//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Great Equestrian War // by Thegrohingnation //------------------------------// The news had spread like wildfire. It was one the cover of every newspaper. The people of Deutschland were outraged by the invasion. The people cried for war. One hour after learning of the invasion, Kaiser Faramund formally announced the declaration of war on the Saddle Arabians. Men flock by the hundreds to recruiting stations to help combat the invading force. The news even spread across the ocean to Equestria. Twilight Sparkle is eating her breakfast while preparing for classes at the School of Friendship, when the sound of something crashing into her window jolted her from her work. Looking up, she breathes a sigh of relief to see that it was only Derpy, the mail pony. The walleyed pegasus hands Twilight the morning paper. Derpy does a goofy salute, before taking off on her route, while crashing through another window on her way out. Twilight giggles to herself at the pony's antics before opening up the newspaper. In big bold letters written across the top were the words: WAR! Saddle Arabia To Invade Deutschland! Horror filled Twilights thoughts as she continued to read on. Early yesterday morning, along the border of Deutschland and Saddle Arabia, a ferocious battle took place. Believed to be caused by a border dispute between the two nations, resulted in the Saddle Arabians seizing control of a Deutsche fortress and the nearby village of Drachenstadt. It is currently unknown the number casualties sustained. The nation Deutschland is in an uproar. Later in that day, Kaiser Faramund addressed the Deutsche people saying. " Good people of Deutschland, earlier today, We were suddenly and deliberately attacked by an invasion force from Saddle Arabia. While I had hoped for peace between our two nations, this is an act that we cannot and will not allow to go without consequences......" The Princesses of Equestria have since announced their neutrality in the conflict. "Oh no. This isn't good." She says to herself as her mind drifts to three of her students who will not take the news too well. "What's not good, Twilight?" Spike says, entering the room while stuffing his face with a doughnut. She shows him the paper, and his eyes widen in shock, dropping the doughnut. "Yup, that's not good. What's going to happen? Shouldn't this be a friendship problem?" "I don't know, this really isn't a friendship problem, but a full country problem." Twilight says, trying to push those thoughts out of her head. The two quickly finish their breakfast and make their way to the school. Along the way, Twilight's thoughts continue to drift back to the article. 'What does this mean for Equestria? Will we not be friends with the humans anymore?' These thoughts continue to plague her mind until. "TWILIGHT!!" A raspy voice yells from above. Twilight looks up to find the source and sees Rainbow Dash flying straight towards her. Crashing into each other, Twilight rolls across the grounds, Rainbow Dash; however stands there with a look of horror on her face as she clutches a piece of paper. "Ugh! Rainbow Dash, what were yo-" Twilight is cut off as Rainbow jumps in. "Twilight, its horrible. Like the whole world is ending!" "Rainbow, I don't think the whole world is end. I mean the news was a bit of a shock." "A BIT of a shock!? Twilight. They're. Moving. The. Daring. Do. Conversation. To. Next. Month! Don't you see it it's horrible!" The athletic pony cries, shoving a flyer into Twilight's face. Twilight was taken aback by this. ' This whole time, she was talking about Daring Do?' Twilight says to herself. She thinks for a minute before saying." Rainbow have you not see the BIG news going around?" "Huh, oh yeah. That's pretty bad too." Twilight just face palms. (A/N Come with me......and you'll be.....in a world where I bastardized the German language.) The students, enrolled at the School of Friendship, were making their way to the cafeteria for breakfast. Among the students, are three humans. One of the humans grabs a newspaper off a large stack, left for the students, and makes his way to the food line. Letting out a yawn, he runs his hand through his brown hair before grabbing a couple of bread rolls and jelly. "Good morning, Peter." A cheery voice said behind him, causing him to turn around. He came face to face with Silverstream. "Oh Guten Morgen, Silverstream." Peter said, greeting the hippogriff. He mentally groans at his use of Deutsche, as he was supposed to be working on his Equestrian. 'Dummkoph, you know she can hardly understand Deutsche.' "Are you ready for classes today!" She exclaims, "Oh I can't wait for Professor Fluttershy's kindness class. Are you excited?" "Nein, too early in the morning to be thinking about classes." He says groggily while reaching for an apple. Grabbing one for himself, he grabs another one and offers it to Silverstream. "Apfel?" She pauses for a moment processing what he said, before graciously accepting it. They continue on their way, getting a few other food items before settling at their table. He pulls the chair out for Silverstream because it is the gentleman thing to do, also because he has secret crush on her. A crush that his two other human friends know about. "Guten Morgen, ihr zwei liebt Vögel." ( Good morning, you two love birds) A voice jokingly says from in between Peter and Silverstream. Turning to address the voice, Peter finds a blonde boy around his age. His name is Erik. "Hör auf, Erik. Was ist, wenn sie dich hört?" (Knock it off, Erik. What if she hears you) He says, slightly annoyed and embarrassed. The others at the table turn to the two in confusion, since they don't know Deutsche. Smolder and the other human named Michael grin in understanding what Erik said. Looking over at Michael and Smolder he realizes something. "Komm schon, du auch." (Come on you too.) Peter complains. "Verdammt, ich habe vergessen, dass die meisten Drachen Tonspeak Deutsch lernen." (Damn it, I forgot most dragons learn to speak Deutsche) "Wait, what did he say?" Ocellus asks. Michael turns to her, trying to save his friend 's embarrassment, and tells her it's better left alone. "Anyways." Erik says taking his seat on the other side of Peter." Did you- ooh you did get one!" He exclaims take in the newspaper from under Peters tray and turning straight to the entertainment section. Pulling out a pencil from his pocket he starts the crossword section. The others giggle at his antics, however something on the front page grabs Michaels attention. "What's that?" He says while grabbing the page from Erik. Looking it over for a minute, he freezes up." What? No, this can't be. No, no." Tears begin to well up in his eyes. His hands begin to tremble. His friends grow worried. "Michael? Michael, what's wrong?" Sandbar asks. The others look towards Michael for an answer. Michael drops the paper and buries his face in his hands. "I can't." He mutters. I can't read it anymore." Curiosity gets the better of them, and Ocellus takes to paper. She clears her throats and begins to read. "War. Saddle Arabia to invade Deutschland. Ye-" "Wait What!" Erik yells, cutting Ocellus off. "Early yesterday morning, along the border of Deutschland and Saddle Arabia, a ferocious battle took place. Believed to be caused by a border dispute between the two nations, resulted in the Saddle Arabians seizing control of a Deutsche fortress and the nearby village of Drachenstadt." A somber silence fills the table. The group takes notice of how Michael buries his face deeper in his hands at the mention of name of the town. Trying to comfort him, Yona pats him on the shoulder. "Don't worry Michael," Erik begins." I'm sure that we'll push the Saddle Arabians out of the Fatherland." "My father." He mumbles to himself. "My father was stationed at that fort. He was the Colonel in command." His slowly filling with anger." He was supposed to be moving next month to the coast, to lübeck. He should be alive! I-I should have been there instead!" The group doesn't know how to react. The normally quiet, artist human is ranting how he should be in the army." Look it says that 'it's a act that we cannot and will not allow to go without consequences.'" "Michael, maybe you should-." "No! I'm not just going to sit here and do nothing. Our country, no our Home was attacked!" With that he stands and starts heading to the door. "Tell the professors that I won't be in class. Just say I'm sick or something." He says back to them, before leaving. The day goes on as normal, minus Michael not being in class. Of course, the gossip between the student body is talk of the invasion. Twilight makes an attempt to not have the invasion discussed in class, but it doesn't stop it in the halls. The gossip, however is not good for one mare from Saddle Arabia named, Alev. She is the recipient of several glares from the students, mostly from Erik. Alev, on her part only just moved to Ponyville with her family a few months before the school open. As the school day comes to a close, the students return to their respective dorms. As the two humans walk into their room, they are greeted by the sight of Michael packing his suitcase. "Michael," Peter begins." We're going to head to Sugarcube corner. Erik wants some cookies. We thought- eh what are you doing." Michael stops what he's doing and greets his roommates. "Ah, I'm glad you're here. I've been up here all day, and I've had time to think about it. I think the three of us should head back home and held fight off the Saddle Arabians." "WHAT!" Both Peter and Erik yell in unison. "Come on, think about it. That is our home, and our home is calling us in its time of need. I've already made up my mind. I'm leaving in the morning. You two are welcome to join me. Actually I was hoping that we would all serve together." They all stop for a moment. He makes a good point. Deutschland is their home. "There's just one problem." Peter says breaking the silence. "There's no way my father will let me join the army. You should have seen him when my brother, Thomas joined the Kaiserliche Marine. He kicked him out of the house until he was assigned to his ship." "Don't worry. Just enlist when we get back, before you stop at home." Michael explains. "You've got my word. I won't let anything happen to you." Peter stops for a moment, formulating a response. "That could work, but how will we explain it to the professors or even Headmare Twilight. I don't think that they'd be too thrilled with having three of their students leaving a school of friendship to go fight in a war." Erik reasoned. He is right. How will they explain it. Michael goes silent for minute. He lets out a heavy sigh. "Look, I had hoped that you two would go with me, but that decision is up to you. You two do what you want. I've made up my mind, and I'm leaving tomorrow morning. The first train heading to Manehattan is mine." With that, Michael grabs his hat and starts to walk out, before stopping at the door." Are we going?" "Where?" A confused Erik asks. "To Sugarcube Corner. I thought you two wanted to go." Peter face palms." Right, sorry. You just threw us off there." Erik grabs some bits, and his hat. The trio then heads out towards Ponyville. The trip to Sugarcube Corner is awkwardly quiet, as the only one talking is Michael. Peter tries to add to the one sided conversation, but his mind keeps drifting back to what Michael said in the room. 'How would I tell father. This is the right thing to do. No, that wouldn't work. Maybe, this is my home and I'll be damned if I let an invader conquer us.' Eventually the trio arrive at their destination, where they are greeted by a certain energetic pink pony. Upon seeing the trio, Pinkie Pie lets out a huge gasp. "IT'S MY FAVORITE TRIO OF HUMAN STUDENTS!" She exclaims. "We're the only human trio at the school." Michael says in confusion. "Probably the only humans she knows."Erik whispers to Peter, causing him to chuckle slightly. She went on to say how she knows lots more humans, after she somehow heard Erik's comment. 'How the hell did she hear me?' "Eh, it's just hunch." Pinkie nonchalantly explains. This only confuses Erik more as she somehow read his mind. 'What the fuck?' Erik says to himself 'You shouldn't use words like that, Erik.' Pinkie says, somehow in his mind. "Anyways," Michael interrupts to bring the conversation back." we came for an order of cookies and three strudels." Pinkie does a goofy salute before disappearing in a cloud of dust. A few minutes later she zips to the counter with the finished desserts. Deciding not to question how she made it all in a few minutes, the trio grab a nearby table and get to work on their food. That nigh, Peter couldn't sleep. His mind kept racing back to what all occurred during the day. The night is spent tossing and turning in his bed. After a few sleepless hours of doing this, he gives up. Throwing the blankets off of him he glances at the clock in the corner of the room. The moonlight is lighting up the clock face just enough to see the time. '3:48 in the morning. Great.' He thinks to himself. He's torn from his thoughts by the sound of the door closing. Glancing over to Michael's bed, he saw it was empty. When he rolls over to try a fall back asleep, he takes a peak at Erik's bed. It too was empty. Michael sat alone at the train station. His luggage bag sat in front of him. Further down the platform, a few tired looking ponies sat waiting for the train. Pulling out his pocket watch, he checks the time. "It's only 4:30. Sill got another half an hour." Michael stops what he's doing, when he hears footsteps approaching. Turning to face the noise, a slight smile forms on his tired face. "I knew you guys would come." He says to Erik and Peter, both carrying their own luggage bag. "Well we've got about half an hour till the train gets here. Now what?" Erik asks.