All of ponydom is at war. Earth ponies have revolted and are now slaughtering the unicorns and pegasi.
Ponies have evolved into anthro figures. The industrial period is developed because of a great new advantage that anthro figures have; hands. But right as life is thought to be great for everyone, the earth ponies revolt in a bloody war. We follow a defendant of Rainbow Dash, code named, "Ghost" as she fights for not only her life, but for the lives of all unicorns and pegasi.
All of ponydom had changed. Ponies had changed there old four legged form, to an anthro one. They still looked like ponies of sorts, they still had their colorful fur, vibrant mane, same head shape, wings on their back or horn on their head, and of course, their cutie mark. Though it was now rare to see some one else's actual cutie mark. If you show your cutie mark to somepony, it usually means that you are in a deep, intimate relationship with that pony. You were required by law to have your cutie mark worn on you at all times. Most ponies did this by wearing it on their t-shirt, or on a necklace.
Now how did this happen? Well simple. Two unicorns who both had been going to Twilight Academy of Magic (made in honor of the long dead Twilight Sparkle), fell in love. On one of their "get together" nights they wanted to try something new in the bed. They both cast a spell to alter there forms.
Well news spread like wild fire that doing it in this new, anthro, form was much better. More positions, and best of all, hands. They had found ways to use hands in the most pleasurable ways.
Hands weren't just useful in the bed though, they were good for everything. Ponies used them for cooking, cleaning, working, war, and everything else they had once depended on their mouths to do.And it was because of hands that the industrial period began.
The earth ponies had begun the whole thing. They were the hardest workers and had nothing to their name but that, hard workers. Pegasi were known for their arrogance and had little time to spend in factories when other jobs requiring flying paid so much more. Unicorns found laboring in factories to dull for them and none stayed long. They preferred a more engaging jobs that meant something to somepony like being a public service worker. So the factories were left to the earth ponies.
Cities sprang up as if over night around factories. Ponies came from all over to get jobs or present their product. Everything imaginable was mass produced. Toys, cars, tools, and everything in between. Economy had never been better and never again would be that great. And then tragedy struck were the unicorns and pegasi least expected it to. The earth ponies rose up in revolt.
War broke out all over Equestria. The earth pony rebellion, with their industrial power, had swept across the face of the globe. They mass produced weapons, turning factories that once built items of entertainment and necessity into weapon producing horrors. Unicorns and pegasi scrambled to banded together to try and repel their constant attacks. They built their own weapons, though most had never worked in a factory, and the advancement their enemies weapons was startling, but they had weapons that worked and that was good enough start. (Think of it as late WWII equipment against our modern weapons)
The question of the Fraternity, which is what they called themselves after unicorns and pegasi had joined forces, was why the earth ponies had rebelled. The answer was simple. They were sick of being treated like third class citizens. All the hard, labor intensive, undesirable, and low paying jobs were given to them for they had no wings or magical abilities.
The uprising started off small and rather quiet. The leaders would get hired into a factory and preach their message of how unjustly they were being treated while they worked, and telling them that the time to act wasn't yet here but coming soon. No pony knew exactly when the attacks would officially begin, but they were told that they would know when and they should be ready. Then they would leave, find a new factory, and repeat the proses.
Their attacks began with starling speed. No communication was needed. Once the earth ponies heard about a close by uprising, they would start their own. Before complete order began, they would just forcefully evict the unicorn and pegasi, but when Blood Hooves the terrible was announced dictator, the blood bath began.
Blood gathered his now plentiful allies, which by now included ponies from Saddle Arabia, dragons, manticores, and other repressed creatures. Then, he gave his speech. He told them that if the unicorns and pegasi weren't exterminated, they would keep coming back and nothing would change. He called for their blood, their heads piled, and the memory of their existence erased. This was known as the Blood Speech.
Now, indeed of evicting the unicorns and pegasi, they began to decapitate them. It was horrific. Pegasi took shelter in the skies only to find greedy dragons waiting for their arrival. The only sanctuary left was Canterlot. Soon the city and round about areas were filled with refugees, the only think keeping Bloods forces out was Princess Celestias magical barrier.
The good Princess has thought to have gone mad with either grief of losing so many of her little ponies, or of guilt for not foreseeing this coming. Now no one ever saw her, the rising sun and the protective barrier are the only signs she still exists.
Her sister, Luna, is now running things now. She organizes counter attacks, formulates battle plans, finances relief aide and medical supplies. We have become quite fond of Luna to say the least. She was a goddess to us.
This was the Equestrian Global War. This is how it started. This was how it all began. That is where we meet the character of this story, in this hellish time.
"Ghost? Ya still there? Why haven't you taken the shot already?" my spotter whispered to me. I had been thinking about my family back who are all dead now because of this cursed war.
"Ya, just lining up this guy in my sights." I replied as the officer in my scope adjusted to the perfect angle, giving me a clear shot between his eyes. He thinks he's safe in his trench but they all do.
My dusk blue wings on my back rustled in excitement. This was the part i liked most, when their life is completely in my hands. With a twitch of my finger i decide who dies and who lives.
Authors note: WARNING! this fic is dark and will have detailed descriptions of a lot of blood and gore. if u want a happy fic about your happy pony friends solving meaningless problems like witch pet to have, leave now. Nothing against that sort of thing at all, I'm just saying this isn't where you'll find it.
First of all, great comments everyone! I know chapter 1 was rushed and as one comment said, a lot of info regurgitated in your face. That one made me laugh! Any way, that wasn't the real story, that was all background info so all you guys wouldn't be completely lost when the story began. Imagine I didn't tell you anything about whats happened, or that their all anthro now, and i started talking about weapons, hands, cloths and other junk like that? I imagine a lot would be confused because i know I would be. Thanks again and here is the REAL chapter 1!
"Ghost? Ya still there? Why haven't you taken the shot already?" my spotter whispered to me. I had been thinking about my family back who are all dead now because of this cursed war.
"Ya, just lining up this guy in my sights." I replied as the officer in my scope adjusted to the perfect angle, giving me a clear shot between his eyes. He thinks he's safe in his trench but they all do.
My dusk blue wings on my back rustled in excitement. This was the part i liked most, when their life is completely in my hands. With a twitch of my finger i decide who dies and who lives.
I knew who this pony was too. He was First Class Colonel Rick Apple, a descendent of Applejack. He was a built stallion with a tan mane and black coat. He was sitting about 120 meters away with his face towards us.
"When I take this shot, we'll have to get the hell out of here." I said to Cloud Wisp, my spotter.
"I know, I've already pack all the equipment up. Im ready to leave when you are." They had been camped in the attic ruined farm house about 200 or so meters away from the front line. They would get to a place, like this one, where they could wait unnoticed. They would wait for the perfect shot.
No pony knew when the perfect time would come, so they would sometimes wait for days on end before the shot was fired, and once that happened, all hell would break lose.
The Socialist, which is what the earth ponies had named them selves, would zero in on the location with artillery, and turn it into nothing but a crater.
We were far away from the Celestian barrier, which was the only completely safe place left. We had a forward command station aways from here in a town called Ponyville. We would have to run for it. Even though we were both pegasi, flying was just too risky. The Soc's had Anti Flight guns that would turn a pegasus into the consistency of ground beef. We called them the meat grinders.
"Ok, im taking the shot." I said as i pulled the trigger on my sniper rifle. The loud crake of the bullet breaking the sound barrier disturbed the quiet atmosphere as if it were a dragon making its presents known.
I watched through my scope for just a handful of seconds. My bullet went right were i intended it to; between his eyes. I watched as his head jerked back and slumped to the ground reviling the fresh blood splatter on the earthen wall behind him. Colonial Rick Apple wasn't dead yet, but he would be in a couple of minuets, just enough time for him to suffer.(BEFORE I get a ton of grief form the derps saying 'a head shot will kill you instantly like on COD dont you know.' Think first. The brain is critical for your most things but, you'll keep breathing and pumping blood even if your brain is damaged. Abe Lincoln survived nine HOURS after being shot point blank in the head.) He would die though, nopony could stop that. Not even the most skilled unicorn medics could hope to heal a wound like that.
Ironic, a descendent of Rainbow Dash, which was evident through my rainbow mane and tail, had just killed Applejacks kin. What would Two ponies that had been closer than blood think about what had just happened. I had no regrets, he had led countless attacks on us and killed only Celestia knew how many.
Clouds hurried movements jolted me out of the stupor. I stood up with my rifle, and ran down the stairs after Cloud. I knew for a fact that this old red farm house with a strange pink roof would be destroyed within a matter of seconds as we left though the back door and broke into a dead sprint.
This area was an orchard near Ponyville, it had plenty of trees that were perfect cover as long as we could get to them. The trees were only 25 meters away, we had to hurry.
I heard the Soc's machine guns spring to life the second they found out where the shot came from. They sounded like a hissing cobra but with a much longer range and much deadlier bite. I knew that their big guns would be locking onto the farm house soon.
I was panting hard and running my feet raw when I heard the horrific scream of pain from Cloud. I looked back to see a scene of horror. Clouds shin had been hit with the large 50 cal bullet, shattering it into thousands of splintered pieces.
He fell forward still screaming in agony. If any pony tells you that you won't feel any pain because of all the adrenaline, don't believe them. Here was the proof, a battle hardened stallion laying on the ground screaming bloody murder. Being shot hurts like hell no matter how much adrenaline you have.
"Shit!" I yelled out loud as i dove behind a pile of earth next to him as i could hear the bullets pelting around us. I had to get him out of there, i couldn't lose another spotter. I had lost too many already. He was still there still moaning, but army crawling towards me. Maybe i could carry him at least to the tree line. From there i could support his weak. . .
My train of thought was cut short by the horrific sound of bullets landing scarily close to me. The moans stopped. There was a panicked gurgling sound, then nothing. That was my thirteenth spotter. I just laid there listening to my heart pounding in my chest trying vainly to slow it down.
I stored up enough courage to look at Clouds corpse. What I saw disturbed me despite all i had seen these past eight years. There was a pool of blood with drag marks leading to the stump of a knee that was still softly pumping blood. He has three other holes in him the size of golf balls. One in his left shoulder blade, another at the base of his neck, and the last splitting the top of his skull open revealing a fraction of his gray brain.
The sound of incoming artillery made me finally look away from my dead comrade. I closed my eyes and pressed my face into my small earthen barrier hoping that i wouldn't be obliterated. The loud explosion shook me to the core and my vision blurred.
I wasn't dead yet. Their aim was true and the old farm was gone. Splinters of it flew past me twirling their pointed ends around at blinding speed.
This was my chance. I grabbed my rifle and beat the wings on my back to help propel me towards the tree line.
I reached the trees and dove behind a large tree that had fallen over. I stayed there for a minuet to catch my breath. With my nerves back to normal, i stood up and started the walk back to base.
While i was walking, i took a moment to study the trees, anything to keep my mind off what had just happened. I noticed how evenly placed they were, as if somepony had been OCD about their positioning. They where apple trees, and would probably be delicious if apples where in season. They may even make good cider. My family had always loved cider. . .
When I finaly reached camp at about midnight and everypony was running around with supplies or weapons. The ground was muddy, the air felt gritty, and it smelt of raw sewage. This was home. I wonder if my tent was still up. It had been a while since the last time i was here.
We didnt fear enemy artillery here, we had hundreds of skilled unicorns that could deflect them easily enough if they worked together. It was a nice having a safe haven where you knew you were safe. It was still strenuous on them, and their barrier would eventually break, but it would take much more ammunition then the Soc's were willing to spend. They had us trapped so why waste supplies?
"What's going on?" I questioned a unicorn mare who was running by. She gave me an odd look that probably meant 'where the fuck have you been?'
"We're preparing for a forward attack." She replied with out stoping. This was big. We hadn't attacked in over a month. I had to go double check this with General Bright Wing.
"Where's the General?" I asked catching back up with her.
"He's in his tent as usual." She said wearily. I turned to my left and started a light jog towards his tent.
His tent was simple, army green, and the same as everypony else's. He refused to have privileges and luxuries others here couldn't. He was a strong leader that everypony liked. He was appointed general after the war started because he was one of the last living descendants of Commander Hurricane. He was usually very quiet, which is strange for a pegasus but thats because he liked to think a lot, which was again a reason he was such a good leader. He ate in the mess hall with his troops, often asking them if anything was needed like new boots. The comfort and support of his troops was very important to him.
He knew many a pony personally and always liked to hear what you had to say as long as it was worth saying. That was one thing he hated above all others. When you talk a lot yet say nothing at all. If you wanted to piss him of, all you had to do was yammer on about nothing.
Everypony here trusted him with all their souls, he would never ask you to do anything he wouldn't do himself. He was often on the front lines with his troops. His silver mane tucked neatly under his helmet, his sapphire coat standing out brightly in this grey world, his cutieand his lighting blue eyes flash with fearsome rage.
NO! I couldn't think about him like that, not anymore. We had been together before the war, but that was eight years ago. Now we were comrades, armed brethren, we couldn't be what we where once.
I approached his tent, now suddenly aware of how tired I was. I stood in front of his tent for a minuet.
"Lieutenant Star, your back." Said a friendly voice. I looked up to see Bright had opened the flap to his tent and was now in front of me. I stood up straight and put on my best poker face. "You look horrible, come on in and take a seat." I followed with out a word and sat on one of the hard metal folding chairs in front of his desk, which was covered in maps, folders, a radio, telephone, and other standard things.
"So what happened?" He said sitting in a similar chair across from me. He knew me to well to not see right through my act.
"The trip was successful, Colonel Apple is dead." I said dryly. Me and several other sniper teams had been constantly sent out to assassinate Social Officers in order to hinder their plans as much as possible.
"Where's Cloud?" He said bluntly.
"KIA. He was shot while running for cover." My voice breaking as i remembering the gruesome event that had transpired not two hours ago. The emotions of the day hit me like a freight train. I became over come with sorrow as i held back my now burning tears.
"Your a good mare, and the best sure shot we have. Im sorry about Cloud, but at least it wasn't you." He said slowly pulling out a file with my name and Cutie Mark on it. Lightning Rainbow Star. My Cutie mark was a slender rainbow star with the five points breaking into lightning bolts.
He also pulled out Clouds folder. His mark had been a white cloud with wings. Bright wrote down something in each before putting them away and grabbing something else i couldn't see through my tears.
"Here, have a drink." He said as he poured me out some golden alcoholic cider. "You know I don't drink as well as everypony here knows, yet they keep sending me this stuff." He said as he handed me the small shot glass along with the bottle. "It messes with my mind and i can't have that happen here. So anything you want to talk about?" He said in his friendly demeanor.
I drank the shot before replying. "No, I just need some company right now." I said ditching the small cup and going straight into the bottle. He nodded and started filling out paperwork. I could feel its effects already. I felt calm and relaxed. How could he deal with losing so many friends and not turn to alcohol? I wondered. Cloud Wisp had been a real good friend of his, and now he's gone. How did he cope? I would have to ask him later as I remembered the reason I had come.
"What's going one out there?" I asked in a slurred speech.
"We're planning a lightning strike on the Soc's defensive trenches. If we move quick enough, maybe we can catch them off guard and be able to push them back. If done correctly they'll have to leave heavy supplies like artillery in order to escape, and we need those heavy guns." I had been gone almost a full week, this was all news to me.
"How are we going to stop their machine guns from ripping us to shreds before we even get close to them." I was now wishing i hadn't drank so much. I bet he could hardly understand me. I had always gotten drunk quick.
"We received a dozen more Armored Assault Cars yesterday, we'll have a pair of unicorns in each. They'll form a barrier around the car which should be enough to stop everything short of artillery." He said with out looking up. Shit. If we were planning something like that.
"When do we plan on leaving?"
"At o thee hundred." What?! That was in like three or so hours! I realized he was right, you really couldn't think clearly drunk.
"Why dids ya gets me so drunk ten?" Now letting how drunk I truly was show out of shock.
"Because your not going." The words cut me like a knife. I couldn't just stay. How could I when I knew he was going?I was now standing over his desk still clutching the almost empty bottle.
"I am too gona go also!" My drunken state fueling my rage. I didnt care about grammar any more. This just got personal. I had participated in every battle thus far no matter how big or small. I provided crucial support for the charging troops. Shooting the ponies that operated the machine guns gave them time to run and saved lives! I had to go!
"You just got back, you lost another spotter, your in emotional turmoil, and you need wrest." He said without breaking his even tone and expressionless demeanor. Damn! That was why he got me drunk. I stood up to leave his tent when I blacked out.
