//------------------------------// // Tactical Decisions and Ethics of War // Story: Champions of the Elements // by The Philosopher King //------------------------------// After the Elements and each of the Valoran champions, minus the ruling Champions, left the room, a table with a complete map* of the known Equestrian world was brought in so that strategy could be discussed. (*For all practical purposes, Yakyakistan shall be assumed to lie in the zone of the Silent Reach, to the west of the Mild West and Appleloosa. This is because not one map of Equestria I can find online has been updated to include it as of yet. I will change this when I can find an updated map.) “The war will have to be fought on two fronts,” said Celestia. “There is the western front with Yakyakistan, and the northern front with the Gryphon Kingdom.” “Hmm... and you claim the north is a frozen zone, yes?” asked Braum. “The tribes of the Freljord will easily be able to cover the Griffon Kingdom by comparison to other groups.” “It is,” answered Luna “Who else should we send to assist, however?” “I can send my forces to assist. We shall overcome them.” said Jarvan IV. “Yordles do not fare as well in cold, I’m afraid.” said Mayor Jadefellow. “We can assist in the fight against Yakyakistan much better.” “Ionians train through meditation and can endure much pain, minor cold causes no pain.” said Karma. "We will take on the Northern Front." “That means Shurima and Piltover shall fight Yakyakistan as well, if that is fine with you, Mayor.”asked Azir. “It is alright. In fact, I believe that since Piltover’s premier anti-crime duo and powerful scientists would work better in the sands than the snow.” replied the Mayor of Piltover. “It appears we have a general strategy,” said Celestia. “Each group can make more key decisions when they reach their destinations. Jarvan, I recommend you lead the front in the north as leader, and Azir should lead the front to the west. I shall follow Jarvan, and Luna, you can follow Azir.” “Yes sister,” answered Luna. While the leaders had been busy talking, Ryze moved the portal to the royal barracks with help from Twilight. Troops began to pour out, and gradually the army began to fill the structure. It was large mostly because of ancient conflict, but luckily it had just enough room to accompany the troops eight to a room. Champions were allotted guest rooms in the castle, but they too had to share. Champions began having conversations with one another; they were excited for a war. Runeterra hadn’t seen a major war in years. But the difference between Equestria and Runeterra’s lack of war was that Runeterra still honed its skill and kept its blades sharp. For he who seeks shall find in their land, that no one is to be underestimated.   “So… I know we’re all thinking this, but umm… guys, what’s war like?” asked Rainbow to the Champions of the Elements. All seven looked with disbelief at her. “Just… seriously, what the-” said Ryze, but then Gnar clawed his leg. “Gah!” “You guys have no idea what your country has gotten into, do you?” asked Vi. “Well, technically speaking no…” replied Rainbow Dash. “Good lord… all the innocent lives…” said Twisted Fate, thinking of the citizens who hadn’t realized what going to war was like. “Ah hell.” said Graves. “You’re not gonna like it. War is a terrible thing, it’s killing the soldiers of the enemy to beat the country that opposed you to oblivion. The first kill is always the hardest for a soldier to make. After the first, it becomes automated, less significant. But give them a break, and shell shock will set in. They’ll realize all the bad they done, and that’s the moral difference between all of us in this group and Shaco. Guy’s got no remorse, parades himself as-” “The world’s first fully functional homicidal comic!” he interrupted. “I find death absolutely hilarious! Even at times when it’s my own!” “Who would laugh at-” said Twilight, but she was cut off by Ryze. “You know how you said ‘Because Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie’ earlier? Well, we have ‘Because Shaco is Shaco’ in our world.” “O...kay.” she said. “But why would anypony kill each other?” “Because do others for they would do you.” answered Twisted Fate. “Sapient life in our world is generally mean and savage, as that is how the world evolved. Survival of the fittest.” inserted Heimerdinger, walking up with Garen. “Even though it isn’t just…” added Garen with a semi-sunken face. “Life shouldn’t be ended just because like how Shaco thinks. Bloodshed should only occur when the others will do you in. It’s what separates me from Darius and his brother, Draven.” “And when the going gets tough, naturally you become tougher.” said Heimerdinger. “I had little to no tolerance to gunshot and magic wounds when I first joined the league, but gradually I stopped feeling the pain. It becomes passive, as war is just another aspect of the world.” “No matter how much good you bring to the world, good cannot exist without evil. The mighty and morally perfect Demacia has always lead a crusade against the vile and morally ambiguous Noxus, but neither state could really exist without the other, as much as I hate to say it.” said Garen. “I guess you’re right…” said Rainbow Dash. The rest of the ponies listened to the whole thing unfold, and became apprehensive. This was something they couldn’t imagine. Bloodshed on a grand scale, it was almost too much. But they knew it was the only way out, and so they decided to keep at this war effort. “We can deal with it, and hopefully minimize the blood-” said Twilight, but was cut off by Garen. “You cannot hold back. By holding back, they will take that pause to stab you in the back, as you are showing weakness. You will die simply by not acting.” “Garen is right, every moment in a battle counts.” added Graves.The mercenary for hire knew from experience that much, as if he and Twisted Fate hadn’t run at key points in heists, two seconds later they would have been dead. “I do not agree with his methods, but you know by golly do they generate results." said Heimerdinger. "I’ve worked with him in the League before, of course I don’t agree with his personal method of making a living, but he’s an admirable ally.” “Fight ‘till it’s over.” said Graves. “Like the ceiling can’t hold me or my partner.” He nodded towards Twisted Fate. “I overheard your conversation,” interrupted Nasus, walking towards the group. “I have looked through your libraries, and this information is like nothing on Runeterra. I wished I could stay, but if the times charts Zilean gave me are correct, roughly in five…four…” Everypony in the group looked at him in confusion, but the champions looked towards the throne room door. “three…two...one.” “Attention!” shouted Celestia and Jarvan as the doors to the throne room opened. “We have come to a final decision on the battle plans, and troops shall be divided between the two fronts.” said Jarvan IV. “My troops, the troops of the tribes of the Freljord, and the Ionian troops shall fight on the northern front. I shall be the main commander of the front alongside Celestia.” The troops roared out and cheered, the Freljordian troops because it would be like home, the Demacian troops because of the cowards they would vanquish, and the Ionian troops simply because they were glad to be fighting what they viewed as the shorter front. “The troops of Bandle City, Piltover, and Shurima will be fighting on the Western Front,” said Emperor Azir. “I shall be the central commander of the front alongside Luna. Any questions on your positions shall be answered in due time, when each team gets to the front itself.” The troops of Shurima shout joyously for their commander and the western territory’s sands, the troops of Piltover and Bandle City because of the lack of cold. “And then, the war begins…” said Luna in a foreboding manner.