Chapter 2: Invasion
“Madam Prime Minister, you said you had an urgent matter to discuss with me?” said a sharply dressed unicorn around the age of twenty as he barged through the curved wooden doors of Rarity’s office.
“Yes, we currently face a great problem that requires your urgent attention. Pencil Pusher, only you can solve this great crisis,” Rarity spoke.
Pencil Pusher began shivering in fright. Sweat dripped from his neatly combed jet black mane and onto his brow. “W-What is it?” he stammered out.
Rarity looked into the young colt’s eyes with wide concern and said in a most serious tone, “Wine. We’re out”
“Excuse me, madam?” asked Pencil Pusher as he arched his brows in confusion.
“We’re out of wine!” she repeated with a hint of fear in her voice. In a questioning tone, she asked, ”Did you not hear me the first time?”
“But I thought you said it was an emergency?”
“Darling, what time is it?”
“Umm....8:00 in the morning?”
“Precisely! It is simply too early to be sober!”
Rarity leaned back in her chair, let out a sigh. She turned to the aide with an impatient look. “Well? Did I not make myself clear? I can say it in another language, if you wish. Donne-moi du vin!”
“Yes, Madam Rarity! I shall retrieve it at once!” the colt nervously replied, running back through the doors from whence he came. Rarity laughed and promised to herself that she would share some of the wine with the boy when he returned.
Rarity turned around and stretched her front hooves, looking through the large bay window that stood behind her desk. Through its crystal clear view, she could see all of the city: the gleaming light of the skyscrapers, the bustling city ponies, the factory workers that clashed hammer and steel. The mare smiled, and said to herself, “Oh Britannia, your beauty never ceases to amaze me.”
The mare stared into the small mirror at her desk, and began adjusting the curls of her bright, purple mane. She let out a sigh, and smiled, staring at the stacks of paper on her desk. She shook her head her head, and her smile quickly withered at the thought going through each and every one of these awful sheets of paper; written in the same bland text. She dreamt about taking those dreadful sheets, and burning them. She grinned at thought of all the magnificent dresses and apparel she could lay in their place.
She had only been on Prime minister for close to two months and already she was beginning to miss her old life. However, she couldn't go back, not while there was still work to do. Even back then, as a high profile fashion designer, she could recognize the problems growing around the country. Poverty and famine plagued the country and the former Prime Minister didn't seem to have a clue what to do. That's when Rarity decided to make a change. If no one else was willing to come up with a solution, it had to be her.
After a short while, Pencil Pusher returned with a bottle of wine. Rarity reached in her cabinet, to the side of her desk, and pulled out two glasses. She neatly and delicately poured it, filling them three fourths of the way. She levitated them both, bringing one to her lips as she delicately sipped the wine.
Pencil Pusher was perplexed. “Madam?”
“It’s called an invitation to drink, darling,” Rarity said sharply. “It’s rude to keep a lady waiting.”
Pencil Pusher frightenedly shook his head. “O-Of course, madam! F-Forgive my ignorance!”
Rarity rolled her eyes as he grasped the glass in his magical aura and took a sip. “Do you like?” Rarity asked.
“Yes, Madam Prime Minister,” he said, formal as always.
Rarity sighed. “You’ve been at my service for nearly a month and you still act as timid as a colt asking a filly to the dance whenever you speak to me. Come, I’m in desperate need of a walk. All this paperwork can wait.”
Rarity led the way while the nervous young stallion fumbled behind. Using her magic, she opened the doors, entering into a brightly lit corridor. Colorful tapestry hung from the walls while beautifully crafted potted plants sat below the windows, feeding off the morning sun.
Rarity walked past the guards that roamed the hallway. “I’ve chastised you for overt formality, and yet I know virtually nothing about you. Tell me about yourself.”
“Well,” he stumbled through the words. “Umm....I’m your aide, that’s one thing. I....ummm...”
“How’s your home life,” Rarity interrupted. “Any lucky mares?”
He blushed. “Well, yes. I’m engaged. It happened just a week ago, actually.”
Rarity smiled sincerely. “That’s wonderful, darling! This calls for a celebration!” She stopped and stared at the wine glasses. “Well, I suppose a little alcohol at work is as good a celebration as any.”
He nodded and timidly took another sip as they made their way to the end of the hallway and turned right, nearing a large set of wooden doors. Rarity pushed them open, revealing a gated balcony with an overarching view of the city of Trottingham, Britannia’s capitol. On the streets below, she could see a blacksmith hammering swords and spears below an overhanging tin roof. Next to the blacksmith was a mare running a coal powered machine, churning out bullets by the barrel. In the distance, she spotted the town’s clock tower, hovering above the restless city.
Rarity walked onto the balcony and stood next to the metal railing. She let out a sigh. “This place is so beautiful. It’s been years since this city has seen war. These ponies seem so happy, so care free. I’m scared for what may come.”
“What do you mean, madam?” he questioned.
“I’ve never fought in wars, mind you, but I’ve lived through enough to see the signs. Lunaria is keeping to themselves; that’s never a good sign. When they’re quiet, it usually means that they’re planning something. Whether it’s another war with Solaria, any of the countries of the Eastern Union, or something else, I don’t know. Queen Trixie’s army is marching east. We keep telling them to stop. We keep threatening them as much as a bunch of bureaucrats can. She won’t stop. I know that for certain. Make no doubts, Pencil Pusher; war is coming.”
“We’ve been through war, though. We’re lucky if we get three years of peace. What makes this any different.”
“Everything, darling. This has been in the works for a while. Ever since the Great War, Germaneigh has been angry, bitter, and restless. They lost their old government and went with a monarchy. They attacked the other nations with everything they had. Fortunately, it was just a small ragged army. They barely had the money to feed their people, let alone fund a war. Trixie’s different from the previous ruler though. She and that Siegfried fellow are no laughing matter. They have the German people flocking to her hooves like sheep. Now, they have an army, a true army.”
He gulped. He seemed scared now. Rarity smiled. “Am I frightening you, dear? I apologize. I haven’t been getting much sleep as of late. Don’t let my gloomy predictions keep you up at night.” Be careful though. Hold that fiancee of yours close.
Rarity finished off her glass and returned to her office where she dismissed the young aide. Once she was by herself, she sat down at her desk with a sullen look about her face.
She looked at her desk to find a picture of her, her parents, and her little sister, Sweetie Belle. They were standing on Trottingham Bridge among a crowd of thousands with victory banners hanging high above. They were all smiling, her sister smiling widest of them all.
Gods keep them safe, she thought as she laid a hoof against the glass of the frame.
Her daydreams were interrupted by a knocking at the door. “Miss Rarity, General Trot is here to see you," Pencil Pusher spoke.
“Very good. Send him in,” said Rarity with a firm voice as she regained her composure.
The door was pushed open by a tall, rather well-built stallion with a dull, grey coat. The stallion had a stern look on his face, matching his short, military driven, buzzed mane. His cutie mark was a triple-pointed shield, with a sword crossing over it. The stallion continued toward Rarity. “Madam Prime Minister, I have important information to discuss with you.”
“Well, then go on, darling,” Rarity said. “I’m guessing you didn't come here to discuss Britannian politics or fine wine.”
“No, I’m afraid it's something much more serious. We've received more information regarding Germaneigh’s armed forces.”
Rarity leaned forward in her chair, adopting a much more serious tone, “I see. And what of the Lunar Republic?”
“We’ve been witnessing a large deployment of Lunar soldiers towards Germaneigh’s harbors. I’m guessing they've formed some sort of alliance.”
“An alliance between The Lunar Republic and Germaneigh, eh? And what of the Solar Empire? Are they willing to aid us in the worst case scenario?”
General Trot scoffed. “I doubt it; damn Solarians. They have a tendency to avoid conflict under the guise of “isolationism”. They’ll stay out until it starts directly affecting them.”
"I see," Rarity said with a nod. "What of Prance?"
"We've already confirmed Prance's allegiance to the cause, should one arise."
"Excellent," Rarity said before adopting a nervous look. "And what of Zebrica?"
"Zebrica?" General Trot repeated in an almost mocking tone. "We have a better chance of Trixie sprouting wings and turning into a pig. Those poor S.O.B.s have it rough as it is with a drought and a famine plaguing the country. Not to mention talk of a civil war on the horizon."
"Very well," Rarity sighed. “Do we know exactly what Germaneigh’s planning?”
“Yes, it seems that they’re mobilizing their forces and heading east. Right towards Ponland.”
The winds roared violently across the Veranderung as General Field Marshall Siegfried walked across the airship's steel deck, his lavender cape rippling against the breeze. He approached the ship’s metallic railings, purple swirls of magic radiating from his dark blue legs. His lengthy, ragged mane fluttered as his lavender eyes gazed at the world below. Past the airship’s massive steel hull, a small village was now present, thousands of miles below.
We’re close.
As he looked below, he could now see the dots of ponies scurrying across. His gaze moved to the black harness strapped around his waist. On the far left of the harness, a massive scabbard the dangled right above his cutie mark,a white four-pointed star with the top point elongated. Rising from the scabbard was the glimmering, golden handle of a curved sabre. A sudden pain gripped his chest as he stared at that damnable blade. How many today? 100? 1,000? 10,000? No, it won't be like the other times. This is the breaking point.
His horn began to tingle as single spark erupted from its tip. He sighed and turned around, facing the center of the deck. From the center, a dome-like extrusion stood, a small metal door firmly attached to it. Siegfried approached the door and the protruding silver valve with his magic, slowly turning it clockwise. After two full rotations, the hinges loosened and the door opened inward.
He stepped inside and slammed the door shut behind him. He was inside of a small dome now, facing a narrow, curving stairwell. He made his way down the stairwell and deeper inside of the steel prison as the walls expanded outward. At the end of the stairs, he found himself in a tiny square room with another door. Behind it, he could hear the muffled voices of what seemed like a hundred ponies.
He pushed it open, revealing an expansive rotunda where the voices transformed into a stream of shouts and indistinct mumbling. Ponies scrambled in all directions of the room carrying sheets of paper and shouting into headsets. On the edges of the top floor, where he stood, rows of desk were arranged and manned by at least a hundred ponies who sat diligently next to small black boxes that emitted voices distorted by static. At the center of the rotunda, five older stallions and two old mares stood gathered around a small rectangular table with a wrinkled map hanging over its edge. All of them wore a grey uniform shirt with purple stripes that ran along their shoulders and forelegs. Across their chest, an assortment of gold and silver medallions were proudly displayed. Siegfried walked towards the table and was saluted by all seven. Siegfried returned the salute.
“General,” one of them, an elderly stallion, immediately spoke. “We just received a message from her majesty. She has requested your audience.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
Siegfried stood still and his horn began to glow a bright shade of violet. He slowly closed his eyes as warmth spread across his body.
His coat began to tingle as every nerve ending seemed to light up at once. In an instant, that tingling faded away as his entire being went numb. He could no longer feel an attachment to his physical body, only a strange emptiness.
A light.
The darkness was whisked away by the invading light, and he now found himself standing in an elongated throne room, standing on a narrow red carpet. On all sides, guards stood armored in lavender while lavender tapestry was hung over them bearing the same symbol: a wand striking through a blue, crescent moon.
Siegfried looked down and lifted his hoof, now a transparant blue. He would not be able to stay in this ethereal form for long. He would have to make this quick.
He turned around and raised his head, facing a silver throne that towered over the room. In that throne, slumped against it, sat the only pony that he would ever swear loyalty to: Queen Trixie Lulamoon.
“My queen,” Siegfried said with a bow before rising back up. “You summoned me?”
She nodded, shaking about the golden circlet that sat dignantly atop her head, pointed with amersyth
tips. She adjusted the clasp around her shoulder, displaying her cutie mark. Connected by the clasp was a fur cloak dyed a bright shade of violet.
She stepped down from her throne as the guards surrounding the room lowered their heads into a deep bow. When she reached the bottom of the raised platform, she stopped and gave an annoyed sigh. “We’re expecting one more.”
Siegfried frowned. “Him?”
They both turned as the throne room’s doors began to creak open, revealing an earth pony stallion wearing a pair of thick, horned rim glasses. The earth pony bowed. “Your majesty,” he said with a humble smile. “And the great general as well!” he added, enthusiastically.
Trixie frowned. “Brigadier General Stonewall.” Her eyes darted to Siegfried and back to Stonewall. “Let us begin. You have information for us, do you not, Stonewall?”
The earth pony laughed as he pushed up his glasses with the tip of his hoof. Brigadier General Stonewall was a fit, middle aged stallion with a thick blue mane, thin lines of grey edging their way into it. His coat was a dark shade of brown, thick and rich as the rich, brown earth. His cutie mark was a small syringe. He quickly adjusted his glasses and looked at Trixie with bright green eyes.
“First, I wish to hear from the great general,” he said with a devilish smile. "It has been ages since we last spoke. How have you been?"
Siegfried scowled. "I'm alive, I suppose."
"Good," he said with a smile. "You know, Siegfried, your magic has always fascinated me. Not very many ponies can project their physical form at such a vast distance. What I would give to study a pony like you."
"You're just as sadistic as ever," Siegfried said as he kept his distance.
Stonewall gave a chuckle. "Everything I do is for the betterment of this country and for the glory of our queen," he said with a pleading smile.
Trixie sighed and began her walk towards the doors. “Siegfried, is everything in place?”
Siegfried nodded and followed her outside the doors, into a large corridor. Stonewall walked closely behind. On both sides, stained glass decorated the walls. They depicted various events of German history: the founding of the country, the various governors and governesses that ruled prior to the Great War, the monarchs afterward, a fallen king with Trixie’s shadow overhead with a blade by her side, as well as many portrayals of Trixie in poses of valor and glory.
They walked past three armored stallions who saluted the the three of them. Siegfried spoke. “Yes, the ground forces have begun their advancement towards Akane while the Veranderung flies above them. No doubt Ponland is already aware of our intentions. ”
Trixie smiled. “It doesn't matter if they know. They'll still be powerless against us once the operation begins. Once you are within range of Akane, proceed as planned.”
Siegfried gave a look of worry. “Does this mean that your majesty will be meeting with the council?”
“Yes." She faced Siegfried. "Have them gather in the war room within three hours. Tell them to be on time; Trixie does not like to be left waiting. Speaking of. Stonewall, have you recieved word from our diplomats?”
“Yes, your majesty,” Stonewall began, “Our representative from Lunaria has returned. Things will progress much more smoothly thanks to their cooperation. We’ve also sent our diplomat to the Changeling Kingdom by airship. Hopefully, we’ll hear word within a few days.”
“And the one from Neighpon?” Trixie asked.
“The Emperor has agreed to our terms. He has stated his willingness to give us support within three months time, once he has gathered his nation’s forces. He has also requested a seat on the council.”
“Fair enough,” she said. “Speaking of agreements, how goes your little pet project?”
Stonewall gave a devilish grin. “Very well, your majesty. Thank you so much for asking! I have been making excellent use of the err.....patients. I just finished my visit to Fort Kyrgin as a matter of fact. However.....I fear that I will need more subjects at my current rate of progress.”
“Rest assured, you will have your precious subjects. Once Trixie has taken control of Ponland, you will have all that you require. Now, Trixie has important duties to attend to and wishes to speak to Siegfried alone. Leave Trixie be.”
Stonewall bowed and gave a peculiar grin. “Yes, your majesty.” He turned to Siegfried and smiled. "I'm sad that we couldnt talk for longer, General.Oh well, good luck on your conquests." With a chuckle, he walked away, past a series of guards, leaving Trixie and Siegfried alone while he scowled in contempt of the earth pony stallion.
They continued walking. “This government is filled with sadists and psychopaths,” he said with annoyance.
"It's the type of pony that this climate brings. Unfortunately, psychopaths and sadists just happen to be the most useful to us for the path that we are taking."
He glamced sorrowfully at Trixie. "You know where that path will take us, don't you?"
After quickly glancing for any wandering ears, she smiled. “We’ve always known where this path leads, even back then.”
“Once the gears of war have began to turn,” Siegfried warned, “there is no stopping them. Not without a great price.”
“I’m well aware of that,” she said sternly. “I am not the filly with a pointed wizard hat, anymore.” She stopped, her face more serious. “You had best be going. That projection spell isn’t meant to be used for long periods, plus it puts a strain on your magic as well as mine to make this connection.”
Siegfried nodded and gave a final bow. “Understood. Farewell, my queen,” He raised his head and closed his eyes. Once again, he could feel himself slowly being sucked away into an endless black vortex, only to be saved by the light.
Once the light had cleared, he found himself aboard the control room of the Veranderung. He looked down and flexed his bulking foreleg, relieved to be back in his body.
“Field Marshall,” one of the ponies began. “We’re above the skies of Akane.
“Have you given them the terms?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, they’ve refused to budge. They say that any further attempts at passage will be considered an act of war. Furthermore, they've sent two mid-class warships to block our path.”
"What of our ground forces?"
He nervously bit his lip. "They're at a standstill with the forces below. Neither side has opened fire yet. What are your orders?"
His eyebrows furrowed. “I will handle this. In my absence, General Kevlar is to command the ship. As of right now, Operation White has begun.” Before anyone could respond, he was gone in a flash of purple light.
He materialized moments later on the deck of the Veranderung as a blast of cold wind struck him. His eyes glanced above, where two smaller, ironclad airships floated. The barrels of their cannons tilted downward, aimed directly at their ship. They haven’t fired yet. Perhaps, it is still possible to avoid bloodshed.
With his sabre still sheathed, he came to a halt by the ship’s steel railing as a cacophony of screams reached his ears. His eyes drifted below. Thousands of armored ponies stood in two conglomerate masses, separated only by a thin, invisible line. His eyes darted back to the airships above.
With a deep breath, his horn began swirling lavender streams of magic. He stood atop of the rail. “Ponies!” his voice boomed, its volume enhanced by his magic. It spread across the entire area, drawing all eyes upon him. “I am Field Marshall General Alexander Siegfried, commanding general of all armies of the Kingdom of Germaneigh. We stand at an impasse. My queen has seen fit to annex these lands in her pursuit of justice. However, this is your home. You simply wish to protect it and protect those around you. Although, it may be admirable, as Queen Trixie Lulamoon’s sabre, I am bound by her command and will not hesitate to cut down all who oppose her vision.” He drew his sabre from its scabbard and levitated it above his head, facing the sun. “You cannot stop us. No army can. Surrender and I promise that no harm will come to you or your citizens. If you wish to protect your loved ones, stand down.”
Silence.
Only the sound of the roaring winds reached his ears as he continued to hold his sabre in front. Please.
The silence was broken by a metallic rustling from above as both airships fired their first shots at the deck of the Veranderung. Siegfried acted quickly, erecting a transparent barrier around himself. A loud boom pierced the air around the deck, igniting a ball of smoke and inferno that spread throughout the ship, quickly nullified by the ship’s steel plating.
Siegfried dismantled the barrier, and his ears perked up as he heard shots ringing below. It has begun.
Swirls of magic spread to his hooves as he jumped, his magic sending him soaring. Rapidly, he ascended past the two airships. His eyes darted from ship to ship as he formulated his strategy.
Still steadily rising, he positioned his blade horizontally as purple steam began to rise from the metal. He snapped the blade back, igniting the metal in an explosion of purple flames.
He had stopped rising now.
His blazing sabre shot downwards, lunging towards the rightmost airship. The blade made contact, striking through the barrel of one of the ship’s cannons.
Seconds later, a sea of fire erupted from the side of ship as Siegfried’s fiery blade shot back, returning to his side. With his blade by his side, he braced for impact as he drew closer to the Veranderung.
The entire ship shook as he made his impact against the deck. Bright waves of lavender rippled across the ship, his magic repelling the shock of his fall.
After a moment, he turned to face the remaining ship. Before they could retaliate, the Venderung twisted on its side. The enemy ship lit up as torrents of fire shot from the Veranderung's main cannons. They would not be able to withstand Germaniegh's fury now that they had been forced to draw their weapons. No ship nor army could stand in their path now.
With his blade by his side, Siegfried leaped from the railing and made his descent to the city below.
Applejack adjusted her stetson and continued down the dirt path leading into the city of Waltana. It was unusually clear today, not a single cloud in the sky. The wind, however, continued to fight against her as she held onto her hat and chugged the wooden cart of apples behind her. Granny Smith had been feeling slightly under the weather and Applebloom was working on sorting doing the household chores, so Applejack had promised to set up the apple stand all by herself; a task that she was beginning to regret. The strain of pulling the rickety, old cart had been wearing on her.
Applejack continued trudging along until she could hear the running and shouting of ponies in the city. She sped up, venturing into the town square where she could already hear the hustle and bustle of ponies beginning their morning routines.
Applejack quickly pulled up beside the stand and unloaded her cart, pulling the bag of apples behind the counter. Applejack walked next to the apples and rested her hooves on the counter. Not too long after that, she was approached by a familiar face. Applejack greeted her. “Howdy, Miss BonBon. Reckon, ya want some apples?”
BonBon warmly responded, “Of course!” as she begin to make idle chat of the weather, Ponish politics, and even apples before she had finally paid and left.
Not too soon after, more ponies continued to flood the streets. Hours went by as Applejack continued to smile and exchange with customer after customer. It wasn’t until lunch that the lines began to die down as Applejack relaxed and placed her hooves against the wooden countertop, removing her tan stetson and setting it down.
She reached inside her hat, and pulled out a small, torn, yellow envelope. From the envelope, she pulled out two thin objects. In the front of the two was a picture of Applejack, Granny Smith, Applebloom, and her older brother: Big Macintosh. The photograph was from several years back, as noticeable by the ill-fitting hat on Applejack’s head. At this, Applejack gave a hearty laugh and firmly adjusted the hat on her head, pulling it forward. After taking a moment to admire the photograph, Applejack pushed the photograph away, pulling out a small piece of parchment.
Dear Applejack, Granny Smith, and Applebloom,
I want ya’ll to know that I’m doing well. I’m starting to feel much more comfortable with the soldiers around here. They’re all honest, hard working mares and stallions just trying to do what they can to defend their homes. I understand that you may be worried about me running off, and joining the army, but I promise everything will be okay. iI fact, I’ve already mailed my first paycheck to the farm! All I ask is that you don’t worry about me. I’m a big stallion, and I can handle myself out here. Just take care of Applebloom, and keep the farm going.
Big Macintosh
Applejack smiled at the letter and the thought that her big brother was somewhere far away, working hard, and making his family proud. Applejack placed the photograph and the letter together, and placed the envelope in the back of her hat. Applejack leaned back, and placed her hooves anxiously against the counter, waiting for the next hungry customer.
It was only minutes later that she was approached by a stallion dressed in long black coat.
Applejack smiled at the stallion. “Howdy, mister! What can I do for ya?”
The stallion walked up to the stand and said, “Yeah, how much for one those delicious looking apples?”
“Two bits,” said Applejack with a smile.
The stallion reached into his coat, and tossed two gold coins at the counter. Applejack began reaching for an apple when she heard a loud boom in the distance. Applejack looked south, in the direction of the boom. “What in tarnation was that?”
The stallion was equally confused. “I don’t know. It sounded like a cannon. Maybe the military is doing a ceremony or something.”
Before Applejack could respond, an even louder boom echoed throughout the city and sent a tremor underneath Applejack’s hooves. Applejack fell flat on her face, and struggled as she tried to regain balance. She turned to the stallion, who had also fallen, and helped him back to his hooves.
“I don’t think that was a ceremonial blast,” said Applejack with fear in her voice. The stallion stuttered, “Y-Yeah, I-I-I’m getting out of here. Don’t worry about the apple! Just keep the bits!” The scared stallion continued to head off east, in attempt to get away from the loud noise. As Applejack headed back to her stand to collect the man’s bits, she could hear a faint popping; almost like gunfire.
Applejack ran to the stand, quickly grabbing all her bag of coins that she had collected throughout the day, and threw them into the cart, along with her supply of apples. As she was about to lower the harness onto herself she looked back to the city and her heart stopped.
In the skies above city, she could see smoke and ash rising above the city; smothering the air around it. In the midst of the fire and ash, there was an unusual object in the distance. Applejack squinted, and could make out a vague bird-like figure. As it flew closer, she could make out a roar; like that of a raging lion. Applejack jumped back and began shaking. She looked at the cart of money and apples before abandoning them and running back, in the direction that she had entered town.
She began galloping at great speeds, trying to outrun the distant roar. She was almost to the dirt road leading out when she was knocked backwards by a brute force. Applejack raised her head up to see a creature, much larger than a pony. What stood before her had the head and wings of an eagle, and the body of a lion: a griffin.
Applejack crawled backwards and got up on her hooves. Applejack looked into the griffin as it let out another fierce roar, and lunged directly towards her. Applejack jumped back, and placed her hooves in front of her face in a futile attempt to block.
Applejack fell to the ground, trying to evade. Just as the griffin was about to make contact, it was knocked back by a single gunshot. The griffin gave a long scream before falling to the ground. Applejack rose to her hooves and looked in the direction of the gunshot. She turned to face a tall mare wearing a green helmet and a tightly fitted, green chest-plate with the Ponish coat of arms emblazoned onto the center. She had seen her brother show it off many times before he was shipped out for training.
The mare raised her right hoof towards applejack, revealing long tube that was attached to a square box that, strapped directly to her foreleg. She remembered Big Macintosh describing these weapons to her. They were designed for mid to long range combat and had a pressure activated switch attached to their corresponding hoof. If the pony using the weapon squeezed that area tight enough, it would activate.
The mare yelled to Applejack, “Ma’am you need to get out of here quick!”
“What the hay’s going on here? Why are griffins here? I thought they were supposed to be way northeast: in Griffonia!”
“It’s Germaneigh, ma’am. They began their invasion this morning. Apparently, the griffins are on their side. Listen, you need to get going, ma’am, befo-”
Before the mare could finish her sentence, she could feel a large gust of wind tearing through the area. Past the buildings in the distance, a large, metal ship pierced its way through the clouds. The ship was shaped like an ordinary sea boat, and had a fortified, metallic hull. On the upper half of the hull, it was fitted with an arsenal of cannons and explosive weaponry. On the bottom half of the ship, a hundred fan blades spun rapidly and glowed a dark, red aura. On the side of the ship was a blue crescent moon, with a magic wand, slashing through it; Germaneigh’s crest and national symbol.
Applejack had seen airships before but none like this. They had become the standard for aerial warfare ever since they made their debut in The Great War. They appeared in a variety of types, ranging from transportation ships and aeroplane carriers, to advanced warships. However, this was no ordinary warship; this was Germaneigh's flagship, their most powerful and well equipped airship.
“Applebloom! Granny Smith!” Applejack shouted frantically. “I have to make sure they’re all right!”
Applejack wasted no time as she sped off onto the dirt road that led to the farm.
By the time Applejack arrived, she could see the smoke and fires in the distance. Frantically, she shoved the door open.
“Leave us alone! we ain’t got nothin’ of value! You soldiers go and hurt someone else!” Granny Smith yelled at the top of her lungs.
Applejack ignored it. “Applebloom! Granny Smith! Thank heavens you’re alright!” Applejack darted forward and hugged the two ponies.
Applebloom leaned towards Applejack, and said in a terrified voice, “Applejack, what’s going on?”
“Its Germaneigh. They've finally come,” said Applejack, trying to stop the trembling in her voice.
“Are we gonna be able to stop them?”
“I don’t know, sugarcube. We’re strong, but I’ve heard stories about them Germans.”
“What about Britannia or Prance? Aren’t they gonna help?”
“I don’t know, Applebloom. I just don’t know.”
There was an eerie moment of silence before Applebloom interrupted, “What about Big Macintosh? Isn’t he with the army? Isn’t he out there fighting?”
The silence in the air was suddenly filled with tears as they all tried to avoid the thought of Big Macintosh out there, fighting in this chaos. Applejack took another peek outside, and could see another wave of pegasi heading towards the city, but these were different. These pegasi were clad in dark blue armor with a half crescent moon painted onto the front of their chest plates. Applejack watched as they whizzed by, into the city. She mumbled to herself “The Lunar Republic? Why would they be here unless...” She paused, and carefully thought of the implications, before holding her grandmother and little sister even tighter.
Rarity strode into her office, sat at her desk, levitated her phone, and dialed the designated number. There was a sudden series of beeping before a voice came over the line. “Hello, Madam Prime Minister. What a lovely day we are having.”
Rarity raised her voice. “Queen Trixie, I just received word that the German flagship has been spotted, firing over Ponland’s airspace.”
“Oh, yes! Trixie does remember sending some of my soldiers there to collect some loose territory. The Lunar Republic was even kind enough to lend me a hoof.”
“Trixie, those are innocent people you’re slaughtering. That land has no quarrel with you!”
“And Trixie has no quarrel with them, Trixie only wishes to take back what is rightfully German property.”
Rarity paused, and said in a firm tone, “Trixie, by invading the sovereign land of Ponland, you are committing an act of war against the nation of Britannia and her allies.”
“Very brave words, Madam Rarity. Trixie wonders, is your country this bad at protecting all its allies?”
“Britannia is a strong land; we will protect our home and the home of our allies with all we have!”
“Trixie hopes you’re right! Maybe you’ll finally be able to protect something. Trixie would very much hate to see something bad happen to any of these other places on the map. Then again, Germaneigh is still looking a little small...”
“If you continue with these aggressive actions, you will face war on a scale, completely unheard of. I beg you, do not make me do this.”
“Does Trixie sense...fear? Trixie supposes it’s only natural when faced with such innumerable odds. Well, Trixie has things to be doing. Do keep in touch!”
There was a dead silence over the phone line as Rarity hung up, and looked out towards the bay window of her office. Outside these walls, the citizens ran doing their everyday chores, blissfully unaware of the fire about to engulf the nation.
Surrounded on all sides by armored guards, Trixie made her way onto the balcony, overlooking the streets of Berl, the nation’s capitol. She fastened her royal cloak and straightened her golden crown. Facing Trixie was a crowd of no less than several thousand. By now, word had gotten out about the attack on Ponland. No doubt, they would want to hear word directly from their queen on the matter.
To her side, General Stonewall stood, propping up his glasses. “Give them a good show, my Queen,” he teased.
She smiled. “Doesn’t Trixie always?” She now faced the crowd. They seemed on edge. She had called the city guard in to account for any damage control, but for now things seemed to be calm.
Trixie approached the edge of the balcony, adjusting her step. The balcony overlooking the streets was designed with no guardrail, as to ease delivering speeches and public addresses. One false step and she would find herself five stories below, atop the iron pointed walls of the castle.
She approached the microphone that was placed near the edge. She tapped it with her hoof, activating it. She cleared her throat. “Good ponies of Germaneigh,” she spoke clearly, “Trixie can see it on your faces.”
She bore a sullen look. “You struggle to feed your children. You live day to day in fear of whether you can buy bread or even if you’ll still have your job by the end of the day. Trixie knows this.”
She circled her eyes around the audience. Several were nodding in agreement. She hardened her gaze. “It’s a livid feeling. These other countries continue to oppress us as they have done since the end of the Great War. You endured during the fall of the original German government. You endured during the rule of the tyrant, King Blue Claw. You endured even today. How long must we endure? And for what purpose? So the Apples can continue maintaining a profit while they run their corrupt businesses? So the fillyfoolers and coltcuddlers can corrupt
our youth? So Britannia and their dogs can hover over us?”
She heard shouts from audience. “Burn ‘em!” one elder stallion shouted. “Hang ‘em by the castle walls!” shouted another. Slowly, more voices joined in encouragement.
She nodded to herself. “The other nations do nothing either! They waltz about Germaneigh like some diseased animal. No more!” She lowered her voice. “We have grabbed for Ponland. They will fight and they will bleed. They will bleed the same blood that has dripped from our country for so long. Mark this day, gentleponies.”
She raised her voice. “This is the beginning of a new era: the era of Germaneigh! As of this moment, Germaneigh stands on all fours and declares in one voice that we will not stand idly by anymore! We will match them blow for blow, bomb for bomb! We will break our shackles and overtake the masters who put us in chains! First, Ponland. Tomorrow, the Eastern Union.” She paused. “Soon.....the world!”
They began shouting and cheering. “All hail Germaneigh!” they shouted. “All hail Trixie!” others shouted in unison. They were in her grasp now. And soon, so would the world.
