It was Confederacy Union Day at last. The streets were filled with color as a ridiculously huge, city-sized party occurred. Twilight Sparkle and Basil, along with the other ponies walked through the streets along with the fillies. Ina and Nene were amazed about Oichi's cutie mark (as seen in chapter 18). While they were moving within the square, a carriage appeared at the square.
"The confederate king has arrived." a random pony had stated. The ponies that were not a part of Twilight's group kneeled. The door to the carriage opened and appeared a gray unicorn with yellow eyes and a blonde mane, a blonde tail, and derp eyes. He was wearing a royal red robe. He looked at the ponies and lifted his brow.
"Hey, you ponies." he stated. "I don't recognize you ponies. Who are you?"
"I am Twilight Sparkle." Twilight replied.
"I am King…" he noticed a quarter on the ground. "Oh look, a quarter." He picks it up and puts it in his pack. "Now where was I? Oh yeah, I am King Muto. The leader of the Confederacy."
"If you are a king, what is the government like this?"
"The Confederacy is made up of several nations. The nations have their own set of laws and styles of government. There is a document known as the Constitution of Confederacy which states the laws that are common throughout the land. There is also a Federate Parliament which has elected members."
"Then, what does the king of the Confederacy do?"
"The royal house, which I'm a part of, plays as a referee."
"Okay."
"Well, I have some advisors." He looked up. "I don't know why I need… Is that a bluebird flying?" The king went to go after it.
"Your highness?" a voice stated. "Who's out there?" But when he spoke it sounded familiar.
"Some pony named Twilight Sparkle."
"Twilight Sparkle, is this a joke?"
"No."
"Who are you?" Twilight asked.
"Twilight, is that really you?" the voice asked.
"Yes, why?"
"It's been ages, Twilight." What came out… was Spike. He was a pony-sized dragon now. He still had purple scales and green spines. Only his voice was lower and deeper.
"Spike?"
"Yes, Twilight. It's me, Spike." Twilight hugged Spike and introduced him to Basil.
"I remember hearing about Basil but never met him until now."
"You want me to get you something?" Basil asked.
"You don't have to." stated Spike.
"No, I insist."
"Well, a guess a ruby will do."
"On my way." Then, Basil went away to the gem market to get it. While, he was doing that the others were talking to Spike about their experiences.
"That makes perfect sense, now."
"Yeah, I'm glad to see you here."
"I'm at least 700 years older but I'm still young." He remembered something. "I have kept track of your descendants." He brought out a scroll with 700 years worth of generations; the ponies looked at it but were surprised that Applejack was not listed.
"Hey, where am I at?" Applejack asked Spike.
"You suddenly disappeared one day. But at least I know you are alive." Spike thinks Applejack had found the fountain of immortality.
"Oh, still what about Apple Bloom?"
"Don't worry, I made sure I got every member of each of your families." He pulled out another scroll. They looked at it. Rarity was surprised to find a fact on Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy," Rarity stated. "I didn't know you were a part of the noble house of Saddlebury."
"Yeah, I really don't want to talk about that." Fluttershy responded. "My brother was the heir to the title."
"That makes you, nobility." Fluttershy sighed.
"Can we talk about this later?"
"Okay." Spike noticed Rarity and was pleased to see her again.
"It's been so long since we last saw each other Rarity." Spike said.
"I know." Rarity replied. "Even though you are older, you will still be my Spiky-wiky."
"But on a more serious question, Spike." Twilight asked. "What happened to Equestria? Who's responsible?"
"I'm sorry, Twilight." Spike replied. "There is no clear answer on who's responsible. Even if you did go back in time, it wouldn't have made a difference. Equestria would still have fallen."
Meanwhile, Basil was getting stuff for the Confederacy Union Day dinner at his house. His father was going to be there. He exited the inner wall of the city into the rural area of the metropolis. There were several farms in the rural area; he was in the eastern province where they grew oats, wheat, and barley. Basil had everything needed for the dinner and he even had the ruby Spike asked for.
"Now, what to get to make the bread?" Basil thought. "I guess I can make some bread from wheat and I'll get some extra wheat grains and take them to the brewery." So, Basil purchased the wheat and was heading back into town while he noticed white tents forming a camp. Curious, he went to the camp; he was shocked to find it full of wounded soldiers. "What happened, soldier?" The soldiers turned to him; they tried to salute him but some were too injured to do so.
"Sir, we were engaged with Tirac's forces and suffered a major defeat." A soldier replied. "We were forced to come here for medical aid."
"Which unit are you from?"
"Infantry Unit 862" Basil remembered that his long-time friend was in that unit.
"Where is my friend, Cavalier?" The soldier sighed.
"I'm sorry, sir. He perished during the fight." Basil started to cry.
"Cavalier…" Basil paused. "Can this day get any worse?" And from the woods to the East, came out Gilroy. He was injured from fighting and was limping as he galloped. Some guards at the gate informed Basil of this. "Open the gate, we have a messenger." A messenger came through the gate of the outer wall; he was in a panicked state.
"Sir… Sir…" the messenger shouted. "Us… And… Tirac… And…" Basil slapped him.
"Calm down, what is the matter?"
"Tirac has assembled a huge force, sir."
"And…"
"He plans to invade Coltabasso... TODAY!!" This shocked Basil and got him worried.
"Listen up, all of you!" Basil stated. "Is there anyone still able to fight?" Some ponies raised their hooves. "Good, I need your help. We need to get the injured, mares, and children inside the inner wall and in the war shelters. We need to assemble a volunteer force to protect this land."
"What can I do, sir?" the messenger asked.
"I need you to sound the alarm to warn them of the incoming invasion." He turned to the rest of the troops.
"I want trenches built within these grounds and all nearby allies to know as well. I want all able-bodied stallions to hold off the incoming attackers. Hurry, we don't know how soon Tirac is going to get here." They assembled trenches build upward for defending Coltabasso's troops. A set of troops built a trench on the outside and inside of the outer wall. It had a line of stallions and an officer.
Meanwhile, the messenger pony was storming inside the city trying to find the best way to let the civilians know of the hell that would break loose; unfortunately, the streets were crowded with different ponies completely unaware of what was about to occur. He was in the town square when he noticed the siren crank in the bell tower.
"There it is." He thought. "The way to let every pony know what is going on." He charged toward the bell tower as fast as his hooves can carry him.
Basil's father, Basil Rodelero XIII was with his cavalry troops (No pun intended.) and their chocobos. They were resting when a messenger pony arrived.
"Commander. Commander." the messenger stated.
"What is it?" Basil replied.
"Coltabasso will be under attack, sir!!" Basil was shocked to hear this. "Your son is on the battlefield preparing the militia. He needs assistance sir." Basil knew he needed to do something. He turned to his soldiers.
"Gentlemen." He stated. "Our very home is under attack. We must ride on back to our city to defend it once more." The soldiers and the commander got onto their chocobos and rode to the city with haste. "I hope..." he thought. "I'm not too late." He and his chocobo knights mounted their birds and charged towards Coltabasso hoping that they would make it in time.
Then a moment later, zero hour had finally come. From the eastern front, a legion of stallion militia was on the outside of the first wall, ready for battle to protect their country with a general leading them. From the forest to the East. Tirac's goblin troops marched onto the field. They were organized in rows of five and armed with muskets equipped with socket bayonets. Following them was the artillery; this was visible at the time. They stopped and allowed a messenger through to the other side. It was an offer to surrender without a fight and spare the lives of their soldiers. Of course, this was turned down. After the refusal. The goblins advanced and prepared to fire. The stallions prepared to fire.
"ARMS UP!!" shouted the officer. The stallions held guns up and equipped the bayonets; at the same time, the goblins slowed down and got the guns up. "READY!!" The weapons on both sides were loaded. "AIM!" The ponies aimed their guns; as did the goblins in the front as they advanced...