January 18th, 1422 E.F
We never should have come here. Things were fine when we were back in our world. We had the most advanced and prosperous nation in the world. We were protected from all the dangers that we could handle. None of the other nations dared to challenge us because of our rulers turning the sun and moon for us all to live.
This planet isn’t worth saving from itself and humanity certainly doesn’t deserve to be saved. They are evil. Pure evil. It’s been a week since Equestria’s greatest disaster happened. An act so unspeakable that even now I still can’t believe it happened. Equestria knew about the dangerous and insane weapons known as Nuclear Missiles. A weapon so powerful it could destroy cities and kill millions. There was even a point in their history when they build so many that if they launched them against each other it would have been the end of their kind. Maybe they should have fired them all so we wouldn’t have had to deal with them.
While the threat of them was always in thought, we believed the shield barrier would protect us. With it now all but gone Equestria is now open to attack. Or should I say… they already attacked. We only knew that it was a missile from the Middle-East, but not the country. Everypony’s guessing it was retaliation for the attacks on their holy cities. After all, it was the Crystal Cannon that destroyed Rome and Mecca so it makes sense they would destroy the civilization that created it.
I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news. The entire Crystal Empire was gone. At least four million ponies wiped out into oblivion. Princess Cadence and Princess Flurry Heart among them. Another two of our goddesses dead. The Crystal Heart should have protected them all, but I guess the blast of the force was too much.
I have no more tears to shed and no prayers to give anymore. Three of our goddesses are dead. Are these the end times? Is humanity the great evil we must face in our darkest hour before the forces of good come to save us? Or am I just lying to myself because the opposite answers would destroy me on the inside? I don’t know what to believe in anymore except for one thing: Humanity must be destroyed.
Four million ponies. Most of them just civilians. Wiped out. An entire chunk of our land completely poisoned by their sick science with nature all but ruined. The few survivors we have left can barely fill a full town from what I hear.
I keep asking when my parents are coming, but I’m always told its too dangerous. Equestria is on full emergency alert with Princess Celestia ordering all soldiers to return from the human lands to Equestria. Burn and destroy everything so they cannot use it. Even the newfoals are being abandoned. I hear some of the soldiers on our side are killing them in anger. Claiming that they can never be like us even if they were former humans.
Honestly, it sounds like they’re just looking for something to blame.
I just want to get back into the action. Get back to the war. Because if the rumors are correct then with the shield down there is only one thing coming.
Invasion.
-Private Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
***
January 23rd, 1422 E.F
I’m finally free from the hospital. My platoon is being sent to San Prancisco, one of the areas the military believes will be invaded along with other coastal areas on both ends. I’m on my way there through train (my wings are still healing) as I see many heading to the city looking nervous. Most of them are fresh recruits for the defense.
Because of the situation, the enlistment is now fully into effect with charges being given to those who refuse the call. All pegasi are being trained to prepare for aerial bombardment in fear of future nuclear weapons or missile attacks. Unicorns are being prepared shielding spells to protect the towns and cities. Earth Ponies are making shelters for the citizens. Never had Equestria faced such impending doom like this. The entire nation was being turned into a fortress with the princesses doing everything they can to find a way to escape this hell of a planet.
I don’t see how. The Elements of Harmony were what brought us here and with Fluttershy the Traitor not on our side it's hard to see how they plan on bringing us home.
If a way can be found so be it, but until then our focus is to protect Equestria. Everypony knows it’s only a matter of time before humanity comes to invade us as we invaded them, but it’s going to take time. Until then we must prepare for the worst.
-Private Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
***
January 24th, 1422 E.F
I arrived at San Prancisco this morning and my platoon was there to greet me. I saw a lot of new faces. All fresh new soldiers who were doing their best to be brave, but I could tell they were scared by the looks in their eyes. Thundershot was there and he was the one I was glad to see the most, but something’s changed in him. His eyes were always filled with optimism and excitement, even at the worst of times. Now it looks like they’ve dimmed quite a bit. I guess even the happiest go lucky of us can’t stay such a way after what’s happened.
When I arrived, I finally got that promotion I was getting. Now I’m a Corporal, but honestly, that doesn’t mean much to me. The only reason I’ve gotten it is because I’ve survived this long into the war while a lot of other good ponies died. I’ll do my best to honor them with this new rank but save for the increased pay and a few more responsibilities I doubt it's going to amount to much.
One of the things I noticed was how much of a fortress we were making the city and the beach. Every citizen was being evacuated for the inner lands with houses being made into sleeping bunks for soldiers or officers. The main important buildings like City Hall have been made into the main HQ. Bunkers are being made with sandbags and protective spells everywhere. We’re even setting up rune traps in case the enemy gets this far. I don’t know what the plan is but every city along the coast is going to be made into a fortress to prepare for the invasion. We’re all pitching in to help with the building, but every squad is getting a specific mission and new training for the war. Something about a new tactic Princess Twilight wants us to employ.
I guess I’ll find out in the morning.
-Corporal Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
***
January 25th, 1422 E.F
Of all the things I expected to be our new tactic, this wasn’t what I was expecting. We’re being trained to fight with guns. Guns. As in the very weapons that humanity is using. Not only that but artillery, rockets, mines, explosives, and more. Rumor has it that ponies back inland are being trained in modified versions of tanks and battleships. We’re even hearing that the airships are being revamped with Pegasi testing out experimental sky armor.
Princess Twilight had been trying to turn human technology usable for ponies. Most ponies hated human technology because of how misused it’s been despite it being much more advanced than our own save for anything powered by magic. She’s been wanting to use human technology in the war for a long time, but Princess Celestia had refused it time and time again. Which isn’t a surprise. Everypony knows that Princess Celestia hated human technology, claiming it had been the downfall of the societies since the industrial era. Even when they created something good for medicine or energy it was later always used for war or misuse. Especially with how much it hurt the planet they lived on.
I guess with how things are going the Princess decided to go against her morals for the sake of the war. Especially since most of our tactics are now useless thanks to the generators. If there is one thing you can say about humanity, they knew how to kill things with their tech. Hopefully, we’ll learn it fast enough to counterattack with it back at them.
Of course, it's going to take time. Factories were working around the clock to equip the whole army, but it would take two months just to get half of our troops here supplied. For now, we’re just learning how to properly hold and aim with wooden carved versions. I took some crossbow training so it has helped a bit, but from what I know the guns will carry a big kick when you fire at them.
Our tactics have also changed. We’re focusing solely on defense and holding out against an invasion force that will do everything it can to destroy our defense. Bomb us. Charge us. Burn us. You name it.
We’re forced to dodge against non-lethal magic blasts from above while ducking properly under cover. My platoon is tasked to no longer charge with our spears but to aim at a distance and fire before moving to a new location and fire again. We’re to hit them and run over and over while taking cover fire.
Should the beach fall, we’re to head back to the city and do the same thing again. Fight them off block by block until they retreat. They didn’t say anything about retreat or what our orders were should the city fall. It’s made others question if this was to be a “Last Stand” scenario in which we fight to the last.
Many fear that. I’m not afraid. While my faith is in confusion, my loyalty is not. Equestria must not fall into the filthy monkeys. If this is the end of days, then let us show these demons that we are the ponies of righteousness and will avenge those who have fallen.
-Corporal Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
***
February 6th, 1422 E.F
It’s been hard adjusting to this new scenario, but I’m holding out. The days are pretty much the same. You’re either helping build up the defenses or training in the new tactics. We don’t have a lot of time for relaxation either, so most are just sleeping in their free time. Currently, we’re building up new barriers and walls along the streets leading to the beaches. The tall buildings will serve as nests for future gunners and snipers to rain down gunfire on the invading monkeys.
Normally, magic would be used to help us, but with the generators taking down all the magic they can we need to do it the old fashion way. Some of the unicorns complain about this, but the earth ponies are doing this with no problem. Begin a Pegasus, most of my days are spend bringing stuff to others with my wings doing all the work. Thundershot and I spend our free time talking about the war. He’s never really left my sight since I got back, maybe because he thought I was dead for days until he heard I was well.
We got a few Crystal Ponies with us as well. They’re the hardest workers of us all. The Princesses declared that due to the situation of the Crystal Empire, all Crystal Ponies are free to not fight and take refuge in Canterlot, but there aren’t many left. Worse, a good number of them have some radiation sickness that is affecting them. Some are even dying slowly. The ones with us state they lost everything and have nothing to live for. They want to avenge their fellow Crystal Ponies. If this is the end of the kind, then they will let it end in a reign of vengeance. A lot of ponies here respect them for risking it all with us including me.
My folks finally sent a letter. It was brief, but they were glad I was okay and to come home whenever I could. I doubt it will be soon, but hopefully, I’ll get a chance to see them. Even if it might be for the last time.
I’ve got no illusions that I’m going to survive this war. Chances are I’m going to die, but I’m going to die as a true pony that serves his country until the end. Even if we cannot defeat the humans, we will not let them take our home. This is the nation that last lasted nearly 1500 years. We’re not going down now or ever.
-Corporal Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
***
February 9th, 1422 E.F
Thundershot and I made love again last night. Even though we agreed our last one was a one night stand only, I guess the stress of everything just made us say “buck it” and before I knew it he was riding me all night. If there is one damn good thing about being here its that I have a good friend… and I might be falling for him. He’s been with me since the beginning, seen what I’ve seen. I got my flank saved by him and he’s saved mine. When I was at the hospital all I could think about were two things. My family and him.
Damnit, I’m falling for him, aren’t I? What is it that Private Button Mash once said? Love can bloom even on the battlefield? Said he heard it from a game when he was growing up and that the war was making him think about a mare he knew back home. He wanted to survive and confess to her when he got back. Shame he died on Sri Lanka from infection caused by a shrapnel wound from what Thundershot told me.
Thundershot. Just even writing his name is making me feel like a school teen again looking at his first crush. But what’s not to like about him? He’s optimistic, even in these hard times, he’s handsome, kind, and protects those he befriends. He’ll take a bullet for you and take the shooter down with him. It also helps his package is just… damn.
Should I act on my feelings? Francization technically isn’t allowed. Yet with the chance of us not making it out alive would it not be better to have at least died with somepony you loved?
Maybe I should wait a while and think more about it.
- Corporal Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
***
February 11th, 1422 E.F
The humans have finally sent a message to Equestria. They were demanding that we give unconditional surrender to them for the so-called ‘crimes’ we have done against their kind. They were demanding that Princess Celestia be handed over, relinquish her power and godhood, and tried for war crimes. That we pay in reparations for the damages we have caused. They warned that if they did not, they would come and being nothing but destruction with them until we agree to surrender or if we were all dead.
Princess Celestia sent a clear message: “Equestria Stands Now And Forever More.”
I am not against the war ending, but the conditions were unthinkable. Surrender? Sacrifice our Princess? Pay for damages? No. We will not. We tried to save humanity from themselves. We tried to make them see the error of their ways and give them an alternate solution. We offered a better life and path for them and they refused. They were blind to their faults always looking to blame others for their problems instead of themselves. Princess Celestia gave them a chance to be saved but they prefer being damned.
So, damn them all I say. Them and their so-called “terms”. Equestria stands now and forever. That is the slogan we all say now as we work with vigor.
The humans may be coming. But we will be ready.
And we will win.
- Corporal Halberd Wings, 139th Arial Spear Regiment, 2nd Platoon
I have to wonder if Halberd Wings would actually realize everything he's doing in his whole life is wrong later on. I mean, with all the horrible things in the conversion war, you'd think a part of him should've start questioning Princess Celestia's ruling. Like why put her own subjects into unknown dangerous territories that none have even seen before, why not plan a strategy to prepare first, why abandon the newfoals, and why keeping her own secrets hidden against her own loyal ponies?
It’s a pity what happened to Button Mash. Still, I suppose it saves him from experiencing heartbreak, considering what we know happens to Sweetie Belle from “Useless.”
10081950
Maybe, but to be fair, Halberd is just like Twilight, a firm believer in Princess Celestia and Equestria. And she didn’t change her tune until after she was brought to the negotiating table. It would probably have to take something just as shocking to finally make him see sense.
4 million dead in the Crystal Empire, wonder what the total was when they lasered the holy sites?
War is never moral.
I must know. How did Lightning dust die?
10082174
Shot down by anti-air guns during an attack
Three of your gods are dead and you still can’t accept it, that’s definitely dedication right there.
On another note it would be delicious if humans literally went around the coastal cities knowing they would be a death trap. Having them be surrounded by humans who landed on beaches away from them and then starve them out for awhile would be very effective. It would also give our little pony time to think, especially if he has more bullets then food to nibble on.
It’s starting to look like Celestia is entering full Downfall mode, part of her knows she’s screwed, but at the same time she can’t accept it. She would rather conscript an entire generation of ponies then face fact she blew it. I hope we will see his reactions during the negotiations and especially when Twilight denounces her. It might just break him, if the realization that they never stood a chance doesn’t.
10082209
RIP best pegasi
Hearing such from a pony. Such hate and anger for humans when ponies have done much the same to humans and even worse in some cases. To do and see such things and not acknowledge the horrid cats and crimes committed by equestria is just blind righteous faith and it's sad seeing it in anyone. Theres not much more dangerous than some asshat who thinks he's on a holy mission.
We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.~Winston Churchill
The same situation has come to Equestria. Only this time the ‘New World’, with all its power and might, hasn’t come to rescue it. It’s come to burn it.
10081973
If anything, maybe it’s good. They can reunite after what happens in Ponyville.
Rated did have a rather dark interpretation of the afterlife for the Negotiationsverse, but he said he chose not to make it canon because he viewed it as ‘a little too cruel for characters like Twilight and Fluttershy’.
Poor fool... Maybe his sister joining the 'peace-side' would snap him out of it?
Also, I just thought of something... How public was the knowledge of the fate of remaining non-ponies of Equestria, that came with the nation? And was there anypony that maybe asked the question that broke Twilight at the negotiation table in Equestria? And if there where; Where they 'mysteriously silenced'?
I really hope this guy survives the war. Seeing what kind of delusional thoughts he goes through in response to that armour-piercing question is gonna be gold.
Frenchification?
10082736
Fraternization, my bad
10082502
It didn't come out until after the Negotiations fic
10082269
Yeah, so I left it to the reader to decide what happens
10082067
Not counting the lives lost at the Attack on Jerusalem? 6 Million
I really hope he survives this war. Seeing this arrogant delusional pony believe that he, his fellow ponies, and the princess are the “good guys” that will win the day. Only to get stomped when their crutch magic gets disabled, and seeing him spiral into madness is so satisfying.
I just love how these ignorant type of characters receive a wake up call to reality, and realize the world and it’s morals aren’t as black and white as they want to believe.
Probably could've used an editing pass or two as there were some mispelled words and the like throughout, but beyond that this is still a very interesting story. Wish the teller had become increasingly...less fanatical as time went on though. His side is losing, he's seeing a ton of death and yet he completely keeps the faith of how his country and his rulers will remain supreme. While that sometimes sticks around usually for veterans that usually widdles down into the reality of how to stay alive and how to best not die and that complete faith in his righteous cause and leadership slowly dying as things get more grim would've made this more nicely layered and complex. Horror as he's thinking maybe parts of what his side did were in the wrong, horror at some of his actions against humans, and things he's seen ponies and humans doing to each other with a mention. All of that would deepen this a lot. Still am enjoying reading this though. Thanks for sharing.
10082210
Very true I wonder if we will see a Volkssturm style militia defending canterlot in the end
I think I know what is going to snap him out of of his delusions. The bullet that rendered Twilight infertile. In the original fic, Twi never said who fired it. We already see that Twi is trying to bring in human firearms. Hal, like most ponies, I'd imagine, is already dismissive of them simply because they are human made. Alternatively, Halberd may soon be filled with reckless confidence now that they will be fighting on even ground, or at least what he thinks would be an even ground. It could the a combination of both. You can probably tell where I'm going with this. Halberd will (accidentally) shoot Twilight.
It could be under entirely different circumstances, but my prediction can be boiled down to this: Halberd will get his hooves on a firearm, and one of the bullets he will shoot, will hit Twilight. This will be a turning point for Halberd.
Exactly what missiles were used? Cause I don't think there exists a nuke capable of wiping 4 million people, unless it was an all out bombardment, or thier population was extremely dense.
Nukes haven't exactly become more powerful in modern times, to our knowledge, Soviet Union Tsar bomba still holds the practical yeld 50 mt and theoretical 100 mt record.
Also will we ever learn more about the Crystal cannon, like how it compares and works?
10083179
Nuke tech advanced over the years due to WW3 almost happening. The fic takes place in the future of our current time.
The Crystal Canon is similar to glassing from Halo
10083179
I mean, yes and no. Nukes have definitely gotten more powerful and smaller. Remember what was dropped on Japan were two 15kt bombs. If we'd hit Manhattan instead there would've been 300,000 dead not 149k. We can could put 150kt W80 warheads on cruise missiles in the 80s and that was considered low to medium yield. And 10 years ago a 1 megaton bomb was put into use. Our most common is about 340kt, but we can easily make multi-megaton bombs and warheads right now. Considering that they're nuking another planet there is no reason not to use the 5, 10, 15+ megaton weapons that we really do have right now.
A bomb from the 80s could kill 3 million. But like you said, the population would have to be crazy dense otherwise we're talking about a nuke that could take out like all of Texas going off which would likely poison a massive amount of Equestria and have drastic environmental effects.
10083223
So few years from now?
10084131
Another planet? Equestria is on Earth, they've teleport the nation and it became a new continent, I think.
10084312
2036
10082995
Quite brilliant actually. Kinda feels like a smaller scale version of that saying 'Giving nuclear weapons to cavemen'. You've really got to be ready for tech, not just copy it off someone else. Someone with a gun is probably more dangerous to their own side if they don't know the in's and out's of gun safety.
10084312
The way I'd read tcb stories made me think there were two different dimensions/ realities beginning to overlap with the barrier being the separation point.
10084702
Dunno about every TCB but most i read it's Equestria pooping onto Earth, which makes me think, wouldn't a new continent make the ocean level raise quite significantly? like enough to flood most coasts.
10085030
Right? Which is why I never really thought of them being on the same earth even if they are physically connected.
10084131
Also remember that ICBMs now don't just carry a warhead. They almost always carry several or more. Each capable of simultaneously impacting their own target. So it would only take one MIRV-capable missile to blanket the Crystal Empire in overlapping blastwaves.
10085443
This too. Honestly, the ponies having magic would just make it even more of a curbstomb in humanity's favor. The other TCB writers didn't really think about how our modern militaries would deal with an infantry that was wholly "superior" to our troops. The answer is a lot of fucking armored, aerial, and naval assets and long-range munitions.
10086257
That's primary why most of the tactics the ponies used in my series was large surprise hit and run tactics by teleporting their forces into cities, attacking and turning humans into ponies, and teleporting back as quickly as possible. The barrier was slowly taking over most of their lands so they had something fall back on for protection. Without that, combined with the anti-magic weapons, the ponies are now always on the defensive. It's why they're now forced to turn to human tactics to fight because they don't have any other means with their primary power now useless.
10081950
The problem with having a charismatic leader is that when things go down, and they refuse to give up, those that believe in them will fight to end for them. It's happened in history before. Give that leader a somewhat god complex, a society that worships you as a living god (even if you aren't one and don't believe you are one), a huge thousand year success rate with rarely ever being wrong and well you get what you see.
I gotta ask, why did Celestia leave the newfoals behind when she ordered her ponies to retreat? Why did some ponies kill the newfoals after the Empire was destroyed? Doesn't that kind of defeat the whole purpose of their crusade?
10089444
If I had to guess, she didn’t have the resources to take them back. Nevermind supporting the sudden increase of population of they were all brought back. It would at the very least put a strain on their resources back home, if not completely exhaust them.
As for why they killed them, well it seems like they can’t take out their rage on humans with out inciting heavy losses. So they take out there frustrations on the NewFoals who used to be human. Many have likely lost a lot of friends during the war and have some kinda PTSD, it’s unlikely they are thinking clearly as it is. The idea of a weapon being able to wipe out an entire city, especially one of there own city’s despite a shield is likely terrifying as-well. As unlike the Crystal Cannon a nuke can be stationed nearly anywhere, so there isn’t a singular place to attack.
Oh, it's going to be fun to see this arrogant fanatic's spirit shattered.
I love a good karmic faceplant. This will be fun.
NEXT CHAPTER, WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG
Am I the only one that doesn't understand why the ponies, apart from magic, would be able to stand against humanity's armies?
They have spears.
We have guns. And tanks. And bombs.
Humans have enough brains to come up with a way to do away with magic, and without magic, what chance do they stand?
10089444
Simple, newfoals would've been a waste of space and put an unnecessary strain on their limited resources. I mean these ponified humans will never be considered as real ponies, since they are incapable of getting cutie marks and incapable of produced any children since they're sterile.
Furthermore, War changes people no matter who they are. It makes them do things they wouldn't normally do, especially if it's a fight for survival or it's out of pure anger and hatred towards one's enemy and etc. War is capable of making certain individuals to committing the most heinous of war crimes.
Well, you get the point. Just look at the dark part of human history and all of their past wars.
Ponies: We invaded a world, destroyed its holy cities and forcefully converted human to newfoals.
Also ponies: Humanity is evil!
10212503
They're made more powerful to make the story possible, wouldn't be much of one if they got massacred the instant they tried to invade.
Suspension of disbelief and all that I guess.
lol by that logic, they should get rid of all their weapons, because spears and swords have destroyed societies as well
Love can bloom even on the battlefield?
Well that reference certainly explains the propaganda and complete naïve loyalty.
NUKE EM AGAIN THEY ARE USING OUR TECH
10863490
Oorah to that