//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Rise of the New Lunar Republic // by Reddened Chaos //------------------------------// Ten years have passed since the defeat of Nightmare Moon at the hands of the Elements of Harmony wielded by Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and the Return of Princess Luna, however, it appears that all is not well. For Nightmare Moon, has returned through means that are unknown, and Luna has disappeared as well! Nightmare appears to be leading a rebellion against Celestia's 'Solar Empire' as she calls it, to bring forth her own rule, of the New Lunar Republic. A set of Ponies approach Princess Celestia at one of the numerous battlefields of the war between the factions. They each salute as one speaks up "You wished to speak to us Princess Celestia?" "Yes, General," she said, weariness in her voice. The war had been going on for the better part of five years, and arrayed before her were her three best generals. The others had been lost during the war. They were on the front lines with the soldiers, hoping to bolster their resolve, as this was the battle that would decide how hard or easy the rest of the war, however long it may be, would be. "What is the status of the enemy forces?" she asked, looking at the general to her left. He saluted and responded "They are being pushed back for now Milady, as Strategy at current, isn't much of a use for either side, Both you and Nightmare Moon are of similar ages, it stands to reason that both of you know of strategies to defeat the other...but for the time being we are pushing the enemy back, and I believe we should succeed in this fight." He reported trying to give her some good news to bring a smile to her muzzle. "Good," she said. "And the Troops morale?" "It is currently at a decent level, rising as well thanks to us being out there assisting the troops ma'am." he responded. "And what of Materials?" She asked. "Blaster packs are beginning to grow short, but steady supply for the time being. We are about to run out of Thermal detonators, as we only have a few left. the Armor is thankfully holding and we have enough Bacta Tanks to be able to heal any soldiers wounded by the fighting...but I worry that the enemy may attempt a supply raid to take our things, or continue to block off our supply routes. We do have some Rocket troops to fight from the back lines where they won't be targeted very easily." "Put guards around the supplies so that the rebels can't steal easily," she said to the general to her left. She then looked to the one in front of her sand said, "What's the status of the Y-wing and V-wing bombers, as well as the ARC-170's?" "Understood Ma'am." He spoke, as he began to go leave to do so. The center one saluted before speaking. "The V wings are holding, as are the ARCs... but the Y wings are running low on fuel. their engines need more to work proficiently..." He told Celestia, delivering the good news, but also mentioning the bad as well. "Excellent. And the turbo tanks and AT-TEs?" These were among the most powerful land vehicles that Celestia had under her command, and this front had only one tank and three supporting walkers, but the base had only a few mechanics on hand that could work them and repair them. he shook his head "We've lost two of the Walkers, however the Tank has taken some damage but is Holding for the time being. "Good." She was sadden by the loss of the two walkers and those that piloted them, but she knew that their sacrifice would help bring the wars end closer. "And what vehicles are the New Lunar Republic using?" "They are using X wing crafts, to be able to counter our own fliers...along with...A Wings, and Arwing fighters...on the ground they are using some Landmaster Tanks, along with the TX-130 fighter tanks...what's more stunning is that some soldiers claim that they are also using some extremely fast Mecha to deal with our heavier artillary...some call them Gunmen...others call them Gundams......" "What do the troops report of these units capabilities?" This was the first time that Celestia had heard of these mechs, and was worried about their capabilities. "I'm afraid that is unknown...wait..." he spoke, placing a hand to his earpiece. "i'm getting a report...I was wrong. we only lost One of our walkers...The other was damaged and was brought back online, and is currently working again now as we speak..." he then thought of some reports "As for the mecha units, it appears all are capable of High speed flight, along the ground, and some are capable of flight. they appear to each be equipped with a beam saber or two, a beam rifle, and a shield of some form, be it beam or physical, and mounted to the arm...On top of this they are very durable, but so far, the turbo tank and our AT-Te walkers have been able to knock them out of the sky with blasts however neither one can compare to it's movement capabilities, the only thing that seems to be able to do so are our aerial fighters..." "Good. Tell the fighters they are to concentrate on enemy air, and the bombers the ground forces, especially the mechs." She then looked to the one on her right and asked, "Has she arrived yet?" He nodded and went off to do so, as the last general shook her head "I'm sorry Princess, there has been no word of her arrival. Nopony knows where she is at current. it is believed that she's not at the battle at all." "Good. And the others?" She shook her head "Nothing Ma'am." Celestia visibly relaxed at this news. "That's good news indeed. Should they come, alert me at once." She nodded "Agreed...and Princess...might I suggest that for those Mecha we send a scouting party to try and steal one? or some blueprints perhaps? To use some ourselves?" She suggested as she went to go. She was about to respond when a high pitched noise filled he air, and the soldiers around her began to scramble in a panic. "What's going on, General?" Celestia asked, fear in her voice. She looked over "I'm not sure, it appears two ships have appeared and are attacking us, they are taking out our bombers before they can even be boarded to fly!!!" she exclaimed as the reports came in of a shoddy looking ship and another Sleeker modeled ship had just dove in attacking them without warning. The sleeker one in particular, never even appeared on he scanners until it attacked. This made Celestia panic, and with it, the memories of six years ago, when the events that led to this war had started, began Six years ago It was a beautiful day in Canterlot. It had been two weeks since Tireks defeat, and the citizens had quickly recovered from the attack. She and Luna had been able to assist Twilight as much as they could, but Celestia did not want to interfere to much, as it would cause Twilight to subconsciously think that she would always have help. Right now, Celestia was involved in boring paperwork. "Guard," she said to one of the guards, "could you please go and get my sister. I would seek her out my self, but if I am to have any hope of having free time later, I need to work on this paperwork as much as possible. "Yes, Your Highness," the guard replied, and began to make his way to Luna's room. The halls were covered in numerous decorations related to Luna, and Twilight herself, and other assorted Decor, that were in celebration of the defeat of Tirek. Back in Celestia's study, Celestia had just finished the page she had been working on When she heard laughter coming from behind her, then a voice she had not heard for many years. "Hello, Sister," Nightmare Moon said. The Guards instantly moved to defend Celestia as the one who had been sent off returned in a panic "Luna is gone Princess. it's as though she was kidnapped!" Nightmare snickered, bringing her hand to her mouth to try to hide it. "Ah, yes. My other sister and fellow Princess of the night. Tell me, Celestia, what do you think I did to her?" Celestia glared at her as she said, "Whatever it is, you better have not killed her." "And what benefit would I reap from that? I would lose the pony I have that would prevent you from attacking me." "Then did you come here to gloat?" "If I had, I would have done so already," Nightmare said as she pulled a piece of paper out of her dress, which looked as if it was part armor, part dress. She handed it to Celestia and said, "Now, if you excuse me, I have other things I must take care of. And you may want to actually train the guard in combat. You could have had all of them here, and they would have done nothing." She then disappeared in a flash of purple light. Celestia then looked down at the piece of paper and saw that it was folded. She opened it, and what she read shocked her, as she began to read over the message in complete shock, even sitting down to take in what she just read. Dear Celestia, We are the New Lunar Republic. It is time that the Night was given it's fair due, Surrender to us, and no harm will come to you. The time of your Solar Empire is at an end. it is time for the Night to rule, for your Sister, to rule. Please, do not force us to fight...should you choose to fight against us, we will not hold back our power against you, to take control. Signed, Captain Zero 'Red' Star of the NLR