My Little Pony: Civil War

July 1st, 1867. I lay in a daze looking up at the sky. As I get back on my hooves, I see death. I look upon a field, and see nothing but death. My fellow ponies bloodied. Their white eyes staring at the sun. A field painted dark, and red with the blood of young stallions and mares. Some were shot. For those few, it's the easiest way to leave this world.

Others were cut down by cannon fire, or were screaming from having their limbs blown off by rebel shells. Some ponies among the dead are no more a pony's shape. My face is bloodied with bits of bone and brain matter as I had to bare witness to my commanding officer getting his head blown to pieces when a cannon shell exploded in front of his face

"Sweet Celestia!"

My name is Blue Belle. Captain Blue Belle of the 1st Equestrian Royal Rifles. My account above is this war in a few sentences. Our kingdom is not as it once was. We are a land, and a kingdom divided, 'Blue' and 'Grey'. I am a Tulparian, a Saddle Arabian-Equestrian hybrid mare called a 'Big Mare'. I'm a unicorn with beige fur, and a blond mane and tail

My kind are called 'Big Mares' because we are taller than average, and we have big and healthy haunches. Thus because of this, families find us to be the most sought after for marriage. I have yet to find a special somepony to be betrothed to. Since the war began, I have seen my share of battle. It seems even with my pretty face, I'm married to war.

As I headed back into camp, I can see the faces of the wounded. Even with eyes bandaged by battle, they still smile and salute. We fight for Equestria. They fight for Equestria. We fight so that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will stay on the throne. In this war, the old tactics die and a new and modern warfare will have it's seeds planted in the soil.

"We need ponies" said General Forty-Five

"There are none left, even our reserves that we called up are fighting" said Steel Saber, commander of the 23rd Aerial Cavalry, I took off my hat as I stepped into their tent to hear the big pegasus and the handsome unicorn arguing. I have an idea, yet I wonder if they'll be willing to fight at our side "Good to see you well, Belle, do you have any say?"

I was born when the first blue belle flowers came into bloom in the spring many years ago. Now they are on the sides of my flanks as my cutie mark. I scratched my chin at a thought, "The best thing we can do is to request outside aid, call for volunteers from other kingdoms, I am fixed on the idea that our aid for this cause can come from Griffons,"

"You jest?"

"That is a foolish idea, the most foolish I have heard since this sword has been at my side" Forty-Five rebuked "Griffons, you say? They believe in nothing, and won't care for our problems, Griffons are weak, they're so greedy they would sell their own mothers for a single bit, their kingdom died with King Guto, you can try, but you will be destined to fail"

As a Tulparian, I feel they may listen to a pony that is, at least, their size. I saluted the general, even if he did not deserve it, and I left the tent. At my side is my saber, and a new revolver that is now standard issue among Officers in the army, the Allen & Wheelock Lip Fire. It seems like as the bloody war drags on we ponies find new ways to kill each other

Each warring faction has a standard rifle. For us Royalists, the 'Peabody Sidehammer' is our standard rifled musket. The Separatists or 'Rebels' carry the 'Snider-Enfield'. I paid the fare for the train to Griffonstone. Once I walked into the Town Square, the griffons looked at me with a mild neglect. Since nopony helped me, I'm pasting all the posters myself.

I got ignored until...

A griffon came up to the poster. I know this one. It was a mail-delivery griffon named Gabriella. She goes by 'Gabby'. She's as cheerful as a filly that ate one too many bonbons, "So it's true? You're looking for Griffons to help in the war effort?" she asked, I smiled to her "well then, consider me your first volunteer" now I can really stick it to the general.

"I recommend you stay at the Soaring Eagle, it's our best hotel, I can help you rouse up some support for the cause" said Gabby, I saluted her to give her my thanks. As I got myself a room, I wondered how much luck she will have? I slept well that night. A rare luxury in wartime. The next morning, I woke up to "Good morning 'Captain Sugar Fanny'!"

"Don't say that"

It really is difficult to be mad at somepony that looks so happy. I put on my uniform. Dark blue with brass buttons. Nice and crisp with my leather belt, and brass belt buckle to hold my saber and sidearm. I walked outside with her to see her success. She was able to muster up a company of Griffon volunteers. It will be the first of it's kind in our history

"Well done, Gabby, well done" I congratulated her, and I got a hug and a nuzzle on the cheek from her. Such a cheerful she-griffon. A small table was set up at the tavern so the volunteers can make their marks. Names like Gilda, Greta, Gallus, Gabby, Glenda, Gretchen, Georgia, Grayling, Gillian, Giselle, Gelene, Galena, Gavin, and many more. This is it