//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: PLOTS // Story: The Untold Story of the Equestrian Civil War // by mint20 //------------------------------// Chapter 7: PLOTS The Untold Story of the Equestrian Civil War One day later... While Twilight had founded Equestria United in the square of Canterlot, not all or even many ponies outside town square even knew that the new faction even existed, much less the ideas upon which it was founded. Princess Celestia knew this, and was also acutely aware of the potential impacts such a faction could have on the Solar Empire. Surely, the peace-loving ponies of Equestria would flock to the banner of a faction proclaiming to be the reasonable, peaceful ones who only wanted to discuss their differences. And she had no illusions about her followers, as well. While she did have a few fanatics, ponies who would fight for her at any cost and any time and against anypony, the vast majority of the Empire would, without a doubt, defect if word of Equestria United spread. This is a tactical weakness, she thought. One that must be remedied as soon as possible. She would have been interested, but not surprised, if she heard that her sister was thinking similar thoughts. “Any word?” asked Princess Twilight. “I have managed to recruit another dozen and a half of the Royal Guard to your banner, Your Highness.” “Our banner,” corrected Twilight. “Pardon?” “We are Equestria United, not the Principality of Twilight. This faction is not mine, rather it belongs to us all.” The guard - same to the one that made Twilight privy to this whole crises and brought her to the fateful incident in the square - hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head. “As you say.” “Continue with your report.” “As I was saying, I have managed to recruit eighteen members of the Royal Guard. As for the general population, the city of Canterlot seems to mostly favor the Solar Empire.” “Makes sense, I suppose. Canterlot is where Celestia has ruled for, as far as anypony is concerned, time immemorial. It’s also the home of the aristocracy, which would have the most to gain from an absolute, imperial government.” “Attempts to recruit local ponies have met with mixed results. A sizeable portion of the population have been clammering over themselves to join us, while other portions of the citizenry, particularly the followers of the New Lunar Republic, are more skeptical.” “Again, logical,” observed Twilight. “Common ponies do stand to gain political power and other benefits from the establishment of a republic, after all.” “Indeed. As far as we can tell, Celestia has taken sole control of Canterlot Castle. She has fortified it with at least seventy-five Guards, and shows no sign of leaving.” “What of Luna?” The guard grimaced. “I see Republic recruiters every now and then, but have yet to see or hear of Luna herself.” “And of Cadance?” The pony paused for a moment, then said, “You’re not going to like this, but...according to a squad of Celestia’s followers I eavesdropped on, she is being held in Canterlot Castle.” Twilight groaned loudly. “And being held there by seventy-five Imperial guards, not to mention Celestia herself.” “Yep.” “Very well. And…” “Your friends?” asked the pony. It was about a half hour after the first conflict that Twilight had finally noticed that her friends had gone missing, and she asked the guard to attempt to find them. “Yes. What of them?” “I saw Rainbow Dash walking the streets, also attempting to recruit ponies to Equestria United, so she is on our side.” “Excellent. And the others?” The guard stared into Twilight’s eyes for a moment, then said, “I am sorry...According to my intelligence, Applejack and Rarity have defected to the New Lunar Republic.” Twilight felt tears brewing in her eyes. “Also, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were spotted accompanying Celestia as she retreated to Canterlot Ca-” “Stop,” said Twilight, turning away. It was too much for her to bear. “Of course, Your Majesty.” Twilight looked through the window of the building she was in and out to the sky, and stared in the general direction of Celestia’s Sun. Of course, she was not foolish enough to look directly at it. After a moment of quiet reflection, she lowered her gaze, and put thoughts of her friends outside her mind. “Our priority,” she said, “should be the rescue Princess Cadance. We must have the backing of the Crystal Empire to attempt to defuse this crisis before it spirals out of control. And the last thing we need is somepony sympathetic to the Solar Empire or Lunar Republic to be installed on the Crystalline Throne. That will be the death of Equestria United.” “But, Your Highness, the Princess is imprisoned in Canterlot Castle, which is protected by seventy-five guards. We have barely twenty-five trained followers as it is. Not to mention the fact that if we openly move against the Castle, the Lunar Republic will surely see what you are trying to do, and take advantage of it.” “I am aware of the strategic situation,” replied Twilight, scratching her chin with a hoof. “But nevertheless, it is vital that we stage this rescue.” “...If you are intent on this, Princess, then I will go scout Canterlot Castle. Perhaps there is a weakness we can exploit.” “Do it,” ordered Twilight. The guard turned around and started to walk away. “Wait!” called Twilight, for a thought had just struck her. He stopped. “I feel embarrassed for never asking this earlier, but...what is your name?” asked Twilight, ashamed that she had never asked the name of what was probably one of her most loyal followers. “I am Steel Shield,” replied the guard. After a few moments of hesitation, he added, “And I am honored to be in your service, Your Highness.” Twilight Sparkle hesitated, not entirely certain how to respond to that. After a moment, she said “And I am honored, to have ponies such as you following me.” “Princess Twilight!” said the guard outside the building that they had commandeered. In a irony of fate that Twilight did not fail to notice, it was the same building that the Council of Harmony had held its first - and last - emergency meeting. Turns out that the owner was a fan of the idea of Equestria United. “Yes?” replied Twilight opening the door. The question was redundant, however, for it was answered as soon as she saw the cyan-coated pony accompanying the guard. Without a word, Twilight jumped forward and tackled Rainbow Dash with a hug, bringing the surprised pegasus to the ground. “Ah! ...Good to see you too, Twilight,” said Rainbow, feeling slightly embarrassed. Also feeling slightly embarrassed, Twilight slowly stood up, allowing the pegasus to do the same. “Dang, Twilight. It’s almost like you haven’t seen me for weeks.” Twilight grinned somewhat sheepishly and said, “It almost feels that way.” Rainbow grinned in a awkward way. “So, where are the girls? We need to plan our next move. From what I can tell, we need to move quickly if we are to stop Celestia and Luna!” “You...you haven’t heard?” asked Twilight, feeling stricken. “Haven’t heard what?” asked Rainbow Dash, eyes narrowing. “...Well,” said Twilight, unsure of how to break the news. She stood for a moment, awkwardly, until the guard decided to step in. “What my liege is trying to say,” said the guard, with sympathy in his voice, “is that the ponies known as Applejack and Rarity have defected to the New Lunar Republic, while the ponies known as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie have joined Celestia in the Solar Empire.” Rainbow Dash hardened at the words, and looked Twilight flat in the eye. “Is it true?” she asked, though deep in her heart of hearts, she already knew the answer. Barely holding back tears, Twilight nodded confirmation. “Damn them!” Rainbow exploded. Heaving deeply, she slowly said, “Well, if that is their stance, they can expect me to no long count them as friends.” Hearing this broke Twilight’s heart, but Rainbow’s mind was made. And honestly, she could understand the feeling of betrayal. Taking a deep breath, Twilight said, “Regardless of any betrayal, we still have a country to save from anarchy. And things only get worse from here. Come in, I’ll tell you about the situation.” Leading the way in, Twilight closed the door behind Dash. “...and, finally, we believe that Cadance is being held in the Castle. I have decided that our next move is to liberate her, and hopefully damage Celestia’s center of operations.” Rainbow Dash sat still for a few minutes, then shifted position. “Canterlot Castle is heavily fortified,” she pointed out. “I’m not saying we can’t them ‘em, but we shouldn’t just attack head-on.” “Indeed,” agreed Twilight. “I have a pony out, scouting Canterlot Castle now. Hopefully, he can find some weakness.” There was a knock, followed by the call “Your Highness! I think I found something!” “Speak of Discord, and he will come,” muttered Twilight. “Come in!” she called. The door opened, and Steel Shield entered. Closing the door behind him, he said, “I have an answer to our problem.” “Excellent! Let’s hear it.” Steel hesitated for a moment, then said, “You’re not going to like it, Princess.” “Regardless, I want to hear it.” “Very well,” said the pony. He hesitated for a moment, then said “How do you feel about sewers?”