//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: From Allies to Enemies: The Best Medicine for an Abrupt Invasion (FAtE) // by DaBeejees //------------------------------// "So...what do we do now?" Rainbow Dash's question broke the silence that had dominated the room for the past half-hour or so. At first, none of us said a word. However, after thinking about it, I realized what we had to do, as much as I didn't want to do it at that time. I looked to my right and into the blue eyes of Pinkie, silently asking her to release me. She loosened her grip on me and lifted her head off of my shoulder, allowing me to stand. I then broke the new silence that had commenced. "Simple. We start doing what we'll have to throughout the course of the war: learn as much about our enemy as we possibly can." Twilight was the next to stand. Even though she still had the same grim look that we all wore, I could tell she was at least somewhat eager, as what I said meant research, and research meant books. And Twilight loves books. "Agreed. Any idea where we should start?" I was somewhat taken aback: Twilight asking me about where we should start? Nonetheless, I still had an answer for her. "I would think that the Griffonite Empire itself would be a good place to start: their culture, religion, lifestyle -- those sort of things. Each of them could provide a number of different possible factors that would lead them to invade; for culture it could be a result of a violent upsurge of sorts, for religion they could be attempting to fulfill an ancient prophecy, for lifestyle they could be aiming for replenish depleting resources, which would also apply to economy as well...and historically, wars have always seemed to be beneficial economically..." I stopped when I heard a laugh. "Ah think Ah can see why tha Princess wanted ya to go with us, sugarcube!" I thought about what she just said...then about what I had said...and the I realized...that she was right. I still had a feeling that there was more to it than just this -- much more to it -- but-- Before I could even finish my thought, Twilight received another urgent letter from Princess Celestia, this time requesting our presence at her Royal Palace in Canterlot, more specifically that Twilight teleport us to the main hall, where several of the royal guards would be waiting to escort us to the war room. After a few more letters back and forth, we all found ourselves instantly in the main hall with a bright flash -- apparently, the Princess herself had teleported us. Several minutes later we met up with both princesses in the war room of the palace, and we all took places around a topographical war map of Equestria and it's surrounding area, which included the Griffonite Empire. Luna was to the right of her sister, and Twilight was to her teacher's left, followed by Fluttershy, myself, Pinkie, Rainbow, Applejack, then Rarity. Princess Celestia was the first to speak. "Before we get into anything else, I'm certain that each of you would like to know what you'd have to do during this war, at least in regard to responsibilities." The Princess' question was answered by six nodding mares. I, however, didn't notice, as I was distracted, analyzing the war map that we were gathered around. On it were a number of tokens, placed strategically along the Equestrian side of our border with the Griffonite Empire; I took this to be the Princess' plan for the preliminary deployments. "Briar! Aren't you going to answer the Princess, too?" Without even looking up, I remained silent for several seconds, as I searched for the best way to point out the major flaw I noticed in what I saw. "The Gorgon Pass needs at least another two or three regiments stationed there; with this current set-up, the Griffonite army would easily be able to invade through there, and the war would be lost within a month." Despite being met with silence as well, I still didn't look up from the map. "Well done, Briar. I was planning to ask if any of you could point out the critical flaw on this map, but it seems that you're ahead of the game. I must say, I'm impressed." I finally looked back up, and noticed the shocked, confused faces of my close friends. "Yep. It's official. This is why he's here." I immediately looked back down, not at the map, but in an attempt to hide the blush I now had; I was never good at handling spotlight, even though I knew that I had brought this upon myself. "As much as I would like to continue this, we do need to refocus." We all looked at the Princess and nodded, myself included this time. At this point, the elder princess' horn began to glow, and the map in front of us was lifted up and placed elsewhere, revealing the bare table underneath. After several seconds, several figurines began to materialize on the table's surface, each of which I noticed represented a different part of an army: Artillery, Cavalry, Medics, Light and Heavy Infantry, and Supplies. Princess Celestia then began to explain each, using the figurines as visuals. She then moved the figurines one by one, placing the respective figurine in front of the element-bearer who was going to be in charge of it, as well as materializing a medal of sorts, bearing the starting rank of each: --Colonel (abbr. Col./COL) Twilight Sparkle, Artillery --Major (abbr. Maj./MAJ) Rainbow Dash, Cavalry --Major (abbr. Maj./MAJ) Applejack, Heavy Infantry --Major (abbr. Maj./MAJ) Pinkie Pie, Light Infantry --Captain (abbr. Capt./CPT) Rarity, Supplies --Captain (abbr. Capt./CPT) Fluttershy, Medics Yet again, I found myself to be the odd one out...at least until the Princess materialized another figurine and medal, which she placed in front of me: --Lt. Colonel (abbr. Lt. Col./LTC) Briar, Tactics and Strategy I immediately looked at the Princess, surprised that she had given me such a high starting rank. "Wait...what's the order of these ranks again?" "From lowest to highest, Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel, Colonel. At least for the ranks we've been given." "Wait, so I have to answer to you?!" "And Twilight." "If I may, I'd like to point out that some of us require higher ranks than the others. For example, even though Fluttershy and I's roles are just as crucial as the rest of you, we do not need a higher rank, as we won't be in charge of as many ponies, isn't that correct?" "Well stated. But also, you two do not require higher ranks, as you are non-combat personnel." "What about Briar? Wouldn't that go for him, too?" "Quite the opposite, actually. And that reminds me: during any combat situations, or situations where combat may occur at any time, I hereby decree that Lt. Colonel Briar be brevetted to Brigadier General for the course of those situations." --Lt. Colonel (abbr. Lt. Col./LTC) Briar, Tactics and Strategy --Combat-Brevet Brigadier General (abbr. Com. Bvt. Brig. Gen./Com. Bvt. BG) "WHAT?!?" Simply put, I was just as astonished as the rest of them, if not even more so: I would be leapfrogging Twilight in rank! "Pardon my language, Princess, but you've got to be shitting me!" "I'm not. And the reason why is because I have the utmost confidence in your strategic capabilities, which you have already further proved today.You all must understand the importance of strategy, and how maneuvering the different troops efficiently can mean all the difference between victory and defeat. Briar, I pray you understand the responsibility that comes with this?" "I do, and I have no reason to abuse the powers that come with it." "In that case, several of my guards will now escort you all to where you may get your much-needed rest here tonight. We will speak again come morning. Dismissed!" (>^,^)> ^(^,^)^ <(^,^<) ^(^,^)^ (>^,^)> ^(^,^)^ <(^,^<) "Maj. Dash! Quit bitching and go to sleep! Make that your first order!"