//------------------------------// // Chapter One: The Draft // Story: A Colt's War // by Codexwriter476 //------------------------------// The sun was shining high in the sky above Ponyville’s main square. Every pony was out and about, going on with their lives as William Hooves walked down the street. This young grey colt had just arrived from the train station, hoping to start his life away from his farming community of Neighburg to the south. His yellow mane flowed through the breeze and his tail swung at each step. Overhead, the pegasi were hard at work, clearing away yesterday's rain storm and a flock of birds flew by the Town Hall roof. William had just arrived by train this morning, along with other refugees. The war front had reached his home and many ponies left in a hurry, leaving anything they couldn't carry behind. His family were unfortunate enough to make the trip. A stray artillery round had crashed through the roof right above their bed during the night. He was lucky enough to get out as enemy soldiers were coming through the fields, reaching the house and ransacking it until it was empty. His mind was elsewhere when he accidentally ran into a big red stallion with a green apple on his flank. "Oh, sorry sir. I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going." He apologized. "It alright." He replied. He didn't seem too mad and helped William to his hooves. "Name's Big Macintosh, but my friends call me Big Mac." "Really?" "Eeyup." "Well, Name's William. I just came in from Neighburg." He replied. "Neighburg? I knew ponies in Neighburg. Might friendly farm folk they were. Shame what happened, with the war an' all." Mac said. As he was about to continue, a young pinto colt rushed passed them. Mac grabbed hold of his tail and pulled him back. "What's going on Pipsqueak?" He asked the pinto. Pipsqueak looked up. "Oh, hey Big Mac. Some officer from the CVB arrived with a box. I hear it has the names of every pony in Ponyville, even around Equestria. Every pony's going over to the Town Hall to hear them." Pipsqueak replied. He managed to get his tail free and continued on his way. Mac and William soon followed the pinto. -- The Town Hall green was filled with ponies as they looked onto the bandstand set up nearby, with two large stallions standing on it; one a unicorn Royal Guard and the other an earth pony with a pipe positioned under his moustache. He was wearing a grey uniform jacket with a tan collar and cuffs. His dark blue officer kepi neatly positioned between his ears. In between them was the box Pip had mentioned, with the top removed. Every pony there, including Big Mac and Williams watched as the first folded piece of paper was pulled out at random. "Thunder Dash!" The unicorn shouted. The grey Pegasus rose above the crowd, his hoof up high. "Mr. Dash, please report to the station. One of my officers will be waiting there." The Officer shouted, removing his pipe and placing it back into its container. Thunder Dash saluted and flew over the crowd. The officer nodded his head and another name was called out. An hour had passed and thirty names were called, including Mr. Cakes. The unicorn pulled out another name. "Big Macintosh!" He shouted. Every pony turned to the back of the crowd, where Big Mac and William sat. Big Mac knew his sister was out in the crowd somewhere, along with her friends. Before he could give them the chance, he raised his hoof up high. "Eeyup!" "Report to the Train station, if you will." Big Mac got up and walked away towards the station. A few seconds later, the crowd shuffled and six other ponies rushed out after him, one of them was hoping. Williams watched as another was called. "William Hooves!" He turned his head. "Is William Hooves here?" The guard shouted again. William couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Last Call for William Hooves!" "Here, sir!" He shouted, his hoof high in the air. He looked on as the officer seemed to study him. 'Does he know me?' He thought. The officer then shouted out. "Mr. Hooves, report to the station if you will." "Yes Sir!" William replied, lowering his hoof. He then turned towards the station and walked away. 'Where have I seen him before? He looks familiar.' William continued to think about the officer. -- The platform was littered with ponies, talking to the newly drafted service colts. Each pony had a large saddlebag with anything from personal items to blank papers to serve as letters home. William didn't have anything when he arrived, and he certainly didn't have anything now. He wanted to stand with Big Mac since he knew him, but he couldn't find him. Who he did find was Pipsqueak and another pinto around his size and age, but was grey with orange hair and a brown cap. How did they get into the army? They were just young colts. He walked over to them to find out. "Hello Pipsqueak." "Oh hey. You were with Big Mac, but I didn't catch your name." "It's William. Who's your friend?" William looked to the other pinto. "My name's Newsprint Dulivan." The grey pinto replied with a grin. "Aren't you tow a bit young to fight?" He asked. The two looked away, as if they were hiding something. William knew that look from his younger sister whenever she lied about something. "We may have tampered with the age requirements." "In other words, you lied." A nearby pony overheard. It was the officer from the bandstand, but there seemed to be some anger in his voice. He looked to see William next to them. "Your William Hooves. I should have know Haysten's boy would end up under my command." He said. "You knew my father?" "Of course. We were classmates together back in Neighburg. You have your father's eyes Will." He replied. "Haybrun? Mr. Haybrun?" William chuckled. Only family friends called William Will. "It's Colonel Haybrun now soldier. My Profession comes first, as should yours." He then turned his attention to the pintos. "Now as for you two, I'll let this slip by. You two will serve as powder colts for the artillery company. Hopefully that will keep you out of harm's way." "Yes sir." The two saluted. -- The train whistle blew, signaling every pony aboard. Mr. Cakes gave Mrs. Cakes one last kiss, along with Pound cake and Pumpkin cake. Pip and Newsprint waved back to their families and Big Mac slowly stepped onto the train. He turned back to see Granny Smith, Applejack and Applebloom sit there, trying to hold back tears. He got back off and gave them one last group hug. AJ's friends also joined the hug as the whistle blew one last time. The hug ended and he boarded once more, this time not looking back. William was the last one to board as the cars shuttered and slowed pulled away from the platform. Farewells shouted from both sides flowed through the summer breeze, only to slowly die out as the distance got greater until each other were out of sight. The war had reached Ponyville.