“Sheriff, I’m worried about that new pony,” said one of the deputies as he walked up to Silver Star. The Sheriff sighed, turning away from supervising the defense of the town. So far, there were over a dozen anvils hidden in hay barrels, and every citizen was armed with apple pies. It might not be much, but it was all they had for the moment, and Silver Star was going to use everything he could get his hooves on, in order to save Appleloosa.
“Thunder Shot is helping us,” stated Silver Star simply.
“Well, maybe he is,” replied the deputy as he took a step back. “But…”
“But?” pressed the sheriff.
“Well, I was going over to him to tell him where he could get some water, when I saw him unpacking,” continued the deputy as his voice became quieter. “Some of the things he had on him were…weird. I saw a wooden hammer, a wooden stake, garlic, and rubber rope. Sheriff, I think Thunder Shot might be a bat pony hunter!”’
Silver Star could not hide the surprise and shock of this declaration. Bat pony hunters were, by far, the most extreme group that hated bat ponies. While Silver Star had never met one before, he had read stories from other law officers, who had witnessed their hoof work. The method was always the same. A bat pony would be found dead, tied to a wall with a wooden stake right through the heart.
Despite the general public’s feelings towards bat ponies, bat pony hunters tended to keep their identities a secret. What many ponies didn’t know (including Silver Star) was that back during the time when King Molten Fury and Queen Oceana ruled, the queen had put a stop to an old pegasus tradition of throwing new born bat ponies to the timber wolves below. However, not all pegasi agreed with this decision. For some reason that was now long forgotten, these pegasi could not stand the thought of bat ponies walking around like the rest of them.
Thus, the first bat pony hunters were born. At first, the group consisted of just pegasus ponies, yet as time marched on, earth and unicorn ponies joined their ranked.
During the first few years, they operated openly. They proudly committed their acts of murder to the crowds as they showed them a new way of dealing with bat ponies. Word spread and soon the queen heard about what was going on. Enraged at the deeds being done, Queen Oceana decreed that anypony who was caught being a hunter was to be sentenced to life in the dungeons. Thus, bat pony hunters began to keep their identities a secret.
While other ponies believed that Princess Celestia only kept this law in practice because her mother put it there, Silver Star once heard a story that dated back to Princess Celestia’s first years as ruler that supported her reasons for keeping it. At least, in Silver Star’s mind. According to what he was told, a bat pony hunter had gone to a small town called Trotmoore, where a bat pony had been seen several times. The pony had been captured and killed, but the hunter stayed to deal with a loose end.
Living at the edge of the town lived a single young mare whom the town thought was an oddball. Before the death of the bat pony, she had been caught trying to rescue him, claiming to be in love with him. The hunter, under the assumption that she was under some kind of spell cast by the bat pony, tied her up and did everything in his power to break the spell. His treatment was savage and painful, lasting well over three weeks. But, no matter what he did, the mare refused to admit that her feelings were false. Seeing no other solution, the hunter killed her in the same fashion as the bat pony.
Within days, word had reached Canterlot about what had happened, and warrant was placed on the bat pony hunter. It took ten years, but eventually he found himself behind bars. From that time on, the hunters became more secretive. They hid in the shadows of society as they killed bat ponies and those that tried to hide or protect them.
To Silver Star, the bat pony hunters were the lowest of the low. It wasn’t because they killed bat ponies, oh no. His belief was that bat ponies were born criminals and should be either placed behind bars or eliminated as soon as possible. But, he would never consider hurting one of the misguided ponies who thought that bat ponies could be trusted. They were just confused, under a spell, or something else under those lines. They needed help, not to be killed in the same barbaric nature as bat ponies. The best way to do that was to get them away from the bat pony, or ponies whose influence they were under, and then give them time.
It is also important to note that Silver Star believed his actions towards the buffalo were different than those of the bat pony hunters. The ponies of Appleloosa were having trouble with the buffalo before they even knew bat ponies were living here. He had even gone to try and talk reason with them, but it was no use. Not to mention that it was the buffalo who declared war on them first. So, in order to keep their apple trees, as well as the town they had spent so much time building, they needed to fight in order to survive.
“Right now, we need everypony we can get our hooves on,” said a determined Silver Star. “If Thunder really is a bat pony hunter, then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The deputy look like he was about to say something when the two of them heard another pony shouting their names. The both of them looked in the direction of the shouting and saw a pony with a spyglass around him neck, galloping towards them at an alarming pace. The ponies face was pale, as if he had just come face to face with the grim reaper. Whatever he was going to tell them, it wasn’t good news.
-x-
The city of Canterlot was home to many thriving, high class businesses. From boutiques, spas, bakeries, and so on, all of them catered to the high end of society. This went double for restaurants, for they only served the most expensive meals to the finest of Canterlot elite. In one such place, The Prancing Unicorn, sat Blueblood and another unicorn.
The two were sitting in the outside patio which was roped off from the rest of the street to keep unwanted ponies from wandering in. Normally, Blueblood would have been served in his usual seat, but the place was packed for lunch. At least they provided the finest silk cushions for the two to sit on as they ate.
“So, let me ask, Stareye, how are things in the Royal Guard?” asked Blueblood, taking a bite out of his salad.
Stareye let out a groan. The unicorn was as white as Blueblood, but with a silver mane that was slicked backs with eyes the color of lavender. His cutie mark was a large, red throne. Before he answered, a dirty looking foal walked up to the rope, eyeing their meal. Before either could say anything, the foal’s mother quickly pulled her child away. Sniffing the air with distain, Stareye pulled out a sack from his hip, took out a hoof full of white powder, and inhaled it.
“Dreadful,” said Stareye in a sophisticated tone. “Truly, my father must be mad to send me to sweat and mingle with those commoner brutes. I must really thank you for the lunch invite. Without it, I would have been forced to eat that commoner food they serve in the mess hall.”
Blueblood could only nod in response. Stareye’s father, Lord North Star, was what the common pony referred to as ‘one of the good nobles’. He was always trying to lower taxes in order to ease the burdens of the lower classes, as well as working with Celestia in order to help create new laws to protect them. Stareye, on the other hoof, couldn’t care less about what happened to those beneath him. Seeing his son as rotten and spoiled, North Star had him sent to the Royal Guard while also restricting his access to his bank account.
“I don’t know how you have managed so far,” stated Blueblood. “I would have died if I had to go one day without a spa treatment. But, perhaps I can offer you something to make this little nightmare worth it.”
“Oh,” said Stareye with a raised eyebrow. “What could you possibly offer?”
“A promotion to Captain of the Royal Guard,” presented Blueblood simply.
“Interesting,” said Stareye without batting an eye as he took another bite of his food. “I would at least get a decent amount of bits, as well as my own, personal quarters. But, I have to ask, what’s in it for you? Please tell me you aren’t planning on overthrowing Princess Celestia.”
“Perish the thought,” said Blueblood honestly. “I accepted that I will never be this country’s ruler long ago. She can’t die, and if I used brute force to try and remove her, then those commoners would never give me any rest. Then, there is Cadence who is next in line. It would take a miracle in order for me to properly assume the throne.
“The truth is that right now, I have big plans in the works to improve my own personal wealth and power. Having you become the next Captain of the Guard will aid in my endeavors. With everything going on, my aunt has yet to appoint a new captain. Since I am the only member of the royal line who is in Equestria right now, I have the power to do so. Hopefully, it will help me look better in Aunty Celestia’s eyes.”
“So, I am just a means to an end,” said Stareye as he set down his fork.
“Not at all,” replied Blueblood. “Did you know that during the time of the three tribes, it was unicorn nobility that held ranks within the military? Well, it’s true and that’s one of the things I want to bring back. More privileges and power for the noble class.”
“Won’t Princess Celestia just demote me and then promote somepony else, once she gets back?” asked Stareye.
“Not without a good reason she can’t,” stated Blueblood. “And, as long as you do your job, and don’t give her a reason, you’ll be fine.”
“I see,” said Stareye before he pulled out more white powder to sniff. “I guess then I’ll take you up on your offer.” Stareye knew there was more to it. He knew he’d be asked to do favors for Blueblood.
But, Stareye was tired of living like a commoner. Tired of running, doing drills, sleeping on hard mattresses. He wanted to have his bits back! So, going along with Blueblood would be fine, for now at least.
-x-
The entire court room was silent. Neither griffon nor pony moved as Princess Luna continued to bow before the emperor. The griffons had never seen a pony act like this before. They usually came in, dressed in rich gowns or suits, while giving the briefest of bows to their emperor. Instead, Princess Luna had bowed in such a manner that placed her at the complete mercy of her host. It would be very easy for one of the guards to cripple one or both wings or even slash at her throat.
As for Princess Celestia, she could not believe her sister would do something like this. She had assumed that Luna would come dressed in a similar fashion as she had back when she had first come to Canterlot. Instead, she looked like she was dressed to start a war. Where was her head at when she was getting dressed?
As for Eagle Eye, he could not stop staring at the figure bowing before him. She had to be the most beautiful creature he had seen since his wife passed away. To him, she looked like a goddess of war! Her starry night style mane was both exotic and enchanting. The way she walked in, so confident and powerful, took his breath away.
Just then, Celestia coughed which pulled Eagle Eye from his thoughts. It was then that he realized that Luna was still bowing.
“You may rise,” said Eagle Eye. Luna rose up, allowing the two to lock eyes for a moment.
As they stared at each other, Celestia moved to stand next to her sister. “Luna,” hissed the sun princess under her breath. “What do you think you’re doing? Dressing like that and coming in armed? You might start a war!”
“But, this is the traditional method of meeting with griffon royalty,” replied Luna a bit louder. “When our parents met with Emperor Valiant, they approached him as so.”
“That was a thousand years ago,” said Celestia quickly, still keeping her voice low. “Why couldn’t you have come here in that lovely dress you were wearing before?”
“I’m sorry for trying to make a good impression,” growled Luna loudly. “And it’s not like you told me that things had changed. I mean, how hard would it have been to say: ‘Luna, I know you have been away for a thousand years, so here are a few things that have changed’. How hard would that have been?”
“I could say the same to you,” stated Celestia as she felt her anger rising. “Why couldn’t you say: ‘Celestia, it’s been a thousand years since I had any interaction with the griffon empire, and I was wondering if there is anything I should know in advance’?”
“Oh, don’t you dare-” began Luna, but was silenced when she heard someone cough. Both princesses realized now that every griffon was now watching them.
Celestia felt like she was ready to die of embarrassment. After all these years of keeping up her royal composure and image, it was quickly destroyed in one argument with her sister. How could she come back from this?
“If I may say,” began Eagle Eye. “It is wonderful to seem that there are those who remember my countries old traditions. Princess Luna, you have honored us all with your entrance.”
“Thank you, Emperor,” replied Luna.
“Now then, the day is half done and there is much we need to do,” said Eagle Eye as he stood. “But, before we depart, I must make the request that I bring with me my guards for some protection. Not that I don’t trust you princess, but-”
“You would be a fool not to bring them,” interrupted Luna with a nod. “You are going into a strange land which you know nothing about. While I can assure you that they are not needed, I would do the same if our places were reversed.”
Celestia looked at the two with a raised eyebrow. She had to be missing something. Eagle Eye had never talked to her like that. Did Luna really make that good of a first impression? And, what was that look in Luna’s eyes? Was it…respect?
“I am glad you understand,” said Eagle Eye as he signaled to his soldiers. As one, they all rose and got into a flanking formation next to their ruler. “Now then, how will we be getting to your Lunar Republic? Magic?”
“Not this time,” replied Luna as she motioned the rest to follow her out the door. “I had thought about that, of course, but since I am going to be entertaining the rulers of two nations, I thought I should pull out something special. So, I went to my Research and Development Department and asked if one of my personal favorite projects could get me here and back.”
“Princess Luna,” began Celestia, “what in the world did you…” Celestia’s voice trailed off as they all exited the Talon Palace. Looking up, nearly everyone was shocked at what they saw. Several soldiers dropped their weapons and began to shake in fear. And, they weren’t the only one to notice what was in the air. Looking out were members of the Talon Palace’s staff, as well as other members of the government.
Hovering up in the air was a giant crescent moon shaped objects that looked like it could hold a thousand ponies in, with room to spare. It was hard for anyone there to guess how tall it was, perhaps twenty stories high, give-or-take a few. What was keeping it in the air was a mystery. No flames came out of it nor were there any wings. It just sat there in the air while making a slight humming sound.
“W-what is that?” asked the emperor.
“That is Crescent Hope,” replied Luna proudly. “And it will be our ride this day.”
Looking out from a window, Tundra gulped loudly. He watched as a beam of light picked up his ruler, the guards, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna, before flying into the sky. When he could no longer see them he realized that making an enemy of the Lunar Republic was the last thing he wanted to do.
-x-
On the hills overlooking Appleloosa, Chief Thunderhooves stood ready. Behind him was a sea of brown fur, ready to destroy the offending town before them. In the air were the bat ponies who were all wearing the same face paint as their buffalo friends. Today, they would all fight as one.
Today, they would end Appleloosa.
Atleast Tundara realizes that he must avoid pissing off the republic.
Yes...
Alright. Let us see what happens. We have yet to see what will happen when Cadence gets there and who were the two ponies that came earlier. Best of luck everypony.
I love your story and I'm going to miss this when its done! Just one quick question. Where do you live (as in time zone, not actual house)? Only asking because I just got back from school when you posted, and I live in Japan. Just asking! Keep up the amazing work!
3779284
True... Its kind of like playing Civilization 5 and noticing that your neighbor is building giant death robots and you're still building knights. They're better than Celestia's noticeably... lacking military. The royal guard is only based in Canterlot, leaving all of equestria defenseless!
Mane 6 Comments:
I guess his friend's apple fell far from his father's tree.
I didn't see any apples, where were they AJ!
It's a figure of speech Pinkie, not literal.
Yeah, what Twi said.
It's a figurine of speech! Can I get one!
I see a moon ship a landing! *to the tune of 'Bad Moon Rising*
Pinkie?
I see Luna on the way. I see earth cakes with icing. I see glad times today.
What did you say darling?
So don't be round tonight, it's bound to take your kite, there's a bathroom on the right!
Uhh, Pinkie what are you singing?
A parody.
Of what, I have never heard anything like that before?
Oh, its just a song by some resurrecting, clean water guys.
Pinkie.....
The title made me think of Jukebox Hero, thus oddly steering me to a song related comment section
Wait, so Celestia let a cult of murderers be tolerated in her society. And we have a corrupt drug using nobility.
Is Celestia going to do anything right? Also, i may have missed this, but what are the Changelings doing during all this?
Im guessing Cadence is going to get there just in the nick of time to stop the battle, then the bat pony hunter is going to try to kill her guards and she is going to defend them maybe get hurt or not stop him and get arrested.
3779356
Huh? What was that Darkager? I was too busy setting my robots to build to hear what you said... Sorry.
3779442 She didn't? They're outlaws.
You know, if I were those Bat Ponies and Buffalo I wouldn't just make a full frontal assault. I would wait till mornings first light, when most of the town would be sleeping as they would expect an attack at night. I would send a small group of Bat Ponies under the cover of darkness to the apple orchard and proceed to light it ablaze. With the town ponies tripping over each other trying to put out the fires and wake each other up, I would have the main forces charge in with the rising sun at their backs to put the sun in the towns ponies eyes. I would probably withdraw my forces depending on how successful the first charge would be. With the orchard burning down and their numbers severely reduced, it would force them to cut their losses and leave.
NLR technology is BEST technology! I wonder how Tia's reaction to her sister's advanced civilization would be.
Those Apploosa ponies will learn their lesson
3779442
Ok, being a bat pony hunter is a life sentence which is why they keep their identities a secret. Also, Blueblood is taking advantage of Celestia's absence to make Stareye captain.
Ah it's good to that both Celestia and Luna can be wrong at the same time. Luna got lucky there.
Good chapter.
The Battle of Appleloosa is about to begin......
A few questions
Do the ponies have any lethal weapons? Once the buffalo start killing their people I'd think they must have an emergency cache at very least.
While the Lunar Republic obviously has laser guns, do the Equestrians even have early powder based guns in production?
3784364 There is canon evidence to support them having early firearms and armoured vehicles. Rainbow Dash says she needs something real fast like a bullet to keep up with me in the "Find a Pet" song. She also compares Tank to him namesake.
3784473 I thought around 1900 to WWI era
Okay, that there at the end is showing off in the coolest possible way, with the bonus effect of saying "You attack us, you lose."
3779442
I think the powder is the equivalent of rapé (also called snuff), tobacco powder mixed with aromatic herbs which used to be directly sniffed by the s XVIII English nobility.
3779356 I've never had that problem. Usually I am the one building giant death robots while everyone else is building primitive units
Go Buffalo and Bat ponies!
If that actually had happened to Suri, the show would get a lot more interesting, I'll give you that. Perhaps they could make a series-long arc about each member of the Mane Six having a counterpart that they left destitute and hopeless, and then they had to learn their lesson somehow? That is what happened with Lightning Dust, after all...
I keep trying to put my laptop down so I can go to bed, but I can't! It's just too damn exciting!
7303850 RIGHT?!
I have to say I am glad that you showed Pinkie having some real remorse. It also does well to fit her character, since she was informed that she was going to steal from a fillies on one of THE most important an special days of her life! That is in addition to making a TERRIBLE example of Equestria to those present.
I also think it's great how Luna is showing respect for the old customs, an how the Griffons respond so well to it. I can see how they would find that to be most welcoming.
The Prancing Unicorn?
Lord of the Ring's forever!
Was Crescent Hope based off a Necron Night Scythe by chance?
BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!
Kill them! Scalp them! Strangle them with their own intestines!
yay they have spaceships.this story is interesting but now it's awesome
I've just read through the story up till here, and I must admit to having mixed feelings. As this chapter did ask for thoughts on the story so far, I may as well give what I've thought so far.
What I've enjoyed is that the Republic has a good grounding, and may characters are fleshed out. The Mane 6 are all good fun, displaying their elements even in this other verse. So far the plot has gone at a good place across many places, looking at a large range of characters. I've particulalry enjoyed Applejack, and how she has come up against the racism she's been taught and what she's experienced.
But part of what has bugged me throughout is that so far it feels that the Republic has been displayed as superior in every way, with the only way in which they seem at all limited is with cullinary skills and access to land. In a story focising on relations between nations, this feel uneasy to me. While I agree that the Republicans are more likely to have far less problems with speciism, they seem to have no problems dismissing the vastly different cultural differences between the two (with apparantly no superstitions and slurs on their own side at Equestria) The other strangeness is that they seem proficent at everything, from magic to science. I don't mind this too much, as magitech seems very linked in Equestria, although having essentially a 300 year advantage, with limited resources, a small popluation and little international information sharing is a bit far fetched. Moreover, having a very succesful military, despite never having actually fought in a war is similarly strange, handwaved by their defence of being on the moon.
I must admit, Luna is a strange character for me, as while I consider her a good character, I have yet to see her flaws play at all into anything that has happened; apparantly everything that caused the rift between her and Celestia was Celestia. While more recently its been shown her anger did limit what Celestia could do to mend broken bridges, Luna did seem to never be displayed as wrong for essentially leaving her sister to deal with a bad situation alone, almost blaming her sister more for it.
Celestia I've enjoyed, as she is torn between her sister, her duties and how she keeps the two together, as she is as lonely as Luna is, if not more so. She is certainly flawed, and has done some very stupid things, but from what I've seen, she has taken mostly logical steps. (Apart from possibly failing stamping out bat racism in a thousand years despite her being in the best position to do so)
Overall, as you might guess, this is not a story for me. I enjoy the Republic, but I feel its a story told solely from their viewpoint, with themselves writing what they beleive happened, with their own inhibitions placed onto the Equestrians. I would say to anyone trawling through, do give it a read, as there is a lot of good in this story, but its not one to my taste.
9604360
Well the Republic does have more problems here and there, and there will be more issues between the two rulers to help flesh them out.
The reason for the Republic to be so far advanced is very simple: need and isolation. They are an isolated group of free thinkers with no one above them to try and halt their research. Plus when you are in an environment where you need every available resource you will need to pursue them to there max. Equestria can take it's time with research since there is a far greater need. Dont forget the ponies Luna took with her impacted Equestras history.
One other thing that is mentioned in this story is that the ponies of the Republic never forgot that feeling of helplessness. It is burned into their memories. Plus they strive to always be prepared as best they can.
But as you said, this might not be the story for you. Thank you for reading. I am sorry you'll miss what happens with Scootaloo, my depiction of griffins, and so on.
Looked up "Lord Stareye" and found out that Stareye is likely a reference to Desdel Stareye from World of Warcraft. Stareye even uses snuff(basically just tobacco powder mixed with other aromatic herbs), something which Desdel Stareye also frequently uses according to the wiki page.
the wiki page I used is here: https://wowwiki.fandom.com/wiki/Desdel_Stareye
9930344
Oh I know. They are the same character. Love the books back then but the new ones are leaving me hallow