"War is the continuation of policy by other means." - Carl von Clausewitz
"I have never advocated war except as a means for peace." - Ulysses S. Grant
June 12, 1941 POV: Third Person
War. The disease that has remained over the generations. For which no cure is found. Civilization after civilization fall to it. As do great leaders and valiant soldiers on the field of battle. One aspect of war that is often overlooked is the cost of innocent lives. But the most important question; was war necessary to achieve peace?
'Perhaps it is,' thought the Diarch of the Sun, 'maybe President Rooselvelt and Stalin were right. Or De Gaulle and Tojo. Am I allowing those innocent people to die. Am I just as bad as them for my inaction?'
These were dark times for the Princesses. For one choice would decide the fate of Equestria and many innocents caught in the crossfire of the Second World War. Would they join Allies? And side with Churchill and the democracies of the world. Would they join the Axis? And fight with the mechanized power of the Reich alongside Hitler and his allies. Or, finally, would they remain neutral? To try to stay out of it all and avoid disaster. But who would die if they made that decision? What if they could end the war quicker with their involvement and end the slaughter before it escalated even more then it already had? These were the thoughts running through the heads of all of those in Canterot.
In Washington D.C, a newly returned President contemplated the situation. He hoped that the Equestrians would come to the aid of the Allies. If Equestria joined the Allies then shipping goods across the Atlantic would be easier, as there would be an easily accessible naval base at the halfway
point. However the Germans had made first contact with them. He also head that the British shot two Equestrians, two of their elements at that, down over London. While apologies has been exchanged and no harm was done it could still keep Equestria not on the Allies' side. President Franklin Delano Rooselvelt could only hope for the bes and prepare for the worst.
In Paris, one Adolf Hitler roamed the gardens of Versailles. 'This was where that hated treaty has been signed,' thought he. He wondered who those "ponies" would side with. Of course if they sided with the Allies, he would be sure to invade and claim the island for himself as a refueling station for the U-Boats. It wouldn't be to hard anyway, what with their outdated military equipment. 'Perhaps that Princess will have the sense to support the winning side of this war and not ally and dying cause.'
Canterlot, Equestria June 12, 1941 POV: The Diarch of the Moon, Princess Luna
I watched as my sister paced back and forth in deep thought. Though I don't blame her, for she has much to think about. Joining the Axis seems like the logical thing to do. They are winning this war and the British stand alone against the might of Germany, Italy, and Japan. But deep down in my heart I knew that I would prefer if we joined the Allies. I has spoken to the ruler of the Germans, Adolf Hitler. It was one of the most uncomfortable discussions in my life. Sure he was charismatic, but when I looked into his eyes, I saw the eyes of a madman. I has mentioned it to my sister, but she seems to have dismissed it as more important things, probably, are taking precedence over my distrust of the Führer of Germany. While joining the Allies seemed to be a fool's move, I think that it would be the more morally sound choice. Churchill seemed more stable the the Axis leaders. The Axis were unpredictable; Churchill was more reasonable then them.
"Sister," said I, "Whom do you believe we should support?"
"I'm not sure Luna...I'm not sure.."
I had never heard that statement from my sister. I had always thought that she was the one who always had the answer. Who seemed to always be one step ahead of us all. Perhaps not I suppose. I knew that whoever my sister chose to support, the populace would support as well regardless of my opinion. I was still held in contempt by many for the whole "put the world in total night" thing, so my opinion wasn't respected by many. I decided to leave the room and my sister to her thoughts. I just hope that she makes the right choice. Because whatever it may be we will all have to live with the consequences.
Canterlot, Equestria, June 12, 1941 POV: The Princess of the Day, Celestia
As my sister left I continued to think. I had the lives of all of my little ponies in my hoof. Were I to make the wrong decision they could all perish. Though if I remained inactive many innocent lives across this world could be lost to war. Stalin was right. Whether I liked it or not blood would be spilt. I knew that my ponies would follow me in whatever decision I made. This was a choice that would change history for sure. Equestrian and human history would be forever changed no matter which decision I made. Neutrality wasn't an option any longer. Axis of Allies? Which would I chose? And what would be the consequences?
as much as i hate to say it a kinda want them to join the axis only for variety and to say magical natzi's
Im gonna copy paste this from last chapter
Neutrality is also technically inaction tho, but for sake of the story there should also be action.
Perhaps if Equestria found some way to manipulate both sides,one by one, into an agreement, then it would be a perfect path for Equestrian to go rather than taking an expected biased path of choosing sides if they all truly want to get out alive.
It would prove how they underestimate equestria and celestia'a wisdom
For the sake of drama they should join the Axis. The Three Allied forces would declare war on Equestria, and ultimately win the war. Albeit after a lot if bloodshed and the dropping of an atomic bomb on an Equestrian city.
The Equestrians will also find out about the treatment of Jews and other 'sub-humans' and finally realise just what it is they helped in siding with the Nazis.
7571444
Remember at this point it is not as black and white as you would think. The German concentration camps and Japanese atrocities in the Pacific are not known to the Equestrians. It is indeed a harder choice than good and evil or black and white.
7570833
Remember both Hitler and Stalin's (though they both discount magic) estimations on how powerful Equestria is are not that inaccurate. The only standing military force Equestria has is the royal guard who are still not the most elite force and severely overmatched by rifles and tanks. If Equestria were to increase its military at most it would be a militia who is naïve and doesn't understand the concept of war. There only advantage is magic, but only a third of their population have use of it.
7571680 Underestimation in diplomacy, Celestia has been alive for thousands of years. Surely she could become a master of diplomacy by that point.
7571885
I agree in terms of diplomacy. In terms of military might, which is needed toturn the tide of the war in either way, Equestria is sorely lacking.
Though in diplomacy remember Celestia has only dealt with posh nobles and civilians of her own country. None have shown the willingness to kill, mass murder, and the lack of regard for civilian casualties that is seen in the Second World War.
7572174 What are the chances of aggressive nations around Celestia within the last hundreds of years?
7572552
I don't know what are the chances that those said encounters are beings with the capacity and want to mass murder, destroy, and obliterate all for lands and riches. Hitler, Stalin, Tojo, and the rest are all on a different level of evil then what Celestia has encountered or negotiated with. Discord, Tirek, and Sombra didn't kill or want to kill 6 million innocent people because they are "unpure" or torture prisoners of war, or throw them to prison/labor/torture camps where they froze to death and never see their friends and family again. Greed, war, and bloodlust are all traits that World War II truly brought out to its best, and Celestia has faced villains but they aren't on the same level. They didn't have the same willingness to kill, the same absolute heartlessness, selfishness, and cruelty that these men had. Celestia will think the best of people which is a horrible strategy in human politics. While Celestia in her long life has had a lot of political experience she has not faced something at this magnitude. No one respects her, excluding Rooselvelt and Churchill, somewhat.
7573304 well im not in the mood for arguin' right now, its your story ik, but what I said was a suggestion of a compromise between those who side with axis and those with allies. If you don't want to then I'm fine with that. Not saying you are tho.
But just sayin over 1000 years is alot to learn we have yet to know what actually happened in canon
I prefer Equestrie with allies and Blueblood Unicorn Supremancy with Axis (and dragon, grifon).
7573304 I have a question, is Pearl harbor still going to happen? If so Equestria should side with the Allies or the American war machine will be brought down on them