The Eclipse Civil War

Crisis at the Heart of Harmony

“Everything has a beginning. And everything has an ending.” Fenrir prophesized in their silence.

“Mr. President?” Asked the second in command.

Fenrir leaned to Arceus and whispered his intentions. This was the beginning of the end. A nod was given from Arceus to Fenrir in agreement to his intentions and he gestured to the Second in Command to go away. Fenrir then proceeded towards his private chambers afterwards, as he had to prepare to execute his grand plan.

“Attention hangar crew. Mr. President and the captain of the ship request a transport ship, security teams are requested as well. Estimated time of our arrival is ten minutes.” Fenrir read through his visor the message his friend sent him regarding on what the hangar crew received.

The President left the bridge. Further advancing to his destination: His private chambers. Through the silver hallways, his kind walked and saluted. From soldiers to engineers and other ranks and positions, he passed and saluted, from side to side and even dodge some of them. He walked and dodged until her arrived at his destination, his private chambers the door opened and revealed it

The chamber was not very big. A small room which had in the front a giant glass, revealing stars and stars and stars and stars. On the left there was a desk with a monitor on it, and a touchscreen keyboard which appeared to be incorporated in the desk. Sharper to the left, there was a simple bed. On the right there was a bookshelf that filled the wall until it abruptly stops because a television was filling the rest of the space, but the bookshelf still surrounded the television.

Fenrir has one intention. And that was to get to the computer. This particular computer has the sole role of helping him begin his plans. And he has a plan that was did not include the expected answer of his friend. He walked, slowly closing the distance between them. When he arrived and took a sit, he opened the computer by simply vocally commanding it.

And the computer responded.

*Good Day, Mr. President. What is your command?*

"Open copied classified folder: EQ.2.H4R.101.T3R." He commanded, his hands ready to press on the keyboard.

*Password required.*  The computer revealed a box where the password was supposed to be written. The password was top secret and only personages of security access level-U are allowed to write it. Let alone that the computer had also other security systems, such as the keyboard responding only to specific fingerprints or voices. The computer could easily recognize the person writing, since it had a personal list of fingerprints, and based on that, it allow to user to either access the highest secured documents, or on the opposite: the user is not allowed to do anything on the computer.

Fenrir wrote the password instead of speaking it. Even though he was in a phonetically isolated room, it does not mean he could not be heard. He was very aware of the possible consequences this planet can have on his union.

*Done* The computer said instantly.

From here, through the documents and folders, Fenrir created a new folder titled ’Present times: 3865’. This folder was supposed to keep track of the events that will happen on this planet. After the folder was made, he took two pieces of paper, he took a pen and then he began writing. One began with ’Dear Princess of the Sun,’. The other began: ’Dear Princess of the Night,’

***

Nightmare moon walked through the streets of the republic, everypony cheering her return. Occasionally, “Our hero!” and “For the Republic!” alongside with other thousand different quotes could be heard. Lunar guards had her escorted to the castle.

The three ponies were astonished by these praises, not because they were towards their leader, but those were also towards them! They were never so praised their entire life.

“I have big plans for you, my little ponies. Your decision of joining the moons pure cause has greatly helped us in our effort. After to Emancipation, we have full independence from those foolish sun-loving faces, and we can free the ponies from the hallucinations the sun provides.” The princess of the night said.

“It was an honest decision.” Replied applejack, pride in her voice.

“There simply must be equality for ponies, not only in rights.” Rarity continued.

Fluttershy said nothing… she just walked, ignoring the crowd… just doing her best not to look shaken.

They walked until all four ponies and the guards were in the royal courtyard. One does not simply have the power to see how big the courtyard is. However it was decorated with statues, fountains, guards and even parks for the public. But the public entered and exited only though a single gate. Wait, parks? On the moon?

“Your Majesty? How come plants grow here?” Applejack asked dumbfounded.

“I have used a spell, to make the surface of the moon mimic the surface of our planet. Are you ready to prepare for you training, ponies?” Nightmare moon responded blankly.

“Training?” Rarity asked, a bit shocked.

“Training in the military arts. You have joined us, now you are one of us. A fighter for justice. But even fighters must be initiated. After all, you have the powers the Ancients gave you, wielders. Well? You may start later if you want, but, the sooner the better.” Nightmare moon responded, serious in her tone.

After minutes of silence, all 3 responded: “Yes.” “Let us begin.” “…umm, yes…”

“Very well, then…” She glanced and gestured at a team of three guards to come to her. They complied and when they arrived, they bowed deeply. Judging by their equipment, they were elites.

Pointing out the most decorated out of the three, a simple earth pony with a shining blue coat and turquoise eyes, she said;

“This is Crescent Sword, he is the captain of the royal guards, he will be your tutor.”

Turning her gaze at him she said;

“Take care of them, as if they were my own, understood?” She asked coldly.

“Yes, Your majesty.” Crescent replied.

“Follow him.” Nightmare moon said, then leaving with two royal guards for the palace.

“Shall we?” Crescent asked after raising with his guards.

The three ponies nodded and followed Crescent to a polar opposite site of the courtyard. By the time they were there, teams of 2 guards the least were everywhere. Tens of royal guards training with swords and spears, while unicorn guards trained in offensive, defensive and supportive magic. All groups of guards were directed by a captain, telling when, what and how to do what they were told. They were in the military wing, where justice prepares its swift acts and skills. They reached a building about the size of a gym. Near the door it was written, ’Newcomers and beginners’.

This was the place for the three wielders, and as they entered, nothing could prepare for what was inside.

***

The sun was rising in Ponyville, and nothing happened special happens… except over one hundred guards that invaded Ponyville.

Twilight galloped at the chariot, surrounded by 20 royal guards, that also contained Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. The jumped in and yelled ; “MOVE!”. Today was the day.

The guards complied immediately, they set of for Canterlot. Spike was left to take care of the library.

“Twilight, why does princess Celestia has to see us again?” Rainbow dash asked, adrenaline taking her.

“Let’s read the letter again shall we?” Twilight responded. Clearing her throat, she began:

“My dearest student,

I hope that the current events in Ponyville did not affect you greatly, there is a matter of virtually infinite importance you, your friends and I have to discuss back in Canterlot.

All I can say is; the world needs you now.

The captain of the royal guards, Silver Point, will await you tomorrow in the morning in front of the palace.

Take care,

Princess Celestia”

“Wonder what this could mean, could it be?” Rainbow replied, frightened of the answer.

“We will know when we arrive there. Until then, we can only hope that what happened to the moon last night was just in our imagination…” Twilight responded.

Pinkie, who is generally exited, now was scared of the future ahead.

“Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“Will things be okay?”

“I-I…”

She also asked herself the same thing this morning, but the latest events contradict her hopes. Could harmony really be gone?

“I, don’t know…” Twilight finally responded, staring at the ground.

“Don’t worry both of you, we are in this together, event at worst.” Rainbow reassured.

“Thanks, Dashy.” Pinkie responded, her voice was getting better.

“Miss Sparkle!” A Pegasus guard yelled.

“Yes!” Twilight yelled back.

“We will arrive in Canterlot in a few minutes. I have to inform you that her majesty is slightly impatient, so when we arrive, I recommend you go at her straight away!” the guards yelled back.

“Yep, this is bad…” Twilight nodded.

“Princess Celestia is always patient, always… she never was impatient. Not with me, not with anypony. This can only be bad news.” Twilight continued.

Her two friends gave her an anxious stare.

“CANTERLOT, STRAIGHT AHEAD!” The captain boomed.

“Oh. My. Celestia.” Yelled the expression on their faces.

From the distance, Canterlot looked unchanged, but the closer they got the more armed it was… the more it looked like an impenetrable fortress.

They arrived at the royal palace, and from there they galloped towards the captain, who wasted no time to escort them to the princess. Speed was essential, and they galloped faster than ever, Rainbow dash flown at the same speed with them… which was considerably fast.

After galloping through the large hallways, they arrived at the throne room, and the doors opened slowly, revealing her majesty in an outfit that resembled, no… it WAS an entire golden armor slightly resembling the mare in the moon’s outfit, but at the same time completely different. Golden gauntlets, long until her knees, full armor covering her entire body except the neck, head and legs. She was wearing her usual tiara, but at how the armor matched it, it suggested that it was a set, also, all of her body having a glowing white aura with rays of golden light occasionally bursting out from her armor like light reflected on her armor. Her face had a worried and serious form. She gestured the guards to leave, and the doors were closed by them.

“Twilight, we have very grave problems…” Celestia said grimly.

“What has happened to the moon, Princess?” Twilight asked desperately.

“The moon… has discharged itself with old, wasted and dark energy of nightmare moon accumulated during the time when she was imprisoned, with a new, more aggressive and evil energy. Ultimately, signaling that they want a horrible event to happen. They emancipated to prove that they want war.” She responded grimly.

“WHAT? Why is she doing this? Can’t we just talk this out? Why is she lying?” Twilight was even more worried. Her mind was everywhere, Why is all this happening? Why the lies? Why the discharge? Why the betrayal?

Celestia shook her head;

“My student, for over 10 years I have tried to do this in a diplomatically manner, but it failed… It is not a ’she’. Is a ’them’, and I am not referring to your friends here.” Celestia responded coldly.

They of stared in anxiousness, confusion and surprise. What could she mean?

“Wh-Who is this ’they’, Your majesty?” Rainbow dash asked.

Celestia closed her eyes and spoke: “This ’they’ call themselves, the New Lunar Republic. And they are supporters of Nightmare Moon.”

They all gasped in shock.

“WHAT?” Rainbow dash yelled in shock.

“Yes, your friends are not the only ones lied to, unfortunately. there were more ponies than just three, however, the three of them are more important than the possible army she has.” She responded.

“But why is she lying?” Twilight asked, angrier by the minute because of what she hears.

“I have only one theory, to kill my will to lead and take over the throne with little effort of sustaining it. She believes that the population has the strength to overcome the government and that it is easily influenced. A simple, efficient and strong army with multiple impacts. ” Celestia responded flatly.

“But why are ponies against you?! How can they believe those big and stupid lies?” Rainbow said, already angry enough at what she hears.

“Yeah! You are one of the best princesses I have ever seen! If it wasn’t for you, Ponyville would be nothing but a simple settlement!” Pinkie supported. “How can applejack be so, selfish?” She continued.

Celestia shook her head again;

“She is not selfish, she is deceived by the Mare in the Moon. Returning to Twilights question, my theory is that she also wants my will finished so that I can have taste of what she felt a thousand years ago. She wants revenge as well.” Celestia was saddened of what she just said.

“There must be something we can do against this! We cannot let you fall! We mustn’t let something we don’t want take over our nation and banish our good leader!” Rainbow dash echoed through the throne room.

Pinkie and Twilight agreed loudly.

Celestia fought the tears forming inside he, for what she was about to ask them, was completely opposite to Rainbow’s description.

She took a deep breath and-

“We must join the army!”

“What?” Twilights and Rainbows voices asked.

“We must join the army! What didn’t you understand? What else we can do for the princess?” Pinkie pie asked sarcastically.

Celestia’s stare leaked fury but quickly regained composure. Sighed and then delivered another stare that rivals even those most petrifying. This is it. The ponies winced slightly at such stare and were confused and also slightly scared, at least on the outside. On the inside, all three ponies were dead locked in panic. After one minute of awkward silence, Twilight asked innocently:

“Princess? Are-Are you alright?” After a dead silence from their princess, and anxiety rising in the air;

“No, Twilight, I am not. You three are unaware of the dangers you are putting yourself into.” Celestia spoke with a frost that if it was physical, would freeze the blood out her student. Twilight never saw this side of her.

“But princes-“

“No, Twilight. None of you do realize what you are putting yourself into. The military service is, contrary to popular belief, the most terrifying experience a pony could have in his or hers life, especially in a war. I cannot guarantee much if you join the army, on the contrary. I cannot guarantee your safety nor your return, either. All I can guarantee is that when you enter, after a little time you will be marked for life or more precisely: traumatized from what you may see on the field.” Celestia responded coldly and darkly, purposely putting accent on the word.

As much as she wanted, she cannot ask them to join the army, on the opposite. She doesn’t want to lose them, not because they are the wielders, but because they are simple volunteers with innocent lives.

“We don’t care! We have won so many wars, we cannot simply stand aside when we can do something!” RD said, determination was in her blood now.

The other two agreed harder, but agreed nonetheless.

She drifted down her throne and switched gaze to a window, and moving towards it. Upon arriving, she stared at the outside, then switching gaze to the three ponies on her left.

“I will allow you 5 minutes to rethink, this decision is not to be taken on spot, you will tell me after 5 minutes. Discuss… my honest opinion is that you should not join, but let my opinion not influence yours.” Celestia finally responded, colder than ice.

“But-“ Rd tried to reply only to be cut off;

“Discuss! Those five minutes are to be used to the fullest.” The alicorn’s glare was burning fire for Rainbow Dash.

'Please, let them change their mind…’ The princess thought full of hopes. After all, she equally  high chances that this would or would not happen

After 5 eternal minutes; they spoke, louder than ever;

They will join the army.

“Are you sure?”

“Ye-“ Twilight was cut off

“Your majesty, an emergency letter has arrived.” The guard galloped and bowed, left the letter and left the room, closing the door.

Celestia opened  the letter. It wasn’t a scroll. A simple rectangular paper case. She saw those things long time ago.

When she read the very first words; ’Dear Princess of the Sun,’ she stopped reading and turned her gaze towards the three ponies. It couldn’t be something so important, it could wait a minute, right?

“It is your last warning, should you join the army and risk your lives or should you return home and live your lives as usual. This decision will change your life forever.”

The wielders did not waste time, they looked at each other and responded with a determinate gaze;

“We will fight!” All three said in unison.

Celestia frowned, mentally.

“Very Well, then. Unfortunately, because of my duties, I cannot and will not be able to train you, the captain of the royal guards will.” The alicorn responded.

Her horn glowed slightly, and guards lead by Silver Point entered.

“Yes, Your Majesty?” The captain asked blankly.

“Take those three mares through the military training, now.” Celestia commanded.

[Be gentle, but harsh, if possible harsher than softer… They are the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, I do not want to lose them on the battlefield.] Celestia spoke telepathically in the mind of the captain.

He nodded and left with the three complying mares and two guards.

She then turned her gaze at the letter. Skim reading a legitimate amount of words, she found out someone wanted to make a visit to Canterlot. Could this be a scheme of the NLR? She continued reading the letter until she reached the end. She froze on her greaves… For what was written, was not to be mentioned anywhere in Equestria, and at the same time, it woke up a part of her mind that was supposed to be exiled forever.

The letter ended as ’Most sincere regards, President of the Galactic Democratic Sauria; Fenrir GoldenGod.’

’The letter consisted of a visit? Then a visit they will have. And it will be one they will remember.’ Celestia thought as she rallied her royal secretary to make the preparation.