//------------------------------// // Arc: Procedure // Story: A Circle Has No End: Volume I // by Gladi Writes //------------------------------// Spitfire barely even had to pull the steering stick to maneuver her craft between the towers of Canterlot, her other hoof gently pulling on the throttle, while her legs handled two pedals. It was a difficult craft to fly- managing yaw, roll, pitch, and lateral movement all at once required incredible dexterity. In the hands of a capable pilot, like herself, it was at least as elegant as the pegasi themselves- except markedly faster. She could simply fly by her own wings across the continent, having been a Wonderbolt all her life, but this machine and the others like it gave the Wonderbolts the ability to deploy anywhere within twelve hours, rested and ready, with massive arms to bear. Setting the vessel down through the clouds to land in the castle courtyard, she flicked the engine shut down switch, and spun her chair back. The sight of a mare and changeling sleeping in a rather adorable pile would have been incredibly strange less then two months ago, but now it was just cute. She had a thought. There was close to five hours until the parliament, and they were adorable together... Look back at the control panel she grinned, as expected there was a timer. If she understood it right it was so a paradrop could be coordinated in the dead of night using only time- half an hour from a landmark, drop the troops. It had also been used to wake the pilot if they decided to catch a few winks with the vehicle on autopilot, but nopony talked about that use openly. Spitifire dialed it in to 3 and a half hours, quietly leaving the cockpit with a glance back. If anything proved Celestia right that the changelings and ponies could co-exist, it was them. "Air Martial Spitfire!" At the bottom of the ramp Spitfire was pleased to see a phalanx of honor guards, all in golden dress uniform, lined up. At the end was General Massé- her counterpart on the recently re-structured 'Legion'. Straightening her uniform she descended the ramp with her held high. It was raining, but she bared it no mind- rain was the least on her mind. "General Massé! It's good to see you!" Spitfire addressed, sharing salutes with him. He gestured to the castle, leading Spitfire onwards to it while their honor guard took their sides. "That was some impressive work last night, Martial. Three for one isn't bad," the general noted. Spitfire frowned, for a moment breaking her rigid military march, glancing towards the ground. "Was it, Levee? I should have expected ships, I shouldn't have sent those corve-" A harsh look from the general silenced her. "Spitfire, I told you before. You're the best Wonderbolt I've ever seen, and a skilled commander- but even you aren't perfect. Start second guessing yourself and you'll lose both honours," He turned his glare to a smile. "Don't worry about it." Spitfire smiled herself, and regained her confident walk. Together they entered the Castle. At the top of the Castle, in the highest tower, Sergeant Flash Sentry tried desperately to catch some sleep after being awake for nearly a day. Trying to do so in the barracks was career suicide, although he expected his career couldn't get any lower than 'literally a textbook example of screwing up'. Another round of horns heralded yet another arriving dignitary, and he rolled over on his back with a groan. Normally up here it was quiet, peaceful, and there was a gentle breeze. On a day like today the gentle pitter-patter of the rain would put him right to sleep. Normally. Today all the nation's elite were gathered to have a vote of stupendous importance, so historical in it's nature that only a fool could miss it. A fool, or in this case, a stallion that had spent that last day in an adrenaline fueled surge of activity. He swore his spine ached. He had a sudden idea and shot up on four wobbly legs. The Ambassador's room was sound-proofed, a demand of the Changeling Queen. Regardless, he almost always kept the door open, and rarely did anything that he would need to hide. If Flash didn't know otherwise he would think the Ambassador wasn't a changeling at all, instead some bizarre pony double-spy. He also really liked cider, and Flash had an ornate carving in his locker worth a significant amount of bits (if ever found anyone to buy it) that he had gotten the Ambassador to ship him entirely because he happened to be buzzed that night.Flash had made it his mission to track all of the antics the Ambassador got up to, and that night had gotten lucky. They had played cards, and while the Ambassador had a remarkable poker face- he still blew it. Flash smiled on recalling what the Ambassador had said, throwing the cards on the table at his loss. "It's a weapon, Flash. Your cider is a secret weapon, this is an act of war." It was a joke, obviously, but part of it was true. The Changelings seemed to have a unique love of the drink, beyond even the regular pony. It's effects also seemed tripled. Flash quickly made his way to the Ambassador's room, managing to put on an air of purpose that allowed him to pass any of the other guards un-noticed. He supposed one of the perks of being basically a desk clerk was nobody cared where you were going. Finding the the door to the Ambassador's office open, and closing it quietly behind him, Flash sighed and flopped down on a couch against the wall. Silence. Flash closed his eyes... and then felt something wet on his cheek. Opening them he saw a small dog, wagging it's tail. It leapt up and leaned against him. It was adorable, just a little white poofy puppy. Did the Ambassador have a dog? Looking closely there wasn't any collar on it, and no food in the room. The Ambassador spent a lot of lot of time out of the city too, so it wouldn't wouldn't make any sense. Flash winked at the creature, and a secret pact was made to never tell each other about their secret resting area. Luna arrived on the castle courtyard, heralded by non but herself. She respected her Night Guard enough not to force them to work in the day needlessly, and in any case the parliament would protected by the Legion. Matters of state were an important facet of life as a ruler, but Luna had long since allowed her sister to be the de-facto head of state in most ways. Taxes, laws, petty disputes. Luna did not care about these, she only cared about the grander picture. Equestria had many enemies, and many things that went bump in the night would see it thrown into disarray. This was her duty, the defense of the nation from things that it's citizens would rather forget about. A thousand years past she had tried to usurp her sisters role, and was met with a spiral of unpopularity and mass discontent that led to a rather nasty... confrontation. She shook her head, best not to think on that now. The present demanded her attention, and today's vote was definitely more important than 'taxes, laws, and petty disputes'. Today there would be two votes, one which was certain to past and the other... would take more time. First, they would vote to change the currently state of emergency into a more formal, long term, state of war. Second, they would vote on whether to declare war on the griffons. Luna took her seat at the head of the meeting chamber, which would normally be the throne room but had hastily been converted by adding several more seats to either side of the throne, and a dozen benches before. The alicorns would sit up front, and held formal voting powers. Ambassador Wildcard of the Changelings also held a single vote, as outlined in the treaty. Luna found it somewhat strange that a foreign national was given voting powers, but considering the nature of the alliance- which almost made the Hive a province in how melded the two nations so closely- it made a certain amount of sense. Anyway, nobody had actually expected that clause to come into use- the last parliament was a century ago and centered around a drought. The other members of parliament were a group of nobles, aristocrats, and each of the town mayors. They held no real power, and were there ostensibly to 'inform and debate on the decisions of the crown'. The real purpose, however, was so they could carry out the decisions made by the true rulers of the land. The mayor of Baltimare had turned most of them to Luna's side, but even then it was probably not enough to convince her sister. Celestia had made her position clear from the start: Equestria would not declare war unless being declared against. That had not happened, true- but the griffons had burnt a city and attacked their allies. The war had been declared, wordlessly. With her vote against, that left the others: Twilight Sparkle would probably vote with Celestia, she was after all her protege; and barely months into her 'reign'. Cadence would probably also vote for peace, and her husband with her. Both military officials- General Massé and Air Martial Spitfire- would probably vote for a declaration. Ambassador Wildcard would undoubtedly vote for this as well, the Hive was no stranger to violence. In fact, as far as she could tell from their history; living in the south was a near constant struggle of give-and-take with your neighbors. That the hive managed to exist at all either meant Chrysalis was a genius, or far more likely- the changelings fought without fear and struck hard. The events at Canterlot half a year ago had happened because it wasn't supposed to be a fight, Chrysalis was totally confident in her ability to sack the city from the inside and take Celestia's position. Luna snorted as she remembered those events, the Night Guard had wanted to sack the hive in return, but Celestia had blocked it. The H.M.S Magnificent would have to wait six more months to be activated, and was now part of the Wonderbolt Fleet. Four for, four against. In case of a tie vote the matter was to be debated for a week, and then a tie breaking vote cast by the speaker- whom was to be Princess Celestia's assistant today. During a state of emergency however, the matter only sat for six hours. With Baltimare a 'zone of exclusion', and the Changelings barely a half day after having been attacked, it was definitely a state of emergency. Celestia walked into the room, her shimmering multicolored mane hovering around. She glanced around and then turned to her sister, meditating at her seat, with a look of worry. "Luna, have you seen Cadence, or Shining Armour? The train was supposed to arrive by now- and they aren't answering any messages." She inquired. "I have not, perhaps there is some minor delay- I could send a-" Celestia shook her head. "I'm probably worrying too much, I'll have the Wonderbolts send a ship north- it's probably nothing," She said, and left. Luna considered this. There was no major defense for the Crystal Empire- what strategic value did a bunch of rolling hills have? Her sister was right, those new machines they had been using were broken as often as they worked, and if they were on a train they wouldn't be able to respond anyway. She would have to see about outfitting the trains with a radio so this didn't happen again. She sighed, and slumped into her seat. There were so many things in Equestria that needed to be addressed if they were going to fight a war properly, and most of them they didn't even realize. If this was going to happen, it was going to be painful. Spitfire and General Massé had found the refreshment table, and were sharing stories by the morning light. There was no cider, but there was apple pie and a strange brew from the west coast- mango juice. "Well... it's not bad, a little sweet, but not bad," Spitfire noted. She would have to get some for the crew, would add a little variety to the non-alcoholic cider. None of them actually knew it was, a closely guarded secret. Most of it anyway, her chief engineer was known to keep a stash of the good stuff. "Ah, you'll grow into it. This stuff only crept into Ponyville last week and already there's turf-battles between the place selling it, and a cider chain," General Massé said. "You're joking?" Spitfire put her glass down, "During a state of emergency? We should be rationing!" General Massé shook his head. "Spitfire, if we start down the road of utilitarianism- especially this early then what are we fighting for?" She scowled at him, "If we don't, it doesn't ma-" Their argument was cut short when Celestia addressed them from behind, both quickly turning and saluting. "At ease," Celestia said, and turned to Spitfire. "Spitfire, I need you to check on the Crystal Empire. Cadence isn't here, and they've gone dark, it's probably nothing but we better check up on it," "Yes Ma'am, I'll head there myself- I've got the fastest ship in the fleet," Spitfire replied. Celestia nodded, "Good. Don't worry about the vote, we won't have a quorum without you. We'll await your return." Spitfire raced out of the room, glad to have a proper mission. Her plan for the vote had been simple- Vote yes for a state of war, vote yes for a declaration, leave. She had no time for trivialities of state, the Wonderbolts needed her. Flying to the Crystal Empire would at least allow her to put off having to the be in the same room as all those nobles. Ugh Scrambling up the boarding ramp she slammed the door open and leapt into the pilots seat, swinging it around and immediately engaging the engines. With a low rumble the ship was off. Rain splashing against the window turned into a roar of water before it quickly broke through the clouds. "Hey, what the buck is going on?" Somepony moaned behind her. Oops. No time for that now, she was already soaring into the sky, she reached over and shut off the timer- no point for that now. "Uh, change of plans- we're going to the crystal empire," Spitfire said. "What? Why?" First Class asked. "We're due at the castle in.. wait aren't you too?" "I am, but they can wait- and so can you," Spitfire engaged the autopilot, and spun the seat back. "Besides, maybe it'll be nice to see Cadence- I'm sure she love love loves changelings," Wildcard groaned, burying his face in his hooves. "You know, I could say this is an act of war- kidnapping," Wildcard threatened. Spitfire grinned and crossed her arms. "You won't, you're as reluctant to vote as I am," Spitfire said. Wildcard paused, a confused look on his face. Spitfire gestured to First Class, and then to him. "Tell me, should we go to war?" "Yes, No." The reply blended into one, and they turned to look at each other while Spitfire just grinned ever wider. "Well, come on! They burnt a city!" Wildcard argued preemptively. First Class looked away, and bowed her head. "Is that what you really think? That we need to go to war? Celestia hopes..." "Come on! What happened to you? You were rearing to go back at the Hive!" Wildcard exclaimed. She glared back. "That was then, they attacked us! If we escalate, they'll escalate too, and the whole country will be caught up in it!" "What then? Just keep allowing them to fight us on their own terms? How long until something truly bad happens- how long until somebody loses their life?" Wildcard asked. "That... that can't happen," First Class said, once again looking away. "A life hasn't been lost in violence for generations." "I've been there, I've seen it. The Hive has been attacked, and has attacked, dozens of times. You need to strike them so that they won't strike you. This has already gone beyond the point of no return- you just can't see it yet," Wildcard argued. "I... need to think," First Class said, softly, and lay on the bench. Spitfire turned back to the controls, and the radio back on. Five to four. With few hours of silent cruising, nothing but the smooth jazz on the radio and the dull thrum of the engines, the ship eventually spotted the Crystal Empire on the horizon. A circle of grass in a wide area of tundra, it was like a green oasis in a white desert. "You two, get up here- take a look at this," Spitfire ordered. The two quickly squeezed beside the pilots seat to look forward. "Is that fire?" First Class asked. "It looks like it, but it's not in the city thankfully. Looks like wreckage scattered around- this is a bad sign," Spitfire replied. Wildcard peered intently forward. As Spitfire said mangled wreckage littered the grounds outside the city, while the city itself appeared fine. The shield was down though, and no enemies could be seen- so what exactly was going on? "I'll set down near the castle," Spitfire said, gesturing to her side, "Wildcard, send a message back to the fleet for me, there's a radiograph behind one of the panels," Wildcard nodded and looked along the wall, tapping at a few panels. The first was a scope, the second a scary assortment of red buttons, and the third contained the radiograph. As he opened it there was a whine from above as a dish popped out of the top of the vehicle. ---PRECEDENCE: FLASH---EMPIRE ATTACK PROBABLE---SEND REINFORCEMENT--- "Done" Flash was awoken in his nap by the couch shaking as if the earth was moving. Dashing his groggy body to the window he saw the fleet high in the sky turning itself north. The Magnificent seemed like a floating island, and pushed the clouds themselves aside as it moved. Something important was going on out there, something more then just the government debating. He looked back at Wildcards desk, a telex machine beside his typewriter. Peering at it he read the message, and dashed out of the room. The dog took his tail, yapping away. He burst into his front office a few minutes afterwards, and sat at his own machine. Adrenaline fueled him now, and he repeated what he had learned earlier to hook into the command line. He would be aware of everything, like an omnipresent god watching through the wires that criss-crossed the country like nerves.' Another flash came in, and his face was turned white with horror, his vision blurred and he fought back the urge to either pass out, or vomit, or something else. He failed, and passed out at his desk. The Hurricane set down before the Crystal Imperial Palace, and as soon as the docking ramp was down its three passengers ran outside. Below the palace a circle of armoured guards surrounded a medical cart, its doors wide open. None of them could see what was inside, but it couldn't possibly be anything good. Shining Armour stood to the side, his wife leaning against him. They rushed to them. "Field Martial, what happened!" Spitfire shouted. He turned glanced back at her, and they all stopped in their tracks as he stared right through them. Wildcard knew that look, and grimaced at the expected follow up. "The worst has happened," He gestured to the cart. "We lost somepony today." None of them could find any words. It was Cadence who spoke next, composing herself and turning towards them. "Get me to Canterlot, we've got work to do," As quick as they had arrived, they departed. Wildcard quickly relayed the information before sitting at a bench opposite Shining Amour and Princess Cadence. First Class leaned on him, shivering. "If you don't mind me asking, who was it?" Wildcard asked. "Captain Ironhoof, I delegated most of my duties to him since I would be traveling so often as Field Martial now. He was an older stallion, and didn't have much time left- but it's still a tragedy," He explained. "I'm truly sorry, if there's any way we c-" Shining cut him off waving his hoof. "That's not what I meant by 'the worst'," He said, Wildcard squinted, really not anxious to hear what was coming next. "They stole it," Cadence said. "They stole the heart," The ship shuddered as Spitfire reacted. "They did what?!" She exclaimed. First Class mirrored her. "We fought as hard as we could, took down a dozen of their ships. But they just kept coming, and coming. I couldn't hold the shield against the barrage, and then as soon as it was down they rushed the palace. Captain Ironhoof died trying to protect it, but they..." she trailed off. Wildcard shuddered. The worst truly had happened. There was no going back now, if the Griffons stole the Crystal heart- for whatever reason- the ponies would be on a crusade to get to get it back. The death of Ironhoof just fed fire into the flame, and it was a flame that would engulf them all. He had seen war before, but the ponies were strangers to it. They would soon make the mistakes that all nations did, and learn the harsh lessons and realities of real war. Whether they could prevail in the end, he did not know. The griffons were fierce, and had fighting forces at least equal to Equestria and the Changelings. Together they balanced it out, but the independent states to the south raised another problem. The entire continent could easily fall to chaos. He swallowed his fear and clutched his love close, the future was uncertain- for all of them. "Put the radio on," Wildcard said. To the surprise of all the expected smooth jazz didn't fill the air. "...Citizens of Equestria. This is your superior speaking. I am Grand Martial Galvon, you may remember an ultimatum I gave you one month ago. I have not received any contact, nor any attempts to do so, and thus I view this as a denial of my simple request. I have struck deep into your nation and stolen something very dear to you. I have stolen your 'crystal heart'. To prove your worth as a species; worthy of sharing this world with me, come and take it. You can, of course, take the cowards path and surrender, as I have demanded. I will keep the heart as a punishment for ignoring me." The message gave way to static. The ship passed the fleet an few short hours later, and an hour past that returned to Canterlot. The Magnificent remained, along with a pair of picket ships; they hovered above the clouds that covered the city below. The way the Magnificent cast a shadow on them while the sun hung over the billowy mass would have been beautiful at any other time. Coming in for a landing in the courtyard the passengers disembarked to find it deserted, They wasted no time and strode into the castle, finding the parliament had long been in session. "It's clear now, even clearer then before! They've come, they've hit us, and it's time to hit them back!" One of the delegates shouted, to a cheer. "If we attack them, then that proves we're no better then they are. The fleet will protect us, and we've lived without the heart before!" Another responded, to an equal cheer. The group quickly went around and took their seats, First Class taking what would normally be the throne. Celestia looked unbelievably relieved that they had arrived in one peace, as hushed chatter filled the room. On the far side of the throne, which was now occupied by First Class as speaker, sat the two representatives of the military. On the near side Celestia and Luna sat together, beside them Princess Twilight Sparkle. Cadence and Shining Armour took seats beside her. She looked up to them, but got nothing in return as they talked quietly as a pair. Wildcard got the seat on the end of the table. A guard near the door came to attention, a few steps behind. "Announcing Princess Cadence, Field Martial Shining Armour, Ambassador Wildcard of the Changelings, and Speaker of the House First Class!" He shouted, and then slunk in his spot out of breath. First Class set right to it, Wildcard noticed something about her, there was fire in her eye and a feeling of power behind her actions. She hit her gavel on the desk like she was trying to murder it, setting the room silent- a few of the delegates jumping surprised in their seats. "I hereby call this session to order! Arguments will now be presented, starting with Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire." Wildcard was amazing, and slightly attracted, by the power in her voice. He'd never seen her at work before. Cadence took a breath, and then stood to deliver her speech. Wildcard noticed for the first time that none at the table had anything prepared, only a series of glasses of water lay on it. He had prepared a speech- it was in his office. Useless now after the days events. "Delegates of parliament, I come before you today in mourning at a great tragedy that has befallen my subjects. Our enemies struck today at the very beating heart of my home, and they struck with a brutality that overwhelmed our meager defense. Today they stole something of vast importance, but they stole something more then an object- they stole a life..." She was forced to pause when a gasp went through the room, the delegates turning to each other with amazement. Celestia slumped in her chair, her sister leaning over with a worried look on her face. General Massé turned to Spitfire, who nodded in return. Wildcard looked at First Class, sitting in what would normally be the throne in the middle of them. There was a tear in her eye, and he suppressed his own emotions. "Order! There will be order! Procedure will be followed! She shouted with a shaking voice. The din quieted, Cadence continued. "... I had come today to argue for peace, to argue for restraint, and to argue our enemies were not as bad as we might think," She paused, and elevated herself with her hooves on the table. "No. I will not allow them to get away with this. This 'high martial' must be brought to justice for his crimes!" She shouted. Shining came to her side. "I agree! We should use everything we have to bring this monster down before he causes more grief! I call the vote!" he shouted. Celestia remained silent, which Wildcard found strange. He himself found nothing to add at the moment and remained as well. "What about them? Weren't they our enemies half a year ago? They invaded us! Somepony could well have died then, but we're allies now!" A delegate stood and gestured at Wildcard, and he had an opening. He slammed his hooves on the desk, his wings buzzing with anger. "You dare compare us to the griffons, whom have burned a city, stolen the Crystal Heart, and committed murder? The worst we ever did pales in comparison- and I'll remind the delegate that we have been attacked by the griffons as well!" He yelled straight down at the pony, whom slunk back in his chair. "Call the vote!" he added. First Class banged her gavel. "Very well! The vote is called, and both issues will be voted on as one. Should the The Principality of Equestria and the Dominion of the Crystal Empire declare a state of war, as well as a declaration of war against the Griffon Kingdoms?" She asked in a booming voice. Another din of shouting was quickly put down. "Air Martial Spitfire!" "Yes!" "General L.E Massé!" "Yes!" The delegates turned to eachother, the room quickly turning into chaos below. Those at the table ignored it and pressed on. "Princess Luna!" "Yes!" "Princess Celestia!" The room silenced, and all eyes turned to her. Wildcard was unsure- would the escalation actually sway her, or would she remain committed? "Abstain." Another round of shouting below, First Class banged her gavel once again. "Order! Only a majority is needed!" She shouted, somewhat quieting them. "Princess Ca-" "Yes!" Came the reply from both Shining Armour and Cadence. "Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Once again, silence. Everybody wanted to know if she would follow her own mentor, or strike out on her own. "Yes!" She shouted, falling back into her seat, trembling. On her own then, an interesting development. Wildcard felt sorry for her, she was barely a few months into being a ruler, at an incredibly young age no less, and already pressed into making a declaration of war- against her mentors wishes no less. "Ambassador Wildcard of the Changelings!" Before he could respond one of the delegates rushed the table, two guards quickly leaping on him. "Why does he get a vote? He's not one of us!" He shouted. "Need I remind the respected delegate that we're in this too?" Wildcard leaned down and said to him. "I vote yes!" he shouted. First Class banged her gavel. "By a vote of 7 yes, and one abstention, The Principality of Equestria and the Dominion of the Crystal Empire is now at war with the Griffon Kingdoms." A cheer of patriotic fervor filled the room, a few dozen rowdy dissidents quickly getting led out by the guards. The clear majority approved. Celestia silently slunk out of the side door, her sister on her tail. Twilight, Cadence, and Shining Armour followed shortly, Spitfire and General Massé seemed busy discussing something. First Class sunk into her seat, staring ahead vacantly, spinning the gavel around in her hoof. Wildcard came up and tapped her on the shoulder, the looked up at him with a faint smile. "Well, you were right," She said. "I wish I wasn't," He replied. He really, really did.