Dear Fluttershy,
The war is over! I'll be coming home before the weeks end. I hope you are doing fine and are staying happy. I know it's been a while since my last letter and I'm not one for sappy stuff, but i really do love you. I heard our little filly is learning to fly and when you see her, tell her I'm so proud of her. It's been 30 years since i left Ponyville, can you believe it's been that long. Things must have really changed since then and with the war at it's peek over the last 6 years I haven't heard much of anything from anyone, especially you. I hope that everyone is doing well and is safe. Oh, i do have one favor for you. Derpy died the last year, shot down by the guns the Gryphons they changed into had. I heard she was buried in Ponyville next to her daughter. If you would, i would like you to hang her dog tag on her tombstone. I found them among the rubble the other day and they need to be put in their rightful place. Tell everyone I love them and say a prayer for Derpy and her family. I love you. See you soon!
Yours truly,
Rainbow Dash.
I sat my pen down wiping the tears from my eyes. Tears falling both from sadness and joy. 30 years ago today, the changelings attack Canterlot and killed Princess Luna. Celestia retreated to the Everfree Forest and her army began to form. Ponies from all across Equestria took up arms against Chrysalis and her troops. 30 years of non-stop travel and fighting has taken it's toll. Not just on Equestria, but on every pony involved.
Goddamn. I can't believe it's over I sat up and opened the panel on the bottom of my hoof, slipping a small vial of red liquid into it. I know your wondering what happened to me, and only a few other's know. About 20 years ago, i was stuck near Fort Everfree when it was bombed. I lost three of my hooves, my wings, right eye and half my brain was damaged in the blast. I don't know how long I spent crawling from the base to the nearest checkpoint, nor did i know how I survived so much damage. The last thing I remember was passing out at the Princess's feet, then waking up in the hospital months later. I learned that they tried an experimental procedure on me, replacing the body parts I lost with mechanical ones. My wings, hooves, eye, brain and heart are all machines. I still have all my memories and personality, but it's still not the same. I've been so ashamed I haven't even told my dear sweet Fluttershy. Heh, look at me being all lovey dovey. That's what war does to you i guess.
"Colonel. It's time to pack up." My second lieutenant stood outside my tent, his voice as solid and strange as any other war stallions was.
"Thank you Lieutenant." I said with a smile. "I heard your heading through Ponyville on your way home tonight." I closed the letter with the dog tags inside."Can you deliver this letter for me."
"Of course." He looked at me with a smile that made me laugh every time I saw it."I can't believe it's been so long since we left."
"Yeah, you got a family?"
"Yep, two fillies and a colt on the way."
"Mazel Tov." I said pouring a couple of shot glasses of the hardest liquor i could find passing him one.
He raised it up. " A toast, to life. We're just lucky to be living it." We clashed glasses. "For Equestria!" He screamed as he tossed it back, not even giving it time to burn his throat.
"For Equestria." I said with a smug smile throwing the shot glass and swigging from the bottle. "Woo, this is the shit." I claimed knocking half the bottle back in less than a minute.
Outside the sound of buses starting up made him turn and stare. "I guess that's my ride." He laughed giving me a hug and one last salute. "I'll see you around, Colonel."
"See you around, Lieutenant. Dismissed." I gave him a salute back as he walked out the tents door, my letter in one hoof, his suitcase in the other.
Heh that rat bastard, always goofing around. I polished off the bottle and collapsed onto my cot, one of the many fun things about war. I pulled my wallet from under my pillow and stared at a picture of me and Derpy from a week before she died, and one of my Fluttershy and our filly. I wonder what Fluttershy named her. Knowing her it could be anything I burst out laughing settling back down under the covers watching the flame of the lamp dying down.
I guess i'll know when i get home. I lifted the cover of the lamp and blew the flames out.