//------------------------------// // 12: War and Marriage // Story: The Jolly Rogers // by lockheed //------------------------------// “Pregnant? How?” “I don’t know. We’re not even the same species!” “Honey, calm down. If you’re worried about it just remember that I’m here for ya. I’m just a little shocked to say the least.” “How do you think I feel?! I’m the one with possibly a freak baby growing in me! Oh shit, I hope I haven’t gained too much to fit in my dress.” “I don’t get why you were so worried about losing weight anyways. You got a man, you won the game. Eat a cheese wheel, a deep fried strudel, it doesn’t matter because you will always be the most beautiful mare in the universe. Even when you’re old and grey you’ll still be sexy to me.” “Yeah right.” She gave me a playful hit on the shoulder before looking down at the floor. “Honey, if you’re really this worried maybe you should give it up.” “And who would adopt a freak human/pony baby? How do you feel about all this?” “Personally I’m thrilled to be a dad but I’ll support any decision you make.” “Now I feel like I’d be denying you the chance to have your own, biological child. I don’t know what to do!” “Sweet heart, it’s alright. We’ll figure it out. I promise.” “Pinkie Pie promise?” “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” “This means no more evening wine doesn’t it?” “For you but I’ll skip the evening drink since you can’t have it.” She smiled at me before flopping backwards onto her back. I followed suit and we laid there staring at the ceiling for a while. A knock at the door got our attention and we saw the kids standing there. “You guys ok?” “We heard you guys talking.” “Oh.” They trotted in and flopped onto the bed with us. “You know, we all three discussed it out in the hall and we would welcome it with open arms.” “Yeah, I love babies!” Lancaster exclaimed and got a chuckle out of us. “So you three would like a new brother or sister?” “Of course we would. Even if they are a freak.” We all sat there looking at the ceiling thinking until Lancaster spoke up. “How do birds breathe in the egg?” “Go ask Fluttershy.” “Ok.” He hopped down and galloped downstairs. “That was a joke!” But by that time he had already run out the door. ~~~~~ 12:00 Hours Ponyville Aerodrome December 4, 1986 Four Days to the Wedding ~~~~~ The Tomcat roared over the snow blanketed town of Ponyville as we ran air drills. “Bandit, twelve high!” Looking up I saw a C model Mustang diving down at us. Shoving the throttle forward we gained speed and left the Mustang in the dust. “Alright Skipper, there’s no way I’m catching up. Disengaging.” The Mustang banked away towards Canterlot and we slowed to just enough to stay airborne. Banking over the town we turned towards the airfield and dropped the landing gear. “Tower this is Red Leader. Requesting permission to land, runway four.” “Red Leader this is the tower. Cleared to land, runway four.” “Cleared to land, runway four.” Lowering the flaps we touched down on the new runway and taxied to one of the hangars. Raising the canopy I climbed out of the olive drab Tomcat and placed my flight helmet on a hook on the hangar wall. Walking to my office I went into the bathroom and changed into my uniform. Placing my cap on my head I walked out of the office and began heading for the infirmary. Dodging a small Grasshopper liaison aircraft I had to hold onto my cap as the prop wash hit me. Continuing on across the airfield a P-40 with a blood red tail and rainbow trim tabs roared skywards to my right as Rainbow Dash set out on her scheduled patrol. Eventually I reached the infirmary and found Thunderstreak in her white nurse’s uniform giving a patient a shot of morphine. “This the guy who had a bomb crush his leg?” “Yeah. Hundred pound bomb landing on your leg will normally fuck it up.” “Lucky it didn’t go off.” “Uh-huh.” “So how ya feelin’?” “Okay. Gonna grab some books on pregnancy from the nurses station before we leave.” “Why? Ya did fine with Sabre.” “Are you sure? Last night we caught him trying to lick his armpit.” “…Yeah get the books.” “That’s what I figured you’d say. Besides, I need to be in the best condition with this thing growing in me.” “Well with my family history just eat a ton of chocolate and you should be fine. That’s what my mom and gram did.” “Well let’s just let the doctor decide in a couple of weeks when I go back.” “Alright. Well I’ve gotta get back to the office.” “Okay. Don’t forget we’re having dinner with the Apples tonight at the house.” “That’s tonight?” “Uh-huh. Sweetie, you didn’t forget did you?” “No, I just could’ve sworn it was tomorrow.” “Nope. It’s tonight.” “Oh, well I’ll be in my office if ya need me.” “Alright.” Heading back into the cold, December air I walked along while the snow crunched beneath my boots. Looking around at the ground personnel in their long wool coats I felt pity for them. ‘They deal with the cold all day and never once have I heard them complain but I can’t handle a few minutes between buildings.’ When I got to my office I grabbed my long wool coat from the hook on the far wall and headed out for one of the hangars where some of the prototypes were housed to keep them out of the cold. Going inside the hangar I walked around one of the new Mustang prototypes and marveled at the improvements they had made to the armament. “So what do ya think sir? Nothing will escape this thing.” A sergeant looked at the olive and grey B model P-51 with the two twenty millimeter cannons in each wing. “I like that the company took my advice on the gun improvements. Did they strengthen the wings to handle the added recoil?” “Yes sir.” “It been to the range yet?” “Not yet sir. Want me to load it up for you?” “Sure. Need a hand with it?” “Sure.” Walking with him I grabbed two belts of fifty rounds and slung them over my shoulders. We climbed up onto the wings, opened up the gun bays, and loaded the ammo into the plane. With the ammo in place I climbed into the cockpit while the ponies on the ground began opening the hangar door. With the headset slipped over my cap I flipped the magnetos and the Merlin engine roared to life. Closing the canopy I pushed the throttle forward and taxied out towards the active runway and sat waiting behind a B-17F Flying Fortress piloted by a newly minted pilot from Sweet Apple Acres. “Mac, you goin’ to the range?” “Eeyup.” “Same here. How’s about I fly on your wing?” “Eeyup.” The bomber rolled onto the runway and began to head for the opposite end with its four engines roaring at full power. When the bomber was far enough down the runway I taxied out and saw a green flare soar upwards into the sky. Shoving the throttle forward the Mustang’s tail rose up about halfway down the runway and it began to claw its way into the sky. Raising the gear I searched for the bomber and soon found it climbing up to ten thousand feet. Maneuvering into position just below the left engines I looked up at the bomber where there was Fluttershy painted on next to the name Ponyville Belle. “Ponyville Belle huh?” “Eeyup.” We flew on for almost a half hour before we reached the weapons range that was pocketed with craters from previous flights. “Alright Mac, I’m gonna try the guns, back in a bit.” Diving towards the ground I opened fire on a target and saw the cannon rounds tear through the dummy griffins like a hot knife through butter. As I pulled out of the dive I saw the explosions of the bombs from Mac’s plane a few hundred yards away. Suddenly the headset burst to life as the tower broadcast to all the planes it could. “All aircraft return to base immediately!” Messages of confusion ensued and all the tower would say was it was an important matter. “Tower, this is Major General James Jones. I order you to tell us what’s going on.” There was hesitation before the controller replied grimly. “The griffins have invaded Prance, the Crystal Empire has declared war.” ~~~~~ The Crystal City, Crystal Empire 14:00 Hours December 5, 1986 ~~~~~ The crystal ponies marched past and a flight of Spitfires roared overhead as we watched the troops move out to fight the griffins in Prance. Next to me stood Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Prince Shining Armor. We stood silent as the sound of marching filled the air. Celestia looked at Cadence and Shining Armor with despair. “Are you certain we cannot talk you out of this?” “I’m sorry auntie but this is for not only our nation, but the world.” “The battle of Prance has begun. If we cannot talk you out of it, how can we help?” “We need more bombers and pilots.” “I can offer some of my pilots and a few bombers from Ponyville if you would like them.” Cadence kindly accepted my offer and we continued to watch the troops march onward. As we watched we could hear someone whistling through the sound of hooves on the cobblestones. Looking through the procession I saw three soldiers whistling a tune as they marched next to one another. As I looked on more soldiers began to whistle with them but some had begun to sing along to the tune. More joined in and soon half of the troops were whistling and the other half singing. “Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, And smile, smile, smile, While you've a lucifer to light your fag, Smile, boys, that's the style. What's the use of worrying? It never was worthwhile, so Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag, And smile, smile, smile.” My mind raced as I watched them. ‘They go off to war like cattle to the slaughter. They sing to ignore it.’ Turning on my heel I went inside the crystal palace and found Thunderstreak sitting in a chair looking at a magazine for guests of the palace. She looked up at the sound of my boots on the floor and gave me a small smile. “How are the kids?” “They’re fine. Lancaster is a bit upset but they should be good.” “Well, I need to go to the airfield here in town. I’ll be back in a bit.” Walking down the hall I went down the stairs until I reached ground level and set off for the grass airdrome that had been hastily set up in a city park. Walking the streets I saw worried ponies, stallions waving good bye to their families as they hurried off to join the rest of the troops heading to Prance. They were fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, and nephews. They had family members that couldn’t serve alongside them and the look of fear for family members was on everyone’s faces. Not four hours earlier the sirens had wailed and left once towering buildings nothing more than a pile of rubble. On another side street firefighters battled a blaze from an incendiary bomb that had landed on a house. Outside a child cried as the family watched their house turn to charred rubble. Continuing on I entered the park where there sat a flight of Spitfires and around ten Hurricanes. In the middle of the small group of pilots sat Group Captain Smith. “Smith, what can I do to help?” He pushed his cap up to uncover his eyes and looked me up and down. “About time you got here yank. Where’s the rest of the lot?” “Still in Ponyville. I’ll take whatever you’ve got.” He stood up and led me over to a Hurricane which had blood splattered all over the inside of the canopy. “We’ll need to take out the pony friendly equipment but other than that she’s good to go.” He caught me staring at the blood soaked canopy and began to dig at the snowy ground with his heel. “The bloke got her down. Managed to shut it down just before he passed, god rest his soul.” “I’m gonna need a rag and some water.” We removed the canopy from its rails and I set about cleaning it while Joseph removed the pony friendly gear. He had just finished removing what he needed and I had slid the canopy back onto its rails when the sirens began to wail their cry of death. The pilots all scrambled for their fighters as enemy aircraft flew across the crystal channel for the city. Climbing into the Hurricane I started the engine and taxied to the end of the dead grass strip. “Get airborne as soon as you can!” I was the third one into the sky and we scanned the horizon for the incoming bombers. Suddenly there was a cry of “bandits, two o’ clock!” and we banked right to get the bombers. “It’s Heinkels, Junkers, and a whole mess of Messerschmitt’s!” “Take out the bombers! We’ll handle the fighters.” The Spitfires banked away to intercept the 109s while we in the Hurricanes were left with what looked like five flights of 111s and two flights of 87s. The flight leader ordered us to break and intercept and I soon had the nose of a Heinkel in the gun site. Pushing the button on the stick the guns opened fire and raked the nose of the bomber. As I dived to avoid the oncoming bomber I saw the windows covered in the blood of the pilot. “Blue five, good shot.” Banking hard left I found myself under one of the flights of Junkers 87 Stukas. Pulling up I got the belly of the flight leader in my site and opened fire. A tracer hit the lethal cargo on the underside of the dive bomber and it erupted into a fire ball, taking two of the three other Stukas with it. “Three with one shot! Top that boys!” Rolling over I dived down towards another Heinkel and opened fire on its right engine. The engine began to belch flames and black smoke before the bomber slowly entered a death dive. I tried to open fire on the next one but there was a loud clunk that signaled the ammo was spent. Banking away from the enemy fire I headed for the airstrip but not before performing a flyby with the crystal palace. Lining up with the strip I dropped the flaps and the gear but the gear locked light for the right main wheel was still red instead of green. Wagging the wings I tried to get the wheel to drop but it refused to budge. Pushing the throttle forward I pulled up and banked away for a snow covered field on the edge of the city. I brought it in just like any other landing but this time the right wing dropped and the Hurricane ground looped, bending the tips of the prop back and tearing the tip from the right wing. Sliding the canopy back I was about to climb out but something caught my eye, something I had looked over in the heat of battle. A picture. A stallion, mare, and two kids sitting in a photo studio. The picture was splattered with blood but the ponies could still be seen through the crusty, dried red liquid. Gently pulling it from its place in the edge of the artificial horizon I slipped it in my pocket and hopped out of the plane. Walking through the snow I headed for the palace where the royals and my family were holed up during the raid. ~~~~~ Crystal Palace Twenty Minutes Earlier ~~~~ Thunderstreak continued to flip through the magazine, oblivious to the oncoming attack. Suddenly the cry of a siren made her look up, throw down her magazine, and gallop down the hall. “Kids! Air raid shelter, now!” The three kids scrambled from their room and down the stairs towards the shelter, followed closely by the royals and two guards. They made it to the shelter and slammed the large steel door shut. Sitting down they all looked around at the seemingly small space. “So now what?” “Now, we wait. This is the sixth raid since midnight so it’s nothing new for Shining and I.” There was silence for a few minutes before it was broken by a small, scared voice. “Mum, I’m bored.” “I know sweetie but the bombs will stop soon and then you can go play in the courtyard.” They sat there silent again for a bit until Sabre noticed something in the corner of the room. “Hey, there’s a guitar. I guess I could play us some music to pass the time.” There was mumbled agreements and Sabre floated the guitar over and found a pick weaved in between the strings. Pulling it out he thought for a moment but came up with nothing. “Anypony got a request?” “Oh, oh, that one song from Grandpa Harvard’s records. That blue moon song.” “Alright.” He strummed the guitar real quick and tuned it before he started to play. “Blue moon, blue moon, blue moon, keep shining bright. Blue moon, keep on shining bright, You're gonna bring me back my baby tonight, Blue moon, keep shining bright. “I said blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining, Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue. I said blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining, Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue. “Well, it was on one moonlight night, Stars shining bright, Wish blown high Love said good-bye. “Blue moon of Kentucky Keep on shining. Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue. “Well, I said blue moon of Kentucky Just keep on shining. Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue. I said blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining. Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue. “Well, it was on one moonlight night, Stars shining bright, Wish blown high Love said good-bye. “Blue moon of Kentucky Keep on shining. Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue.” The ponies in the bunker quietly clapped but all jumped when something began banging on the outside of the bunker door. “Shining, go see what it is.” He motioned the two guards to follow him and they aimed their tommy guns at the door. ~~~~~ Twenty Minutes Earlier Edge of the Crystal City ~~~~~ In the distance the rumble of bombs landing on the city made the ground shudder as I continued onwards through the streets. The sirens continued to scream their warnings but those still on the streets seemed not to care. As I walked I saw a shopkeeper sweeping up broken glass from his shop window and a fire crew taking a breather as a fresh crew replaced them. There was talk amongst the fire crew that there was going to be another twenty four shift which enticed a “Gold Feather never takes a holiday” remark from their chief. My footsteps echoed off the empty houses on the empty streets until I reached the crystal palace. Going down the stairs to the tunnels under the palace I found the bunker and began to bang on the door with my fist. The door swung open a few seconds later and I saw two guards with guns aimed directly at me. “Don’t shoot, I’m friendly!” They lowered their guns and let me inside where everyone looked up at me. “What’s going on up there?” Waving my hand for them to follow me I lead them up the stairs to the balcony that overlooked the city. In the distance a new fire roared as black puffs grew closer to the enemy bombers while dogfighting Spitfires and 109s looped and rolled in the grey sky. “Soon as this raid is over we’re going home.” “Good. I don’t like sitting in a cramped bunker for an hour several times a day.” From our vantage point we watched the firefighters of the city battle blaze after blaze while the enemy returned to their airfields. The sirens soon made a steady tone signaling the all clear for the city. Ponies emerged from the ground and began the cleanup in preparation for the next raid. “Let’s haul ass before more of them bastards show up.” Thunderstreak and I lead the way as we went down to the staff car. Piling in we headed for the airfield where our transport was sitting waiting for us on the runway. The driver pulled up to the steps leading to the door of the C-47 Skytrain and we all seemed to fly up the steps into the plane. Sitting down in our seats, the flight engineer shut the door, and the plane began to roll down the runway. “So, how’s all that diplomacy you wanted to do with the griffins working now Tia?” “Not the time general.” “You know, diplomacy is just telling them to fuck off in a way that makes them look forward to the trip. A nice, big bombing raid on Gryphus would have the same effect too.” “General, do you want war?” “Are you waiting until they’re marching onto our soil to act?” There was sudden frantic movement in the cockpit that drew everyone’s attention to the side of the plane that the air crew was looking out of. In the distance two small aircraft were slowly getting closer to the Skytrain as we flew over the crystal cliffs. “Sabre, did you put that olive colored bag in here like I told you?” “That really heavy one? Yeah, why?” “Because. Sabre, Luna, come with me.” Getting up from my seat I went back and unzipped the canvas bag on the floor and pulled out the gun inside. “You packed a machine gun general?” “Not just a machine gun, a fifty caliber. There should be ammo belts and a stand in there too.” Opening the door I took the stand from Luna and slid the bottom into a hole I had put in the floor of my transport. Putting the gun onto the stand I took the ammunition from Sabre and loaded the gun, the muzzle turning a bluish, black in the December air being blown back by the propellers. The once small specks had now become two small, unidentified fighters directly behind our C-47. Suddenly one pulled up alongside the plane and immediately I swung the gun around to face the cockpit of the 109. He pulled up and the other banked far out to our left before banking right and opening fire in our direction. “Oh shit, shoot him!” Following orders from whichever voice had said that I pushed the button between the handles of the .50 and saw tracers fly in the direction of the enemy fighter. After a second of firing past him the bullets found their mark and black smoke from the engine followed the fighter all the way to its landing spot in the crystal channel. The other fighter banked away and ran for home like a pup with its tail between its legs. “He’s headin’ home!” “General, why did you pack that machine gun?” “Because Luna, you never head into a combat zone without either a plan or a big ass gun.” Taking the gun of the stand I set it aside, closed the door, and took my seat next to Thunderstreak. “General Jones?” Looking to my right I saw Celestia staring at the floor. “I would like to apologize for my behavior a few minutes ago. It is just that I don’t want to see my country go to war.” “Neither do I, but we know it is inevitable. We need to start preparing.” “How is that?” “First tell your higher generals to get their head outta their asses and preparing to move troops to a battle front and provide more weapons to the Home Guard. I got a letter yesterday from the Ponyville Guard leader asking if we could oblige him with a bren gun.” “That shouldn’t be difficult. So where should the troops go? The crystal ponies are losing the war in Prance.” “Should Prance fall we can send in an invasion force.” “General, you seem to know more than just air combat. I would like to make you my military tactical advisor.” “It would be my honor.” We looked out the windows at the landscape below and all the little villages. I looked up at the sound of hooves stopping next to my seat. “General, message from the Crystal City for you.” He hoofed over the piece of paper and trotted back to his station at the radio. Looking over the paper I saw it was from Cadence, Shining Armor, and Group Captain Smith. On behalf of the recommendation of Group Captain Joseph Smith the Crystal Empire is honored to bestow upon Major General James G. Jones the Crystal Medal of Merit for his actions on December the Fifth of Nineteen Eighty Six. Thunderstreak took the letter from me and read it over. “What exactly did you do today?” “I tried my hand at bomber interceptor. Turns out I’m fairly good.” “And how many did you get exactly?” “Five.” She nodded in approval and looked back out the window. I suddenly remembered the picture in my pocket. Taking it out I held it out for Princess Celestia. “Princess, the plane I was flying, it had this picture in the artificial horizon. I want it returned to his widow.” “General, I will personally make sure it is given to her.” She placed the picture in a briefcase between her and Luna and looked back out the window as we crossed the border into Equestria. Down below ponies on town streets looked up at the camouflaged transport. As we flew we saw a group of children trying to race the shadow of the Skytrain. “Look at them, so young and innocent.” “Tia, it’ll be fine. Surely the griffins wouldn’t be barbaric enough to bomb civilians on purpose.” “But what if they are? Thousands of children silently crying over the rubble of their houses. And when they cry silently it’s because they can’t stop. Any parent knows that.” “Are you a parent Celestia?” She looked at me with sadness in her eyes but she pulled herself together. Two hours later we landed in Canterlot where a snow storm had been scheduled for later that evening. Stepping down from the stairs on the door I sank into two inches of snow. “Damn corporal, need to get some snow plows out here before this gets deeper.” “I’ll work on that sir.” The young marine replied with a smile as he lead us to our car. “Sir, I hope this isn’t sudden but Princesses Celestia and Luna have appointed me as you and your family’s personal guard.” “I would argue with the fact they chose a marine but y’all are the greatest fighting force in the world so I know we’ll be safe.” “I would disagree with you sir but we are.” The three of us piled into the black staff car that would carry us to the train station. “So corporal, tell us about yourself.” ~~~~~ 20:00 Hours 1237 North Main St. Ponyville ~~~~~ The front door slammed shut and a frustrated Typhoon stomped into the living room. “Why are all nice guys always such perverts?!” She stood blowing steam from her nostrils before she suddenly noticed the marine sitting in the chair by the radio with a cup of tea. “My apologies,” she said as she straitened her mane “who are you?” “Thunderstreak, this is our new body guard, Corporal Tough Charger.” “Well it is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Charger.” “The pleasure is all mine Ms. Typhoon.” “So you’re a marine huh?” “Yes ma’am. I felt the military was the best way to help pay for my college education.” “You’re in college?” “Not yet. I’m trying to get into the University of Canterlot.” “Me too!” “Really? How interesting. What are you planning to study?” “Business. You?” “History. I always loved books on the Germane Revolution.” They began a lengthy discussion about schooling when Sabre suddenly came rushing downstairs with a scroll. “Guys, guess what I just got?” “A hooker? I don’t know, what?” “Spike just forwarded a letter from the princesses. Apparently they liked the song that I sang during the air raid. They want to sign me to their record label.” “What?!” We all replied in unison. “I know right?! This is the best opportunity of my life.” “Then go ahead and take it. I guess we’re all getting big changes in our lives this week.” “I guess so. I gotta go write back!” He galloped up the stairs to his room where we heard him digging for paper and a pen. ‘Maybe things are starting to look up for us.’ ~~~~~ The sky over Canterlot Monday, December 8, 1986 The Day of the Wedding ~~~~~ “Corsair One, you are cleared to land.” “Roger, cleared to land.” Lining up with the runway for the Canterlot Aerodrome I flipped the gear handle and heard the gear jam in the gear bay. Wagging the wings the gear refused to budge and stayed firmly in place in the wing. “Canterlot tower, this is Corsair One. My landing gear is jammed. I’m gonna have to belly land.” “Roger that Corsair One. We’ll send out the fire crew.” Banking to avoid the runway I brought it in as though it was any other landing. The plane’s nose dug into the dirt and dug a shallow ditch about twenty yards long in the dirt and snow. When it stopped I slid the canopy back and climbed out in my dress uniform for the wedding. A fire fighter approached me as I dusted off my collar and smiled at him. “Park it for me will ya?” I began walking away towards the taxi stop down the street from the airfield. “And don’t scratch the paint!” Looking back I saw the fire crew shaking their heads at me. Catching a cab I made my way to the palace where there was still last minute adjustments to the decorations for the wedding. In the ball room the final forks and spoons were being put in place as they prepared for the reception after the wedding. Further down the hall I saw Sabre straitening his black bowtie. “Hey kiddo. You ready to be my best man?” “Yeah. I don’t have to give that whole best stallion speech do I?” “Naw. I figured you wouldn’t anyways.” “Good, good. So what do we do until the wedding?” “Sure as hell don’t speak of the bachelor party. God, I didn’t even know a mare could do most of those things.” The sound of hooves on the floor behind me got my attention and a hoof landed on my shoulder. Looking behind me I saw two purple eyes looking back. “General Jones, may I speak with you?” “Of course Tia.” We walked down the corridor and the stained glass windows made patterns on the floor and wall that rivaled even the most beautiful paintings. “General, we have a problem.” “What is it?” “Several ships from the griffin and changeling fleets have disappeared from their ports. Among them, aircraft carriers and battleships.” “And they aren’t moving towards the Crystal Empire?” “Our Blackbird and U-2 pilots have found nothing of them in the waters around the Crystal Empire.” “So send the Blackbird to scour the channel and the ocean for them. There is no way I am allowing an attack on this nation while I am a general.” “We sent the planes out this morning but we have found nothing. Even the shipping companies have reported nothing in any of the sea lanes.” “So they’re avoiding the shipping lanes? What are the closest military bases that they could hit?” “Honoluna, Haywaii and Manehattan.” “That’s where the two main battle fleets are right?” “Yes.” “Call them and put them on alert. This could be the warning signs.” “I’ll call them right now. We don’t need another wedding disrupted by a national emergency.” She began to walk away but stopped in her tracks. “And general, the answer to your question from the plane, yes, a long time ago.” She continued down the corridor for her room. Looking at the city below, which had been tinted green by the stained glass, I cringed at the thought of griffin bombers flying overhead raining death upon the citizens. ‘No, not while I’m alive.’ Going back down the corridor I entered the reception area where ponies in black and white uniforms were carrying platters of food for later in the night. ‘And sure as hell not on my wedding day’ ~~~~~ 18:00 Hours Canterlot Palace December 8, 1986 ~~~~~ “Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Colonel Thunderstreak and Major General James Jones.” The audience of ponies and a few humans sat quiet as Celestia continued on with the ceremony. “Should anyone have any reason that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.” There wasn’t a sound and the princess continued on. “James, do you promise to be Thunderstreak’s lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?” “I do.” “Thunderstreak, do you promise to be James’ lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part.” “I do.” “Than by the power vested in me by the nation of Equestria, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” ~~~~~ Meanwhile in Southern Prance ~~~~~ The sound of barking, growling dogs echoed through the small village. "In the train cars! Now!" A griffin major in his crisp, black SS uniform barked to the cowering ponies on the platform. A small colt nuzzled into his father’s leg as they stood waiting their turn to board the train, his older brother standing silent on the opposite side of their father. Suddenly the griffin major appeared in front of them. He leaned down to the cowering colt and stopped inches away from his face. "Are you scared little one?" The young colt nodded and the griffin grinned and flicked his cigarette away. "You should be." Suddenly his claws grabbed his pistol from its holster and put it to the colt's head. "Never show fear when faced by the enemy." He squeezed the trigger and the colt dropped to the concrete platform. The stallion dropped to the platform and began sobbing while the other colt stood silent. "Get up you worthless scum. Now everyone in the train!" They all hurried into the cargo cars and the doors slammed shut. The train lurched forward. Forward, towards death