October 31st, 1008, 1300 hours
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Ponyville Train Station, Ponyville
As Twilight stepped off the train, she immediately went to find her friends to call them to the castle to talk about Celestia's new assignment: peace talks in Ponyville to end the war that ended another world.
She’d already read the list from top to bottom multiple times on the train, yet she couldn't help but reread it every short while.
"You know, maybe you should just relax for a bit," Spike suggested, "I get that you’re still pretty bummed from the press, but, you should at least try to relax for an hour or so."
Twilight replied, "Thanks, Spike. I'm just worried about the possible outcomes if this fails. This would mean that humans would return to their old ways, and even Equestrian blood could have to be spilled over this."
"Can't argue with that." Spike sighed.
As they walked through Ponyville to get to their castle, they ran into Mrs. Cake, who seemed eager to tell Twilight something.
"Twilight, remember all those humans being reported in the newspaper? One of them just came to my shop!" She said gleefully.
"Wait, He's AWAKE!" Twilight shouted, "What happened?"
"Oh, nothing much. He walked in with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, we had a pleasant chat, and he thinks my cupcakes are delicious!" Mrs. Cake recalled gleefully, "I also know for sure that humans don't eat fillies!"
Twilight, now more paranoid than ever, asked, "Where did he go next? Did he cause panic?"
"Oh, relax, dearie! He's not even causing any trouble. If anything, I remember he's supposed to see the mayor next. See you later!" Mrs. Cake said as she trotted away.
Twilight immediately started to make her way to the town hall, where she ran into the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Oh hey, Twilight! You wouldn't believe what happened today. Rainbow Dash managed to capture a human! " Scootaloo said gleefully, "and guess what, he didn't eat us!"
"Yeah, he's really nice!" Sweetie Belle added, "Although he could really use a bath ..."
"Kinda a shame humans don't have cutie marks..." Applebloom muttered, "But he bought an apple from me and said it was the best he ever had!"
"Is he headed to the town hall?" Twilight asked.
"Yea! He said he was going to meet the mayor!" Scootaloo said, with Twilight replying saying “Thanks girls!" And the CMC in unison, responded by saying “Catch ya later Twilight!"
Then, Twilight returned to rushing toward the town hall as the CMC went toward the arts and crafts store.
-Meanwhile, at the town hall-
"Welcome to Ponyville, Mr. Philps. Would you care for some tea?" Mayor Mare asked as the clerk set down a tray of tea and two cups on the table, "I'm sure Ponyville has treated you well?"
"Yes, it has." Tom set aside his rifle on the couch, "And call me Tom. No need to be that formal."
"I insist, Mr. Philips." Mayor Mare said as she added sugar to her tea, "Tell me, what do you think of Ponyville and its residents?"
"I like it here. After all this is over, I might even move here." Tom replied as he blew on his tea, "It has a good location, the people are nice, and the scenery is beautiful. What's not to love here?:"
"I'm glad you think that way, mister." the mayor took a sip.
"It used to be similar to this back home. Well, without the ponies, all the colors, then change the building style and add a lot more firearms, then you get the stereotypical American town."
At the same time, outside the sound-proofed office, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie noticed Twilight barging in.
"Woah, Twilight, slow down! Where's the fire?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"T-the human! Is-is he causing any trouble? Did anyone come and claim him yet? Is he dead?" Twilight grabbed Dash and asked.
"Relax, Twi. Tom is doing just fine. In fact, he's in there being welcomed by the Mayor!" Rainbow pointed at the Mayor's office.
"Yeah! I can't hear what's going on inside, but I'm pretty sure they are having a nice chat!" Pinkie said in her usual hopping manner.
Twilight let out a sigh of relief, "Can I go in?"
The clerk outside the office nodded and activated the intercom, "Mayor, Princess Twilight Sparkle would like to enter."
"Tell her she can come in." The Mayor replied in the intercom.
The office door opened, and Twilight saw the human sitting on the couch opposite the Mayor.
"Ah, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I assume? PFC Tom Philips, 10th Mountain division."
"Wait...how did you know my name? Did Rainbow Dash or Pinkie tell you?"
"It was Starlight Glimmer, actually." Tom extended his hand for a hand-hoof shake.
"Oh! Ah...I see, em...I am Twilight Sparkle, Just call me Twilight." Twilight shook Tom's hand.
"Well, Princess Twilight, is there anything you would like to tell me?" Mayor Mare said as she invited Twilight to sit down.
Twilight took out the list and handed it to the Mayor, "Indeed, yes, Princess Celestia wants us to hold peace talks that will formally resolve humanity's previous war. They will talk it out in Ponyville."
The Mayor’s immediate reaction was to first appear shocked, then second, moan in annoyance, mumbling “I wonder what will go wrong this time”
"Can I have a look?" Tom asked as Spike gave him a copy, "Let's see here...Jimmy Carter, President Reagan, and my boss in the Army, General Edward C. Meyer. Familiar names. The rest, however, I have no idea."
"Okay, great, now, Mr. Philips-"
"Tom, Just call me Tom, your highness."
"Oh, right. Tom, after you finish talking with the Mayor, I think you should come back to the castle. We could seriously use some of your help for this," Twilight said, looking back as she left the office.
After the door was closed, Tom turned to the Mayor, "Is it always like this in Ponyville?"
"You have no idea, Mr. Philips." The Mayor sighed, "We seem to be enjoying the bulk of the action here in Equestria. One time paraspites almost wiped the town off the map…"
"The what now?"
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"Ooh! Are we gonna hold a party for the high-ranking humans? What music should I play? What balloons should I use? Wait, what cupcakes do you think they will like?" Pinkie Pie excitedly asked, "How about cinnamon rolls?"
"Pinkie, most of the representatives participating in this are well over the age of 50, not to mention some are already well on their way to their seventies or well over." Starlight Glimmer said with her usual forced smile, "I don't think we can add the idea of wild parties with dubstep and flashing lights."
"Awwwww..."
"Hey, how about a Wonderbolts air show? That is going to be AWESOME!" Rainbow suggested.
"That..can be arranged, actually," Twilight agreed, "how about some sightseeing to go with it? Having them see what friendship can do could be beneficial to the talks!"
"...I think the animals would prefer fewer snooping journalists and even fewer camera flashes..." Fluttershy added.
"Ah suppose y'all want me to set Sweet Apple Acres up for them to visit, doncha?" Applejack leaned forward on her throne.
"I wonder if I can show them my latest creations in fashion...Wait! Maybe invite them to the opening of my new boutique in Manehattan!" Rarity exclaimed, but quickly got rid of the idea as Starlight tapped on her shoulder and shook her head.
"Pinkie, have you considered setting up Sugarcube corner for the representatives for lunch?" Twilight asked, "I don't think they will react strongly to the food they don't like, unlike last time when we had...less tolerable guests."
"Ooh! Ooh! That's a GREAT idea, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie bounced up and down in anticipation.
"That's good and all, but what about security? Should we allow them to bring their armed guards, or should we provide them?" Starlight asked.
Rainbow Dash joined in, "What tricks should I show them? How awesome should the show be? I know a sonic rainboom is in order but should I add one more?"
"Can we...maybe limit the number of journalists near my cabin? Neither the animals nor I really like facing the press." Fluttershy said as she read the Ponyville Express head page of yesterday's press conference featuring Jimmy Carter, General Edward, and Twilight Sparkle.
"Oh, darling, that's a wonderful idea!" Rarity replied to Fluttershy, "That way, the unwanted journalists from you can visit my Boutique!"
Twilight considered passing out from the sheer amount of voices and pure stress.
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November 1st, 1984, 0900 hours
Marshal Sergey Fyodorovich Akhromeyev
Soviet Armed Forces
Confrence room C of the North Harbor Hotel, Vanhoover
"Well, comrades, I really don't get why the mayor of “Vanhoover” would change locations overnight." Marshal Akhromeyev asked the whole room, "I get that the camp is in terrible shape, but even royalty like Princess Cadence had the courtesy to visit us herself! What makes him, as a municipal leader, think he is above royalty?" he exclaimed as he slammed his fist on the desk.
"Come on now, comrade Arkhromeyev, the mayor did say that the change in location is supposed to be for security reasons. Why do you think he's decided to rent this entire floor for tonight's meeting?" Dmitry Yazov turned to his fellow marshal, "Although I'd admit, this entire thing smells a bit fishy, how come it's not a government building he's meeting us in?"
General Alexander Altunin added, "you're not wrong on that one, but they didn't stop us from bringing armed guards, did they?" He said as the MVD Spetsnaz commandos in officer dress uniforms behind him nodded.
"Still, comrade Altunin, something smells rotten with this entire thing." Arkhromeyev sighed. "Why did you think we all wore bulletproof vests underneath and carried sidearms?"
"It's the water and electricity supply he is threatening us with, comrades," Yazov added, "but if it is really about this, why not have Ryzhkov or Yakolev come, but us?"
"Quiet, the mayor's coming in." General Vladimir Govorov said as the door opened. Everyone sitting immediately stood to attention and faced the door.
The mayor, a blue earth pony with a grey mane and a suit with a bow tie, walked in with what looked like the municipal cabinet. "Good evening, mares and gentlecolts. I am mayor Cyan Collar." the mayor announced in an aristocratic tone, "please, have a seat."
As everyone sat down, Akrhomeyev immediately noticed something was off. Most of the municipal cabinet looked confused, and the ones that weren't were the mayor, the chief of police, and the secretary.
"I know a lot of you may be unhappy about the sudden location change, but don't worry. This is for the better." Mayor Collar spoke first, "This change is made because Changeling infiltrators have been found near the camp."
"What is a changeling?" General Govorov leaned forward and questioned, "and why should we be concerned?"
"You see, the changeling is a type of pony that can change into whatever form they like. They feed off love from the other ponies. The way they do it? Infiltration." The police chief explained. "If one is found, that means there are usually more nearby. We could not risk the possibility of them ruining the evening."
"Anyways, what is it that you decided to summon us here for today?" Yazov asked.
"We are going to be discussing about disarming your forces." The mayor replied in a cold tone.
The confused half of the cabinet looked even more surprised, some looking at their notes high and low while trying to ask the mayor something, albeit refused.
The Soviets looked at each other in confusion and anger. Then it was Akrhomeyev who spoke first, "What the fuck did you mean, disarmament?"
"Watch your language, human." The mayor pointed at the marshal, "we have intel of you Soviets planning to take over the city of Vanhoover, dispose of us, and set up a pathetic government ruled by humans-"
"Ty Vresh'!" Akrhomeyev shouted as he slammed on the desk with his fists, "the intel you have is complete horseshit!"
"I refuse to believe that. What proof do you all have?" Altunin questioned.
"I have them right here," the secretary said as she distributed the folders to the generals and marshals.
As the humans read through the folders in complete anger and fury, Mayor Collar said as he slowly trotted behind. "We also know about your plans to collaborate with the changelings, planning to lead them south as you stage your coup. This is simply not going to happen."
The police chief stood up, "however, we are willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself from this treacherous situation. You either sign the agreement to disarm your ground, naval, air and police forces or..."
"Or what?" General Govorov said in a threatening tone, "You're going to sprinkle pixie dust on us?"
"...unforeseeable consequences will happen." the mayor finished the sentence. "You have 15 minutes to consider this."
After the statement, the mayor signaled everyone to get up and leave the conference room.
"Hey! Get back here! You son of a bitc-"
The door slammed shut as Yazov attempted to follow out, and a locking sound could be heard. He then heard multiple rifles cocking and footsteps outside, sounding like armed personnel setting positions.
"Fuck!" Yazov shouted as he kicked at the door.
"Do we attempt a breakout?" Govorov pulled out his Makarov PM as the commandos chambered their AKS-74U rifles and readied themselves for what was to come.
Altunin sighed, "What are you, deaf? There are armed guards outside that door just waiting for that to happen!"
"Hold your horses, comrades. Got something here." Marshal Akhromeyev said as he picked up a note on the ground.
To the soviet delegation team:
The mayor, his secretary, and the police chief aren't themselves today, along with the guards here. They don't even speak a word. I suspect they are changeling infiltrators. I'm calling backup from the local garrison and police dept. Expect backup in at least 30 minutes.
-Rosy Needles, Municipal health minister
"Now this makes much more sense," Yazov gritted his teeth while chambering a round in his pistol, "but how do we drag on the meeting until reinforcements arrive?"
"Stall them." Arkhomeyev replied, "Try stalling them and hope they don't know support is on their way."
After a while, the mayor and the cabinet returned.
"I hope you have changed your mind, humans. Her majesty would not exceed her mercy for any longer."
"Fine, you motherfuckers win," Akhromeyev sighed, "But we insist on disarming on our own terms."
"See? That wasn't so hard." The mayor let out a disgusting victory smirk. "Let's hear it. What do you propose?"
"We proposed that the Soviet Armed Forces...will disarm throughout a year, and the MVD Militsiya and Spetsnaz units remain. Disbanded personnel have the right to be part of the MVD to fill in the huge gap of national defense," Altunin read from his notes.
"Or our forces will be integrated as segregated units in the Equestrian Armed Forces." Yazov finished. "We will not disarm under any other circumstances."
"Well, we will gladly take the second option, humans. However, it will not be the Equestrian Armed Forces you will be integrated into-"
"Ugh! What did I say, Ruther?" The mayor shouted, "I call the shots here, and I will not allow these humans to be integrated into our armies with their disgusting ideas!"
"Ruther, did you not hear the orders from the queen? We are supposed to disarm them, not integrate them!" The secretary also added.
"I had enough of you and Queen Chrysalis's foolishness!" The Police chief pulled out a Luger on the mayor as the cabinet gasped and screamed. He then revealed his true form: a changeling.
The generals, wasting no time, pulled out their sidearms, and the Spetsnaz commandos immediately raised their rifles.
"Oh great, you just botched this entire op! Do you know how much of a problem it will be that we did not cause humans to go to war against the ponies?" The mayor said as he revealed his true self along with the secretary, pulling out a Walther PPK.
"I have tried to promote the idea of an alliance with whoever is possible, but because you have such a beautiful op record, YOU, Kimbert, killed the idea before it even reached the queen!" Ruther shouted.
"Well, what are you gonna do, Ruther? All the agents outside the door are under my command!" Kimbert pounded his desk, and as the door opened, seven heavily armed changelings with submachine guns were waiting outside.
"Alright, I don't give a flying fuck about what you hope to achieve here, but my suggestion is for you to surrender immediately!" Akrhomeyev ordered with his pistol pointed at Kimbert.
The room fell into an intense standoff between Ruther, Kimbert's agents, and the Soviet delegation team. Each is just ready to open fire on the other group.
"I see no point in continuing this charade, guards. Take care of hi-"
Before Kimbert could finish his sentence, multiple gunshots went off outside the door, killing two of the changelings. A commando immediately opened fire on the changelings outside as the remaining three opened on the secretary and Ruther. Yazov immediately got shot by Kimbert and fell back, but then Akrhomeyev and Govorov opened fire on Kimbert, hitting him multiple times in the body.
Ruther immediately got down and hid behind the desk as cover, and he immediately grabbed a pony and pointed a pistol at her head after he saw the secretary and Kimbert dropped dead on the floor.
As he stood up with said hostage, Equestrian Police Tactical Unit officers rushed in with shotguns, SMGs, and pistols pointed at him, while the humans all pointed their weapons at him as well, minus one struggling to stand up.
"I want a car, NOW!" Ruther shouted while holding Rosy Needles hostage, "or the pale horse here fucking gets it!"
"Nemedlenno bros'te oruzhiye!" One of the commandos shouted.
Akrhomeyev asked Yazov, "You done in?"
"Not yet. The medals saved my ass this time with the vest."
The changeling backed himself into the corner of the conference room and was not willing to give an inch.
All of a sudden, Rosy shouted, "Look! He's still alive!"
"What? Wher-"
Before he could react, he's kicked in between his rear legs. Ruther let Rosy loose in pain.
At the same time, Mashal Akrhomeyev grabbed a commando's AKS-74U and unleashed the remaining 18 rounds of 5.45 ammunition on the changeling, ending his life.
As the police officers rushed up to check for life signals, the leading one walked up and said, "nice shot."
"Thanks, comrade." Akrhomeyev handed the carbine back to the commando. "Where are the real mayor and the police chief?"
"We found them at a barn outside of the city outskirts. This was all a trap." The leading one reported, "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, Superintendent Starry of the Vanhoover Metropolitan Police."
"So...there is no disarmament after all?" Yazov took out the bullet, stuck in between his medals and the vest.
"Never was. This was a ruse, as I said."
"I honestly thought we were going to be talking about building water and electrical supply lines!" Rosy cried from a distance.
"Seems like we ran right into quite a situation ourselves," Govorov said as he unloaded his Makarov.
Altunin turned to him and said, "no doubt about that; this is going to be bumpy…”
“You know, for being all about stealth and infiltration, these “Changelings” sure are surprisingly stupid bastards." Akrhomeyev said as he walked out the door.
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November 1st, 1984, 1200 hours
Pvt. Tom "Tommy" Philips
10th Mountain division
Castle of Friendship, Ponyville
"Let's see here...arrival at 11, lunch in Sugarcube Corner at 1130, then have the representatives tour around Ponyville from 1245 to 1400. The first round of talks is at 1415, with break time at 1600. The second round of talks begins in 1630 and then ends in 1800, with a press conference at the end. Dinner at 1845, then final rounds of talks..." Tom muttered as he read through the list, "looks fine to me, but you'd need to get an expert to see if this is any good. I'm merely a 24-year-old conscript, not a “refined” diplomat. "
"Well...at least you do think this is a good general plan!" Twilight said, "At least all the hours of staying up paid off!"
"No doubt about that." Tom replied, "also, you need to relax a bit.'
"Yeah, Twi, he's got you there. You should chillax with me sometimes!" Rainbow Dash said as she put on her shades.
In the meantime, Starlight Glimmer turned on the radio for the news.
"Breaking news, today in Vanhoover's North Habour Hotel, human military officers were tricked into the hotel by changelings posing as the mayor and the police chief, attempting to force the human armed forces to lay down arms and even join the changelings, but thanks to timely intervention and pre-planning, the infiltrators have been all eliminated and nobody else has been seriously injured or killed..."
Everyone in the room looked at each other.
"...we now have Marshal Sergey Akhromeyev being interviewed. Do you have anything to say about this situation, sir?"
"Well, this is certainly a very dangerous situation, but thanks to our suspicions and preparing beforehand, we managed to-"
Click, Twilight turned off the radio.
She then started to panic visibly and wrote down new security implications, "Okaaaaay, we will need a LOT more guards, as it seems!"
Tom sighed, "Where does the paranoia, albeit justified, even end for you?"
"You will get used to it." Rainbow patted his shoulder.
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November 1st, 1984, 1500 hours
Queen Chrysalis
Tower of Chrysalis, Vesapolis
"Damn it!" Chrysalis slammed heavily on her throne, "how did two of my best agents screw this up? They actually called military officers under the ruse of electricity and water supply? What were they thinking??"
"Your highness, it's-"
"Not to mention, they fought against each other over my orders! I wanted disarmament and the elimination of the officers, not integrate an army that doesn't even speak my language! My plan to stir up trouble in Equestria has been foiled, thanks to idiots within!"
"You want me to contact Commander Heldrec at once?" the assistant asked.
"Oh, yes, have him on the line at once. I need to remind him I DON'T give out thrones made of my stone to my subordinates that easily, and if he wants to keep his position as head of the guard, he best do exactly as he is told!”
And with that, the assistant left the room in a minor rush, hearing her Queen mumble something along the lines of “How can they be so idiotic” but including a few more… “colorful” words mixed in.