//------------------------------// // News among Other Things: Summer Moves In // Story: A War // by Comma Typer //------------------------------// On Friday, this letter was carried by mailpony to Princess Celestia herself in her regal bedroom of white and many windows. Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia With the onset of summer and autumn approaching fast, I propose herewith a plan to demolish the defenses of the Crystal Empire once and for all, a plan of which Your Royal Highness may think beneficial. What I propose is a huge fall offensive, meaning that we withold our troops from multiple attacks this early on. We need to train and equip them, for we cannot rely on beginner's luck forever. This fall offensive will go as planned: Our Western Coast Front will focus their energy on Polnook, the southernmost city under Crystal control. Troops too far away on the front will hold the line. Then, our Manehattan Front will push back the enemy full-scale—nothing left behind. To support this, our Eastern Navies will be bombarding coastal outposts and hostile ports. Finally, the Canterlot Front will break through the weakest points of the line, causing panic within Crystal high command. This front must have our special divisions, which is why I've ordered a move of the Wonderbolts and the Rock Troopers to the Canterlot Front effective at the end of the month. This offensive must begin as soon as autumn starts. Everyday, the Crystal ponies entrench themselves, making them harder targets to take out. Past the point of no return, we may have to resort to less conventional solutions. Your truly, General Spearhead On Monday, "The Canterlot Sun" featured a picture of a pony lighting up a large torch. Before him, many bleachers packed full of ponies, the open grass, and the many loacales, principalities, and kingdoms represented by the best of the best in an assortment of sports—waving flags. The headline news was: The Ponyville Equestria Games Begins! This year's Equestria Games kicked off at exactly 6:00 AM today in Ponyville at the newly erected Ponyville Open Sports Stadium. Despite wartime conditions, 25 groups are participating in the Equestria Games with representatives on every sport to be showcased. As of 6:22 AM, over 2,000 creatures are in Ponyville to watch the Games. Those who want to join the live audience must book their stay in a nearby city such as Canterlot, Plate, and Bellsworth, for all Ponyville lodging establishments are fully booked. Due to the war, the current Equestria Games will end on next Saturday night which is the night before the Summer Sun Celebration which will also take place in Ponyville. On Wednesday, a letter was sent to Rainbow Dash in her barracks near Manehattan. Dear Dashie, It's sad that you have a scarred eye! I'm sure that must've hurt really bad! But, one of your Wonderbolt friends wrote to me that you still see perfectly! Wow! You have such amazing health that you can beat up half an army with an injured eye because it doesn't matter! We brought you an extra first aid kit complete with bandages, gauze, alcohol, and even more chemicals that we can't pronounce, but I'm sure you can do it because you're the best hard-word-pronouncer ever! From your loving Mom, Windy Whistles! On Friday, a sealed envelope inside another sealed envelope was given to a pizzeria in Manehattan known as Hay's Pizza. A letter was hidden there. Got back. Sombra's Operation Gold Mine is real. Rolling out shortly after Summer Sun Celebration. Inform everypony, fast track to the Princesses. "Uh, what's that?" a customer in line said, pointing at the paper. The cashier grinned and dropped it. He looked over the counter. No letter was there. On Saturday, a small article in "The Manehattan Times" read: Cashier Fired from Local Pizzeria Knead Peel, a new recruit who worked as a cashier in Hay's Pizza, was kicked out today. According to the pizzeria's owner, Cornicione, Knead Peel displayed behavior unworthy of even his basic job. He has racked up a record of recklessness and carelessness, Cornicione said, which culminated in him tarnishing the name of the establishment by not being careful enough to avoid splating several customers with their own pizzas. On Monday, President Gestal of Griffonstone made a public statement that circulated much of the Equestrian press: I, President Gestal over the Griffon Kingdom, and the Griffon Council have decided upon the course of action to take regarding the Great Crystal War. Our position in the matter is that of neutrality: we shall not give aid to either side of the battle. Our reasoning is thus: We do not support the Crystal Empire in their endeavors due to their blatantly evil intentions upon not only Equestria but also the rest of their neighbors if not the whole world. Reports from conquered cities show no improvement to the life in those places; in fact, they are worse off than before. We do not support Equestria since doing so would contradict our core political beliefs and principles about helping kingdoms and empries whose ideologies and philosophies are not compatible with ours. We believe that we would be exhibiting two-faced behvaior if we choose to send our resources to an entity who we cannot be on good terms with while holding a good conscience. To dispel any rumors or fears, we declare that we are not loosening our relations with Equestria. We are thoughtful, intelligent allies that see it best that we cooperate and not fight. However, it is to the advantage of the both of us that we do not join this war. Griffons who are citizens of Equestria, however, are exempt from this. They can choose to volunteer for Equestria if they so wish. On Thursday, an image of several sheep being sheared in the pristine fields of some picturesque flatland was the headline photo of the day for "Cinnamon Sentinel". The headline news was as follows: Big Order of Sheep Incoming Yesterday, Princess Celestia ordered 10,000 sheep to be herded in select "shearing centers" located strategically throughout Equestria to meet the demand of cheap and efficient uniforms for the soldiers. Farms everywhere are urged to raise sheep for this unique circumstance. The wool gathered from these sheep would either be picked up or sent away to various clothes processing centers in the remaining metropolises.... On Friday, a letter was shoved inside a full mailbox in front of Lyra and Bon Bon's house. Dear Bon Bon, I am very sorry for not replying to you sooner. Getting swamped up in a rush of orders from the most prominent clients in the most trendy city has not given me enough time to give you an answer. I've seen the photos you sent of the grand opening of your candy store. While I am glad that it has gone smoothly, there is one thing that I have to protest against: the paint! The horrid paint! Have you lost your mind?! Those colors just clash with the natural beauty of Ponyville! Who told you that orange, green, and red slapped haphazardly over the walls was a great idea?! I demand that you revert it back to its original color immediately! Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope that it's satisfactory. From, Rarity On Saturday, in the early morning, before the sun was out, a few pegasi flew about and posted copies of this notice on the doors of each house: Summer Sun Celebration It's coming up! What a nice way to cap off the Equestria Games: having the Summer Sun Celebration hosted here as our closing ceremony's closing ceremony! Get your party face on because, after the Equestria Games are over, it's going to be a rocking time all night! Don't worry, everypony! There's no strict rules to follow here! Do what you'll do and let's make it the best Summer Sun Celebration ever! As they nailed the notices on the doors, a white figure stood on the crest of a hill under the chilly night. Her mane floated about, a bright anomaly against the dark starry sky. Princess Celestia looked upon Ponyville from afar.