//------------------------------// // The War // Story: A Lot Can Happen in a Year... // by The Lone Doctor //------------------------------// “The United States continues to reinforce its garrison in Las Pegaus, a city that Emperor Dainn is fighting back for. As the war escalates between South Vietnam and the Caribou Empire only time will tell the real state of Vietnam’s combat readiness, as well as Equestria’s and to an extent, the world’s first line of defense.” All over the news, all that Marble could see were images of choppers, soldiers, and corpses. Images of mutilated and starved horses. And this is something that Sunset wanted to fight in? She thought. It had been over a week since Sunset had received her orders to ship out to Equestria. Marble was still predictably tense over her girlfriend’s well being, but after talking with her sisters and with Sunset before she left, she knew there was nothing else she could do except to pray, pray and hope that God would protect her no matter where she was. As she and Maud finished up with the cooking, Pinkie walked in holding several envelopes, handing one to Marble. “Looks like Sunset sent you one, Marble. The first one from Equestria.” She said with a smile. She nodded up to the stairs, “Go, don’t worry, Maud and I will take care of this, won’t we Maud?” Maud looked up to Pinkie and nodded. Quickly, Marble wiped her hands on her apron and shot up the stairs to her room, now filled with plushies, pictures, and other nicknacks she had gathered from her adventures before Sunset left. Among them was a certain grey plush horse that was smiling down at her from the bed stand. She snatched a letter opener from her writing desk and cut open the envelope, anxiously opening the letter, hoping for some good news for the first time since Sunset’s departure. Dear Marble, Where can I start? I’m in Equestria now, and so far, nothing has happened, so I guess you can sigh in relief. Anyhow, I’ve been getting used to my bunkmates (hope you don’t get jealous that I have new friends) and to some of our Vietnamese neighbors as well. It’s surprising how short they are compared to us, but I’ve heard from the men that they fight harder than we do in the worst situations. I’m all settled in, and I begin my work tomorrow, which would be far later than it is if the speed of mail is the same. I’ve also seen some of the Equestrians here, and I hate to say it, what they say on the news is right on the ball. You won’t believe how many there are in the hospital right now trying to recover from their torture. I just wish we could do more here than what we are doing right now. There isn’t really much else to say here, otherwise I’m told the censors would black anything out for the sake of national security. So Marble, relax, don’t worry, I’m alright, I hope to get a letter from you soon. Your best friend, Sunset Marble sighed in relief. But just because Sunset arrived safe didn’t mean something couldn’t happen. And to that, she took a deep breath. Relax, you’ve done so much to be with her, you can get through this. And so, she knelt down against her bed, and began to pray. Because through hell and highwater, she’d wait for Sunset to come home.