//------------------------------// // The War // Story: Tavi // by Hoover //------------------------------// In October of the year following the blizzard, the Zebras declared war on Equestria. Thousands were enlisted through newspaper, growing eventually to millions. On the fifth week of enlisting, my name came up. Along with Chance's. We were being shipped off to Trottingham for Basic Training tomorrow. Tavi was in tears, and Scootaloo was nearly crying also. But she's a tough little filly, and somehow held it in, but just barely. I didn't want to leave, but at the same time couldn't wait to go. I was torn between the two, and Tavi knew. She hated me for wanting to go, and didn't want me to leave. At 7 am the next day, I was woken by Octavia sobbing on my shoulder. A few minutes later, after I was ready to go, Tavi and Scootaloo came out with me. We walked to the stop where the truck would pick us up. We waited, and more enlisted joined us with members of their family. No one talked, and tears of mothers, wives, and children filled the air. The truck came, and we could hear it before we saw it. Knowing I wouldn't see my family for so long... That's what kills me. As the truck neared, its brakes screeched, and the smell of gasoline grew stronger. Other stallions got on, saying their goodbyes to their families. As the line shortened, my time came. Chance boarded, nopony to say goodbye to, and I followed, waving to Tavi and Scootaloo. Once I was sat down, the truck started rolling down the road, away from our loved ones. "That's messed up." Chance said to me around ten minutes down the road. "Hm? Yeah..." "I could understand taking me, but knowing you and Octavia, and hell, even Scootaloo, I mean you guys are so perfect for each other." "Someone's gotta go. Might as well be us." "But what if you die? Odds are we might not even make it back." I hadn't thought of that. At first, I was only slightly disturbed at the looks of it. But I started thinking about Tavi and Scoots, how much they mean to me, and how much they love me. I can't do this... "No... but, it was..." I could barely fit a word in as my voice faded into crying. "It was gonna be... It was........ It was our fuckin' anniversary this Saturday... Oh fuck, and Scoot's birthday after that! C'mon!..." I held my head in my hooves, and Chance put an arm on my back, along with the stallion next to me. Tears clouded my vision, and a few leaked out, dripping to the mud-covered floor panels. I sat back upright, wiping my face with my sleeve, gathering myself. I sniffed, and thought of other things. I thought of that day with the blizzard, that warmth. My mind calmed down, and I stopped crying. "Hey, It's okay." the stallion next to me said, putting a hoof on my shoulder. "Thanks... What's your name?" "Hopkins. Steve Hopkins." "Hoover," I shook his hoof. "Thanks, man... I knew a guy named Steve, once..." We got off at a camp in Trottingham, and unloaded our things. "We're goin' into hell, boys." I heard someone from the group say. ----- 2 months later--- "Hey guys, we got three enemy mo' fo's to our right, keep an eye on 'em, they see us, we're all fucked" Behrens said over the radio. "Got it. Mo' fo's watched." I said. "W...what's a 'Mo' fo'?" My spotter asked. "You been here this long and STILL don't know what a mofo is?" "Never thought to ask." "It means motherfucker. Remember that, it'll be real handy in tight situations with little time. Quick to say." My spotter- Michael Connor. Like, 20 years old, or something. He's my spotter, cause he's a good sniper, just don't know how to pull the trigger. Can't take the burden of takin' a life. So, he's my eyes and ears. Well, just eyes, actually. We were on a patrol about three clicks off the western outskirts of nothing. Absolutely. Fucking. Nothing. "Annnnnnd... Smoke 'em." I took the shot on one zebra, and the round pierced through his head, hitting his friend in the leg. I pulled the bolt, and scoped back in. The other two were dead on the ground, bullet-holes on their jackets, blood-soaked, of course. ----- That was my first kill in weeks. Normally, nopony comes around. That phrase, 'shit happens', doesn't apply here. "Hey guys, mail." Steve said through the tent's doorway. "Fucking finally." Connor said, rushing to beat the rest to the stack he left. "Jesus, man. It ain't goin' anywhere." Chance said, stepping back from my spotter as he barged through the group. I stood up and walked to the mail pile, waiting for the crowd to clear. I picked up Tavi's unmistakeable grey envelope, slightly stained from what looked like coffee. I opened the seal, and read it. Hoover, Things keep changing. Scootaloo is getting restless. We miss you, and I need you back home. Please write back as soon as you can, I couldn't live if you died. I'm not sure if our daughter could, either. You mean so much to her. Mum and dad came over yesterday, they brought something for you once you get back. Which I hope will be soon. I sent some pictures in this, I hope you get them. Be safe over there, and I love you! -Tavi I read it over and over again, smiling at her ever-so-neat hoofwriting. I found the pictures she sent in the envelope, and gazed at them for what felt like days. Tavi in her winter coat and scarf, back just before we were married. I remembered that day in the park. The next was of me and Scootaloo outside in the snow. I stared at that one, absorbing the sight of that happy filly's face flinching at my throw. I had never looked at myself much. It was interesting. I don't really remember ever staring into a mirror. I had a beard, not too long, and not just a scruff, either. A little in between. I had a long-ish navy blue mane, and average cream-colored skin. I couldn't see my cutie mark, and didn't really want to. I was laughing in this image, throwing a snowball, and missing, hitting a tree. The next of last Christmas, Tavi standing in front of a fire, smiling ever so gently, slightly blushing. Another of Scootaloo shredding apart the wrapping of her xbox. Other family pictures went by, until I came across one that really got to me. It was Scootaloo, cheering and laughing so hard. She was floating mid-air, and her wings were spread out, and I noticed they were about a foot longer than they normally were. I missed her first flight... That's a big thing for pegasi. The first flight is the most remembered one. And I wasn't there for it. I set it down in my bed, and lay down. Fuck my life. Fuck Equestria. Fuck Celestia for establishing that goddamn enlistment system. I just missed my daughter's first flight. I sat there, and tears clouded my vision. But I didn't let anyone see any tears. ----- Chance had been assigned a mission. He couldn't talk about it, but he wished he could. Mission after mission, he came back later and later. One day, he didn't come back. But his squad did. With his body. "I'm so sorry, man." Steve said. My throat choked up, and I sat down. I stared at his face, so calm in his death. He was my best friend. But he died doing what he loved. ----- Hoover, Please write back, I need to know you're alive! Scootaloo can't take much more of this. Please, send a letter back. Mum and dad keep saying you could be dead, and they hate to think of it as much as I do. I've sent more pictures. Say hi to Chance for me, I know he has nopony to come back to. With love, Tavi The letter lay at the foot of my bed, as I lay down. I had read it, and seen the pictures. Tavi and Scootaloo were at the Canterlot Gardens, and Scootaloo had the happiest look on her face. She was flying again. I saw pictures of last Nightmare Night, and Scootaloo was in a picture with the Princess of the Night herself. I sat up, took my pistol in my hoof, and turned the safety off. I picked up a full mag, slid it in, and loaded a bullet in the chamber. Without thinking, I raised the gun to my head, the barrel touching my temple. I was completely ready to pull the trigger. Just ten more seconds... Okay ten more... Maybe fifteen more seconds... I dropped the gun and sighed. Before long, I picked it back up, and placed it on the underside of my chin. Nopony was around to see this. I could pull the trigger any time I wanted. Just need to pull it... "Hoover." I lowered the gun and looked at the person calling my name. "Mail's here." Steve said, slightly concerned. "You okay?" I sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine." ----- Dear Tavi, I'm so sorry I couldn't write back sooner. I'm so happy for Scootaloo. I just wish I could've been there for her first flight. Thank you so much for the pictures. Chance... Chance died a week ago. The funeral's in 5 days, they're shipping me back home for a few days for it. I'll be back then, and I promise I'll spend as much time with you guys as possible. Please don't give up on me. I know how things work in the army. Some guys I know lost girlfriends and wives to other stallions, and I couldn't live with myself if I let that happen. I love you. -Hoover ----- 5 days later, they put me on a plane back to Ponyville. I couldn't wait to see Tavi and Scootaloo. My heart raced as we unboarded. I couldn't wait to feel Tavi's long, soft mane, or hear Scootaloo's voice again. The plane door opened, and every pony in ACUs stepped off onto the plane-bridge... Thingy... Whatever it's called. I could hear families cheer as their loved ones embraced them. Steve nudged me with his elbow. "You excited?" "Hell yeah, man. And... Could you not mention that thing in the camp? You know..." "Don't worry about it." I could see Connor behind me. His face was priceless. Steve's was, too. And Celestia knows I was. The line thinned out, and soon enough, our time came. Behrens ran out to greet his mother and sisters, and got a bear-hug from his dad. Somehow Steve got ahead of me, and I saw him run to his wife and parents. I smiled, and remembered I'd be experiencing the same in about 30 seconds. Make that 3 seconds. Scootaloo flew right into me in the form of some sort of hug, nearly knocking the air out of me. I stumbled to the side into the crowd, and found myself right next to Octavia. I saw into her eyes, and a second later, embraced her. "I missed you so much" I breathed into Tavi's shoulder. Tears started forming, and meandered down my skin. Scootaloo was still embracing me, no hint of letting go. ----- "We should get something to drink." Tavi suggested. Scootaloo was already in bed, after being determined to stay up all night. Dinner must have made her so sleepy. "Okay. What do you want? Ginger ale? That's pretty much all we have." "No, I meant like, go out. To a bar." She said. I stared blank eyed. "A bar? You of all people..." "Well, we don't have to." "Nono- it's fine! It's great. I was just pointing out that you don't really drink much." And so we went to a bar. Tavi and I were in the far back corner of the building, secluded from the rest. We were on a bet, who could stand the most. A few shots in, we were both still going strong. Even further, fine. Even further... Not too shabby. Even further... Oh boy. Here we go. Tavi almost fell asleep mid-shot, and I was just about to throw up. She moved over to my side, and leaned her head on my shoulder. ----- An hour later, after casually sipping on a few beers, Tavi looked up at me and smiled. This reminded me so much of the dates we had. I miss those times. I love Scootaloo, and I love living with Tavi. But I miss those days when I would wake up and couldn't wait to see her. I miss those starry nights on Tavi's patio, looking at the moon and all Equestria light by it. I miss Chance. I miss the games we'd play online on the xbox. I miss his random visits, sometimes right when Octavia and I were just starting to kiss, and how I'd rush to get him out, yelling at him on the way out. I miss her blushing, shy self. I miss needing her dad's permission to do anything. I miss her house, and how sick I got of that apple-cinnamon smell. And goddamn it, I miss being nervous. Sometimes, I wish I lived back in those times. When we were younger. Tavi asked what was wrong when she saw a tear. I told her what I was thinking. Before long she started to cry, too. She remembered what I was talking about. She felt the same. We sat, swaying with the music. Most of all, I miss this. Normal life. I hate this damned war. I hate being away from my family. I love this so much. ----- At Chance's funeral, when it was my turn to speak, I stepped up to the podium, in full uniform. "Chance... Was one of my best friends. He will always be remembered as a good soldier, and an even better friend. Not only did he save my life, he made it a whole lot better. He was a good man. And he will be missed." I stayed after as long as I could. Tavi came to my side, and Scootaloo, too. I could tell Scoots was restless. "You know, I bet Chance is floating around somewhere as some kinda ghost before goin' up to heaven. And Chance, if you can hear me, pay attention to these next few words." I cleared my throat. "You're a dick. For leaving me alone. JUST to let you know... Okay, we can go..." I said to Tavi, turning around. Home we went, and Tavi and I spent hours outside that night. Just looking at each other. I fully regained appreciation for her eyes, her hair, reflecting the moonlight in it. And... Just her face in general. And, yeah. That's pretty much it. We kissed that night, for hours. Outside, under the moon, remembering the old days. ---------- 6 months later, the war came to an end. The zebras gave up. I would get to be with my family for the rest of my fucking life. Finally. Although Chance was no longer with us, I now had other friends. Connor, who didn't have many friends in the first place, Hopkins, Behrens, hell, even Foley. Each of us had contact with each other. We agreed upon a 'reunion' date. The day the war ended. October 3rd. There's new life to live, like virgin snow in the early morning. Never been touched. You might slip and fall, you might not. The only way to find out is to go out and see. I think it's about time we used that lottery money. I've been talking about teaching Scootaloo how to ski, and hell, why not start now? I want to sincerely thank those who read this story as a whole, it means a lot to me. Also to the ones who watched, liked, and favorited. I cannot thank you enough. -Hoover