a few more hours until they arrived in Las Pegasus. She needed some R&R.

Pinkie Pie, meanwhile, didn’t care in the slightest. She was always bouncing off the walls as always, and it annoyed Twilight to no end, considering they were roommates. To try and tune her out, Twilight pored over two novels she brought with her to Jerhoofalem, Broken Wings and Equestrian Sniper. Both were war related, and took place during the Zecor War. Twilight had grown to like war novels, especially when it delved into the strategy of the opposing armies.

“Hey, Twilight, whatcha reading?” Pinkie Pie asked for the thousandth time.

“The same ones I’ve been reading, Pinkie.” Twilight said as calmly as she could. “If you haven’t noticed, there really isn’t a library on the Princess Celestia.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot!” Pinkie laughed, “I’m really forgetful about that, aren’t I?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Twilight chuckled. “Pinkie, have you ever played chess?”

“Chess?” Pinkie tilted her head, and blinked, “What’s chess?”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” Twilight said, “There’s a set in the rec room.”

Twilight stood, and Pinkie followed. Of course, Pinkie pestered her with questions about the game of chess, but Twilight ignored them, saying all would be answered when they got there. When they did, Twilight led Pinkie to the chess set, and sat down, and instructed Pinkie to do the same.

“I thought we were playing chess,” Pinkie complained, “But we’re just playing checkers!”

“They’re played on the same board.” Twilight then explained the rules of the game. Pinkie listened intently, and was excited when she was allowed to make the first move. She moved the pawn in front of her King forward two spaces. Twilight responded by moving her right knight forward and to the left.

Surprisingly, Pinkie was good at chess. While Twilight won the first game, she had been reduced to her King, a Rook, and a Bishop. The second game ended with both Twilight and Pinkie having only their Kings remaining. They declared it a tie, and started the third game.

The third game, Pinkie won in four moves. Twilight was shocked when Pinkie used her Queen to take out Twilight’s Bishop, the only piece standing between the Queen and Twilight’s King. With nowhere to go, Pinkie Pie had checkmated Twilight. Twilight never lost at chess.

“Good game, Pinkie.” Twilight said, “You’re good at this.”

“It’s really easy!” Pinkie Pie laughed. “How about whoever wins this games eats the cook’s bean surprise?”

“Really, a wager?” Twilight said, raising her eyebrow. “Fine, you’re on.”

And so, the fourth game began. Sweat dripped from Twilight’s face as she maneuvered her pieces to try and limit Pinkie’s moves, while Pinkie tried to isolate Twilight’s King. Seven moves in, Pinkie lost her Queen at the hands of one of Twilight’s Knights.

“Check,” she said, being one move away from taking Pinkie’s King. Pinkie then used a Pawn to eliminate the threat. Twilight used her magic to move her Queen to the center of the board, and placed Pinkie’s Rooks in harm’s way. Pinkie allowed Twilight to take one, while she placed her other Rook on the warpath, taking a Knight.

Twilight played as hard as she ever had, because it was not only Twilight’s stomach on the line, it was her pride. She knew Pinkie was a master of games, but didn’t think it possible that anypony could just pick up the game of chess, and win after three tries against an experienced player like Twilight.

Twilight moved her Pawn in front of Pinkie’s Rook, baiting her, for she had a Bishop lying in wait. Pinkie didn’t take the bait, but instead moved her last Bishop in line to take Twilight’s Queen.

“Big mistake,” Twilight said, moving her Queen to the Bishop’s spot, and levitating the piece aside. “You’re good, I’ll give you that.”

“Yeah?” Pinkie asked, smirking, “Watch this!”

Twilight watched in shock as Pinkie took Twilight’s Queen with a Pawn. A Pawn! Of all the pieces! Twilight felt embarrassed, as Pinkie chuckled lightly. This game was growing intense, and others were taking note, and were actually wagering on Twilight or Pinkie Pie. Soon, a small crowd surrounded them, and hung on their every move.

Twilight was in a bad situation. With her Queen gone, Twilight had both Bishops, one Knight, one Rook, and four Pawns, along with her King. Pinkie, meanwhile, had one Rook, both Knights, one Bishop, one Rook, and seven pawns, along with her King.

Twilight swallowed, and moved one Pawn two spaces forward, putting Pinkie’s Rook in danger. Pinkie responded by taking the Pawn adjacent to the one threatening her, triggering Twilight’s trap. Her Bishop flew across the board as Pinkie hadn’t seen it coming. Some sailors cheered, while others cursed. Pinkie shook her head, and moved her King one spot to her right, making sure that Twilight’s Bishop would not be able to take it.

Twilight then moved her last Knight up one and two to the left, to little effect, but allowing her to place Pinkie in check the next turn. Pinkie moved her King forward, extinguishing the threat. Twilight silently cursed, and moved the Pawn that had threatened Pinkie’s Rook forward.

Pinkie Pie did not see Twilight’s strategy soon enough. Twilight neglected her other units as her Pawn raced to Pinkie’s end of the board. Pinkie Pie tried to cut Twilight off, but was cut off by one of her own Pawns. Twilight’s Pawn reached the end, and looked up at Pinkie.

“I’ll promote my Pawn to a Queen.” She said, swapping out her Pawn for her once-defeated Queen. Pinkie clenched her fist, but exhaled deeply.

“I’ve still got some tricks, Twilight.” Pinkie Pie said, “Don’t think this game is over.”

Twilight smiled, and said, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Pinkie Pie responded by moving her lone Bishop out of harm’s way. Twilight then moved her Queen out of the end of the board, and placed it three spots away from Pinkie’s King, one up, and two to Twilight’s left. Pinkie moved her Rook down to Twilight’s end of the board, and placed Twilight in check. Twilight got her King out of harm’s way, but Pinkie then moved in on Twilight’s Queen, moving a Knight in a position to take Twilight’s Queen. Twilight moved her Queen diagonally backwards and to the left, taking a Pawn. Pinkie frowned, and moved her Rook away from Twilight’s King, and to Pinkie’s end of the board.

Twilight then moved her Rook to take another Pawn. Slowly, Twilight was draining Pinkie’s chances at another Queen. It was at this point that Pinkie lost her nerve, and began to make small mistakes that added up, and after another fifteen moves, only three Pawns and her King.

Pinkie looked at her units, and tipped over her King, surrendering to Twilight. There was applause from the sailors as Twilight stood, and walked over to Pinkie.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve got bean surprise waiting for me.” Pinkie said.

“How about we split it?” Twilight asked, “That was almost your game at one point.”

“Really?” Pinkie asked, “You would do that for me?”

“What’re friends for?” Twilight asked. “We’re docking in three hours. Why not?”
***

“I don’t know guys, I’m not so sure about this.”

“Come on, Dash, this is going to be fun.” Soarin’ said, parking their car in front of a bowling alley. “Are you telling me that you don’t like bowling?”

“What? No, I like bowling.” Dash said, “But...”

“Is it that you’re just so bad you don’t want to embarrass yourself?” Spitfire teased, “I thought the Rainbow Dash was the best at everything.”

“Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be?” Dash replied, “You’re both on! I’m going to beat you both so bad you’ll wish you hadn’t said that!”

Soarin’ laughed, and said, “Well, if you don’t win, you’re paying!”

“And when I win, you’ll be the one who’s paying, Soarin’!” Dash said, getting out of the car. She opened the door to the alley, and opened a tab for food, shoes and drinks. Soarin’ and Spitfire entered, and then rented a lane for the three of them.

The bowling alley was largely empty. There were only four others in the entire alley, and they were on the other side of the building. Dash, Spitfire and Soarin’ came to their alley, and picked out their balls.

Dash set up the game on the console, and placed Soarin’ going first, and then Dash, followed by Spitfire. The pins were set up automatically, and Soarin’ walked to the lanebed. He grabbed his ball, and raised it to his face. He then pivoted his arm back, and launched the ball towards the pins.

Six pins fell, and Soarin’ waited for his ball to return. Dash wasn’t impressed by Soarin’s throw. She did better when she was just a foal. It would be easy to beat him.

That is, until Soarin’ sinked the spare. The were three of the four pins clustered together, while one was spread out from the rest. Soarin’ knocked the three pins easily, and one rolled over, and toppled the lone pin. Soarin’ turned, and smiled at Dash.

“So, how about that spare, eh?” He chuckled.

“Oh, that’s foal’s play.” Dash said, “Let me show you how a real pony plays bowling!”

She grabbed her ball, a pale blue ball with a streak of lightning going down the middle, and walked to the edge of the lanebed. She lined up her approach, and rolled the ball down the lane. It toppled eight pins, and left an easy spare. She grabbed her ball again, and sank them without trying.

Spitfire then went, and left only one ball standing after two shots. The game then went by quickly, as Soarin’ and Rainbow Dash desperately tried to outdo the other, leaving Spitfire in the dust. When Soarin’ got a spare, Rainbow Dash sank an easier spare. When Soarin’ got a strike, Dash matched him.

At last, the tenth frame came, and Soarin’ was leading Dash by only three points. He went to the edge of the lanebed once more, and fired the ball down. He got a strike, and smiled as he watched the pins fall.

He then grabbed his ball again, and lazily sank seven more pins. He looked back at Dash, and winked as his ball returned. He then turned, and threw the ball down. To his surprise, only two went down. His eyes went wide, and Dash snickered.

“Looks like even the best succumb to mistakes.” Dash said as she stood. “Now, I’m going to win!”

The score was Soarin’s 188 to Dash’s 154. She needed to get a strike and a spare to win. She grabbed her ball, and lined up her roll. She rolled the ball down at a furious speed, and watched as it sank all ten pins.

Dash breathed a sigh of relief. The hard part was over. The next ten pins were set up, and Dash turned around to reach for her ball. Soarin’ and Spitfire were silent, watching intently to see what would happen next.

As Dash grabbed her ball, she looked at Soarin’, and smirked. She would show him. She turned, and walked to the edge of the lanebed once again. She raised the ball, and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, and opened them. She then rolled her arm backwards, and threw the ball down the lane as she rolled it forward.

The ball sped towards the pins, and took a slight left list as it made its way down the lane. It struck the second pin to the left, and smashed down another six. Dash blinked, and knew what was standing in her way: three pins at the far right of the lane.

She grabbed her ball for the last time, and faced those pins. She raised the ball, and rolled it down the lane. The ball headed straight for the one in the center of the cluster. It sank all three effortlessly. She smiled, and turned back to face Soarin’. He chuckled, and held up his hands.

“Alright, alright, you win.” He said. He was then smacked by Spitfire.

“What about me? I haven’t finished up yet!” She said indignantly. She then smiled, and laughed, and said, “Ah, this is fun.”

Dash couldn’t agree more. For the first time in a while, she was having a blast.
***

It was a little past noon when three large trucks entered the Marelaysian base. Applejack looked up from paperwork, and left her office to see the trucks pull up into the middle of the base, and unload the passengers. It was a nice mix of Equestrian ponies, Ibearian bears, and Zecor zebras. She smiled as she saw there was some disharmony between the races, and walked forward to greet the.

“Howdy,” she said, “Mah name is Applejack, but y’all can refer to me as Colonel Applejack, or God.” There were strange looks as the recruits did not know what she meant by that. “I control everything here, I can control who becomes a soldier, and who gets sent home. If Ah see anyone disrespecting another, y’all are gonna run a mile. Y’all do it again, two miles. It goes on from there. Ah will not tolerate racism or prejudice, because a bullet does not discriminate.”

Behind Applejack, a burly tan Earth Pony stallion with a black crew cut walked next to her. Applejack turned, and nodded at the stallion, who held the rank of Sergeant. “This here is Sergeant Bristle. He is my chosen disciple, and Ah have given him total jurisdiction over all of y’all. He will be the one you see more of, as Ah will only deal with racism. Everythin’ else, y’all can expect Sergeant Bristle breathing down ya neck.”

“All right, jackasses, my name is Bristle, because you will feel like a bristled broom has been up your ass when this is all over!” The sergeant shouted, “You are to refer to me as ‘Sir’, nothing else!”

He then walked down the line of one hundred recruits, and stopped at the first one, a mare Pegasus. “Who the hell are you, Private?”

“Private Daring Gust, sir!” The mare responded.

“Well ain’t that a pretty name?” Bristle said sarcastically, “Why the hell are you here and not in a fighter jet, Private?”

“I prefer the infantry, sir!” Daring Gust said.

“Why, can’t you fly?” Bristle shouted, “You answer me now, dammit, can you fly?!”

“Yes sir, I can fly, sir!” Daring Gust said, a tear forming in her eye.

“Aw, are you gonna cry?” Bristle said, “Is this how it’s gonna be? I chew you out, and you cry? Well, if you’re gonna be a pussy and do that everytime this happens, you better get your pussy ass out of here! Now tell me, are you gonna cry?!”

“No sir!” Daring Gust shouted back.

“Good!” Bristle said, “I’m glad we straightened that out!”

Applejack sighed. This was going to be a long thirteen weeks indeed. Still, it was better than being in combat. But not by much.
***

The traffic in Manehattan was terrible. Rarity was always impatient when it came to traffic, but when Ponyville’s traffic was compared to downtown Manehattan, it was a cakewalk. She sighed as the red sedan she was riding in with Quirky Code was idling in a traffic jam that extended as far as the eye could see.

Apparently somepony had to be a nitwit and run a red light. A large truck t-boned the tiny hybrid the idiot was driving, and it was engulfed in flames from the impact. Cleanup was still continuing, three hours after the original accident.

“It’s almost never this bad.” Quirky Code said, “I’m so sorry about this, Illustrious. We’re going to be so late now.”

“It’s quite alright, Quirk.” Rarity said, not using her accent. “The boss’ll understand, won’t he?”

“I don’t know.” Quirky Code said as he whipped out his cell phone. “I thought I told you to keep up your accent.”

“Raight. Ah’m sorry.” Rarity said. This accent was quite annoying to speak in, and she knew that she would never, ever, make fun of Applejack’s accent again.

“Mr. Source? Yes, it’s Quirky. There’s a bit of a traffic jam along 45th Avenue, and... Oh, you’re in it as well? Nopony from the 9:00 shift is at the Database yet? That’s odd...”

As Quirky Code talked with his boss, Rarity looked up at the skyscrapers. She still could not get over the size of this city. Of course, she had been to Manehattan before, but she had never been able to take in the scope of the city, especially since there was a horde after her every minute she was inside the city.

Quirky Code hung up his phone, and said, “Everypony is late. We’re not getting in trouble.”

“That’s good,” Rarity said, “It’d be a shame if we all did, considerin’ the traffic.”

After another half an hour of sitting in the jam, they finally found a place to park the car. Quirky Code placed the correct amount of change in the parking meter, and led Rarity to the Database, using the sidewalk this time.

Seeing Manehattan from the road, and on the sidewalk were two completely different things. Rarity was jostled, shouted at, and asked to buy a range of products from pedestrians, bums and others. She hadn’t been exposed to it for long, but Rarity could tell that she did not like walking in Manehattan at all.

After about ten minutes of walking, Quirky Code and Rarity walked up to a large, fifteen-story building. In front of the large glass doors flew the flag of Equestria. Quirky Code looked back on Rarity, and smiled.

“Illustrious, welcome to the Royal Equestrian Military Database. Remember your manners, someponies can have a short fuse.”

“Ah understand.” Rarity said, “The buildin’ looks pretty borin’ from the outside.”

“That’s the point, Illustrious.” Quirky Code said as he opened the door for Rarity. “I’ll clock in, and I’ll show you around, ok?”

Rarity nodded, and walked into the lobby of the Database. It looked intimidating, with the huge Equestrian Royal Coat of Arms behind the receptionist’s desk. Quirky Code walked hurriedly to the receptionist, a magenta Earth Pony with a cyan mane, and she typed a few commands on her keyboard.

“I also have a new intern.” Quirky Code said, beckoning Rarity over. “Her name is Illustrious, and she’s from Baton Hoof.”

“How do ya do?” Rarity asked, “Mah name’s Illustrious, oh, but ya already knew that! It’s just so amazin’ bein’ in Manehattan for the first time.”

“Oh, so it’s your first time being here?” The receptionist asked, “Believe me when I say the novelty wears off pretty quick. Now, if you would look into the camera. Don’t smile.”

Rarity looked sternly into the small desktop camera, and the receptionist clicked her mouse, taking a picture of her face. The receptionist then typed in her basic information: age, height, birthplace, etc.

She then reached towards a small machine, and handed Rarity an identification card. “So we know who you are. Welcome to the Database, Ms. Illustrious.”

“Well Ah thank ya kindly!” Rarity said, “Now ya have a great day.”

“You too.” The receptionist was already typing away on her keyboard. Quirky Code then guided Rarity towards his office, but he stopped to get a cup of coffee. He offered Rarity a cup, and she accepted. She put in two packets of milk and sugar, and walked with Quirky Code. Along the way, a green stallion with a yellow mane stopped Quirky Code, and said hello.

“How’re you doing, Quirk?” The stallion asked in a thick Hooflyn accent.

“Oh, hey Geeky Gizmo.” Quirky Code said, “I’m fine, except I had to pay 250 bits to park my car for the day.”

“Yeah, that accident on 45th got us all, eh?” Gizmo looked over at Rarity, and said, “Well, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Geeky Gizmo, Quirk’s best friend.”

“Ah’m Illustrious.” Rarity said, “It’s nice tah meet ya.”

“She’s a new intern.” Quirky said, “She’ll be working with me.”

“An intern, eh?” Gizmo said, “I thought the big boss didn’t want any new interns.”

“She submitted her application before he shut them down.” Quirky said, “I volunteered to mentor her while she’s here.”

“Well, Miss Illustrious, you can call me whenever you want a free drink.” The stallion smiled, and turned to Quirky Code, “I’ll see you around, Quirk.”

Geeky Gizmo then walked down the hall. Quirky Code sighed, and said, “That was close. I almost forgot about the restriction on interns. We’ll just make sure to keep you from the boss’ sight until I can hack in and place your ‘application’ into the right location, and date it three weeks ago. Come on, I need to show you my office.”
***

It was late afternoon in Stalliongrad. Nightmare Moon looked over reports from Nipponi Island, stating that the Republican advance was picking up after days of continuous aerial bombardment from Republican aircraft. The road to Pyongman-e was opening up.

A soft knock was heard. Nightmare Moon looked up, and said, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Thunder Roller entered. He seemed cheerful, and Nightmare Moon anticipated good news.

“What news do you have, General?” Nightmare Moon asked.

“I got a message from Republican Intelligence.” He said, “Our sleeper agent known as Quirky Code has successfully gotten Rarity into the Manehattan Military Database.”

“Good,” Nightmare Moon said, “We can begin the process of transferring control of the OFC to us. How long has Rarity been in Manehattan?”

“About twenty-four hours now, Princess.” Thunder Roller said, “Intel has stated that she will begin the process immediately.”

“That is good.” Nightmare Moon said, “Any news on the Harmony Initiative?”

“Da, the recruits entered the camp two days ago, and Colonel Applejack has reported that there have been far fewer, incidents, than we expected.”

“That is very good news.” Nightmare Moon stood, “The sooner we can have them working together as a unit, the sooner we can place them in combat, and the sooner we can get out the propaganda campaign we have been planning.”

Nightmare Moon’s plan was coming together very nicely. She didn’t anticipate to have come together at this pace, but she wasn’t complaining. Since the fall of Jerhoofalem, the Royal Equestrian Army has been in mass retreat wherever they come into contact with Nightmare Moon’s troops.

“Oh, Princess, I also have reports from the Cervidian Front.” Thunder Roller said, “The Bears have begun attacking the border with the Vandeerlands. While there has been no breakthrough yet, the Deer are rapidly losing control of the situation, as their walls are falling apart because of naval and aerial bombardment.”

“Good,” Nightmare Moon said once more, “Tell Premier Ivan that as soon as Nipponi Island is liberated, he can count on Republican reinforcements.”

“Of course.” Thunder Roller said, “Any new orders for the troops in Nipponi Island?”

“Yes,” Nightmare Moon said, “Trample the Equestrians. Take no prisoners.”

“It will be done.”

There we go! So sorry it has been so long since I updated! I have been so focused on working on my novel, and finishing up school, that my fanfics have taken a back seat! Now that summer is here, I can work more on my writing, and I can promise you that I will update more rapidly. Also, Hooflyn=Brooklyn. So, in the next chapter: the training for the Harmony Initiative picks up, the real work in Rarity’s mission begins, the final stages of the Battle of Nipponi Island unfold, Twilight and Pinkie arrive in Western Equestria, and Dash, well, Dash bides her time. See you all next time!