Chapter 1 - Souls
Gaian Naval base 'Odin'. The Gaian navy patrols the marine borders of the republic. Watchful eyes searching day and night, in order to keep those who would harm the fragile peace at bay.
"Knights report."
"One ship at sea Commander Stanfill, it doesn't appear to be armed."
"... Take a patrol boat, do not attack unless provoked. They may just be explorers, people who have never been this far, no one would be stupid enough to come near our border without weapons."
"Aye Sir!" The knights left, leaving the commander to view the ship, and although it was a larger ship, the crew did not appear to be very well trained. The ship was swerving horribly, the masts were nearly falling apart, and the the creature that appeared to be the captain was... Jumping up and down in a pink blur.
Unexplored ocean, east of Equestria. The Equestrian ship HMS Friendship travels the vast waters of the planet, in search of friends.
"OOOOOOOOooooooohhhhhh!!!! This is so exciting!!!!!! Twilight said there were people here! Do you think they like parties?" Pinkie Pie had nearly destroyed the ship with her bouncing everywhere, preparing to meet with people they had only seen through telescopes. Twilight walked onto the main deck of the ship to see what was happening, she had been told they were nearing the continent.
"Pinkie, maybe you should hold off on that party, we don't know anything about these people yet. They may be allies with the Gryphons, and Dragons." Pinkies enthusiasm worried Twilight as of late. War could break out at any minute, and the Equestrian guard would be no match for the Alliance forces.
"Twilight, you should stop worryin' so much. If anyone can convince these folks to join us against the Alliance, it's Pinkie."
"I suppose you're right Applejack. I'm just worried is all, the Alliance will destroy us if we can't find al-" Twilight was cut off by a pony setting off the alarm.
"ALL PONIES REPORT TO YOUR STATIONS! WE HAVE A POSSIBLY HOSTILE SHIP APPROACHING!"
"No everyone! Don't! It may be the people we're trying to find!"
Naval base 'Odin' situation room.
"So the purple one seems to be the leader?"
"Yes commander, she talked the pink one down, and was able to command the rest of the crew."
Commander Stanfill scratched his head. "Where are they from, and what are they doing here?"
"We believe they are from Equestria, sir. They're ponies."
The commander stopped, while he sat completely still, he gave the soldier one order.
"Bring me the Captain, and all her officers... NOW SOLDIER!"
"SIR, YES, SIR!" He ran out of the room, and as Commander Stanfill stared out the window in and his face went pale. He muttered the words, "May the gods, have mercy on our souls."
* * *
"Where the hay are you takin' us!? Come on, let me down and fight me! You won't be too tough when I buck your faces in." Applejack was furious, these men had boarded their ship, and taken Applejack and the rest of her friends hostage, now they were being hauled into a fortress against their will, and they weren't sure if they were being interrogated, tortured, or both.
A quiet voice behind her spoke up, albeit, barely. "umm... a-applejack, I don't think you should be threatening them."
"Ahh phooey! They ain't so tough Fluttershy, are you ya dang plotface!" Even Rainbow Dash went red after she heard all the curses that would make Luna blush coming out of Applejack's mouth.
"APPLEJACK!" Twilight screamed out, then one of their captors reached into his clothes, and pulled out something silver, that he proceeded to place over AJ's muzzle, preventing her from speaking.
"Please. Stop. Talking." One of the clothed men said. "We're almost to the Commander's office."
"Umm, sir?" Twilight asked "Why did you take us from our ship?"
"Because you're an unknown ship, in our coastal waters. You're just lucky the Sentinels didn't blow you out of the water."
"Sentinels?" Twilight asked, intrigued.
"The Gaian equivalent to your 'Pegasi', what we call Vanguards are similar to Unicorns, and Terrans are like Earth Ponies." The man said.
"Is that what you call yourselves? Gaians?" Twilight kept pressing.
"Yes, Gaians, as in from the Republic of Gaia."
"The Republic of Gaia-aaaaaahhh...." Twilight's jaw dropped as they neared the center of the base, it was huge, bigger than the Princess' castle. There were hundreds of people in the pentagonal room alone, all of them wearing the same green coat that looked comfortable to wear, easy to move in, and somewhat protective against projectiles. Along with the coats, they all wore a three pointed hat. Most of them had a long pipe, with wooden casing around it, on their backs, while several of them had a gauntlet on their left hand, and a smaller version of the metal tube on the right hip, but what interested her were the few with wings, they had a sword on one hip, and the small metal tube on the other. Together the groups reminded her of Equestria, where Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi lived happily together. It appeared that these creatures had a similar system. Maybe an alliance would be easier than they thought.
"Soldiers!" A man to their right yelled.
"Yessir!?" The men escorting the Elements of Harmony replied.
"Bring them into my office, now!"
"Aye sir!" The men roughly forced the girls into the spacious room, then left leaving only the tall man, an the six ponies to speak.
"Why the hell are you all the way over here!? And for that matter, why did you come looking for us?" The man barked at them furiously.
"W-We were sent by Princess Celestia to ask for help..." Twilight managed to reply.
"Help with what?"
"War, sir. War with the Draco-Gryphon Alliance."
"... Has it gotten that bad already?"
"What do you mean? Do you know something we don't?" Twilight asked prying for information.
"Yes... We've been monitoring the Alliance since it was created. We've expected them to attack you, but only in small skirmishes. Not full blown war." The man simply removed his hat, an rubbed his head. "I'll speak with the Senate, but I won't be able to guarantee help. Although if you really believe that they're ready to go to war with you... I don't think that the senators will deny you support... I'll have my men prepare quarters for you, tomorrow we'll head for the mainland, journey to the capital speak with the government. If you'll excuse me ladies, I have a lot of paperwork to do now."