Everfrees and Equines

by Codexwriter476

The Gathering Strom

Another quiet morning came to Everfree, though a patriotic fever overcame the town during the night as parade banners hung from poles and windows. Though the shops would be opened by the time the bell toll ten, they remained closed. The once silent streets were starting to grow louder and louder as one approached the Town Square.

Dozens, if not hundreds of citizens from all over the township were here as others cheered and waved them on.

These fine ponies, griffons and dogs of all shapes and sizes were volunteering for the First Everfree Regiment of the commonwealth’s latest collection of militias: The Army of North Everfree. For a province that had little or no formal soldiers, no banner to rally to, it was quite an adventure and spectacle. Many would believe this collection of dead-beat, dis-unified and dysfunctional would break under pressure before even seeing the enemy. Others believed that it was the only thing between freedom and enslavement to their Equine brethren back in the Homeland.

To Coalwood, it was of a personal matter, thought he sought no revenge against Equestria for his brother’s death. This was the reason to volunteer, but not to fight. His had no reason to think of as to why he must fight.

Perhaps he just needed something to be credited for, to say to his children and his children’s children that he had lost hope in one nation, but found it again in a new one.

“Quite a sight, eh Colonel? An entire township signing up for your war.” The mayor turned to the officer. The Colonel could only sigh. The Township of Everfree was the only township with a large spaced out populace, with a pony for every twenty-five miles. Where this massive wave of willing recruits appeared from this barely populated region was beyond him.

“It’s not just my war Mr. Rich.” The colonel replied. “It’s our war, both yours and mine. This war gives us an opportunity to unify diverse races and species, something which Equestria lacked when the three tribes came together.”

“Save the philosophical crud for the writers, I hear the readers eat that stuff up in New Manehatten.” Rich said, interrupting the Colonel’s moment. “Besides, ponies need to understand that war comes with sacrifice, both physical and economical. You know this better than I Colonel. We can only give about forty percent of our material and food to the effort for our independence.”

“Hayvenport gave half, as well as Rocky Pass, West Coast. Even Port Solaris, those uptight aristocrats and merchants.” The Colonel grunted. He despised those living in stately manors in the wealthiest part of the city, paying their way out through bits and prestige. His view of service was completely alien to theirs.

“After what happened at the Ironwood Quarries, there had been a slow down of raw materials. That Stonewood fellow, I think, and ten of his workers got shot up. You were there at the procession Colonel. Forty is my final offer.” Rich explained loud yet soft enough so no pony around them could catch wind of their conversation.

“And to think you’ll be running our new nation one day.” He said softly.

“What was that?”

“These volunteers are signing up to fight and possibly die so politicians like you can give them a better life, and all you can give is not even half? Sometimes its politicians like yourself that makes me question whether or not you’re the true enemy, not Equestria.”

“I assure you Colonel; I had no dark intentions against the cause, or to those poor souls signing their lives away for it. But I speak on reason, not for my sake but for my township’s sake. We’re not as industrialist as the others, but we manage to get by with what we can give.” Rich shot back, attempting to claim the last laugh.

“Very well then Mayor Rich.” The Colonel sighed. “Forty percent, but the military takes control of the railroad junctions.”

“Deal.” The two parties shook hooves and continued to watch the proceedings.

“That’s a lot of pony soldier.” Hooch said, looking to the massive wave of volunteers starting the form ranks by veterans and recently assigned officers. Many of them were still stumbling in the dark as to where their assigned companies were; let alone how to even stand in formation. The Griffons, on the other hand, knew exactly what they were doing. Some even wore their old uniforms from the wars as a sign of commitment and devotion to this new cause.

Baeder explained to Coalwood and Hooch that every Griffon, regardless of their sex or history, was to be trained by the age of ten for five years and have a service of ten within their Kingdom’s Army.

Then came the dogs. Sloppily presentable compared to the Griffons. With only their spat, miner’s helms and dirt covered vests, they were disorganized and leaderless.

“You there!” an officer shouted towards the trio. They stopped and looked towards the officer approaching them.

“Me, Officer Pony?” Hooch pointed to himself.

“Yes you. I need some pony to keep these dogs in line. They’re wreaking havoc in our Regiment assignment.” The officer replied and pointed towards the dogs.

“Hooch has not sign up yet. Hooch will sign then keep kin in line.” Hooch replied respectfully.

“Hooch huh? Well then…” The officer had a clipboard out and ready, a pen levitating nearby. He scribbled down his name. “There, your now a corporal in the Army’s Engineering Corp, now get your kin under control!”

“Yes sir, Mr. Officer Pony sir!” Hooch quickly raised his paw in a salute in quick action. He then took off towards the dogs, leaving his two comrades in the mass surprised.

“You shanghaied my friend into service. What is wrong with you?” Coalwood asked,

“We’ll get a formal signature later, but right now we needed some pony, or in this case dog, to help with this mess. We weren’t expecting this many volunteers from such a township such as this. New Manehatten perhaps, but not this back water town.” The officer gestured.

“This back water town is my home.” Coalwood defended.

“Listen, I really need to get this place organized. I give an apology later.” With that said, the officer resumed his duty while shoving past the bodies.

“I’d never seen an army as disorganized as this.” Baeder remarked. “His Majesty would have lashed the officers responsible.”

“The Griffon army was that harsh?” A new voice intervened. The two turned to a young Changeling still waiting to enlist.

“That was only the mildest punishment a Griffon officer can receive. The regulars had it much worse. High Command believed that harsh and brutal discipline resulted with hardened and well devoted soldiers, otherwise they were worthless to the army.” Baeder explained. The Changeling cringed at the thought of punishment. Coalwood turned to his friend.

“I doubt this army, if you wish to call it that won’t be as strict or merciless as that.” Baeder sighed reassuring the Changeling.

“What’s your name anyway?”

“Chrysalis.” The changeling replied raising her hole-ridden hoof to the two. Coalwood was the first to return the shake, only to quickly withdraw with a slight headache. Whatever he felt, it didn’t feel right to meet with her again.

“Are you alright?” Baeder asked. Chrysalis looked on with concern knowing what may have happened. She was also feeling the same thing but to a less extent.

“Just felt weird shaking hooves with a Changeling.” He lied.

“Well, it was nice to meet you all. I hope we cross paths again.” She replied and disappeared into the crowd still waiting to sign up. The small hairs on the back of Coalwood’s neck rose.

A half hour must have passed when the two friends finally reached the register. The griffon there was the town clerk, his small reading glasses resting perfectly at the base of his beak.

“Please leave your mark and proceed to the left.” The clerk blankly stated. As bureaucratic as ever, even if he was sitting there for the past two hours. Baeder was the first to leave his mark, along with former rank and regiment. Coalwood was up next when the clerk looked up.

“Mr. Coalwood? What are you doing here?”

“I’m joining, what does it look like I’m doing?” Coalwood replied.

“Then who will be running your quarry? According to my records, you’re the only living member left in your family to own the quarry. Signing up would mean giving up your father’s business to anyone to acquire.” The clerk explained.

Coalwood looked back through the years he and his family had lived and ran that spit of stone and dirt, but he was never at good at running it unlike his brother. He was always his father’s favorite not because he was older or physically fit, but was a financial protégée while Coalwood was sent into the quarries day in and day out. Without his brother, the quarry would be running smoothly and with better quality due to his personal association with the miners.

So why was he leaving it all behind?

“I’m leaving it to the miners living there.” He said confidently and took the quill in his mouth. With a quick signing of his name, he returned the quill.

“It’s their quarry now and I wish them the best of luck with it.”

With a nod, the clerk took the paper and slid a fresh one in its place.

The rally area just left of the recruitment was scattered with various groups of citizens who had volunteered for the town regiment, with the small cobblestone streets acting as a boundary between them and on looking supporters. The officer from before who “recruited” Hooch wasn’t kidding about the organization of the army. The griffons appeared to be the only ones who knew how to form ranks for inspection whereas everyone else were standing around socializing or attempting to mimic their counterparts. Even the local militia who volunteered was having difficulties. They hadn’t been called up since the last war years ago.

“I’d hate to doom us, but this “army” wouldn't stand a chance against Griffon hatchings, let alone the Royal Army.” Baeder quietly discussed.

“Best keep that kind of talk to you Sergeant; it will bring bad luck to us all.” A gruff yet familiar voice filled his ears.

“I’d thought you went home Hawkin. You know you have an ill mother, at least from the letters you’ve wrote.” Baeder replied, not looking to the well build black feathered griffon behind the two. The bright red overcoat with green trim and brass buttons nearly reflected the sun off the griffon. The white lander crossing his chest was as clean as the day it was first issued. In the pit of his front left arm was a smashed shako with matching plumage.

“And dishonor what’s left of my family name? I’d rather have my mother die with what dignity she has left.” Hawkin said. “As for her well-being, she continues to send me letters about her failing health; getting worse by the day she writes- or rather her son-in-law.” He then turned to the pony beside his former sergeant.

“Allow me to introduce you to a good friend of mine. Hawkin, this is Coalwood. Coalwood, this is corporal Hawkin Razor. We were from the same regiment during the war.” Baeder introduced him to the pony.

“A pleasure to meet you.” He said extending his hoof.

Hawkin brushed it aside and turned back to Baeder.

“Forgive my intention Coalwood, but I still have some bad blood towards your kind from the wars. If you excuse me Baeder, I must return to my unit.” With that said Hawkin strode past and disappeared through the formations.

“Bad blood?”

“It’s a long story, that I’m sure he will tell another day. As for now, let’s reunite with Hooch and find our unit.” Baeder reassured the pony.

The chaos around them still lingered, no matter how many times the newly recruited officers shouted at them to form ranks. The Griffon ranks looked on with disbelief. This was a nation that had bested them in the last two wars? Surely the world had been turned upside-down and was refusing to right itself. Ponies and zebras alike were finally getting the idea of how to form ranks, though a few stragglers still couldn’t get it through their thick skulls.

Then there were the diamond dogs.

“Brethren, please make line.” Hooch attempted to plea with his fellow canines, waving his paws around. Not a single dog was paying attention. Hooch was about to give up when his ears perked. Searching his left spat, he found what he was looking for.

A gold whistle.

He winced at the mere look of it, but if it meant to get his brethren’s attention he had to take that risk. Preparing for the worse, Hooch blew the whistle. Completely silent to every being around them, the dogs were whining and gripping their ears in any way they could think of to silent the high pitched scream as Hooch struggled to do the same. After a couple of seconds, Hooch pulled the whistle away from his mug and back into his spat. His ears still bled from it, but he persisted none the less.

“Dogs, sit!” he barked.

Every dog there immediately sat down.

“Now dogs listen to pony officers, or Hooch will use Torturer again. Savvy?” Hooch said, making sure he had every muzzle looking at him. They all nodded rapidly, still covering their ears. The crowds around them gave the dogs a second look-over and abruptly returned to their previous activities just as Coalwood and Baeder arrived- only to have the officer from before suddenly cut in between them.

“I don’t know how you did it, and I frankly don’t care. It’s just one less problem on my hooves. I’m sure you can find your regiment.” He then turned towards Coalwood. “And I do apologize about the comment before so don’t need to remind me.”

“Actually, I was just going to see if Hooch was in our regiment, but apology accepted.” Coalwood replied confused at first.

“Oh.. Well, um. Your name’s then?” the officer cleared his throat, a clipboard at the ready.

“Coalwood, Hooch and Baeder Eagle.”

Scanning over the board, the officer found their names.

“Ah here you are. You three are in the 34th Volunteer Rifles. They’re currently being rallied by the southwest corner of the green. They’re just about to head for the railhead.” The officer replied his hoof pointed towards the mass of bodies past the empty market stalls.

In all honesty, the 34th Volunteer Rifles wouldn’t be even considered a regiment; more or less as a standing company of almost a hundred. A large majority of the company were all Earth ponies, a couple of pegasi and unicorns mixed in, three griffons and a zebra serving as the second, as well as the medic. Baeder seemed disappointed by the outturn of his former comrade in arms of former wars being heavily outnumbered five to one, whereas Hooch felt the same- now being the only dog in the bunch.

“They look so green, no doubt never held a rifle before.” Baeder sighed. “Yet this it the best the country can provide us.”

“You could have requested to join another regiment- perhaps one with more of your friends.” Coal added.

“And condemn my friends to death without giving them a fighting chance?” He joked, brushing his claw against Coal’s shoulder. “This may, however, but a challenge.” The trio made their way over, mixed expressions about what may come during this, the gather storm.

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Halfway across the continent, brass horns and drums blared proudly through the white streets of Canterlot. Large and glorious banners of white and gold fluttered in the breeze as throngs of ponies cheered on a parade. Streams of gold armor and red tunics flooded the streets, passively ignoring the thousands around them, their faces fixated forward. Flying above them matching speed and style were their pegasi brethren, several lugging along the same banners that were strung across the streets.

The first detachment of the Royal Army was making their debut on their way to the station.

“Colonel Night Light, Are you sure you don’t wish to come with us?” A major addressed the dark blue unicorn. The proud officer of the Guard had been offered to lead the first detachment off to quell this little “revolution” out in the Everfree Province, but had graciously refused.

The parade had been forced to rearrange his third date with Velvet, and the declaration of war had also disrupted any chances of an early marriage.

“Let him be Major, the colonel has other, more sensual plans in mind.” A captain of the Guard intervened. Night light gave the officer a rather unpleasant glare but he knew he was speaking true. Word around the Guard was that the colonel was about to hit second plate when he was called into service the night of.

“My duty to the Guard is to protect the Royal family, not march off and killed their citizens. That’s General Shooting Star’s job.” Night light replied. General Shooting Star, the one pony even the Royal Guard shuddered at his name. A Cloudsdalian by heart and a master tactician, he had overseen the Third and Fourth Griffon wars with many victories for the homeland; along with the siege of the Griffon King’s Fortress high in the Northern Mountains.

To many, his refusal to lead the first detachment shocked every pony. He instead assumed to role of Commander in Chief of the entire Army; a standing army of over seventy-five thousand and a fleet of sixty-four warships consisting of ten Ship of the lines, twenty-five Frigate of the Lines and an assortment of others, which had already started their leg of the journey to establish blockades on the ports.

“Aye, so then send a noble in command- one who bought her way into the commission none the less.”

“Why are we only sending five thousand in the first detachment? I’d thought we’d be sending more in?” Night light popped the question.

“Shooting Star’s been ordered to send a small force to either give the rebels one last chance of refute and return to Equestria’s embrace or the test their so called army’s strength. They probably would have a better chance of self destruction with that melting pot, let alone stand against the army.” The major replied.

“I hear their nothin’ more than farmers an’ shop keeps. The second rate wealthies in Port Solaris don’t even know how to operate a rifle, and those who volunteer probably bought their way out by now.” Said the Captain. All three seem to get a laugh out of the last statement. They practically lived in a rich mare’s city and not one roster in the Guard or Army had any pony from Canterlot on it.

At least not in the line infantry commissions, the lowest they would dare stoop to would be that of a major.

“Well, I best be off. I’ve got to make sure that noble knows where she’s going.” The major saluted and started his way towards the parade.

“Best be careful Bolt, don’t let her money get the better of you.” Night called out, but the bands of cheering ponies blocked out any response.

“Do you really think they’ll be reasonable and give up this endeavour?” The captain whispered to Night light’s ear.

“I hope they do, otherwise we’ll be facing a rather nasty storm where no pony comes out of.” Night light took one last look at the parade and started he way back towards the palace, ready for his afternoon shift.