Posts

Everything hurts.

I can feel burns running down my wing and flank where the blast knocked me from the path. I’m fairly certain the cart hit me and knocked me unconscious from the pounding in my head and the broken hoof I had to dig out from under its wreckage. I managed to salvage what I could from the burned goods and load them into my satchel, and luckily you and the quill were among them. Although you didn’t escape without scars either it seems.

I’m managing to limp down the road towards the Bastion, if you can even call it that anymore. The dirt strip through dense trees is now a gouge of burnt dirt and smoldering foliage. The smoke burns my eyes and lungs with every blink and breath.

I can see flashes of light through the haze, and hear the occasional rumble of distant explosions. I must’ve been out for a while, the Empire must’ve marched right on by or assumed I was dead. If they even knew I was there.

If it hadn’t been for the insanity of the last two days, the thought of the Empire glassing a large stretch of forest for a clear marching path would have made me laugh. Now it makes me feel a cold fear despite the fires crackling and radiating the warmth of the Sun out to all near it. There is definitely someone powerful at the front, maybe not Celestia herself but a general of some kind. Someone who has the blessing of the Sun on their side, solar flames have a distinct heat and brilliance to them. I use a crystalized version of it to run the ovens back home.

Every step is agony, but I need to make it back. There are bound to be wounded on both sides, hopefully no one has died. With the Cursed and Undead among the ranks, these solar flames are going to do a lot more damage than their wielder might think. Hopefully the other medics are on full alert.

I’ve got maybe another hour of walking, and it may permanently destroy my hoof but I may need to run if there are guards along the route. Celestia may know my intentions, but it’s likely the soldiers just know me as a traitor given how word spreads among the ranks. If they’ll do this to a forest standing in their way, I don’t want to begin to think of my fate if I am caught. Noble or not, I’d likely face the blade for my “crime.”

Survival first, worrying about things not yet to pass later.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun. Entry 177. Hour 50 of the War.

@☬ ᏝᏆᏁᏨᎾᏝᏁᏰᏒᎬᎳᏕᎿᎬᏒᎱᎯᏁ ☬

Glad you’re back friend. Next bits should be before the 4th

Take that you magically-inclined eggheads! A simple enchantment, a small pendant and a few bits. BAM. Self-writing diary based on my thoughts. Though I must thank those same unicorns for coming up with the enchantments in the first place, snarky bastards. Small victories, Sweet Bun. Small victories.

I’m about an hour out from the encampment now. Who would have guessed dragging a heavy cart through the forest underbrush would take forever? Not me apparently, but what can you do? The camp will need these supplies likely before the week is out, judging by the supply of rations and the sheer number of Night Guards. Sure those that live on meat and blood and emotion will be just fine, but everyone else is going to struggle within a few days. Plus outside of certain thestrals accustomed to it, the fruits in the forest can be transformative at best, deadly if you are truly unlucky.

That’s the least of concerns on my mind right now. The walk has given me time to think and consider how I’m going to keep up this façade of lies and promises. It’s bound to crack at some point and at worst it could get me killed if I don’t plan well, and I doubt waving a flag of peace would do me any favors right now. Probably best to keep my intentions vague, play the field as it were. I’m still going to help out anyone who needs it, rank and loyalty be damned. I’ve never seen a pony die, and I will do my best to prevent that. Now just to figure out how to bake potions into my goods without them losing their potency and being use-

Wait. What was that? It sounded almost like…trumpets? I swear I heard trumpets just now, coming from above the canopy. It’s too thick to see through but..yes, there they are again. Louder too, from the east. Trumpets from the east…the Solar War Horns! A counterattack so soon!? They were going mad in the throne room with preparations before I fled, but less than two days later? To find the encampment and plan an attack? This is bad. Really really bad. I might need to leave the cart and make a run for the camp.

There is another sound. Crackling behind me. The wind is picking up and it’s getting war-

…Oh crapbaskets.

The edges of the paper are scorched and crumpled

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry ???. Between Hours 46-49 of the War

Dear Princess Celestia,

I have met with Luna, and while you likely know where she is by now I will not divulge that information in case this letter is intercepted.

She is safe, though I worry about her mental health. She seems to see this as some kind of test of your ability to rule under conflict. I can’t say I understand or agree with her views, but I still feel a duty to be here for her.

I have no idea if the Republic is monitoring letters sent by Sending Stone, so I ask that you refrain from contacting me for the time being just in case.

I’m returning to the front as a medic, and I sincerely hope that I will not be needed in the end. If my services are required, I will do my best to help creatures on both sides at risk to my own life in the process.

I hope you are well and safe. May this terrible division be ended swiftly.

Your friend,

Sweet Bun

P.S. I found the recipe and will be trying it as soon as I can. Can’t believe I never guessed 5 kinds of bananas. Only you would come up with something like that. My money was on Banana Chunk.

I never understood why ponies gravitate to this cursed town.

Ponyville just always seems to be under attack by some evil force or giant monster. Even with nearly 5 years of peace and quiet, there is always a sense around here that something bad could happen at any moment.

I only came here to grab supplies that the camp was severely lacking, mainly in the way of cooking ingredients. Don’t get me wrong, rations will get you through but nothing beats fresh foods for morale. Is it realistic for a war scenario, not really, but with no idea how long this is going to go on it’s better to be prepared.

Getting into town has been difficult to say the least. An old cloak from the Bastion seems to be working, but with the amount of Solar Guard prowling the streets I need to be careful. Even here in Sugarcube Corner, the risk of being caught is high.

Especially with Princess Twilight across the room from me.

She hasn’t noticed me at all nor questioned the cloak, or if she has she’s being fairly silent about it all. The Element bearers are with her as well, flanked on all sides by a guard regiment. It seems they aren’t being mobilized, just protected, or at least I hope they aren’t being brought into combat. It would be a disaster for the NLR to face them, or even Equestria if one of them got hurt.

I shouldn’t stay here too long. Pinkie keeps coming over to wait for my table, it’s only a matter of time til the guards recognize me. A bit sad though, Pinkie is a good pony. Granted I “hate” her for cutting off half my catering market, but I respect her talents and it’s impossible to dislike her. Wish I could say hello again.

It’s going to be a long afternoon, I have over 100 pounds of items in my cart to drag back to the Bastion. I would have put it in the Holding Satchel, but that would be a bit too suspicious I think. I saw a store for stationery on the way into town, maybe I might luck out and find some enchanted writing implements so I don’t have to drop everything just to hold a pen now that time matters.

I did get my letter to Celestia sent off, so hopefully that makes it to her without delay. I need a small victory like that right now, little book.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry 175. Hour 39 of the War.

My meeting with Luna went much differently than the one with Celestia.

There were no advisors and generals in the throne room when I entered, there were maybe a few guards just as a security detail but they did not make a move as the Princess nearly tackled me into a hug.

It was nice, I will admit, to see she legitimately cared that I was there before her unharmed. I returned the hug without question, no matter what has happened I still love and respect her more than anyone.

We stayed like that for some time, just embracing. We it finally broke I was able to get a better look at her. The armor had replaced her regalia, pale blue that shimmered with stars innumerable in every fleck of light. A claymore sat in a sheath at her side, ready at a moment’s notice to cut someone to size. I still wonder if she would go that far in the end, blood had already been spilt afterall.

I decided it was best to waste no time in asking for details on what happened, why all of these preparations and attacks. Just as she always was, she was forthcoming with her thoughts and reasonings.

“Our sister has grown lax and complacent in peace. Not a touch of major conflict has made its way to Equestrian soils in quite a long time. It’s only a matter of time before one would happen, and we are not ready. Nobles demand budget cuts to military assets and assigning of guards to useless formal functions, and she relents despite our own opposition. We feel as if her judgment is clouded, that after a thousand years of singular rule and a short while of sharing the throne she is not fit to lead Equestria when conflict arises. This rebellion is barely more than a test of that fitness, we need her to prove herself ready for what comes.``

That’s all. Just a test? To say I was furious was more than an understatement at that moment. Ponies have already died, and others are more than eager to kill at a moment’s notice, and to her it was all just a test? It makes no sense. I have seen the preparations in Canterlot, how could she have not?

“Creatures will die, that is a part of war. We are leaders, meant to protect every last of our citizens, even if it means taking a life or many. That is what I fear for Celestia, that her hesitations would lead to more preventable death. We will mourn the ones lost in this, but we pray she does not let that happen.”

It was bullshit, loose reasoning at most and damn near stupid all together. How could she think this was the correct course of action? What idiotic archaic thoughts. Part of me now wishes I would have said that to her. Maybe knocked some sense into her, but that would have been a death wish in her current state. Despite the friendly demeanor, the soft spoken words with weight given to each one, there was something off in the way she acted. Something sinister brewing behind her eyes, dark and fearful.

I lied to her, saying I understood what she felt. Gave her loose words of comfort instead of the harsh ones I wanted to give her. Maybe it was a mistake to do that, I won’t know until this is over.

I left with a promise I would visit her as often as she wished while I was here. I knew I would have to pull my weight in some way so I asked to be added to the ranks as a medic and cook. She agreed without hesitation, and so a Captain I became once again. We hugged once more and the Lieutenant lead me to the barracks.

I know in the back of my mind that there is something off with Luna, but I dare not speculate as to what. That darkness behind her eyes scared me, like I was looking past her soul into another, but the worst part was the kindness in her eyes. She cared for Equestria, cared for her sister. She doesn’t want war as much as anyone else, but for reasons I cannot fathom she sees it as the only course. Hopefully her mind changes soon before she does something she’ll truly regret.

This wing of the barracks is quite a mixed bag. Down the hall was a make-shift hospital, beyond that was a small cafeteria for the wounded. Several other groups sharred the rows of barracks, most sitting with doors open and creatures having fun during their rest. It felt like an old college dorm, save for the side hall set aside strictly for the Night Terrors and Luna’s personal guard details. That hall remained nearly silent from what I was told.

My stuff had been brought up from the medical tent and left by a bed along with medics armor and the sending stone I requested. The place wasn’t much but it was better than nothing I guess. My roommates are both fruit bat thestrals, both part of the kitchen detail as well. They seem like good ponies. Maybe friends when all of this is over and done with. Who knows?

I should probably send a letter to Celestia soon before another attack happens. Either way I’ll need to hunt down a new pen, this one is starting to run low.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry 175. Hour 35 of the War.

I sometimes wish I had been born a unicorn, or at least added runic magic to my education at some point. Wouldn’t mind writing my thoughts down in the moment rather than waiting and trying to describe every thought in my mind that became replaced by another just as quickly, but it’s rather clunky to write by hoof while you’re trying to walk.

The interior of the Bastion is surprisingly large for the ruins it was built on. I still cannot fathom how much work they’ve done on the place in such a short time. Iron covers most of the walls, held in place by bolts half the size of any regular pony and weighing thrice as much. Enchantments flow over most of them in wisps of pale teal aether, serving to fill the hall with the same light as much as they do to add magical protection to the structure. The ceilings stood around 30 feet above me, I could vaguely see movement and the faint glow of eyes in the darkness, thousands of thestrals using the crossing support beams as resting places.

Much like in Canterlot, the main hall was flurry of activity. Soldiers carried crates of bullets, cannonballs, spell canister grenades, and other terrifying munitions. Some of which I swore were illegal, or at the very least unethical by most standards. Others were practicing with close-quarters weapons, slashing through training dummies with electrified claws and swords I could never dream of wielding without being crushed by their weight. All the hallmarks of a nation ready for whatever Celestia could throw at them. There were some things that disturbed me on a level I have never felt.

Creatures of all shapes and sizes walked the halls in floor length robes, flipping through spellbooks and mixing various ingredients at potion stations. Stuff one might assume was fairly normal, but even I could feel the energy coming from the spells they were practicing. It came off them in waves, making me break out in a cold sweat as we passed by them. My eyes locked with one of the mages and it felt like my very soul had turned to ice. Their robes were colored in a way similar to the ancient flag of the NLR, dark blues and blacks in swirling mists adorned with bright stars. Cultists, no doubt, bringing their forbidden magicks to aid the being they paid tribute too. The very one that had been destroyed by six friends long ago. Why Luna would ever allow these psychopaths into her midst baffled my mind. The Cursed I understand, they couldn’t help what they are and many do not deserve to be destroyed by those seeing them as nothing but abominations. Cultists, especially ones trying to bring about the return of everlasting night, are never anything but trouble waiting to happen.

Away from them I encountered a couple of members of the so-called Night Terrors, though I didn’t get the chance to speak with any of them. They seemed like they could be a friendly bunch outside of war, most of them anyways. I got a quick glance from their leader, a thestral who went by Dark as I later learned, and I felt the urge to flee. They didn’t seem like they were a bad creature, far from it, but there was something off about them. Ancient, primal, predatory. I felt like a gazelle staring down a hungry manticore at dinner time. Once the glance was gone, so was the feeling, though part of me still glances down the hall where they are addressing their troops as if I almost expect them to appear in front of my face in the blink of an eye.

I heard from the Lieutenant guiding me through the halls that there had been a number of defectors running from the Empire in the last few hours, and much to his dislike a many number of the Night Guard had chosen to flee or stay behind in Canterlot. Rat was a name that came up among the ones choosing to side with Celestia. I vaguely remember them, another creature as unusually skilled and driven much like the Red General, one I never got the honor of meeting in person but heard of their accomplishments. With Flux and Rat by Celestia’s side, even by themselves, maybe this war will end without too much bloodshed on sheer will alone.

Whatever the reason for this rebellion, it leaves the Night Guard with an uphill battle the way the chips are stacked.

My meeting with Luna is to start soon, the Lieutenant mentioning that she demanded my presence as soon as my name was brought up to her. I wonder if that is a good or bad thing? She cared enough about our friendship and my service to her to warn me about the initial attack on the Castle, so maybe it will be a good talk. Maybe I can finally make sense of the reasoning behind all of this, though I imagine I may be a bit miffed if it’s over something extremely petty.

Getting mad with one princess and betraying another in the span of a day? That’s got to be some kind of record.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry 174. Hour 32 of the War.

Seeing them in a panicked state is upsetting, it doesn’t sit on their face well to me.

The Wonderbolts made these high-speed flights look easy. Every flex I’ve felt in my wings this morning leaves me with an ache unlike any I have felt before. Basic training didn’t even feel this bad in the beginning.

At least the food the medics had bought for me was good, though I’m not as keen on mango fruit salad as some of the herbivorous thestral around are. They tend to go crazy for the stuff, but I do not see the appeal of breakfast without fresh muffins and a nice cup of herbal tea. Call me an old-fashioned mare if you’d like, book, you cannot argue with a tried and true combination. Well you can’t really argue at all to be frank.

I struggled to get out of bed against the advice of the medics, though I assured them I would take it easy and just walk for now. I prefer walking over flying, honestly. Gives me a strange comfort in being grounded, while the rush of the skies felt too wide most times. I flew enough last night to last a small lifetime anyways

I would have called it morning when I stepped out of the tent, but I could not really tell with the perpetual twilight that hangs like a fog beneath the canopy. A humid mist hung in the air from the rains, dark shapes morphing and disappearing as they moved about at a rapid clip. The Night’s Guard was the most diverse of the Royal Guard by its very nature. Thestrals, ponies of all races, creatures of all kinds who have been cursed by the dark magicks that linger in the Wilds. The strigoi, the lycans, the carnivores and the undead. They always had a place to call home under the dark side of the Moon.

The ruined town was bustling with activity. Unicorns raced to cast their enchantments, airborne and earthbound alike working to fortify the run down buildings into defensive shelters. The Cursed wandered the edges of the town, I imagine to drive away anything looking to make a quick meal of some unsuspecting patrol in the cover of the mist.

And above it all stood the castle, not unlike a small version of Canterlot Castle, had transformed overnight from the ruined state I saw on my flight into a fortress of metal and magic. A gothic monument of steel offering its shade to all of those who asked for its protection. Cannons mounted proudly along its wall in a show of force. It’s oddly beautiful in its own right, much like Luna herself. A little ragged around the edges and needing some serious TLC, but willing to take and give forces unimaginable to protect those they harbor.

The only blemish is that flag, flying high and proud from the tallest tower like a tumor. The ancient flag of the New Lunar Republic, lacking the nightmarish motifs of old in favor of a sigil of wings and stars. Equestria is truly divided among the lines of faith and loyalty once more. The offer of protection it gave, as if Luna herself were extending her wings to bear the brunt of it all, was not a comfort.

I spoke with a few of the creatures I met along my walk, gathering what information I could on the state of affairs here. It’s going to be important to know what’s coming from now on, know who I’m fighting alongside, try to get an understanding of a world I had not been a part of for a better part of a decade.

Forces of all kinds had been mobilized for this conflict. The name “Night Terrors” came up a few times, must’ve been some specialized team recently formed but they seemed to speak of them highly, however talk of the leader of the group was met with stern looks from the other guards. Never got their name, maybe I’ll meet them sometime.

The current tactic in play was to wait and fortify. A counterattack was of the greatest concern. While minimal lives were lost in the initial attack on Canterlot Castle, a full scale counter attack would be much more deadly. Especially if Flux was among the ranks leading the charge.

Finally I learned about a group of captured Solar Guard that had been taken during the escape. No one knew what the exact plan for them was, bargaining chips for the captured Night Guards back in Canterlot most likely. Maybe I can convince Celestia into negotiations for release from both sides.

That’s another thing that worries me now. Sending a letter by conventional means would risk another accusation of treason, and the creatures here would be more likely to act immediately than to let justice be served through the systems. I’ll talk with some of the artificers later, see if a Sending Stone could be acquired from their stocks. I’ll wait on that until I talk with Luna. Making my return into the ranks will keep the suspicions off me.

I can see the Lieutenant coming back towards the medical tent now, hopefully to lead me to a meeting with her. We’ll just have to see.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry 173. Hour 31 of the War.

Rain is a welcome sound. As much as I love a bright sunny day or a calm night, the rain brings it’s own sense of calm. I can hear it beating down on the thatched roof above my head as I write.

I managed to make the flight In record time, though I suspect I will be feeling it in the morning. 83 very long and draining miles through clear skies and fair winds. If it had been any other time I may have enjoyed a trip like that, taking my time to see the sights along the way. Too dangerous and not important now.

My guess about a gathering point in the forest was a correct assumption, and I’d managed to find the gathering Night Guard forces much faster than I had anticipated at a ruined town in the depths of the sea of trees maybe 12 miles in. Spotting lights moving in the near total darkness of the forest floor was rather easy after all. As well as the ruins of an old castle being fortified in record time.

The medical encampment gladly took me in after the journey, any suspicion of me halted by my old Guard ranks I had brought along. I’ve been resting here ever since, my wings on ice to prevent them from locking up as much as possible by morning and salves for the windburn reaching beneath the feathers.

I had been questioned by a couple of the commanding officers about my late arrival. I told them only a half truth, Celestia had me locked up for being a traitor and I managed to escape during a riot in the dungeons.In truth, as I have written before, Celestia herself let me go.

She had come to talk with me a few hours after I had been locked away. Her face had lost all the harshness she had worn like a mask in the throne room. It had taken some convincing to have the visit be private, her guard being reluctant to let her out of sight for even a second. When they did finally relent and leave, I nearly broke down in sobs as I hugged her, begging and pleading for her to forgive me for my words. Not the cries of a convict asking for leniency but of a friend making up for wrongdoings.

She forgave me almost instantly, suspecting that I hadn’t been truly forthcoming with my act upstairs. It still took me nearly 20 minutes to finally calm down. We talked for a while afterwards. I told her of my fears, my concerns for Luna and her wellbeing, the thoughts in my head that meant doing what I had too in the presence of all the others. She spoke to me of her own fears of the same, that the Nightmare could be influencing her once again. She was shaking at the thought of having to do something like that to her sister once more if it came to it, but she had to fight on to protect the nation from whatever was about to happen.

“Even if it means having to strike down my flesh and blood once more under the old flags of division.”

I don’t feel comfortable mentioning more than that, even in something as private as you, little book. Somethings deserve never to be spoken of again, like the two friends pouring their hearts out to each other.

Things happened quickly after that. She passed along to me an enchanted bag that could hold many times it’s space in items, broke the cuffs binding me and the barred window that let in nothing but the smallest of breezes. She asked me to flee, find Luna, make sure she was alright, send word when it was safe to do so. She would make it look like I had escaped by surprise, we were both unsure if it would be believable to the guards.

“Uphold the Oath of Loyalty and Honor you took, if not that then do this for me my friend. Make sure Luna is safe.”

So I fled with her words in mind, stopping by the bakery just to grab the essentials. My old ranks and rapier, a few books on medicinal herbs and first aid, recipes collected by my family for generations, and a few other items of importance. From there it was just the matter of escaping Canterlot and making my way here.

And now I lay in this bed and wait, the waiting was always the worst. I had requested private audience with the Princess, under another lie of information from Canterlot. The young thestral, a Lieutenant, gave his word he would try, gave me a salute and left. I didn’t bother with one back, I wasn’t a Captain anymore, and I was too tired to even try. I must try to rest for now, the rain sounds like it’s beginning to let up. Maybe I’ll get some sleep tonight, but I imagine not.

Celestia did leave me one more present in the bag. The recipe she had been hiding from me for months. Quintuple Banana Nut Muffins.

Might have to try them sometime soon.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry 172. Hour 25 of the War.

I do not have much time, things are happening so quickly I can barely process them. Just a quick entry in case I do not reach my destination.

I’ve been flying for 4 hours now as fast as I can. Celestia herself let me out of the dungeons, told me to flee Canterlot as quickly as I could. I’ll have more time to explain when I reach my destination.

I’m heading to the Everfree Forest near Ponyville, I assume that’s where the rest of the Night Guard has fled too, and hopefully Luna herself.

Celestia declared a state of martial law under the old banner of the ancient Solar Empire. The streets and skies will soon be flooded with soldiers, I have to keep moving. 27 miles down and another 56 to go before I reach the Everfree, who knows how many more searching for signs of life.

If I happen to lose my life during this escape, please bury me somewhere warm and give this journal to Celestia.

-Diary of Countess Sweet Bun, Entry 171. Hour 19 of the War.