Author's Note

This prologue is meant to help those readers who are not familiar with the world of My Little Pony as portrayed in the Equestria at War mod for the Hearts of Iron IV computer game by offering a brief introduction into that world. Those who are already familiar with the early gameplay of Equestria from EaW, there is still merit in reading the prologue, as I have taken a few minor liberties in the sequence of events and general setup of Equestria.

0. Prologue

Equestria.

For well over a thousand years, the land has prospered under the guidance of Princess Celestia. From her first day raising the sun, fighting wicked beasts, and ultimately banishing her sister for treachery, ponies have enjoyed unparalleled peace and expansion. In recent years, Trouble has shaken that paradise. Nightmare Moon returned, Chrysalis and her changelings attempt to invade the land, the return of the Crystal Empire is marred by the simultaneous return of the wicked Sombra. Thankfully, each disaster is averted by the heroic actions of the newly ascendant "Bearers of the Elements of Harmony."

The world is changing at a rapid pace, however. Mass industrialization, firearms, airplanes, large battleships—Equestria can no longer rely on the efforts of a mere six ponies to defend her citizens. Still, Equestrians are hesitant to change their way of life. Among those seeking to bring Equestria into the modern world is Princess Luna. With her return and reformation, she sought out "her" ponies—the estranged thestrals. Throughout it all, they had remained loyal to Luna, even when she transformed into the evil Nightmare Moon. Their stubborn attachment to the Princess of the Night led to a general ostracizing from pony society at large, though they found little issue with being cast out, given their cultural propensity for isolation.

Advisors closest to Luna fed her reports and information on the suffering and mistreatment of the thestrals, all carefully crafted to elicit certain... emotions from the princess. Wracked with torment for failing "her little thestrals," Luna approached her sister with a proposal to integrate them into pony society at large. Celestia believed that such measures were unnecessary and premature, much to the chagrin of Luna. Celestia permitted her younger sister to pursue thestral integration, offering guidance and a warning: let the ponies of Equestria decide by referendum, and beware the entrapments of emotional manipulation.

So Luna set out to gather support for a "Thestral Integration Movement" in hopes of mending a rift within Equestrian society and to prove to her sister that she could effectively manage domestic affairs.

Far to the south of Canterlot and away from the heart of Equestrian politics, Commodore Light Shine commands a small flotilla out on peacetime patrol. Life in the Equestrian Royal Navy is quiet—save for the exceptionally rare sighting of a sea monster, most ships idle away their time in port, out on standby rescue duty, or training exercises. There is no expectation of adventure, no grandiose tales of bravery, or heroic displays of courage. And for Light, this is a bane and a boon—his career has stunted with no further opportunities for promotion, yet he is able to live a life of comfort and provide for his family.

Tonight, however, Light finds no solace in sleep. Boredom, restlessness, or an unquiet mind, sleep simply eludes him. In a way, he idly wishes for some excitement in his rather mundane life. Of course, one must be careful for what one wishes.

For a thousand years, Equestria has peacefully stood the test of time.

For a thousand years, ponies have lived in harmony.

For a thousand years, that harmony has persisted unabated.

Why would anything change now?