> The war with ourselves
>  by The Potato Guy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> War never changes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Equestria At war



 


War.

War never changes.

A cold warning. One of despair, sorrow and pessimistic realisation.

War had been a concept increasingly regulated in the annals of the past. A devastating occurrence apparently impossible in today’s society, at least in Equestria itself.

Ponies lived and worked in a world too accustomed to peace.  Cities and nations prospered in this golden age of cooperation and friendship. Yet the bubble was growing, ready to be burst.

Tension had only been allowed to rise in such a docile time, and those who call themselves powerful have had little done to contain their increasing disruption.

Nevertheless, for now, all seemed well in the world, and who could dare say otherwise?

Threats had come and gone, in various forms and approaches, and every threat had been dealt with, defeated by the very thing that now ruled across the land.

Friendship.

A quaint enough thing even in recent memory.  A bond in social circles that helped form alliances, if nothing more. How could such a petty and seemingly harmless thing be such a powerful weapon? Many ponies, many races and nations, all laughed at the prospect of such a trivial force fixing anything. When the heat had risen, and armies with it, friendship was but a complete and utter paradox in those moments. When one Pony stared into the animalistic eyes of another, across the battlefield, who could believe friendship would even form, let alone make peace.

Friends were reserved for comrades of war, and the overly indulgent masses of the world, their leisurely, inconsequential lives.

Yet, despite all this, despite all the sniggering and disbelief, threats, that had been rightfully seen as catastrophic, world ending levels of power and might, whose danger echoed across every land, had been silenced by the magical prospect of the bonds of friendship. Beings capable of bending entire countries to their will, factions whose desire for power and their accompanying ferocity was enough to conquer continents had been stopped in their tracks by individuals with no knowledge of war. Only friendship.

This had puzzled theorists and leaders the world over. How could ponies, usually numbering in single digits, stop that what entire nation’s armies and industries could not? 

Those who began to see the majestic strength of this new found strategy quickly found themselves sharing such friendly ideals, and before anyone knew it, a society, even more docile and soft had formed. 

Yes, victories had been won and yes, peace had been proclaimed, but as the populations of the world converted to this ideology of kindness, laughter and the like, so did any desire to properly prepare, should friendship eventually fall. Equestria in particular allowed itself to rot from within, a rot who’s pleasant smell and feeling numbed all those ignorant to the truth.

War, seen as a tragedy from a bygone age, now was seen as laughable and unlikely as friendship had seemed, before its many accomplishments. War would never again stain the planet. Never could it even return on a small scale, not when friendship rules.

This was the thinking of the majority, not all.

Even now, across the world, hidden deep within the darkest pockets, physically and mentally, the prospect of conquest and war had not been so easily forgotten and joked at. These induvials of varied races and allegiances were, as of now though, just that. Lone wolves, whose dark hearts could only further corrupt themselves. The means of growing their equally varied desires of darkness, they were not possible in such a peaceful world. 

They were the pin to the bubble of the world.  But a pin, so small in size and so blunt in threat could do little to burst the protective shield of society’s bubble. Something else would be needed, something far more powerful.

Recently, time had not been generous to these individuals. Threats, that could spark the fires of war, had been defeated, by friendship itself.  Furthermore, the only perceivable threats nowadays were perfectly suited to being crushed by friendship. The problem today was that should any threat arise, it was because of the direct lack of friendship, not just because of the darkness of its desires.

This was the perfect challenge to friendship, the desirable outcome to convert any darkness to the light. 

The difference that that the new darkness now had though, the only seemingly positive thing to their causes, was that friendship, In its most basic and original form, wasn’t something so foreign to them. They were not the untrusting, lonely and foolish beings that the old threats were. They couldn’t be defeated with friendship, because friends were the only way to make connections, alliances, and form trust within war. Friendship was a weapon in the same way speech was. Of course it would be used. Forming an entire ideology around it was just strange, like spreading the word of speaking when spoken to.

Alas, on the surface, all seemed too well, and such positivity would do little to alter the status quo. The world would need a push into madness, into chaos, should the bubble burst.

Nations weren’t yet ready to wage war upon each other, and cultures weren’t yet so blood thirsty they would require fights. 

The orchestrators of rebellion against the status quo of friendship had little in common, but they were there, ready, for whatever reason to do their thing. Some will be accidental, individuals of events that just happen to cause misery, while some were perhaps destined to happen, in time.

Our first look into the reason that would set world tension so greatly alight, so ready to burst the bubble was perhaps obvious, and easy to fix, even with friendship.

Within the high towers and the majesty of Canterlot castle was Princess Luna, the dark induvial whose life had been depressingly tragic. Friendship had its chance of rectifying this, and to an extent, it had worked. Luna had felt somewhat comfortable, in comparison to her destructive return as Nightmare Moon. Alas, a chance was a chance, and there were few instances of being given more.  Luna’s comparative comfort had  little but delayed the inevitable, and while her so called friends may do all they can to further extent this delay, events and Ponies of lesser love for her would not be doing the same.

While harmless chatter and empty rhetoric was thrown at Equestria from nations who fancied themselves as strong as their mighty pasts, the powers that be within the leadership of Equestria saw this, in their hubris brought on by friendship, as an actual threat. No such threat existed of course. Even once war like nations were mere shadows of themselves, as the varied kingdoms and lands of the Griffons liked to unintentionally show, as their claw raising and feeble insults fell short.

The threat was smoke and mirrors, but this was not obvious to the government of Equestria. They were blind to any real threat and as a result, any political and real effort was reserved for matters of diplomacy and administrative state.

Princess Luna, in this void of love, was increasingly forgotten about, and the attempts from her closest “friends” were seen as nothing more but obligations. 

All it would take, to bring an entire society and peace crashing down, was a spark.

This took the form of a simple decision.

As Princess Luna, one of the two heads of state of Equestria and the very Princess who raised the moon every night, felt increasingly marginalised by society and her Ponies, she but formed a simple request to put forward to her government, her friends, and even her sister, Celestia.

Luna would simply ask, as she put it, “for more attention.” A seemingly childish and nearly amusing desire to her government, they simply waved their hooves at this apparent request to fuel her self-importance. To her friends and loved ones, this was a concern, albeit more pressing to them, but not one of pressing worry. Luna could be invited to more social gatherings, be sent more letters to fulfil her.

In reality, Princess Luna wished to be seen as an equal to her Sister, which she technically was, despite her millennia break of absence. Unfortunately, this was the case in all but name. Celestia had the true powers given to her, and Luna was often an afterthought. This was not her only wish however.  She wished to be loved as an individual pony in her private life, to live, despite her position, as normally as she could. Her job was the stability of the nation, which could only be achieved from parity with Celestia.  That was her professional life. She had no choice. In more personal times though, while Celestia seemed to enjoy her figure head connections, Luna was far more humble. Her responsibility was to Equestria, and for that, she would endure her role as Princess, if it meant equality. In any time but that though, she wished for peace. That was her definition of attention. Attention to her problems and help in fixing them.

Luna wished only for a response of “We love you, Princess Luna” as subjects and friends alike took her concerns seriously.  Alas, this wasn’t to be. 

A decision was made, and with it, the event that would burst the bubble.

“We don’t have time for that.”

Equestria’s long standing tradition of friendship was broken on that day, and Luna would never forget this total betrayal.

After so many years of mocking that war would never change, even occur it was, in the following days, yet again, proven right.

Equestria was now, at war.
> The end of Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

First it was Manehattan. 

Then it was Fillydelphia.

Every time that fresh news reached the ears of Canterlot, another dozen towns had risen up in arms against Celestia, against Equestria. 

Before long, nearly the entire north east of what once was the state of Equestria, had revolted, pledging their undying allegiance to the rebellious faction that had emerged with the return of Nightmare Moon.

Such a thing came as a great shock to many, and to those who called themselves friends of Princess Luna, immediate thought placed itself on why this had, yet again, happened. Instead of ensuring their efforts were focused on countering the coming threat, the idea that Luna could come back was entertained far too long. 

This proved the greatest mistake Equestria and its guardians could make.

The revolt started off small, yet fierce, in the heavily and densely populated areas of the north east, an area of the continent filled with sprawling metropolises, and with that, Ponies of all backgrounds.

In the shadows, and leading up to this day, loyal supporters of Nightmare Moon had been growing support. Focusing on the disillusioned, the poor, the angry, any Pony who’ mind could be manipulated to better serve the coming storm. It took time, but time had been generously given to the servants of the night, and soon enough, corruptions and discontent with the current leadership had spread to all walks of life. Even the military, once seen as a bulwark against evil, had sympathisers among it, even within the upper ranks.

The bulk of Nightmare Moon’s new army was from the working classes, those who had not felt the grace of wealth or even happiness upon them. From the few with influence, to the many without, a new force was ready to take on the might of Equestria.

And so they did. Reports were sketchy at first. Civil unrest, shots apparently fired. Only when it was too late, and the north east had fallen, that Princess Celestia finally ordered the mobilisation of the army.

Using it however, was another matter. Blind as they were, effort was instead placed, by Celestia and her allies, into trying to appease to Luna, now Nightmare Moon. Without the Elements of Harmony however, and with a real force behind her, Nightmare Moon was left only amused, and in this opportunity, she stroke.

Her forces were unorganised and poorly armed, but they had momentum on their side, and no Pony could dent the ferocity and conviction in the hearts of her supports. These were the zealots of her army, those willing to die for their new Queen.

These fanatics, determined as they were, hit hard and fast at Equestria’s weak points. Its industrial and military centres. Within a mere couple of days, the new Lunar Empire had gained precious and valuable ground, solidifying its status as a legitimate threat and opposition in Celestia’s Equestria.

Divisions of confused and shocked soldiers could do little as their commanders either willingly pledged their servitude to Queen Nightmare Moon or did so completely out of fear. From bands of unorganized, albeit strong in conviction, rebels, soon came the legions of the Night and with it, a proper war.

Nightmare Moon’s forces may have been smaller than her once sisters, even more lacking in equipment, but with the capture of bases and factories, it was only a matter of time until an equally powerful military existed to counter Equestria.

In yet another panicked attempt at quashing this revolt, Equestria sent its armies to simply attack, with little consideration to actual tactics. 

The meaning of casualties became very clear to Celestia from there on. Experience, prisoners and extra equipment only benefited Nightmare Moon and despite their relative size, compared to Equestria, time allowed a strong defensive line to form around her territory, and more and more Ponies joining her cause. 

Through intimidation, servitude or pure fear, no Pony now dared to challenge Nightmare Moon, from fear of death.  While it was a fact that the return of Nightmare was far from welcomed by many, the cruelty, severe oppression and downright destruction of literally any resistance was all it took too put all Ponies in line.  

In fact, it was Equestria who had to worry about its populace. Despite their few numbers, sympathisers of the Lunar cause ensured Equestria remained weak from within. Be it attacks, revolts or civil disobedience, Nightmare Moon’s loyal supporters did all they could to distract and weaken Equestria.

Now, in yet another decisive moment for the future of the land, Celestia called up her reserves and finally faced the truth. That Luna was gone, and until Nightmare Moon and her forces had been crushed, Celestia wouldn’t be getting her dear sister back.

She was on the backhoof, but her armies, however chaotic they may now seem, were larger and equipped with the latest weaponry. Were they used correctly, victory was surely assured.

For now though, all civilians needed to retreat from the fires of war and as of now, Canterlot itself was on the front line.  The immediate course of action was to evacuate the city and its surrounding towns and villages, to send the civilian population farther west, and let the military hunker down and prepare for attack. 

This initially seemed to go smoothly, as tens of thousands of ponies flooded from the area to designated areas away from any combat. The only problem however, was a small town. 

A town going by the name of Ponyville.

Celestia knew this town all too well. It was the place of residence of her very real and loving friends, including the group of ponies affectionately known as the Mane 6. They refused to abandon their Princess in her time of need and stated, just as they had done previously, they were defeat Nightmare Moon and get back their other Princess. 

Celestia’s heart warmed at their loyalty, and refusal to abandon their friends, her included. This dedication wouldn’t seem, bar worry for their wellbeing, too bad, but preliminary attacks from the Lunar Empire had now directly threatened Ponyville, its importance both strategically and to the psyche of Equestria obviously well known. Celestia had no choice but to send a hastily created division down to hold the line, while civilians were able to flee.

This division was so poorly equipped, so loosely trained, that  Star Scraper, a simple Earth Pony conscripted only less than three weeks ago, shortly after Nightmare Moon had made known her return, thought what good he and his comrades could even do. The very fact that it was his division sent down to protect Ponyville was far from an honour. It was clear that, what remained of Celestia’s army, was so thinly spread that Equestria literally needed whatever they could find to send down here.  

Star Scraper, among others, had far from enough experience to be relied upon on the front lines. His job was backend support, to provide logistics to the front line, and generally just protect the town from any infiltration. His arrival into the military was so fresh, and so unexpected, given the circumstances, that a suitable role had not even been considered for him yet. Logistics was merely the branch lacking enough ponypower that warranted his immediate support.

So now here he was, only a day deep within the siege of Ponyville. He had yet to see actual combat, but from the sound of the increasingly loud gunfire, that innocence was soon to be broken.

“PRIVATE!” cried out the voice of his Platoon officer, First Lieutenant Strong Hoof.

“Yes Sir?” replied Star Scraper, lost in a place that was anywhere but this hell hole.

“THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IDELING AROUND? GET THOSE SHELLS LOADED ALREADY!”

Star was cruelly ripped from his daydreaming, even if they were of the war in general. Anything was better than the bombed out buildings and churned up ground of this once beautiful charming town, and time could not be afforded to waste while he had a job. Artillery needed more shells to throw at the enemy, and in not doing so, there was no hope for this town to be retained to its former glory.

These were noble concerns forever on his mind. He had in fact been here before, merely as a tourist. Like countless others, Star Scraper had heard the tale of the “Mane 6” and could not wait to visit the quaint location that was their home. Ponyville had not disappointed on that front, hence his determination to ensure the place was rid of war.

Yet Star was not a career soldier, nor a Pony who had aligned himself to a cause that he would fight to the death to see. He was simply a Pony from a sleepy village near Vanhoover way, and that was the way he liked it. Here, in the centre of all things, fighting for the very future of Equestria, that was an unfamiliar and uncomfortable thing. The only hardship he had known so far was the essays due the next day, during his studies. Fighting against one of the most powerful Ponies in the world wasn’t his idea of a future.

War wasn’t something Star wanted to see for any length of time. He had heard the tales of Nightmare Moon, the rumours of what her supporters did and the very real possibility of what an Equestria under the Night Queen would be like,  but this polarised fight between literal light and dark, as some ponies saw it, wasn’t him. All he wanted was to survive this next ammunition run, and somehow, sometime, be rid of this warzone, and be back home. 

That was the thing most on his mind, even if it honestly meant letting beautiful and important places such as this fall to whomever the victor was. Were Celestia to win, it would more resemble the status quo, however, Star had heard the talk of his comrades, the stories that, after losing her sister for a second time and hearing an entire section of her realm was in flames and her ponies with it, told that she had lost her mind, and all resemblance of the good Pony that she was, had gone. It was a scary thought, that perhaps instead of a tyrant from the Moon, he would instead be ruled by one from the sun. Who knew that Equestria would resemble with such low stability.

On the other hoof, and the alternative reality, was the Lunar Empire conquering all. The consequences of that horror were far plainer. A tyrant demon who’s iron hoof crushed all. Such a dark future, perhaps literally, would be one of pain, misery and torment, just for the innocent Ponies of the world. Star, now officially within Equestria’s military, would certainly never see the light of day, whether Nightmare Moon end it or not. A swift execution was waiting for him if he was lucky. If he wasn’t, then it was obvious his death wasn’t going to be swift at all.

Yet perhaps quite telling of his disenfranchisement from the world, and determination to live peacefully, no matter the bigger picture, Star could almost see why Nightmare Moon had supporters, at the very least. Unlike a victory of Celestia’s, stability wouldn’t really be an issue, not when whatever was causing instability wouldn’t be alive anymore. Nightmare Moon’s strength and cruelty knew no bounds, and any resistance to her and her rule would be stomped out promptly and efficiently. Nothing would be left to impose her, ensuring an Equestria existing only for her.

Star certainly had no plans to be part of any resistance, only wishing the same thing he wished for should Celestia win. 

Peace.

Alas, all outcomes, all desires were out of his control, and standing here, with a cart of high explosive shells attached to him wasn’t a way to help his cause. He needed to get them delivered, and then get the hell back to camp, where it was comparatively safe.

Here, as he bolted from the crater littered street, wasn’t.  He couldn’t even see the enemy, but the returning fire occasionally made its way his direction, be they stray bullets, hungry for a target, or an over firing shell of their own. Yet the flashes and booming of canon made one thing clear, he was approaching his destination and with it, chances of his peaceful life, getting smaller than ever before.

“Trooper! Here!” cried out a voice as Star turned a corner and bore witness to the hell facing him. Fields of rolling hills, blacked with craters and scars of battle. Gone was any resemblance of the gentle green, now only mud from the making of beings of an anything but gentle nature.

This wasn’t him. This wasn’t Star Scraper.

He couldn't delay though. The artillery batteries were no longer here, and the sinister appearance of dozens of tanks, taking cover at the top of the hill Star was situated upon, was sign of a counter attack. He was almost tempted to just peek over the hill, to venture a few meters beyond the tanks, to look at what was coming for him. Foolish he wasn’t though, frantically pulling his delicate cargo over to the pony who had called him.

“Yes Sir!” Star saluted, much to the dismay of the Armoured Corps Officer. Star couldn’t blame him. Technicalities were not needed right now, and from the looks of it, neither were the tanks. Star had no great knowledge of these armoured beasts, but even he knew they weren’t of great quality. They were old models, probably taken from reserve as the situation became ever more dire. These old machines were all his division had, and whatever use they could provide, these brave troopers were going to put to good use.

“You’re needed elsewhere! Arty guys had to redeploy elsewhere! Damn Bat Ponies got us good and they are close. We’re are going to try and change that…if we can”.

Star felt sadness for this Pony, as he knew better than he did that if the enemy had broken the perimeter, hope as preciously low. A counter attack could possible delay further loss, but with out of date tanks, and knowledge of Bat Ponies, elite regiments extremely loyal to Nightmare Moon, were close, Star just wished these tankers had as much luck as possible on their side.

“Where-“Star began to ask, before being rudely interrupted by the boom if a shell landing nearby. Dirt was kicked upwards as all nearby Ponies dove into the mud. Star was left unharmed, but not without terror. He just wanted to live. That was all.

“Where are they now?” Down the hill and south of here, over the river and whenever the see a farm and an apple orchard!” replied the officer, wasting no time.

That was quite the redeployment. Literally from one side of Ponyville to the other, retreating through the entire town. Star was no idiot, there was only reason they would do such a thing. The frontline was about to be overrun, and now the battle was focused on pounding the enemy as they took the town. 

This was no counterattack at all. These tanks were here to delay the enemy, as the town’s defenders evacuated.

Star was left at a loss. He prayed that Celestia save them, and even to ensure their path to the next world was peaceful.

The Officer picked up on the realisation. For a moment, Star swore he witnessed this suicide mission make its impact known once more to him. Yet as professional as he could, and with a heart quite familiar with bravery, fear was not allowed to win. 

“Don’t concern yourself with us kid. Get going before you can’t!” The officer demanded, as he pushed Star with his hoof. 

Star knew he wouldn’t see this Pony again, and the sad look he couldn’t be rid of only served to remind him of the cost of this deadly war.  It was hell. As simply yet evil as that.

“GO!” 

Star didn’t need warning again, as shells whistled above his head and landed in the town, destroying anything still left standing. Calling upon his strength, Star made a run for it, using the hill to his advantage. Increasingly distant and heard between  the constant pounding of explosions, Star heard bravery cry out once more.

“BOYS, ITS TIME!  TODAY WE SHOW THAT THESE EDGY, POINTY EARED FREAKS WILL NOT HAVE FREE REIGN THE FREEDOM AND MIGHT OF EQUESTRIA. TO BATTLE! TO VICTORY!”

A rowdy speech to be sure, and another sign that certain death didn’t have to mean the death of humour. Star was sure to remember this Pony, for he was surely worthy of the title of hero.

Star didn’t look back. He carried on taking cover from building to building as his light but brightly coloured armour was sure to give him away to any marksponies. His wasn’t as obnoxiously shiny as the Royal Divisions, with their glistening gold plate, but as an apparent requirement to show loyalty to Celestia, his armour unfortunately had to be of a copper shade, still enough to be an effective target for the enemy. 

He needed to venture further into Ponyville, this would increase the time it could take to his destination, and possibly be closer to artillery strikes, but death from that was pure luck. Luck didn’t exist when a sniper had him in its crosshairs.

So that was an easy decision for Star. Anything to stave off death by just a little was the choice he was always going to pick.

Yet it didn’t soon feel like a good decision. An easy decision for Star. Anything to stave off death by just a little was the choice he was always going to pick.

Yet it didn’t soon feel like a good decision. 

Feeling personally discriminated against by the enemy heavy guns, Star again and again begged that the next whirling shell continued over his head. He was painfully aware of what that selfishness could mean though. He wasn’t being targeted specially, but whichever shell didn’t find him, it would surely find another. Death needed it's due, and his buddies still left at camp, in the centre of Ponyville, they probably weren’t going to be so lucky.

Star cursed himself for his cowardice. His all-conquering desire to just live another day was useful to no pony. Eventually his burden could drag him no further. Slamming himself into an alley way, Star went screaming into the dirt. The horrors of war had already begun to claim him.

The unending barrage did little to help him. Destruction was constant, as was its chipping away of his mind. 

Then it went quiet. Not in the world however. Still, waves of shells ripped apart the earth, but in Star’s mind, that had gone. He at first thought he had lost his mind, that he was one of those poor Ponies who just freeze up, even mid combat.

When he reached to the rifle, constantly rattling as he moved, that had been slung over on his back, Star knew his mind was still there, and it had been made up.

He hadn’t even used this rifle in actual combat. There had been no use in which he had need of it.  What was remarkable to Star was that this rifle, a shortened version of the standard bolt action rifle, issued throughout Equestria, was not even his. He hadn’t even been issued with one upon arrival. Astounding at the time, that a soldier would arrive at a battlefield, unarmed. The truth however, was far worse.  Thanks to the unorganized nature of the division, casualties had been high and with them, weapons left unused. That was how Star now had a rifle considered expensive and new by the world. Equestria may have left it military stagnate, but it was a large place, and a nation with enough factories to at least allow some widespread positives within the Army.

Nonetheless, those technicalities mattered not anymore. He had no withdrew with weapon to examine it. 

Star felt the crushing realities of life break down his very being. He wished to be anywhere but here, but that was a wish born of pure fantasy. He was not ignorant enough to believe even a weakened version of that desire would come true. His grave was in this division and most certainly, this town.

This was not up for debate, for as Star rested the rifle stock on the ground, and brought the muzzle towards his head, he knew these to be his final moments.

Memories flashed by. Memories of his idyllic and peaceful foalhood, his friends, his family, even his most mundane and depressing moments. All were of his life and all contributed to a life he wished would come back.

It wasn’t though.

The trigger was about to see to that.

Yet instead of the sharp bang of ammunition firing, instead of all ending in darkness, Star heard a more natural noise. It was far from pleasant, but the mere hearing of a group of ponies was all it took to interrupt his dark deed.

Star looked down the alley way, seeing a group a clearly non-military ponies scramble out of a building. 

The last remnants of the evacuees, Star presumed. 

That was partly true in fact. Among the group were visibly terrified civilians of a florists. Nothing out of ordinary in a place like this, but it was those who lead them to safety that peaked Star’s attention.  

A blue coated Pegasus with a rainbow coloured mane, a white unicorn with a well-kept, purple mane and perhaps most amazingly of all, a purple coloured Alicorn. 

The actual Princess of friendship, Twilight Sparkle.

The other two must have been the elements of harmony, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. 

Star was astounded. These ponies were famous all across Equestria. These were the actual ponies who had saved Star’s and Equestria’s collective rumps.

He could have very well been star struck, were it not the war, and the fact they were all running right towards him.

“Hey you! Soldier boy!” cried out the Pegasus that was obviously Rainbow Dash. “You gonna help us or what?!”

Suddenly aware of what a scene this could have been if he had followed through with his despair. A weak Pony incapable of going on while the Princess of Friendship , and without any insult given, book like pony, stayed behind to help civilians who had been trapped by the infernal bombardment. 

He would be dead, but his soul would find no peace with such shame. Quickly ensuring his rifle was positioned in a more battle ready position, Star fell back on instinct and training.

“No can do. These shells need delivering!” 

It was a brutal and blunt fact to him, that despite current issues, he still had a job to do, and he was later than he ever had been.  Star hated replying in such a way, but a soldier’s first duty was to fight.

Wasn’t it?

“What?!” spat back Rainbow Dash, stopping mid-air in shock. “Are you blind or something? Or would you literally just leave the injured behind?”

Star’s eyes did then venture over to the bloodied leg and head of the florists, clearly from flying debris from when shells had exploded.

This just made it all the harder to him. He had already worried about what mess it would seem if he let go before any of these non-combatants , so what would it look like if he refused to help those in need, those he was meant to be protecting with all this fighting?

Star knew his decision.

Unclipping from cart from his back, he rushed over to assist with the limping civilians.

“Princess”. He acknowledged, as his good natured self-trumped all formalities.

Fortunately, this was the Princess of Friendship, and she was a pony of great understanding, and thus didn’t comment of Star’s general lack of protocol. All the better for it too. Silly things like mattered not when the three elements and a soldier had to carefully manoeuvre injured civilians. 

“Thank you darling” said Rarity as Star took up mantle of taking most of the weight of the more injured civilian.

“We haven’t much time!” assured Twilight. Scanning the town for any escape or enemies. “Lun- Nightmare Moon’s legions have broken through!”

Star almost stopped in his tracks, were it not for the even more fragile thing he was now carrying through the streets. If the Bat Legions had broken through, this meant the armoured counterattack had failed, and Ponyville was essentially wide open.

“The farm” stated Star in quick desperation, gaining the attention of the Princess.  “We were told to rendezvous there should the town fall. “

“Not any more buddy!” shot back Rainbow Dash, mixing her helping with the injured with flying high to see if the coast was clear. “Everypony is going back west. Princess Celestia’s orders!”

Now Star really was confused. He looked towards Twilight who could barely look him in the eye, least of all talk directly at him. She knew why this development was tricky to say. Especially towards him.

“Rainbow! Not now!” she hissed towards her friend, very much aware of Star realising what she knew.

“Oh buck…dude…I’m sorry…” 

Sympathy, even from a well-known figure such as the element of loyalty did little to alleviate the pain.

Celestia had, obviously Twilight too since she was a Princess, informed those in command of the total retreat from not only Ponyville, but its outskirts as well. All civilians, support companies and staff were to leave the entire town vicinity to head for far safer environments. Yet evacuation, as it was now clear did not encompass all Ponies. Star’s division would remain, and fight wherever they could stand, be it on the perimeter, within the town itself, or the surrounding fields once far from the enemy. All fighting military forces were to remain here, to the death.

“We….we need to hurry.” Star couldn’t bring himself to react. Not only because his company was of high esteem, but in letting himself show his true feelings to this near betrayal, Star would find no peace. He would further be broken as the floodgates of his emotions totally collapsed. 

Of course in showing such final defiance, even if it was only to himself, it didn’t mean that he appeared so cold and stoic to those in his presence. The elements shared looks of concern between them, but admirably still carried on with their duties to their fellow Ponies. As little as he wanted or liked it, Star was a soldier, and he wasn’t about to try and shake that look from himself in front of actual royalty. 

The uncomfortable truth, as he know knew, was the actual reason behind this almost cruel decision to leave him behind. Equestria’s situation was increasingly dire, and most of all, time was needed. Time to delay the enemy to further mobilise the military and whip them into fighting order.

It was just a shame this, however necessary motion, had to come at any cost. 

“Twi!” shouted Rainbow Dash, as the small group navigated through burning buildings and large craters. “Bat uglies are flooding in! Just teleport the others out of here!”

Her tone was desperate, almost panic like. Star frantically looked around him as small arms fire could clearly be heard now, previously only the air occupied by large artillery fire. This could only mean the enemy was getting closer. 

“Rainbow stop! I’m not leaving you!” Twilight emotionally replied, as the group could only stop in an increasingly desperate decision of what to do now.

“You won’t be! I get to protect this guy in shining Armor!” Rainbow said, perhaps uncomfortably enthusiastically, given the bleak and dark circumstances. The accompanying wink from her through Star completely off. Either Rainbow was as broken as he was, and put on a happy face to mask that, or she was in her element, and didn’t really fear death.

Whatever it was, Star almost believed she would be more comfortable in her role than he ever would be.

“No!” Twilight, quite expectedly, fired back. “You’re too important to just throw your life away like that…and you’re my friend.”

Twilights words were solemn, telling of previous and painful loss. Star wouldn’t inquire, but he now knew he wouldn’t allow Rainbow Dash to die with them. That could be his moment of bravery at least.

“But-…” Rainbow protested, immediately shot down again by the Princess.

“NO!” Twilight yelled, showing just how much she cared. 

She then took a moment to look around. Her mind probably heavy and burdened with responsibility.

“I….I could try teleporting us out of here…”

“But….?” Inquired Rarity, understandably sensing a catch.

“B-but it won’t be as precise as before! I don’t know what magic they are using, but it’s like its preventing me from seeing where to teleport too. I still can, but we could end up with a long trek to Canterlot at best. At worse….um….”

Star understood her concern. It was a risk, but in not taking it, that was surely riskier.

Yet why couldn’t he voice this concern?

Rainbow seemed convinced luckily. Choosing not to fight her cause any longer. That was lucky, as Star could not bring himself to defend Twilight. Internally, he only felt despair, as if, whatever happened now, both in terms of the evacuation, and the war, mattered no longer.

“Darling…we have to. I’m afraid we won’t make it long on hoof.” Rarity interjected, as she tenderly examined the injuries of the other Ponies.

Twilight began to pace. Frustration taking her. In being a Princess , that did mean added care and responsibility for others, burdens Star was thankful he was free of, but great sympathy however, that something lacking now. Every moment in spent in this war, the more and more he disconnected with the fighters of Equestria.

Twilight then stopped, her mind apparently made up.

Star could not read minds, but the sad look she now bore towards him, told everything, without a word even being spoke.

“I’m….I’m so sorry”. She said, her words broken as she could barely make her next move, knowing that Star would be effectively abandoned, left to fend for himself against a threat no pony knew he would survive against.

Star did not respond. He had long entertained the depressing idea he wouldn’t see home again. Even Rainbow Dash had her mood changed with this development. She prized loyalty, and leaving a Pony behind wasn’t compatible with that.

“You don’t deserve this…and I don’t even know you’re name…” 

Star felt Twilights heartbreak, but it was a hollow gesture, empty of any substance. He was going to die, and nothing could soften that mental blow.

“Star. Star Scraper.” He simply replied. 

“Thank you Star Scraper. Thank you for your service and you…sacrifice. I do hope you get out of this ok…” any more from Twilight surely would have send her into a state of tears. With weak nods of gratitude from the injured Ponies, and caring and gentle touch from Rarity, and a usual upbeat punch on the shoulder from Rainbow Dash, the group. Baring Star, formed into a tight cluster, and with one last solemn look, disappeared in flash of bright light, leaving none but Star, alone, in a Ponyville no longer a home to those gone.

Star knew he couldn’t remain still in depressed fear. He didn’t really want to be found dead and in a million pieces. Alone with just him and his rifle, Star took cover by various buildings.

Yet as he ventured in now any direction he thought was safest, he began to see dark spots in the distance, whose armour rattled and weapons called for victims. 

Ponyville was overrun, and the only visible resistance now was Star Scraper.

He could fire his rifle. Currently unseen, he could maybe hit a target. But his confidence was shaken, his desire to fight long gone. 

In fact, in seeing the legions of Bat Ponies burst through into a town once full of joy and peace, that broke him completely. He was to be a deserter, were it not for the continued barrage of mortar and artillery. 

Abandoning his rifle, Star could not make it far before a nearby building was hit, and its rubble collapsed upon him.

Star was thankful that he was hidden from the world, and free of the horrors of it, even as his world went black and a sharp pain to his head made him completely ignorant to any of his surroundings.

The siege of Ponyville was over.
> Long live the Queen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Help”.

Star Scraper felt nothing. He could see nothing. He could hear nothing.

His world was black. His world was paralyzing. His world was nothing.

“Help me”.

Memories weren’t considered as Star felt only panic as his existence was regulated to a black void of nothing with only a small degree of self-awareness.

Then those thoughts entered his mind.

Was he dead?

Is this what life after death was like?

Such thoughts were provocative to say the least, enough so that thought could be attempted in a greater extent. 

That was the worst thing that could happen to him. 

Now he was painfully aware of his existence, quite literally so. Awareness provided him with the horrible truth that he was indeed alive, and all was not good.

His head was churned up, as if his brain had been put into a blender, but it was working, and it was telling him he should panic.

He felt his body, and it hurt. He also felt pinned, as if each individual muscle had been nailed into an all-encompassing container for him.

Star didn’t know what was going on, where he was, and why is was here. He couldn’t move and he couldn’t see. Breathing became pronounced and obvious and the more he realised it, the worst it got. 

“Please! Help me!”

He was now aware he was crying out for help. Desperation had claimed him and for what it was worth, Star exercised his feeling that he had from his muscles.

The lack of anything in general happening, even as he attempts to flail around served only to panic him further. 

And then the memories flooded back.

Ponyville. The bombardment. The Bat Ponies. 

The building collapsing.

It made sense, albeit the worst kind. 

He was alive, if only just. His head hurt to a degree he had never felt before. His chest was clearly being crushed by something, and the rest of his body was held it place by a weight he was surprised that didn’t kill him.

Death however, would be preferable to this vegetable like state. He was artificially prevented from living and the panic just ensured to further the wish of death.

“Something is alive in there!”

Muffled voices creaked through gaps of wood and stone, but it mattered very little to Star who, painfully so, could only cast his worrying and downright panicking mind on the fact that he was now buried below who knows how many feet of heavy rubble.  Even the voices outside wouldn’t find him under all this and even if they did, what would they find?

A corpse suffocated?

A body so broken and crushed that it was essentially worthless?

Or perhaps one blown up.

On what seemed to be the outer rubble, quakes and booms were felt and heard. Voices were louder and increasingly they seemed closer.

Somepony was demolishing the rubble and now, the familiar sound of magic in action could be heard, signalling that he may have actually been heard!

“H-help! I’m…here…” Star managed weakly. As more rubble was removed, and light and air flowed through the cracks, Star became be aware of his weakened state. He may be alive, but many of his bones probably hadn’t been so lucky.

“An Equestrian soldier my lord!” said another voice, as light fell down upon Star, blinding him. He was still pinned, but the thick sense of breathing proper oxygen again was bliss compared to any of his other troubles.

Other words were then said, but the combined effect of the blinding, pain and relief that he was now saved cancelled any understanding of those words to Star. He was alive, and surely that was all that mattered.

That was until something hard pressed against his skull, and Star found out exactly where he had been knocked out.

He screamed. Loudly. Whatever was now touching him pressed hard and deep into his head wound. Any relief now had gone, and pain took his whole body.

“He’s alive my Lord. Only just. Our Queen has surely blessed this one”. Said a voice Star was sure he had already heard once, but in his pain, he could barely even think.

“He will wish he wasn’t though. And Our Queen would never bless one of Celestia’s soldiers, idiot!”

The pressing to his head had stopped, but the pain lingered. Thoughts did return though, and to the pattern of fortune he had thus been following, realisation came to Star.

His vision was still blurred from the light, but he could see shapes in the form of Ponies, and he could see colours. Dark colours. Dark armour probably.

And now it made sense.

He had been found, not by his division, not by any of Equestria’s forces in fact. No. Quite the opposite in fact.

“W-what’s h-happening?” he asked, in a desperate sized hole that was his fear.

Laughs were heard, and not of the friendly variety.

“Oh you’ll see, Equestrian scum!” 

Magic then freed him of his heavy bindings, and a literal great weight came off him, allowing his severely sore muscles to relax somewhat. Such a reprieve was limited however as pain returned once more as hooves picked him up and drug him away. His vision was now somewhat clearer and instead of being taken to a medic, he watched as dark armour clad ponies, who’s insignia terrifyingly told him he was now in the captivity of the Lunar Empire, took him to a sole spot and dropped there.

Star winced in pain as he soon found himself surrounded by the forces of Nightmare Moon.

Depression then hit him.

Looking around, it was clear Ponyville had fallen to the enemy. Moon’s and various other images covered the ruins in the form of flags and banners. Victory belonged to the enemy Star had been fighting, and now, his fate was in their hooves.

Star couldn’t help but remind himself of what such a fate would mean.

“He’s just a grunt. Get rid of him already!” boomed a gruff voice from behind him.

That was the order coming from somewhere. Star had no energy to react sharply. His adrenaline had all ran out. His mind however, could only race, perhaps for the last time.

“Oh come on! Can’t we have some fun first? We have won a great victory and I need to cool down with some bloody physical therapy.” 

Panic once again set in. It was true what they said. That the forces of Nightmare Moon were savage monsters. Psychopaths hell bent of causing as much pain and misery to any Pony they found. Star was to die, but first he would suffer, and suffer greatly.

Tears could have formed, were it not for the complete shock of the entire situation, and the sign of clear death now approaching. Immediately he tried to put his mind at peace, not in some attempt at facing death bravely, but in a total surrendering to fate. He had given up now, his mind and spirt were broken, and broken things do not work. This was Star now. Not even his tears could function.

Kicks were felt. Sharp and excruciating. These cruel Ponies knew where to focus their attacks. Each blow knocked what little air was left in his lungs and as each attack continued, so did Star’s screams. He was approaching death. 

Willingly.

No flash backs now.

No life reviews.

No begging of forgiveness.

Juts anticipation of the final curtain.

His eyes were now closed, and he welcomed death, for the merciful end to his suffering that it was.

Unfortunately, his tormentors too seemed to realise this, and in their sadistic torturing delights, they decided that current pain simply wasn’t enough for a broken opponent.

Hearing evil cackles of cruel laughter, Star was shocked himself when he learned of the approaching knife, decided only to inflict pain.

“I know you won’t enjoy this, Equestrian, but we will, so be a good boy and don’t die before we’ve had our fun!”

The anger, cruelty and true despise of Star and Equestria was evident in the warrior’s words, as a short but sharp blade was withdrawn and shown. Star hoped for death just to happen, like an instant sleep.

It never came through, but something else did far, far worse.

Not the blade, Star thanked internally. He felt the cold point of it slowly trace his body, but it never caused pain. It couldn’t.

Not as Nightmare Moon arrived.

“My Queen!” came a symphony of bowing soldiers, all respectfully honouring the arrival of their dark mistress. 

Further torture was thus put on hold, even though Star knew Nightmare Moon, in her large, dark and powerful glory would approve of it.

If these soldiers wanted to keep their heads, proper respect would need to be given, even if it meant delaying pain to others.

“Midnight Blossom” said Nightmare Moon, her voice bleeding with darkness and danger. It was as if the worst thing Star could think of had materialised in front of his eyes, and it was talking. This dark Alicorn took his breath away. Literally.

“Your Imperial Majesty. Your loyal servants bow before your might and conquering valour!” Said a feminine voice, probably the commander of this attacking force. Definitely, Star thought, given the fact she was a Bat Pony, responsible for leading the initial wave of her kin. Her own dark armour was curved and elegant, almost beautiful, but her grizzly yellow slit eyes did not convey such an adoring feeling.

“You allow yourself little credit, Commander. Your charge has proven to have completely broke the pathetic defence of Celestia. They have run like the cowards they are! Allow yourself the gratitude of your Queen”. 

It was quite odd to Star that everypony but him was seemingly frozen in a bowing position, like he was in a field of statues. It further shone the attention on Nightmare Moon, and what a sight she was.

Tall of course, but with an aurora of dark energy. Pure might in her entire presence. Armour crafted with unimaginable skill clung tightly to her admittedly elegantly powerful form, and her deep eyes pierced whatever she set her gaze upon.

To her Queen’s praise, the Commander Midnight Blossom bowed even deeper into the ground, as if she was trying to be one with it. Nightmare Moon installed such a wave of fearful loyalty into her Ponies that even Star, not one serving her, felt the urge to bow himself. She seemed so much more powerful than Celestia that an insignificant worm such as he had no other option than to serve.

“Thank you, My Queen. But today belongs to you. In your almighty name we have captured this town of your enemies. Your banners fly over the ruins of the place that so foolishly defied you. Ponyville is now yours, My Queen, and with it, a blow to Equestria they will not forget any time soon!”.

Star was astounded at the extent of their belief. They truly served Nightmare Moon, and seeing Ponyville of all places captured meant so much to them. It was a stab in the heart of Equestria’s cultural strength.  Celestia would feel this loss, and greatly so.

“So it is.” Replied Nightmare Moon, a silent happiness that came with the destruction of the place that caused her so much difficulty in her last return. “My only regret is those…elements were not captured with it.” 

Star felt the disgust she spat when she mentioned the ponies, some of which he had met earlier. Understandable of course. They had defeated her once, and by taking their home, it was a personal blow that Nightmare Moon would savour.

“Forgive me, My Queen” immediately defended Midnight Blossom, clearly feeling failure on her part. “Most of them had left prior to the battle, while the others could not be found. I accept full responsibility and accept whatever punishment you deem necessary.”

The Commander almost cowered into the dirt. Such shame she must have felt, such fear for the wrath of her leader, that even with such a great victory, this failure would seem so troublesome.

“I am tempted to…” Nightmare said sadistically. “. but alas, you have performed admirably today, and I would be at a loss without your skill in future conquests. “

The Commander thanked her Queen with such relief, Star was sure she would kiss her hooves. That never happened though, almost to his amusement.

Nightmare Moon then smiled as she took in the ruins of Ponyville. A sick smile plastered her lips as the devastation, death and destruction that she saw clearly pleased her. She was proud that her once Sister would feel so hurt at this loss, so broken.

That was until her eyes finally met Star, and the poor Earth Pony felt their entire might.

Her eyes carried a fair amount of beauty, but such a quality was not reserved for Star right now. Only a look was enough for a great shiver to flow down his spine, and the literal fear of death in his heart. He was humbled, downtrodden by just a look. No magic was sensed, but Star could have been fooled. With the eyes of a Pony of legend, one of untold power and might, Star was nothing in comparison.

“Well, what do we have here?” Nightmare said, silkily smooth, but a tone used only to mask the horrors that may be unleased were the battle not over. Star was her enemy, and he could be guaranteed that this encounter would far different were he still fighting.

A small group of Nightmare Moon and her leaders then approached Star as he lay broken on the ground. The fact that attention from possibly the future leader of Equestria was upon him, such a lowly insignificant Pony, it was both amazing and terrifying. His choices, his action, even his movements, they would all determine his fate in the powerful eyes of Nightmare Moon.

“Just the remains, my Queen. Apparently freshly found” commented Midnight Blossom, not so much disgusted at him as she was bored. Surely having such a high level position would ensure such arrogance towards the pawns of war.

“He surrendered?” questioned Nightmare, creating a lump in Star’s throat as he realised what such an image, however false, would appear to her. All it took was for one of her servants to confirm this, mostly in absence of any defence for Star, and that would be the end of him.

“I-am not sure your Majesty” trailed Midnight, clearly wishing to discuss more important matters of strategy.

This satisfied Nightmare little. Unlike Celestia, Nightmare was not a pony to idly chat with. When she wanted answers, when she brought up a matter she deemed worthy, she didn’t want that discussion to fly off its rails. Nightmare wanted results, and she wanted to be served well.

Out of possible respect for the Commander however, a displeasured look was all that was given. Of course to Midnight, she might have well been lashed in the square, such was her shame to displeasing her mistress.

“Can any of you tell me what this one even is?” Nightmare’s voice was still low, and reminiscent of an approaching storm, full of wrath and destruction, but like the unpredictable weather of the world, this comparative docile state, it could change at any moment and threat could very easily turn to action. Very painful, mortal action.

“We found him. Buried under rubble My Queen.” Came the gruff voice Star had heard earlier. Meekly turning his head, Star concluded this was the voice of some sort of Captain, such was the more significant look to him compared to the others.

“You found him?” Nightmare replied, still not satisfied. “Like a diamond in the dirt?”

Her annoyance was clearly increasing. A dangerous gamble. Even Star in his weakened and broken state knew all she wanted was a clear, concise explanation that simply told her what Star was doing here, alive.  Such was the lack of care and respect from Star’s captors towards him, that they just didn’t think him worth even talking about. Yet no matter the topic, no matter its importance, when a Queen asked, you answered.

“No. Of course not! So one last time you worm! What is this miserable wretch of Celestia’s doing here?!”

Nightmare Moon was a hateful, bitter Pony. Her heart was only full of despise for anypony beneath her, but none of these lower classes would come anywhere close to how much she despised Celestia. The way she just said her name, anypony could be forgiven for believing it was the Princess of the sun who was the evil one.

Her subordinates practically cowered in response to their Queen’s annoyance. The Captain who had half-heartedly given her an answer probably was thinking his current breaths were his last. In fearful obedience though, he tried again.

“We believe he could have been one of the few final defenders when the Bat legions broke into the town.  The fools thought they could hold us back! This one is the only one alive we’ve found. The rest are dead.”

Star received an initial look of disgust from Nightmare Moon, a look shared with her distaste of Celestia. For whatever he was worth, it was only to be an extension of Celestia’s, however meagre that may be. In this moment, he was Celestia’s ambassador, the sole remaining Pony left to represent her. It was mortally unfortunate for Star that the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger” wasn’t commonly adhered to by Nightmare Moon. If at all.

Death did not come to Star swiftly though, leading to the hauntingly terrifying thought that it may come slow, as it had been initially.

“He’s nothing. Get rid of him!” then further proclaimed the Captain. 

Nightmare flinched at this outburst, but said nothing. 

“Who cares if he’s the last one! Leave him to us and let us continue what we started”.

A pin dropped could have been heard from that moment. No pony moved, and no Pony said anything. The atmosphere was deathly still, as this open void filled with the realisation of what had just happened.  Exclusion of proper respect and titles given was surely bad enough, but this Captain had chosen not to or foolishly miscalculated the forgiving nature of his Queen. He may have seemed like the gruff and uncaring working class Pony that he probably was, but never was this an excuse to act the way he did, even in front of the gentle Celestia.

Worse still for the Captain was that his ignorance did not end there. Perhaps he sensed his imminent doom and decided to go out valiantly, in some twisted attempt to not seem weak, or perhaps he was just as stupid as he seemed. Nevertheless, his fate was sealed.

Staring bravely back at Nightmare Moon he now stood, as still as everypony else, but who’s’ gaze screamed defiantly out loud at his Queen.

Elsewhere this show of strength may have gone down well. Star was sure that if this was in the working Factory towns of the North East, and this Captain showed such defiance to his superiors, he may very well gain popular support. The common Ponies standing together to not be rolled over.

This was not that place however, and Nightmare Moon was not his basic work supervisor. She was his superior, but in every single way. 

And he was about to be shown why.

“Miserable…disobedient…. abominable apostate! You shall know pain of the likes which you hath never before experienced.”

The very fact her voice was so plain, so almost unthreatening, were it not for her words, was truly terrifying. Nightmare Moon had already garnered a reputation for rage, but in it being so removed from the tense situation, this spelt only the worst of danger for the Captain.

“Eh” he dismissed, ensuing a quiet chorus of gasps and shock throughout the gathered crowd. “Whatever. If you can’t even let us have our fun, I don’t care if- “

This was the opening Nightmare Moon needed. She was the self-proclaimed ruler of all Equestria, and such rebellious disrespect was offered no chance of continuing.

“CUR! PERISH AND SCREAM! YOU SHALL KNOW NO PEACE FROM YOUR ENTERNAL TORMENT. VERMIN DESERVE NOTHING BUT PAIN!”

With a blinding flash of light, Nightmare Moon’s horn developed an eerie glow, and out of nowhere came a swift attack of dark ethereal magic, throwing the Captain to the ground. 

This was far from over for the poor Captain however, as Nightmare Moon slammed down his armoured hooves upon the legs of her fallen forsaken Captain. Screaming in pain from the sickening snap, Nightmare used this chance to cast a dark spell upon his. Beaming from her horn, magical energy blasted down onto him, very akin to the offensive magical attacks used by Unicorns in battle. This did not end him though, on the contrary. Physically, he seemed the same, but the true horror of this curse was superficial, occurring beneath the skin. Whatever Nightmare Moon had just done, it resulted in an eternally screaming victim. 

Star guessed that the magic caused pain throughout the body, but one tremendously horrific level, and one that had no end. 

So now Nightmare stood back, and wickedly looked down at her work, work she felt sick pride in. Her Captain was now but a screaming mess. Lurching violently around as he could do nothing but experience pain forever. 

This was a deliberate, beneficial move from Nightmare Moon. Looking around, Star witnessed the horrified faces of her supporters as they could do nothing but watch their comrade live a life of eternal torture, but never see the end to it. They initially might have saw a brave inspiration, but now they saw a broken soul, whose life was now Nightmare Moon’s entertainment. 

Star almost gagged on this cruel sight, but in a further development to his self-sustaining attitude, he only thought on thing.

Better him than me.

“Get this traitorous ingrate out of my sight!” Nightmare demanded loudly. However, horrified her supporters may have been at the extent of her true power and evilness, this wasn’t a demonstration of punishment that they would defy. It was a warning, one taken to heart and remembered well should they ever disobey their Queen. Instead of whipping them into defiant action, Nightmare’s punishment fulfilled its purpose. To ensure rebellion and internal strife could never appear.

Star was right in his earlier thoughts. Instability could never occur if Nightmare didn’t allow it.

Dragging off the eternally Captain, condemned to a life of damnation, Nightmare Moon took a brief moment of pause, before she returned her serpent like gaze to Star.

Having witnessed true horror, his fear was now only increased. So much so, it froze his face. He did not shake, did not cry and did not avert his gaze, and Nightmare Moon picked up on this.

“Bravery is admirable, little wretch, but alas, I’m afraid my disgraced Captain was right. We do not need you.”

It was a simple as that.

Despite her unleashing her anger out previously, somewhat relaxing her in psychopathic fashion, that would not be enough to save Star. His fate, ironically, now lay in the hooves of those who despised him through and through.

“Your Majesty?” interjected Midnight Blossom. 

Star was under no illusion that he was spared. While Nightmare Moon did halt her magical preparation for Star’s execution, Midnight Blossom to not interrupt out of mercy. Quite the opposite in fact.

“Speak quickly Commander. I do not like to be kept waiting with my judgment”.

Star shivered at this. She was right. This was her judgment as absolute monarch. Her righteous decision to find any Pony guilty or innocent of any crime she thought of. She could deliver judgment and punishment on a whim, and her “judgment” meant death or torture almost every time.

Bowing in apology, the Commander spoke up. 

“Forgive me, but Ponyville is captured, but many of its inhabitants are not”.

Nightmare pondered on her point.

“What of them?” she simply replied.

“Ahem.  Were we to show them true might and power, as you have just done to us, maybe they would be more…. compliant. More susceptible to control. Should they falsely believe they have the strength to resist, they may be compelled to fight back. Perhaps it would be wise to show them the consequences of such vile action.”

Midnight Blossom’s words were loyal to her Queen, and extremely dedicated. Star could sense her cause to be fully aligned with Nightmare Moon’s. This was why mercy would not be given from the Commander. She believed in a cause that gave no quarter, and instead of saving Star’s life, her idea was to delay his death for a more opportune moment, one to show Equestria why they shouldn’t resist. 

Yet even Star couldn’t fault her. A public execution would convey quite a strong message, as had Nightmare Moon conveyed just a moment ago to all watching. 

Which worked very well.

So much so in fact, that Nightmare was convinced. She stepped back, allowing Star room to live, for now.

“Very well” she again simply mentioned. This was undoubtedly trivial for her. The life of a single soldier meant little to her of course.

But as she began to walk off, leaving Star’s fate in the hooves of his captors, she stopped and thought.

She turned back to Star. Dominating as ever, even her questioning look was all too powerful for him. She could have been empty of rage for all Star cared, for even in that stage, Nightmare Moon would still seem a God to him.

“Pray tell, foolishly brave one.” She said, her curiosity still seeping with danger and torment. “You apparently fight so valiantly for your cause. Does dear sweet Celestia inspire such devotion? Such confidence?”

Star wasn’t sure how to respond. Was asking only out of personal wonder, or was this a more tactical, interrogation like questioning? Star was dumbstruck in thought of an answer

“Speak up! Or does Celestia just sent the brave simpletons to the front lines? I asked you and you will answer. Why do you fight?  Do you wish for Celestia’s favour? Do you seek to be under the sheets with that tramp?”

Star could hear subdued laughter from her supporters, all at his expense of course. Obviously they thought his trouble amusing, but humour also was aimed towards Nightmare’s condescension of Celestia. They laughed at their low opinion of her, and by extension, those they thought were idiots for following her.

Nightmare allowed their giggled, for a moment. All it took to silence the crowd was a glare, one who’s power was plain to see, even though silence. 

Yet it was also a glare in which Star pondered questions of his own.

Obviously Nightmare was wrong in her assessments of his cause. In fact, Star remembered he didn’t really have a cause. He was fighting because he was made to.

He wanted nothing, save from to go home alive eventually.

In fact, as he had previously thought, serving Celestia was not his wish. His opinion to her winning was decided, that Equestria would suffer prolonged and great pain from its wounds and instability. But upon thought now, this was not the only reason for his regret fighting.

In was quite clear that Equestria had been threatened many times recently. From numerous Changeling invasions, to Discord, to demon Centaurs who stole magic and even flight.  Dangers were common, and even though they had been defeated, it had not been without great cost. Many Ponies had suffered, and in some cases, still do. Even the Changeling Queen was still at large, and judging from recent events, who knew what other ancient evils were coming.

This was surely reason enough for Star to question Celestia’s leadership, but many of these threats all had something in common. 

That Celestia herself hadn’t stopped them. She actually had failed personally to do so. It was only because of the elements of Harmony, simple civilians, that Equestria had been saved. Were it not for them, then Equestria would not be a nice place.

Star respected them for that, and seeing a few in person earlier was an honour, but the same couldn’t be said when he unexpectedly found out Celestia had sent him to war. His training not yet complete, and even being sent unarmed.

Celestia portrayed herself to be caring for all, but that was not what Star had experienced. The real question was simple.

Did Equestria need a change in leadership?

“I don’t fight for her.” Said Star, his first words to Nightmare Moon. 

Her gaze firmly back upon him, she gritted her dagger like teeth, suspecting a trick.

“What?! Then your life is nothing to you? If so, I will gladly end it for you.” 

Star couldn’t have flinched at the threat, but he was determined to show no fear. His life depended on it.

“I want to live, a lot…. your Majesty”. 

His inclusion of titles seemed to somewhat surprise Nightmare Moon. Maybe it had been the case that captured soldiers of Equestria showed only defiance and a fighting spirit towards her. Admirable of course, but a quality that only got them killed.

“I was conscripted. They took me from my home! Barely trained me and sent me here unarmed. It was a farce!”

Star’s attitude and tone was bordering on passionate, despite being injured he showed great vigour, too much to Midnight Blossom in fact.

“Restrain yourself traitor! You will show our Queen nothing but- “

As Star interested himself with knowing that he was the traitor in the Commanders eyes, Nightmare Moon silenced her servant.

“Peace, Commander. Let this one voice his concerns, they may be the last thing he does before he dies.”

Star paused, almost swallowing deeply. His life was not yet saved, but that wasn’t really a concern. Instinct took over. He had no great plan, no tactics to live. He just said what he body let out.

“Thank you, your Majesty” he said automatically, gaining the smallest of smirks from Nightmare Moon. “I fought because I wanted to live to see my home again. To…I don’t know…have a family someday? They, Celestia and her like, made me fight for them, but I fought myself because it was the only way to gain a future for myself.”

Nightmare stared at him, her snake like eyes squinting somewhat. At this point, Star was more worried than ever before. His fate was practically hidden.

“So you are a coward? Fighting only because you were forced to. Vermin have more courage than that!”.

This surprised Star, who nearly panicked in an attempt to fix this misunderstanding. Being called a coward by Nightmare Moon of all, that was a death sentence in itself.

Shock and surprise hit him so hard it fact, that he didn’t bumble and stutter in defence of himself. It was almost anger that dictated his words now, as he didn’t want to be misunderstood, and die for it.

“No. I just fight because it was they who put this armour on me first, and then sent me out to die in some shit hole called Ponyville!” Star was worked up now, as thoughts drifted to the hellish conditions of his time ever since he had been taken from his home. “I had it good back home, but they were insistent on taking it all away from me! And we weren’t even seen off by Celestia! She didn’t even heave the heart to do that!” 

Star’s words were bitter and now full of hate. His voice and risen and despite his wounds, he somehow still managed to show his conviction.

“Princess”.

“What? Your majesty?” Star replied.

“Princess Celestia. You failed to address her properly.” Nightmare Moon was resolute and watching him very carefully. So much so in fact, that he had just made a terrible mistake. Nightmare Moon demanded respect, something he hadn’t given.

This was surely the end to his defence.  He said nothing, almost accepting his fate. Yet fear and regret didn’t fill his heart, not when he chastised to having to show respect for Celestia.

In talking about her cause, Star began to realise his distaste of her recently. Life wasn’t what he had anticipated it to be, when he was young, and now, because of her, he wouldn’t ever live it again.

“Curious. Even now you do not defend her. A trait I have witnessed many times in recruitment campaigns. Even from Ponies who understand the consequences of not doing so, they instead are so firm in their belief that Celestia should not rule, that they are willing to allow themselves to perish for it”.

This had not been Star’s intent at all. He had simply forgone proper titles because he had got worked up, carried away in his anger. That and the fact he had assessed Nightmare Moon with proper titles seemed to impress her, while in reality, he had only done so through his annoyance and the fact he had heard “your Majesty” a few times in his captivity, thus it being on his mind.

“Where is it that you call home? Hope greatly that it is hidden, for knowledge of your disrespect and disloyalty to your Princess will be well known, I will be sure of it. It would be a shame for any loved ones to suffer from your foolishness.”

Her words were horrifyingly threatening, and Star almost instinctively tried to counter them. He wanted to say she was wrong, to save his family from persecution. Yet he didn’t. He couldn’t. All because his life was to be over soon…. all because of Celestia.

“A village north of Vanhoover.” His reply was basic, but free of defiance. Now, even his family’s life was in jeopardy, and he didn’t nothing to help them.

Nightmare Moon paused again though. Not blinking at all. Unknowns to Star, conclusions were forming in her head.

“Commander!” she boomed, even with Midnight Blossom standing close. “How many losses did we sustain, not including our most recent loss” she said, obviously referring to the Captain.

“Your Majesty, I hardly think that necess- “

“I asked and you shall answer, Commander! If this one can answer as plainly as I desire, then you should too!” Nightmare cried out, throwing an armoured hoof Star’s way.

The Commander shifted uncomfortably, but answered eventually. 

“425 confirmed deaths. Some more than that injured, primarily from artillery fire, but I must stress- “

Nightmare Moon was having little of it though. She shot her commander a deathly glare, and unlike the Captain, or perhaps because of him, no response was given.

“425 dead Bat Ponies. Elite troops. Such a shame…. “her voice was solemn, seemingly feeling the loss. That was until she looked back at Star. 

For a moment, he was worried he was about to receive the blame. 

On the contrary.

“Perhaps this one fought more bravely than I anticipated. Commendable. “

Praise perhaps given, however untrue it was.  

Then, once more, Nightmare Moon entered deep thought. Star made no mistake, she was evaluating the true detail of his fate. He only hoped it was preferable somewhat, as in quick and painless. It didn’t want to be tortured to death.

The true conclusion however, was far as could be from these thoughts.

“Answer without doubt, Earth Pony. Answer truthfully, or suffer a terrible fate as all liars do…. Given the chance, would you forsake your duty to Equestria? To your Princess? Would you leave to return home?”

Star felt the crushing reality of the question. This was simple in nature. Did he want to live or die? 

A simple question. One heavy in consequences.

His answer was equally simple.

“……I would….”

And so, just like that, Star publically announced his traitorous mind-set. That he would abandon a cause most felt just. He now no longer wished to side with the good guys. This either made him a total coward, or complicit in evil and darkness conquering all.

Yet, just as Nightmare Moon was about to sentence her judgment, Star found himself with more to say.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I must say.” 

Nightmare Moon, in her plain and unreadable silence allowed him. Star had nothing planned, but words needed to come out.

“I would do those things…but I don’t think I would go home”.

Nightmare rose an eyebrow, seemingly genuinely surprised. 

“Oh?” she said, still as unhappy as ever though.

“I could go home, but that wouldn’t be wise, not with all this going on. I would do what I can to see they have a future, that they are safe. Celestia, I believe, doesn’t have that on her strange list of priorities, not when she sends students hastily into battle. No, I would do what I’ve been doing I think. Fighting…for them…”

A silence filled the air as quiet and empty as it had been when the Captain show his defiance. Climbing down from his instinctive height, adrenaline from his moments of truth leaving him, Star was left fearful again, as he now, once more, realised his immediate fate to be surrendered to the pony in front of him.

“You couldn’t go home” Nightmare Moon eventually said, confusing Star somewhat. “If you tried, we would execute you for the cowardly traitor you are.”

Star nearly let himself go. Nearly collapsed at the ignorant save he made himself. He simply said what came to mind, but what he had done in reality, was save himself from immediate death.

“…however… from what I have witnessed, here is a Pony wishing to fight for a better future, without fighting for the despotism and weakness of Celestia.  A true Pony, so sure in themselves. A rare enough find”.

If Star thought Nightmare to be staring at him with such power before, he was now slapped around and proven wrong. She burrowed so deep within him, piercing directly into his soul, that he could have broken there and then, and showed her that cowardice could in fact infiltrate his decisions occasionally.

“I ask again. Given the chance, would you forsake your duty to Equestria? To your Princess….to serve the one true ruler of Equestria? Would you remove the armour of Celestia and don a new colour? Would you bow before me, and serve me until the end of your days?”

Star froze. 

He was literally being asked to join Nightmare Moon.

He was being asked to serve Nightmare Moon.

Oh buck!

The consequences were clear. He was betraying everypony he ever knew. Joining the literal dark side. He could have thought of the ramifications and true meaning of this act all day, but again, quite oddly, words took over, and strange instinct cancelled out worry.

“No…I would not forsake Equestria.  Equestria is my home, but I would fight for it…. to serve you, My Queen. If you are to rule Equestria, I would never forsake it or its Princ- Queen…”

The results of his decision were instant, and very clear.

His fate had been sealed. 

With a victorious smile, Nightmare laughed under her breath, yet not in any way to cause concern in Star. She was impressed, and now, she had a new servant.

“Indeed. If only every Pony was so noble and virtuous in their belief, and noble in their duty to me.”

That was basically well done, in Nightmare Moon speech. 

Or as he now should say, Queen Nightmare Moon.

“Your Majesty I must protest! How can we trust him!” interjected Midnight Blossom again.

It was a good point. Concern and vetting should be shown towards him, yet perhaps in annoyance to her Commanders once too many time interruptions, Star’s new Queen positively dismissed the point.

“If our new friend shows any sign of disloyalty, to his personal cause too it seems, then he knows the consequences. If he shows a lack of determination to fight, perhaps his service would best be suited in the camps. Regardless, we have an extra Pony to our preciously desired Ponypower.”

Again, another good point. A good servant or not, Star would be helping the Lunar Empire one way or another. In a perhaps thought of selfishness, he hoped it would be as properly as his Queen desired.

“Today is a good day. Ponyville is taken, and we now hath a loyal and valiant new servant who understands the truth, and not the lies spread by Celestia. “ 

Queen Nightmare Moon then looked down at Star, this time however, far more leader like and a look Star felt almost comfortable in, as if he was safe with his true Queen.

“Your name?” she asked quickly.

“Oh um, Star Scraper, your Majesty”. Star said, composing himself, gaining a satisfied smile from Queen Nightmare Moon.

“Star. I am fond of the name.” she said gently, walking away a bit, preparing to fly off to meet her other duties. “The Moon and the Star’s. Fitting”.

It was then with a final look, one of genuine pride, that Star’s Queen gave him. Not pride for him however. While she may be somewhat impressed he had not begged for mercy, or in some desperate attempt try to plead to her that he should join her, Nightmare’s pride was instead reserved for herself. With one fell swing she had taken Ponyville, a symbolic location. She had decimated an enemy Division and now, gained a new supporter from its battered remains.

She had a reason to be happy today for sure.

“Commander Midnight Blossom shall see to you now, Star Scraper. Until she says otherwise, you report directly to her. We will find you a suitable role to serve me, fear not”.

That was the last Star saw of her for today. Flying off with her powerful wings, flanked by her personal Guard, the Queen of the Night departed, ready to continue her domination of the land.

With this, but with uneasy and regretful desire, Star found himself less surrounded by past enemies. Their psychotic torture of him was halted, and his life was now to be dictated in the fires of war once more, but this time, against his once friends.

Midnight Blossom seemed less thrilled about this. She obviously only wanted to see an execution and a continuation of the war. Ordering Star around like a foal was not something she had donned her armour for.

“Know this, wretch!” she stated, using her serpent eyes to intimidate, just as her mistress had. The Commander had also given him the name wretch, as Nightmare Moon had initially. This was an attempt to assert dominance over Star. Of course he could do nothing but let this happen. She was his superior officer by a large margin and not even his new Queen would save him if he were to make Midnight feel insulted.

“You step out of line by just an inch, disobey even the simplest of commands, or fight for your eternal Queen with any less than your maximum effort, then I care not to see you toil away in the mines and camps. There you will know no peace!”

A Threat from a mouse compared to Nightmare Moon’s. Still, Star didn’t doubt her conviction to see her prisoner suffer. He had cast his bets with the bad guys now, and in that, he was them until death.

He would obey.

“I have no wish to see you for any longer than necessary. Our Queen has gracefully allowed me to station you where I feel you would be…. best suited. Perhaps General Speck will be of use of you. She does prefer a more Mass assault like doctrine. Perfect for cheap wretches like you!”

Star didn’t know this “Speck”, but if she differed to the a more considered, well prepared assault of Midnight Blossom, with an en-masse attack, Star didn’t fancy his chances.

Still, he had to obey now.

“Yes Ma’am… as you command” his voice was dreary, his body suffering from his injuries and past few intense moments.  Midnight picked up on this. Yet concern was of course, limited.

“Oh dear, that looks painful.” She sneered, looking upon Star’s broken leg. “You definitely should just go away now. You’ll be needing that leg for your next taste of battle”.

Neither professional like tone nor care. Star, now being an ex Celestia soldier, would find no reprieve from his past, teasing, bullying and unfairness would be common place to him now. If he was to make it out of this alive, he would just have to bear this new storm.

“Well? You waiting for a pat on the head, Earth Pony? Get back to camp and get out of here!”

Star didn’t need telling twice. He could walk, albeit barely. His limp was already causing him insufferable pain, but in front of his new comrades, he needed to appear tough, else his uses seem more fitting to manual labour.

“Oh and be careful not to get shot. I’ll send word ahead that you’re with us, but I may wait a few minutes…or an hour”.

A cruel tormenting trial for his initiation into the Lunar Empire. A game of seeing if Star could make it back to camp without being mistaken for even his enemy now.

To help his chances, he carefully began to remove his Equestrian armour. A symbolic gesture.

As he did so, it wasn’t just an attempt to not be shot on sight, but a visible change in his fortune. Here he was, plainly in sight, showing all his relinquishment of Celestia. It was a removal not only of his armour, but his life, his values, and most likely, his friends and loved ones. He would win no pride, no love from any Pony in doing this.

He would be disowned from society, cast out as a dark individual and labelled as the true enemy.

This was war though, and Star would do whatever it took to survive.