//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: History of the Lunar War // by Sleepybrain //------------------------------// History of the Lunar War By Sleepybrain I The bitter wind whipped through the tattered Equestrian flag, the once-vibrant image of the Royal sisters now worn to a dull, dreary gray. The storm, as every colonist knew, never ended. It only wavered in its intensity from time to time. As it happened, this was one of the milder times of day (a relative, almost archaic term that only applied temporally, here), a time when freight and supply shipments were scheduled to arrive. The airship's wake intensified the wind around the colony, the flag threatening to break free. The machine was only five years old at the most, but its rusting copper flanks already seemed to be many decades senior to its well-kept, steel-bladed wings. The wings now spread for drag as its legs unfolded from its belly with a creaking whine and the faint whirring sound of its magic-sensitive core; a subtle sound nearly inaudible over the raging blizzard's din. Steadfast Chrome, a stocky pegasus stallion, smiled slightly under his scarf. Decked head-to-hoof in protective gear, he could have easily been mistaken for a jury-rigged automaton; especially due to the large, tinted goggles he wore to keep the wind from damaging his eyes. The airship was now steadily planted on the landing pad, its core whirring to a halt at the same instant its anterior hatch slid open. Its crew of half-a-dozen ponies began their work of unloading its cargo and moving it to the heavy lift. As they moved to-and-fro about their various tasks, one more pony stepped casually down the ramp; a mare, very slight and small. Steadfast knew, however, that this said nothing of her personality or her ability to defend herself; not only was she extremely powerful in certain areas of magical manipulation, she was also wiry enough to take down the average colt with a buck or two. Steadfast grinned to himself as he trotted toward her, unable to keep from smiling as he saluted her. “Captain,” he said over his built-in radio. She returned the salute with her own, her small voice replying, “Superintendent.” For a moment they regarded each other in silence, and despite the heavy garb both wore, they each knew the other was grinning. Finally the two laughed, sharing in a fond hug. “It's good to see you, Steady,” the unicorn sighed, releasing him. “You too. But hey, you're fifty seconds late, you know. I'm gonna have to write you up.” She punched his shoulder, chuckling. “You liar. I'm always on time.” He shook his head, “Nuh-uh. Can't fool the chronometer, Trigger,” he tapped his goggles lightly with one hoof. “Precise timing. My job here.” She scoffed, the two beginning to walk toward the lift. “Fine. How about I buy ya a drink and we call it even?” “Oh, bribery then? Keep this up and it's gonna be the brig for you.” She laughed, punching him again, “Oh, you really need to shut up.” ------------------------------------ In the year C.R. 1403, certain ponies had become restless. They looked around them, and saw more of the same thing; their world had lost some of its former magic. Specifically, one earth pony by the name of Horizon had reached adulthood without finding her true purpose, and looked on her bare flank with an equal longing as when she looked to the sky. Coming from a wealthy family, she gathered a group of like-minded ponies, their goal seemingly unattainable: to colonize the moon. Ten years later, that the dream was finally realized, and an expedition in a fully-functional craft was launched. What the team found was nothing less than miraculous: a world as rich in natural resources and raw materials as it was hostile and lethal. The first colony, named Port Horizon, quickly became an economic boon, harvesting raw materials and shipping them back to Equestria. Daring ponies from across the land jumped at the opportunity of a new frontier. A new age had dawned, and things were brighter than ever for citizens of Equestria. Three years and twenty Equestrian colonies later, an amazing discovery was made; ponies from the mining colony Mare's Eye Beta uncovered a strange metal ore that, for all intents and purposes, carried a permanent and seemingly undying charge of pure, raw magical energy. It wasn't long before every major faction in the world got news of this wonder-metal, dubbed Arcanium, and the nations began constructing their own craft to stake their claim. The Zebras were the first, with their strange, angular vehicles made from onyx. The Gryphons quickly followed suite with their own craft, through collaboration with pegasus engineers. Relations went smoothly between the colonies, until the Gryphons became too ambitious for their own good. They encroached upon Equestrian territory with increasing aggressiveness, certain independent parties even resorting to raiding pony mining colonies, all because of one rumour that had begun to spread: The supply of Arcanium is dwindling. To this day, the risk of war has loomed, ever present, tenuous threads of peace threatening to snap at any moment. Colonies remain on constant guard for raids and sabotage. There have not been any known casualties recorded as of yet. Then again, this could simply be the start of the history of the Lunar War.