//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Rise of the Rebellion // Story: Equestria Wars Episode I: Fall of the New Lunar Republic // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// The citizens of Ponyville gathered where Charming Thunder and the group were. They were standing on a stage where the mayor makes speeches. "Citizens of Ponyville," Charming Thunder said as he hot everyones attention. "I have asked you all here for a reason. We all hate Luna right now and I am asking you now. Will you join me in glorious combat to restore freedm for our true ruler Princess Celestia!?" Everyone cheered in agreement as others were chanting "Celestia." He then raised his hoof to quiet everyone down and said, "Then let this be a Declaration of Rebellion. TODAY we all vow to change Equestria. And one day...Equestria will be free from the New Lunar Republic." Everyone then cheered again and scattered around town to gather materials to make ground vehicles. Their plan to get Applejack back was now set in motion. --------------------- Camp has been set up next to Sweet Apple Acres and ponies are getting ready for attack tomorrow at dawn. Charming Thunder was examining his favorite vehicle that was ever made based on one of the blueprints his cousin had. Everything was ready for their first attack. --------------------- The next day, everyone was up early waiting for the sun to rise. The tanks on stand by in case they were needed, troops in position to start their charge, and Charming Thunder, who was leading the forces, was looking through his binoculars to make sure that Applejack comes out on schedule. He then noticed her leave her house and signaled the troops to move out. Everyone including Charming Thunder started running straight to the barn. Applejack noticed the group heading her way and out of nowhere Pinkie landed on her so that she doesn't get away. "Darn it," Applejack said as she struggled to break free. "When Luna hears about this, she will have your heads. Do ya'll hear me?" "We all know," Charming Thunder said from behind the crowd. Everyone moved out of the way to reveal him walking towards her. "Ch-Charming Thunder! I thought that you were in prison." "I was." "What are you going to do?" He then turned to the army and said, "Secure the home. Make sure that her family is safe. I'll handle Applejack from here. Pinkie Pie, keep her restrained." Applejack then struggled even more. "Please! Don't hurt them. They've done nothin' wrong!" Applejack shouted as a small group of soldiers entered her home. "Do not worry. I'm not here to kill you. I have...some uses for you." Charming Thunder said as his horn glowed and lowered his head until his horn touched her forehead. She then started to scream in pain with the impact of the memory spell. Once it was over she was knocked out and lying on the floor. He then shouted to everyone, "VICTORY IS OURS!!" Everyone who hasn't charged has cheered and Pinkie started a first victory party. --------------------- A fleet is now being constructed over Ponyville. Since people of Appalossa came to town to deliver a lot of materials for construction, many starfighters, frigates, and capital ships were finished. But one giant one is still under construction. Prince Blueblood was in charge of the construction of the giant capital ship that was designed by Charming Thunder. ARC-170 starfighters then flew by to do some test flying. Octavia was helping Fluttershy carrying medical supplies until he saw Charming Thunder staring at Canterlot as tears fell down his face. "What's wrong?" Octavia asked as she placed a hoof on his shoulder. He wiped away the tears and said, "Its just that I miss hanging out with Twilight. Ever since she became princess, I felt...alone." "You don't have to be alone," Fluttershy said as she was dropping a pack of bandages inside the tent. "There's me, Octavia, Pinkie, Princess Celestia, Rarity, Spike, and Prince Blueblood." "We are friends," said a voice from behind the group. The group then turned around and saw Applejack with a smile on her face. "And friends stick together." "Glad to see you're awake." "How long was she knocked out anyway?" Rarity asked. "Three minutes." An idea then hatched in Charming Thunder's head. "Rarity, is my armor ready?" "Yes it is." "Why do you ask that?" Applejack asked. "I've got a call to make." "To who?" "Twilight." --------------------- Charming Thunder was wearing a black outfit with a chest piece and a cape. He levitated a black helmet that almost looks a lot like a gas mask. When he placed it on his head, it started to make a breathing sound. He then pressed a button on a holo terminal and started to make a call to Princess Twilight Sparkle. --------------------- Twilight was in her room brushing her mane until a knock was heard on the door. "Enter," she said. A pegasus royal guard enter the room and bowed to the princess. "You have something to report?" "Yes," the guard said. "You have an incoming transmission on your holo terminal." "Thank you." The guard then left as Twilight headed to the terminal and pressed the blinking button. After that the hologram revealed a dark figure with a breathing mask making breathing sounds. Twilight was shocked by the appearance of the figure and asked, "Who are you and what do you want?" "You don't remember the time I locked you up in a cell so I can escape," the figure asked. "CHARMING THUNDER!!" "You may have forgotten me but I will NEVER forget you." "What do you want?" "You and Luna have been ruling Equestria long enough. You will either surrender or I will declare war on the Lunar Republic." Twilight then turned away from Charming Thunder trying to make a decision. "Tick-tock tick-tock. What are you waiting for?" Twilight then turned back to him and said, "Very well then. War." "So be it, princess." The transmission then faded away and Twilight called the guard that was outside of her room. "Yes, your highness?" the unicorn guard said. "Alert my mother that we are now at war with rebels." The guard then bowed and rushed out of her room to alert Luna about the news that Twilight told him: War has finally come to Equestria.