The Border

by Cabal

Chapter2: Teaching and Arrival

Summer 46, 22XX

I have finally arrived in Ponyville to meet Cheerilee's class. According to our prior correspondence it appears that she has been delayed in teaching Human strata basics due to playing catchup with some of her students in mathematics. I will be leading a couple of strata classes before the trip to the border, which should be in three days. I asked Berry Shine to enjoy the time off and to meet the group at the checkpoint on the day of the trip.

=+=+=+=+=

Gentle Moss made his way down the cobblestone pathway from his temporary place at the Ponyville inn towards the lone schoolhouse. Lugging his over-weighted saddlebags, he weaved past residents heading to work and dodged children has they ran up from behind passing him and hurrying down the path before class began. The bell began to ring and the stragglers increased their pace. Dr. Moss chuckled. It seemed not so long ago that he used to did the same thing.

He made his way up the porch of the schoolhouse and pass the threshold where someone was waiting for him.

“Dr. Moss!”

“Cheerilee!” he exclaimed, “Good to see you! Mind giving me some help with this?”

Cheerilee assisted Dr. Moss with his bags and began to unpack the teaching materials. Just as the school bell finished ringing. Cheerilee moved from the school entrance to the class room to begin the school day.

“Good Morning, class!” Greeted the teacher.

“Good Morning Ms. Cheerilee!” replied the class.

Cheerilee turned her flip chalkboard to reveal photographs and drawings of various humans. “Today we will be ending Mathematics to start on Biology, and our first creature will be Humans!”

The class chattered excitedly as they looked at the black and white photographs of humans. Woman, children, and men, black and white; tall and short, smiling or grumpy, it was a whole assortment of ancient photographs taken by the historical creature archive society before the war.

Cheerilee let her students gaze at the photos a bit before continuing, “This year however, we are going to take a field trip in three days to see humans at the border of Equestria to study them first hand. But before we do that, a special guest will be teaching us humans basics. He also was my teacher when I was learning how to become one. So please give a warm applause to Dr. Gentle Moss!”

On cue, the class began to clap as Dr. Moss emerged from the entrance room. “Good Morning, Class!”

“Good Morning Dr. Moss.” the class replied.

=+=+=+=

While Dr. Gentle Moss tells a sanitized elementary version of human history, you may want to read:

The human history hoofnotes

By the historical creature archive society.

Humans are discovered in the northwest by royal cartographic ponies.
1 Humans welcomed ponies and showed them their more advanced lifestyle, education, and generalities.
2 Humans state that they originally came to what is considered Equestrian territory from the ocean upon small boats. There are little records about life before migration.
3 Humans show that they rank themselves according to education and voting.
3.1 Ranks are Student, Teacher, Master, Doctor.
3.2 Masters generally run government and businesses. Teachers are hired by Masters for schooling Students or to perform work for business. Doctors perform research at the expense of Government and Business and are held in high respect.
4 Humans are fixated on advancing.
4.1 This is enforced by three words: discover, create and innovate. It is promoted often and is said to be the pillars of human existence.
4.2 The majority of the human workforce focuses on maintenance. They are either working or studying, or resting.
4.2.1 Humans will fix or improve about anything. They cannot stand things that do not work, or that are proven inefficient.
4.3 Humans do not get cutie marks to indicate their role in life. They get certifications from institutions that prove their specialty.

Humans begin diplomatic relations with Equestrian Government.
1 Humans are fascinated with magic.
1.1 Human Doctors in this time begin retracting very old documents related to the explanation of stars, moon and the sun. Weather documents also retracted.
1.2 Great focus was made to study magic, and incorporate it to invention.
2 Humans were appalled by the conditions of pony society.

Humans ratify agreement to join the country of Equestria.
1 Humans help build new capitol (Abandoned later because of conflict).
2 Humans establish schools and begin teaching.
2.1 Pony Society rapidly advances, including other sapient species.

Conflict regarding ranking
1 Celestia orders human ranking system to be disbanded.
1.1 Explains that it interferes with ranks of nobility and creates confusion.
1.2 Establishes educational reform from certifications to diplomas.
1.3 Humans riot and begin sectarian violence between other humans over confusion of new law and disrespect for higher ranks.
1.4 Humans migrate back west to avoid violence and reorganize ranking system.
2 Celestia amends rule for the sake of peace.
2.1 Agrees to allow human ranking system on condition that humans no longer become nobles, and ponies do not receive human ranks.
2.2 Humans become confused on how to formally address other species, as it is disrespectful in human culture not to use rank before name unless affectionate. The human word to informally address humans of unknown rank “Comrade” is now used towards other species.
2.3 Humans at this point, feel estranged from their leader and become distrustful. The majority now live west of Equestria as a result.
2.4 Nearly all humans leave their jobs in the capitol, including Celestia’s advisors and builders of the capitol.

Conflict of the Environment
1 Over the years, Pegasus were, in more and more numbers becoming ill.
1.1 Study by Canterlot University was ordered to discover the cause.
1.2 After 2 years of study, it was concluded that factories primarily in human towns to the west were the cause.
1.3 After announcement, Pegasus flee the east.
1.3.1 Humans outraged over now unpredictable weather.
1.3.2 Study is rejected by general human public on the basis that no human Doctors were involved with study.
1.3.3 Independent Doctors begin to study, but abandon after research money could not be sought from either Canterlot or businesses.
2 Celestia asks factories to voluntarily close to regain the trust of the Pegasus to return to the western towns.
2.1 Human business owners reject request.
2.1.1 Local governments increase incentives for Pegasus to return.

Rebellion
1 Weather ponies across Equestria holds general strike.
1.1 Demands human factories closed.
1.2 Pony populace sends letters to Celestia begging to give into demands.
1.3 Human towns fire local weather ponies.
2 Celestia orders towns to close factories.
2.1 Weather ponies return to work, fired ponies leave to the east.
2.2 Royal Guard moves into west to enforce order.
3 Brasstown rebels.
3.1 Rebellion lead by Teacher Vladimir Oppenheimer, Cogmaker.
3.2 Surprise attack kills all Royal Guards tasked with dismantlement.
3.3 Ponies are forced out.
3.4 Brasstown declares independence.
3.4.1 Sends formal notice.
3.4.2 Town Industry focuses for war.
4 Leningrad, Crystal town, Greenville, Arlington and Oakland inspired of Oppenheimer’s rebellion.
4.1 Forms own militias to chase back Royal Army and throw out ponies.
4.2 Conference held in Leningrad.
4.2.1 Formal process approves Oppenheimer to become Master.
4.2.2 Constitution drafted and ratified.
4.2.3 Oppenheimer becomes Tsar (king) of the Republic of Humanity.
4.2.4 Formal notice sent to Celestia, the border is drawn.

Equestria Reacts.
1 Celestia receives Brassburg notice in open court.
1.1 The princesses discuss possible war with Brassburg.
1.2 They elect to wait for more information.
1.3 Ponies spill into the east and into Canterlot.
1.4 Celestia and Luna hold joint court to hear testimony.
1.4.1 War crimes are alleged, others coming in later to say that other towns have rebelled.
1.5 Remaining humans now being fired from non-government jobs, due to newfound bias. They flee to the west.
2 The Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Humanity is read in Luna’s court.
2.1 Sisters of the crown hold joint court to formally declare war.

War and Peace.
1 War is waged for 20 years.
1.1 Human front lines were frequently pushed back because of Unicorn magic and Pegasus Lightning.
1.2 Trenches stopped most attacks from earth ponies.
1.3 Invention of the Trench Gun (shotgun) halted airborn attacks.
1.4 Case bullets were invented, humans slowed the advance by delivering quicker and cheaper ordnance.
1.5 Invention of the Sniper Rifle put a halt to Magic mortar attacks.
1.6 Unicorns forced to fight independently of each other, still devastating to humans.
1.7 Luna appears in the battle of Greenville, the farming town falls.
1.7.1 Humans are beginning to go hungry.
1.8 Breakthrough in metallurgy, Hekaluminum repels magic.
1.8.1 The humans apply new metal to everything.
2 Leningrad (defacto capitol) comes under surprise attack from the air.
2.1 Because of the starving humans, Celestia believed that Leningrad would easily fall.
2.2 Humans fighting in the city went all out. Eating raw pony flesh as they went.
2.3 Oppenheimer, hiding with his advisors in the prison town of Oakland, ordered the release of the prisoners and ordered them to be armed to reinforce the city.
2.4 The battle of Leningrad was won by humans. But at a heavy cost.
2.5 With vow of revenge Formation of Special Air Service of former prisoners and militiamen are formed.
3 Surprise night attack on Canterlot by SAS.
3.1 First use of Armored Zeppelins secretly developed.
3.2 First practical use of the Parachute.
3.3 First use of repeater pistols (Machine guns).
3.4 Celestia and Luna out-of-town.
3.5 Royal Guard unprepared, no winged forces available.
3.6 Castle & Royal Archives specifically targeted.
3.6.1 Orders and intelligence pertaining to war declaration from archives destroyed.
3.6.2 Throne room vandalized, and letter left on Throne. Contents of letter not made public.
4 Celestia and Luna declare truce.
4.1 Peace conference held.
4.2 Border established.
4.3 Tsar Oppenheimer disappears.
4.4 Peace deal never signed. Truce continues to this day.

“...and that sums up human history.” Gentle Moss finished. “As you can see. Humans have impacted our lives in every way, from the desk that you sit in, to the construction of Princess Celestia's Castle. Any questions?”

Several students had raised their hands. Gentle Moss picked a blue colt “Yes?”

“Humans are tall. How tall can they get?”

Gentle Moss pondered, “Hmm... not entirely sure, I think that they can get as big as three ponies stacked on top of each other. Next question?” He picked out a white filly “Yes?.”

“Do humans get Cutie Marks? I can't see because in pictures they wear clothes all the time... why do they where clothes all the time? Are they rich?”

“One question at a time please!” Dr. Moss pleaded. “No, they do not have Cutie Marks, and they wear clothes because they do not have feathers, coats, or fur, and very limited places where they grow hair, and they have to keep warm. They also wear clothes because it is considered indecent to them be naked. As for riches, you would have to ask each one. Just like ponies, some are rich and some are poor.”

Somepony with a yellow coat and ginger mane and very nasal sounding in the back piped, “But... how doth they know what they are good ath if they don't get cutie marks?”

Gentle Moss sighed, “They don't. They simply go to school to learn to do a particular subject, and attempt to master it. There are four levels they divide themselves in based on their knowledge; Student, Teacher, Master and Doctor. In their culture, school is very important. In fact, if they were to invade Ponyville, they would take great care not to damage or destroy the school house.”

Cheerilee giggled, “Hear that class? Even if there is a war, you would still have to study!”

The class groaned.

Gentle Moss picked out another filly, “Yes?”

“My mommy says humans like to eat meat. Have they ever eaten ponies?”

There was a painful silence at the end of the end the question. Dr. Moss carefully selected his word for his answer, “Humans... like other animals... are indeed carnivorous. But there is only one particular time that humans ate ponies, but only after they were already dead. There is no need to worry however, humans as do we, consider it wrong to eat other intelligent creatures.”

Dr. Moss didn't like to tell white lies, humans did kill ponies and ate them. But it was not the primary purpose. The war had took a terrible turn for humans at a time when their food supplies were cut short. The class sighed with relief. They continued asking questions in a more rapid-fire pace.

“Do human children play?”

“I have never seen human children, but I'm sure they like to play.”

“Do humans like cupcakes?”

“Humans invented baked goods.”

“Can humans do magic?”

“No, but often their inventions may seem like magic. If you have ever visited the castle, there is an entire room of clocks that are not powered by magic. Those are human clocks, built with gears and wind-up springs that have to be manually wound twice a year. They are very intricate, and very valuable.”

“Do they have a rulers?”

“Humans no longer have a monarchy.” Dr. Moss continued, “They only had one king and that was the same human who started the war. His name was Vladimir Oppenheimer, and he mysteriously disappeared after the war. The human government now is a general assembly. Think of the Republic of Humanity split into different sections. Each one sends one human to represent them in the capital of Leningrad. I am not sure how it entirely works, but its similar to voting for a mayor.”

“How do they control the weather without weather ponies?”

“... I don't know.” Gentle Moss put a hoof to his chin and looked at the rafters of the school, “I never thought about it really. Come to think of it, it always looks cloudy on their side...”

“Why are humans mean?”

The last question threw Gentle Moss completely off guard. He looked at the foal who asked, it was a blue colt with a bow and arrow for its Cutie-Mark.

“Why do you assume all humans are mean?”

The foal began to explain, “My daddy is a Guard and he patrols the border, he tells me that when he is walking by human posts that are on the other side of “The Line”, humans call him bad names.”

Dr. Moss was confused by this information, “Hmm... that is odd. Generally border guards do not talk to anypony as it is not allowed unless warning them to stay away. If I were to hazard a guess, it must be that those specific humans who badger your father are just bad humans.”

At that moment the schoolhouse bell began to ring; it was time for recess.

Cheerilee called out to them as they vacated the classroom for the playground, “When you come back, we will learn about the human body next!”

As the last foal left the classroom, Gentle Moss sighed. He began to take down the photographs of humans and replaced them with various drawings of human anatomy. Cheerilee helped, and decided to strike up a conversation with him.

“You are doing a good job so far,” she complimented.

Gentle Moss sighed as he adjusted one of the pictures of a human skeleton, “I'm sure I am, but sometimes I am annoyed by the gaps in my knowledge. For example...” Dr. Moss turned to look at Cheerilee, “How do they control the weather? Certainly nothing would grow if it never rained, and all mammals need some sort of sunlight. We know very little about human children, how does their society treat them? Are they even allowed to play in this day in age? And human behavior... something that Doctor Whisper would love to study...”

He went silent, looking at the floor in disappointment of himself. “Cheerilee... sometimes I don't think I know anything about humans.”

Cheerilee stared in horror, “Your Kidding, right?” she asked. “My favorite teacher, who happens to be the leading scholar in Humanology knows absolutely nothing about what he teaches? That's just silly.” she smiled at him.

Moss turned to look out the window facing the playground and for a moment, he tried to imagine the pony children as human children at play.

“Perhaps I am being silly.”

Summer 49, 22XX

I have completed teaching Cheerilee's class the three day strata course and we will be making our way to the border via the train early tomorrow morning, and should arrive by afternoon. I expect to see BerryShine at the edge of the DMZ checkpoint with Border Commander, Gilded Wing. I am happy to write that all permission slips have been signed. Even though this trip is for the children, I am particularly hoping to get into the human learning center. Every time I have visited the border when I was young it has never been unlocked.

Earlier this week I had expressed doubts about my expertise on humans. The children in the class asked questions of which I am still unsure of. One example was how they controlled the weather. While we take for granted the work of the pegasus ponies and don't notice how the weather works except for what days are to rain or snow, we never knew how humans adapted to have no weather control. I place blame on Dr. MoonBeam for not documenting that. Another question was a behavioral one; a student told me that his father was in the Royal Guard and was harassed daily when he was out on patrol. I had a chance to meet him in the evening at a local diner. He stated that there was a stump that was between the border-line and the warning-line that he had to inspect when out on hoof-patrol. There was a human sentry posted at the point on the opposite side:

On a good day, whenever he crossed the warning-line, the human sentry would slap his weapon and yell a proximity warning, and be silent for the time that he checked the stump.

On a bad day, whenever he crossed the warning-line, the human sentry would not only do what was described above, but also harass him verbally, and threaten to kill him and his entire family... disturbing.

From personal experience, I am familiar with the good day experience and escalation. I once took my class to a deserted part of the border as part of a ill-thought out experiment to show them human dexterity. The female sentry was extremely angry with us to the point that she fired warning shots in the air, bringing about both the Royal Guard and Human Guards, which was enough to end the experiment and flee. I swore that I would never do that again.

The morning for Dr. Moss, Cheerilee and her class began early in the morning as they rode the train west. Some students excitedly chattered about where they were going, while some took a nap. Cheerilee herself was wide awake with her head out the window, enjoying the wind as it passed through her mane, while Gentle Moss was going over his materials for the day.

Around noon they had arrived at the last stop. DMZ TOWN, was spelled in red letters at the top of the platform, whos walls were littered with “Royal Equestrian Guard” notices and warnings. As the class got off the train, Berry Shine greeted Dr Moss. Then, three royal guardsmen approached the group from the other end of the platform. The middle one, larger then the two that flanked him, stopped in front of class and asked “Ponyville school, right?”.

Gentle Moss responded, “Yes sir, and you are?”

“I am Border Commander Gilded Wing. I welcome you to DMZ town. We are here to escort you to the border.” he said. “Please keep your class together and in sight at all times. Please follow us.”

They made their way across the town. It was mostly inhabited by guardsponies that lived in small wood structures while off duty. There were civilian ponies that ran the local shops here and there, but they were few and far in between. The real reason why the town existed was because it was a informal military base for the the royal troops keeping watch over the border. The off duty guards stopped and saluted whenever they saw the Border commander pass them by, and gave inquisitive looks at the group of children they were escorting.

Eventually, They came to the edge of the town where a large three story building stood, surrounded on both sides with barb-wire that stretched all the way to the edge of the horizon. The building had a engraved signed on top of the doorway that read “Equestria Welcoming Center”.Once inside, the group was instructed to be seated in the line of chairs on the first floor of the center's conference room. Where Gilded Wing began the orientation:

“Welcome Ponyville class to the Equestria/Republic of Humanity border. My name is border commander Guilded Wing. You may just call me commander if you wish. Today you will be given a rare glimse as to what we do here to protect the peace between our two nations. But before we allow you to see the borderline, we need to brief you on recent events.”

The room suddenly went dark, and a slide projector came to life and projected a picture on the wall. In the picture their displayed three humans, dressed in different uniforms.

“The Republic of Humanity, or RoH for short, declared independence from Equestria 100 years ago. A 20 year war followed in a attempt to stop the rebellion. Currently, a truce is in effect, but not a peace treaty. We are still technically at war. A border agreement was established in the truce, drawing a line from the north where before the waste land moutins begins, all the way to the south sea. This line is called the 42nd parallel, because if you were to look at a map of the land, you would see a universal line that runs straight down from north to south numbered 42. This line separates the two countries.”

“Now as you know, The Equestrian Military is divided into two functions, the Royal Guard, and the Wonderbolts. The RoH Military is divided into three functions, National Guard, Border Guard, and Special Air Marines.”

He pointed a hoof at the first photograph to the left, which was a grainy color photo of a male human in a bland brown uniform and patrol cap.

“This is a RoH National Guardsman.” He said. “You will never see them unless you are inside the RoH. They are the equivalent of the Royal Guard.”

He pointed to the next human in the middle, which was a clear color photograph. It was a male dressed in a blue decorative uniform with many medals and ribbons carrying a rifle with a pointed bayonet at the end. There was a yellow band on what was his right arm that spelled out in bold black letters “BMA”.

“This is a RoH Border Guard. To be exact, this particular border guard is a Border Master Assistant. He is responsible for enforcing the Border Master's orders and rules, and ensuring that all the border guards are awake.”

There was some laughter from two of the royal guards in the room.

“Quiet!” Guilded Wing barked. “Now, there are two divisions of RoH Border Guards” he continued. “Each take turns guarding and switch every 30 days. The 1st division are currently protecting today until noon. Their motto, “Don't stomp on me!” is in reference to the motto of the rebellion of Brasstown before the entire RoH region rose up against Equestria. They are particularly mean in part due to the fact their leader, Border Master Tavian Krass, orders them to be. They can be identified by a large red number 1 on their shoulder, and by the sudden unprovoked screaming.”

“The 2nd division, which will be trading places with 1st division today, shares a motto and a special relationship with the 4th infantry of Royal Guardsponies, which is permanently stationed at this border. “Dragon Killers!” is in reference to a border incident that occurred 20 years ago. I will be telling that story later. Like the the 1st, they have a large red number 2 on their shoulder. They are professional in their duties, have sharp commanding voices, and are on strict orders from their leader Border Master Sarah Rafaeli, not provoke us. It is my personal opinion that she secretly likes us.”

The class laughed at Gilded Wing's joke.

“Now the last RoH soldier on the right...” he pointed at a blurry photograph of scowling human wearing a green overcoat and a officer's hat, while pointing his rifle at the camerapony. “...Is not human at all.”

The class gave a confused “Huh?”.

Gilded wing explained, “The soldier is part of an elite unit called the Special Air Marines, or SAMs for short. When I say that they are not human, I mean that they are monsters. They were created after the failed battle of Leningrad, the human's capital, to wage destruction at the battle of Canterlot. They are trained to kill ponies the moment they see them, and that is all they do. Not much else is known about them.”

He pause for a moment to let it sink in, then he added in a sad tone, “The reason why the picture is blurry, was because the guardspony that took this picture was attempting to run away... and is the only pony that is known to have survived an encounter with a SAM within close proximity.”

One member of the class, raised raised her hoof. “Who was that guardspony?”

“He was me.” replied the Border Commander. “I was blank flank who was freshly graduated from the Royal Guard academy. During my first routine patrol, it was requested that I take pictures of things my commander might think was “interesting”. So I did as ordered, until I stumbled upon one human sentry box with two humans arguing. One dressed in green, and the other blue. Thinking that this was one of the things that was “interesting”, I lifted my camera to take a picture, when suddenly something really hard and fast hit my helmet. And that is all I am allowed to tell, aside from getting my shield cutiemark.”

There was a deafening silence as class stared at what was a living testament to their country's defenders.

“Now onto incidents...”

After what seemed like a long time in the conference room, the class was finally being escorted to the other side of the welcoming center towards the entrance to the DMZ. While on their way, a young filly by the name of AppleBloom was straggling as she tried to adjust her bow. But no matter what she did, it would not stay on right. Cheerilee came up behind her and asked, “What's wrong?”

“My bow won't stay on!” she complained.

Cheerilee looked back towards the class moving away, and back to AppleBloom. She decided that she would help her when they got to their destination, and began to nudge her along.

“We'll fix it when we get outside!”

“Alright, listen to me very closely,” Commander Gilded wing commanded when they got to the iron door leading to the DMZ. “Before we go out, I need to inform you of a few rules. Under no circumstances are you to go beyond the where the guards out front are standing. Do not cross the warning line and most certainly do not cross the border. Do not wave at, make gestures or speak to the Human Guards on the other side. There will be no magic or flying allowed, because of the no fly/magic zone agreement. Anyone breaking these rules will be arrested. Since Pegasus and Unicorns guards are not allowed to be upfront at the Border, the class will be arranged into three groups; Unicorns are to be in the back, Pegasus in the middle, and Earth Ponies up front.”

As the children did as instructed with a little help from Cheerilee and Gentle Moss, the steel door opened and a guard with a yellow band on his right leg came through.

“Commander, sir!”

“Yes, sergeant?”

“Border is ready to receive visitors, sir!”

“Is the other-side behaving, today?”

“As expected for the first, unfortunately... sir.”

The commander frowned his disapproval, then gave an order “Sergeant, as per regulations of the Border Educational Visit program, I defer these ponies to you.”

“Yes sir!”

The guards saluted each other, and the commander walked off back into the depths of building.” The now lined up class, looked at the sergeant.

The sergeant dropped his official tone, and spoke kindly and clearly, “Good morning, My name is Sergeant Green Bean of the 4th infantry, Royal Guard of Equestria. I will now be your tour guide and escort. Before we exit, I must remind you of the rules one more time. Do not attempt to fly or do magic, do not wave, gesture, or make faces. Do not cross in front of the royal guards up front, and though impossible, given the security, Do not cross the border.” He took a moment to scan the room of ponies and stopped to look at Gentle Moss and Berry Shine, pulling out quills and parchment from their bags. He whistled at both at them, and added “No throwing objects either.”

The sergeant then turned around and opened the door, and lead the group outside.