Battleship of Equestria

by MorgothII

Hurt, Comfort, Funerals, and Preparations

Battleship of Equestria Chapter Eight: Hurt, Comfort, Funerals, and Preparations

April 29th, 1942 9:08 PM

Canterlot…

"Jacob!" Luna shouts as she sees the royal-blue alicorn male take off into the night skies. Sighing softly, the princess of the night turns to Celestia, now beside her. The white sun mare cuts her off however. "Go, he needs a friend right now. I couldn't help but overhear part of the conversation as we waited, and it seems that Jacob has just suffered a deeply personal wound. Now, go," She urges her younger sister, who needs no further incentive, having already come to a similar conclusion.

Luna extends her midnight-blue wings and takes off, moving swiftly to catch up with her friend. "Okay, just saw the whole chase thing. What did I just miss?" Discord says as he appears in a cloud of smoke. Princess Celestia sighs and walks inside, gesturing for Discord to follow her. "It's complicated, at least for me to tell. And I am saying that simply because I have no idea what just happened to make Jacob have this kind of reaction. All we can do now is wait and see."

9:15 PM

In the mountain next to Canterlot…

(Jacob's POV)

Flapping my wings, I stare at the white snow covering the peak of the mountain. The shock has given in to a sense of loss. My dear little brother. 'Why, Henry?' The thought keeps echoing in my mind as I land, kicking up a small cloud of snow as I drag my hoofs through, wandering aimlessly.

A few minutes that feel like hours later, I get that feeling one has that they are not alone. "Who's there?" I call out in a weary tone. Turning around, my brown eyes meet Luna's cerulean eyes. "What do you want, Luna?" I ask, desiring solitude. And maybe another bottle or ten of sake. "Who was that on the radio? Please be honest," She pleads.

Part of me wants to refuse, not wanting to discuss this with anyone, not even my closest friend who isn't part of my crew. The other half urges me to tell, though mostly so as to regain my isolation on the mountain. I sigh before answering. "My younger brother. The one who I had thought was dead and the very same one you saw in my nightmare. It seems he and Cluny are working together, and in a manner of free-will." Luna's gaze remains steady, her expression showing a mixture of shock, sadness, and…'Anger? No, must be imagining it. Focus.'

What Luna says next, if meant to be comforting, completely backfires on the female alicorn. "I am sorry. I understand how much he means to you," She starts before I whirl around, cutting her off with a growl. She stares at me in slight shock, which I can't exactly blame her for. But the damage of sorts has been done. It is about time for everyone and everypony to understand what created me. A creature of war, bringer of destruction. In a way, like Cluny, but so very different at the same time. With rising intensity, I deliver my reply.

"You understand? You may understand sibling bond. You may understand being separated from one. But you don't understand being the older brother trying to defend the younger! You don't understand the horror of dealing with watching you parents succumb to the Spanish Flu! You don't understand living in the streets, cheating and stealing to bring home barely enough food to feed yourself and your sibling! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SEE YOUR SIBLING GO AND NEVER, EVER HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE THEM!" I scream the last part, my words echoing in the mountain despite it being slightly muted by the snow. I step forward now, speaking in my angry tone, but quieter.

"We are the same, Princess Luna, in that we are both warriors. This is different. When my brother died, I thought he would stay dead. You were merely banished, destined to return one day and be saved. In a way, he has returned. But there is no redemption for him by the power of friendship as there was for you and your sister. My brother has turned cruel, and he did so willingly. He didn't deliver any of the secret signs that an American soldier would do if captured or tortured. That means if we ever meet again, it will be as enemies. And do you know, do you understand, what that means?" I pause in my rant, fighting back tears. I force myself to look at the ground to hide my tears and not at Luna across the two-foot gap left between us. I then finish my rant, the anger completely gone, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It means that, when we fight face-to-face, either one or neither of us will walk away alive. Either he kills me or I kill him, unless we kill each other. The irony of this is that I spent so much time and energy keeping my little brother alive for so long, only to possibly be the one who ends it. Fate does give a sense of humor. Fuck it," I sigh as continue looking down. An awkward silence hangs over us for a few minutes.

'Great going idiot. Now you might have just blown your friendship with one of the most amazing mares in Equestria! Wait, what did I just say!' I mentally recoil, wondering where that thought popped in. Before I can continue chewing on this, a gentle hoof on my shoulder makes me raise my head and look with watery eyes. "You're right, Captain Jacob. But that doesn't mean you have to face it alone. I, for one, will stand by your side when you face your brother. And I have no doubt that others, especially your crew and the survivors of Ponyville, will do the same. We believe in you. I believe in you."

Luna continues to surprise me after that when she pulls me closer and gives a comforting hug. After a few seconds she lets me go and looks at me with a kind smile. "Lead us to victory, Jacob. You may not be of Equestria, but you are the land's greatest hope against Cluny the Slaver," My friend finishes.

I can't help but blush slightly. Thankfully I hide my face with my wing as I wipe my eyes dry, using this motion as an excuse to process a new set of feelings rushing through me. Something I had thought to be destroyed beyond ever experienced again the day the Japanese attacked back home. 'Love. Great, you're in love with one of the most famous and powerful mares in all of Equestria who is also your friend. And you can't tell her. Happy days,' I sigh.

Luna spreads her wings, glancing at me. "Why don't you rest back in your room? You have to deal with burying your three crew-ponies in the morning. Don't worry, I will distract everypony back at the castle while you go back to bed. If you have any nightmares, just call out. I think it is safe to say that the last thing you need tonight is one of those." At that both Luna and I chuckle at the understatement. "Indeed. Another race like last time?" I ask, my own wings spreading. "As they now say, it is on!" Luna smiles impishly before taking off, leaving me close behind. A smile of my own on my face.

10:45 PM

Canterlot…

Luna closes the door after checking on her friend. She sighs, equally exhausted as he must be. After all, he had told her more about the tragic side of his past, and what's more, without it even being of his own desire. He had told her, but only after a small slip-up. The midnight-blue alicorn exhales in relief that the worst Jacob had done to her was scream at her. Of course, once they returned in a tie, Jacob apologized to her profusely, to which she had only accepted because of his insistence in doing so despite having been told that it was fine.

As Lune quietly walks towards the privacy of her room, she becomes engrossed in her own thoughts. 'You could have over-done it back there you silly foal. You might be new to his sensation, but there are still basics even a foal knows,' She thinks to herself.

"Aunt Luna? May I have a private word with you?" So absorbed in her own thoughts, Luna didn't notice her niece approach her. She stops and turns to the princess of love, quickly recovering from her surprise. "Of course, Cadence. I was heading to my room, in fact. Will that suffice for you?" She asks the pink alicorn, who simply nods as the two princesses resume walking.

Once they enter her room, Luna closes the door and eyes her niece. "So what was it you wished to speak to me about?" She asks, her curiosity peaked. Yet again, what she hears next surprises her. "Do you love him?" Cadence asks bluntly, her face masking her emotions. Luna lowers her head. "Yes," She admits quietly. "But you haven't told him, have you? Because you are afraid he will reject you?" The ruler of the Crystal Empire prompts the older alicorn. "Yes." Cadence nods her head to herself upon hearing Luna's response.

"I never asked you or Celestia this, but before the incident with Nightmare Moon, did you ever date?" Cadence asks, wishing to confirm a theory of hers. "This time the answer is no. I had been busy and never got to socialize with the very few, if any, stallions that were up at night. Celestia went on several, and that was yet another thing that made me jealous of her," Luna replies. Cadence steps forward with a sly grin on her face, giving her aunt a comforting hug.

"Well, I am more than willing to help you out, Aunt Luna. Also, I think you might not have to worry as much about rejection as you fear. I don't know for sure, but I have a hunch. And when it comes to matters of the heart, my hunches tend to be correct."

April 30th, 10:00 AM

Just outside Canterlot…

(Jacob's POV)

Upon a make-shift wooden platform, I stand before three coffins, each in front of a hole that will be each occupant's final resting place. My entire crew are assembled in front of me, only the coffins and separating us. Everyone was wearing their uniforms, including the ones I had asked Rarity to make for her friends after I had learnt that almost every survivor from Ponyville had volunteered to join my crew. Also in the crowd are all four princesses and Spike. Despite Twilight and Spike's desire to also join, I had insisted that they stay in Canterlot for now. I had been uncomfortable to be giving orders on a regular basis to a princess, even if I had a suitable role for her to play on my ship. I clear my throat, indicating that the short service is about to begin.

"Today, we are gathered to honor three brave comrades who had tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. Seamen Donald O'Shea, Derpy Hooves, and Fudge Dream. Derpy and Fudge died manning their 25mm post, while Donald died trying to secure one of the boats to keep it from flopping around in the midst of cannon fire. May we honor the ultimate sacrifice whenever we fight. We had been lucky so far, and this sour taste is the reminder of the folly of cockiness. So let us fight harder and stronger!" I finish, stepping down to indicate that the service is over.

Already everyone and pony on Fuso had learned about each of the three dead from the ever-bonding tight-knit group of sailors, Marines, and SNLF. Thus there is no need to talk about them like no one ever knew them. I hate funerals, and always try to keep my time at one to a minimum. In addition, I need to plan for Cluny's next attack. 'At least one hammer will strike Los Pegasus. Well, let's break the shaft, but how? Aside from my Fuso, the only naval reinforcements that will be able to do anything are ten sailing frigates and two ironclad warships. There will be at least fifty ships, possibly more. Even if I could hold them off with my ship alone while the others attacked the lightly-armed transports, It will take twice the time of the amount of enemy ships present to just fire, let alone move and aim the guns!'

As I continue walking back to my battleship, I start going over everything that was a weapon on my ship. 'Ok so we have 14, 6, and 5-inch shells, 25mm bullets, various light machine guns, rifles, a small number of submachine guns, pistols, and two 60 and a single 80mm mortar…' My eyes widen as I remember the until-now forgotten mortars and shells we had brought just in case to repel Japanese boarders by firing on any boarding party from the superstructure. The 80mm was brought on board along with the majority of sailors with the brief meet-up with the special transport subs we had used to transport both men and extra weapons, such as an abundance of white phosphorus rounds…

I chuckle grimly. Already I have a brand-new idea. Above me a flash of rainbow-carried hair goes by. "RAINBOW DASH! CAN I SPEAK TO YOU FOR A SECOND?" I shout as loud as I can, hoping to get the pegasus's attention. When the cyan mare lands in front of me, I know I have. "Yes sir?" She asks, saluting me. I quickly return it. "At ease. I have a question to ask you, and possibly a task or two."

The Element of Loyalty nods, her face set in determined expression. "Anything to avenge my friend Derpy," She says. "I have an idea for a new weapon we can use on their wooden ships, but I need your help. Do you think you can get the Wonderbolts to help? I need the best fliers, and that includes you." Dash nods excitedly. "I'll go talk to Captain Spitfire. I am sure they will agree. Can I ask what this weapon is?" She asks curiously.

I nod, saying "Follow me." We walk onto USS Fuso, and I lead her to the ships armory. I dig through the various boxes before uncovering two of the crates I have been looking for. I use my magic to remove a single 60mm and a single 80mm round. "Do you think you can carry either one of these while flying at high-speeds?" I ask, moving it to her carefully. She stands up on her hooves and holds first the 60mm and then the 80mm round, testing the weight. "Yeah, I can. What is this stuff anyways?" I hesitate, not sure how the ponies will react.

"A special explosive. The warhead contains a special chemical that burns pretty much anything. Wood, gunpowder, and flesh. First I need to ask the princess for permission to use this. So while I do that, will you ask the Wonderbolts, as well as any other skilled and possibly reckless fliers?" Rainbow Dash seems to think that last part over. "Sure, in fact I think I know several others already. Gotta get going though," She says, handing me back the rounds before zipping off to God knows where. Now the hard part: Convincing peace-loving ponies to use incendiaries against living foes.

2:00 PM

Canterlot…

The four alicorns look at one another uneasily. Not that I can blame them. Hell, if it wasn't for the fact that I had no other option to use as a mass ship-killer, I wouldn't have even shown Rainbow Dash what the weapon was, let alone its location. Finally Princess Celestia speaks.

"Are you sure it will work, Captain Jacob?" She asks, wary. Can't exactly blame her. I nod my head slowly. "Wish there was a better way though. The enemy fleet vastly outnumbers us, and even with my battleship and the two ironclads, they can still overwhelm us both at sea and on land if they land any Caroleans. We need everything that can serve as a weapon against Cluny. So again, I ask the four of you: Can I deploy my new weapon in the manner I have discussed?"

This time Twilight nods, a slight glint in her eyes. "I for one agree. We can't allow another city to be destroyed like Ponyville was or damaged as how Vanhoover is." Cadence nods, staying silent. I turn to the two pony sisters. Luna speaks first. "You have led us against Cluny this far. I will trust you once again," She says with a slight smile. 'She's cute when she gives that smile,' A part of me thinks idly. Then I realize what I had just said. 'Snap out of it! There's no way royalty will return the affection of a mere officer.'

As I finish scolding myself, I almost miss Celestia's decision. "-thers have agreed, I also give permission for the sake of my subjects."

I nod. "Very well. Could we start transporting most of the shells to the city? I want a stock-pile ready for the invasion, and I will send several of my Marines who work with this ordnance to supervise the handling of it." Celestia nods again, her violet eyes showing her reluctance at this level of violence, which I feel a pang of sorrow for the introduction of yet more horror of the wars from my world.

"If that is all, then I wish to adjourn this meeting. My sister needs to sleep and the rest of us have to make preparations for this latest plan." With that, Celestia exits, her former student and niece close behind. To my confusion however, Cadence gives Luna an encouraging wink before closing the door.

'What was that about?' I wonder as I also turn to exit. "Jacob, I wish to tell you something," The princess of the night says quietly, stopping me in my tracks. "Yes?" I ask, curious. This only grows as Luna hesitantly continues. "It is about us." 'Oh no, did she poke around in a dream of mine that I wasn't aware of recently like when I was drunk and found out my feelings?'

"I-I love you."

A pause fills the room as I process those three words.

'Wait, what?! Okay, didn't see THAT coming!' My mind thinks as my mouth almost drops open, my eyes widening. I am truly stunned by this revelation. Luna blushes, maybe mistaking my silence as horror or rejection, causing her to lower her head in embarrassment. "I am sorry, Captain," She mumbles.

Shaking my head to clear my shock, I walk over to her. "Luna," I say, causing her to raise her head, our eyes meeting each other. "I am not good with words, or this situation for that matter, but maybe this will help." Both our eyes widen at the slight peck I give her as I back away, now also blushing. "I love you too, Princess Luna." We both smile.

Then the moment is interrupted by three high-pitch giggles outside the door, causing Luna to gasp as she uses her magic to open the door. In the meantime, I had quickly backed away, nervous about how others will accept this. Outside the door are the other three princesses. I try to look away, pretending to be have simply been talking to Luna, which is half-true. Luna, on the other hand, simply glares at the others. Twilight and Celestia shrug before Cadence clears her throat. "I told them," She stated simply.

"I'm happy for you, little sister," Celestia says while Twilight blushes at interrupting the two's private moment. I just stand at attention, watching. 'I swear I sensed a slight sense of jealousy in the air, but from who?' I ponder. Luna nods. "So you approve?" She asks. The sun mare simply nods, while Cadence and Twilight beam at the new couple.

'Yet again the stakes have been raised. We stand upon the edge of a knife. One wrong move, and the country falls to darkness. Well, I guess I have to fight to the last. Victory at any cost,' I pledge to myself, thinking of my brother. 'Even if it means killing you, Henry. You might kill me, but as long as a single pony remains, you will never destroy the spirit of the USS Fuso.'

6:00 PM

Cloudsdale…

Rainbow Dash trots into the dimly-light bar, searching for a certain pegasi. When she sees her pony, she walks over to a table in one of the corners at the back. A mare staring bitterly at a three-quarter full pint of alcoholic apple cider. Dash feels a slight tinge at her heart upon seeing this as she draws closer.

The instant Captain Jacob had asked if she could recruit any additional risk-taking ponies in addition to the Wonderbolts, Rainbow knew exactly who to search for first. It had taken a few hours, since the pony she had finally found had dropped off the radar after being expelled from the Wonderbolt Academy. But if she agrees to helping Rainbow Dash, it will definitely be worth the effort.

The Element of Loyalty sits in the opposite chair, staring at the mare, who doesn't acknowledge the cyan mare's presence. Rainbow Dash carefully examines the pegasus in the meantime. Dash has to admit, the mare certainly looks different.

Her once-kempt golden-crested mane is disheveled, her pale turquoise coat slightly dirty. The carrot-golden eyes once brimming with confidence now dulled from drinking. Despite this, Rainbow Dash is certain this is who she has been searching for when she sees her cutie mark: A lightning bolt with three stars.

"What do you want?" The mare rasps, realizing that the mare with the famous rainbow-mane and tail wasn't leaving. "Hello Lightning Dust," Rainbow Dash greets her former wing pony leader with a calm voice. Lightning Dust scowls even more. "Oh, it's you. Come to finally mock me for being better? Isn't it enough you got me kicked out of the academy?"

Rainbow Dash takes great effort to not snap back. She does it, with much difficulty. "Your actions caused that. But I haven't come here to talk about that. I have something that might interest you," She tempts her former friend. Lightning eyes her warily. The fact that Lightning hasn't demanded for her to leave encourages RD to continue talking.

"I have been given a special task personally by Captain Jacob Holman. He is forming a special air group composed of the best fliers, including the Wonderbolts, in Equestria, and he wants me to hand-pick the bravest. The ones who will laugh at danger. I can't think of any pony that could fit the bill better than you would. You'll be commissioned as an officer, will receive pay, and be among the best of the best fliers." Rainbow Dash pauses to try to gauge the reckless pegasi's interest in joining.

"You have a lot of nerve walking in here. So, what will this group be doing?" Lightning Dust asks, taking a sip of her cider. Her eyes have a slight look of contempt, despite the fog of alcohol. "Maybe I do, but so did the pony who used to be my friend back at the academy. The one who had a kick-butt can-do attitude," Dash replies.

The two are silent for a minute, glaring at one another. Then Lightning snorts quietly before laughing. "You got yourself a flyer. When do we leave?" She asks the Element of Loyalty as she pushes away the half-filled cider mug. Both stand up. "Now. We gotta get back to Canterlot. Glad to have you back as a wing pony like we used to be." 'Don't worry Derpy, you will be avenged,' Dash thinks to herself as the duo exit the bar and take flight, heading back to the headquarters of the Central Theater, ready for their new and secret mission.

May 7th, 1942 4:00 PM

On the beach outside of Los Pegasus…

(Jacob's POV)

I stare at the sand and the ponies running across it. Trenches are being built around the one area that is big enough to land more than one of the transports used by the Caroleans. Twenty experimental 24-pounder cannons are mounted further back, ready to launch grape-shot into any crowd of Carolean warriors. I grunt as I watch the final preparations being made, pulling out a cigarette from back home. I never smoked much before, and still don't, but it is useful for the occasional release from the stress my unofficial general-of-the-army/navy rank the ponies have given me. I light it up with a controlled burst of magic and take a small drag, exhaling.

"Sir, you do realize that you're making the air stink for the ponies?" Ittōhei Satsuma asks me, his radio on his back. Once again I am leaving the Japanese Special Naval Landing Force earth pony behind as a liaison officer. I sigh, rolling my eyes in good humor. "What? No concern for my health?" I taunt back, jittery in anticipation. Satsuma sighs. "We're in a war. I think we have bigger concerns for our health than smoking." I nod in agreement, exhaling again and watching the white vapory cloud disappear before speaking. "Have the scout pegasi check in yet?" I ask, wondering why he would be here. "Hai. One of them has news." I wait impatiently when he pauses, taking another drag. "Well? Don't keep me in suspense here."

"The scout reported a large enemy fleet. IT appears to be over a thousand troop transports, fifty 50-gun frigates, and a hundred 200-gun ships-of-the-line. They will be here at sunset tomorrow," Satsuma finishes. I exhale one last time before flicking the smoldering cigarette into the water. "Very well, inform Luna that she should rest tonight. She's going to need all the sleep she can get. In the morning, I will embark on the USS Fuso and set up an ambush station. Have the Wonderbolts and the others ready to engage on my signal and mine alone."

Ittōhei Satsuma nods and gallops off to the makeshift HQ bunker several miles back, between the third and fourth sets of trenches. I gaze back to the horizon. As Celestia's day draws to a close with the setting sun, I gaze at the makeshift fleet. In addition to the two ironclads that will arrival tomorrow, our forces have a total of ten sailing warships. I had them designed after the USS Constitution, each armed with a total of forty-four cannons. Unlike the Constitution, however, these are armored with thick steel chains on either side, like the Union sloop-of-war USS Kearsarge. The two ironclads are designed like the CSS Virginia. 'Tomorrow, the water will run red with blood from both sides. Only question is, can we win?'

Comments

[Sunny Starscout]

Noice Noice. Pls continue

[FLUTTERGUY411]

CSS Virginia, good choice.
cssvirginia.org/vacsn/135anniv/135-1a.jpg

[Scrolls]

Why did you have to kill Derpy?

Why would you ever kill best pony?