On July 3, 1943, Equestria declared war on the Axis Powers.
Like many other bronies, part of the appeal MLP holds for me is its unrelenting optimism. Equestria serves as a charming diversion, both from reality and from the more violent medias we enjoy in games and television. No matter how many orks I kill in a game, I always seem to meander my way back to the realm of ponies. It is a land of bright colors, good intentions, and happy endings. A utopia, or at least close to it. While humans are inclined towards ambition, I imagine that ponies seek contentment above all else. If there is enough, there is no need for more.
A longstanding hobby of mine is studying history, particularly World War II. And I do mean STUDYING - I read the big books and dig online for unusual facts and details. Combining the two interests became a project of mine, and so “A Great Endeavor” was conceived.
Its premise is self-obvious: Equestria exists on Earth, and enters the sprawling conflict known as World War II. But what could bring the peaceful species to war? How would they work with their human allies? What tactics would they develop, and what counter-tactics would the Germans use? Would the presence of magic lead to ruin or salvation?
Such are questions for the ‘big picture.’ But what of the individuals? Ponies at war would doubtless see their naïve outlook shaken to the core. But wouldn’t they also bring this outlook with them to war-torn Europe? Could their good intentions and gentle kindness make this very dark time just a little bit brighter?
The ‘big picture’ will be included, but the stories within will be about individuals. I could wax on and on about politics and strategy, but it is the individuals who truly make up the face of war. It was them who smelled the smoke, them who died for their homelands and ideals. It was them who saved their fellow man, or doomed him, or stood by in utter indifference. It was them who lost their innocence, and them who – at last – brought the madness to an end.
While the stories are obviously fiction, I intend to back them with historical fact. There will be no “Robo Hitler.” The Allied soldiers will not be saints, nor will the Germans act with senseless evil. The line between evil and ‘necessary evil’ can be a blurry one, however, though such judgments are yours to make.
The era carried with it unprecedented atrocities, and I believe it is irresponsible to shy away from this fact. As a part of this world, ponies will bear witness to them: as saviors, survivors, and victims. Like the humans around them, they will struggle to keep their better nature, and emerge from the war changed for better or worse. If you do not feel that such events and emotions belong in a pony fiction, then please read no further. But also please remember that this is history, and no pony shall endure that which has not been endured by millions of your fellow human beings.
With or without ponies, World War II was a strange time. Progress and barbarism leapt forward hand-in-hand. Hope was crushed, then flared again in the unlikeliest places. Nations and armies shattered in the space of days. The worst of humanity rose to power, yet this drew out the best in others, who risked and suffered death for the sake of strangers.
In these stories, the ponies are a part of those strange times. What will they find, and what will they leave behind?
May you always find what you seek.
-Dan
well said
You, sir, are quite good at speeches. moustache incouragement
Hmmmmm, now it's time for my WW2 brain to kick into gear.
WWII + MLP?
Instant awesomeness.
Normally, authors notes that take up a chapter are evil.
For this story... I really think you needed to set the tone, and set some expectations, which you did.
I just found out about this story in TvTropes a few minutes ago, looking foward to see how this story turns out.
Interesting observation. Sadly, I have to disagree , given how the ponies are written in the show. They act more like humans with a different culture than a different species acting different for genetic reasons. At the heart of it, ponies and humans want the same thing: to live their lives. How they do so is purely a social construct.
I freaking love you (No homo)
I've recently had this recommended to me, but reading the premise I'm kinda iffy. Equestria, with its magic and multitude of intelligent non-humanoid races, existing on Earth would massively change history. No matter how isolationist they were. Unless you're pulling a Themyscira and have it completely magically hidden until WWII. Even then, certain events, notably anytime Celestia and/or Luna are unable or unwilling to do their duties, would be impossible to hide. The sun and/or moon not rising or setting on time would be kinda noticeable. On a related note, I'm curious if/how you're going to reconcile real world orbital physics with mlp's magical version.
It's not that I'm adverse to the premise, I'm just unsure how much effort you've put into your world building. If it was on the level of Fallout Equestria's world building then I'd figure there'd be a lot more thumbs up. Ah well, I'll give it a shot. The worst that can happen is my suspension of disbelief breaks and I move on to another story.
This... captured my attention.
Hmm.
8718273
Well, you don't want some other violence species to come and invade your peaceful land of ur Celestia eh?