Why We Fight

Chapter 2- Decisions With A Consequence

Edited by: LuMe

We never thought it would ever happen again but it did. Equestria, for over a thousand years, lived in peace and harmony since its last invasion. Now that peace has been broken.

We left our classroom and walked into the cafeteria where a large screen dominated a portion of the wall on the right. On it they were playing the news from Canterlot News Station. The faces of the news anchorcolts and mares wore expressions of fear and worry.

“We uh… we interrupt this broadcast to uh, inform the ponies of Equestria that we are no longer in a state of peace. Thirty minutes ago, an unknown enemy invaded the very soils of Manehattan. We…” He reached up to his ear piece, most likely someone updating him on news. His face looked completely white. “Are… are you sure?... Y-yes sir. This uh, just in, the enemy has breached past Checkpoint Alpha, Manehattan’s strongest military base. Air raids have already taken out most of our Navy’s ships docked in the harbor. I’m receiving reports right now that… civilian casualties are now in the thousands. Emergency Evacuations are being held to escort civilians out of Manehattan. Oh my advisor just handed me a slip here…. Reports are said that the enemy is comparable to an ape-like creature. They seem to speak the same language, and bear similar weapons to ours but theirs are made to accommodate their stature. No other reports at this time. Celestia help us all.”

That was all I had to hear. I raced out of the cafeteria and made my way down the main hallway. Before I could turn to unlock my locker, I heard a voice calling behind me.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m going to…” I was cut off by the loudspeaker.

“Attention seniors, please report to the auditorium immediately. No exceptions! All further information will be provided once there. You have five minutes!”

“That’s Mr. Woodfield.” I turned to Steel. “We better get going.” He nodded his head in agreement as we quickly headed to the auditorium as instructed.

Once we walked inside, we noticed almost all of our senior class was there with three minutes to spare. Steel and I took our seats in the last row as Summer entered and took her spot next to me. I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight.

She must’ve noticed my mood as she asks, “You okay Lightning? What’s the matter?”

“I think you’re about to find out.” I whisper and kiss her cheek as she wraps her hoof around mine.

Mr. Woodfield began by clearing his throat. “Good morning seniors. Now I bet you’re all wondering why you’re all here. Well here’s what it is: Today was supposed to be the last day of school and tomorrow is graduation. Both of those are canceled.” Everyone then turned around and began asking questions to each other. A few ‘boos’ were heard throughout the auditorium. “Quiet! Now if you were to let me finish, I was going to say that this last day of school has been canceled and tomorrow’s graduation has been moved to today at 3pm. Does anypony have a problem with that?” Nopony said anything. “Good. You’re now dismissed. Be back here for graduation at three.”

We made our way out of the auditorium and waited outside the main door for Steel to join us.

“What? Oh no I cleaned it out yesterday. I didn’t bring anything today either.”

“Lightning you’re starting to worry me now, what’s the matter?” I leaned up and looked into her eyes. They were full of concern.

“Well I wouldn’t wanna worry you.” I said as I took another step closer and brought my lips to hers. A few seconds later we heard the front school door close.

“Oh yeah now I know what I forgot! A garbage pail so I can throw up in.” It was obviously Steel.
Summer began to laugh in mid kiss.

I turned to him, “Steel I told you this morning that there’s always room for one more and that spot is calling your name.”

He gave a devilish grin. “Do I get to wear a pretty tiara like Diamond’s?”

My smile instantly faded. “Never mention that bitch’s name ever again or I’ll hang you in that tree over there with your own tail around your neck.”

“Not a joke for me. When I dated her in middle school, she practically owned me. Now I’m free and have someone I love more than anything and I know she loves me too.” I say as I wrap a wing around Summer and kiss her cheek.

“Well if you’re gonna be all sappy like that, I’ll bring Scootaloo over here so we can throw up together.” He said.

“Not yet. But I hope.” He said as he looked up at the sky above the school and saw his crush flying away with Rainbow Dash, the famed Best Flyer in all of Equestria.

“Well if you too are done talking, I gotta get home and get ready for later.” Summer said.

“I’ll go with you.” I add and turn to Steel, “Gottta get going buddy.” He still hasn’t taken his eyes off her. “Just go talk to her man. Anyways, I’m taking Summer home so I’ll see you at graduation.” He simply nodded his head as I walked back to Summer.

We took to the air and flew in silence. All these thoughts began to race through my mind: What will happen now? Is Ponyville going to be soon part of the warzone? What will happen to Summer and her family? What will happen to mine? I turned my head and watched as her mane blew in the breeze as we flew. For the first time, I began to really realize what I have here. I have a mare I plan to marry but how will I do it after I make this decision? She turned her head and smiled at me. ‘She’s so beautiful’ I thought, ‘I just hope everything turns out the way I plan for it to go’. With my mind in full gear, the time it took to get to her home felt too short as we arrived and landed on the cloud porch. We walked in and both of her parents were in the living room.

“Hey Summer, hey Lightning.” Her dad said, “What’re you too doing here so early?”

“Oh they cancelled school today. Also, graduation too has been moved to 3pm today.” Summer replied.

“Well in that case, we should definitely get ready shall we? You probably should too Lightning. That way we can get pictures of you two.” He said with a smile.

“You got it, sir. I’ll stop by again later about an hour before the ceremony starts.”

“Okay!” Summer replied with a smile. I kissed her briefly and began to walk to the door. “Bye lightning, I love you!”

I closed the door and leaped off the cloud home and made my way to my ground home. By the look of the sun, it appeared to be about nine o’clock. Summer’s house was less than a mile away from mine so it took no more than five minutes to land on the front porch. I open the door and step inside. I heard noises in the kitchen and an aroma of breakfast filled the house. My nose led me to the kitchen and there I saw my father sitting at the table reading the morning newspaper and my mom at the stove. I lightly knocked on the wall to let them know I was there. My father lowered his paper and his eyes met mine.

“Yeah but they cancelled it. They moved tomorrow’s graduation to today at 3pm.” I replied.

As instructed, I followed him up the stairs and into his and mom’s bedroom. He walked over to his office door. “Come inside.” It was quite odd for him to tell me to come into his office because I was never allowed to go inside. Nevertheless, I walked in as he closed the door behind.

“Now son listen to me. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Equestria has been invaded.”

“Yes dad I know. We saw it on the news at the school. That’s why they moved the graduation to today.” I said.

“Precisely. Now I didn’t want to tell your mother until later. But after your graduation I’ll have to. We don’t know how long this will go on for but right now, it looks like it could be an all out war. If they get farther than Foalsyvannia, we’ll have to leave Ponyville for somewhere safe.”

“Good.” He smiles, “But enough about that. You have a big day in front of you. You should probably get ready. Besides, Summer’s parents might want some pictures of you two in your graduation gowns.”

I laugh, “They sure do. I flew her home and Mr. Wind told me he’d like to have pictures of us too.”

He chuckles. “Yeah that sounds like Mr. Wind. Well I’ll let you get ready. Carry on son.”

“Yes sir.” I reply and walk outside his office. I make my way across the wall and enter my room. I open my closet to search for the suit I picked out a few months prior for today. When I find it, I grasp the hanger with my teeth and close the door. I turn around and set it on my bed. I look on my dresser next to my bed and examined the pictures that reside there. One of them was from when I was younger.

The one next to it was when I first met Summer. ‘Wow we were so young.’ I thought as a smiled came over me. The one to the left in front of it was the picture of mine and Summer’s family. Ever since Summer introduced me to her family, they always treated me as if I was their son-in-law. They probably figured it was only a matter of time until I became that title. And the one directly in front of all the others, the one she gave to me as a birthday present, was of us kissing. It seems like a foalish things but I don’t care. Summer means so much to me that I’d do anything for her.

I set the picture down and made my way to the bathroom. I closed the door and turned on the shower. While I waited for the water to warm up, I turned to the shelves and grabbed a towel. I set it down and went to look in the mirror. My mind began to drift from one thought and scenario to the other as the heat from the shower began to fog up the mirror. I snapped back to reality and walked into the shower.

The sudden sensation of the hot water at first made me shiver but stopped a few seconds later. I unfurled my wings and let the water drench them. The water felt good over on my wings and helped soothe them. With my mind racing, the one thing that kept coming back over and over was ‘am I going to make the right choice?’

I finished my shower and dried off. I stepped out and shook off any excess water and opened the door. Walking back to my room, I noticed a note left on my bed. It read:

Your mother and I headed over to Summer’s place so we could spend the day with them before your graduation. When you’re ready, head over there with your suit on.

**********************************

The time read 1:30 when I left my house to head over to Summer’s. Once there, I knocked on the door and walked in to see my parents conversing with Summer’s. Summer’s little brother, Littlehoof, eyes grew wide at my appearance.

“You sure do.” A voice said at the top of the stairs. I looked over and there was Summer, all dressed up. She slowly walked down the stairs.

For a moment, we both forgot that everypony was around us as we kissed. We were brought back to reality when we heard a fake gagging sound. I broke the kiss and turned around to discover my father was the culprit. Once he saw me glaring, he stopped immediately and erected his back.

He cleared his throat. “I am so sorry son.” He said unconvincingly, trying to hold back laughter.
Summer giggled. “Your dad’s so funny.”

“But in all seriousness here, let’s get some pictures of you two!” Mr. Wind exclaimed.

We spent the next hour and fifteen minutes taking photos and sharing stories. The time came for us to soon head over to the high school for the graduation ceremony. As we flew our way over there, I asked my father:

“She said that she’s stuck with finals at college. She wanted to be here but if she didn’t do her finals, she’d fail her classes.” He replied.

After a few minutes we landed in front of the school. “Okay here are the tickets to get in. We have to go in and get ready. We’ll see you soon.” I told them.

Summer and I quickly made it inside and got in line outside the gymnasium. I looked at the clock, time was now 3pm. The music began playing in the gym as the line began to move inside. Once in, I looked around and noticed the bleachers were packed with stallions, mares and foals alike. Once seated, our principle began his speech.

“Good afternoon Fillies and Gentlecolts. First off, I want to apologize for the sudden change of plans but we’re happy to see that you’re all here. Now, I would like to present to you, Ponyville High School’s Senior graduating class!”

Cheers from all around filled the gymnasium. Once it ceased, Mr. Woodfield continued.

“Diplomas will now be handed out to the students. Able Barkly.” As he continued to name off the students, my mind, yet again, began to drift. Ever since I saw that news cast, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I should do. And Summer was constantly on my mind too. I wanted her to be safe.

“Lightning B. Jackson.” Mr. Woodfield called. I stood up and walked to the podium as many cheers from my classmates and the audience rounded about. I walked up the steps and stopped in front of the principle. He handed me my diploma and I grabbed it with my left wing as I shook his hoof.

“Thank you sir.” I replied and stepped off the stage. I walked back to my seat and waited for Summer’s name to be called.

I clapped my hooves as she walked up to the stage to receive her diploma. I stood up, “Yeah that’s my girl! I love you Summer!”

She blushed and turned to blow a kiss. I reached my hoof out as to think as if something was actually there.

We all cheered and threw our hats in the air. As I picked my hat up, Steel was next to me patting my shoulder.

“We sure did.” I replied and we hugged each other. “Oh I have to talk to you about something later. Meet me behind the school.”

I turned to around to see Summer with a big smile on her face. “Congratulations baby!” She squealed as she wrapped her hooves around me.

“Can you tell my parents and yours to meet me at my house? I’ll be there very soon.”

I kissed her goodbye for now and slipped through the doors of the gymnasium. I made my way through the halls that led to the back of the school. I opened and walked through the double doors and as expected, I saw Steel waiting for me. My heart began to pound inside my chest. He turned and noticed me coming and held his hooves up.

“This morning, the newscast. I can’t get it out of my head! I think…” I took a deep breath. “I think I’m gonna do it.”

“What?!” He shouted. “Are you bucking crazy! If you do, you know where you’re going? You’re gonna go straight to the fighting.

“I don’t care. I have to do this. I thought I should just let you know.” I turned around and began flapping my wings.

“Wait!” I turned around and saw Steel look at me straight in the eyes. “I’m coming with you.”

“I said I’m coming with you. I’m going to volunteer too. Remember our pact we made when were just tiny foals? We promised that we’d be there for each other and have each other’s backs. I’m staying true to my promise and I’m not gonna let you go off alone. We are brothers. Brothers ‘till the end.”

I didn’t know what to say. All I could think of to do was to hug him. That was the most meaningful thing Steel has ever said.

We took to the air and made our way to recruit station in the middle of downtown Ponyville. Once there, we opened the door and walked down the hall to the sign that said ‘Mareine recruiter’. We looked inside and saw an Earth pony with a shaved mane who was sitting at a desk. We knocked on the opened door and he looked up.

“Good afternoon sir.” I said as Steel and I slowly made our way into the room.

“What can I help you two young stallions out with today?” He said without looking at us. I tried to speak but no words came out. He stopped what he was doing and looked straight up at us.

He began to look at us over again. It was about a minute before he spoke again, “Well let me explain this to you so you can understand because you two look like you’re about 12. The Equestrian Mareines is a brutal special force branch in our military. We don’t take things likely. Everything will be the hardest things you’ve ever done. Besides, we don’t take just anybody. This ain’t no Celestia-damn playground.”

I turned to Steel, “Well I guess we tried. We apologize for interrupting you sir.” As we turned, his telephone rang.

“Wait!” He demanded and answered his telephone. “Sergeant Hoofsley. Yes. Are you sure?” There was a long pause. “Okay sir. Well I have two in my office right now… Yes sir. Bye. Gentlecolts, how would you like to be the first volunteers for the Mareines opening recruitment?

“Come in. Sit down.” He said as he reached into a file cabinet and pulled out two small stacks of papers and put them in front of us. “These are security background checks. Basically this is just a check we are required to do to make sure we don’t have criminally insane ponies joining our branch. None of you are criminally insane are you?”

“Good, that makes our job easier. Now just fill those out and I can get them to my superiors and have you sent up to get your physical and to make sure you’re physically fit.”

“Good deal.” Sergeant Hoofsley said. “I’ll have this up to my superiors when I leave here and I’ll notify you two to come back here and sign additional paperwork before I send you up for medical. Understood?”

“Alright. Nice to meet you two and we’ll see you back here in a few days.” We shook his hoof.

Steel and I walked out of the recruiting station excited. “Can you believe we’re about to do this crazy shit?” He asked

“Oh I believe it. But I think I need to get back home and notify my parents and Summer.” I replied.

“Congratulations Steel.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Spend as much time as you can with her you got that?”

The sun was starting to set by the time I reached home. I opened the door to find my parents sitting in the living room. “Where’s Summer?” I asked my father.

“Oh her and her parents went home. They got tired of waiting on you.” He replied.

I watched as my mother’s jaw dropped to the floor. My father just sat there as if he wasn’t surprised. Then he grinned. “I kinda saw this coming. You’re just like me son. Always wanting to serve for his country.”

“Nah. Well I knew you would enlist but I didn’t think it would be this early. Especially with what’s going on in Manehattan right now. But whatever the matter, your mother and I support you one hundred percent.”

“Thanks mom, thanks dad.” I walked to them and wrapped my hooves around them. “I love you guys.”

“We love you too son. We just need you to be careful out there.” My mother replied. “Of and you should probably go and let Summer know about this.

I closed the front door and started to fly to Summer’s house. My mind began to race with ways of how I was going to break it to her about my enlistment. I landed on the soft cloud porch of her home and knocked on the door. Summer’s parents answered.

“Why yes. She’s upstairs showering. Do you need her for something?” She asked.

“Well I was gonna tell her that I…” I swallowed, “I enlisted in the Mareines.”

“Hang on dear!” Mrs. Wind replied. She turned to me. “We’ll tell her for you.”

“Thank you.” I replied as both of them made their way up the stairs to tell their daughter the news.

I stood in the entry way as I heard quiet muffled voices from upstairs as a loud gasp emanated all the way down here.

“Oh no” I whispered out loud. I then heard hoofsteps quickly making their way down the stairs.

“No, no. Please tell me you didn’t. Why did you do it?” She asked in between sobs.

“Summer please let me expl… ah!” She cut me off as she slapped me across the cheek.

“I love you so much! Why did you do it?! Why did you have to do this.” She cried.

“I love you too Summer. I did this be…” I tried to hug and comfort her but was cut off as her
sobs continued. Her face wore fear along with the tears streaming down her face was too much for me.

“Why don’t you understand? I don’t know what I could say to make you understand I DID THIS FOR US! I DID THIS FOR US! I DID THIS BECAUSE I LOVE YOU SO BUCKING MUCH I WANNA PROTECT YOU! I WANTED TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND MINE! OF ALL THE PONIES IN THE WORLD I THOUGHT YOU’D BE PROUD OF ME AND UNDERSTAND WHY I DID THIS!” At that moment, I lost it.

Anger filled my heart as it took over my mind. This was the first time, ever, that I had raised my voice at Summer. But I lost all sense of control. Anger took over as I stormed out the front door and flew home.

Once I was home, I opened the front door and slammed it. I darted past my parents and up the stairs towards my room. Once inside, I slammed the door and spotted my beating bag that was chained to the ceiling. I quickly made my way to it and laid my first blow. Over and over I hit the beating back harder and harder until it broke off the chain and fell flat to the floor. I began landing blows with it on the ground. My hits began to slow and become lighter as tears began to fill my eyes. I kept going until I couldn’t hit it anymore and the tears flowed through uncontrollably.

I lay in that spot for what felt like forever until exhaustion took over and sleep fell over me.

Why We Fight

by Shysoldier94

Decisions With A Consequence