> Facing Southern Thunder > by The Prancing Red Pony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "There's some of the CSE" yelled Colonel Thunder to his pegasus soldiers as they flew through the night across the badlands. It was a CSE encampment and the only way they could draw to such a conclusion was because nopony really lived in the badlands. The 24th began to descend down to a cliff that was close enough to the encampment for them to see movement but, not too close for the guards to see them. The regiment stood at attention as the Colonel trotted forward to get a better view of the camp. Colonel Thunder looked intricately at the encampment. It was very large with more than 200 tents, clustered in a rather small area of the large canyon. Flags were waving very gently in the wind on top of some of the tents and in the center of the camp. The Colonel removed his eye goggles to get a better view. The moon had cast a very luminous glow over the canyon that allowed the Pegasus's to see the CSE encampment in the dead of night. The Colonel whispered to one of his subordinate lieutenants. The Badlands could carry voice for miles so everypony spoke in a very hushed tone. "Bring me a pair of binoculars" the Colonel whispered. A pegasus with an orange mane trotted over to the Colonel's side and hoofed him a pair of pale gold colored binoculars. The Colonel scanned the camp intricately before whispering back to the lieutenant. "I need you to record what I see" whispered the Colonel. The lieutenant took out a quill and a few sheets of parchment paper to record the Colonel's report back to Princess Celestia. "Ready, When you are sir" whispered the lieutenant. "Okay, Let's see what the CSE is hiding here. I see over 200 tents which I presume are filled with soldiers" whispered the Colonel. The lieutenant wrote down everything the Colonel was saying word for word. "Very few lanterns glowing in the encampment. Can hear very loud snoring from tents. Guards patrol around entire encampment so closer view is impossible. Tents range in size from small to very large." the Colonel stopped so he could catch his breath and rub his slightly strained eyes. The lieutenant already feeling carpal tunnel in his hoof kept writing as quick as he could. The Colonel looked through the binoculars but did not say anything for a couple of minutes just staring at one place in silence. The lieutenant nudged him. "Sir, What do you see?" the lieutenant asked the Colonel. The Colonel slowly turned his head to the lieutenant, tears were streaming down his eyes. "Look" he said hoofing the binoculars to the lieutenant before collapsing in his tears. The lieutenant looked through the binoculars and couldn't see very clearly at first so he adjusted his eyes and what he saw horrified him. Other than the massive amount of cannons the CSE had brought with them, there was a mile upon mile wagon train and attached to many of those wagons and cannons were suffering ponies. The ponies were shivering around the small fires that were built for them, they were under armed guard, they looked completely starved, and looked very battered and bruised some of them looked like they would die on the spot. This was all to new, nopony had seen such evil's. Even the ponies that served on the immediate front lines knew nothing of this in the reports that were sent to Celestia and her officers. Sure, the stuff that happened with the factories and farms was very bad but, this could almost be seen as a war crime. The lieutenant sniffled and tears dripped from his eyes to see such terribleness. The Colonel soon collected himself and took the binocular's from the lieutenant who trying to hold back tears and snot prepared the quill and parchment. "Ok, CSE has many cannons. They range in many sizes but the main one's are medium-sized. Wagon Train goes for miles and attached are ponies. Many of them are starved, bruised, beaten, shivering, or something far worse. First report of these newest atrocities. Will continue on South to find CSE capitol and nation" the Colonel finished and he handed the binoculars back to the lieutenant who gave him a rather puzzled look. "Did you say we were to continue South, sir?" the lieutenant whispered. "Yes we are" the Colonel whispered back. The lieutenant was slightly shocked. "But, sir shouldn't we try to help those ponies suffering down there. We should at least try to let them escape." the lieutenant said. The Colonel shook his head and sighed. "If we were to help them escape the CSE would find us undoing their chains and might even capture us and do far worse. If they didn't catch us and they escaped just think of the terrible retribution they would get if they were caught again by the CSE. And if we attempted to fly them out our packs are already heavy enough and they would drag us down" the Colonel said sadly. "But, I need you lieutenant to fly these papers back to Celestia so then she can get updated on the latest news from behind the enemy lines and do make haste." the Colonel told the lieutenant. "Yes, Sir" the lieutenant whispered. The lieutenant turned towards the direction of Canterlot and flew off into the sky before passing out of everypony's vision. The Colonel waved the regiment forward so they could see the atrocities the CSE was performing. Some of the soldiers removed their helmets and goggles and bowed their heads in silence, many of them snorted and huffed angrily at the atrocities, but they all cried bitter, angered, and sad tears. The Colonel wiped his eyes with his hoof before standing in front of his regiment. "Okay let's get going we have a lot of ground to cover and the moon is departing from the sky. If the CSE finds us we will probably be lynched for being spies. Let's get a move on, let's put an end to this war, drive the CSE from our homes, and free the ponies that suffer from their tyranny" the Colonel said. The Pegasus's all nodded in agreement instead of yelling and screaming and the CSE detecting them. The Colonel took off first, followed by his subordinates, and then the rest of the regiment. To the South to find the CSE capitol and find a way for Celestia to drive them away from Equestria. "For Celestia, Equestria, and all ponykind" the Colonel said to himself as the 24th flew through the sky. > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia dried her mane after she stepped out of her shower. She finally had a chance to bathe, eat, and sleep after so many weeks in her planning room and she felt energized and ready to take on the CSE. She looked out from her balcony at the beautiful clear sky and how picturesque the weather was before putting on her crown but, she didn't realize the small dot racing towards her balcony. She headed over to her dresser and put her crown on her head and she hummed her way back to the balcony with her eyes shut. Just as she got to the balcony doors she opened her eyes and let out a slight shriek the lieutenant had landed right where she was standing before. "Lieutenant, don't do that. Do you want me to have a heart attack?" Celestia said slightly flustered. The Pegasus looked exhausted and he lifted his hoof to hold off on questions until he could catch his breath. "I have come *heavy breathing* with a report from *heavy breathing* Colonel Thunder. We found *breathing* an enemy encampment *breathing* in the Badlands" the Pegasus said lifting up the pieces of parchment that he had recorded the Colonel's report on. Celestia went slightly ecstatic she finally had some fresh information about the CSE. She lifted the lieutenant off his hooves and almost twirled him in the air. "Thank You so much Lieutenant. It has just been the same stale news over and over again and finally I get something fresh Thank You so much" Celestia said as she grabbed the parchment after putting the lieutenant back on the ground who was very much so queasy and slightly frightened. Celestia looked over the parchment with an enthusiastic grin but as her eyes started to go down the parchment and turn the pages her smile turned into a frown and her eyes began to turn red with anger. The lieutenant all the while stood at attention waiting for orders from the Princess. The Princess once finished with the report threw down the parchment and looked at the lieutenant her mane having turned into a bright red, her eyes a fiery orange, and her horn bearing a ghastly black glow. The lieutenant shuttered and then gulped. "Is all this true?" Celestia asked with pure hate and anger. The lieutenant shook his head up and down as fast as he could. The Princess then let out a heavy sigh her hair turning to its normal color, her horn turning to its original color, and her eyes which now bore tears instead of anger. "How could somepony have the guts to enslave a species!" Celestia said as she began to cry and cry at the visions of her ponies suffering. But then her eyes began to refill with hate and rage towards the CSE. The lieutenant simply stood stone faced not entirely sure on what to do. Celestia now with angry eyes stared at the lieutenant with an almost dead glare. "Lieutenant take a mental note. I will destroy the CSE no matter what it may cost even if it means my life" Celestia said with a slight sigh. The lieutenant was shocked but, now felt immense respect for the Princess who was wiling to sacrifice her own life and being for the freedom and rights of her people. Celestia's eyes still enraged looked to the sky, "Now lieutenant if I am needed tell anypony who comes to Canterlot that I am on the battlefield" she said before shooting off into the sky with wings fully spread towards the battlefields in Southern Equestria. The lieutenant was left slightly dumbstruck it had been a very wacky couple of days for him as he watched Celestia depart into the sky. But, Celestia flew back around to her room in the castle. "Thank You Lieutenant. I desperately needed that new information" Celestia said before kissing the Lieutenant on the cheek, smiling, and then heading back into the sky towards the battlefields. It was a very rare thing to get a kiss from Celestia but apparently it felt like a gentle rose fully blooming on your cheek. As Celestia raced through the air she thought many things of her people, enslaving them, humans, and the CSE. "They will not take another step on this land" Celestia thought loudly to herself as she flew to the war. --------- General Robert E. Lee awoke from his tent feeling rested and ready to keep moving the Army of Northern Virginia further into Equestria. He had been successful at taking Appleloosa and Dodge Junction for the Confederacy and now he only waited for General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and his Army of the Valley to come up through the Badlands to join with the Army of Northern Virginia. But, his Army was extremely tired and needed rest badly after all the marching they did to get to Equestria. President Jefferson Davis gave Lee specific instructions in an extensive letter and telegraph. "Gain as much territory as possible. Invade Equestria and take as much resources and land as possible. Bring Down Princess Celestia if need be. Make haste and little bloodshed" is what President Davis said. Lee was concerned though they had driven deep into Equestria and feared heavy retaliation from Celestia. Lee took a very small walk around camp. His aid de camp Major Taylor appeared from the mess tent and gave Lee a salute. "Good Morning Sir" Taylor said. "Good Morning to you too Major" Lee said passing on the salute. "Would the General care for some breakfast?" the Major asked Lee. "No thank you" Lee said. He was so very antsy and troubled about winning over Equestria for the CSE so he barely ate. "Are you sure General? We have flapjacks in some small mountains, sir. Fresh butter, bacon, wagons of ham, apple butter, zap apple jam, fresh cider, baked bread, rabbit stew, ripe fruits. You really ought to pitch in, sir. Courtesy of our host, the great Commonwealth of this here Equestria." Taylor said. A Brass Band began to play "Bonnie Blue Flag" as General James Longstreet came towards Lee and saluted. "Good Morning General" Longstreet said saluting. "Good Morning to you to General" Lee said. "I have come to discuss the plans to move the Army further into Equestria" Longstreet said. "That is correct General but, we cannot begin moving just yet. We have to wait for General Jackson and the Army of the Valley to move through the badlands and come up here and join us so we can go further" Lee said. "Well sir you said you wanted to get to the Ghastly Gorge in 2 weeks time. Well General Bragg and his Army of the Tennessee are 1/2 way there in a week's time from crossing the San Palomino Desert. What should we do General? Do you really want to get bested by General Braxton BRAGG?" Longstreet said to Lee. Lee contemplated for a short while before turning to Longstreet. "Wait why is Bragg heading towards Ghastly Gorge? He was supposed to take the mountains west of the Gorge. That was an order" Lee said. "Well sir Bragg is heading towards Ghastly Gorge. You need to send a message to him immediately General" Longstreet said. Lee immediately started writing a letter and gave it to his courier to send to the telegraph to tell Bragg to take the mountains west of the Gorge. Lee and Longstreet headed over to a tent with a battle map and planning table. "Okay General Longstreet now that is taken care of, we must begin planning on how we will move further into Equestria. General Bragg will be moving his Army of Tennessee along with General Albert Sidney Johnston's Army of Mississippi to the west taking the mountains. General Joseph E. Johnston and his army of Kentucky and General Edmund Kirby Smith and his Army of the Trans-Mississippi will be to the east taking the Hayseed Swamps and Baltimare. General Thomas Jackson is to the south of us with the Army of the Valley while we are heading towards the Ghastly Gorge. As soon as we cross the Gorge let's go and capture Ponyville." Lee finished. Lee pointed to all these locations on the map. "Yes sir but, there is a problem" Longstreet said. "And that would be General?" Lee questioned. "Well to head towards Ponyville and Canterlot would be suicide sir. Once we cross the Ghastly Gorge sir we will be right on Celestia's doormat and she will be furious. I suggest we wheel around through the White Tail Woods and pass the Smokey Mountains, along the Unicorn Range, and into the Galloping Gorge. If we are attacked and our Army shattered we could join up with the Army of Tennessee or The Army of Mississippi. And sir we cannot wait for Jackson much longer if we do Celestia could march on us. We have to get the Army moving and Jackson will have to catch up." Longstreet said pointing at the map at the various locations. Lee pondered for a short while. He then turned to Longstreet. "You are correct General. We must move swiftly Celestia must have heard about what we did to Appleloosa and she will be boiling with anger. Get the Army prepared we must begin moving towards the Ghastly Gorge" Lee said. "Yes sir" Longstreet said leaving the tent to begin preparing his Corps for the march. Lee looked over the battle map. "Celestia's wrath will be terrible but I am ready for anything that she and her ponies can do" Lee thought to himself. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia slowly flew to the Southern End of the Bridge that was over the Ghastly Gorge. She saw many barricades and breastworks a few miles out and raced towards them. They were the barricades and breastwork's of General Twilight Sparkle and her Army of Ponyville. They had been at the Gorge for a good 2 weeks after marching from Ponyville. Celestia fluttered her way soon to Twilight's tent where Twilight was busy looking over battle maps preparing for the CSE's arrival. "Hello Twilight" Celestia said with a salute as she walked into Twilight's tent. Twilight was slightly startled by Celestia's entrance. "Hello Princess Celestia so glad to see you. But may I ask why you are here and not in Canterlot?" Twilight questioned. Celestia sighed and gave Twilight the message from Colonel Thunder to read. Twilight slowly read Colonel Thunder's message her face slowly turning into a frown and then into a fit of rage. She handed Celestia the message and then pounded her hoof on the table. "Those bastards! How could they do something like that to ponies. There will be HELL TO PAY PRINCESS! Sorry for acting so brash Princess" Twilight said with fierce anger in her eyes. Celestia sighed and put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Twilight I need you to be strong. If there is a battle today and there probably will be you must show great courage and strength. The CSE is right on our doorstep if they cross this gorge Ponyville and Canterlot are only mere stepping stones away. But, either direction they go they will be met with hell. If they try to go into Ponyville they will meet your Army and my army. If they try going through the Whitetail Woods they will meet General Fluttershy and her Army. If they try and go around near Rambling Rock Ridge they will meet Pinkie Pie and her Army. Anywhere they go they will meet hell and we will drive those sorry ass bastards from wherever they came from" Celestia said with assurance to Twilight. Twilight was filled with courage and vigor at Celestia's powerful words. "Your Highness I won't let you down. Would you be willing to follow me and you may see the fortifications set for the CSE's attack?" Twilight asked Celestia. Celestia nodded. Twilight and Celestia walked side by side as they headed towards the fortifications set up by Twilight's soldiers. In that time, Twilight and Celestia talked about the CSE's movement through Equestria, Colonel Thunder on his mission to find the location of the CSE, and many other things. Soon they arrived at the fortifications and breastworks that were just about finished and ready for the ranks of the CSE. Twilight still felt uncertain, although her Army was one of the best equipped and best train she still felt weak in certain areas of the lines. She was worried how and when the CSE would attack and would she have enough ponies to repel repeated attacks. Twilight made sure that she had reserves on standby ready to attack if the line was broken anywhere but, her reserves were slightly fewer in number. More troops had to be sent to the Armies in the surrounding areas due to other CSE Army's on the move. Celestia looked over the ranks of ponies and at the fortified defenses. Many of the ponies that were in the center of the lines were veterans of former pony wars. Cannons were arranged just a little way off the field ready to shell the incoming CSE brigades. Celestia knew if the CSE broke through the breastworks and their soldiers began to pour into the center of the Army they would fall and rout. Celestia looked out at the green small rolling hills where the CSE would be coming from. She looked at Twilight and gave her a smile. "Twilight?" Celestia said. "Yes your majesty?" Twilight said. "Give em' hell" Celestia said with a dramatic yell before shooting in the sky to see the other armies in the surrounding areas. The Army of Ponyville had it's back to the Ghastly Gorge. --------- The first brigades of Longstreet's Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia (CSE) slowly neared the Ghastly Gorge. The night before, scouts and General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry reported the fortifications and movements of the Army of Ponyville to General Robert E. Lee. Also, General "Stonewall" Jackson's Army of the Valley marched heavily and quickly and had barely been able to catch up with the Army of Northern Virginia. Jackson took his forces and moved into the position of Lee's right flank. Jackson's soldiers were very tired and weary but, they managed to get some quick rest before heading towards the battlefield. Lee's plan was to shell Twilight's flanks repeatedly until they were significantly weakened. Then, General Jackson's Corps would attack Twilight's right flank while General A.P. Hill's Corps would attack Twilight's left flank. While the flanks were still reeling, Lee would send in Longstreet Corps to attack the center of Twilight's lines. Whatever small pockets of resistance that were left would be moped up by J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry. Lee was a Southern Gentleman and kind-hearted. But, he also served Virginia and his country only wishing to protect them. General Lee was perched on one of the bigger hills with General Longstreet slowly watching the attack unfold. Lee had just sent two couriers to Jackson and Hill to tell their Chief's of Artillery to begin firing down on the ponies. Soon the two couriers returned with a message. "General Jackson sends his compliments and he has begun his attack" one of the courier's said. "General Hill sends his compliments and he has begun his attack" the other courier said. Lee thanked them both before looking through his binoculars. They could hear the rumbling of the cannons off in the distance as Twilight's flanks were bombarded with shells and cannon balls. Many of the ponies hunkered against the breastworks trying not to become another casualty. The CSE's shelling was hot, powerful, and deadly. Sections of the lines were broken throwing some ponies high into the air or separating limbs entirely from their sockets. It was a frightful scene. Soon, the cannons began to subside and the brigades emerged from the either sides of the field. The banners of the Confederacy bloody red in color, with bunting dancing in the wind moved forward towards the flanks. The brigades at first met little to no fire from Twilight's cannons as the ponies were slightly struck back by the sudden carnage. The divisions leading the spearhead of Jackson's attack were Taliaffero's division with the famous "Stonewall Brigade" and D.H. Hill's Division. The divisions leading the spearhead of A.P. Hill's attack were Mahone's Division and Field's Division. Soon the cannons began to roar from Twilight's lines as they fired down on the Confederacy's approaching troops. But, the Confederates were undeterred as they got closer and closer towards Twilight's lines. Many of the ponies were still hunkered down in the breastworks ready to fight with spears and swords, magic, or dropping the Confederate soldiers when they got closer. The Confederates soon gave out the infamous Rebel Yell. Up and down the line the scream of the blood hungered Confederates could be heard sending chill's down the spines of many of the ponies. Lee stared through his binoculars and saw the great plumes of smoke and the massive grey lines of his soldiers moving forward on the enemies flanks. Twilight's cannons seemed to have no effect on the ranks of the CSE. The brigades would simply scrunch close together if a hole was blown through. Soon, the Confederates were at the breastworks. Canister was released from Twilight's cannons causing great swaths to break through the lines of the approaching CSE troops. The ponies lunged at the Confederate troops that had come over the breastworks. One Pony looked over the breastworks and his mouth fell agape "I have never seen such terror. Massive lines of grey moving in almost complete unison towards us" the pony later wrote. Savage hand to hand fighting soon broke out. Cries of the wounded or dying rang in the air almost deafening the ears, the sounds of musket fire and sword clashing could be heard up and down the line, and the infamous Rebel Yell rang high. Twilight put in more reserves on either side hoping that she could repel the massive ranks of grey coming towards her. But, more kept coming. The Confederates were simply dishing out great swaths of damage on Twilight's flanks. Some ponies broke and run but were shot dead trying to fly or gallop away. Twilight was beginning to run out of reserves but refused to move any of the center. "I believe that is where they will hit hardest. I can feel it" Twilight said to one of the couriers coming from one of her generals on the flanks. The Confederates were ruthless in their attack not letting up an inch while volley of cannon fire rang down on them. The ponies battled with very valiant ferocity but, Twilight could sense the line was wavering. She committed more and more reserves trying to reverse the Confederate tide. But, it seemed whenever she put in a reserve or tried a flanking maneuver in hoping to reverse the Confederate flank a new fresh brigade would be their waiting. The volley's of shot from the Confederate rifles was terrible. Ponies felt bullets enter their bodies and then exit with pain and ferocity. Many fell to this terrible weapon, bayoneted spear, or other terrible Confederate weapon. Couriers came multiple times to Lee telling how Twilight's line was shattered and the ponies were falling into disarray, panic, and rout. That's when Lee turned to Longstreet. "You may bring your Corps forward General. Give those ponies hell. Open with artillery and then charge deep into their center and drive them out" Lee said to Longstreet. Longstreet saluted and sent a courier towards his divisional commanders. Soon a great many cannon erupted from Longstreet's lines and laid waste to Twilight's center. Twilight's flanks were barely holding their own and now their was going to be a frontal center attack she was deeply concerned. Her reserves were almost all gone. Longstreet's cannon was devastating to Twilight's center. But, the veterans in Twilight's center stood firm. After about 30 minutes of hard shelling, Longstreet's cannon began to subside. The divisions leading the full frontal assault of Twilight's center were Wilcox's Division and his battle heartened Alabamians and Hood's Division with the famous shock troopers of the Army of Northern Virginia the "Texas Brigade". Soon, this third great grey mass moved from their set positions and moved towards Twilight's center. Longstreet's soldiers were probably some of the most hardened and tough troops in all of the Army of Northern Virginia and they lived up to their status. Twilight was slightly shocked by the sudden third great grey mass coming towards her center line. She had committed virtually all her reserves, her flanks were a complete nightmare, and her center was soon to face another powerful force. Twilight told her veteran ponies to stand firm and not give an inch. The massive grey lines got closer and closer to her center. Twilight's cannons poured on volley after volley hoping to make a dent in the giant moving grey and butternut force. Soon, Hood's division was at her fortifications. Her Veteran ponies were ready for what ever these so called "battle-hardened" troops could dish out even from the "Texas Brigade". The Texans were the first to enter the center and there they met hell but, they also gave hell. The veteran ponies were in a tooth and tongue brawl with the burly farmers, ranchers, and cowboy's of the Lone Star State. The Texans fought valiantly many of them fell but, they continued to cause havoc. Soon more and more Confederate troops began to pour into the center of Twilight's line. Whatever reserves Twilight had left she committed to her center. Her flanks were practically gone at this point and whatever was left was but, mere resistance to a powerful Southern Juggernaut. Her center was holding strong but, felt slightly weak as more and more Confederates continued to pour in. The sea of grey was endless and the ocean of lead and shell was relentless. Soon, Twilight felt it....the.....line....was....breaking. Then, suddenly in a horrific and nightmarish matter her entire command collapsed with a great thump. The Confederates brawled their way through and were practically near her headquarters where now decimated regiments held their own against the grey masses. Her subordinate generals urged her to retreat across the gorge in which she finally agreed. Twilight headed out of her tent and she could hear the bugle cry for the call of retreat. But, by now it was no longer a retreat it was a fight to survive. Twilight, her subordinates, and what ever soldiers that were left in her command that weren't killed, wounded, captured, or missing raced as fast as they could to the bridge across the gorge. Twilight looked behind her and could see the great grey masses still chasing after them. Twilight galloped as fast as her legs would take her hoping not to be captured. Her soldiers and subordinates were just as quick. The Grey clad soldiers of the Confederacy were out for blood. Soon Twilight and what was left of her command arrived at the bridge that crossed the Gorge. "Go Go Go Save Yourself" Twilight screamed to her soldiers urging them across the bridge. Twilight had fallen from one of the greatest military commanders in all of Equestria to a squandering little unicorn who only wanted to save her own skin. Slowly all the soldiers that managed to escape along with her subordinates and herself, were racing across the bridge. Twilight took one last look back and saw the grey mass had stopped moving. Twilight actually stopped in her tracks and looked and saw the CSE troops cheering and waving their bayoneted rifles and battle flags in the air. She could also hear in the distance a band playing some sort of tune (Dixie Land). Twilight then continued to run across the bridge but, with great tears streaming down her cheeks at the loss of her great army. The Confederate States of Equestria's Army of Northern Virginia had triumphantly won the first battle of the war. > Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia slowly fluttered her way down into the Whitetail Woods. While Twilight was dealing with the CSE at Ghastly Gorge, Celestia went around and inspected the other generals under her command. The second stop after Twilight's Army of Ponyville, was Fluttershy and her Army of the Whitetail Woods. Celestia saw Fluttershy's Army Camp in the middle of the woods. Her eyes darted quickly looking for Fluttershy, who was talking to one of her subordinates. Celestia looked at the many troops in the Army of the Whitetail Woods who were busy drilling, building, eating, or just relaxing. The Army of the Whitetail Woods wore distinctive uniforms from their Ponyville counterparts. While the Army of Ponyville dressed in white armor, the Army of the Whitetail Woods was dressed in camouflage. Celestia slowly approached Fluttershy from behind. "General Fluttershy it is great to see you again" Celestia said. Fluttershy flipped out and hid behind the subordinate. "Yeep. IS IT A CSE SOLDIER, WELL IS IT?!?" Fluttershy yelled at the subordinate. The subordinate simply rolled his eyes and shook his head with a grin at Celestia. Celestia grinned at Fluttershy's ever so slight skittishness. "Fluttershy it is I Princess Celestia" Celestia said to Fluttershy hoping that she would realize that it wasn't some bloody-thirsty, screaming, gun-toting Confederate soldier. Fluttershy slowly began to come from behind the subordinate. "Oh sorry Princess. I don't like to be snuck up on. It freaks me out silly!" Fluttershy said in her soft voice. She bowed before Celestia and she bowed back. "So how is the Army of Whitetail Woods I trust all is in good order and the troops are ready for any sort of attack?" Celestia asked. "Oh yes indeed my troops have been preparing for days now and they are ready for anything. If you look just over there" Fluttershy said with an outstretched hoof pointing just a little way off in the trees where ponies were busily moving cannons into place and shoveling dirt and felling trees for fortifications and breastworks "the troops are making breastworks and are ready for the enemy. How is Twilight at the gorge?" Fluttershy asked. "I don't know I left there because she did not want me to get hurt. I trust they prepared well for the enemy attack though" Celestia said. "General Fluttershy look up there in the sky do you see something approaching in the distance" yelled a scout a stone's throw away. Something was indeed approaching it was one of Rainbow Dash's courier he was flying at top speed in search of Princess Celestia to deliver a message to her. He soon fluttered down in front of the Princess. "P-P-Princess *breathing* C-C-Celestia" the courier stuttered through his heavy breathing. "Captain Lucky reporting grave news very grave" the Captain said. Celestia and Fluttershy were horrified at the Captain's appearance. He looked as though he had gone through hell. One of his wings was heavily bandaged and his head was dripping with a mixture of sweat and drops of blood. "Bring me some medics immediately!" Fluttershy yelled out. The Captain almost fell to his knees he was so exhausted. Celestia knelt down to him and helped him up. "What happened at the Gorge?" she asked. "W-W-We w-w-were..." the Captain tried to catch his breath. Celestia and Fluttershy waited anxiously wanting to know what happened. The medics quickly began to wrap fresh bandages at the areas where the Captain was hit worse. "What happened?" Celestia and Fluttershy said in unison waiting patiently for the news. "Routed! We were routed with our tails between our legs! The CSE have the bridge and the gorge" the Captain said with tears streaming down his face. Fluttershy and Celestia were stricken back slightly. They couldn't believe it a mighty army of Equestria destroyed and routed by HUMANS!! It just didn't seem logical even on paper. "How did it happen?" Celestia asked comforting the Captain. "May I first have some water. I flew many miles to get here and also to run away from the enemy. His cannon does not cease until the enemy is gone or dead" the Captain said shuddering slightly thinking of the CSE Cannon's nearly bringing him down twice. "Of course" said Fluttershy. She grabbed a canteen from the kitchen and handed it to the Captain. The Captain gulped down the entire canteen in one swift minute. "Thank You I was quite parched" he said. The Captain then explained how Twilight's command crumbled after the massive cannon barrage, then the onslaught of gruesome attacks on her flanks, and then the great route across the bridge. Celestia and Fluttershy's mouths were agape. The battle was over the course of 3 measly blood filled hours. Celestia's eyes filled with tears. "I can't believe it*sniff* I thought we could *whimper* beat them. I guess not" Celestia said choking back tears thinking of all those that suffered. The Captain took out a piece of paper from his satchel. "I have the figures from Twilight's Command. Only if you wish to here them, princess?" the Captain asked. "Yes" the princess said back. The Captain opened the paper and began to read. Twilight's Army of Ponyville: 275,000 Confederate States of Equestria Army: Unknown KIA: 23,000 WIA:45,000 MIA: 12,500 Total: 80,500 Celestia shuddered at the large losses. Those soldiers could never be replaced no matter what they did. She pondered a while. "What are you thinking Princess?" Fluttershy piped up. "What we did wrong? We had very good numbers of ponies. I don't know what we could've done wrong" Celestia said. "Captain" she said. "Yes your highness?" the Captain said with a salute. "Record a message. Tell Twilight to rush with all haste to Canterlot with her army so she at least is safe. I would like to speak with her more in depth there" the Princess finished. "Yes m'am" the Captain said with a salute before flying off in the direction of Twilight's Army slowly and with some winces of pain. "Fluttershy" Princess Celestia said as she turned towards her. "Yes Princess?" Fluttershy asked. "If you come into contact with the enemy and I have not returned hold to the last. Do whatever you can to repel those humans. No matter the....cost" the Princess said. "Yes m'am. I will give them hell to wits end even if I go down" Fluttershy said with a mighty salute. "I must be off. Not an inch Fluttershy not an INCH" the Princess said before flying off in the direction of Canterlot to meet with Twilight. Fluttershy turned to one of her aides. "Prepare the defenses. A mighty storm is at our door step." > Chapter 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- *2 Days Later, Night* "General sir I have information from General Stuart" Major Taylor said entering Lee's tent. General's Longstreet, Jackson, A.P. Hill, Wilcox, Hood, Taliaffero, D.H. Hill, Mahone, Pickett, Anderson, and Field all looked at the Major instantly from the battle map Lee still looked over the map his eyes darting back and forth. Slowly Lee removed his glasses and looked at his subordinate. "Oh Thank You Major Taylor" Lee said as he walked over to Taylor and took the sheet of parchment paper from the Major. Lee looked over at the map in silence. Finally he spoke again "Is that all?" Lee asked. "Yes sir" Major Taylor said with a salute which Lee responded with. Taylor then left the tent and Lee walked back over to the table. The table had many intricate markings detailing the specific movements of Lee's Army and that of the Army of the Whitetail Woods. The Generals looked at Lee in earnest over what J.E.B. Stuart had found. "Well what does it say?" asked Mahone. Lee put back on his spectacles and cleared his throat. "Found enemy position. Heavily fortified. Many intricate breastworks and fortifications. Stretches around the entirety of the forest. Frontal Attack would be suicidal. Possible preliminary attack by sending in snipers and saboteurs. Three specific locations: Weapons store, Lookout Towers, and Observatory Balloon. Littered with many groups of tents and sentry's. Any sort of disturbance of main body will be disastrous. Regards, General J.E.B. Stuart. Commander of Calvary Army of Northern Virginia." The Generals pondered over the note. Lee looked back and forth at the note and circled specific spots that were mentioned. Stonewall Jackson was asleep. Lee looked up. "General Wilcox please awake General Jackson he has fallen asleep again" Lee said. Wilcox nudged Jackson awake who sleepily yawned and rubbed his eyes. Lee pondered further. "Snipers.... Snipers..." Lee kept saying to himself he then turned to General Longstreet. "Who is in commanded of that Sniper Battalion under your command?" Lee asked Longstreet. "I believe it is Major W.S. Dunlop sir" Longstreet said. Lee turned back towards the map and thought for a short while. The other Generals murmured among themselves. Lee then turned back to Longstreet. "Can you bring the Major to me immediately General" Lee asked. General Longstreet saluted and exited the tent towards his Corps camp. Then Lee thought about saboteurs. "Saboteurs where could I find sab....General Hill isn't General Joseph O. Shelby in your camp recently come from Edmund Kirby Smith's sector I believe?" asked Lee to A.P. Hill. "That is correct general he just arrived the other night. Apparently he captured over 200 pounds of supplies from one of the Equestrian Armies near Kirby Smith's area" Hill said. Lee was impressed. "Can you bring the General over to my tent immediately" Lee asked. General Hill saluted and exited the tent towards his Corps camp. Lee sat down in his desk chair and rubbed his eyes. The rest of the Generals stared down at the map or at Lee. Jackson was asleep yet again. "Jackson does this all the time. General Wilcox awake Jackson again" Lee asked. Wilcox nudged Jackson awake who was slightly startled upon being woke up. "What shall we *yawn* do General Lee? Can't we pull a flanking maneuver on the enemy possibly driving all their forces to one side and then smashing them on the other" Jackson asked. Lee shook his head. "Nope to heavily fortified that's why I asked Longstreet and Hill to get Dunlop and Shelby maybe they can help us with this" Lee said stroking his forehead. The other generals stood in silence. "Thank god Stuart was here and I didn't assault head on the Whitetail Woods" Lee said finally. Soon, Longstreet and Hill returned with Dunlop and Shelby. "It's an honor to meet you General Lee" Dunlop and Shelby said in unison with a salute. General Lee returned the salute. "It is great to meet you as well. I have a conundrum if you will come and look at this map" Lee said to the men. The men gathered around and looked over the map. Lee gave Dunlop and Shelby the letter from J.E.B. Stuart. "So gentlemen you see that the only way to successfully defeat the Army of the Whitetail Woods is to send in saboteurs and snipers. A frontal attack would lead to a massive loss of life" Lee said with slight worry. Both Dunlop and Shelby talked for a short while and looked, pointed, and marked positions on the map. "Well General Lee you are correct that saboteurs and snipers are necessary for this kind of mission. But, there is one problem how do we get successfully into the middle of the camp where the supplies and weapons are. Stuart noted that many pickets and sentry's litter the many entrances to the forest. There has to be a safe way to maneuver without being spotted by at least 20 pickets?" Dunlop asked. Lee thought for a short while and then stood up. "As you can see gentlemen that the enemy's Army is felling trees to build up its fortifications. I suggest you use the trees as cover and fire upon the pickets. I both trust you are quite experienced at what you do gentlemen but, be wary do not get within a fire's long gaze and consistently move after shooting or slitting a throat" Lee said pointing at the map and the fortifications. Dunlop and Shelby watched on in silence. "Secondly, General Shelby if you can remove some of the enemies cannon along with the survey balloon and weapons depot. It could greatly benefit us" Lee said again. Shelby nodded in agreement. "Lastly, Major Dunlop I need your snipers and General Shelby your saboteurs to work in unison watch each others flanks and help the other. The main attack will occur at dawn so I recommend you gentlemen do not diddle with your objectives" Lee finished. Dunlop and Shelby agreed with Lee's plans. They both made note on their own maps of the enemy's weapons depot, survey balloon, and fortifications. Lee then went on to discuss with the other generals the attack that would follow up after the sabotaging mission. Just as General Shelby and Major Dunlop were about to leave Dunlop turned back to Lee. "We will not fail you General Lee and if somehow something goes awry may the blood of a million men be forever engraved in our hands" > Chapter 7 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Yawn...picket duty always sucks" a pegasus corporal said. He held out his hooves to a roaring fire in the midst of Whitetail Woods. A subtle breeze passed over causing the fire to dance gently then returning to its original ferocity. "Well at least its better than being at the gorge" a unicorn private responded. It was 2 am and no sight nor sound had come out of the woods beyond except for the occasional gust of wind or cry of a bird. The CSE had been moving cautiously towards the Whitetails Woods and an attack was highly predictable. "By Celestia's Mane, I wish I was home with my mare and my foal. Everything was so peaceful and quiet before this whole war started. Now look at me hundreds of miles away from home with these weird human creatures rampaging all about" the pegasus corporal sighed. "At least my friend the night air is clean, blood has not been soaked into the ground beneath our hooves, and the stars shine vibrantly against the dark sky" the unicorn private followed up. They both then sat quietly staring into the fire's red glow. A branch snapped in the distance. The soldier's got up on their legs. "What was that?" the private asked. "I don't know" said the corporal. It could be a bunny, a squirrel, a timberwolf even a CSE soldier. Since the CSE had been cautiously moving towards the Whitetail Woods in the past couple of days any movement or sound around the area of the woods was immediately put forward as a danger. "Go see what it is private" said the corporal. The private looked at the corporal dumbfounded and then gulped. All that was before him was rows upon rows of trees and thick bushes ranging in size and shape. Everything was covered in a veil of darkness. He took a single hoof step forward and walked towards the trees. He grasped his spear tightly as he walked towards the looming trees. Unbeknownst, to him a CSE sniper waited in a small clearing with a sharps rifle primed for the shot. The private looked around slowly and jabbed his spear in the bushes only to come up with nothing. Although fear still lingered in him a great sigh of relief passed through him. "It was nothing!" he yelled back with a grin. The corporal sighed happily. "Thank Celestia!" he responded. "To think we got all worked up about a simple tw-*ugh*" the private yelled as a bullet entered through his throat and killed him instantly. He fell forward in a heap as blood poured out into the dry grass. The corporal got to his hooves in an instance and ran towards the privates dead corpse. "HEL-*hmmmmhmhmhm....* But, before he could see where the private was hit a great burly arm came over his snout and a sharp pain came into his backside. The corporal fell forward in a dead slump. Two large figures stood over the dead bodies. "Well look at that them there ponies. They be dead as catfish in the frying pan. Ain't that right Clemson?" the corporal said to his commander who was cleaning his Bowie Knife of the pony blood. "You are right Trace but, we must keep our voices down or these ponies will have us tied up and hung quick" the sergeant said with slight assurance. More CSE soldiers came out of the wood work and joined the two other soldiers. Major Dunlop and General Shelby came to the center of the group. "Well done gentlemen we have made it into the Army of Whitetail Woods main fortifications. You all have your orders now move quick and disperse before the ponies hear our voices far and loud. Everyone meet in the western woods when this is all over and then we can regroup" Shelby said quickly. The soldiers saluted and dispersed back into the woods to pick off the other pickets and sabotage the strongest fortification. Shelby, Dunlop, a saboteur, and a sniper crawled into some brush towards the center of the camp. Rows of tents surrounded them with the sounds of many slumbering ponies waiting for the attack from the CSE. Dunlop and Shelby scanned the horizon with binoculars. One fire was in the immediate range between them and the survey balloon and a single guard tower loomed in the canopy. Major Dunlop picked off the pegasus in the guard tower with ease while the other sniper picked off the single pony at the fire. They then followed the General and other saboteur to the survey balloon. "Hand me your knife" Shelby asked Dunlop. Dunlop handed Shelby his Bowie Knife and Shelby cut into the rope tethering the balloon. Soon the rope was cut and the balloon lifted high into the sky becoming another star in the vibrant sky. "Thanks" Shelby said to Dunlop handing him back his Bowie Knife. The four of them then turned their gaze to the ammo depot. Two roaring campfires lingered before them with 3 pony soldiers to each. Dunlop and Shelby turned to each other and tried to guess what the other was thinking. Shelby looked at the sky and saw the moon started to drift downwards and the subtle white hues of morning could be seen in the opposite direction. They had to act fast. Then an idea so dangerous and deadly appeared in their heads almost in unison. Dunlop and the other sniper would draw away the pickets and Shelby and the other saboteur would set fire to the ammo depot. They shook each other hands not sure if they would see each other again. "God Speed Dunlop" "God Speed Shelby" Dunlop and the sniper rustled some bushes to attract the attention of the pony soldiers looming over the fires. The pickets became awry and infuriated and headed towards the bushes in which a scuffle ensued. Shelby and the saboteur took this window of opportunity and rushed towards the ammo depot. They began working quickly at spreading the cannon powder around the floor amongst the cannons and other ammo. Shelby then lit a match and the cannon powder slowly burned around them. They both then exited quickly and jumped in the bushes. The scuffle in the bushes had ceased. Shelby and the saboteur headed over to the area. All the pony soldiers lay dead with many stab marks and bullet wounds littered through them. Dunlop had his arm bandaged up and the other sniper lay dead as a doornail. "Your hurt Major" Shelby said rushing to the major's side and helping him along. "No no I'm fine but, we better get out of here" Dunlop said through the winces of pain. The three of them then ran off as fast as they could avoiding campfires and standing pickets into the main woods. They all stopped eventually to catch their breath and heard it. KATHOOM CRASH BOOOOOOMMMMMM "Well that was successful" Shelby said with a grin. Dunlop smirked back simply then they continued to run off into the western woods just as the moon began to set and the sun began to cast its orange bloody glow. ----------------------------------------------- "What in the name of Celestia was that?" Fluttershy tried to yell as she ran out of her tent. Her hair was not done in the way she usually did it, her eyes were crusty, and her armor was not polished and gleaming. Pony soldiers galloped back and forth with all due haste from such a rude awakening. Fluttershy looked all around and saw many dead sentries, the survey balloon was missing, and many of the cannons were destroyed and the ammo depot was a complete lost. Fluttershy began to feel rage and anger surging through her. "GOSH DARN SABOTEURS" she yelled. A couple of ponies looked at her with slight curiosity while many continued on with their business trying to assess the situation. Three subordinates rushed at Fluttershy. "General Fluttershy the survey balloon has been lost" "General Fluttershy beg to report, that the ammo depot is all but gone" "General Fluttershy many sentries are lying dead from stab and bullet wounds" Before she spoke a single word a great thunderous roar echoed. The first they saw of the attack were the many trees falling to the ground and great chasms of dirt flying into the sky with limbs or entire bodies mixed in. The CSE had begun its attack.