Plot Bunny Theater: The Long Road Home · 5:13pm Nov 10th, 2019
In an alternate universe, five or seven years before Nightmare Moon's return, Equestria had been at war. A large global war, against the nations of Wulfenstein (populated by wolf and other lupine/canine men) The Sphenis Empire (ruled by evil, ice magic wielding penguins as a reference to G1) and other magic wielding kingdoms conquered or allied with these main two powers.
Equestria was allied with the Griffin Kingdoms, Yakyakistan, and other nations, and after an intense conflict lasting almost ten years, the Allies were victorious. Though not without significant costs.
Several of the characters we know and love were veterans of this conflict or involved in other ways, which could alter how the story goes:
-Big Macintosh was a Master Sergeant in the Equestrian Army, and one of the most decorated soldiers ever. His parents died in the war and he fought in their memory. Now returned to civilian life, much of his reticence is due to him dealing with his experiences in the conflict.
-Shining Armor also fought in the war, alongside Cadence and Prince Blueblood. All of whom were affected by the fight in different ways.
-A training base was set up near Ponyville, where soldiers from other nations (and species) would often come to train. This base could still be in operation as a reserve unit, but tensions between the foreigners and locals could still be high. There could have also been a POW camp near the Everfree Forest-One that several prisoners escaped and went to live in Everfree.
-Twilight Sparkle may have seen her mentor, Princess Celestia, as a wartime leader-A very different experience from how she saw her in the main timeline.
-Many of the parents of the Mane 6 and other characters would have been involved in the conflict in other ways, perhaps leading to a severe generation gap between them when it comes to different things and modern conflicts.
What else might be worth exploring in this post-war Equestria when Nightmare Moon returns and the series proper begins?
The technology changes and how the world is adapting to it, War does after all tend to cause rapid growth in that area, both for military use and civilian
Would the twin Shysters be selling protection devices instead? With the exposure to other races more common would Zecora's shunning even happen or would the townsfolk be more upfront with reason they avoid her because she lives in the Everfree. possible suspicions of her spying for the escapees inside?
5153161
They might even think that she is an escapee
Definatly see a generation gap between the M6 as rembering the war and the CMCs only hearing about it.
Zecora is a refugee perhaps. She's only just now decided to stop moving? With the allied base nearby she's less of an exotic sight in the town?
5153194
Quite possibly. There's also the fact that a number of zebra and other equine species were conquered or allied to the Wulfenstein/Sphenis Empire so hard feelings still exist over that.
5153184
Depends on which side the zebra were on I guess
5153225
Some Zebra tribes were on the Allied side, others on the other side.
So is Wulfenstein suppose to be German? Do they include the Diamond Dogs?
I like the reference to G1, but where does the name “Sphenis” come from? That sounds like it should be a nation of sphinxes. Also... Is it supposed to rhyme with “penis?”
5153254
Wulfenstein is indeed supposed to be German and would include the Diamond Dogs.
Spheniscidae is the scientific name for all penguins so I used it as the basis for their empire's name. And no, it's not supposed to rhyme with "penis", it sounds closer to "Sphinx."
Perhaps Twilight was trained by Celestia not as a researcher and spellcaster, but a leader and general - a very different upbringing but retaining Celestia's focus on friendship in the form of learning about and connecting with the people under her command.
5153273
Perhaps! Cadence during the war would have functioned more as a princess, managing the war effort and improving morale.