//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The King's Request // Story: Casualties of War // by Deathscar //------------------------------// 3 Days Ago “Okay Mr Bunny, time to eat your vegetables.” Fluttershy leaned down, bowing her head to the small brown bunny in front of her, its big brown eyes staring back at Fluttershy as she nudged a small apple towards it. The bunny approached the apple and took a small bite, its face showing its delight in the taste of the apple. “That’s a good bunny.” Fluttershy whispered out. Suddenly, Fluttershy heard loud knocks on her door, followed by shouting. “Fluttershy! You in here!? Come out!! Quickly!” “Twilight? I’m coming…” Fluttershy walked slowly to the door, as soon as she turned the doorknob, the green door flew open, sending Fluttershy tumbling backwards. “Fluttershy! I’m so sorry! This is urgent!” Twilight’s mane was a little messy, her face twisted in horror. “W-what’s wrong!? Did someone get hurt? Oh please tell me everyone’s okay…” Twilight’s panic started to spread to Fluttershy, Fluttershy’s heart started to beat faster and faster. “Everyone’s fine. Just come on!” Twilight grabbed Fluttershy’s hoof before dashing out of the door. Fluttershy found herself inside Twilight’s library within a few minutes. Inside, all of her friends were present but what caught her eye was the long, light rainbow mane of the Alicorn standing in the middle of the room. “P-princess Celestia?” Fluttershy was dragged next to Pinkie Pie, Twilight standing to her right. “Ah good. As Fluttershy is here we can begin.” Princess Celestia stated in a kind voice. “W-what’s the emergency?” Fluttershy asked “Yeah! What gives? I was sleeping in my tree branch when Rarity just pulled me down!” Rainbow Dash yelled, her face showing her displeasure. “I’m sorry for the sudden urgency everyone, but this is of utmost importance.” Celestia took a step back, turning to look outside the window. “We’re on the brink of war.” “War!?” All the ponies shouted out in unison. “But…but Equestria hasn’t had any wars since thousands of years ago.” Twilight shouted in disbelief. “What in the hay could provoke Equestria to go to war!?” Applejack added. “Dragons.” Celestia’s words left the ponies rooted to the ground, their mouths hung open. “D-d-d-dragons!?” Fluttershy stuttered in fear, taking one shaky step back at a time. “As in large… fire breathing… huge scary dragons….dragons?” Fluttershy was no longer in control of her legs as they started to shiver violently. “Yes, I’m afraid so.” Celestia turned back, staring the shocked ponies in their faces. “The griffins from The Griffin Kingdoms has started to question whether dragons should be allowed to roam free.” Celestia explained, nopony interrupted her, nopony dared to. “I have tried to explain to them that dragons pose no actual threat to us but they would not believe so.” “Haven’t we always been on good terms with the Griffins?” Twilight asked, her eyes opened wides. “Yeah! I had a griffin friend when I was young! They’re pretty cool!” Rainbow Dash added, proudly pointing to herself. “Except for them being party poopers, Rainbow’s right! They aren’t half bad!” Pinkie said with a smile on her face. “No, I’m afraid not. We have always been on shaky grounds with the griffins. They threaten to start a war with us if we do not comply with their demands.” Celestia said, sorrow in her voice. “What could those ruffians possibly be demanding for!?” Rarity shouted out in anger. “The Extinction of Dragons.” “They…they can’t be seriously right? That’s completely unreasonable!” Applejack yelled, shaking her head. “I’m afraid they are. Griffins and Dragons always had a tense relationship. Due to a recent attack on one of their small villages, I wouldn’t be surprised if the tension between them escalated but I never thought it would lead to war.” Celestia explained. Fluttershy slowly backed away from the group, though Celestia’s stare froze her on the spot. “Then why are they threatenin us?” Applejack inquired. “Because we are the closest state to them which has huge amount of dragons this time of year…” Celestia explained. “So what do you want us to do about it?” Twilight asked, her hooves stepping in place. “I need all 6 of you to go to The Griffin Kingdoms and talk to the ruler, hopefully convince him to stop this madness. He has given us two months before he declares war on Equestria.” “Couldn’t you go?” Rarity was confused as to why they had to make this trip. “I’m afraid its not that simple girls.” Twilight stepped forward beside the Princess. “The ruler of the Griffin Kingdoms does not want to negotiate with Celestia any longer, in fact he threatens to start the war immediately if Celestia were to start negotiations.” Twilight clarified for the rest of her friends. “I’m afraid Twilight is right. That is why I need to send all of you to represent Equestria in our negotiations and I need to stay here to protect Equestria if things don’t go well.” Celestia let out a sigh before staring back out the window. “I pray it doesn’t have to come to that though.” “But won’t Mr Meanie Pants start the war even if we go?” Pinkie Pie tilted her head sideways, her mane drooping down. “He hates me, not Equestria. I’m sure that he is willing to take part in simple negotiations. I’m willing to bet there’s still reason behind his anger and I need you 6 to solve this problem. You 6 are the Elements of Harmony, which is still an old legend outside of Equestria.” Celestria closed her eyes. “I hope that clarifies any questions you have left.” “J-just one left Princess…” Fluttershy muttered out, her back against a bookshelf. “W-what if the war does start?” “I’m afraid I can’t answer that question… and I pray I never will.” The Princess turned around, staring the mane 6 in their eyes. “Now, please pack your bags, I have arranged for a carriage to take you to The Griffin Kingdoms, they will be leaving as soon as you are ready.” Twilight and her friends nodded in agreement before they left the library, everyone, except Twilight. “Are you okay, Princess?” Twilight head was tilted a little to the left, her voice showed genuine concern. “I’m fine. Please pack your bags.” Twilight nodded before running up a floor above. “You and your friends are our last hope…”