The Republican War: The Fall of Heaven's Spire

A thousand evil thoughts flooded my mind. My city, my ponies are under siege. The fate of all of Equestria is threatened by these… these republican extremists. If only I knew, I should hav… focusing on what could have been won’t change anything.

Looking over my city, a once shining star here on this earth, now lay in rubble. Fires and gunshots were spread out over the lower city as we liberated it from Griffonian forces. It will take a few days at least to restore control over the city to its rightful owners.

“Princess Celestia,” a familiar voice rang out. I could help but smile. He was always so reliable ever sinc… forget her, she isn’t important now. Turning around to face my general, his golden muzzle was hardened by war but his eyes were as gentle as the day I first saw him. Giving a nod he continued, “We secured the castle and half of the upper city, Fighting is still continuing in the upper and lower city. Though I would like to ask you to step back from the edge as there are known snipers operating in the area.”

I giggled at his concerned look. As if the griffons can hit the broadside of a barn. Though if he was warning me I better do as he says. I could see a sigh of relief as I did, oh how every general treats me so. Well except one, maybe two. Though one of those I’d rather forget.

I saw his relief turn to panic as he noticed my hooves and chest. The blood stains standing out against my pristine white fur and gold armor, “Princess! Are you alright?! Are you hit?!”

“I’m fine, general Sword strike. What you see isn’t mine if you are worried,” I steeled my face at the thought of that young soldier. His piercing green eyes bored into mine before he passed out. It was a haunting reminder of the horror of these misguided republicans beliefs, “He was a defender. His condition is unknown to me at the moment but he is under the best medical treatment we have at our disposal.”

The general seemed to calm down at that statement. That soldier though, I can't stop thinking about him. He was here for three months without hope, under siege everyday. Yet he still fought until he could no longer stand and now he may never make it home.

Turning around towards the open sky, the sky filled with smoke as the orange glow of the sunset settled up the land. Once again the burning sun above settled upon a war torn land. Something was different this time, no longer were we cowering in fear at the endless assault. We were shining as a new dawn would arise on a Equestria victorious. I could help but hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Still a nagging question still hung around. One I fear the answer to. I know the general hasn’t left and he would know but my throat couldn’t make the words.

“How… how many?” was all I could get out.

“We are still counting the civilians, but the current count is in the hundreds as of now. We are having them stay in the vault for now as it is the safest spot for them,” The general said matter of factly, though he stopped at my glance. He knew what I meant and attempted to dodge the question. I hardened my eyes at him, I needed to know.

“Of the twelve hundred defenders; seven are in fighting shape, ninety six lightly wounded and two hundred forty two in worse condition. The rest are assumed captured or killed,” his face was as cold as that report. We both knew that report would be as such.

“Commander Iron pike?’ I asked, I knew Sword Strike was close to him. With those devastating losses it was unlikely he was still alive. My poor general only shook his head. While he was good at hiding his emotion to most, nothing can hide from me. I could see his regret and sadness at his loss.

“His second in command took his place. Lieutenant colonel Cloaked Dagger. He is currently M.I.A as of this moment as he was seen in their final defence but the stories we’re getting out of that room are sparse with details and riddled with nonsense,” My general sighed. Typical, “Though most events line up between each other. Though without a proper investigation it is all hearsay for now.”

“Do they involve a certain black sword?” I asked. I could see his light up in recognition. He nodded in response. The ill fated sword now hung limp in front of me. I was careful not to touch it with any magic while bringing it over here. I don’t want anypony else falling to its influence.

“What will you do with it?” My general questioned, “There’s no place for it now and we can’t destroy it.”

“Patience, for now I’ll hold onto until I can find its final resting place,” I answered. I saw my general go to object, “Now general, I have had more experience with far more dangerous weapons than this. I have spent over a thousand years in this world, it won’t know which regret or desire to target. Even if it did, do you think too little of me to fall to darkness that easily.”

“No ma'am. I was just pointing out the danger associated with it,” my general pointed out. I gave him a nod. We sat and watched the pegasi filled sky as time went by. It was quiet up here on the castle grounds. If it wasn’t for the carter filled landscape around us and bullet ridden buildings it was if the war never came.

“Was it worth it Sword Strike?” I asked as I motioned my hoof towards all of canterlot.

“You know I can’t answer that Celestia,” His answer infuriated me, not because he didn’t answer but because it wasn’t up to him to decide if it was. It was a nagging question. In every war I asked every general the same question, most gave me the generic answer of yes and some have told me to fuck off as they watched their stallions walk off into their deaths.

There was never a straight answer to these things. Never was. Many have died in my name. Others died for causes they never understood for ideologies they never learned. That is the life of an Alicorn. To live on with regret and pain for eternity.

“I want to see those who remained,” I told him.

“Right away princess,” He saluted as he motioned for me to follow, “They’re stationed inside the royal vault.”

I followed him through the cratered grounds and into the broken halls. The hall felt alien, their familiarity gone as glass was shattered, pillars fallen and ceilings saged or caved in. The tapestries are torn or burned and paintings knock off the walls. It was so wrong. I gritted my teeth at the sights.

Soldiers marched all up and down the hall looking for anything salvageable or to find any survivors. I found one holding a pole with the flag of Equestria in his hooves. The sun and moon were circled by two alicorns across a blue background with its twenty four stars. It was a flag I haven’t changed even since before the lunar rebellion, ever since Luna. It’s funny how often I’ve been seeing it lately, more ponies seem to be having them outside their homes ever since Sunset shi…

My thoughts trailed off after that. The past few years have not been pleasant and I’d rather not dwell on past mistakes. If I remember correctly this would be the long way round to the vault, it was hard to tell as my knowledge to navigate this place was now held hostage by the destruction of war.

It wasn’t long before we reached the vault. There was a hailstorm of soldiers going in and dropping off supplies. Looking inside my medics were tending to the wounded in which there were many. The stench of death filled the room. From reports they weren’t in here for long but they moved in a hurry. I heard reports that the civilians in the caverns and basement weren’t in any better shape.

I stood in the hole that was once a great vault door, the setting sun sent its rays all across my back and illuminating the dim room. Most of the priceless artifacts were either moved to a corner or removed. I could see the painting of my sister slightly torn, this tore the heartstrings of my heart. It was such a lovely painting from a time long gone. It helped me remember what she looked like and what I did to her. I miss her.

Now is not the time to reminisce, you're here for a reason. I took a deep look around the room to only find horror. The frail bodies of my ponies were the most apparent, it looked like many hadn't eaten a true meal in months. Most were showing ribs and their faces were sunk in. Most huddled together with their families or around loved ones that have fallen.

Canterlot was not prepared for this, how could they be? We won against the rebellion and were celebrating peace at last only to be dragged into another bloody conflict. This time they struck at the heart of Equestria and almost succeeded.

“Princess are you real?” A tiny voice tapped my leg knocking me out of my thoughts. Looking down I could see that it was a little lavender filly with a dark blue mane no older than the age of four or five. Her face filled with so much hope as she looked up upon me.

“Twily!” A young white colt with a blue mane ran out to what I can assume was their younger sister. He practically tackled her. I giggle at the young colts actions, he would grow up to become a great stallion one day. With him hugging his sister he bowed to me “I’m sorry princess please forgive her.”

I motion for them to rise and to come closer. He was hesitant at first but his sister didn’t. She ran forward to hug my blood stain hoof, “Are you real?”

Lowering myself to the height of the filly I used my other hoof to lightly pet across her head, “Yes, my little pony. I am real and I’ll never leave again.”

I heard many start to cry out at my declaration. Many seemed to be afraid that this was some trick or were waiting for some affirmation. Some cheered, many stayed quiet as they wept. The little filly was ecstatic on my leg while her brother silently wept as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Where is Cloaked Dagger?” the little filly asked, “He said he would play with us today.”

My throat tightened up at question. Many seemed to note my hesitation. Many faces darkened at that fact. I gave a short sigh before responding to the filly, “My lieutenant colonel is currently, ugh, getting patched up by our doctors. Today has been busy for many. When we release him I’m sure you will be the first to know.”

“Okay!” The filly cheered. Little did this filly know I lied to her. We have no idea where he’s at.

“Now run along little filly and find some others to play with today,” I told her. She seemed excited by the fact I gave her permission to play with others. I could see the smile from her brother as they left.

I looked upon the others I raised myself from the floor. So many eyes upon me. I was once afraid of all these eyes on me. Even today I fear their thoughts, not because I wasn’t good enough but because many would go out and die for the words I spoke.

All those eyes, always looking for guidance. A spark of hope to fuel their flames, to ignite a burning passion. A burning light in the darkness. That is what they thought of me. The embodiment of the sun, the light bringer. It was a burden that weighed heavy upon my head for all these years.

These ponies have been through enough. They saw the horrors that were to come first hoof. I must never have this happen. I swore to protect them a millenia ago and I will not back down now. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

“My little ponies of Canterlot!” My voice boomed out. My voice caught the attention of all, "In these halls, I see before me not just survivors, but heroes. Each of you - from the youngest foal to the eldest citizen - has shown courage that will be sung of for generations to come. You held fast to hope when others would have surrendered to despair. You protected each other when the world turned dark. The siege is broken, yes, but you were never truly broken. And now, as we begin to rebuild our shining city, know this: every stone we lay, every wall we raise, will stand as a testament to your unbreakable spirit. I stand before you not just as your Princess, but as one who has witnessed your strength and carries your pain in her heart. Together, we will not merely restore Canterlot - we will forge it anew, stronger than ever, until its light outshines even the darkest of days. This I promise you, my brave, beloved ponies.”