//------------------------------//
// The Cause-Chapter 1 
// Story: The War Within Equestria 
// by Addictive Reads 
//------------------------------//

  Rainbow Dash stared blankly and the photo she was holding in her hooves. It was a picture of her and her five other friends three years ago-Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. They were all smiling genuinely in the photo. How happy they were then.

So much had happened ever since the photo was taken. That was the last piece of photo taken with Rainbow Dash smiling happily beside her friends. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had declared war not long after. It all began when Princess Luna tried keeping the whole of Equestria at night for a day. She wanted to feel that greatness ruling Equestria herself again. It had been so long since she last thought that way. Princess Celestia was enraged when she knew of this, and was also afraid that her sister would turn into Nightmare Moon, like the last time she tried to rule Equestria herself. The princess was afraid that the Elements of Harmony would not defeat her again. 

Their small argument led to hatred within the sisters, and eventually, it caused war. Princess Celestia took to pulling the Elements of Harmony apart. She thought that if she took certain elements, the power combined would be stronger than the six of them combined. Princess Celestia took Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack and Rarity, believing they were the keys to victory. Rainbow did not know why she did that; it was a really foolish decision. Princess Luna had to take the other three of them too, and ended up with Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. The princesses split the other citizens of Equestria to either of their sides. Princess Celestia had named her side the Celestians, and Princess Luna's the Lunians. As far as Rainbow knew, Celestia had renamed herself Ruler Celestia of the Celestians, and Luna as Queen Luna of the Lunians. Luna had resided on a mountain in Canterlot, and built a castle on it, naming it her castle. As far as Rainbow knew, Celestia built her fort at Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash's loyalty for every pony was torn away from her. She no longer thought loyalty was needed for this war, since she thought that this war should not have happened. Princess Luna need not rule Equestria herself for a day, and Princess Celestia need not to act so quickly. This was a war she rebelled against. 

Now, she was in her chamber, staring at the photo while seated on a chair. Rainbow Dash was a highly ranked general on Luna's side, since she was one of the best fighters and strategists. Both princesses were neck to neck. Neither was winning the war more than the other. 

Rainbow had to admit, she missed her three other friends. She had never seen them ever since they were separated. Rainbow Dash could tell Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were not happy with this war, either. Pinkie's mane was as straight as a blade, and Fluttershy was always sulking. Ugh. She should stop calling her Pinkie Pie anymore. Pinkie had gone back to using Pinkamena Diane Pie as her name. She was no longer bubbly and excited about everything.

Rainbow Dash remembered the countless adventures she had with her friends, and how much time she spent with them. She smiled slightly at the memory, later being replaced with one of a emotionless expression again. That was last time. Those were only memories, the past. She couldn't make anymore memories with them anymore. They were separated. No longer the Elements of Harmony.

How about Rainbow's future dreams? Her current life of being a Wonderbolt? The Wonderbolts had gone to Celestia's side, along with her life and dreams of being with them. She could not join the same side, as Luna already selected her as one of hers. Oh, how much she hated this war.

Also, Rainbow's parents had been killed in one of the many battles Celestia and Luna led. Rainbow Dash was too occupied with fighting for her life to notice her parents being cornered with more than twenty Celestians. She only heard the last of the dying screams. Rainbow Dash did not know who killed her parents, how they were killed, or where their bodies were now. She did not even have the chance to see them off for their funerals as there was no body. She did not get to say her final farewells. That was probably the motivation for her to continue fighting for Luna, though she hated the war. To avenge her parents' death. To kill Celestia.

"General Dash, Queen Luna wants your presence in her throne room," Pinkamena's voice penetrated through Rainbow's thoughts. Pinkamena had opened the door to her chamber and was waiting outside. 

"Okay," Rainbow sighed. She slid the photograph into her side table and walked out of the room to Pinkamena. Together, they walked to Luna's throne room.