Civil War

New York City, New York

United States of America

Three years, and ten months after Southeastern Equestrian succession

Three small time reporters sat in a hotel lobby, huddled together as they watched a news report on a phone.

"-fter intense fighting, the Solar Republic of Equestria suffers another mayor defeat, as the city of West Ponyville surrendered to U.S forces alongside forces of the Democratic States of Eques-"

Joel West, the man holding the phone, turned it off, as he stood up from the couch he was sitting on, turning to face his friends.

"And that's that, the s.r.e is basically done for" He said as one of his friends, Jacob Walsh, crossed his arms.

"Not really surprising"

The third man, George Barnes, placed a hand on his chin.

"Why'd you want to show us this anyway?" He asked.

"Because were going over there" Joel answered, much to the amusement of his friends and co-workers.

"Really? We're newbies man, there not gonna let us report on the shit happening on the other side" George said.

"It's fine, a cousin of mine owed me a favor, so we'll be able to go" Joel said as he started typing something into his phone.

"Awfully convenient, but hey, I won't complain" George said with a grin.

"Yeah, especially when we're gonna be getting a quote from Queen Celestia" Joel casually said as he put his phone back in his pocket.

...

"Christ on a stick, the queen? Are you crazy? You know that any reporter is captured in Republic territory right? And humans? Killed on sight" Jacob said as he and George stood up.

"And nobody's even heard of Celestia ever since her niece was killed, I'm not even sure she's still alive" George added in.

"She's alive" Joel said.

"Ok, and how do you expect to get to Canterlot, genius? It's the most fortified city in the Republic, and none of us are fighters, we just talk to a mic and take pictures" Jacob asked.

"Weren't you watching the report? Ponyville has fallen, and Canterlot is next, we'll just accompany the d.s.e as they make their way to the city" Joel answered.

"You make it sound so easy" Jacob said with a sigh as he rubbed his temple.

"But it still doesn't change the fact that the entirety of the North is a war-torn mess, and the gate in friendly territory is down in the place with the bugs-" Jacob started to say, before George cut in.

"Changeling's"

"Whatever the hell their called, the gate is there, were gonna have to be quick if we want to reach our guys before they take Canterlot" Jacob finished.

"Then we'll just be quick, now c'mon, we've got to get ready for our flight. The gate on our side is a couple states south" Joel said as he started making his way to the exit of the hotel, friends in tow.

"I mean, if the flight has already been booked, and the passage to the other side is confirmed, then we might as well go right? There's no reason to pass on getting a quote from the immortal sun queen" George said as the three men exited the hotel.

"Right, and even though Celestia may be immortal, she can still die, that's why we need to get that quote" Joel said as he called for an Uber.

"We're really doing this huh? Jeez, I can think of a million reasons to this could go badly" Jacob said with a groan.

"But, if we do this, we'll be famous! Just think, The reporters who recorded celestia's final words" Joel said with dramatic emphasis.

That seemed to raise the spirits of the men, as they imagined all the interviews and publicity they would get.

"Hell yeah, let's do it!" George started to say with vigor.

"And while we're at it, we can report an anything we come across on the way!"

Jacob groaned again.

"Alright, fuck it"

"Finally, were all on the same page here. Let's do this, and stay safe till we get to Canterlot, and we'll become legends" Joel said with finality as their Uber arrived.