A Forgotten War

Chapter 1

Twilight was cleaning Star Swirled the Bearded’s section of the Royal library. Books littered the stone floor, along with ancient scrolls and an abundance of dust. Due to the constant mishaps than befall the library, Princess Celestia is having it closed down for a short while to be cleaned and remodeled. Because of this, Twilight will lose access to an abundance of some of her favorite books; therefore she wanted to grab a few to last the length of not having access to the library. In her search for interesting stories and thick novels, Twilight came upon an aged chest, stuck under one of the book shelves. It was an ordinary chest, old, wooden, and covered in a thick layer of dust. The top had strips of oak wood stretched over a large metal plate. The bottom was built into the floor. It’s probably been years since last seen, let alone touched.

Twilight checked the lock, but to her surprise, there was none. Slowly, she opened it. She found only a single book, tattered and ancient. In its primal state, it seemed to be over a century old, and may very well be. She opened to a page near the center of the book and began reading.

Cold. Unbearably cold. Snowflakes fell from the heavens and onto my back and flanks. The pure white flakes looked hand crafted, each one, unique and different, created with precision and perfect symmetry. I would say they’re beautiful, but I can’t see them.

It’s hard to worship a deity of the sun with a major lack of the damn thing in the sky. It’s hard to think we will win a war of the sun without the rays of the proud light giving us warmth.

Moral is bad, we think we are losing this war. Nearly 250 colts were put under me. Our, captain, LT, and almost all the NCOs are all dead. And I doubt another CO will be sent to our side of the war. The colts under me feel that the pathetically small piece of land is neither worth the time nor effort. And I agree, there is nothing of value here.

I don’t think we were built for war. The metallic contraptions that attach from our fore hoofs to our shoulders, then flanks, are not natural. We each have a blade attached to the contraption. Each swing is heavy and hard. Some of us, like the Spearcolts, didn’t stand a chance during the ambush. Armor, made of magical enchantments and smithed steel, are standard. Steel hoofs with thick and sharp points, some already stained with blood, come with the armor and are made for close combat. They are mainly for Spearcolts and long range fighters. Because they are ranged fighters, they sit in front, so they made first contact. It looked as though they were bound to win the fooling ambush, and didn’t need the rest of the swordscolts help. But they were reduced to a mass of flesh and blood against the Melting Pots. I never thought a magic-tank platoon would reach out this far. If it weren’t for a brave unicorn’s sacrifice, we would be dead. I only wish I knew his name.

I don’t know if we’ll win this war. I don’t know if I’ll live or die. I don’t know if I will ever see my wife again, or the face of my unborn foal. But what I’m positive about, is that it’s cold. Unbearably cold.

April 28th, 1267

Twilight was agape at what she had read.

A war? Spearcolts? Magic tanks?

Before reading any further, she set out for books that spoke of century military. She found only 2 - One about the weaponry, the other about strategy. She searched for anything about the era, but found little that spoke about a battle or war. Perplexed, she decided to ask the Princess. She went on her way to ask, but stopped. This book must have been put here in secret.

I don’t like keeping secrets from the Princess but… something about this, isn’t right…I’ll just ask Princess Celestia when I know more.

Satisfied with the compromise, she took the books outside. She took enough books to fit a large shelf. A few unicorns helped her levitate the books she had onto the back of a carriage.

On her travel back to Ponyville via carriage, she studied the 2 books from the era of the alleged battle. She assumed they would clarify any unfamiliar terminology she came across. Magical tanks are what caught her interest the most. A large metal circle, with wheels underneath, spins around, the unicorn ponies inside would use a magma and fire spell and allow it to fall through fire proof and enchanted tubes, and into small nozzles that allowed either a major stream or a pray of hell fire. These were only in theory, however. But this diary says otherwise. These two conflicting points and the devastating power of the “theorized tanks” held a firm grip on Twilight’s attention. But she was, at last, home.

The sky, once held by the bright blazing sun, and was replaced with the cool blue moon. Twilight was tired, and so was Spike.

“Huh…? Twilight is that, uh… you?” Spike could hardly talk, still in his bed.

“Did I wake you? Oh, I’m sorry. Just go back to bed Spike.” Twilight whispered.

“Won’t hear me complaining…”

Twilight wanted to read another chapter, this time, from the start of this unknown colt’s diary. She climbed into bed, used a low light spell, and opened the book.

So I found out the other day that my marefriend is pregnant! I’m so excited!  I’m going to be a father! I decided to make this, a short diary, for my great, great grandchildren.

Canterlot is beautiful, especially after the Wrap-Up. I hope my kids, and their kids can see a Winter Wrap-up. With how technology is advance over magic these days, I don’t know. The industries, run by Princess Luna, are breaking boundaries with earth pony science. The wrap up usually takes a few weeks, but in almost 4 days, it was over! The machines are impressive and amazing, but I feel like tradition and new tech meshing won’t end well. Princess Celestia was furious about Luna’s usage of her tools in the ceremony. I knew it would step on someponies’ hooves, but not Celestia. I swear you could hear the Royal Canterlot voice ringing throughout Equestria. I can see why too, the earth pony way is without magic or science. Luna clearly infringed upon this. Oh well, I’m sure a compromise will be found soon enough.

I’m going to purpose to my mare, Cherry Spring, during September, probably on the 11th. I’ve always enjoyed the Summer Sun Festival, but this will be the best one. I’m getting the hoof ring tonight. Almost 2,000 bits, and well worth every one.

I wonder what I’ll name my foal. After me maybe, Ethereal the second! And if it’s a mare, Star. Hmm, I guess that could go both ways, male and female. Star, I like it. I wonder what my wife to be will say about that.

August 28th, 1261

Author's notes-

So yeah, this is my first go at a real story. I mostly edit or preread. Lots of deep stuff. Some of it might fly over you.