//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Facing Southern Thunder // by The Prancing Red Pony //------------------------------// Celestia stared at the war map in front of her. She could barely sleep, and many bags formed under her eyes. She spent many of her days and nights in her planning room in Canterlot, with her army generals and admirals of her armies and Imperial Navy. The recent series of events had made her very worried and desperate. With the losses of Las Pegasus, Appleloosa, and Dodge Junction she had no proper city to launch her armies from that was at least within 100 miles of enemy lines. The so called Confederate States of Equestria or the CSE, attacked her with cunning tatics and ruthlessness combat and the most surprising factor; THEY WERE HUMANS!! The war was formed out of pure will to expand and control. For the CSE, the ponykind were but a minor nuisance in an unstoppable campaign to get more land and to defend the borders of their homeland. But, Celestia being the fierce princess that she was would not have it. The main reason that pushed the CSE to take over Equestria was resources and land, things they desperately needed. The Southern half of Equestria had the land for farms and orchards and the Northern half had resources for factories and mining. Everywhere the CSE went they either killed or enslaved. Stallions, Mares, Foals, Elders, Buffalo, you name it nopony was made as an exception. Those who were taken prisoner, were immediately sent to factories and mines where they were given very little rights. Those that were taken prisoner and found to speak against the CSE in a negative way, were sent to farms where they were ruthlessly beaten with no rights. Those who continued to speak against the atrocities put forth by the CSE or even attempted to flee, were whipped ruthlessly, shot, or had limbs amputated out of sheer spite. Many ponies were even drowned in whiskey and left to wander drunk until shot by a prison guard. "These horrible atrocities, how could such a being with any sanity do things so terrible" Celestia said to herself while looking over her war map. Since the invasion she barely slept, ate, or bathed, always keeping her eyes glued to her war map. But, her eyes were not locked on her own nation or the area captured by the CSE, but to the south end of the map. Humans were not known to exist and then vast armies of them suddenly appear from Macintosh Hills, Bad Lands, and the San Palomino Desert. The Southern end of the continent was completely uncharted territory to ponykind. The land was apparently made up of swamps, small deserts, and vast forests. Your Highness, I agree with you as well, but for the time being we must live with such cunning evil and acts. And fight for what is right in this world of ours" a voice said across the great planning table. Celestia looked up and sighed, "You are absolutely right Colonel Thunder." She trotted over to the stallion. Colonel Thunder commanded the 24th Cloudsdale Pegasus Regiment "The Night Runners" one of the greatest and respected spy regiments in Equestria. "And I trust all is prepared?" "Yes your majesty. My troops are ready to explore where the CSE came from and we shall report back as soon as possible with any large troop movements in the region." "Have you found out anything as of lately?" Celestia asked curiously. "We have sadly found nothing much about the armies or their commanders. They are very skilled in deception" Colonel Thunder answered with a slight sigh. Celestia was angered but calmed herself as she spoke to Colonel Thunder, "We must know more about these damn things before they completely over run the country. You must bring back as much information as possible." Colonel Thunder stared down at his hooves chocking up slightly. "Your majesty... I would do anything to protect my brothers, sisters, and parents from any kind of harm. Even if that means going right towards the enemy's doorstep you can always count on me." Celestia looked back at the Colonel who now was filled with fighting spirit and smiled. "I trust you do well in your mission. I pray you return and not harmed with all your pegasus. "May I kiss you, your majesty if I may not return to look back at your smiling eyes" Colonel Thunder asked Celestia. Celestia let out a small smile. "You may" she said. Colonel Thunder quickly gave Princess Celestia a quick kiss on the lips and then exited filled with fighting spirit and courage. Celestia blushed slightly before returning to look back at her war map. -------------- Canterlot airfield, barracks,factories, and shipyards were extremely busy with ponies rushing back and forth. Workers in some of the factories were busily making weapons and kits for the soldiers who were preparing to go out to the south to face the CSE. Hot Air Ships were preparing to take non pegasus soldiers, aids, generals, other field personnel, and supplies to the south to landing zones and battle areas in desperate need. The weather was very clear, and the sun shone very brightly but made all the ponies very hot and sticky. Colonel Thunder came to the main airfield and to one of the hangars that waved the flag of 24th Cloudsdale Pegasus Regiment. Many pegasus's were outside stretching, writing brief letters home, testing their wings, or getting their kits together before they would be cut off for who knows how long. The Colonel entered the hangar and met with some of the pegasus's, mostly his subordinate's about their plans to get into the land from where the CSE came from. The Colonel soon went to his planning room where he found the General of the Pegasus Air Force, Golden Apple. "General Apple" the Colonel said with a salute. The General was dressed in the traditional light blue officer's jacket with three yellow stripes indicating his rank. The General was smoking a cigar and looked slightly worried. "As you were Thunder" the General said saluting him back. The General soon trotted to the Colonel's side. "I wish you the best in this mission Thunder" the General said putting a hoof on the Colonel's shoulder. "Thank You General that means a lot coming from you" the Colonel said. The General looked at the Colonel almost dead in the face as if he had just seen a ghost. "You must do well in this mission. Without the information you provide us Celestia will be left by herself against the CSE" the General said. "I will achieve the utmost successfulness against the CSE and come back with plenty amounts of information" the Colonel assured the General. "Very good now get going you are dismissed" the General said with one final salute in which the Colonel returned. The Colonel returned to the main take off area of the hangar and suited up. Every Pegasus had to take almost double the amount of regular supplies since the Colonel or any of the generals were sure of when they would return. The sun soon departed from the sky since to successfully pass the Confederate lines without being seen the 24th had to leave in the dead of night. The Colonel stood before the ranks of his regiment and said a few simple words. "Let's make Celestia proud and give em hell" the Colonel said. "Hoo Awh" replied his pegasus soldiers. They soon began to take off and then disappeared into the night sky not knowing when they would return or if they would return.