Equestrian Civil War: Letters of a Brotherby Grape VinesChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1October 1, 2016 Dear Red Wine, Brother, I haven't been able to find a good place for a vineyard,but thats not why I'm writing to you.As you may already know hostilities between ponies all over Equestria has increased immensely about who should rule over the land.Well I got word from a pal in Las Pegasus that Luna has formed her own republic, the New Luna Republic. Things look like they're heading for the worst and if it comes down to war....I'm going to enlist.I know, I know that Celestia has ruled over us for over a thousand years but I have to fight for what I feel is right.Now I don't want you going and enlisting with the Solar Empire,you have a filly and a company to keep care of and I don't want her to loose her father. Speaking of which how is little Grape Seed? Has she gotten her cutie mark yet? I haven't seen or heard about her since you sent me to Baltimare to find fields for a second vineyard. She used to me so cute when she would play in the fields.... You need to promise me whatever happens you need to protect her, I would hate for her to get caught up in this you know. Sometimes I think this is for the best, us being separated I mean.We both know we have a temper and one of us would have probably snapped by now. I'm going to miss you and the vineyard,hopefully you'll be far enough north so the war won't come to your doorstep. I'm sending the deed to my portion of the vineyard to you so you can have complete control, and I'm sending two thousand bits.Hopefully this will help,stay safe brother and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Grape Vines October 13, 2016 Dear Red Wine, Well I did it, got a uniform and everything. I'm going to start training tomorrow so I might not wright as often as I would like. I enlisted with two other ponies who seem pretty nice. Autumn Rain, a pegasus mare that has a great personality, she reminds me of her you know, she seems really nice. The other one is a big earth pony buck named Sea Breaker, he's about a big as me. He owns a cargo ship at the docks here. He reminds me a bit like you, he has your personality. Hopefully I will be paired with these two once we're put into squads . I haven't heard from you yet not sure to take that as good or bad, but whatever the case I hope your gonna do what I said and stay out of the war. I'll right to you as soon as possible big brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines October 27, 2016 Dear Red Wine, I have got to tell you the bunks in the barracks are as hard as rock, but it doesn't really matter because me and my squad mates are usually to tired after training to care. Speaking of squad mates I got paired with Sea Breaker and Autumn Rain! Autumn Rain is our scout, while Sea Breaker is our close-quarters specialist. I'm just a riflemen, oh and we got paired with three unicorn bucks. Two of 'em are our sharpshooters while the other is a spotter. They tend to keep to themselves whenever we aren't training, they're a strange lot. I've gotten to talk to Sea Breaker a bit and it turns he has two colts back home, I hope nothing bad happens to him he's a good stallion. Forest Rain was in cloud control before she enlisted, she has the nicest laugh I've ever heard, but anyways we aren't going to know which one of us is gonna lead the squad until we all complete basic training. I bet twenty bits it's gonna be Sea Breaker, we always seem to fall under his command during the drills maybe its because he used to run a ship. In other news we've been told to expect to be sent out to Apple Loosa in a couple months. I got your letter, I appreciate that you understand but I can't turn back now I've come to far. Maybe when this is all over we can meet up at Dad's field and climb that big oak tree, like when we did when we were colts.Tell Grape Seed her uncle misses her will ya? Sincerely, Grape Vines November 16, 2016 Happy Early Birthday! I'm sorry I haven't been able to write to you lately, things have been getting a bit hectic at the base. There have been reports of Solar Empire forces moving towards the border of Apple Loosa, I don't know if they're preparing to attack or not. If they are then my squad and I are going to see some actual fighting before the year is over. Truck loads of new recruits have been coming in all week so it's been a bit crowded lately, but it isn't to bad. We're almost half way done with our training, which is one of the main reasons why I couldn't write you tomorrow on your birthday. The squad is heading out to the nearby mountains to complete our survival training. We have to make it through one week in the mountain separated to pass, I don't know why they chose the mountains for training since we're going to be deployed to Apple Loosa, but I hope we all make it. I'm sending you Dad's barding, keep it safe for me will ya? Grape Vines November 25, 2016 Dear Brother, Well we all passed unscathed through our survival test. It wasn't to hard if you didn't mind sleeping in a snow covered tent and digging through a layer of snow to find something to eat,but that's the good news. It turns out the Solar Empire kept reinforcing their borders and semms to be planning to attack, so the NLR is forced to reinforce Apple Loosa. This is it, no more fooling around. Autumn Rain is worried about all of us, I think she doesn't even think of herself when it comes done to things. I worry 'bout her... I don't want to see her hurt but I know there is a chance she will with things heating up along the border. I'm going to tell you now brother that I might send Autumn Rain up to you and Grape Seed if things get to brutal. I know that the both of ya probably don't want to but brother I need you to do this one favor for me, keep her safe if I do need to send her. I care about her to much to let this war take her. How is the vineyard? I bet things are getting a bit harder for ya since the Solar Empire has been trying to close the trade routes through Equestria, I hope my bits did some good though. We all just need to hold in there brother and we will all get through this trust me. Grape Vines P.S. How is Grape Seed doing? Chapter 2November 28, 2016 Dear Brother, Just arrived in Apple Loosa last night. The town is pretty nice if it wasn't for the heat and sand. The sand gets absolutely everywhere...EVERYWHERE, it's in the bunks, our clothes, even in the food! Anyway let me tell you about what has been going around military wise, most of the buildings are either barricaded or have soldiers guarding them. When me and Sea Breaker went to the Salt Lick, the local watering hole. There was this group of bucks who gave us all a look like we're just cannon fodder, they were all dressed up in some heavy duty armor that makes them look even more menacing. The word around camp is that they're some commandos from Luna's personal guard, if that's true then I'm worried we're in over our heads. I mean this is the first battle and there's gonna be ponies from Princess Luna's guard already in the fight. Maybe Luna just wants to be careful. Autumn Rain has been stop with mail duty since the minute we got here. There only seems to be few pegasi enlisted besides Luna's guards, and they're all getting stuck with being a scout or a messenger. I hope the heat doesn't get to her, there has already been ten cases of heatstroke and about seven of them have been pegasi. Listen to me talk like a young stallion musing about is first love. For a first time in a long time I'm missing the vineyard... the huge oak tree where we would climb on all day, and I would rest under in the afternoon. My side of the vineyard I would work in there from sunrise to sunset, and whenever she would come over I would show her where the best and sweetest grapes in the vineyard are and we would laugh and pick them until the sun would go down and the moon come up. We would lay together and watch the stars... well I need to stop reminiscencing. I have to report to my position soon, I'm patrolling around some apple orchard which is our main supply of food. It used to be owned by some earth pony buck named Braeburn who was apart of the Apple family. It's obvious why he left though, them apples are real loyal to Princess Celetia so he probably left as soon as word got out about the NLR. Well I'm off I'll write to ya as soon as possible. Tell Grape Seed I love her. Grape Vines November 30, 2016 Dear Brother, I wanted to write ya before I don't have time. Almost every able-bodied pony is being sent out to the border. It's starting, I'm afraid I won't be able to write ya for some time once I get there but I'll try whenever I can. Grape Vines December 15, 2016 Dear Brother, I have finally found time to write to you. When I first got to the border it didn't look like much just a huge trench with bunkers and artillery emplacements, everything was so quiet and still.I was able to see another trench in the distance except it had a Solar Empire banner flying over it. That's when all hell broke loose, out of nowhere an artillery shell landed to the right of us. Killed one squad and injured about two others, the stench brother... words cannot describe the smell of the burnt corpses but that's when I noticed it the bodies. They where everywhere in the field between the two trenches. It took Sea Breaker a couple kicks to break me out of my daze. Once we all calmed down we were directed to our bunker, which consists of six bunks, a couple chairs and a table. This is going to be our home until we either die or this stalemate ends. The training in the mountain is paying off, the day doesn't go by until your hooves are soaked and you have snow on your back. There is only one good thing about the snow, it blocks the dead bodies from sight and the stench of death from our snouts. The trenches are a couple feet taller than me, and I've been told not to stick your head over the trench wall or you'll have you head blown off. My curiosity was quickly cured when I say a new guy stick is head up... his brains were splattered against the soldiers around him, ugly business. Everything is pretty miserable. How and before I forget thank you brother for the bottle of wine you sent for my birthday, it is much appreciated. I have a little left I might finish it tonight.... Well goodbye brother and have a good Hearths Warming Eve. Grape Vines December 20, 2016 Dear Brother, There hasn't been much of a change in the trenches, besides an increase in artillery strikes on both sides. Still haven't had to fire my rifle, I'm not sure if I should be glad for that or not. Spirits have plummeted even with Hearths Warming Eve approaching. Stay safe. Grape Vines December 24, 2016 Dear Brother, Tonight turned out most unexpected, we had a short truce to celebrate Hearths Warming Eve! Let me start from the beginning, It was quiet night for once and we'll were mostly huddled around a fire talking about friends, family, and times before the war when heard it... the singing. Solar Empire Troops were singing, we started to join them. The fire of friendship lives in our hearts As long as it burns we cannot drift apart Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few Laughter and singing will see us through We are a circle of pony friends A circle of friends we'll be to the very end Then something amazing happened, a unicorn mare from the enemy trench came out into the open field holding a white flag in her magic. It was almost like something out of a old story, then I say Sea Breaker leave the trench to go greet here. I followed quickly after him when I realized what he was doing. When we were a couple feet away she greeted us with a smile. That smile warmed our hearts and we returned her greeting. Others from the trenches started to flock around us. That's when all the tension faded away we all start talking together, a small hoofball game broke out it was greet fun. Later in the night I saw Autumn Rain and Sea Breaker talking to the mare that caused all of this, I decided to break out my last bit of wine and split it between us four. It wasn't much but we all enjoy the little drink, oh and her name was Winter Frost. More of a name for a pegasus if you asked me but we found out that she specializes in magic dealing with winter and the like. I noticed she didn't have a weapon or holster on her and asked her about it...she told me her magic is her weapon, I can't believe the Solar Empire is using magic as a weapon. She must have know what I was thinking because her face turned to worry. Well besides that we chatted together for a good hours and our commanding officers told us to return to our trench for day would soon approach. I'm worried about tomorrow brother, I don't wish to fight against this group now that I know them it's so much harder to deal with fighting them. I need to go to sleep before I have to report for duty, goodnight brother and happy Hearths Warming Eve. Sincerely, Grape Vines Chapter 3December 25, 2016 Dear Brother, I woke up today felling pretty good about everything. I don't know why, but I reckon it's because of last night's events. I don't want to go back to fighting, neither does Autumn Rain. Sea Breaker talked to us about it and everything he said was right, we signed up and we have to see this through until the end, not for us but for our future generations. He said he knows it's ruff, but we have to be strong. I feel bad for him, he doesn't say it but all he wants to do is get back to his colts, it's all he talks about them whenever we're of duty. There seems to be a lot more of the Lunar Commandos, they must of came in after we all went to sleep... speaking of which everything has been really quiet, no shots have been fired all day. It worries me, that's all I got for ya today brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines December 26, 2016 Dear Brother, I figured out why the commandos are here and it was so quiet. They killed them, not all of them no there's thirteen prisoners. One of them is Winter Frost, I asked her what happened. She told me that the commandos came during the night killing most of them in their sleep, but some fought like her and they either died fighting or became injured like her and became a POW. Shes hurt pretty bad, one of the commandos during the attack lobbed a grenade into her bunker. It took her right leg, eye, and left some pretty nasty scars on the right side of her face. She claimed that if it wasn't for Healing Cross and her magic she would have died, to bad it couldn't have saved her own life. Anyway she said they're being traded for NLR officers imprisoned by the Solar Empire. I asked her why is the Solar Empire handing over the officers just to get some infantry that's been wounded. What she said next surprised me, the Solar Empire does whatever it can to get it's people back no matter how important they are on the field because Princess Celetia says that she values each soldier equally and that shes tired of the death even though the war has been going on for not even a couple of months. Many have died in that short period brother, mainly on Celestia's side but these commandos have proven to me how quickly ponies can die. Over two-hundred ponies dead in the matter of less than five-hours. Brother I haven't even killed another pony and yet I'm sick of war.Before we move on to Ponyville I have to tell you I'm having doubts. Sincerely, Grape Vines December 30, 2016 Dear Brother, The prisoners are being march out today to the outskirts of Ponyville. I told Winter Frost to head up to you after she gets back to her side. She has no family left, her brother and father got killed by an artillery shell. I know you'll do the right thing brother and take her in. We're going to be in Ponyville in about a week but this time no trenches, I'm going to fighting house to house, I'm going to get my first kill brother... Sincerely, Grape Vines P.S. How's Grape Seed? January 8, 2017 Dear Brother, I got your letter, it's good to know Grape Seed is doing well and that Winter Frost is already there. I'm surprised she got there already and thank you. My squad is going to go in to the town once the artillery gets done shelling the place, wish me luck and I don't know if I'm going to make it back or not so before I go I have to say goodbye brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines January 12, 2017 Dear Brother, There was foals....families....colts, fillies, the old. I thought it was evacuated, we all thought it was evacuated. It was a massacre. Everything was going according to plan, we were fighting house to house and had few casualties...then we came upon the mayor's office. It was mostly ruins, but we went in to see if there was survivors...there wasn't anypony alive, dead bodies were everywhere with the blood and the rubble. I couldn't stand it, neither could Sea Breaker we started vomiting. I still feel sick brother. We moved back to a house we cleared out and that's when I realized it, the ponies we killed weren't soldiers they were mostly fathers and brothers protecting their homes... We have to drive on though, so we drove on to the school house. When we got there it seemed almost untouched by war minus the barricades. One of the unicorns went up to see if it was occupied, got his hoof blown off for trying. We did our best to go get him but that's when they opened up on us. He was killed by several gunshots to the chest, we hid behind cover not wanting to kill more civilians. We were there for about half an hour, when a pair of Lunar Commandos came flying in and broke in to the school house through the roof and everything became quiet. That's when it got worse, the commandos came out with about sixteen civilians, eight stallions, three foals, and five mares. They lined the stallions up and told us to stand behind them, then one of them went on saying to the prisoners that "they need to pay for abandoning Luna" and "that they're going to be an example to the rest of the filth." Then they ordered us to execute...we did...in front of the mares and foals. Tonight we're turning coat and going up to Canterlot to enlist with the Solar Empire. The Solar Empire may not be fighting for the things I won't but I won't kill anymore innocence ponies, the New Lunar Republic needs to be stopped, I wonder if Luna knows what has been happening. We've been getting reports from Cloadsdale that even the colts and fillies are fighting to keep the NLR out. We need to be on our way, but first me and Autumn Rain are going to head up to you brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines Chapter 4February 2, 2017 Dear Brother, I'm sorry I wasn't able to say goodbye to you and Grape Seed but Sea Breaker wanted to get to Canterlot due to the fact that Celetia has taken back Cloudsdale. We think because of this victory the NLR will try for a final push to take Canterlot, if they do than the war is over. It was good being able to spend time with you two at the vineyard not having to worry about anything. I hope after all this we can do it again. I bet Autumn Rain is pulling her mane out worrying about me. I don't want to make her worry but I have to this, I've made to many mistakes in this war and it's time I tried to make up for them. The corruption in the NLR is to horrible to let it continue. I'm still kinda shocked that Autumn Rain wants foal of our own, we've only been married for about two weeks! I mean I want a foal to but I can't worry about a wife and a foal when I'm out here fighting. Hopefully when this dies down we can have time for all that. Well my train is pulling into the Canterlot station, I'll write soon. Sincerely, Grape Vines February 7, 2017 Dear Brother, Guess this is going to be the second time I'm telling you I enlisted... well hopefully. Making are way to the recruitment center was pretty easy considering it was the only place that didn't look deserted besides the base. Most of the tall buildings have been set up for sniper and mortar positions, it seems like we were right that the NLR is preparing to attack. When we enlisted we were swept up and made drill instructors, it seems the Solar Empire is low on veterans that can whip recruits into shape. Most of them are a young, I don't think most of them take this as a life or death situation but more like a foalhood adventure. For Celetia's sake I hope they stay strong and pull through in the up coming battle. Besides training we've been digging trenches, bunkers, and building road blocks.The plan is to make the path small so only three soldiers at a time can go through it, so they will funnel through and get cut down by the encampments. It's going to be bloody for both sides. Sincerely, Grape Vines February 9, 2017 Dear Brother, I can't write much today due to the fact that the NLR's armies have been spotted advancing towards Canterlot and will be here in the matter of hours. Sea Breaker and I have been promoted, This time I'm leadin Sea Breaker who is my Sargent Major and about a how platoon to battle. We've been stationed at the first trench, wish us luck brother. February 10, 2017 Dear Autumn and Red Wine, I have been having feelings that I won't make it home to you by the end of this. They plague my mind every moment whether I'm fighting our resting. So I am sorry if I don't make it back to you and I beg for your forgiveness. I should have stayed back with you, but I couldn't stand by and not do my part for I have made too many mistakes. Don't stop smiling and laughing, they're a great part of why I love you. I wish I could see your smile one last time before I go to battle. I wrote something earlier today that I think you might like, It feels incomplete though. :I am a Lone soldier fighting for what I hold dear.Guarding you how he guards his country.working in silence I try my best to do what's right even if the effort is unnoticed.I am the lone soldier up on the hill,watching,waiting for someone to harm what's close to me. I put you ahead of my self like how a loyal knight puts king and country before anything else.willing to die for it,for failure to defend and live on is worse than death. I sit alone during the night thinking of things to say but forget them so I can carry on my duty for I am your lone soldier and loyal knight who would do almost anything for you. Autumn Rain, I will always love you and I only regret not marrying you sooner. Brother, I know we haven't got along that much but I want to thank you for always being by my side when I needed you most. I don't have much else to say that I'll miss you. Tell Grape Seed I'm sorry I couldn't make it home back to her, and when she's older explain why I left. Sincerely, Grape Vines Dear Family of Grape Vines, I regret to inform you that Grape Vines has fallen in the battle. His death was a honorable one as was the other five brave soldiers that stayed behind at the front line when the order was given to retreat. They fought off wave after wave of enemy soldiers so that the rest of the platoon could make it to safety. He used the pillboxes's machine gun turrets to hold of the impeding army. One survivor reported that he ran from pillbox to pillbox to lay down suppressive fire while the other five soldiers would fire mortars to slow them down. He was wounded by shrapnel from a frag mental grenade, and died after being shot several times in the side and succumbing to a neck wound. His body was found in a pillbox that had several died NLR troops outside and spent casing from Grape Vines standard issue sidearm. A note was found in his barding that we have sent along with this letter. If it wasn't for his sacrifice Canterlot would have fallen. My Dearest Apologies, Princess Celetia Afterwards Grape Vines was sent back to his brother's vineyard a week after the news of his death reached his family. They buried him next to his father under the huge oak tree. Although crushed by the lose of her husband and dear friend Sea Breaker, Autumn Rain continued to smile, mainly due to little Grape Seed which she sees as her own filly now. The war was resolved a month after the failed attack on Canterlot, Princess Luna found out about the corruption in her leaders and had them imprisoned, executed, or banished for their crimes. The land of Equestria now sits queitly while the wounds inflicted upon it heal.
Chapter 1October 1, 2016 Dear Red Wine, Brother, I haven't been able to find a good place for a vineyard,but thats not why I'm writing to you.As you may already know hostilities between ponies all over Equestria has increased immensely about who should rule over the land.Well I got word from a pal in Las Pegasus that Luna has formed her own republic, the New Luna Republic. Things look like they're heading for the worst and if it comes down to war....I'm going to enlist.I know, I know that Celestia has ruled over us for over a thousand years but I have to fight for what I feel is right.Now I don't want you going and enlisting with the Solar Empire,you have a filly and a company to keep care of and I don't want her to loose her father. Speaking of which how is little Grape Seed? Has she gotten her cutie mark yet? I haven't seen or heard about her since you sent me to Baltimare to find fields for a second vineyard. She used to me so cute when she would play in the fields.... You need to promise me whatever happens you need to protect her, I would hate for her to get caught up in this you know. Sometimes I think this is for the best, us being separated I mean.We both know we have a temper and one of us would have probably snapped by now. I'm going to miss you and the vineyard,hopefully you'll be far enough north so the war won't come to your doorstep. I'm sending the deed to my portion of the vineyard to you so you can have complete control, and I'm sending two thousand bits.Hopefully this will help,stay safe brother and I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Grape Vines October 13, 2016 Dear Red Wine, Well I did it, got a uniform and everything. I'm going to start training tomorrow so I might not wright as often as I would like. I enlisted with two other ponies who seem pretty nice. Autumn Rain, a pegasus mare that has a great personality, she reminds me of her you know, she seems really nice. The other one is a big earth pony buck named Sea Breaker, he's about a big as me. He owns a cargo ship at the docks here. He reminds me a bit like you, he has your personality. Hopefully I will be paired with these two once we're put into squads . I haven't heard from you yet not sure to take that as good or bad, but whatever the case I hope your gonna do what I said and stay out of the war. I'll right to you as soon as possible big brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines October 27, 2016 Dear Red Wine, I have got to tell you the bunks in the barracks are as hard as rock, but it doesn't really matter because me and my squad mates are usually to tired after training to care. Speaking of squad mates I got paired with Sea Breaker and Autumn Rain! Autumn Rain is our scout, while Sea Breaker is our close-quarters specialist. I'm just a riflemen, oh and we got paired with three unicorn bucks. Two of 'em are our sharpshooters while the other is a spotter. They tend to keep to themselves whenever we aren't training, they're a strange lot. I've gotten to talk to Sea Breaker a bit and it turns he has two colts back home, I hope nothing bad happens to him he's a good stallion. Forest Rain was in cloud control before she enlisted, she has the nicest laugh I've ever heard, but anyways we aren't going to know which one of us is gonna lead the squad until we all complete basic training. I bet twenty bits it's gonna be Sea Breaker, we always seem to fall under his command during the drills maybe its because he used to run a ship. In other news we've been told to expect to be sent out to Apple Loosa in a couple months. I got your letter, I appreciate that you understand but I can't turn back now I've come to far. Maybe when this is all over we can meet up at Dad's field and climb that big oak tree, like when we did when we were colts.Tell Grape Seed her uncle misses her will ya? Sincerely, Grape Vines November 16, 2016 Happy Early Birthday! I'm sorry I haven't been able to write to you lately, things have been getting a bit hectic at the base. There have been reports of Solar Empire forces moving towards the border of Apple Loosa, I don't know if they're preparing to attack or not. If they are then my squad and I are going to see some actual fighting before the year is over. Truck loads of new recruits have been coming in all week so it's been a bit crowded lately, but it isn't to bad. We're almost half way done with our training, which is one of the main reasons why I couldn't write you tomorrow on your birthday. The squad is heading out to the nearby mountains to complete our survival training. We have to make it through one week in the mountain separated to pass, I don't know why they chose the mountains for training since we're going to be deployed to Apple Loosa, but I hope we all make it. I'm sending you Dad's barding, keep it safe for me will ya? Grape Vines November 25, 2016 Dear Brother, Well we all passed unscathed through our survival test. It wasn't to hard if you didn't mind sleeping in a snow covered tent and digging through a layer of snow to find something to eat,but that's the good news. It turns out the Solar Empire kept reinforcing their borders and semms to be planning to attack, so the NLR is forced to reinforce Apple Loosa. This is it, no more fooling around. Autumn Rain is worried about all of us, I think she doesn't even think of herself when it comes done to things. I worry 'bout her... I don't want to see her hurt but I know there is a chance she will with things heating up along the border. I'm going to tell you now brother that I might send Autumn Rain up to you and Grape Seed if things get to brutal. I know that the both of ya probably don't want to but brother I need you to do this one favor for me, keep her safe if I do need to send her. I care about her to much to let this war take her. How is the vineyard? I bet things are getting a bit harder for ya since the Solar Empire has been trying to close the trade routes through Equestria, I hope my bits did some good though. We all just need to hold in there brother and we will all get through this trust me. Grape Vines P.S. How is Grape Seed doing?
Chapter 2November 28, 2016 Dear Brother, Just arrived in Apple Loosa last night. The town is pretty nice if it wasn't for the heat and sand. The sand gets absolutely everywhere...EVERYWHERE, it's in the bunks, our clothes, even in the food! Anyway let me tell you about what has been going around military wise, most of the buildings are either barricaded or have soldiers guarding them. When me and Sea Breaker went to the Salt Lick, the local watering hole. There was this group of bucks who gave us all a look like we're just cannon fodder, they were all dressed up in some heavy duty armor that makes them look even more menacing. The word around camp is that they're some commandos from Luna's personal guard, if that's true then I'm worried we're in over our heads. I mean this is the first battle and there's gonna be ponies from Princess Luna's guard already in the fight. Maybe Luna just wants to be careful. Autumn Rain has been stop with mail duty since the minute we got here. There only seems to be few pegasi enlisted besides Luna's guards, and they're all getting stuck with being a scout or a messenger. I hope the heat doesn't get to her, there has already been ten cases of heatstroke and about seven of them have been pegasi. Listen to me talk like a young stallion musing about is first love. For a first time in a long time I'm missing the vineyard... the huge oak tree where we would climb on all day, and I would rest under in the afternoon. My side of the vineyard I would work in there from sunrise to sunset, and whenever she would come over I would show her where the best and sweetest grapes in the vineyard are and we would laugh and pick them until the sun would go down and the moon come up. We would lay together and watch the stars... well I need to stop reminiscencing. I have to report to my position soon, I'm patrolling around some apple orchard which is our main supply of food. It used to be owned by some earth pony buck named Braeburn who was apart of the Apple family. It's obvious why he left though, them apples are real loyal to Princess Celetia so he probably left as soon as word got out about the NLR. Well I'm off I'll write to ya as soon as possible. Tell Grape Seed I love her. Grape Vines November 30, 2016 Dear Brother, I wanted to write ya before I don't have time. Almost every able-bodied pony is being sent out to the border. It's starting, I'm afraid I won't be able to write ya for some time once I get there but I'll try whenever I can. Grape Vines December 15, 2016 Dear Brother, I have finally found time to write to you. When I first got to the border it didn't look like much just a huge trench with bunkers and artillery emplacements, everything was so quiet and still.I was able to see another trench in the distance except it had a Solar Empire banner flying over it. That's when all hell broke loose, out of nowhere an artillery shell landed to the right of us. Killed one squad and injured about two others, the stench brother... words cannot describe the smell of the burnt corpses but that's when I noticed it the bodies. They where everywhere in the field between the two trenches. It took Sea Breaker a couple kicks to break me out of my daze. Once we all calmed down we were directed to our bunker, which consists of six bunks, a couple chairs and a table. This is going to be our home until we either die or this stalemate ends. The training in the mountain is paying off, the day doesn't go by until your hooves are soaked and you have snow on your back. There is only one good thing about the snow, it blocks the dead bodies from sight and the stench of death from our snouts. The trenches are a couple feet taller than me, and I've been told not to stick your head over the trench wall or you'll have you head blown off. My curiosity was quickly cured when I say a new guy stick is head up... his brains were splattered against the soldiers around him, ugly business. Everything is pretty miserable. How and before I forget thank you brother for the bottle of wine you sent for my birthday, it is much appreciated. I have a little left I might finish it tonight.... Well goodbye brother and have a good Hearths Warming Eve. Grape Vines December 20, 2016 Dear Brother, There hasn't been much of a change in the trenches, besides an increase in artillery strikes on both sides. Still haven't had to fire my rifle, I'm not sure if I should be glad for that or not. Spirits have plummeted even with Hearths Warming Eve approaching. Stay safe. Grape Vines December 24, 2016 Dear Brother, Tonight turned out most unexpected, we had a short truce to celebrate Hearths Warming Eve! Let me start from the beginning, It was quiet night for once and we'll were mostly huddled around a fire talking about friends, family, and times before the war when heard it... the singing. Solar Empire Troops were singing, we started to join them. The fire of friendship lives in our hearts As long as it burns we cannot drift apart Though quarrels arise, their numbers are few Laughter and singing will see us through We are a circle of pony friends A circle of friends we'll be to the very end Then something amazing happened, a unicorn mare from the enemy trench came out into the open field holding a white flag in her magic. It was almost like something out of a old story, then I say Sea Breaker leave the trench to go greet here. I followed quickly after him when I realized what he was doing. When we were a couple feet away she greeted us with a smile. That smile warmed our hearts and we returned her greeting. Others from the trenches started to flock around us. That's when all the tension faded away we all start talking together, a small hoofball game broke out it was greet fun. Later in the night I saw Autumn Rain and Sea Breaker talking to the mare that caused all of this, I decided to break out my last bit of wine and split it between us four. It wasn't much but we all enjoy the little drink, oh and her name was Winter Frost. More of a name for a pegasus if you asked me but we found out that she specializes in magic dealing with winter and the like. I noticed she didn't have a weapon or holster on her and asked her about it...she told me her magic is her weapon, I can't believe the Solar Empire is using magic as a weapon. She must have know what I was thinking because her face turned to worry. Well besides that we chatted together for a good hours and our commanding officers told us to return to our trench for day would soon approach. I'm worried about tomorrow brother, I don't wish to fight against this group now that I know them it's so much harder to deal with fighting them. I need to go to sleep before I have to report for duty, goodnight brother and happy Hearths Warming Eve. Sincerely, Grape Vines
Chapter 3December 25, 2016 Dear Brother, I woke up today felling pretty good about everything. I don't know why, but I reckon it's because of last night's events. I don't want to go back to fighting, neither does Autumn Rain. Sea Breaker talked to us about it and everything he said was right, we signed up and we have to see this through until the end, not for us but for our future generations. He said he knows it's ruff, but we have to be strong. I feel bad for him, he doesn't say it but all he wants to do is get back to his colts, it's all he talks about them whenever we're of duty. There seems to be a lot more of the Lunar Commandos, they must of came in after we all went to sleep... speaking of which everything has been really quiet, no shots have been fired all day. It worries me, that's all I got for ya today brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines December 26, 2016 Dear Brother, I figured out why the commandos are here and it was so quiet. They killed them, not all of them no there's thirteen prisoners. One of them is Winter Frost, I asked her what happened. She told me that the commandos came during the night killing most of them in their sleep, but some fought like her and they either died fighting or became injured like her and became a POW. Shes hurt pretty bad, one of the commandos during the attack lobbed a grenade into her bunker. It took her right leg, eye, and left some pretty nasty scars on the right side of her face. She claimed that if it wasn't for Healing Cross and her magic she would have died, to bad it couldn't have saved her own life. Anyway she said they're being traded for NLR officers imprisoned by the Solar Empire. I asked her why is the Solar Empire handing over the officers just to get some infantry that's been wounded. What she said next surprised me, the Solar Empire does whatever it can to get it's people back no matter how important they are on the field because Princess Celetia says that she values each soldier equally and that shes tired of the death even though the war has been going on for not even a couple of months. Many have died in that short period brother, mainly on Celestia's side but these commandos have proven to me how quickly ponies can die. Over two-hundred ponies dead in the matter of less than five-hours. Brother I haven't even killed another pony and yet I'm sick of war.Before we move on to Ponyville I have to tell you I'm having doubts. Sincerely, Grape Vines December 30, 2016 Dear Brother, The prisoners are being march out today to the outskirts of Ponyville. I told Winter Frost to head up to you after she gets back to her side. She has no family left, her brother and father got killed by an artillery shell. I know you'll do the right thing brother and take her in. We're going to be in Ponyville in about a week but this time no trenches, I'm going to fighting house to house, I'm going to get my first kill brother... Sincerely, Grape Vines P.S. How's Grape Seed? January 8, 2017 Dear Brother, I got your letter, it's good to know Grape Seed is doing well and that Winter Frost is already there. I'm surprised she got there already and thank you. My squad is going to go in to the town once the artillery gets done shelling the place, wish me luck and I don't know if I'm going to make it back or not so before I go I have to say goodbye brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines January 12, 2017 Dear Brother, There was foals....families....colts, fillies, the old. I thought it was evacuated, we all thought it was evacuated. It was a massacre. Everything was going according to plan, we were fighting house to house and had few casualties...then we came upon the mayor's office. It was mostly ruins, but we went in to see if there was survivors...there wasn't anypony alive, dead bodies were everywhere with the blood and the rubble. I couldn't stand it, neither could Sea Breaker we started vomiting. I still feel sick brother. We moved back to a house we cleared out and that's when I realized it, the ponies we killed weren't soldiers they were mostly fathers and brothers protecting their homes... We have to drive on though, so we drove on to the school house. When we got there it seemed almost untouched by war minus the barricades. One of the unicorns went up to see if it was occupied, got his hoof blown off for trying. We did our best to go get him but that's when they opened up on us. He was killed by several gunshots to the chest, we hid behind cover not wanting to kill more civilians. We were there for about half an hour, when a pair of Lunar Commandos came flying in and broke in to the school house through the roof and everything became quiet. That's when it got worse, the commandos came out with about sixteen civilians, eight stallions, three foals, and five mares. They lined the stallions up and told us to stand behind them, then one of them went on saying to the prisoners that "they need to pay for abandoning Luna" and "that they're going to be an example to the rest of the filth." Then they ordered us to execute...we did...in front of the mares and foals. Tonight we're turning coat and going up to Canterlot to enlist with the Solar Empire. The Solar Empire may not be fighting for the things I won't but I won't kill anymore innocence ponies, the New Lunar Republic needs to be stopped, I wonder if Luna knows what has been happening. We've been getting reports from Cloadsdale that even the colts and fillies are fighting to keep the NLR out. We need to be on our way, but first me and Autumn Rain are going to head up to you brother. Sincerely, Grape Vines
Chapter 4February 2, 2017 Dear Brother, I'm sorry I wasn't able to say goodbye to you and Grape Seed but Sea Breaker wanted to get to Canterlot due to the fact that Celetia has taken back Cloudsdale. We think because of this victory the NLR will try for a final push to take Canterlot, if they do than the war is over. It was good being able to spend time with you two at the vineyard not having to worry about anything. I hope after all this we can do it again. I bet Autumn Rain is pulling her mane out worrying about me. I don't want to make her worry but I have to this, I've made to many mistakes in this war and it's time I tried to make up for them. The corruption in the NLR is to horrible to let it continue. I'm still kinda shocked that Autumn Rain wants foal of our own, we've only been married for about two weeks! I mean I want a foal to but I can't worry about a wife and a foal when I'm out here fighting. Hopefully when this dies down we can have time for all that. Well my train is pulling into the Canterlot station, I'll write soon. Sincerely, Grape Vines February 7, 2017 Dear Brother, Guess this is going to be the second time I'm telling you I enlisted... well hopefully. Making are way to the recruitment center was pretty easy considering it was the only place that didn't look deserted besides the base. Most of the tall buildings have been set up for sniper and mortar positions, it seems like we were right that the NLR is preparing to attack. When we enlisted we were swept up and made drill instructors, it seems the Solar Empire is low on veterans that can whip recruits into shape. Most of them are a young, I don't think most of them take this as a life or death situation but more like a foalhood adventure. For Celetia's sake I hope they stay strong and pull through in the up coming battle. Besides training we've been digging trenches, bunkers, and building road blocks.The plan is to make the path small so only three soldiers at a time can go through it, so they will funnel through and get cut down by the encampments. It's going to be bloody for both sides. Sincerely, Grape Vines February 9, 2017 Dear Brother, I can't write much today due to the fact that the NLR's armies have been spotted advancing towards Canterlot and will be here in the matter of hours. Sea Breaker and I have been promoted, This time I'm leadin Sea Breaker who is my Sargent Major and about a how platoon to battle. We've been stationed at the first trench, wish us luck brother. February 10, 2017 Dear Autumn and Red Wine, I have been having feelings that I won't make it home to you by the end of this. They plague my mind every moment whether I'm fighting our resting. So I am sorry if I don't make it back to you and I beg for your forgiveness. I should have stayed back with you, but I couldn't stand by and not do my part for I have made too many mistakes. Don't stop smiling and laughing, they're a great part of why I love you. I wish I could see your smile one last time before I go to battle. I wrote something earlier today that I think you might like, It feels incomplete though. :I am a Lone soldier fighting for what I hold dear.Guarding you how he guards his country.working in silence I try my best to do what's right even if the effort is unnoticed.I am the lone soldier up on the hill,watching,waiting for someone to harm what's close to me. I put you ahead of my self like how a loyal knight puts king and country before anything else.willing to die for it,for failure to defend and live on is worse than death. I sit alone during the night thinking of things to say but forget them so I can carry on my duty for I am your lone soldier and loyal knight who would do almost anything for you. Autumn Rain, I will always love you and I only regret not marrying you sooner. Brother, I know we haven't got along that much but I want to thank you for always being by my side when I needed you most. I don't have much else to say that I'll miss you. Tell Grape Seed I'm sorry I couldn't make it home back to her, and when she's older explain why I left. Sincerely, Grape Vines Dear Family of Grape Vines, I regret to inform you that Grape Vines has fallen in the battle. His death was a honorable one as was the other five brave soldiers that stayed behind at the front line when the order was given to retreat. They fought off wave after wave of enemy soldiers so that the rest of the platoon could make it to safety. He used the pillboxes's machine gun turrets to hold of the impeding army. One survivor reported that he ran from pillbox to pillbox to lay down suppressive fire while the other five soldiers would fire mortars to slow them down. He was wounded by shrapnel from a frag mental grenade, and died after being shot several times in the side and succumbing to a neck wound. His body was found in a pillbox that had several died NLR troops outside and spent casing from Grape Vines standard issue sidearm. A note was found in his barding that we have sent along with this letter. If it wasn't for his sacrifice Canterlot would have fallen. My Dearest Apologies, Princess Celetia Afterwards Grape Vines was sent back to his brother's vineyard a week after the news of his death reached his family. They buried him next to his father under the huge oak tree. Although crushed by the lose of her husband and dear friend Sea Breaker, Autumn Rain continued to smile, mainly due to little Grape Seed which she sees as her own filly now. The war was resolved a month after the failed attack on Canterlot, Princess Luna found out about the corruption in her leaders and had them imprisoned, executed, or banished for their crimes. The land of Equestria now sits queitly while the wounds inflicted upon it heal.
