"You can't say civilization don't advance... in every war they kill you in a new way."
-Will Rogers
Geneva International Airport 3:25 P.M.
"Aw shit, GET DOWN!"
"Get some fire on that MG nest NOW!"
"ON IT- ARGH! I'M HIT!"
"SERGEANT ROSS TAKE UP HIS POSITION!"
"Cap?"
"DAMN IT I SAID TAKE UP HIS POSITION!"
"Cap?"
"NOW SERGEANT!"
"Captain!"
Captain Ross awoke with a start to the sight of Corporal Rossetti shaking him vigorously.
"You gonna be alright skipper?" Asked Rossetti.
"Yeah, sure kid. Just... uh... just a crazy dream." Ross replied groggily.
It had been an extensive, dreary 12 and a half hour ride from the states to Geneva and Ross had slept the entire way through. Peering outside the window of the C-130 he noticed the runway was completely devoid of commercial aircraft. He could already see other military vehicles and planes similar to his landing on the airstrip. Sitting back, he surveyed the inside of the cargo plane. He observed his fellow marines chattering on about the flight over and bragging about how many Swiss damsels they could woo in one sitting. To his right, he saw bundles of equipment that his troops would use in the days to come. Grenades, K-rations, extra clips, and the M252 mortars they would be lugging around the battlefield. It was actually rather odd that the heaviest pieces of equipment they were permitted to bring to this foreign land were their compact AT4 missile launchers and those cumbersome mortars.
"So cap, where'd they say we were shipping off to?" Inquired Sgt. Avery.
"I told you Dick, Seaton didn't say anything about our destination. Only that we pack light and get ready for a shit-storm."
Richard Avery was a stubborn man and almost didn't qualify to be a marine due to height issues. Avery was born and bred in the Bronx and almost always let his accent show. Ross went through boot camp with this man and served two tours-of-duty together as Corporals. They had been good friends ever since. Though he was arrogant, prideful, and often times got a little in over his head, he was as good a sergeant as any and a great soldier to have in your fox-hole.
"Well, the men and I were talking and we were just curious as to where we were gonna be stationed. The briefing was... well, Brief and we aren't exactly happy that we ain't gettin' any armored support." He complained.
Avery gestured to the black hawk helicopters out the window.
"I don't suppose those whirly birds are carrying Abrams tanks?" Avery said matter-of-factly.
Ross chuckled lightly at this classic sense of "sarge's" sarcasm.
"No Rich, I don't suppose so either." Ross noted with a smirk.
The plane lurched forward marking their descent onto the runway. Ross could hear the distinct chatter of his unit as they skidded across the ground.
"Hey someone wake up sleeping beauty!"
"Yo Gutierrez, I got 5 bucks I gib a tango before you do!"
"You're on pendejo!"
Ross made sure his troops would look gallant when they stepped off the C-130. After all, they are the best of the best. Only an idiot would think otherwise.
The aircraft halted on the runway.
He understood that there would be soldiers from other countries out there and he needed to represent the U.S.A. in the best way possible. He even took precautions to check for airsickness before the flight over.
The green light turned on and the bay door began to open up.
Soldiers of all nationalities peered into the craft, curious to see who had arrived.
The large door hit the tarmac and Pvt. Hamilton threw up all over the floor.
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Ponyville, Equestria 3:30 PM
The meager town of Ponyville had been in an uproar since news of the changeling attack reached the humble village. The town square was one such example. Mothers were cradling their crying foals, ponies were attempting to arrange rides to a safer destination, and Ms. Mayor was caught dead in the middle of the chaos attempting to calm the crowd.
"Please everypony settle down, settle down please!"
A panicked stallion brushed by her and knocked her to the ground yet, resiliant as she was, the grey pony stood herself back up and tried to address the crowd again.
"Please just calm down! I'm sure everything will be alright!"
That was a lie. She hadn't a clue what to do. She thought being mayor was filing lots of paperwork and giving a speech every few months when she got the job. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of one familiar little dragon.
"Spike! Spike!" She began to call out.
"Huh- oh hey there Ms. Mayor! Kind of crazy out here isn't it?"
The mayor spoke briskly and orderly.
"Quick Spike, I need to find Twilight! Have you seen her? Normally she's good at sorting these problems out."
"No, sorry Ms. Mayor I haven't. She got a letter telling her to visit Canterlot a few days ago. Princess Celestia asked her herself! Seemed pretty important at the time. The others had to go too. Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie I mean."
The mayor gazed past him in disbelief. She now had to handle this problem all on her own. She sat on that thought as hundreds of screaming, terrified ponies jostled past her, not even bothering to quell the growing panic.
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Canterlot City Gates (5 minutes later)
"So why do you think we're going to Canterlot Twilight?" Said Rarity
Twilight thought about her inquiry as they rolled along the cobblestone road in a carriage. It wasn't like Celestia to write her on such short notice asking her to visit Canterlot of all places. She could only assume it was something about the changeling attack on equestrian soil.
"Huh, Twilight?"
"Oh, sorry Rarity, I'm actually wondering that exact question." Twilight said, trying to satisfy her friend with her answer till she could come up with a real one.
"Well I hope she wants us to kick some changeling flank!" Rainbow Dash noted with her usual brash tone.
She was eager to meet these invaders head-on. She beat them last time, why should she have any trouble doing it again.
"I just hope we wont have to do any actual fighting. I'm no good at that. I would just get others hurt." Said Fluttershy, in her average timid voice.
"I completely understand darling, I wouldn't dare to touch those filthy mongrels again." Said Rarity.
"HUH- what if we threw them a PARTY! Maybe that's why they came after us that time! We didn't invite them to your brothers wedding!" Gasped Pinkie Pie.
"No, I don't think that either. But this doesn't make sense. The changelings don't just attack in broad daylight! And even then, this was no mere raiding party. They attacked us with an entire army!" Twilight said, with a growing sense of panic.
"We have arrived ma'am." Interrupted the royal guard.
The pearly gates of Canterlot were just as majestic as their last visit. The beautiful carvings adorned with gems were no such thing to pass by without noticing.
"I have orders to escort you to the throne room to speak with her royal highness."
"Ah just hope nuthins' happened t' the princess." Stated Applejack.
"Or my brother." Said Twilight earnestly.
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Canterlot Throne Room 3:40 PM
Upon entering the throne room Twilight's face lit up with awe. What was once the graceful stain-glassed walls of the hall was now a large board aligned with maps covered in large hoof-tacks marking positions. The large floor that was once graced with a crimson carpet was now filled with frantic ponies pacing about and reading documents off of tables and desks. And none other than the majestic princess her self was centered in the middle of a group of military advisers, her sister Luna, and two distinct bipedal figures.
Humans.
"Princess!" Twilight called out.
Celestia lifted up her head revealing an unfamiliar look. Instead of the usual kind, motherly look she wore, it was replaced by a look of irritation, concentration, and just plain old seriousness.
"What? I'm extremely busy!" She shouted in a yell reminiscent to the royal canterlot voice.
Twilight and the others shrunk in fear at this sudden outburst from their usually happy ruler.
"Oh, Twilight it's just you. I'm terribly sorry for yelling. Anyway, it's good you've all come." She said, reverting back to her normal voice.
"Girls, meet General Taylor and Major Ingram. They're coordinating their troops while they are stationed here."
The two humans looked up and smiled for the briefest of moments then returned their gaze to the different maps and documents spread among the tables. The puzzled ponies trotted up to the group in order to more closely examine what was happening, for they had many questions and few answers.
"Princess, where's my brother? Where's Shining Armor?" Asked Twilight.
"Oh... I'm sorry Twilight. You missed him by a few days." Said Celestia in a melancholy voice.
"A few DAYS?"
"Yes, my sister speaks the truth." Said Luna
"I'm sorry ma'am, but your brother was sent to rendezvous with our men at the entrance to this world and ours." Spoke General Taylor.
"Don't worry though." Said major Ingram.
"His welfare is beyond your worries. He'll be making first contact with the General's 'Marine Corps'. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."
This 'Ingram' spoke in a voice reminiscent to a thick Trottingham accent. The way he spoke so nonchalantly about her brother. It infuriated her.
"Now then, lets get to the point." Spoke the princess.
"I summoned you 6 here because you are equestria's last line of defense. With the help of the elements, we can win this war quickly and decisively. I need you all by my side just in case, therefore, you are all now lieutenants in the royal equestrian army."
The group fell silent.
"I cant be a soldier!" Shouted Fluttershy.
"Being a soldier means hurting others and I cant do that!"
"I'm sorry Fluttershy but I have no choice. I need you in case the changelings make a move that I cant counter." Spoke the princess.
"Relax Fluttershy." Coaxed Rainbow.
"It's not like this is gonna be tough or anything. All we gotta do is beat the changelings with the power of friendship or whatever, untie the hostages, and we're in the clear. Simple as that!"
"Unfortunately Rainbow, It isn't." Said Celestia in a stern voice.
"Whaddya mean?" Inquired Rainbow.
"I mean, that Detrot wasn't attacked. It was completely destroyed. The changelings sacked the city and all inside."
"What?" Said Rainbow.
She began to chuckle as if she was just told a joke.
"That's impossible. There hasn't been a-
"Ponies have DIED Rainbow Dash!" Celestia spoke in a cold voice.
Died?
As in killed? There hadn't been a murder in equestria for hundreds of years.
"It's a good thing that our foreign friends have given us military aid. Their armies number in the thousands and we can only muster a few hundred royal guards." Scolded Celestia.
Rainbow shrunk down after being chastised for her arrogance. But War? There hadn't been a military conflict in equestria for as long as she could remember. In fact, she wasn't even aware of one since she hadn't even been born to witness one such event occur.
"We need to prepare ourselves for the storm to come. We are at War."
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