A quick lunch break later, Ashburn headed over to the physical training center. General Riverrun was there, already starting with the preparations.
"Ashburn. You're late." He said, his face stern.
"I'm sorry sir. This will not be repeated." Ash saluted, and walked over to the line of soldiers. The training began immediately. We were run through many drills. Ash did pull ups, running tracks, and parkour jumps. We only took a single break, testing our perseverance. They all were sweating waterfalls, and Riverrun finally dismissed us.
"Goodnight until tomorrow soldiers." Riverrun announced, and he flew towards the housing district of Lelian. The city of supporting ponies from all over Equestria, was lit up like the night sky, many lights shining and flickering.
Ashburn gathered her armor, and placed it within the lockers. Her home was welcoming, the heated cabin was a candle in the dark cave. She had received some food supplies to cook with. The stove was heated, and she made a grilled cheese for dinner. After some food and tv, she studied the history of the New Lunar Republic and the Solar Empire.
The History and Origins of the New Lunar Republic
Celestia and Luna, two beloved sisters who ruled the land. Celestia rises the sun, and Luna, the moon. Luna, the younger of the two, discovered that Celestia was truly a tyrant. Her idea of harmony was to set the sun into rule, leaving behind a younger sister and the fall of the seasons.
Luna was worried, her sister to rule Equestria alone? A stand was made against her, the original Lunar Rebublic. Celestia was only fazed by this, and banished her to the moon. A story was created to ensure that Celestia was not a tyrant, only a honest leader.
Soon her younger sister was back, her head filled with lies. Eventually, she remembered why she was fighting. The harmony here was false. Luna quickly created the New Lunar Republic, knowing that without the Elements, Celestia couldn't fight back so easily.
Twilight Sparkle, Celestia' s most faithful student, followed her mentor, believing that Luna was lying. Families were split, and the war commenced. Today, the war rages on, with no hope of ending.
Ashburn shut her book, and turned out the lights. The book was cradled in her magic along with a glass of milk and an apple. Her snack was sweet, and helped her be a little full before sleeping. Her bed was warm, and she quickly fell asleep.
~~~<>~~~
The following week, she continued training as that day went, but she managed to get there on time. Spells were learned and new fighting tactics were learned.
Today, everything was ready.
The ceiling sparkled as the moon set. It had an enchantment to show the moon in the night, but the cavern' s top in the day. The city began to wake up with the sounds of cars and buses, getting ponies to their workplaces.
In the center of the small homes, President Luna was standing apon the rocks. The soldiers were gathered around her, ears ready for any commands. "Today, a battle is apon us. We must move to protect any civilians not in Leilan. Ready soldiers?"
A unanimous yes rang out across the center, signaling the move to go to the surface. One by one, they left the city. They climbed up through the same hole they jumped into, and appeared on the surface. A battle was apon them, and they were ready.
"Move out!" Luna shouted, and the squadron followed her command. Now face to face with the Solar Empire's fighters, Ashburn rushed at the front line. Blasts of energy shot from her horn, as strong as being shocked with a small lightning bolt. They rushed forward, shouting the battle call.
"FOR THE NEW LUNAR REPUBLIC!" rang across the field. Many ponies lay wounded, but the battle continued.
Ashburn confronted a large stallion, obviously powerful. Her small stature let her slip around him, scratching his flank with her horn. He shouted in rage, her tactics working. He grabbed her leg, and spun Ash around. She was thrown against another Lunar soldier, and they both toppled over. A small pony, almost half my size, snuck up behind him, and bucked him in the flank. He toppled over, and his eyes closed.
"He's only unconscious." She said, and continued," Come on, gotta make sure that they don't take the village." The pegasus lead Ash to the heart of the battle, magic projected everywhere, hooves stomping the ground, and feathers floating gently to the ground.
The Solar Empire's leader, the tyrant Celestia, called out to her wounded soldiers. "Fall back!"
A cheer rang out across the Lunar Repubilc' s fighters. This battle was theirs. Luna commanded them back to Leilan, and everypony followed her orders.
The gentle light of the cavern was welcoming to the soldiers, and the city was celebrating their victory. Ashburn looked to her right, the mare that helped her was there. "What is your name?"
"Who me?" She said, and smiled at Ash. "Just kidding! My name's Shadow. What's yours unicorn?" Shadow giggled at her humor, but Ash wasn't pleased.
Annoyed, she replied. "I'm Ashburn, but I'm Ash to most ponies."
"Okay Ash!"
"Whatever."