//------------------------------// // Part 1: Theft // Story: Zugzwang: Two German soldiers in Equestria // by Nokstella //------------------------------// Karl and Fredrich's stomach grumbles, the sound of hunger. After a while of observing the ponies, Karl and Fredrich were starving and needed shelter, quickly. "I'm getting hungry! What should we do?" Karl said, concerned. "We could steal from them," Fredrich replied reluctantly. Karl was a little shocked but shrugged it off as they had to eat to survive, after all they don't want to starve here, and they're not even supposed to be here. And also, they want to go back to their world, quickly. Karl and Fredrich knew that they were attacked by Soviet forces before they got here. Karl and Fredrich scouted the area, they found a market, perfect. They discuss about which vendor was the nearest and easiest to steal. After some time, they found one. Just about at the edge of the town. All of the food were vegetarian, and some are inedible for Karl and Fredrich. Looks like they're stealing from an apple vendor, the vendor is a grey mare wearing a pair of glasses with brown mane, it looks like she isn't trying to sell the apples instead, she is lazily laid back and reading a book of some kind. "Are you sure this is a good idea? Even if they look colorful and friendly, we don't know if they treat mysterious creatures from other lands like us, too badly," Karl said reluctantly. "Maybe, just don't forget to wear the cloak, it may be useful, just maybe, let's just hope they aren't hostile or anything. Looks can be deceiving," Fredrich replied. Karl and Fredrich slowly approached the vendor that is at the edge of the town, from bush to bush and their weapons ready. There's no guaranteeing that they might inflict casualty or not. As they come closer, they could hear the bustling market louder. It's impossible to not get spotted even if they conceal themselves. Once Karl and Fredrich are at the entrance of the town, some ponies spotted them, and they immediately sprinted to the vendor stand. Grabbing as many apples as they can carry and putting them in their dirty bag from the trenches. The vendor finally realized what was happening and shouted "Thieves!" as she throws her book to Fredrich's head. That's enough apples, both Karl and Fredrich tried to run. But the exit was blocked by ponies. Their faces are mixed with confusion and a little anger. Karl and Fredrich quickly turned away and ran as fast as possible, their weapon ready. "Halt! Griffin or whatever you are!" a pony shouted, Karl and Fredrich looked back and see a stallion clad in golden armor they also have a spear. Still, Karl and Fredrich looked forward still running, turning corners as behind them a mob of ponies chasing them. They push around through the bustling market as nearby ponies look perplexingly. Infront of them is a crossroad, it's blocked by the same golden armored ponies, with swords and spears well just a few, but it's enough the block the crossroad. Karl an Fredrich stopped, they are surrounded by the ponies. Well, they have no choice but to use the EXPERIMENTELL. Just a threat. They aimed their rifle at the golden guards, shouting something that they could not understand while pointing something pointy and glowing onto them. "Identify yourself! Griffin, or somecreature!" One of the guards' shouts. The ponies that are bystanders murmurs and looks at the duo.  The duo and the guards shouts back and forth. Until Fredrich pulls his Luger and shot it in the sky, silencing both sides. There are some screams and shouts from the crowd. All attention is now on Fredrich and Karl. In comes a standoff. Fredrich puts his Luger back and his back behind Karl's before they both slowly moves. The ponies gave them the way, both sides are sweating. The guards didn't attack because they don't know what these creatures are capable of and remain cautious. Step by step, it is a risk. Some brave ponies want to tackle them, like they normally do. Karl and Fredrich slowly walks straight to the exit of the town while all the ponies moved for them. After they almost got to exit the town, somepony stopped them. "Halt! You will not get any further thieves! Those things are not going to intimidate me." One of the guards, a peagusus, stopped in front of Karl and Fredrich. He looks more decorated than the others. "I, Captain Grass Yeild, shall not tolerate your behavior. Stealing? I heard it from a kilometer away! So why don't you turn yourselves in and no trouble? Deal?" Captain Grass said a little casually as he approached the duo with a small smile. Karl could see through his lies, or does he? Grass Yeild stops, a moment of silence and occasional murmur. As the wind blows, time slows. What will the duo do? Will they accept the offer and anticipate their punishment, or escape. The duo doesn't trust this world very much. "Come on, I'm waiting, all are waiting. So, what is your choice?" Captain Grass Yeild said laced with a bit of annoyance, "why are they silent?" he thought. Still Karl and Fredrich stood their ground, Fredrich aimed directly at Captain Grass' face, but Grass doesn't even know what that thing is. He thought it was just kind of an intimidation tool of some kind. "Oh? You're doing this the hard way is it?" Captain Grass scoffs, before charging towards Fredrich, preparing to knock him out in one punch with his hoof. With his fast reaction, shoots Captain Grass' face. There's a quiet "Zirp" sound and Captain Grass is heard screaming and covers his right side of his face in pain. "Get them! My face feels like it's burning!" He shouts, some of the guards help him while some runs towards the duo. The exit is near so Karl and Fredrich just sprints to the outskirts of the town, they can still hear Captain Grass' yelling and as it echoes through the town. Bystanders help him to the hospital while the duo just continue running in the other direction. "What was that?!" Karl shouted at Fredrich. "I don't know! He just charged at me! Don't blame me for having an automatic reaction, you know we are soldiers!" Fredrich shouts back but they are still not safe as the guards commanded them to stop, they also threw spears at them which barely misses. Finally, they are out of the town. But the guards are still chasing them, Karl and Fredrich just turns towards the guards and threatening them with the rifle. The guards slowly back down as their face show fear before they ran back to the town. Quickly, the duo ran back to the hill that they first came. Maybe they would have to think twice before shooting somepony's face. For now they are starved and need to eat.