The residents of Ponyville stared with nervous curiosity at the recent arrivals to there quiet little town. They had known that something important was bound to be happening when Princess Celestia had arrived with the Royal Guard, but they had never expected to see these strange looking stallions ride into town on great hulking metal machines. Many of the townsponies decided to just stand clear of them until their leaders had made an announcement otherwise.
The marines and soldiers stared back at the residents of the town with equal curiosity. Aside from the one squad that had made contact with the natives and the senior officers who had spoken with one of their leaders, none of them had had any interaction with the local population until this current point. They too decided to wait until they heard from their commanders that it was okay to mingle.
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Inside the main room of Ponyville's town hall, probably one of the most important diplomatic meetings in Equestria's history was taking place. Seated on one side of a large square oak table were the primary leaders of Equestria; Princess Celestia, and her sister Princess Luna. Across from them sat the senior officers of the newly arrived Americans; Colonel Parker, Colonel Fuller, Major Patton, and Captain Bartlett. Seated at the head of the table were Twilight Sparkle and Gunnery Sergeant Blackburn. This was done so that they could help with piecing the story together for both sides. Right at that moment, Twilight had just finished telling that story to her former teacher.
"So you see Princess, they need our help to return to...." She turned her head towards Blackburn, "What was the name of your country again?"
"The United States."
"Right. They need help getting back to the United States in their own world."
Celestia looked deep in thought, as did her sister. Neither of them had ever heard of the anomaly such as a cloud of purple mist in association with inter dimensional travel before. Also, though they had both been to the human universe, they had never encountered humans like the ones the stallions in front of them described and claimed to be. There was one thing they did know however. They could not turn a blind eye to these ponies' plight.
"Well gentlecolts." Celestia spoke in a calm tone. "From what Twilight has told me, you do not seem to pose any immediate threat to our ponies, so therefore, you shall be treated as welcome guests."
The four officers all dipped their heads in respect. "We thank you for your hospitality your highness." Colonel Parker said.
Celestia smiled. These stallions were definitely well mannered, that much she could see. "Well then." She continued. "I guess the next order of business would be to find a place for you and your soldiers to stay until further notice."
"Well I highly doubt all of our men could stay in this town your highness." Colonel Fuller spoke up. "And we also would have no place to store our vehicles, tanks, or artillery."
"Maybe half of them could camp out in the fields north of town and the other half could stay at Sweet Apple Acres?" Twilight suggested.
"Are you sure Miss Applejack would be alright with that dear Twilight?" Luna asked.
"I'll be sure to ask her, but I'm pretty sure she would be open to the idea."
Celestia nodded. "Very well, if that is alright with you and your uh 'men'. If you all don't mind sleeping outside."
Colonel Parker chuckled. "Ma'am, we have been through a lot worse than sleeping outside. Compared to the trenches, it'll seem like The Ritz to our men."
Celestia silently sighed in relief. "Very well. We should get started then."
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"So what's it like having hands huuuuuhhhhh?" Pinkie Pie questioned Lance Corporal George Kent, who was having quite the hard time keeping up with the hyperactive mare.
"Ummm. I'm not sure." Kent stammered. "I've never really thought about it before."
Buckman, who was watching nearby, leaned over to Applejack. "Is she always like this?" He whispered to the orange farm mare.
Applejack just shook her head. "We all jus' decided it was best not ta question it." she answered. "Don't get all hung up over it."
Buckman seemed to except this answer and looked back at Kent, who was still being questioned by Pinkie Pie. Buckman now thought it actually looked a little funny, as Kent usually always had straight answers to give to any question.
Just then the main doors opened to reveal the representatives of both parties as they emerged from their meeting. Immediately all the marines on the porch snapped a salute to the commander of their regiment, Colonel Parker, who returned it in kind.
"Gentlemen, our gracious hosts, the commonwealth of Equestria, have allowed us to bivouac here until they find a way to return us home." He spoke with his gruff voice. "In the meantime, Princess Twilight has an idea of where us marines will be staying." He gestured to the lavender alicorn who had trotted up beside him. "Your majesty."
Twilight nodded in acknowledgment. "Right, Applejack." The farm pony perked up upon hearing her name. "Is it at all possible if they could set up camp somewhere on Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Well, the south fields are empty at th' moment so I don't see why not?" Applejack answered. The marines were a little surprised by this. People weren't always willing to let them into their homes back in Europe.
"Thanks Applejack." Twilight smiled. "This helps a lot. More than you know."
Colonel Parker then coughed to draw Twilight's attention. "Well, with your permission your majesty." he said, "I shall begin bringing my marines into town."
Twilight nodded. "You may proceed Colonel."
Colonel Parker returned the nod, then turned his attention to Blackburn's squad. "Return to your company gentlemen. We move out in 15 minutes."
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Soon Blackburn and his fellow marines had finally returned to their regiment, which was waiting in the trucks on the outskirts of town. Blackburn was making his way towards his own truck, when a white hoof blocked his path. He looked to his right to see Captain Edson standing there. Blackburn by instinct, was bringing his hoof up to a salute, but the Captain stopped him.
"We don't have time for formalities Gunnery Sergeant." Edson said with a smile. "Colonel Parker and Colonel Fuller have ordered that the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments will march in formation to the bivouac site. All drivers shall follow behind with the trucks."
Blackburn's eyebrows nearly popped off his head in surprise. "You mean like a parade sir."
Edson smiled. "I believe the Colonel quoted William T. Sherman in saying 'I would like to march this regiment down Broadway in it's exact condition' and then said that this town will do just fine. He wants to show the native population that we are the best and don't need trucks to carry our asses around."
Blackburn smiled as his chest swelled with pride. "No sir. We'll show them that we can march our asses around." He said with a slight chuckle. Edson himself couldn't help but laugh at the statement.
"Form up Gunnery Sergeant."
Blackburn quickly snapped a salute. "Yes sir." He then swung around to face the opposite direction and took in a deep breath.
COMPANY!! FORM UP ON THE CAPTAIN!!! COLUMN OF FOURS!!
Instantly, all the marines of B company began to form a seemingly solid block of marines, four across, rifles slung over their backs. Up and down the column other companies imitated their movements, with stallions running into line and non commissioned officers barking out orders. Soon the entire 5th Marine Regiment was formed and ready for march.
Soon, Colonel Parker appeared at the head of the column and looked back with satisfaction.
"5th Marines!!!" He bellowed "FORWAAAARRRRRD, MARCH!" And all at once the column moved forward, each marine stallion in perfect rhythm with the other.
As they approached the entrance to Ponyville, Captain Edson, who was marching alongside Blackburn, got an idea.
"Blackburn." He said. "Start up 'Yellow Ribbon'."
Blackburn looked at his commander to make sure he understood. He then waited until his left fore hoof was just about to step down before taking in a breath and began to call out the cadence.
"THERE WAS A GIRL! SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON!" He sang.
"THERE WAS A GIRL! SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON!" Came the unison reply.
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The residents of Ponyville all paused when they heard what sounded to them like singing. Looking in the direction it was coming from, they saw a sight they had never seen before in any of their lifetimes.
The marine stallions from earlier, marching in perfect sync, and in perfect blocks, came down their street, heads held high and their strange stick devices on their backs. And on top of that they appeared to be the ones singing.
"SHE WORE IT IN THE SPRINGTIME AND THE EARLY MONTH OF MAY!"
"SHE WORE IT IN THE SPRINGTIME AND THE EARLY MONTH OF MAY!"
"AND IF YOU ASK HER WHY THE HELL SHE WORE IT!"
"AND IF YOU ASK HER WHY THE HELL SHE WORE IT!"
"SHE WORE IT FOR THE YOUNG MARINE WHO'S FAR FAR AWAY!"
"SHE WORE IT FOR THE YOUNG MARINE WHO'S FAR FAR AWAY!"
"AWAY!"
"AWAY!"
"AWAY!"
"AWAY!"
"SHE WORE IT FOR THE YOUNG MARINE WHO'S FAR FAR AWAY!"
"SHE WORE IT FOR THE YOUNG MARINE WHO'S FAR FAR AWAY!"