I flew till dawn with only bathroom breaks along the way. I landed by some woods and took a drink of water. My wings were tired and in need of rest. This body maybe an alicorn body but it wasn’t up to my standards of fitness. Something to work on. With flying out for now might as well forage for food. Sadly she had no sack so I couldn’t carry extra. A mistake in hindsight but in my defense I have turned into an alicorn with completely different looks then from my own. Told that my clan and country no longer exist and that my own mother acted disgracefully. I challenge any mare to keep things straight with that kind of news. I found some berries but had to eat grass just to fill my stomach. I considered my options. I had to get in contact with my clan. It maybe centuries later but they were still my clan. I observed my surroundings. It was either spring or summer and if Cloudsdale path has remained unchanged then I have a rough idea where it was. I swung my head and the new appendage remind me of its existence as I hit a tree branch with it. I yelped and rubbed it. “Thou will be a pain I know it.” That brought another problem. There is only one other alicorn in Equestria so if ponies see her horn Celestia will know where I was. It would be easier to hide my wings but I was heading for Cloudsdale so it was the horn I had to hide. I was going to have find something. Until then no pony could see me. Keeping my eyes pealed I took to the air.
Two hours later I saw Cloudsdale on the horizon. Looking around she spotted a small town and headed for it’s outskirts. Using her training she darts around town looking for something to hide her horn. I hated to resort to theft but I have no choice. Looking around she searched for anything that could hide her horn. After minutes of searching I found something. It was a pink colored cloth that formed a half cone. I remember seeing some earth pony mares wear it. And it was large enough to hide the horn. I looked to see if anypony was around. Seeing no pony she raced out and snatched it and raced to the forest. Once there a found a stream and used it as an impromptu mirror as I got the hat on. After a few minutes of working with the unfamiliar hat I looked at my reflection. Most angles the horn was hidden. Unless the looked straight up from under me nopony would see it. That done I took to the air for Cloudsdale.
When I got to the city of my birth I recognized a couple landmarks. The weather factory and the Cloudsseum. But none of the clan homes or even the Commander’s Residence were seen. This was very vexing. Even defeated there should have been clans left over. I flew over to where my clan home should be. There were several small buildings akin to what she saw in earth pony towns. Normally they were used by pegasi without a clan. To see so many and no clan homes anywhere was very concerning. She spotted an elderly mare from one of the houses that sat where her home stood. She glided down and landed in front of the mare who was a bit startled. “Apologies mare, I come seeking answers.” The mare looked at me confused but asked.
“What could I answer? I’m just a simple mare living her final days in peace.”
“If you can’t answer my questions I will leave you in peace. I just want to know what happened to the. Clan that lived here.” The mare stared at her for a bit.
“Well if you don’t mind listening to an old mare ramble. Then I can tell you what I know.” The mare waved me into her home. It was a spartan home. Filled with basic furniture you should in an earth pony house or a clanless pegasus. It was also filled with little nitnacks and a painting or two. All signs of a happy and well lived life. “Do you mind if I make some tea while we talk dear?”
“Not at all.” I reply taking the chair by the couch. She went to the kitchen area and began making the tea.
“What do you know about clan Charger?” she asked me.
“They are one of the oldest clans out there. Have a preference for lances as weapons. Their motto is ‘We lead the charge’ and is a long honorable clan. I know everything till the death of Lance Charger.” I answered her. The mare was silent for a bit making the tea before she replied.
“Sadly they are no longer known for that. Bright’s actions after Lance’s death destroyed it.” The mare returned to the living room. “After Lance died there was a duel between Crossguard, the general of the Princess’ army and Ephor Steel Striker. The two stallions fought hard and her badly wounded and the duel considered a draw. Crossguard died from his wounds leaving Ephor Shadow Kicker in charge of the army. Later that day Ephor Charger approached the fortifications under a white flag with her son Dusk at her side. Ephor Kicker with her daughter went to meet them. Words were spoken but there in clear view of both sides Bright took her lance and stabbed Ephor Kicker in the chest. Ephor Kicker manage a swipe before going down. And Dusk knocked out Gale and took her as the Chargers fled the scene. Sunbeam Sparkle went on a rampage. And one of Bright’s sons perish to her flames. Back at camp words were exchange between Dusk and Bright. From was has been remembered, he was not happy with his mother’s actions. Then Thunder showed up to report that his twin was dead. Bright struck him in her anger. Soon she collapsed and it seem Shadow got a lucky hit in. One that was very fatal as well. Before the medics could even try to save her Swift and his warlock allies took her for a ritual. Dusk rallied a couple minor clans to remove Swift Blade from power. With Rightly captured and both Steel and Bright badly injured left Swift in charge. Sadly they were too late. The warlocks used the captured mages and killed them to turn Bright into the Avatar of Nightmare Moon. From there things went downhill for the rebellion. Bright was not same mare, calling the Princess her sister while still acknowledging her children. She let Swift use the earth ponies as fodder for failed assault after failed assault. The one time they could have a break through the gave it up to challenge the leaders of the Princesses army, among them a still living Shadow Kicker.” The mare brought out the tea and served a cup to me and poured one for herself. I took a sip and it was nice. She resumed her tale after a sip herself.
“They dueled. Avatar versus Shadow, Sunbeam Shimmer versus the Warlock Hidden Facts, and Swift versus Greenhorn an earth pony captain. The Avatar fled a duel after Shadow got in some good hits. This forced Hidden Facts to withdraw from their duel and Swift soon followed . Though he suffered the most from the duel since after one hit he spent his duel hiding from his opponent. Dusk and his sister Dawn were part of an attack that took place the same time as the duel and managed to break through but at high cost. So high that with the duel lost they couldn’t hold. Dusk and Dawn were captured. Dusk and Rightly were released for Shadow’s daughter and for an attempt at peace. Rightly removed Swift from power and it was believed Hidden Facts was killed. They gave peace terms but they were completely unreasonable and Dusk defected. Sadly that was a ruse. He worked with the avatar and some traitorous nobles to foalnap Sunbeam’s foal for some ritual and showed that Hidden Facts was still alive. In the end the Avatar was dead ending the seige of Canterlot. Celestia then took the field and engaged an army under Steel Striker’s command and asked for their surrender. Steel refused and Celestia burned the entire army to a crisp. After that they march on Cloudsdale and again asked for a surrender. Rightly did meet with Shadow but any attempt at peace was destroyed by Celestia herself this time. After Dusk’s betrayal she declared to dissolve all clans with only two spared. The Kickers being one of them. Rightly could not accept those terms and tried a desperate night attack. It was canceled out by Celestia raising the sun. What happen next was not a battle but a slaughter. Rightly fell in the battle and Cloudsdale surrendered. Soon after both Pegasapolis and the Earth pony government ceased to be. Elements of the Doos and the Strikers fled Equestria for the city state of Freeport. And that is the end of the Lunar Rebellion.”
I was silent for a bit before asking.
“Why did Dusk defect and then betray Celestia?”
“From what was gleamed, the process to turn Bright into the avatar didn’t fully work and the ritual was to fix it. How I don’t know.” My heart was broken, honor so easily discarded. My clan, my country destroyed. I looked at the mare. And with a nod I said.
“I thank thee. For the tea and the answers.”
“My pleasure miss.” I put the tea cup down and headed to the door I came in and out to her backyard I cried and mourn. “You fools, you darn fools. You lost everything. We should have been content with removing Celestia from power. But no, we pushed and we lost everything. Oh Dusk, Dawn, Flash, Thunder, mother, uncle. What have you done? You all destroyed everything we fought for. And Swift Blade.” My voice went from mournful to angry. “May you rot in Tartarus for what you did. Tainting our cause with warlocks and mother, you forgot everything you taught me to avenge my death. It was war, I could easily die in any battle on the Rebellion. That duel with Copper Spark, or in the duel with Shadow Kicker, or at any battle. That is the risk of war. Instead of losing just me you lost everything.” I cried over the loss.
When I finally finished my mourning and wiped my eyes of tears and sense somepony nearby and looked to see the mare standing there with a sad smile. “Hearing that was hard wasn’t miss?” She asked me. I nodded. “ Well I got you a cloak and some saddle bags with some bits for you.” I was confused.
“Why are you giving me these?”
“Well the cloak and bags were my late wife’s. I don’t need them but you do and I’m in the twilight years of my life and have plenty of bits. You however need them and I can’t let a fellow Charger go empty hooved.” I blinked at her and she smiled.
“Dear, I may be old but my mind is sound. You’re a Charger and some how you didn’t know these things but you need some help and this is what I can provide.” I was left speechless. This mare, just met me and is giving me these items. I bowed to her.
“I thank thee for your aid.” She nodded to me.
“You’re welcome dear. May your flight be pleasant.” I wave her goodbye as I took to the air. In the air I overlooked Cloudsdale. So different then what I remember. Finding a spot similar to a market place I saw in Manehattan. I headed for it to get supplies. I got some food, water, and a map of the world. Sadly the weapons were too much for the bits I had. I walked studying the map. A lot was unchanged from her time but for the city state called Freeport. It was a series of islands in a key trade location. That mare said that the Doo’s fled there. I thought on it when a heard a mare’s voice call out my name. I quickly moved to face the source and found a pegasus mare in red armor. The colors of the Kicker clan. I narrowed my eyes. “What do you want Kicker.” I sneered at her. She was a bit shocked at my response. She steadied herself.
“The princess wishes to talk to you.”
“And what if I don’t want to talk to her?” I replied back.
“I rather not bodily carry you to her but I will if I have to.” I raised my eyebrow and then replied.
“If you know my name then you know my past and what I am now.”
“Not going to stop me, plus I came prepared.” Several pegasi appeared all bearing red armor. “Please, the Princess just wants to talk to you. No arrests just a talk.” I eyed around me. They were well equipped in true clan style. If I had my armor and lanced I try to take them but as unarmed as was it wasn’t worth it. With a sigh I replied.
“Very well, lead me to her.” The mare nodded and took to the air and I followed.
On the outskirts of Cloudsdale we headed for a series of clouds shaped like a bowl. When they got above the lip she, saw Celestia sitting at a table reading something on a scroll. She looked up and smiled at our approach. We landed and she put the scroll away. “Thank you Gale Kicker, that will be all.”
“But your highness?” Gale started with clear confusion in her face.
“No buts Gale. This is a private conversation. I trust Lance won’t attack me.”
“As much pleasure it would do me to see you at my hooves bloodied it would do me no good so she is safe from harm.” Celestia frowned at my replied while Gale was clearly displeased but replied.
“Very well princess.” She took to the air and left though still likely close enough to keep an eye on me.
“Well you wanted to see me, here I am.”
“Indeed, I am so glad you are alright. I trust you found the answers you were seeking?” she took a sip of a drink.
“Oh yes I did. And what I found made me hate you.” Celestia spat out her drink.
“W-what!?” She asked.
“Oh yes,” I said smuggly. “I learned fully what happened after my death. And while my uncle made errors and my mother shames me with her actions. But you, you took the cake. As came to accept I was far in the future. That everypony I knew and loved has been dead for a long time but at least still have my clan. But it turns out I don’t. The only potential family I have was destroyed just years after my death by YOU!”
“Lance they left me no choice. I couldn’t trust the clans after Midnight was foalnapped.” I rolled my eyes.
“Oh please, that’s an excuse and you know it. You were angry at my mother for what she did so you took it out on the clans and followed unicornian dream of removing the culture of the other tribes. You destroyed the clans, and you destroyed the earth pony government even though half supported you. Great way to thank them for their sacrifice. Yet who is untouched. The unicornian government and the Kicker clan. Funny that.”
“The Kickers were loyal and were allowed to exist. Shadow agreed with my choice.” Celestia replied.
“In other words she kissed your plot thus were spared your purge. And what of the earth ponies? I know many didn’t side with the clans and our cause yet there government is also gone.”
“Thanks to the rebellion and Swift’s actions a lot of the government was gone.” Celestia stated.
“The ponies sure, but the system still worked. They could vote in replacements. But you didn’t let them. You decided for them. You have just shown that Swift’s claims about you were true. You are a tyrant. You have no equal, no check, what you say is law.” I smirked before continuing. “l find it amusing ironic. Why call yourself princess when queen, or empress more are far more appropriate. I might have given you the benefit of the doubt those centuries ago but because of what Iearned today I can no longer give you that, TYRANT.” Celestia winced at that, it seems I landed a blow. After a minute Celestia sighed and asked subdued.
“What will you do Lance Charger, raise an army against me?”
“As much as I desire to I am also a smart mare. I have no power base to challenge you. You won. Equestria is your little plaything now.” Celestia winced at that. “No I plan to go to the remnants of my uncle's clan. The closest thing I have a family I have left.” Celestia looked pained before responding.
“Very well, I will not stop you Lance. I hope you succeed.” Her response confused me. She seemed sadden not angry or dismissive I expected. I started to position for a take off but a question nagged me. I looked back at her, she looked so sad. I asked my question.
“Why did want this meeting? Clearly not to imprison me so why?” She looked at me.
“Because you and I are the only alicorns on the planet. With my sister gone it has been hard. I failed her and lost her and by losing her I lost the best chance of avoiding the war. When I heard of another alicorn appearing I was so happy. Even when you told me your name I still had hope. I know there is bad blood between us but I hope we could overcome that.”
“And do what exactly Celestia? What did you expect me to do, go through a ridiculous coronation and then spend eternity smiling and waving?” I did just that to make my point. “Also add in marrying me to some noble house and bear several foals till they die off just to eventually be married to another. You think I would like that kind of life. Despite my physical changes I am still a warrior of pegaspolis so how would that whole scenario play out?” I turned away from her again. “We do have something in common, we both miss our families.” I turned my head to her and glared. “However unlike you I am not responsible for the lost if yours. I pray Equestria doesn’t suffer more under your rule.” With that I took to the air leaving the tyrant and the place that was once my home.