//------------------------------//
// The End of The World As We Know It (Edited) 
// Story: The Great Trial Continues! 
// by Dimitri2278 
//------------------------------//

Dec 8th, 1972
Yazov's Bunker, Omsk, Russia
1300

Dmitry Yazov paced back and forth as he impatiently waited to give the command to launch. He had decided to return to Omsk as, in his opinion, it was where it all started and where it all would end. The only sounds were the echo of his boots on the concrete walls of the small headquarters, the buzz of the lunch computer, and the breathing of himself, his radio operator, and two men whose fingers were gripped tightly to their launch keys. 'Any moment now, The Great Trial will be over,' he turned to his radioman. "Any word of the evacuations?"

The man trembled as he took off his headphones and turned to look at him. His face was pale, his mouth quivered, and tears leaked from his eyes. "C-Comrade Yazov," he began in a shaky tone. "Comrade Savintsev, h-has said that all the civilians, military personnel, and equipment we could accommodate are in the bunkers,"

As he finished. Yazov used all his strength to not fall to his knees. Instead, he sniffled and could feel his eyes become watery as he turned his head to face the men at the computer, who looked as he felt inside. "Fire," he said in a quiet tone as he resigned himself, Russia, and the whole world to its fate. The two men wasted no time entering their keys and turning them simultaneously. Once they had done so, the bunker began to tremble as the rockets launched before hurtling towards Germany. As this happened, Yazov's legs finally caved, and he fell to his knees as tears and sobs erupted from him. "It...is done. You are avenged, my Motherland," he whispered to himself as the countdown to impact began. Silence once again reigned, at least, for the most part, aside from the buzz of the radioman continuing to give out the orders he had given him. 

Then, a few minutes later, the radioman turned to him with a frightened expression as he tore off his headset. "Comrade Yazov, we have lost contact with all our bunkers west of the Urals," 

Yazov and the others all turned to him with expressions of horror and disbelief. "How the hell-" he cut off as a wave of blinding light enveloped the bunker with such force all three were knocked unconscious by the blast wave.

Dec 8th, 2042
Canterlot Castle, Canterlot, Principality of Equestria
1350

Princess Celestia inwardly sighed as she sat with her famous mask on her throne as she continued to half-listen to a green mare named Marigold and a grey stallion known as Iron Harvest. Both argued about the famine raging across New Maretonia (The former USA and Canada) due to the population outgrowing the current agricultural infrastructure. Marigold, who was from the ministry of agriculture, advocated for the expansion of farmland under the current system. Iron Harvest, on the other hoof, was from a technological institute. His opinion was that human methods were best for feeding a large population. At first, things had gone well enough, with Celestia acting as mediator. Of course, she believed the mare was overall more correct, and this quickly became apparent. Especially once she had suggested that they go with Morriglod's plan. The stallion had tried to object, but, as so often was the case, he knew he was beaten, and he resorted to breaking down in detail why the plan would fail, Morriglod had retaliated, and the argument began. This continued, that is, until a unicorn stallion, wearing the silver armour of a royal guard Captain, rushed into the room, gaining Celestia's attention. "Y-Your Highness," he began in a winded tone as he bowed. "There is urgent news from New Stalliongrad," 

She inwardly thanked him as she smiled back at her guests. "I am sorry, my little ponies, but it would appear there is...other business to attend to. But I promise I will give you my answer, as you have given me much to consider," she said in a motherly tone, causing them to bow before being escorted by the guards outside. As they left, Iron considered turning back before continuing as a guard gave him a light push. Once they were gone, she gestured for the remaining two guards to close the gates to the throne room. Then she descended from her throne to meet the stallion. "What news do you bring, Captain?"

The Captain had caught his breath and had adopted a stoic expression. "Princess, I have received reports of many magical anomalies across New Stalliongrad,"

Celestia remained physically unphased, though underneath, she was curious. "What kind of anomalies?" she asked in a neutral tone. 

The stallion shook his head before looking back up at her. "We don't have any idea. All we know is that, fifteen minutes ago, we were notified of 95 energy serges all across New Stalliongrad," he stated in a similar tone. 

"Were any ponies hurt, Captain?" she said as she used all her experience to keep her emotions from showing.

Although she could see that he was frightened, he did well to hide it, just as he was trained to do. "No, your Highness. The surges disappeared as quickly as they came,"

Celestia inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear," she began as she thought of how to respond. "Have the local guard regiments evacuate the areas where these anomalies occurred. Once this is done, have the various unicorn schools aid the guard in investigating the zones," The Captain seemed to hesitate before giving a curt bow and leaving to follow her instructions. Once he was gone, Celestia turned to her secretary. "Miss Inkwell, please cancel all my previous arrangements for today," she then began the trip back to her room, leaving the mare to attend to her work. 'I may as well use this as an excuse to get some shut-eye,'
Celestia inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear," she began as she thought of what the best response would be. "Have the local guard regiments evacuate the areas where these anomalies occurred. Once this is done, have the various unicorn schools aid the guard in investigating the zones," The Captain seemed to hesitate before giving a curt bow and leaving to follow her instructions. Once he was gone, Celestia turned to her secretary. "Miss Inkwell, please cancel all my previous arrangements for tomorrow," she then began the trip back to her room, leaving the mare to attend to her work. 'I may as well use this as an excuse to get some shut-eye,'