> The Battle of Stalliongrad
>  by rommel9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Spike. Spike? SPIKE!”
“Wha- what?! I'm awake!” the baby dragon replied sleepily to the lavender unicorn that was his caretaker and best friend.
“Sorry Spike, but I need you to find a book for me.” Twilight Sparkle the unicorn said. Her muzzle was buried in a large, leather bound book entitled Equestria: A History.
“What else is new?” The reptile grumbled as he rolled out of his small basket bed. He made his way down the stairs from the loft he and the female pony shared in the Ponyville Library, heading to the nearest shelf. He then snatched up a random book before returning to toss it onto the bed where Twilight was nestled under the covers- her favorite thing to do while reading.
“Um, Spike?” Twilight said, holding up the book her number one assistant had retrieved. The book was about making exploding party favors to liven up parties. 'They'll blow your mind!' the book's cover stated a little too cheerily in green type.
“What is it now Twilight?”
“I didn't ask for this book...Heck, I didn't even say which book I wanted.”
“Ugh...What do you want, then?” Spike said groggily, taking the book back from his mentor.
“Fetch me an atlas of Equestria.” She said, reading from the ancient-looking history book atop her pillow. The dragon returned a moment later with a large paperback atlas in claw. He laid it open on the bed and looked up to Twilight, not even needing her to ask him to search something.
“Look for Stalliongrad.” The unicorn said, squinting to read the faded text on the yellowing pages of the history book. Spike searched every map the atlas contained for a few minutes before consulting the index. He trailed a single claw down the list of words beginning with 'S,' but finally shook his head in defeat.
“Nothing. There's nothing about a 'Stalliongrad' anywhere in the atlas.” Spike said, closing said book.
“Is it up to date?”
“Yea, it was just printed last year, too!”
“Strange...”
“What is it Twilight?”
“There's no Stalliongrad on the map, yet this history book has a chapter on something about the Battle of Stalliongrad!”
“What does the chapter on it say?” Spike asked, sitting up on the bed next to the unicorn.
“That's just it, Spike- the chapter's not there! All the pages that seem to even mention it have been ripped out! I'm surprised it's still in the chapter listings.” Twilight said, sliding off from her bed. The lavender pony trotted down into the library proper, her reptilian assistant hot on her heels. The unicorn then wandered over to her desk where she pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill using her magic. A faint purple glow surrounded her horn and the objects she was levitating. The office supplies floated over to Spike, who grabbed them from the air with a curious look.   
“Spike, take a note.” Twilight said, starting to pace as per usual when sending a letter to Princess Celestia. Spike poised the quill above the parchment, ready to begin writing.
“Dear Princess Celestia. I am sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but I have a question about an event that occurred some time ago, more than likely during the thousand years Nightmare Moon was banished. The event in question is something called “The Battle of Stalliongrad.” I came across the title while doing some light reading, but cannot find any more information on either the battle or city. The settlement does not appear in even my most recent atlas and all information pertaining to the battle has been removed from my oldest history book. I believe the chapter I am searching for was removed long before I moved into the library here in Ponyville as the book I am referring to is property of the library. I hope that you will be able to shed light on the subject of the settlement of Stalliongrad and the battle that took place there... if such a settlement or battle ever existed or occurred. If it is merely a printing error with the book, then I shall seek a suitable replacement copy that is more up to date. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”
Spike let out sigh of relief that the letter wasn't too long, but it still cramped up his hand somewhat. He sealed the letter and held it up, about to engulf it in a swirl of magical green flames so as to send it to the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia. He stopped short though, glancing momentarily at Twilight.
“Well, Spike? Send it!”
“Are you sure about this Twilight? I mean, if the information isn't there, then it's obvious someone doesn't want anyone finding out about what happened.” The reptile said, ever the worry wart.
“Oh Spike,” Twilight said, patting the baby dragon on the head with one of her hooves. “You worry too much. I'm sure the Princess will be delighted to answer our questions. Heck, she'll be happy to learn that we're interested in the history of Equestria.”
Rolling his eyes, Spike set fire to the rolled up parchment, causing it to vanish in a flash of green. Twilight smiled, giving the baby dragon a one legged hug before heading back to the stairs. More than likely, the princess might not reply until morning. In the meantime, the unicorn decided it would be a good idea to get some sleep.
“Come on Spike, let's head to bed.” Twilight said with a yawn. “Hopefully we'll have received a reply tomorrow before Rarity drops off the Cutie Mark Crusaders for us to fillysit.”
Just as Spike was about to reply, he burped up a small green flame into the air. A scroll appeared amidst it. He grabbed the letter, unsealing it with a flick of a claw. “That was a quick reply.” He said, opening the scroll. His eyes darted over the writing, growing a tad large in surprise.
“What's it say Spike?” Twilight urged.
“Dear Twilight Sparkle. You are to report to Canterlot tomorrow at once. Do not tell anypony else of what you have found and bring the history book in question with you. A chariot will be sent for you in the morning at sunrise. Signed Princess Celestia.”
Spike rolled up the letter and tucked it under his arm, looking at Twilight with a raised eyebrow. His look had an obvious 'I told you so' manner as she scratched her head and shrugged.
“I wonder what the problem is?” The scholarly pony wondered aloud. She didn't say anything else, but began to pack immediately for her trip to her home city of Canterlot. Spike followed her, grabbing up whatever she instructed him to pack for her. When she was finally finished, she only had a small suitcase and her saddlebags. The saddlebags contained spare parchment and quills for any notes the unicorn might want to take along with the book just as the Princess had requested.
“So I guess Rarity will have to get Applejack to fillysit, huh?” Spike asked as they began to settle back into bed.
“Spike, are you telling me that you can't handle three little fillies on your own?” Twilight asked with a giggle.
“On my own? You mean I'm not going with you?” Her number one assistant said with disappointment in his young voice.
“Sorry Spike, but the Princess asked only for me. Besides, maybe you can convince Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie to help you fillysit while I'm gone. I'm sure they'd be happy to help you.” The unicorn said with a yawn. Before Spike could retaliate, snoring began to fill the bedroom from Twilight's bed.
“Why do I always get stuck with the hard stuff?” Spike huffed.

~~~~~

The next morning, the sound of a carriage being towed by a pair of Pegasus was heard outside the Ponyville library where Twilight Sparkle and Spike made their home. The lavender unicorn opened the door before either of the Royal Guards had time to even unhitch from the carriage to knock on the door. The magic pony trotted out into the cool morning air, her suitcase being levitated via her magic while her saddlebags were draped over her torso.
“Good morning, good sirs.” She said with a smile to the armor-clad guard ponies. The two colts smiled and silently nodded to Twilight in response, their golden centurion-style helmets shining dazzlingly in the early morning sun.
Once the unicorn was settled in, the duo of flying guards launched themselves in the air, taking the carriage with them. Only one or two ponies were awake at this hour in Ponyville. Those that were paid no mind to the official-looking carriage as it flew away from the library and towards Canterlot. Had the carriage been at anypony else's home other than Twilight Sparkle's, they ponies of the small town might have paid it more mind. They had grown used to such things over time since Princess Celestia's number one student had moved into the town's library.
Twilight sat down as the carriage flew through the air, looking every now and then down at the landscape below as she was whisked towards Canterlot. The unicorn lay her head down tiredly on the edge of the golden carriage as it flew along. It wouldn't be a long flight, but she decided to close her eyes just for a moment.

~~~~~

“Miss Sparkle, we have arrived. Miss Sparkle? Miss Sparkle, you need to wake up.”
“N-Noo...F-Five more minutes.” Twilight muttered sleepily to the guard pony who was gently shaking her awake. When she opened her eyes partway to make out who was awaking her from such a lovely nap, she realized that the carriage had finally reached the castle at Canterlot. Currently, the carriage in which Twilight had ridden in was sitting in a small courtyard in the back of the castle.
The unicorn's eyes were wide open within a second, her heart racing. She had fallen asleep during the short flight to Canterlot! She literally jumped from the carriage, panicking. Had Princess Celestia seen her asleep? Had the Princess come and gone while she was asleep? Thoughts like these raced through the scholar's mind before she finally turned to the unicorn guard who had awoken her.
“Where's the Princess?” She asked, looking every which way for her mentor.
“She's coming down that hallway.” He said, tone serious like all other guards. He pointed a hoof at a pair of wooden doors that lead into the castle. “She was right behind me, so she'll be here in less than a-”
The guard stopped mid sentence as the doors opened, an immensely large alicorn standing in the doorway. Her mane was colored in four separate strands of pink, purple, green, and blue, the same going for her tail. Her horn was long and sharp at the tip, shining in the sun, while her hooves were clad in gold. This was Princess Celestia, one of the two ruling sisters of Equestria.
“Princess Celestia! Oh, it's so wonderful to see you again! I've missed you so-” Twilight stopped partway through her happy reunification speech. She took notice of the depressed look upon her mentor's face. It was a look that the Princess rarely was seen with... if she had ever had that look before, that is. She was not smiling as per usual, and her eyes did not sparkle with happiness, but seemed dim and dull.
“Princess?” Twilight inquired.
“Come with me, Twilight. We have much to discuss.”

~~~~~

About half an hour later, Twilight was sitting at a long wooden table in the middle of the castle's immense library. Princess Celestia had left the unicorn at the table alone almost twenty minutes ago, instructing her pupil to go nowhere. The tall sun princess had then headed off towards the back of the library where there was a vault of restricted literature guarded by powerful magic that only Celestia herself could control.
“Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?”
Twilight almost fell from the chair she had been sitting in, startled by the sudden entrance of somepony else into the empty library. She turned to see who had spoken and found herself face to face with the last pony she had expected to see there in the library during the middle of the day. Standing a few steps behind the unicorn's chair was the second co-ruler of Equestria, Princess Luna.
“Princess Luna!” Twilight almost shouted as she jumped from her chair and into a deep bow before the princess of the night. “It's an honor to see you again!” She continued, not daring to look up out of respect and courtesy. The midnight blue alicorn smiled shyly, returning the bow to the unicorn that she owed her freedom to.
“It's a pleasure to see you again as well, Twilight Sparkle.” The princess said. Her words were full of kindness, all traces of Nightmare Moon gone from her personality. When the two magical mares lifted their heads and looked to one another, they smiled and stood in an awkward silence for a few moments. It was during this momentary silence that Twilight finally realized that Luna was larger than the average pony, yet not as large as her sister Celestia. After a few more moments of silence, Luna finally broke it.“Tell me Twilight Sparkle, what brings you to Canterlot on such short notice?”
“Oh well, um, uh...I-I just had some findings in my research that I wanted to show to Celestia in person.” Twilight said nervously, her tail twitching somewhat as she thought up an answer for her being there. “Y-You?” she asked, smiling a little too much. She mentally smacked herself for asking one of the Princesses of Canterlot what she was doing in her own castle.
Giggling, Luna said, “Oh, Tia just wanted to tell me something.” The moon princess then became slightly downtrodden by something on her mind. “She seems upset over something lately. She was fine last night, but then this morning when she came to raise the sun, she seemed burdened.”
Twilight's color seemed to go pale as she put the pieces together. It had been her letter to the sun princess that had upset her and was now causing the other princess to be worried. Before the lavender unicorn could say anything, Celestia appeared from behind one of the many enormous book cases in the library.
The sun princess was using her magic to carry an impressive array of items with her, among them a stack of four or five books, a few rolled up maps, three wooden crates, and what looked like a photo album. The ruler of Equestria sighed, levitating the items onto the table where Luna and Twilight now stood, watching her with interest.
“Did you bring the book, Twilight?” Celestia asked as she laid out the books. There was a smaller book that had been hidden among the stack. The small piece of literature seemed to blend with the wooden table thanks to its brown leather cover that was faded with age and wear.   
“Yes, Princess.” The young unicorn said as she levitated the aforementioned history book from her saddlebags and onto the table. She set it away from the other books. It hadn't even been fully released from Twilight's magical hold before the book burst into flames. Luna and the unicorn jumped with fright, tripping over one another. “Wha-what the...?” Twilight asked, confused. She looked to Celestia, who was simply brushing away the ashes of the book with one of her enormous wings.
“Now that that is taken care of, we can begin.” She said, using her magic to pull out two chairs for her sister and pupil. “Sit, please.” The two did as they were asked, still confused about what had just happened.
“Um, Tia? Was there something you wanted to tell me?” Luna asked softly.
“Yes, dear sister, there is. It is the same thing I am going to tell Twilight Sparkle about. It's more like a history lesson, actually,” The alicorn answered using her magic to unroll a few maps and open a few of the books at once.
“...About Stalliongrad?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, my star pupil, about Stalliongrad.”
“What is Stalliongrad?” Luna asked, feeling left out for a moment.
“The better question, my dear sister, is what was Stalliongrad,” Celestia said darkly. Luna and Twilight exchanged worried looks before looking back to the sun princess.
“Stalliongrad was an industrial earth pony city to the far East just within Equestria's borders. It's name had originally been Colitsyn, but it was renamed for its most prominent mayor, Josef Stallion.” Celestia opened the photo album to a picture of a clay red earth pony who had an overly thick mustache. Mr. Stallion was wearing a green-gray peaked cap with a red band just above the bill, while a gold cord sat on the headgear's awning. A symbol compromising of a hammer and horseshoe was pinned to the crimson band. The pony also wore a coat of the same design to match the cap. It was a uniform of sorts.
“After having dealt with numerous rebellions and uprisings in Equestria for the first seven hundred years of Nightmare Moon's imprisonment, I was weary of other ponies who may come to have large amounts of power and influence in the land. To crack down on any sign of disloyalty to my reign, I formed a political party that was harsh in both its tactics and procedures. I was said party’s leader, of course. I did not think of myself as being a monarchy anymore, oh no. I had become a dictator, mad with power and paranoid about anything that seemed to go against my word.”
“What was the political party?” Twilight asked.
“I called it the Pony Party to make it seem more inviting. Of course it was optional to join the party, but nonmembers and members alike were kept under strict regulations and observation. Every town and settlement had a Pony Party Headquarters where the local party official and his officers made sure my word was obeyed and enforced. Those that did not obey were immediately taken care of. Looking back on myself now, I feel so saddened and ashamed at what I had done to my beloved Equestria.”
Celestia sighed, shaking her head in shame. She cleared her throat before going on, not giving the other two ponies in the room a second to ask a single question.
“Stallion came to power over Stalliongrad and a few smaller surrounding villages through the Earth Pony Labor Union, an organization which helped bring equality to earth ponies in the work place. It was a very powerful organization at the time. With the ponies of Stalliongrad and the few surrounding towns and settlements under his command, Stallion started to think of expanding his rule. He started by seceding from Equestrian rule and beginning his own nation which he christened as the 'Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union.' He claimed it as a paradise for earth ponies who sought to be equal with other ponies... to escape the hierarchy of Equestria in which unicorns were seemingly in control of everything.”
Celestia stopped her lecture for a moment to flip to another page in the photo album. It was a faded photo of herself and representatives from the S.E.P.W.U. sitting together at a large table. Josef Stallion was in the center of the representatives, smiling cheekily at an angry-looking Celestia.
“I tried to be political and brought Josef to the bargaining table to try and come to an agreement. Equestria needed the industrial strength that was now under the control of Stallion's iron hoof. He agreed to continue trade with Equestria, but at prices that would easily send our economy into chaos inside of ten years. I had no choice but to remove him from power... by force.”
By this point in the history lesson, Twilight's mouth was agape and Luna's eyes were the size of dinner plates. Neither of the fillies could comprehend what they were hearing. This was a part of Equestrian history that wasn't taught in school or even allowed to be told to everyday ponies. The fact that something on such a huge political scale had taken place only three hundred years prior to them sitting in the library showed something had happened that was never meant to be known by future generations.
“H-How did you accomplish that, P-Princess?” Twilight asked nervously. She may have seemed nervous, but she was also excited... excited at the prospect of gaining extremely rare knowledge! What pony could say they knew about a part of Equestrian history that was meant to be known by only a select few?
“When political attempts failed, as did more severe techniques...” Celestia turned to a photo of Josef Stallion being pulled from a pile of rubble that had been a bar. “I had no choice. The only way to reunite Equestria and bring peace back to the land was through confrontation on a massive scale. I was left with no choice aside from going to war with the Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union.”
“But Equestria has no military, sister!” Luna said, shocked. “The only forces we have are the Royal Equestrian Guards!”
“You are correct, little sister. At the time, I only had the Royal Equestrian Guard and the Pony Party officials and officers at my disposal, but there were problems. I needed to keep the guards here in Canterlot and in the surrounding area to keep myself safe from any attacks by Stallionists, and the Party officials, well...They were more like law enforcement, not combat personnel.”
“So what did you do?” Twilight asked before Luna could even think to.
Celestia smiled grimly and looked down to the wooden table before answering her. “I formed the Maremacht, a powerful war machine whose soul purpose was bent on destroying the Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union, Josef Stallion, and anything else that threatened Equestria or my power. I didn't do it on my own, of course. I had help from a small group of ponies whose backgrounds I am still unsure of... but they knew what to do.”
“Who were they?” Twilight asked, the ever-curious scholar.
“You will learn about them in due time, my star pupil. Here.” The sun princess said, shoving the small leather book across the table with a forehoof. “This is the journal of one of the soldiers who served in the Maremacht during the war. Use these books and maps to learn of what happened, for I do not know everything myself. I have not read the journal, nor do I plan to. I already have enough regrets from the little bit of knowledge that I have.”
The tall, elegant alicorn then turned and slowly trod away from the two ponies, leaving them to their studies. Twilight and Luna were at a loss for words. They had so many questions for the sun princess, but they had even more that could only be answered by the journal and books in front of them. Twilight picked up the small leather book in a field of purple looking magic, levitating it in front of her.
“Journal of Sergeant Schmeisser.” Twilight said, reading the black writing that was just inside the cover. It looked like it had been written by somepony using their mouth, so it wasn't a unicorn who had written it. Despite this fact, the writing was actually legible enough to read without difficulty.
“Go on Twilight, open it,” Luna urged, curiosity radiating from her.
With a look of curiosity and fear on her own face, Twilight did so. From that point on, there was no turning back.

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Equestria, 301 years prior to Princess Luna's freedom from Nightmare Moon, and 1 year prior to the Battle of Stalliongrad

~~~~~

The dark blue colt smirked coyly as he admired his reflection the window of the Coltstock bakery.  His light brown tunic, the matching peaked cap atop his head, the leather strap across his chest in a bandolier fashion...  He looked the part of being the head of the village's Pony Party chapter.  He ran a hoof through his medium length brown mane before adjusting the armband on his left foreleg.

“I'll need a new one soon...” he thought, noticing the edges were fraying in a few places.

It didn't matter, so long as the symbol was still intact.  That was the only important thing.  The colt turned from the shop window and continued down the cobblestone path that made up the town's main street, greeting any pony he met in a friendly manner.  He soon reached his destination, the local Party headquarters.

“Morning gents.” He said in his aged voice as he entered the small one room building.  The other three ponies in the room answered in a similar fashion.

“Morning Logan.” An orange unicorn said from one of the five desks.

A steaming cup of coffee was levitating in front of him, with an tangerine tinted field of magic around it.  His cutie-mark was that of a few chestnuts.

“Morning Chester.”  The elder earth pony replied with a nod.

He made his way over to his desk, which sat against the back wall of the building, under a fairly large banner sporting the same insignia which was on his armband.  The insignia was that of the Reichsmare, an alicorn with spread wings stood atop a jewel encrusted circle which contained an eight pronged sun.  All of the prongs were curved to the alicorn's left; the same direction in which the it was looking.  Four of the prongs were larger than the rest.

“So, anything new?”

“Yea, a letter on your desk.”

Logan looked down to his desk, seeing that there was a sheet of paper with the word 'URGENT’ stamped across the top in big red lettering.

“What's this?”

“It was there this morning when we all got here.  Must have arrived during the night via magic.” a gray Pegasus called from the other side of the room before going back to eating his breakfast of muffins.

“What is it, Mr. Logan?” asked a young earth pony; the boy couldn't have been more than nineteen years of age.

“Hm, a letter from Canterlot.  Seems were are to expect a visitor and his escort sometime this morning.” Logan said, reading the letter over a few times.

Before he could go on, there was a knock at the door.

“Wonder if that's them.  Sandy, answer the door.” The tan teen with the pale and shovel cutie mark nodded before rushing to the door of Party Headquarters, adjusting the light brown kepi atop his head before opening the entrance.

The last thing any of the Party members expected to see at the door was a pair of ponies clad in jet black uniforms, but such a pair stood right in the doorway.  The Pegasus of the two stepped through the door and past Sandy, his unicorn companion trotting in right behind him.  He looked around with an emotionless gaze, inspecting the Party building.  While the two mystery ponies stood just inside the door, the Party members got a good look at their uniforms; solid black tunics with two breast pockets, complimented by strange patches on the sleeves and high backed collars.  Their peaked caps bore the Reichsmare like their armbands, with the addition of a skull and crossbones pinned just above the bill.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?” Logan asked quizzically, he didn't know what to make of their uniforms.

They weren't party uniforms, that was for sure....

“Are you Political Officer Logan?” The brick red Pegasus inquired, eying the blue pony's cutie mark that was a stack of logs.

“Yes, yes I am. Who wants to know?”

“I am Sergeant Schultz, you should have received a letter concerning my arrival.” As he spoke, the airborne pony pointed out the single green stripes sewn onto his left and right sleeves at the knee.

“Yes, I only just got into the office, and-”

“How old are you, Political Officer?”

“I'm fifty-five, but I don't see how-”

“Too old to be affected,” The Sergeant said to the unicorn.

The other pony, a Sergeant as well, nodded and used his magic to pull a pen and pad from his breast pockets.  He jotted several notes down.

“How old are the rest of you?”

“Thirty-four.” Answered the gray pegasus.

“Twenty-six.” Added Chester.

“Nineteen.” Chimed in Sandy.

“The rest of you qualify,” The red pony informed, glancing over them once more. He looked to the gray Pegasus. “Name and cutie-mark.”

“Dopy, and my mark is a chef's hat.  I run the bakery in town.”

“Can you fly?”

“You bet I can!  Best in town!”

Chester jumped into the conversation with “That's because you're the only Pegasus in town.”

Dopy attempted to say something, but couldn't think of a witty enough comeback.  Instead, he just mumbled under his breath and shuffled his hooves.  Schultz bore the same blank look as he let forth an annoyed sigh.

“Cook...” he said to the unicorn.

“I'm sorry, but what's all this about?” Logan demanded, his temper rising.

After all, these two ponies just showed up last minute and began asking random questions.

“Where are you from? Who sent you?”

“I was sent from Canterlot, though I am personally from somewhere other than Equestria.  As for my purpose in visiting your little hamlet of Coltstock, it is the drafting of colts between the ages of eighteen and forty for the military.”

“What military?”

“If you had read ze letter, you vould know.” The unicorn who had remained silent up until now gave Logan an exasperated look.  His accent was... alien to the Equestrian ponies in the room, save for Logan.  It reminded him of his late wife's accent somewhat.  The looks the unicorn received reflected why he hadn't spoken when he first arrived. Schultz continued on from there.

“As you all know, and from what myself and my Kameraden have been informed, relations with the Stallionists have been... tense, to say the least.  The Royal Equestrian Guard can barely keep Celestia, Canterlot, and the surrounding area, secure let alone all of Equestria.  If the rumors are true about Stalion building up his own military might, then Equestria needs a force worthy of protecting it.  It is just such a force that Princess Celestia herself has decided be formed.”

The Pony Party members were now giving the two visitors strange looks as if they were both crazy.  They all knew how things were between Equestria and the Socialist Earth Pony Worker's Union, but no pony gave any thought to the two nations going to war.

“You can't be serious,” Logan interjected.

“As serious as a cutie-mark, Mr. Logan.  Now, if you and your men will aid us in gathering up the appropriately aged colts of this town, I am to have them all to the railroad crossing a few miles West of here within six hours, and it will take a few hours to gather every pony and march them there to meet with our train.” The Pegasus Sergeant stood there for a few moments, staring at the other ponies in the room.

“Now!” He ordered sternly, his voice showing emotion for the first time that morning.  

The colts rushed out of the building, doing as they were ordered.

While his friends began to knock at doors and gather any colt they could find, Logan rushed for his home that sat just on the edge of town.  When he galloped into the yard, the earth pony found his son busy painting a sign for the logging business the two ran together.  The white earth pony turned to face his father when he heard the sound of hooves, smiling, a paintbrush in his mouth.  Paint dripped from the bristles and onto the ground, staining the green grass white.

“Hey dad, you're home early.  I was just putting a fresh coat of paint on the sign. I- What's wrong?” The colt noticed his father was out of breath from the run and wearing quite adistraught look.

“D-Draft...Y-You...In age group...”

“What?”

“I'm not sure, b-but these two ponies showed up, talking about a draft for a newly formed military.  All colts between eighteen and forty are being pressed into service.”

“Wait, you don't mean...?”

“Yes, Schmeisser, you're going to have to go with them.”

The twenty year old colt stood in silence for a few moments, staring at the ground.  His face was twisted in deep thought as he turned things over in his mind.  Logan trotted up to his only child, putting a leg around him, looking into his light blue eyes. “You going to be okay, son?”

“Okay? This is great!”

“What?” This was obviously not the reaction the logging pony had expected from his son. “How is this great? You could get hurt!”

“I know that, but it's great because I might finally get my cutie-mark!” the youngster exclaimed, motioning towards his flank that was void of said mark. Throughout his entire life, Schmeisser had never found what he was good at, and thus had never found his cutie-mark.  Now, he had another opportunity to gain it!

“Son, listen to me.  If this military will be anything like the Royal Equestrian Guard, it's going to be tough.  I should know, having-”

“I know, Dad, you served in the Princess's guard for seventeen years.  Then you met mom, you two moved here, started the logging business, had me, and...” Schmeisser stopped short, not wanting to go on.

Logan nodded sadly, knowing what he meant.  His wife and Schmeisser's mother, Faust, had died giving birth.  The boy didn't know much of his mom, but he'd been told she was very caring and a wonderful singer.

“Come inside, I'll help you pack.”

After a very quick run through Schmeisser's wardrobe, the white pony stood by the door with a set of light saddlebags.  The bags held a few work shirts, a small blanket, a loaf of bread for the trip, and some paper and pens for writing letters.  Logan had disappeared into his study, saying he had something for his son.  He returned not too much later, a leather bound book in his mouth.  He nuzzled open his son's bags and slipped it in.  He was given a quizzical look by his son.

“It's a journal. To keep you occupied.  You remember how I taught you to write with your mouth?”

“Don't bite down too hard or swallow the pencil.”

“Good boy.  Keep practicing so you won't have to get a unicorn to help you.”

“Maybe I can get good enough so unicorns ask me for help.” Schmeisser chuckled.

“That's the spirit.” his father rasped, smiling sombrely. “Keep your spirits up and you'll do fine.”

The two had begun walking back towards town; the deadline for the round up nearing.  They remained quiet most of the way, just enjoying the time with one another while it lasted.  When the town square came into view, every colt that was of age was standing around the two ponies from earlier, both still clad in black.  Schultz, the Pegasus, was standing on a wooden crate while his unicorn companion stood next to him.  The brick red pony on the makeshift podium was shouting out to the crowd of thirty or so colts.

“EVERPONY, FORM UP! TWO FILES! MOVE IT, SCHNELL!”

“What?” A yellow unicorn asked.

“QUICKLY!” The sergeant bellowed back, just as loud.

The unicorn jumped from being yelled.  Among those in the forming ranks of ponies were all of the Pony Party officials, though they were all out of uniform now, save for their caps. The three were at the front.

“Glad to see you could join us Logan!” Chester called jokingly.

The dark blue pony paid him no mind, turning back to his son.

“Word of advice.” Logan whispered in a hushed voice. “Do not draw unwanted or unneeded attention to yourself during training.  It will bring trouble.  You understand me?”

“Yes, sir.” He nodded, taking in every little word. “I'll keep my head down and do as I am told.”

“Good boy...  And please, stay safe, son.  You're all I have left.” Logan then threw both his forelegs around his son's neck, hugging him close, choking out his words. Schmeisser didn't know what to say, so he returned the hug with one leg.

“I will, dad.”

“How touching, wouldn't you agree, Sergeant?” The brick red Pegasus said dryly.

His unicorn escort merely nodded. The two shrugged off the dirty look they were given.

“If you will be so kind as to fall in up front next to Mr. Sandy, Mr. Schmeisser, we will be on our way. We have a train to catch.”

Doing as he was told, Schmeisser nodded as he took his place in the formation. Sandy gave him a reassuring smile.

“Don't worry Shmy, we'll stick together, watch out for one another.  Deal?” Sandy held up a hoof to his friend.

“Deal.” The two high-hoofed before being put in check by a bit of agitated throat clearing by a certain pony in black.

“Forward!” Schultz looked back to make sure every pony was in formation. “March!”

The formation of colts started off, heading out of town via the cobblestone street that eventually would turn to dirt a mile or so out.  Mare, fillies, and those who were staying behind lined the street, waving and watching their colts march off to an uncertain fate.  A few mares were crying as their husbands or sons passed them. While the townsfolk were in a gloomy mood, those ponies who were now enlisted were smiling. They were excited.  They were going on an adventure to parts of Equestria they'd never been to!  Some had never left the region or even town before!

As they continued on out of town, conversations began to spark between friends and neighbors.  The two black clad ponies leading the formation didn't seem to care, talking between one another in a language no one seemed to grasp.  While every pony was concerned with passing the time, Schmeisser took one last look back to his home; all ready homesick.

He caught sight of his father just at the edge of the village proper, watching them go.  The young colt felt a twinge of guilt and longing in his heart.  A longing to be out in the woods with his dad, cutting down trees and sawing them into smaller logs.  A longing to be a foal again, rolling around in a pile of wood shavings while his father tried to scorn him while laughing at the site.  The white pony got so caught up in his thoughts, he was almost trampled by those behind him.  A quick jab to the flank by the unicorn to his rear brought him back to earth.

~~~~~

The train ride to wherever they were headed had so far been uneventful, to say the least.  The parade of colts had arrived at a point where the dirt road they had been on met with a set of railroad tracks, only five miles outside of town.  The train arrived not even a quarter of an hour after the group had, though had been seen Schultz muttering that they could have arrived earlier.

The locomotive wasn't being pulled by a team of colts like it usually was, but was actually being used properly.  Steam and smoke poured from the engine, bringing about fits of hacking and coughs  from the ponies standing alongside the tracks.  It was obvious as to why the train wasn't being pulled by a team of colts, there had to be at least twenty passenger cars; all loaded with colts headed for the same destination.

“I thought being a soldier would be more exciting than this.” Sandy was sitting on the same bench as Schmeisser, staring through the window; looking out at the flat green plains.

He was sitting with all four hooves on the bench, seeming as though he had fallen back onto his rear, instead of having purposefully sat in such a style after jumping onto the wooden seat.

“From what my dad's told me, training will be a rough experience.” Schmeisser was sitting in a similar fashion, as were most of the other colts in the train car.

They were in the second car from the front, the forward car being occupied by the two Sergeants and other ponies clad in similar uniforms.  No pony was allowed to go through the door to the first car.  The only time the door opened, was when one of the black uniformed ponies came out to check upon the recruits.

“It can't be that bad.  Not like we'll actually have to fight, eh?”

“Yea, I'm sure the Princess will settle things before we're even half way through training.”

“How long have we been on this foul train?”

“A few hours, I think.  You fell asleep about an hour after we boarded.”

“Did I?” Sandy asked, shocked; he couldn't recall falling asleep or waking up.

“Yea.  A unicorn from Canterlot turned your mane a different color for a bit. Shocker the laughter didn't wake you.” Schmeisser said with a grin.

“What color?”

“Hot pink.”

“Think I'll be jumping from the train now.”

Before the white pony could reply, the door to the front car slid open.  A procession of uniformed Pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies filed out.  Some wore the same rank patches as Schultz and his unicorn friend, others wore different ones.  A few had nothing on their sleeves at all.

As the last of the soldiers slid the rear door to the other cars shut, only three black clad colts remained standing up front.  A steel gray earth pony and two orange unicorns. The unicorns bore no rank patches, while the earth pony's sleeves held a patch that seemed different from all the others.  The patch was that of three dark green stripes, stacked upon one another, with a pair of crossed apple leaves atop the verdant bands.

“Gentlecolts.” The officer began. “I am Captain Sturm of the Storm Stallions.  All of the uniforms colts you have encountered today are soldiers in the SS.  As of now, you are all Privates in the newly formed military of Equestria, the Maremacht.  All 100 members of the SS are currently higher ranking than you, even Privates like the ones standing next to me.” Sturm gestured to the two unicorns that flanked him. “Any questions so far?” A unicorn in the back raised his hoof.

“Stand and state your name and question,” The Captain called.

“My name is Forty, er, Private Forty,” The colt answered, standing from his seat. “I was just wondering where we were going, and when we were going to arrive.”

“Good question, Private.  Ve are headed to Camp Perfection, where you all will be trained to be soldiers.  You will be joined by ponies from all around Equestria, though some of the other recruits will be sent to one of the other four camps in this area.  You will be trained by both members of the SS and the Royal Equestrian Guard.  As for arrival, within the next half hour.  Any other questions?”

Sandy raised a hoof, waiting to be acknowledge by the Captain. When he was, he stood quickly.

“Private Sandy, sir.  My question is about you.” The tanned colt stood firm, but trembled slightly from the look he received from the three ponies standing in front of him.

“What is it, Private?”

“Where are you all from, sir? It's obvious none of you are from Equestria, as none of us can make since of your accent.” Sandy regretted asking the question, for as soon as the last word was out of his mouth, he was confronted by an angry looking Captain Sturm.

The non-Equestrian colt was staring daggers with his steel gray eyes that matched his mane and coat.

“You have a problem with meine accent, Private?” Sturm was laying the accent on thick now, no longer holding it back.  

He also started to say a few words no pony in the care understood, except for the two SS Privates still standing by the door.  The two looked fit to burst with laughter as they watched the frightened faces of the recruits.

“Gehe zu saugen ein Einhorn Horn, Maden,” The Captain spat.

“Um, yes, sir?” Sandy replied, afraid to say anything else.

That sent the two Privates reeling with laughter.  They were quickly silenced by a glare from their superior.  Sandy sank back into his seat as the foreign colt trotted back to the front.  Captain Sturm didn't ask if there were any more questions.  

An engineer pony from the train’s front poked his head through the door.

“We're almost there Captain.  Not even three minutes.” The colt then disappeared back to the locomotive before Sturm could reply.

“Gather your belongings!” The Captain yelled. “Move it!”

Every pony in the train car rushed to gather their saddlebags from the racks above their seats, checking to make sure everything was where it should be.  The two SS Privates shoved through the crowd and out the back door, going to warn the other train cars' passengers of their imminent arrival.  Schmeisser looked out the window and began to notice the landscape flatten out for miles.  They must have been in the middle of the Equestrian Plains, basically the middle of nowhere.

A minute or so later, the train slowed to  a crawl as it passed through a gateway within a wall of barbed wire fence. Every pony looked out the windows to catch a glimpse at the grim barrier that seemed to extend out to the horizon, as well as the Royal Guards at the entrance they were passing through.  The train continued on for another minute before coming to a stop at a makeshift railway platform.  Looking from the train car windows, the camp seemed to be nothing more than row upon row of wooden barracks, with a few larger buildings constructed from wood and steel.  Dirt roads were carved through the uniformly placed buildings, while hastily crafted road signs docked the corners of intersections.

“This isn't a site seeing tour, kiddies!  Off the train, move it!” Sturm yelled.

A few SS ponies seemed to appear from nowhere and began to shove the other colts from the car, yelling at them in a similar fashion as the Captain.  All along the train, the same scene was playing out as the fresh recruits were shoved out into the heat.

Once every pony was off the train, the engine backed away, leaving its passengers confused.  The Storm Stallions from the train herded the conscripted colts into a large group, forming them up as best they could.  There had to be nearly five hundred of them.  Schmeisser found it hard to believe that that many ponies had fit into the train.

“What are we doing?” Some pony yelled from amidst the crowd.

“Yea, why are we here?” Another colt added.

This set the entire formation off, with questions being yelled at the Storm Stallions that were standing around the group.  No answer was supplied, of course.  That was, until Captain Sturm stepped atop a makeshift stage that had been erected out of a few crates and a sheet of plywood.

“Silence!” The draftees paid the officer no attention.

He yelled three more times, even threatening to stomp their cutie-marks into the dirt, but this achieved nothing.  The soldiers attempted to quell the mob lest it become violent, but were unable to do anything useful.  It seemed as if there was going to be a riot between the native Equestrians and their foreign counterparts, until...

TAT-TAT-TAT!

Silence fell over the formation as the ponies looked for the source of the strange noise.  They turned their attention to the platform, where a Storm Stallion stood next to Captain Sturm, with a strange looking harness on him.  There was a small, metal barrel poking out from the right side of the harness, a thin wisp of pearly white smoke rising from its tip.

“Welcome to hell,” The Captain yelled, glowering at his recruits.

~~~~~

Cheap florescent lights buzzed as they hung from the ceiling of the mess hall; the newly arrived ponies filing into the hall.  Every pony had just had their tail and mane buzzed short, and had also been issued simple field gray uniforms.  The uniforms were basic tunics like those the Storm Stallions wore, just a different color.  Each colt had also been given the choice of headgear;: a field or garrison cap.  Schmeisser thought Sandy looked funny with the steeple like garrison cap tilted at a jaunty angle atop his head.

“I think it looks nice.” The pale and shovel cutie-marked colt snorted, attempting to end the conversation as the two took a seat at one of the many long, wooden tables in the dining hall.

“Keep telling yourself that.” His friend laughed.

The blank flank had gone with the more simple field cap.  He looked around the large building and spotted a stage on which a podium stood.  A banner was stung across the top of the platform, reading “Don’t be stupid, be a smarty! Come and join the Pony Party!”

“Wish we had something like that back at Party Headquarters in town.” Sandy gave the banner a jealous look. “Why did they herd us in here?”

“I heard one of the SS colts saying something about a welcome speech being given by some pony from the Propaganda Corps, whatever that is.”

At that moment, the lights in the hall dimmed slightly, leaving only the stage with proper lighting.  From the double kitchen doors rushed about ten Storm Stallions, all wearing the same strange harness as the one from earlier.  Four stood atop the stage, two on either side of the podium, while the remainder stood between the platform and recruits.  They all wore the same jet black uniform and helmets.

“Wonder who all the fuss is for,” Sandy whispered to no pony in particular.

His question was answered not a moment later, as the doors opened once again, this time for a single unicorn.

The light brown unicorn was obviously larger than the average pony, much larger.  Not nearly as large as Princess Celestia, but he was still big.  He wore a standard SS uniform, with the exception of a few additions.  Under the tunic, he wore a white dress shirt and tie, rather than a standard white undershirt.  A Party armband was on his left foreleg, while two miniature Reichsmares were pinned to his collar, flanking his neck.  He donned a standard peaked cap, the major difference being a target looking symbol pinned above the bill, below the Reichsmare.  The red, white, and blue target was a long way from the skull and cross bones that other Storm Stallion Officers had on their caps.

As the colt passed, all the recruits were given a good look at the cutie-mark that adorned his flanks.  A pair of loudspeakers atop a metal structure blaring out propaganda seemed to scream that this pony belonged in the Propaganda Corps.  His mane and tail were a light black, matching his tan coat.  He finally made it up the stage, taking his place behind the podium.  When he looked up, giving every pony a first look at his face, all the newly drafted troops jumped in surprise.  The unicorn’s face bore a creepy smile, smirk combination, giving him the impression of having just heard a perverted joke.

“Gentlecolts,” He began, his voice carrying that strange, alien accent. “Velcome to Camp Perfection.  I am Propaganda Minister Blitz Stronghoof.  I am pleased to tell you all, that you have just been drafted into the greatest force in Equestrian history.  As soldiers in ze Maremacht, you shall experience ze joy of serving Princess Celestia by destroying those barbarians that seek to destroy our vay of life.  I speak, of course, of the Stallionists. “  The minister paused to catch his breath before continuing on with his speech.  “They say that earth ponies are treated like dirt under Equestrian rule, while unicorns rake in ze spoils of the hard, manual labor performed by the non-magic colts and fillies.  Stallionists will tell you zat unicorns in Equestria do nothing but sit back, eating their fill, smoking fancy cigars, while sending out Pegasus ponies to do their dirty work.  Well, my friends, I am here to tell you that all that propaganda that is churned out by Josef Stallion and his cronies... IS NOTHING BUT A PILE OF LIES AND MANURE!”

Every pony in the audience who had been falling asleep at this point of the speech was immediately hooked and woke up as if injected with pure caffeine.  Blitz ran his eyes over the crowed before him, judging the colts in his audience.  When he was satisfied that they were all paying him attention, he continued.

“Ze Stallionists seek to destroy our vay of life, here in Equestria!  They seek to overthrow our glorious Princess und replace her with a merciless dictator who vill show no pity to anypony at all!  All ready, Equestrian villages on the border vith Stallion’s separatist regime have fallen to his serpent’s ways.  Your purpose in being here is to help free those who have fallen into Stallion’s clutches und bring them back to a life of freedom under Equestrian rule!”

Stronghoof slammed his steel horseshoed hooves down onto the podium, a crack appearing down the center of it.  He was met by thunderous applause from the colts in gray before him.  All the Pegasus ponies fluttered just above head level, whistling and clopping.  One of the SS ponies moved to halt the racket, but was halted by his superior.

“Leave them, Sergeant.” Propaganda Minister Blitz’s face had returned to its eerie looking grin from the seriousness he had been exhibiting just a moment ago.

“But, sir....” The earth pony in the combat harness made to protest, but was drowned out by the ongoing applause that Blitz had revived by shouting “GLORY TO EQUESTRIA!” The Maremacht colts took up the cry, pounding on the tables and picking up a rhythm.

“Let them enjoy the time being.  For now, BRING OUT THE PIE!” At his words, twenty or so mares emerged from the kitchen doors with carts piled high with apple pies, while some had carts holding mugs of apple cider.  

Blitz watched as the recruits began to enjoy themselves, drinking and eating.  He turned back to the SS Sergeant.

“Give them a few hours, allow them to pass out where they stand.  Ve’ll hose them off in the morning for their first day of training.”

“Jawohl, Herr Propaganda Minister.” Saluting, the SS escort dispersed, taking places throughout the mess hall along the walls.

The tan unicorn headed through the throng of draftees, laughing at their comments and patting a few of them on the back, making them comfortable.  He breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the kitchen.

“You’ve outdone yourself again, Blitz.” A deep voice called from a table in a dark corner.

“Thank you, Sky Marshal.  Everything is best with pie.” The large unicorn chuckled at himself.

“Ja, that is true at times,” The voice of the Sky Marshal replied. “Don’t you agree, Field Marshal?”

“You’ve built up their moral, Blitz.” Another voice answered, this one not nearly as deep.

“That’s my job.”

“...Und it is mine to tear it down.”

> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Despite Luna having returned in her own episode, I will continue to portray her in the way I originally had planned. Also, the chapters will flip from the journal to present day. You'll be told what time period it is prior to time changes. =)
____________________________________________________

Canterlot Castle Library

Present day Equestria

~~~~~

“So newly drafted soldiers were given pie and cider?”
Twilight Sparkle smacked her hoof to her forehead at the thought.
How could Celestia entrust Equestria's defence to commanders who gave their newly recruited personnel party food?  It was inconceivable to her!  It sounded like Pinkie Pie had been tasked with the defence of Equestria, not professional military ponies.
“That's most odd...” Luna said, an aged atlas of Equestria upon the table before her, opened up to a random page.
“Does...Schmeisser, was it?  Does he go on to say what happened the morning after?”
Twilight skimmed through a few entries made by the Coltsgrenaider in training.
“Well, they were awoken by buckets of water thrown on them and then marched ten miles.  The next few entries are of them doing basic training; running, climbing, getting into shape.”
“Does he mention their equipment yet?  I'm curious as to what that harness was and how it worked...”
“Not yet, just a few entries detailing his dealings with a stomach virus from some bad alfalfa.” Twilight cringed at a particularly disgusting entry.
“I never did like alfalfa.”
Luna then stood and began to stretch, a few of her stiffened joints popping, bringing her to sigh in relief.
“I don't know about you, Twilight, but I'm starting to get hungry.” She said, stretching her wings.
Just as she did so, the Alicorn bumped their table accidentally, sending an unlit candle stick falling to the floor.  It rolled across the library floor a ways before coming to rest at the foot of a large tarp covered painting that was level with the floor.
“Gah, I'm so clumsy.” She grumbled, moving to retrieve it.
“Allow me Princess.” Twilight said, beating her study buddy to the illumination stick.
As the Unicorn bent down to grasp the candle in her mouth, her violet eyes happened upon something on the corner of the tarp. “Is that? Couldn't be...”

“What is it Twilight?” The Alicorn slowly made her way over to the Unicorn that was lying flat on the floor, concentrating on the corner of the tarp.
“Look at this!” She exclaimed, excitement in her voice.
She used her magic to bring the corner of the covering up for the other pony to see, displaying her finding.  There, in a small, dark stamp that was barely noticeable, was the same symbol from the journal: the Reichsmare.
“Oh my... Twilight, what's behind the tarp?” Now Luna had a hint of excitement in her own voice.

Twilight pulled the tarp back and down, backing away with Luna to avoid being covered.
The massive painting that hung from the wall was breathtaking, both ponies unable to speak.  A massive airship that was blood red was flying in a darkened, smoke filled sky above a destroyed city, while Pegasi wearing different uniforms and harnesses descended to the area below.  In the actual ruined, war torn city, earth ponies and Unicorns could be seen rushing forward, wearing the same equipment as described in Schmeisser's journal.  Fires could be seen raging in different buildings, while smoke poured from destroyed coal depots and the stacks of the factories as they continued to work, despite the war around them.  There was one area of the massive work of art that really stuck out, however.  In what seemed to be a town square, dozens of gray clad soldiers could be seen rushing a multi-storey building, the barrel of a machine gun poking from a window and spitting lead.  Some of the ponies rushing the building could be seen being hit or were on the ground, dead or dying.  From behind a building on the Maremacht side of the square, a barrel of something could be seen poking out, as if it was about to come to the Coltsgrenadiers' aid.
“I...it's...” The Alicorn was at a loss for words.
“Gruesome? Horrible? Terrifyingly amazing? Disturbing?” Twilight wasn't at a loss for adjectives, obviously.
“It's just so... Massive and detailed... It must have taken some pony hundreds of hours to paint something on this scale with such detail!”
“I feel like I could just step into it,” The Unicorn said, reaching out a hoof to touch the painting.

The last thing she had expected, however, was for the massive, heavy framed picture to swing back and away from her, revealing a darkened passage carved into the mountain.  An unlit torch, covered in dust and cobwebs, sat in a bracket just inside.
“A secret passage? Did you know about this, Luna?”
“Not at all.  I wasn't even aware the palace had such passages.” Luna took a step inside, lighting then lifting the torch using her magic.
The fire revealed the entire passage was carved from the mountain, and that there were stairs that lead deeper into the mountain, spiralling downward.
“Come on Twilight, this looks interesting...” The princess continued forward a few steps before turning back to the purple Unicorn behind her.
“I don't know...   What if Celestia catches us?  We could get in a lot of trouble, Luna...”
“Don't worry, Twilight, as long as you're with me, she can't get too mad.   Besides, she wanted us to learn more about the battle and uncover what happened.  Now get your bags, we might find some helpful books.”
“I'm still not sure about this,” Twilight grumbled, settling her now empty saddlebags over herself before following her study partner into the mountain.
The stairs turned what seemed to be about four or five times, taking the mares deeper into Mount Canterlot.  When the pair finally made it to the bottom, they were let out into a hallway wide enough for only two ponies to walk side by.  Twilight and Luna just managed, what with Luna being larger than the average pony.  The light from the torch revealed a series of lights hanging from the ceiling, going down to what seemed to be an iron door.  Twilight looked around the walls and spotted what looked like a light switch.  She nosed it upward, turning on the hall lights that still functioned.
“I don't see any wires...” Luna said, extinguishing the torch and setting into another bracket near the light switch.
“I think they're old magic infused bulbs.  A light spell is cast on them and it's activated the switch is flipped.  Don't see too many of them nowadays.  They were easy to make, but didn't last too long.” Twilight slowly made her way further down the hall, examining the doors that were on either side of the hall.
“I guess that's why ponies use crystals for lights now.”
“I prefer torches and oil lamps, myself.  Fire light makes the pages of a book look so nice late at night during a study session...” Twilight stopped for a moment, lost in her thoughts of studying.
She was freed from this momentary lapse of reality by a light giggle from Luna.
“I agree, reading by candle light is so relaxing.” The Alicorn smiled to the blushing Unicorn briefly before turning to one of the six steel doors that were on either side of the hall.  It made more since to work their way down to the iron door. “Now let's see what knowledge awaits us in this room.”
“It looks like there's a name plate on the door...” The still blushing Twilight said, pointing at a rust and dust covered plate.
She pulled a handkerchief from her saddlebags with her magic and used it to wipe away most of the grime. “What's it say Luna?”
Luna leaned in, squinting to make out the faded lettering. “It says 'Salina Velvet. Broadcasting Room.' Maybe this Salina was some pony that was involved with communications?”
“One way to find out...” Twilight said, pushing the steel door open.  
Using her magic, she found another light switch just inside the door and turned it on.  Thankfully, the lights still worked in the room.
Inside, the pair found a number of different object that peaked the intellectual curiosity.  A large radio set sat on a wooden table off in a corner, wires running from it and up the wall, then into the ceiling.  At least they would, had they not been severed just before reaching the ceiling.  Connected to the transmission set was a large microphone, obviously of fine quality.  Next to this table was another, one that had what seemed to be a small player for recorded speeches or radio transmissions made using the radio set.  A box of what seemed to be reels of recordings sat next to it.  Twilight went right for the player.
“Ooh, Luna, look at this!  Imagine the information we could get from these recordings!  To actually listen to some pony that was actually around during the battle! It could cut down on research time! Or better yet, extend it!” Twilight was practically jumping with joy over the find, Luna stood next to her and examined it with fascination.
“Amazing... Oh, look, it seems there's a recording loaded.” The moon pony pressed what seemed to be the play button with her nose, but jumped back in surprise when a sharp crackling came from the one speaker on the device.  After a moment, a sweet, seductive, caring voice filled the room.
“Hello, soldiers of the Maremacht.  This is Sally Velvet, the Voice of Equestria, here to warm your spirits as you fight the Stallionists and the cold out East.  To those soldiers in the occupied villages outside of Stalliongrad either on leave or on occupation duty, I'll be visiting in a week to give you boys a show.  So be sure to wear a clean uniform and be on your best behavior, because one of you lucky colts will be chosen for a trip to that massive dreadnaught hovering above you, the Lord of War.  There, you'll dine with the Princess herself, our high commanders, and of course, myself.”
Here, Sally giggled cutely. She could be heard blowing a kiss as well.  She wasn't done yet, though.
“As for you brave soldiers fighting in the massive fortress city that is Stalliongrad, I have news that will lift your spirits.  Our beloved Field Marshal, the 'Iron Eater,' will be taking to the field of battle himself in his own personal tank, his fellow tankers from the Storm Stallions joining him.  Our elite armor will crash through the Stallionists defences like a hot knife through butter, leaving you soldiers on the ground and in the air to deal with minimal resistance. That is, if our valiant armor colts decide to leave anything for you to fight.
“This has been the Voice of Equestria, reminding every pony to stay warm, and stay alert.  May Celestia watch over you.”
The short announcement ended, soon replaced by the beginning of an upbeat marching tune, which in turn was cut off when the recording ended.  By this time, Luna and Twilight were wide eyed in amazement.  Neither could think of anything to say to the other.  They could only look to one another, then back to the recording player.  It was the second time in the space of twenty minutes that the two ponies were at a loss for words.  Luna broke the silence at last.
“Amazing... She sounded quiet enthusiastic and caring for the soldiers.”
“She did, didn't she?  The way she sounded, she seems like she could Rarity's ancestor.” Twilight followed Luna with her eyes, watching as the Alicorn inspected a dresser with a mirror atop it.  An old makeup case was turned upside down atop the piece of wooden furniture.
“Rarity's the white Unicorn, correct? The one who makes dresses?” Luna asked, sniffing at a canister that used to contain blemish powder.
“Yes, that's her.” Twilight had just set the player and box of recordings into her saddlebags, and was now looking over a number of what seemed to be posters that were lying on the old, bug ridden mattress.
Most seemed to be recruiting posters, thought it made no sense since most soldiers seemed to have been drafted.  That's what Twilight gathered from the journal, that is.  She began to roll up some of the posters, planning to use them in a Stalliongrad exhibit she had planned for the library, when she came across what had to be the best poster. “Luna, look! It's a picture of Sally, I mean Salina Velvet.”
Luna moved to Twilight's side, admiring the yellowing poster.  The poster was indeed of Miss Velvet.  The radio filly was a young Unicorn, looking to be in her mid to late twenties.  She had a milk chocolate brown coat, while her snout and hooves were a cream color.  Her hair was light brown and tied up in a bun, her long, flowing tail the same color.  Her eyes were a shockingly electric blue that gave off a sense of caring and gentleness, with a tinge of being energetic.  Her cutie-mark was the same type of microphone that sat on the table, albeit on a taller stand, with magical looking notes floating around it.
“She looks quite beautiful,” Luna said, looking over the filly's features. Her snout was curved elegantly, her ears pointed a bit at the tip. “Her uniform, however, is... Well... Twilight, any opinion?”
“It seems... Spontaneous?”
Spontaneous didn't come close.  Sally's uniform was a female Storm Stallion tunic, just without the bad weather poncho to cover her flank.  Instead of the tunic ending just below her midsection with a belt, however, her tunic ended just above her midsection in a mini skirt style, a black belt above the bottom of the skirt to keep it in place.  Her cap was jet black and peaked, the Reichsmare just below the tip of peak, just like the officer's caps described in the journal.  However, just above the bill, was a hole that the Unicorn's horn stuck through, Reichsmare style wings on either side of the horn hole.  Obviously, this uniform combined with the young pony's figure and flowing tail was meant to easily 'inspire' the troops.
“This will look great framed,” Twilight finally said, rolling up the poster.
She tucked it into her bags with the other few posters she'd decided to bring back. After looking through the room once more, the two explorers finally exited back into the hallway, turning off the light and closing the door behind them.

“Wonder what's behind this door.” Luna attempted the door across the hall from Sally's room, but had no luck in getting it to open.
“It's locked... and no plates on the door to mark what it could be... Phewy!” The princess banged the metal door with her hoof angrily.
“Why not just use a spell to unlock the door?”
“It must have been locked for a reason when this place was last used.  I don't want to risk anything, you know?”
Twilight bit her tongue, pondering for a moment before slowly nodding.
“Makes since, I suppose. Shall we try the other doors, then?”
The historians moved on to the other four doors along the sides of the hallway, but each time they were met with locked doors.  The only door left was the heavy looking iron door at the end of the passage, which looked rather intimidating thanks to a flickering bulb.  The two approached it with the feeling that it, too, would be locked, ending their adventure through history.  They stopped at the entrance, finding a room marker on it.  Again, Twilight cleaned away the evidence of age.
“It says 'Planning Room.'” Both their eyes seemed to light up at the thought of finding battle plans and maps.
Twilight nearly broke the heavy iron door off its hinges when she opened it, and nearly snapped the light switch off the wall.  This time, however, the lights didn't work.
“Should I get the torch?” Luna offered, turning to go back.
“No need.” Twilight focused for a moment before the tip of her horn lit up in a Unicorn flashlight fashion. “I don't want to waste any time at all.” Before her alicorn companion could respond, the purple Unicorn had all ready pressed onward into the room.

The planning room was just that, a room meant for planning. It was nothing fancy, just plain and simple.  A large, rectangular table sat in the center of the large room, while filing cabinets sat against the walls, their empty drawers pulled out for all to see.  There were another two doors on the other side of the room, leading deeper into the mountain fortress system.  What should have been a treasure trove of knowledge was seemingly empty, which saddened the overly eager Twilight.  That is, she was saddened until Luna pointed out something lying on the center of the table.
“Hey, what's this?” Luna walked over to the length side of the table to get a better look, while Twilight stood opposite her on the other side of the table.
The light from the Unicorn's horn revealed the item on the table to be a massive leather folder.  It was thick and seemed to be heavy, a sign that it was full of papers and documents.  The two magic ponies took wasted not even a second after realizing what it was before tearing into it.
Soon, papers were strewn about the table as the two poured over them, examining every paragraph, every sentence, every word.  Maps of Equestria, maps of Stalliongrad, supply rosters, troop movements, reports about new equipment, and blue prints...  Oh, the blueprints!  When the girls saw the blueprints, their eyes almost popped out of their heads! There were blueprints of the combat harnesses described in Schmeisser's journal, blueprints of the camps, of strange looking armored vehicles that must have been tanks, of combat harnesses for Pegasi...  It was too much for either of them to take in right then and there.
“No way are we going to leave these!” Luna exclaimed as she helped Twilight return all the documents back to the folder.
The large folder had a strap on it, allowing Luna to carry it around her neck, easing the load on Twilight.
“Certainly not! With the help of Equestria's finest engineers and designers, we could replicate some of the equipment for further study and field trials.”
“Don't you think it's strange, though?  That was just happen to find a folder full of informative documents, and a box of recordings with a working player?  I mean, the battle was supposed to have taken place about three hundred years ago.” Luna gave the folder hanging from her neck a look of suspicion, as if it were thinking of stealing from her.
“You're right... It's as if some pony knew that we, or some pony else, would be attempting to learn about the battle in the future.  But that only raises the question as to why?” Twilight sat down on the cold, concrete floor.
Thank goodness the ponies who built this tunnel system had made the floors out of something substantial other than leave it like the walls.
“Why what?” Luna tilted her head, a look of confusion on her face.
“Why would some pony who was around during that time even think that ponies would have to go searching for information on en event of such magnitude?  Why would some pony else work so hard to hide what happened?” Twilight sprung back to her feet just as abruptly as she had sat down.
“Luna, something happened at Stalliongrad, something huge.  Something that must have affected a multitude of ponies, maybe even Celestia herself!” Twilight stopped there, her pupils shrinking back into her eyes. “Celestia...”
“Twilight, you don't think that she had something to do with what happened at Stalliongrad, do you?  Maybe it's just a coincidence, maybe the battle wasn't that big of a deal!” Luna was obviously scraping at any chance that her beloved sister, the ruler of Equestria, had nothing to do with the blackout of information dealing with a massive war.
“No big deal?  We're in a bunker system that's buried deep within Mount Canterlot!  I hate to say it Luna, but...  I think Celestia's the one that hid everything on purpose...” Twilight's head hung limply, staring at the floor.
“Why would she?”
“...We're going to find out.  Come on.”
Twilight headed right for the door in the back of the room, Luna right on her heels.  They didn't even to bother to read the plate that read 'Launch Control Room.' The Unicorn tried to open the door, only to find it locked.  She snorted before slamming against it, the rusted locks and bolts breaking with ease thanks to their age.  What was on the other side of the door, however, was nothing either of them had expected.

It was a small, fully concrete room with a large window looking out into a massive darkened area.  Below the window was a massive terminal of dials, knobs, gauges, levers, buttons, lights, and switches. Opposite the window was a long, wooden table, upon which sat a few pairs of dusty goggles, an aged clipboard, and a few pencils.  On the wall above the table were three levers.  One was labelled 'Launch Control Lights,' the next one 'Launch Control Shutters,' and the final one was labelled 'Launch Floor Lights.' The switches were all in the down position.
“Try the first one,” Luna recommended.
Twilight did so, flipping the small lever labelled 'Launch Control Lights.'  The panel of lights above them flickered to life, albeit dim.  Twilight ended her light spell, breathing a sigh of relief after having held the spell for a prolonged period of time.  The two set down their bags and began to look over the terminal, pondering what it could be for.
“Hey, what's that outside the window?” Luna squinted, looking in the direction in which Twilight had indicated.
Sure enough, there was the outline of something massive. The two tried to make it out, but couldn't come to a conclusion on what it was.
“I wonder...” Luna turned back to the levers on the wall.
She flipped the one labelled 'Launch Floor Lights.'  Artificial Light spilled through the window, illuminating what was on the other side of the glass.
A massive cave carved into the mountain, large enough to stack six Apple Family barns atop one another before coming close to the ceiling, and wide enough to fit ten barns side by side from wall to wall.  Massive flood lights were wired onto the interior of the mountain, lighting up the stadium like area.  On the floor were numerous crates, wiring, pipes, wooden planks, bags of concrete, and numerous other building supplies.  A few toolboxes could be seen strewn about, but all of that was nothing compared to what sat in the center of the cave on a launch platform, aimed for the darkened ceiling.
A massive, four finned rocket sat atop a guided launch platform that could be lowered and moved about the cave using a series of railroad tracks.  A small engine that must have been used to move it could be seen in a corner siding.  The rocket itself, however, was just as tall as the Ponyville Library, if not taller.  It was painted blue, green, purple, and pink, the same colors and fashion as Celestia's mane.  The tip, the warhead, was steal gray, however.  Wires could be seen running from the platform down towards the side of the cave where Luna and Twilight's personal 'viewing box,' was located.  Although the two couldn't see, the wires then ran up the wall and then connected through the stone to the terminal before them.
“What... What is that?”
“It's... It's a rocket... A huge, rocket...”
Luna and Twilight stood there, staring at this sophisticated weapon of war before them, their minds racing with thoughts of 'Why?' and 'Who?'.  Twilight staggered, dumbstruck as to what they had just found buried in the mountain.  She grabbed onto the terminal for balance, her hooves sliding across the sea of switches and knobs, flipping and turning them.  The Unicorn's mouth dropped in shock as small warning lights began to flash, while gauges began to point out various numbers.  A small buzzer went off.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no!  Luna, help!” Twilight panicked and began to flip switches at random, trying to fix her mistake.
“What do we do?” Luna had no more idea as to what to do than Fluttershy knew what to do at a wrestling competition.
The large pony backed up, afraid to touch anything.  This only made matters worse, as her flank hit the wall lever marked 'Launch Control Shutters.'
With a sharp clang, large metal shutters slammed down against the window as the lights in the small room dimmed.  Both girls jumped and yelped in surprise, even more scared now than they were a few seconds before.  A sliver of light from the cave shown through a slit in the shutters, barely giving the two anything to see with.
“I can fix this, I can fix this!” Twilight cried, squinting at the terminal.
She was so worked up, she didn't even think to conjure up a light spell.
Peering down at the vast array of darkened controls, the Unicorn could only make out the dimly lit warning lights and gauges.  Something caught her eye, however, to the far right of the terminal, all alone, was a glowing red button.
“This has got to be the power switch!” She cried, slamming her hoof down on it in desperation.
The lights in the cave died, as did the lights on the terminal. Both ponies let loose a sigh of relief.
That is, until a whirring and roaring sound met their ears.  The lights inside the launch room which had gone out when the shutters had fallen were now bathing Luna and Twilight in blood red light.  The two went stiff as the smell of smoke reached their nostrils.  The sound of scraping metal also reached their ears.  Light began to trickle through the metal shutter slits. The two glued their eyes to the glass, peering through the small openings.
The ceiling of the cave was sliding apart down the center, letting warm sunlight fill the cave and cover the rocket.  The rocket itself, which had sat dormant for three hundred years, was now spitting smoke from its engine, sparks flying from the launch platform as it prepared to finally leave its long time home.  The whirring was beginning to get louder, as was the rumble.
“Twilight, quick!  Put the goggles on!” Doing as Luna instructed, Twilight snatched up a pair of old goggles and fit them over her eyes like the princess had before going back to watch the cause of their curiosity.
The two could only watch in horror as the aged rocket soon spat flame from its engine and began to move upward, shaking with effort.  It looked like its aged engine and fuel supply wouldn't give it enough lift to even get off the launch rail that would lead it upward, but the engine roared suddenly, sending the metal vulture of death upward and out, leaving only a trail of greasy black smoke. Twilight had no idea how she was going to put launching a rocket of war into her next friendship report to Celestia.

~~~~~

Downtown Canterlot

~~~~~
Rarity sighed wistfully, admiring a beautiful diamond necklace in a shop window. Spike stood next to her, loaded down with shopping bags, admiring the pony of his dreams, while at the same time watching the Cutie Mark Crusaders.  The trio of youngsters were currently trying to earn their cutie-marks in serving ice cream, much to the dismay of the ice cream vendor who's cart they were attempting to run.
“Do you think those would look good on me, Spike?” Rarity turned to the dragon for a response she knew would be positive.
“Of course, Rarity!  Anything looks good on you!” The baby dragon blushed and smiled sheepishly.
“Oh, you're such a sweetie, Spike. I should- SWEETIE BELLE!”
The Crusaders were standing before the dressmaker, covered in either chocolate syrup, caramel, or whipped cream.  They were all furiously wiping away their flanks to see their new cutie-marks, but were disappointed to find that they were still blank-flanks.
“Aaaaah!” The three moaned in unison.
“We're never gonna get our cutie-marks!” Apple Bloom whined.
“I was sure designing the perfect ice cream Sunday would have been at least one of our talents!” The small Sweetie Belle added.
“So not cool.” Scootaloo grumbled, the Pegasus had caramel in her hair.
“Kids, what have I told you about trying to get your cutie-marks while I'm watching you?” Rarity used her magic to grab a stack of wet-wipes from the ice cream cart before the colt running it could leave.  
She also dropped a fair amount of Bits into his tip jar to make up for the mayhem the fillies had caused.
“To not do anything messy, filthy, or unbecoming,” The three chorused.
They were all upset to be without their cutie-marks yet again, but they were grateful for the wet wipes Rarity was using to clean them up with.  Spike set down the elder Unicorn's purchases to help clean the kids.
“What if we never get our cutie-marks, Rarity?” Sweetie Belle pouted to her sister.
“Oh, kids. You'll all get your cutie-marks someday, every pony does!  One does not simply make it happen!  Gaining one's cutie-mark happens suddenly and without warning. A cutie-mark-”
Rarity was cut off by the sound of sirens blaring throughout the city.  Every pony on the street stopped to look around, some looking to the old speaker system used for social events.  Sure enough, the metal speakers were screaming out the sound of a sharp, air piercing siren.  What was surprising, however, was the fact that even Royal Guard ponies on patrol even stopped to stair dumbfounded at the speakers that were mounted to light posts and the roofs of city buildings.
“Achtung, achtung!  All civilian personnel clear ze streets immediately!  Achtung, achtung!  All flak ponies report to your stations!  A-V2 Aggressor has been launched!  Achtung, achtung!”
The same message played twice more before the siren returned.  Ponies on the streets of Canterlot were either confused, afraid, or a mixture of both.  Some were just afraid of the strange accent of the alarm announcer.  Every pony was frightened equally, however, when some pony pointed out the greasy black smoke trail in the sky.  The smoke trail wasn't as thick near its origin, one of the peaks of Mount Canterlot.  It was thicker, however, as it went higher into the sky, being left behind by some massive object that was flying directly upwards.
“It looks like the Wonderbolts' smoke trail...” Some pony yelled.
“It can't be!” A guard yelled back over the siren. “They're over that way, headed towards it, see!”
Sure enough, the telltale vapor trail of the Wonderbolts flight team could be seen heading towards the unknown object.  However, the Pegasi were above the object, and had probably hadn't even noticed it yet.
“Achtung, achtung!  All flak ponies report to your stations!”
“Hey, girls, you thinkin what Ah'm thinkin?” Apple Bloom yelled above the siren.
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FLAK PONIES, YAY!”
“Girls, don't even-!” Before Rarity could even finish her warning, the three little fillies had all ready taken off running down the street as fast as possible to who knows where.
Rarity galloped after them, moaning.  Spike scooped up the bags and ran after them, going as fast as his short legs would let him.
“You don't even know what flak is!” Rarity yelled; neither did she, but that was beside the point.


~~~~~

Airspace above Canterlot

~~~~~
Warm sun, not a cloud in the sky over Canterlot, and a light, cool breeze. It was a perfect day for the Wonderbolts to simply do a fly over of Canterlot and Ponyville to enjoy themselves.  Spitfire and Soarin', however, decided to have a little more fun than just doing a fly-by.  They had taken it upon themselves to break off from the rest of the group, performing loops and spirals to entertain themselves, if no one else.
“Hey Spitfire, check this out!” Soarin' yelled.  He pulled up into a steep climb, going higher and higher, before finally performing a backwards loops while spinning himself around.  His arch was wide as he curved back downwards, headfirst.  He went too low, and shot underneath Spitfire as he continued to pull up while spinning.  As he levelled out, however, he was too dizzy from the spin to notice that he was headed straight for a massive, colorful rocket that was sputtering upwards.
Clang!
“OUCH!” Soarin' halted in the air, rubbing his head with both forehooves.
He'd just hit his head on something.  Wait, hit his head on something? In the open skies? He didn't have to much time to ponder this, as he was soon engulfed in a thick smoke.  He flew upwards to escape the trail of exhaust.
“You all right, Soarin'?” Spitfire asked, hovering next to him.
“Yea, but my head hurts like crazy!  What was that?”
“I don't know, something that came from Mount Canterlot.”
“How can you tell?”
“The exhaust trail from whatever it was leads back to the mountain, silly.” Spitfire had to resist the urge to playfully bonk her friend on the head.
“Oh, hehe...” The blue maned Pegasus grinned sheepishly before looking around wildly.
He spotted the object he'd collided with, although it was now flying away from them, and not straight up.
“I must have knocked it off course and sent it towards Ponyville...”
“I knew you had a hard head, Soarin', but not hard enough to knock something that size off course.”

~~~~~

Airspace just outside Ponyville

~~~~~
The Aggressor was moving as fast as its aged engine could manage, the thick smoke still spewing from it.  The rocket shook violently whenever it hit a particularly heavy gust of wind, its fins barely staying attached.  The metal monster was now passing over the quiet town of Ponyville, the inhabitants pointing up at it in shock and awe.
It seemed as if it would continue onward until it either ran out of fuel, collided with the mountains that it was bound to come into contact with, or should gravity finally decide to end its first and final escape from the damp cave that was the rocket's home. These were the prime possibilities up until a few of the stabilizer fins sheared off.
The Aggressor went wild, flipping and rolling about the skies. The added movement only strained the old jet engine, finally causing it to blow out in a mass of flame and even more smoke.  Having made it just past Ponyville, the rocket turned meteor hurtled toward the ground at an angle.


~~~~~

Sweet Apple Acres

~~~~~
Applejack grunted as she bucked the last tree of the day, filling her last basket with fresh apples.  Satisfied with her haul, she began to make her way back to the barn to drop them off before dinner.  Before she could even make it past the house, though, her brother Big Macintosh ambled up to her, the usual hay stem hanging lazily from his jaw.
“Wassup Macintosh?” AJ asked, her voice giving evidence to how tired she was from the day's work.
Thank Celestia,  Rarity had taken Apple Bloom and the other Crusaders shopping for the day.
“Granny Smith's going on about aliens... Seems Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were tellin' her bout 'em yesterday.  Now she's on about how they're gonna come take our apples...  Had ta get out of the house for a quick moment afore supper...” Mac took his time telling his sister this in his usual drawl.
“Gosh darn-it, not again...  Last week it was somethin' bout a Choopa-Ca-bra, or somethin...  Those youngins should know better than to talk about that stuff around Granny!”
Before Applejack could continue on with her rant, there was a tremendous crash as the earth shook beneath the siblings, sending both of them to the ground, sprawled out wildly. Dust and smoke filled the air, AJ and Macintosh hacking and coughing as they stood.
“What in- HACK!  What in tarnation was that?!”
“I don't know,” Mac drawled, his eyes wide for a change. “But whatever it is, it's sticking out of our barn.”
“What are you on about, Macin- Sweet Celestia!”
Applejack turned toward their barn just as the smoke and dust began to clear away, revealing a massive object sticking out of the roof.  Wisps of smoke were still coming from what she guessed was some sort of engine.  The two stood in shocked silence when the screen door of the house slammed open.
“ALIENS! COME TO TAKE OUT APPLES!”
The elderly Granny Smith came running out of the home as fast as her feeble legs could carry her, a pitchfork clamped in her toothless mouth.  She ran into the barn where the sound of metal on metal could be heard as the elder pony attacked what it was that had just destroyed the roof of the farm building.
“...”
“...”
“Should we-”
“Ah'll round up tha field hands,” Mac drawled.
“Guess Ah'll get Granny...”
Before heading inside the barn, though, Applejack noticed that the object was colored very brightly.  A bit too bright for her taste.

~~~~~

Luna and Twilight sprinted up the curved stairwell, their ears still ringing from the sound of the alarm that had blared from speakers throughout the bunker system as they made their escape.
“What do we do, Twilight?!” Luna had yelled as they ran through the planning room. Her Unicorn friend seemed to be having a mental break down as the two had slammed the iron door shut behind them.
“W-We go back to the library, close the painting entrance, and sit there like nothing happened!!  Celestia never has to know we even found out about the bunker or rocket!” She didn't even say what they'd do with the documents and recordings.
They were almost to the top of the stairwell, light spilling in from the library.  It seemed as if they were going to make it before any pony knew that they had even left.  As the two exited the stairwell, they were blinded by the natural light that was coming in through the windows.  They stumbled forward, stopping to adjust to the light.
SLAM!
The mural doorway slammed shut behind them, hitting both the fillies in the rear.
“How was your excursion?”  Twilight and Luna froze, recognizing the voice of an angered Princess Celestia.  It wasn't a raging anger, but controlled.
“P-Princess... I can explain! It's my fault, not Luna's, that we found the painting and the bunker. I wanted to try and find more information about-”  Twilight was stopped mid sentence by a raised hoof from Celestia.
“I am not angered by that, Twilight.  I am more disappointed than angered, to be truthful.  Disappointed that the two of you would venture into an area that you know nothing of without my permission or without my being with you.  There are things down in those tunnels that should not be dug up...  But it seems the two of you dug up the main thing that shouldn't have been.”
Celestia slowly made her way back over to the table that the two scholars had been using to study.  Luna and Twilight followed, taking their seats across from white Alicorn.  Her magic aura enveloped Twilight's saddlebags and the folder hanging from Luna's neck, lifting them up and then setting them on the table.  The three then sat in silence, Celestia looking at the two ponies across from her.
“Sister,” Luna began, slightly timid. “What was that... Thing?”
“You'll find out in time, I'm sure of it.  As I have said, I've not read that journal, but I'm sure its former owner has written about it.”
“Is everything okay, Princess?  We didn't mean to launch the rocket, honestly,” Twilight pleaded.
“It's fine, my pupil.  The guards are bringing order back to the streets, although there's a report of three young fillies running around yelling something about flak...”
Twilight's forehead made contact with the wooden table.
“... And it appears the Aggressor touched down outside Ponyville.  Apparently, it put a hole in the roof of a certain pony's barn.”
Twilight covered her head with her hooves.  She'd never hear the end of this from Applejack once the farm pony found out who had ruined her family's barn.
“We are lucky, however, that the warhead was not loaded into the rocket... Some pony must have removed it long ago.”
The three sat in silence for another few moments, not speaking.  Twilight looked out the window, watching as the sun began to sink low in the sky.  Soon, Celestia would go to lower the sun while Luna raised the moon.
“So what did the two of you find?”  Twilight and Luna perked up at the thought of sharing their findings.
Luna opened up the leather folder with her magic, pulling out the stacks of blueprints and documents, spreading them out over the table.
“Amazing,” Celestia commented. “I haven't seen these in quite some time...”
“We found them in the planning room, sister.  They were just sitting on the table, out in the open, as if some pony had left them there for us,” Luna said casually.
The lunar pony was looking over a blueprint of the rocket whose technical name was the A-V2, or Aggressor Version 2.
“Technology was quite advanced back then... Who thought of such weapons and technology?”
“The ponies I mentioned earlier didn't come alone, as you can tell from the journal.  They brought with them one hundred of their nation's finest foot soldiers, multiple other military personnel, including fliers, as well as their country's brightest scientists and designers,” Celestia replied, sounding almost saddened. “They worked with Equestria's best minds to build up the technology for which they had brought the designs for.  The finest soldiers and fliers of my Royal Guard aided their military personnel in training troops.”
“Where were these foreign ponies from?”
“In good time, my sister.  In good time...  For now, what did you bring back, Twilight Sparkle?”  Twilight's head jerked up from a pile of supply documents she'd been skimming through.
“Oh, I brought back something most amazing, Princess!”
The purple Unicorn opened up her saddlebags and retrieved the posters she'd found in Sally's room.  
She unfolded the one of said pony for Celestia to see. “Did you meet her, Princess?”
“Oh my, I remember her,” Celestia said with a smile, fond memories rushing back to her mind. “Salina Velvet was her full name, although she preferred Sally.  Very polite, sweet filly.  She was tough as nails, though.  She had to be, what with the soldiers hitting on her so much.” Celestia giggled quietly, remembering the time when Sally had cast a freezing spell on a Royal Guardsman who couldn't take a hint. “Was there anything else?”
“Yes, Princess, there is.” Twilight pulled out the player and the box of recordings, setting them in the center of the table. “It plays radio recordings on these tapes.  We listened to one of Sally when we found it.”
“Truly amazing.  I'm sure you'll gain much knowledge from the tapes...” Celestia tried to sound positive, but gave the device a wary look.
“Would you like to listen to a recording with us, sister?  Before we take care of the sun and moon?” Luna gave her sister a hopeful glance.
“Of course, why not...” Celestia sighed, trying to maintain an appearance of calm.
Twilight chose a tape with a smudged labelled that seems to read “First Contact.” She replaced the recording of Sally with this strangely labelled tape and hit the play button. What came from the speaker made every pony's mane stand on end.  A horrible screeching sound could be heard, along with the sound of gunfire.  The voice of a horrified sounding colt yelled over the noise.

“This is Apple Squad to Lord of War!  We've made contact with an unidentified creature!!  Requesting air support, over!  Oh shit, hit it with the Filly-Faust!!” What sounded like a rocket launcher could be heard firing, the warhead making contact with its target.  An explosion rang out, followed by even more roaring and screaming.
“Apple Squad, this is Lord of War bridge, please repeat, over.  You're breaking up.”
“It's some kind of- FUCK, IT CAN BREATH FIRE! Screw air support, we need armor support!  Send the whole army!  Help us, for the love of Celestia, help us!”
The sound of a mass of flames could be heard around the squad leader on the radio, along with the sound of a few soldiers screaming as they were roasted.  Fear could be heard in the voice of both the Coltsgrenadier and the pony on the bridge of the Lord of War, whatever that was.
“Hang on Apple Squad, we've dispatched an Ursa Panzer to your-”
“GET AWAY FROM ME, DAMN IT!” The sound of an automatic weapon could be heard firing all out, until it finally began to click.
It was empty.  The colt could be heard grunting as he kicked whatever it was attacking him.  The sound of him huffing and panting signalled he was now running.
“Soldier, where are you?  The Ursa crew needs your position to help you.”
“I think I lost it... H-Hang on... DAMN IT, IT'S GOT MY LEG! AAAAHHH!! DAMN CELESTIA FOR SENDING US-”
Static spilled through the speaker.  The other pony tried to hail the now dead soldier, but to no avail.  The recording ended there.
Luna and Twilight were holding onto one another, staring at the player with horror.  Celestia's eyes were wide in shock, tears streaming down the side of her face. She stood and tripped, catching herself on the table, with her face mere inches from Schmeisser's journal.  She quickly regained her footing before nearly galloping from the library, leaving her sister and pupil still frozen with fear.

~~~~~

That night, Celestia lay in her bed awake, unable to sleep after the day's happenings.  She simply lay under the covers, staring at the ceiling.
“It's not your fault, Celestia.” She kept telling herself over and over.
After repeating this manta several times, she fell into an uneasy, fitful sleep. She tossed and turned, groaning.
“Celestia~”
The Alicorn jolted awake at the sound of some pony's voice... Some pony with an accent she never wanted to hear again. She looked around, her dark purple eyes scanning the darkened room. No pony there.
“Calm down Celestia, it's just your nerves.” She said, trying to calm herself.
She stood from the bed and made her way over to the washbowl across the room, where she dipped her face in the cold water.  As she lifted her face, she grabbed a hoof towel with her magic to dry off.  When she removed the towel and looked in the mirror on the wall, she was met with a startling sight; standing behind her in the mirror was a brown colt...  A brown colt wearing a worn and tattered Maremacht uniform, dried blood smeared across his chest and forehooves.  His eyes were shrunken and void of life, completely white and staring.  The helmet he wore had three bullet holes to the forehead, dried blood streaked down to the brim.
Celestia turned on the spot to face the intruder, only to find no pony there.  She coughed out a few ragged breathes, trying to retain her composure.  She turned back and again, dunked her face in the water, this time for a longer period of time to clear her head.  She stopped halfway through drying her face, fearful that she would see the pony in the mirror again.  She peaked around the towel, readying herself.  A deep sigh of relief left her muzzle when she saw nothing there.  The towel covered her face once more, finishing its job of drying the princess.  She immediately removed the towel this time and set it back on the side of the washbowl, looking at only herself in the mirror.  She laughed at herself for having such an imagination, and turned to go back to bed.
When she turned around, she was met not only by one Maremacht pony, but dozens of zombified looking soldiers.  She scrambled back, slamming against the wall out of fear, unable to scream for the guards outside out of shock.  Her fright filled eyes darted from one pony to the next, taking them in.  Some wore Coltsgrenadier uniforms, some fur-lined flight suits, others wore the sinister looking jet black Storm Stallion uniform.  Those ponies, no, those stallions were grouped together in the center of the mass of dead that surrounded the Alicorn.  They all wore the same blank expression, their eyes bottomless white pits.  All were covered in blood in some way.  Some were missing parts of their faces, an ear, a hoof, or even an entire leg.  Some were just riddled with blood-caked bullet holes.
“Celestia...” They chorused, their voices as icy as the water she'd just dipped her face in. “Why did you forget about us, Celestia?”
“Did we not fight for Equestria, as you asked us?” Called a blue Pegasus wearing a flight suit, one of her wings torn off. There was a massive wound to her chest.
“We fought well, didn't we?” A white Unicorn this time.
He was missing half his horn and a forehoof.
“Ve fought for what ve thought vould be our new home...” Droned a Storm Stallion; part of his head was blown off underneath his black helmet, while a single bullet hole pierced his heart.
“S-Stay away from me!” Celestia pleaded. “L-Leave me alone! It wasn't my fault!” Tears were streaming down her face as the questions continued to bombard her.  
She shut her eyes, feeling the zombie ponies come even closer.
Suddenly, the Maremacht ponies halted in their questioning and closing in. Celestia opened her tear filled eyes, looking to them.  The room was dead silent, save for one sound.  The sound of iron horseshoes clanging on steel, despite the floor being carpeted.
“No...” Celestia whispered.
The clanging grew louder and was accompanied by the sound of another set of hooves marching in time with it, though the new set of hooves were not shoed. “Please... Not them...”
From behind the Storm Stallions, the shadow of a very tall and elegant looking Unicorn appeared, his long, slender horn protruding from a blue peaked cap.  The SS colts parted ways, revealing the Unicorn was not alone.  Next to him was the shadow of another Stallion, albeit one that was noticeably smaller than the average pony.  It was from this small earth pony that the sound of iron on steel was coming from, his left forehoof now banging in a gruesome rhythm as he stood in place, still shrouded in shadows.
The shadowy figure of the massive Unicorn made his way through the opening in the group.  Two massive wings spread out above his head, giving him the image of an angel of death as he approached the cowering Celestia.  His sharp green eyes shown through the darkness.
“Good evening, Celestia,” The winged Unicorn called, his voice carrying the heavy Hengstan accent she had come to despise.
As he stepped from the shadows, it was revealed that he was pure white, like the Alicorn in front of him.  His horn was just as long, his wings just as large as the Princess’s.  His mane was long and flowing, jet black, and tied into a thick ponytail that draped across his left shoulder.  His tail was just as long and thick, and was even tied in a similar fashion.  He wore a peaked cap similar to the SS, albeit with blue fabric.  The hole for his horn had eagle style wings on either side, their tips silver.  His cutie-mark was as intimidating as they came.  It was of a golden dragon, diving head first towards a potential target, claws ready to strike.
“Vhy Princess, do you not remember me?” He asked coolly.
Celestia struggled to her hooves, staring the winged Unicorn right in the eye, hatred and fear radiating from her own.  She did her best not to stare at the triple scars that ran down his left cheek from the bottom of his eye.
“I thought ve had something, did ve not?”
“Why are you doing this Drachen?  Just leave me be, you damned demon of war! It wasn't my fault!” Celestia's face was covered in tears now, but she still fought to maintain her composure.
“You still remember my nickname, how wunderbar.” He smiled at her, his teeth sharp and pointed.  He dropped the smile as quickly as he put it on. “Don't you know, my dear Celestia?”
“W-What?!”
“Zat ze vorst disgrace a soldier can receive, is to be forgotten by the people und nation he fought und died for.  Isn't that right, Herr Feldmarschall?”
“Jawohl, Herr Sky Marshal.” Called the short stallion that was still shrouded in shadows. “Und ze Princess has disgraced us all for ze past few hundred years.”
“I... I'm sorry!” Celestia cried, finally losing control.  
She collapsed to the floor, head hanging in shame as she wept, tears cascading to the carpet she was staring down at.
“Please, Drachen, forgive me! P-Please forgive me... My love...”
Celestia heard the banging of iron on steel once again before looking up to find... nothing.  She was sitting on the floor of her room alone, no pony there.  The carpet where she'd seen the soldiers, Drachen, and the Field Marshal didn't even show that it had been stepped on recently.  A buzzing sound caught her attention and she looked out the Prench Doors that lead to her balcony.  She saw an Aggressor rocket barrelling towards her, and screamed right before it made impact.

~~~~~

Celestia jerked awake, covered in a cold sweat, her pillow covered in tears.  She frantically looked about the room, finding nothing or no pony there aside from herself and her usual belongings.  She ran to the washbowl and splashed her face and looked into the mirror, and saw nothing at all.  She splashed again, and again, saw nothing.  She looked out the Prench Doors and found the night sky void of any military grade rockets. Still emotionally unstable, the royal Alicorn slid back into bed, drawing ragged breaths.
“It was just a dream,” she said. “Just an outrageously horrendous dream...”
As Celestia nestled into her bed for the night, she rolled over.  Her eyes widened, however, when she spotted something on the pillow next to her: a certain peaked cap of blue fabric.  Instead of jumping and crying in terror, she simply pulled it close with both forelegs, and held it near her heart.
And Princess Celestia of Equestria cried silently the rest of the night.



___________________________________________________
*Prench - French
*Prance - France
=D

I hope every pony enjoyed this latest chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! I realize you might not be finding out what you want to, but as Celestia said, in due time. This is only chapter three of a story that is planned to span multiple chapters.

Thanks to the constant pleading of my co-author / artist, Drachen, I will be doing another “PSA,” though it will be more of a Q&A. It will not be posted to ED, however. The video will be posted to the same account on youtube as the PSA, so simply follow the video to my youtube page. If you’d like to send in questions, send them to:
stalliongradthestory@gmail.com

> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Camp Determination
1 Year Prior to Stalliongrad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


“Zis iz zese finest piece of veaponry you vill ever see.” The Storm Stallion called to the group of Coltsgrenadiers before him. 
As he spoke, he gestured to three combat harnesses on top of a long table behind him. They all looked the same as the one the other Storm Stallions had worn on the grenadiers' first day at the camp. The only differences between the harnesses were the weaponry that poked from the steel boxes on either side of the strap that secured it to an equine's back.
“Ve have six different variants of ze Krutt Combat Harness.” The stallion continued ;his rank tabs on his uniform indicated him to be a sergeant. “First, ve have ze standard Coltwher 43 Rifle model, vich most of you shall be armed vith. It is semiautomatic, meaning you have to bite down on ze firing bridle each time you vant to fire a round.” 
He moved behind the table, standing on his hind hooves to gesture to the firing bridle that was stuck out in front of the metal harness. It was attached to an adjustable wire so it could be fit to any pony who wore it. Attached to the wire, just where it met the bridle, was a circular site with a small cross running through the center.  Running along the bridle wire was what seemed to be a small tube, which snaked around the sturdy holding wire. The tube curved around the holding wire a few times down to where it was attached to the harness. Here, the tube vanished into the side of the harness housing the actual firearm and it's ammunition.
“Using ze mechanical technology of hydraulics, simply biting down unto ze bridle vill cause ze firearm to fire a single round. Each rifle harness contains seventy-five rounds, a fair amount. Got zat?”
The group of about fifty-two Grenadiers nodded, taking in the information. They'd been separated into this group the third day of their being at camp. A platoon, the Storm Stallion instructors had said. Two ponies who'd been Pony Party Officials had been made the platoon leader and sergeant. Every pony else had been divided into five squads of ten with a squad leader. Schmeisser's squad leader was a mint green earth pony from Canterlot named Smith. His cutie-mark, an anvil, showed that he used to be a blacksmith before being drafted.
“Gut.” Continued the corporal. “Now, on ze other side of ze harness is your pack und entrenching tool.” As he spoke, he turned the harness around to show the platoon a burlap pack with a small shovel hanging from it just below its two flaps. A golden sun disk was embroidered onto the larger flap of the two. “To remove ze shovel, if you are not a unicorn, zen simply reach back, und pull it sidevays. The metal clasps are spring loaded, und vill give vay vith enough force. To return it, just slap it back into ze clasps, vhich vill grab onto it. Now we move onto ze other combat harnesses.
“Zis is ze PP-40 model of ze harness, vhich is armed vith ze Ponified Pistol Mark 40. It fires nine millimeter pistol rounds, so not as powerful as a full rifle round, but enough to kill some pony.” He smiled at this, laughing at some of the Coltsgrenadier's reactions. “It holds three hundred und twenty rounds, so more zan enough for combat. It fires on vone setting, fully automatic, so careful not to waste all ze ammo too quickly. Zere is another variant of zis harness which has a smaller side pack, ze extra room being used for a radio as vell as ze Filly-Faust 60M mounted above it. Harnesses vith a radio are give to ze squad leaders und platoon sergeants und leaders. You'll also notice zat zere is no site on zis harness, as ze submachine gun is meant for close range, so spray und pray is ze game.”
The corporal stopped as one of the Coltsgrenadiers raised a hoof. “Yes, Private?”
“Sir, what's a Filly-Faust?”
“Good question Private, I vas just getting to zat. Ze Filly-Faust 60M is an anti-armor, anti-fortification free fire rocket, vith a range of sixty mares. It can penetrate up to one-hundred millimeters of steel. Ze only soldiers armed vith it are squad und platoons leaders, as vell as platoon sergeants und demolitions pony. Each squad vill have a demolitions pony, who vill have a harness that houses two Filly-Fausts instead of a firearm und pack.
“Ve now come to ze last of ze harnesses zat you regular grenadiers shall be using. Zis one is more simple, but takes a small crew to operate it.” He pointed to what seemed to be a standard combat harness, only with one major difference: instead of a gun barrel protruding from the firearm housing, there was a massive gun mounted on a swivel mount on the center of the back strap, which was a full plate instead of two heavy leather straps. 
The place for the pack and firearm housing had been replaced with open topped containers. Each container housed what looked like three large, metal cylinders like the one attached to the left side of the weapon. According to the Storm Stallions instructor, these were ammunition containers.
“Zis is a newer veapon vich we only recently began using. Ve've dubbed it ze Celestial Mare Gun 42, or CMG42 for short. It fires ze same rounds az ze Coltwher 43, but fully automatic. Ve nicknamed it Celestia's Horn File because of ze sound it makes vhen fired.”
Some of the grenadiers laughed at this, as did their instructor.
“Each container holds one hundred und seventy-five rounds, und zey can be replaced by any pony quite easily. Vonce you have attached a fresh cylinder, simply pull back the charging handle, und you are ready to fire. Unlike ze other veapons, zis has an actual trigger, large enough for you to use your hoof.”

The corporal, finally finished with his lecture of the Coltsgrenadiers' equipment, stepped back in front of the table, looking over the platoon before him. “Who vould like to take ze first shot?”
About half the platoon's hooves went up as ponies volunteered to fire the impressive pieces of weaponry ahead of the rest of their comrades. The corporal scanned the crowed, thinking of which soldier he should choose. His eyes finally fell upon Schmeisser, whose hoof was actually not raised.
“You, blank-flank!”
“Yes, sir?” Schmeisser answered, standing at attention automatically. 
He didn't like being called out for not having a cutie-mark, especially in front of his entire platoon. Some ponies chuckled quietly.
“Come here, you're going to fire ze PP-40 Harness.”
“Y-Yes, sir.” 
Schmeisser made his way through the mass of ponies who were sitting on the ground, trying not to step on any pony's tail. When he finally made it to the table, the corporal was checking the harness to make sure it was fully loaded and ready. He moved Schmeisser in front of the table, his back to it, and lined the white earth pony up with the harness. The corporal then gently pushed the device from the top of the table and onto the grenadier's back.
Schmeisser almost buckled under the weight at first, but found his balance. The combat harness was surprisingly comfortable, fitting him snugly around his uniform tunic. He looked down and saw that the short barrel of the sub machine gun protruded out to about his chest before stopping. He adjusted himself a bit, hearing the sound of pistol cartridges shifting inside the weapon housing. The corporal came around a second later and adjusted the firing bridle so it was hovering just half an inch or so from Schmeisser's mouth.
“Okay, now just step over here.” The stallion half pulled, half pushed the smaller earth pony into a position slightly away from the platoon. 
About twenty yards in front of them was a small embankment of sand and dirt. In front of that was a large piece of plywood with a target pinned to the center.
“Now, simply look in ze direction of ze target, make sure you are lined up, und bite down on ze bridle.”
Schmeisser did as he was told, adjusting his footing to line up with the target. He looked to the paper target, praying to Celestia he'd actually hit it. He angled his body slightly what he thought would be a good firing angle, and bit down on the bridle for a few short seconds.
TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!
The sound of gunfire ripped through the air as twelve rounds were spat from the barrel of the weapon, empty shell casings flying from the side port of the weapon housing. When the dust settled, and the target was clear to see, the corporal let out a slight gasp. Every single round that Schmeisser, a soldier in training who'd never used a weapon before, had fired had landed right on the bulls eye or the immediate target area around it. A shocked silence fell over the platoon behind them as word of what had happened made its way between all the colts.
“Wow!” Schmeisser said, surprised.
“Meine Gott, zat's amazing! Only a few Storm Stallions can do even zat vell vith ze PP-40!” The corporal cried.
A small round of cheering broke out from Schmeisser's fellow Coltsgrenadiers that stood behind them. He smiled sheepishly, a slight blush across his white furred face. The Storm Stallion corporal called for a fresh target, and a private ran out to set a new one.
“Do it again.” He commanded of Schmeisser. Again, every round hit the dead center of the target, and again to the astonishment of every pony there.
“Schmeisser, look!” Yelled out Sandy, a hoof pointing to Schmeisser's flank. 
The rest of the platoon and the Storm Stallions around them looked, gasping at what they saw.
Schmeisser's once blank flank was now adorned with a PP-40, one outside of the combat harness weapon housing. Schmeisser had finally gotten his cutie-mark, and it seemed to show that he was meant to be in the Maremacht. He was silent, his mouth wide open out of shock. He couldn't believe it! After so many years, he'd finally gotten his cutie-mark!
“In ze name of ze Kaiser, you've finally gotten your mark!” the stallion corporal yelled in surprised. “Und it's of a Hengstan Veapon... Ve must show ze Colonel!”
“Wait, what?” But before Schmeisser could further protest, the combat harness was shoved off him with a loud thud by the corporal and he was being rushed away from the rest of the platoon.


* * *


Schmeisser stood outside of Colonel Klink's office, nervously awaiting to be called in as he stood in the hall. His ears perked as he listened to the corporal tell the Storm Stallion Colonel of what had happened during weapons training.
“Und zen he did it a second time, perfect shot spread! Look for yourself, Colonel!” A moment later, the corporal stuck his head around the corner beckoning Schmeisser into the office. 
He did so, albeit nervously. As he stood at attention before the colonel, a bluish unicorn stallion, he couldn't help but feel the eyes of the others examine his flank.
“Vell I'll be, he did earn his mark in marksmanship vith ze PP-40!” Cried the Colonel in delight.
“Sir, I think he might fit ze profile of those recruits you've been looking for.” The corporal said to his superior.
“Vhat are you on about, Hans?”
“Ze guests for ze Princess's party, vhat vas it? Ze Gala?” Schmeisser went tense, his body going rigid. The Grand Galloping Gala? That was the most prestigious event in all of Equestria!
“You're right, he'd be perfect... I'll be sure to notify ze  Feldmarschall at vonce, so he may stop searching for some pony. Corporal, see to it zat a message is sent to ze Feldmarschall's headquarters at vonce, notifying him of our find.”
“Yes, sir! At vonce sir!” With that, the corporal was almost galloping out of the door, flashing an encouraging smile to young Schmeisser. This left the white earth pony alone with the blue stallion unicorn.
“So, Private Schmeisser....”
“Yes, sir?” Schmeisser's voice cracked a bit, causing the colonel to chuckle slightly.
“As you heard, you have been chosen to represent ze rest of ze Maremacht's Coltsgrenadiers at ze Grand Galloping Gala. What is your opinion?”
“I... I-It's an honor, sir! A t-true privilege!” Schmeisser was shaking slightly from both nervousness and excitement.
“You shall be attending vith other members of ze glorious Maremacht. Representatives from ze Pegasus Legion, ze Tank Corps, ze Ponyneer Corps, und ze Storm Stallions. Vat is left of ze SS, zat is.” The colonel sounded saddened as he spoke the last bit, but shook it off. He smiled to the earth pony before him.
“You vill have ze honor of meeting not only Princess Celestia herself, but also ze honor of meeting ze Feldmarschall und Sky Marshal, ze two who are ze supreme commanders of ze Maremacht und Pegasus Legion.”

Schmeisser could only nod, still awe struck that he had gone from being a blank-flank to a guest of honor within the space of an hour. Still struck silent from shock, he was shuffled out of the colonel's office by an aide, who then took him to supply to be fitted for a dress uniform. After that was done and over with, he headed back to his barracks for the night, having missed dinner. As he entered the barracks, he was greeted by not only his platoon, but his entire company.
Nearly a hundred hooves slapped him on the back, while their owners gave him their congratulations. They were all genuinely happy for him to have finally gotten his cutie-mark, and were just as happy and excited for him when he told of being chosen to attend the Gala in a few days time. Later that night, Sandy, whose bunk was below Schmeisser's, stuck his head up to pay his friend a quick visit.
“Shmy, you still awake?” Sandy whispered to his friend, careful not to wake any pony else or alert the trooper on watch duty that he was out of bed.
“Yea, I can't sleep, not with all that happened today.” Schmeisser whispered back.
“Just wanted to say congratulations one more time. One in a million chance that your mark would come from being landed here, training to go to war!”
“Thanks Sandy. I can't believe it either! I thought I'd get a cutie-mark in the lumber industry, like my dad.”
“Did you write him a letter to tell him the good news?”
“Oh, no, I forgot to! Thanks for reminding me, I'll do that right now.”
“Alright, night Schmeisser.”
“Night Sandy.”
As Sandy returned to his bunk down below, Schmeisser reached under his pillow for his notepad and pencils. He opened the pad to a fresh sheet of paper and stuck a pencil in his mouth. He began to write a somewhat messy letter, though it was better than most ponies at the time could write without magical aid.

Dear dad,
Great news, I finally got my cutie-mark! It happened today while we were being trained in weaponry. It would seem my talent is shooting, who knew? Our company's Storm Stallion instructor says it’s of a PP-40, some weapon from their home country of Hengstany, wherever that is. But because I received my mark with one of their weapons, I've been chosen to attend the Grand Galloping Gala in a few days as the representative of the Maremacht Coltsgrenadiers! I'll get to meet Princess Celestia herself and the Maremacht high command. I can't wait, but I'm nervous. I'll be sure to act like a gentle colt, just as you taught me. 
I hope that every pony in town is doing well. Be sure to tell them all that we're all doing fine here at training camp. We'll have those Stallionists beat for sure!
Love,
Schmeisser


* * *


Canterlot was abuzz with life as hundreds of ponies arrived to the city for the Grand Galloping Gala, a massive party that was to take place at the castle that night. Carriages were trundling along the cobblestone streets, their occupants making a few last second adjustments to their attire for the night. Schmeisser was in one of those carriages, along with his fellow Maremacht soldiers. They were all wearing dress uniforms consisting of a dress jacket and garrison cap, their ranks on their sleeves since none of them were officers. The jackets were field gray, save for the Pegasus Legion  representative, who's jacket was a dark blue, her cap the same. Every pony else had a black cap atop their head at a jaunty angle.
Among the group in the carriage was Schmeisser from the Coltsgrenadiers, a light yellow unicorn from the Ponyneers, a purple earth pony from the Tank Corps, and of course the pegasus, who was a dark orange. The pegasus was sitting on her own side of the carriage, making the earth bound ponies sit across from her. 
“So you're from the same place as the Storm Stallions?” The purple earth pony, whose name was Pat, had been intrigued by the orange mare for the entirety of the carriage ride upon hearing her accent, the same as the SS.
“Ja.” She said, flipping her curly golden mane from her eyes; her tail was just as golden and curly. “I came to Equestria not too long ago vith ze rest of ze Storm Stallions und ze original members of ze Pegasus Legion. I vas und still am an NCO in ze Fallschirmfilly brigades. Ve are airborne troops, going in deep behind enemy lines. Ve are among ze most elite, und dare I say, most epic troopers ever!” An air of confidence and a winning spirit seemed to radiate from the mare as she spoke of her branch of service.
“What did you say your name was?” The yellow unicorn this time. 
His name was Token, if Schmeisser remembered correctly.
“My name is Blitzkrieg.” The mare said, sounding almost bored now. 
She leaned against the window, staring out at the city as they rode through the early night. Pat and Token took this as a sign that they would be better off talking between themselves, which they did.
Schmeisser sighed, bored as well. He'd been quiet the whole trip, and didn't see any reason to break the habit. He decided to look out the window, but found his eyes wandering. He stole a quick glance to Blitzkrieg and found her still looking out her own window. His eyes then darted down to her flank, searching for her cutie-mark. When he did see it, his eyebrows rose out of intrigue. The orange pegasus mare's cutie-mark was that of a Storm Stallion's helmet with a yellow and red lightning bolt striking from inside of it. He looked back out the window, now pondering what her talent must be. As his mind wandered, the carriage came to a halt. They'd arrived at the main gate to Canterlot Castle.
The four quickly disembarked from the carriage, their ride trundling away not even a moment after the last hoof was out of the door. As another one pulled up to replace it, the soldiers made their way up the drive and to the drawbridge across the mote. They all received glances from the posh and regal ponies that were also making their way to the castle, but nothing too harsh or demeaning. With the Stallion situation escalating, soldier ponies had become almost a common site. Schmeisser was glad for this, as he didn't want to be the center of attention like he had been back at Camp Determination.
As they crossed the drawbridge into the castle foyer, they were greeted by a contingent of Royal Guard ponies, all standing on either side of the red silk carpet leading to the foot of a grand staircase. Atop that staircase stood none other than Princess Celestia in all her glory, greeting a steadily moving line of guests one by one. The soldiers took their places in line, with Schmeisser at the tail end. Blitzkrieg was the first to the sun princess.
“Princess Celestia, it is an honor to meet you.” The Fallschirmfilly said, dipping her head. “I am Sergeant Blitzkrieg of the 39th Fallschirm Division.”
Celestia dipped her head as well, her colorful mane and tail fluttering in a nonexistent breeze.
“It's nice to finally meet you, Sergeant. The Sky Marshal has spoken favorably of you and your actions.” She smiled her regal smile as she spoke, honesty in her words. 
Blitzkrieg dipped her head once more before moving on, heading towards the ball room to mingle.
Pat and Token's introductions seemed to fly by, for now it was Schmeisser's turn to introduce himself to the ruler of all of Equestria. The white pony nervously made his way up to the princess, trying not to make a foal of himself. As he reached her, he dipped his head respectively.
“P-Princess Celestia, it is a true honor, your highness. I a-am Private Schmeisser of her majesty's Maremacht, 43rd Coltsgrenadier Division.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Private Schmeisser. I thank you for serving to protect Equestria and its citizens.” Her regal smile dimmed slightly at her own words, knowing the full weight behind them. 
Before she could go on, trumpets sounded from the ball room, signaling the start of the royal dinner for specific guests. “It would seem dinner is served, my little pony. I'll see you in the dining room.” Leaving their conversation at that, Celestia slowly made her way down the stairs and through a large doorway opposite that of the ballroom.
Schmeisser almost collapsed from relief. He'd never felt so nervous in his life! He stood there for a moment, catching his breath, before he remembered that he was among those ponies who were to be a special guest at the royal dinner. He turned and nearly tripped down the stairs as he made his way down them, catching himself in time. He made his way to the dining room that was separate from all the other guests and walked past the Guard ponies outside and inside the doorway. He stopped just inside the room, taking it in.
Before the humble country pony was a massive dining room that held an overly long dining table that could easily seat thirty ponies, though only eight places were set. Hanging from the ceiling was an enormous chandelier made of the finest crystal that shone like a thousand stars. Guardponies lined the walls, their golden armor shining in the light. Schmeisser couldn't believe his eyes as he made his way over to the table, quickly finding his place, one seat from the head of the table. On his left were Pat and Token, and directly across from him sat Blitzkrieg. To the pegasus' right was a white coated Storm Stallion unicorn, a colonel by her rank. Her hair was a mixture of blonde and blue stripes, the blue just as bright as her eyes. Celestia was all ready sitting at the head of the table, conversing with Blitzkrieg and the unicorn. She turned to Schmeisser as he sat down, smiling to him.
“Glad you could join us, Schmeisser.” The princess said. 
She lifted the glass in front of her with her magic and sipped from it. “I trust you know Corporals Pat and Token, as well as Sergeant Blitzkrieg?”
“Yes, Princess, I do. We shared a carriage on the way here.”
“Wonderful. Oh, where are my manners. This is Colonel... Eisernes Kreuz, was it? I'm sorry, Colonel, I'm not very familiar with your language as of yet.”
“Zat is fine, Princess,” the unicorn said politely. “Ja, Eisernes Kreuz is my name in Hengstan, but in Equestrian it is Iron Cross.”
“Thank you, Colonel.” Celestia turned her attention back to Schmeisser. “This is Colonel Iron Cross of the Storm Stallions.”
“It's nice to meet you Colonel, I'm Private Schmeisser.”
“Likevise, Private. Alvays a pleasure to meet another soldier.” At that moment, a guard made his way to Celestia's side, whispering something to her.
“It would seem that our two missing guests have finally arrived and shall be here momentarily.” 

The news came at just the right moment, for not even a second after the princess had spoken, a unicorn servant stepped into the dining hall to announce the new arrivals.
“Presenting, Sky Marshal Eisen Drachen!”
The stallion that entered through the doorway was a site to behold. Larger than the average pony or stallion, he seemed to be the same size as Celestia, if not slightly larger. His horn seemed to be the same length as well, and just as sharp looking, almost like a sword. From his back protruded two, massive red feathered dragon wings. His fur was snow white, that faded out with the scales of his wing structure. His silken black mane was tied back in an ponytail, which fell just past his shoulders. His actual tail was tied in a similar fashion, and was much longer than that of a regular soldier's tail cut. His dazzling emerald green eyes did their best to draw attention away from the triple, crimson scars that ran down his left cheek, just under his eye. A cross of iron hung from his neck via a black, white, and red ribbon. His peaked officer's cap was the same dark blue as Blitzkrieg's uniform, his long horn poking from between two steely looking wings.
As he entered, Blitzkrieg and Iron Cross stood to attention, saluting. He nodded to the two, who then sat back down as the as draconic stallion took his seat next to them and Celestia. When he moved to sit down, the Maremacht soldiers were given a good look at his cutie-mark: a golden dragon, claws outstretched as it dove downwards towards its prey.
“Ah, Drachen, so lovely for you to join us.” Celestia said sweetly, smiling warmly to the new arrival. She seemed almost drawn toward him, as she moved just a tad bit closer to him.
“I vouldn't miss it for ze vorld, Princess.” He replied in a deep, booming voice that echoed throughout the hall. 
He looked to the three Maremacht soldiers across from him that were staring back, dumbstruck. He smiled devilishly, his sharp teeth poking over his lower lip. “Greetings, soldiers. I am Sky Marshal Eisen Drachen, or Iron Dragon in your tongue.”
“A-Are you our commander?” Token asked, stuttering uncontrollably.
“Oh no, not me.” He laughed. It was just as deep and booming as his voice. “I am head of ze Pegasus Legion, ze air power of ze Maremacht. Your commander should be here shortly...” He dragged out the last word, adding emphasis to it that normally would be unneeded.
“Drache, I svear I am going to break your knee vone of zese days!”
“Presenting, Field Mar- OUCH! The midget kicked me in the knee!” 
The servant received another blow to the knees, silencing him for the moment. Standing in the doorway next to the injured servant was a short, snow white earth stallion. He was shorter than the average stallion, and was even shorter than the average pony, easily by a head or so. His short, jet black mane was hidden under his jet black officer's cap, which sported the Reichsmare and the laughing skull and crossbones of the Storm Stallions. This matched the jet black officer's tunic he wore, which boasted two breast pockets and a high backed collar, the same as what Iron Cross was wearing. Hanging from the left pocket was an iron cross similar to Drachen's, only it hung from a short, white and black ribbon. His neck tabs showed his rank to be that of Field Marshal.
“I don't need some damned sissy servant to announce vhen I enter a room!” He growled, almost yelling. 
As he walked across the tile floor, his hoofs sent out a series of sharp, metallic clanks. Iron horseshoes. When he passed a guard, he flicked the armored colt's knee with his cropped white and black tail, causing the guard to flinch. Laughing, the short white stallion took a seat across from the Sky Marshal, between Celestia and Schmeisser. Sitting down, he seemed even shorter. His hazel eyes seemed to show his annoyance at this as he stared across the table, which was just below eye level for him.
“Ah, Field Marshal, we were just wondering when you were going to arrive.” Celestia said, stealing a glance to the wounded servant. The pony was limping out of the room with the aid of a guard.
“I arrive vhen I intend to, Princess.” He said, leaning forward to sip from his glass.
“Herr Feldmarschall, it is good to see you again,” Iron Cross said, smiling to her superior.
“Colonel Cross, Sergeant Blitzkrieg.” He nodded to each in turn as he drank deeply from his glass. “Can I get a glass of hard cider?” He called to a waiter. “None of zis fancy champagne, too classy.” 
“Field Marshal, I'd like you to meet some of the colts under your command.” Celestia said to the short, temperamental stallion. “This is Corporal Token, from the Ponyneer Corps.” She gestured politely to the unicorn farthest from him.
“A Ponyneer? Good luck to you, Corporal. Careful vith ze demolition charges, zey are very sensitive... Vone wrong move und BOOM! No more pony.” Token only nodded, unsure of what to say to the laughing stallion.
Celestia took no notice and continued the introductions. “Next, is Corporal Pat, from the tank corps. I trust-”
“Tank corps?” The small one seemed to perk up. “Glad to have you! Ze tank corps is vhere I started vhen I first joined back in Hengstany. You've trained on ze Ursa Panzer all ready, ja?” The short stallion was obviously eager to discuss armored warfare with another pony.
“Yes, sir, I have.” Pat seemed to relax slightly upon hearing the Field Marshal's excitement over the role he'd been assigned to. “I'm being trained as a loader.”
“Good, very good. Be sure to vatch your hoof vhen closing ze breech. Almost lost my own, vonce.” 
Celestia then moved on to the last guest. “Finally, we have Private Schmeisser, from the Coltsgrenadier divisions.” She smiled to Schmeisser, sensing just how tense he was becoming, being the center of attention once again.
“Oh, so you're ze vone vith ze PP-40 cutie-mark!” Cried the Field Marshal excitedly. 
He extended a hoof to Schmeisser, who shook it. “I am Feldmarschall Rommel Nein, head of ze Storm Stallions und Maremacht. Vhen I heard zat vone of our recruits had earned his cutie-mark vith a Hengstan veapon, I almost jumped through ze roof vith joy!”
“But Herr Feldmarschall…” The Sky Marshal began, “Wouldn't zat require you to be standing atop a bookshelf or on top of a stack of crates?” The hybrid stallion chuckled, a small smile across his face.
The overly short stallion's face scrunched up in anger, shushing the chuckles of all but Drachen, Blitzkrieg, and Iron Cross.
“Vell.”  He replied, a sickening smirk across his face. “At least I vorked for my rank. Isn't zat right, Herr Sky Marshal?”
The comment served its purpose, shutting up both the Sky Marshal and the two females aside of him. One could have cut the tension with a knife, or horn in the case of Celestia and Drachen. It seemed as if a fight was going to break out between the two commanders, right then and there. Every pony sat on the edge of their seat, ready to bolt for cover.
“I just realized something…” Celestia began, doing her best to defuse the situation. “Where is your Propaganda Minister?”
“... He is back at camp. Ve decided it be best if at least vone of us stay behind.” Rommel relaxed a bit, the tension visibly leaving him, albeit slowly.
“That's such a shame, he would have been the life of the party.” Celestia chuckled slightly, further lightening the mood. The other equines at the table begin to relax themselves, including Drachen, who was still somberly quiet.
“Zat is true, very true... So, Schmeisser,” Rommel said, turning to the white colt beside him. “Vhat do you think of my Storm Stallions? Very impressive, ja?”
“Oh, uh, yes, sir.” The shy recruit said, nodding. “V-Very impressive! Very, uhm... Soldierly?”
The white pony smiled sheepishly, unsure of what exactly to say. The short stallion merely laughed at this, slapping Schmeisser on the back.
“Soldierly, he says! Zat's vone vay of describing zem.” 
The waiters arrived amid the Field Marshal's bout of laughter, plates of alfalfa casserole, applesauce, and daffodil salad levitating atop silver platters. The food was served, the drinks freshened, and the taste buds of every pony present tempted... That is, save for the Sky and Field Marshals. The two war mongers looked upon their food with unfavorable looks. The two eyed the food as if it was meant for the trash bin, not for their mouths. The pair looked one another in the eye, silently agreeing upon the food.
“You first, Herr Feldmarschall.” Drachen said quietly. 
The other diners seemed too busy to notice the large hybrid's talk to the overly short stallion.
“Vhen I die…” The short one whispered, “Bury me vith my iron shoes...”
Gulping nervously, Rommel leaned forward, the piercing eyes of Drachen upon him as he took a bite of casserole. Slowly, he chewed the vegan dish, a look of sickness slowly coming across his face. He finally swallowed, shuddering slightly. He quickly drained his cider, doing his damnedest to wash away the taste of the alfalfa. Seeing this, Drachen politely pushed away his food, deciding then and there to eat later on.
“Damn rabbit food,” the Sky Marshal mumbled.
“Is the food not to your liking, Drachen?” Celestia had noticed the actions of the large equine next to her from the corner of her eye. She seemed almost upset that he wasn't eating.
“Yes, it is... delicious, I am just not hungry at ze moment...”
“Neither I am.” Rommel added, his face a pale green.
“If you wish, I can have some other food prepared.” The princess offered. “Food that is more to your liking?”
“I am sorry Princess, but I fear that our.... 'tastes,' would not be to your liking...” Drachen looked over his shoulder for a moment, staring out at the night sky through one of the many large windows.
“Why is that? Surely we can accommodate-” BOOM!
A massive explosion from somewhere on the castle grounds rocked the large building, causing the massive chandelier to shake. A few screams of agony could be heard outside the large doors that lead to the foyer. The Equestrians sitting around the table all jumped to their hooves, staring in the direction of the large wooden doors.
“Guards, go see what has happened,” Celestia commanded, eyes fixed upon the door. 
Every pony waited for the multiple guards in the room to head for the door, but the armor plated colts didn't budge. The only movement they made was to draw their swords while assuming a threatening stance.
“What is going on, here?”
“Quite simple, Princess.” A guard near the door said, his sword magically levitating near him. “It is time for revolution.” He continued, sidestepping away from the entrance, an evil smile upon his face. The sound of gun fire was beginning to reach the ears of those in the dining hall, along with terror filled screams. Amid these sounds of chaos, one sound seemed to stand out. The sound of clanking metal and the rumbling of a diesel engine. Sky Marshal Drachen looked to the Field Marshal.
“Herr Field Marshal, do you hear zat?”
“Did zey really?”
“I believe zey did... Any suggestions?”
“I suggestion ve take cover.”
“Vhy?”
“3... 2... 1...”
The other equines with him were all ready diving to the floor for cover before the short one could even say “2.” He did so just before saying “1,” and found safety behind an upturned chair just as a small ball of fire and steel shot through the center of the pair of massive, wooden doors. The decorative oak doors swung limply on their hinges, one ready to fall to the floor, only a single hinge keeping it in place. A thick cloud of smoke and dust filled the air for a few moments, obscuring every pony's vision.
When the debris filled air finally cleared, the Queen and her guests finally caught site of what had caused so much death and panic among the grounds. In the center of the doorway sat a gray green machine that was as long as three fully grown colts and as tall as two. The machine sat upon a pair of metal treads that carelessly scratched and scuffed the marble of the floor, while its engine sent out a small, steady supply of black exhaust. The commander's hatch atop the turret of the tank popped open, the head of a mud-brown colt rising from the belly of the metal beast until he was visible from his shoulders upwards.
“Princess Celestia, is good to see you!” The colt said, his eastern Equestrian accent thick like the smoke pouring from his vehicle.
“Colonel Spritzoff, am I correct?” Celestia brushed herself off as she climbed to her hooves, Drachen supporting her. “Stallion's pet, if I remember.” The tank pony glared towards her, a scowl across his face.
“You are not in position to speak in such a way, Celestia!” The colt spat. 
As he spoke, the gun of the armored vehicle lowered itself as the turret rotated towards the princess. Drachen stepped in front of her, offering himself as a shield.
“Zat is Princess Celestia to you, vorm.” Drachen stared pure death at Spritzoff, his massive wings spreading out behind him. 
The Stallionist tanker was surprised to see an equine such as as the one before his machine of war. Never had he seen or even heard of some pony that seemed so dragon-like. “I suggest you und your traitorous companions leave now, before ve make you leave... And ve von't say 'please.'”
“And who are you, some half breed who wandered in from the street?” By this time, two battle lines had formed between the tank and the draconic pony. The guards turned traitor stood in front of the tank, while the Maremacht personal stood on either side of the Sky Marshal, helping to form a protective wall around Celestia. 
“You cannot possibly believe that you can win against such an excellent example of the latest technology available! She is fresh from the factories of Stalliongrad,” Spritzoff laughed loudly, patting the top of his tank's turret. 
The Stallionist's laughter was soon drowned out by a fit of laughter that was easily twice as loud. The half breed comment forgotten for the moment, every head turned to the overturned table in the center of the room, where a certain stallion was doubled over in a fit of hysterical laughter.
“What are you laughing at?” The colonel called, obviously annoyed.
“Y-You!” Rommel managed, wiping away a few tears of laughter. “Zat zing is a piece of cheap, Stallionist crap!” The Field Marshal began to make his way over to the throng of ponies, still laughing his rank tabs off. “Vhat is zat? A thirty-seven millimeter gun? Zat is a pea shooter!”
“... Perfect for shooting a little pea like yourself.” Spritzoff spat, smirking at his own comment.
Chuckles could be heard from the other members of the tank crew still hidden within the metal beast. They seemed to echo as if coming from an iron coffin. Rommel walked over to his large counterpart, eyes locked on the tank commander.
“Drachen, throw me.”
“Vhat are you doing, Field Marshal?” Iron Cross asked, giving her superior a questioning look.
“Are you really going to?” The small stallion ignored her, and instead looked to the hybrid, who was still glaring at the enemies before them.
“Are you ready, my friend?” Drachen asked. 
His once deep and booming voice was now much lower and calmer. Quiet frightening when added with his sharp, staring eyes, his pointed fangs, and his massive wings.
“I'm not gargling pudding.”
With a small nod, the commander of the sky lifted his counterpart into the air with his magic. Unfazed by the red shaded force field around him, Rommel positioned himself in a way that seemed like he was flying all ready, his front hooves stuck forward. By the time Spritzoff and his men realized what was going on it was a little too late. Like a bullet from a gun, the Field Marshal was shot through the air by his friend's magic, heading straight towards the pony who had dared call him little. His cap fell off instantly, but that didn't matter for the moment.
“RAAAAAAAAM!!”
With the force of cannon ball, the ground commander hit the tanker right in the chest, more than likely breaking a multitude of bones thanks to the iron horseshoes he wore. The pair fell into the depths of the tank, where a scuffle broke out between the crew of burly tank ponies and a short white stallion. Highly unfair to the tankers.
While this was going on, the two battle lines collided as Blitzkrieg and Iron Cross lunged for the guards, screaming as they did so. Iron Cross pulled a dagger from somewhere on her person and was immediately engaged in a duel with two of the sword bearing colts, while Blitzkrieg began to buck and punch the others. Token and Pat rushed in, head butting the nearest guards before mimicking the fighting style of Blitzkrieg. As Drachen prepared to join the fray, he notice Celestia doing the same. He immediately held out a hoof, stopping her.
“No, my Princess. Stay back, you cannot risk it.”
“Drachen, I have fought before, I can-” She grew quiet as Drachen's eyes met hers.
“Private Scmeisser!” He called over the sound of battle. 
The newly cutie-marked pony appeared from behind an overturned dessert cart, a piece of carrot cake squashed atop his head. Before he could say a thing, Drachen gave him a simple order to follow. “Take Celestia to her room, protect her. I have traitors to kill...”
With that, the draconic equine dashed into the fray, bowling over five enemies  before shooting into the air. As he dove back down, red bolts of pure magic shot from his horn, hitting and slaying a couple of combatants. He then proceeded to use his horn as a sword... Effectively, at that.
Schmeisser nudged Celestia's side, pushing her towards the doors leading to the kitchens. As they ran through the double doors, a quick look back revealed that even more traitorous guards-ponies were entering the dining hall, their swords glistening with the blood of recent victims. Some of them spotted the Princess and her escort and quickly gave chase.
“Quickly Princess!” Schmeisser urged, leading his beloved leader through another door, exiting the no empty kitchens. The servants must have escaped at the first sign of trouble. The two galloped  down a massive hallway, the large curtains hanging from the windows fluttering after them as they ran by. The sound of the traitors' rattling armor seemed to be getting closer, and it even seemed to be coming from ahead of them. The Coltsgrenadier stopped near a door leading to a break room for servants as a thought occurred to him. Celestia stopped and turned once she noticed her escort was a ways back.
“Schmeisser, we must go, what are you doing?” She asked, galloping back to him.
“Princess, hide in here.” He said, bucking open the door. “I'll hold them off.” As he spoke, he picked up a bucket from a supply cabinet and threw it atop his head like a helmet.
“Schmeisser, there's no need, we can escape them easily if we keep going... Although I could defeat them myself with no problem.”
“Princess, the Sky Marshal ordered me to protect you. He also obviously doesn't want you endangering yourself. Now, please, just stay in here.” Grabbing a broom as a weapon before closing the door, the soldier stood in the center of the hall before the door, holding the cleaning tool in his mouth.
It didn't take long for two Stallionists supporters to appear from the direction of the kitchens, while another two appeared from the opposite direction. The four professionally trained and heavily armed fighters surrounded Schmeisser, knowing it would be an easy battle.
“You're no match for us boy.” A dark green unicorn scoffed. “Just leave now before we hurt you... This whole damned ordeal can be over now if you just turn her over to us.”
“How do you expect to fight the Celestia with nothing but swords?” Schmeisser inquired, not backing away from the aggressors.
“It's not the swords, boy…” The green colt continued. “Our armor has been infused with the magic of the Ursa Major and made from dragon scales, which are resistant to even the strongest magic.”
“Well, it's a good thing I don't use magic... FOR CELESTIA!” Schmeisser charged forward, whacking the guards with his broom while somehow managing to dodge blows from their blades.
Meanwhile, back in the dining hall, things seemed to be going well for those loyal to Celestia. Dozens of traitors lay dead, dying, or wounded. At some point during the battle, the Stallionist tank had started moving and was now driving erratically throughout the hall. The fighting with the metal monster seemed to be focused in the turret, for every now and then, a burst of machine gun fire would spit out from the coaxial weapon, sending every pony ducking for cover. A few Stallionists were met by not so friendly fire, along with the Ponyneer Token, who now lay wounded in a corner. He wasn't dead, yet, but he would be unless he received helped soon.
The last of the traitorous guards were finally finished off as Drachen tossed them screaming through a window and down the side of the mountain. With no more troops to deal with, the attention of all was now focused on the still rampaging tank. It seemed to be driving a little less erratically now, evidence that some pony was gaining control of it. As to who that pony was, it was obviously a Stallionist, as the tank soon cam barreling towards Eisen Drachen and Iron Cross. Blitzkrieg flew alongside the metal contraption, bucking the side of the turret when possible, attempting to do something. Pat just managed to dive away from a burst of gun fire as he rushed to help Token.
“Vhat are be going to do, Drachen?” Iron Cross shouted over the sound of the tank.
“I'm not sure, vhat with Rommel still inside... Vait, is it stopping?”
Drachen was right, the tank was stopping. The three standing fighters cautiously approached the vehicle as the sounds of movement inside grew louder and louder. The commander's hatch finally flew open with a clang, wisps of steam and smoke climbing from inside. A moment later, the hind quarters of a brown pony appeared through the opening . Drachen and his comrades prepared for a fight, but found it useless as the body of Sprtizoff was dumped to the ground. The pony's chest seemed crushed and his face beaten to a bloody pulp. He was obviously dead, and it was apparent who had done the deed thanks to the shape of the wounds: horseshoe. The next thing to appear through the hatch was once again the posterior of a small white stallion with a cropped tail.
“Herr Feldmarschall, you did it!” Iron Cross cheered, running towards the tank to greet the one who had defeated the most dangerous foe of the night. 
The smile upon the unicorn's face was soon replaced with a look of horror and shock as the body of Rommel slid to the tiled floor before her. His jacket was ripped in several places, his fur matted with blood. Iron Cross quickly turned him over, attempting to shake him into consciousness, but to no avail. His face was covered in cuts and scrapes, bits of broken glass embedded within his skin. A deep gash from above his eye down the left side of his face was present, an obvious wound from the blade of one of the tankers.
Angered by what had been done to their commander and friend, Blitzkrieg, Iron Cross, and Drachen assaulted the tank. As Iron Cross jumped atop the tank, ready to jump through the hatch, one of the crew members slammed it shut and locked it, sealing out the attackers. The engine roared to life as the vehicle began to move, heading towards the kitchen doors. Iron Cross began to use her magic to attempt to pry open the hatch, but found it wouldn't open. She quickly jumped from the roof the vehicle as it sped towards the low doorway to the kitchen. 
The tank crashed through the doors and wall, smashing through the large palace kitchen with ease. Pots, pans, plates, and utensils were crushed and tossed about as the armored war bringer muscled its way towards its goal. It seemed nothing could stop the machine, even with its commander dead.
“Colonel Cross, Sergeant Blitzkrieg!” Drachen ordered, staring after the tank. He didn't dare look back towards the body of his closest friend. “Check on the two recruits... Und take the Field Marshal's tags... I've business to handle.”
With solemn nods, the two mares watched as the Sky Marshal half flew, half galloped after those who had caused so much mayhem on what should have been a peaceful night.
While all this had been happening , Schmeisser had been fighting off four armed guards with just a broomstick. Two of them lay unconscious while one lay against the wall, two of his legs and his horn broken. This left just Schmeisser and the green pony. The other colt seemed unscathed, while Schmeisser bore many cuts, gashes, and bruises. One of his knees was bleeding, making it hard for him to maneuver during his duel to the death.
“I have to admit that you're good.” The green colt complimented. 
He ducked to avoid being smacked across the head with the half a broomstick his opponent was using now. 
“Too bad you cannot see the plain truth.”
With a twirl of his sword, he knocked Schmeisser's weapon out of his mouth, sending it sliding across the floor. Defenseless, the Coltsgrenadier backed against the door leading to the Princess.
“You're done, boy!” The green colt continued. “Celestia is done. Equestria is done.”
“I may be done, but you'll never be able to take the Princess by yourself!” Schmeisser was barely able to stand, but did his best. He must protect Celestia.
It seemed as if the colt before him could be right as the green pony thought about taking on Celestia on his own. He was attempting to think of how he would do it when he heard a familiar rumbling sound grow closer. He smiled and thanked Stallion as the tank rolled up the hall, barely any room for it in the corridor. As it halted, the hatch opened once more. A light yellow earth pony appeared in the cupola, beaten and bruised.
“Where is Colonel Spritzoff?” the green guard asked of the new tank commander.
“He is dead, killed by the small white one.”
“Damn shame... I'm glad you're here, I'll need help in capturing Celes-” TATATATATATATATAT! “Aarrrggg....”
The coaxial machine gun barked as it mowed down the guards-pony, the yellow colt in the turret shaking his head.
“Why would we capture her? Comrade Stallion wants her dead.” As he spoke to the corpse, the colt's attention turned to a shaking Schmeisser who was pressed against the wall. “You fought bravely soldier, but you, too, must die for working with the tyrant Celestia.” With a salute, the Stallionist tanker disappeared within his machine.
Schmeisser could only stare in fear as the turret turned towards him. So this was the end? Being killed within the halls of Canterlot Castle, trying to protect his beloved princess... At least he tried... The Coltsgrenadier sank to the floor, closing his eyes. He could hear the sound of metal on metal as a fresh shell was slid into the breach of the cannon aimed for him. He only need sit there and it would all be over. Maybe if he counted it wouldn't be too bad...
1...
2...
3...
4...
“...Five.”
Just as Schmeisser spoke what he believe to be his last work, there was a tremendous crash as Eisen Drachen, the Demon of War, flew into the rear of the tank, slamming against it with all his might. The hunk of steel and iron rocked and creaked as it was pushed a long ways down the hall by the dragon-unicorn hybrid. Snorting, Drachen flew to the front of the damned machine, where he stuck his head under the front bumper area. Using every muscle in his body along with his magic, the Sky Marshal lifted the tank onto its rear end, where he left it standing for a moment. The colts inside could be heard yelling for mercy as they attempted to escape. Their attempt was futile, as Drachen would have none of it. With a swift, powerful kick, the death wagon was sent toppling backwards through a curtain and stain glass window. As it fell through the window, the tank rolled front over rear down the slight slope that turned into a cliff, meaning a long way down.


* * *

While all the fighting had been going on up in the castle, a lone earth pony had been making his way up the dirt road to Canterlot. His light brown fur seemed to blend with the wooden cart he was pulling behind him. His load? Freshly harvested cabbages, one of the main staples of a pony's diet. The earth pony was proud of today's haul and was sure he would fetch a good profit at market tomorrow.
Tired, he decided to take a break from his journey for a moment and was sitting on the side of the road that lead to Canterlot. He sat back, admiring his cart load of cabbages as it sat in the middle of the road. As he was just considering what to have for dinner, the sound of something falling reached his ears. Something large, and metallic... What could it possibly be?
KABAMSPLATCLANGOUCHMYLIVERBOOMFWOOSH
The pony stood there, dumbstruck, staring at the spot where his cabbage cart was just sitting.
“MY CABBAGES!”

* * *

Schmeisser watched in awe as the dragon stallion hybrid tackled the tank and threw if off the mountain as if it were a piece of garbage. He continued to stare through the broken window, mouth agape. He didn't even budge when Drachen approached him, nor did he object when he was gently slid out of in front of the door.
“Princess, are you safe?” Drachen called as he opened the door. The room was dark, impeding the officer's vision. As he stepped into the room he heard movement off in a corner. As he approached, he could just make out the shape of a -CLANG!
“I'm so sorry Drachen!” Celestia gasped, dropping the frying pan from her magical grasp. 
“I couldn't tell who it was! Are you okay?” She immediately returned light to the room with her magic as he rushed to the hybrid before her. A small trickle of blood ran from his nose, but he seemed otherwise unscathed.
“I have a hard head.”  He began, rubbing his nose along the side of his leg. “Are you safe, my Princess?”
“Of course, I am, Drachen. I have you, the Field Marshal and your soldiers to thank for that. Is Schmeisser okay?” She asked. 
She decided to find out for herself, as she ran from the room just as she spoke. 
Schmeisser was slumped against the wall, barely conscious, but alive. Celestia knelt next to him and began to use her magic to heal some of his more minor wounds. She may have been a powerful Alicorn, but there were some things that had to be taken care of by professionally trained doctors.
“Are you alright, my little pony?” Schmeisser nodded and tried to speak, but was silenced by the hoof of Drachen.
“Save your strength, Private.” The grenadier nodded, thankful for the chance to rest. He was slightly startled, however, when he was engulfed in a glowing red force field. He looked around and found that he was being levitated back to the dining hall by Drachen. He and Celestia were walking side by side and fairly close to one another. They were just about touching one another. Schmeisser thought nothing of it. In fact, all he could think about was sleep. And that's what he did, was fall asleep inside of Drachen's magical grip.


* * *


When the Princess and her escorts arrived back to the dining hall, Storm Stallions and Coltsgrenadiers filled the room. All were dressed in full combat gear and were dealing with those Stallionists that were still alive. Medics were attending to Pat, Token, and Blitzkrieg, and even the wounded Stallionists. They'd need to be in good health for interrogation. As the two entered the hall, every head turned to them. It was silent for a moment until cheers erupted from the gathering of soldiers. Drachen merely nodded in acknowledgment as he lay Schmeisser down in front of a unicorn Medic.
“Take special care of zis vone, Rotest.” He said to the white unicorn. 
The red cross cutie-marked medic nodded and set to work, doing her best to take care of the sleeping Schmeisser.
“Oh my, you poor thing...” She cooed, her voice barely audible; aura flowing from her horn, she began to open her medical and administer treatment to the wounded colt lying on the floor.
“Rotest, I have a question...” Drachen looked over his shoulder, glancing around before turning back to the young mare. “Do you know anyzing about ze Field Marshal?”
Rotest Kreuz looked down to the floor, hiding her face as she shook her head. When she looked back up, a few tears were beginning to stream down her face. “Nein, Herr Sky Marshal. He is...” She didn't finish, instead looking back down to Schmeisser to occupy herself with her work, trying to keep her mind off the subject. Drachen could only nod and step away from every pony else, a deep sigh escaping from deep within him. Celestia approached him, nuzzling at his neck.
“You will you be okay, Drachen?”
“Ja... Ja, I believe so... I just need some time to sink...”
With a nod, the Princess left his side, going to help those Maremacht personnel in the main hall and foyer. There were sure to be more dead and wounded ponies to attend to.
As he looked around the ruined dining hall, he caught sight of Iron Cross, who was still sitting over the body. No pony had thought to attempt to move the Field Marshal yet, lest they upset the SS Colonel. His movements slow and calm, the hybrid made his way over to the unicorn, where he eased himself onto the floor next to her. They sat there in silence for a few moments.
“He vas like a father to me und my sister,” Iron Cross said, her expression somber. The fur on her face showed that she had been crying, though not openly.
“He died doin vhat he loved... Beating ze living crap out of some pony.”
“True... Still, I vish he hadn't...”
“Ve vill make zem pay for zis, Eisernes Kreuz. Ve shall burn Stallinograd to ze ground.” As Drachen spoke, he turned to the colonel, looking her in the eye. Nodding her agreement, Iron Cross looked back to the stallion who had once demanded nothing but respect and results. Reaching out a hoof, she placed it upon Rommel's chest, over his own Iron Cross award.
“Wh-Who is touching meine medal?”
“Field Marshal?!” Drachen and Iron Cross yelled at once as the words slipped from the small stallion's mouth.
“Hooves off!” He coughed, blood spitting out as he did so. “I earned it fair und square...”
“You're alive!” Iron Cross cheered, pulling the stallion into a tight hug.
“Colonel.” The small stallion wheezed. “No displays of affection in uniform... Z-Zat's ten demerits.” He chuckled tiredly. 
The officer coughed abruptly as she quickly pulled away, regaining her stiff demeanor.
“Are you well, Field Marshal?” Drachen asked, looking down upon his cohort.
“Zat depends... Are zey all dead?”
“Save for a few survivors, jawohl. They are all dead.”
“Und ze piece of crap armor?”
“Right off zed side of ze cliff.”
“Damn...” The wounded stallion began to rise to his hooves, albeit shakily. “I vould have loved to have had ze chance to look it over. Find out vhat kind of technology zey have... I got a good look at ze gauges, zho,” He said, gesturing to the bit of glass embedded within his face.
“Did vone of zem have a knife?” Drachen asked, pointing out the scar. He picked up a shard of glass with his magic, holding up as a mirror of sorts for the Field Marshal.
“Nein... Ze gunner had a bottle of hard cider zat he broke over a shell. Vhere is my cap?”
By this point it was noticed throughout the hall that Rommel was alive. Coltsgrenadiers and Storm Stallions alike saluted him crisply as he began to walk through the debris. He soon came upon Rotest Kreuz, who was dealing with a now waking Schmeisser.
“Is he going to be alright?”
“I believe so.” Red Cross said, not noticing who was standing behind her. “He should be fine in a few weeks time.” She softly continued, looking over her shoulder. 
She did a double take as she noticed who was near her. 
“Field Marshal!” She shouted. 
Her light blue hair with green strands covered her face as she turned around quickly. She made to hug the stallion, but was stopped as he held up a hoof.
“Not in uniform, Medic.” He said, a tired smile upon his blood-caked face. 
She nodded, a light blush on her white fur. He turned his attention to Schmeisser, who was managing to sit upon his haunches. “You are vell, Private?”
“Y-Yes, sir,” the Coltsgrenadier stuttered. 
“Good, good.” Rommel patted the soldier on the back before turning to Colonel Iron Cross. “Have zose swine zat are still alive taken to different camps. Ve vill have zem interrogated and find out vhat zey know.”
“Yes, sir, Field Marshal. But you should know, sir.” She began, looking to the Field and Sky Marshals. “Both of you should know zat it has been reported that all camps have been attacked in some form or fashion. Bombings, mostly. Ze cowards didn't have ze courage to fight our soldiers in a proper battle.”
“Vhat is ze death count at?” Eisen Drachen inquired.
“Just under two-hundred, sir. But, I have bad news from Camp Determination.”
“Vhat is it, Colonel?” Rommel asked, digging his cap out from under an overturned chair.
“Ze Propaganda Minister... He ist dead. Zey poisoned his food und drink.”
The two commanders locked eyes for a moment as what they had just been told ran through their minds. Both knew it was a great loss whenever any soldier died in battle, but this wasn't just another soldier. This was the death of the one who kept the troops in good spirits, albeit by getting them drunk and having massive parties.
“... I suppose Captain Velvet vill happily take ze position?” Rommel asked no pony in particular.
“She vill do vell as Minister of Propaganda,” Drachen answered. “Her tactics are more...”
“Rational? Acceptable? Agreeable?”
“Ja, all of those.”
Rommel laughed, dusting off his cap, which was now torn and tattered like his tunic. He found a spot of floor that was clear of debris and sat down, observing the soldiers around them. He looked up as a shadow fell over him, Princess Celestia standing before him. Drachen moved to stand beside the Field Marshal, who continued to sit on the floor.
“Princess. You know how to throw a party,” he teased, a devilish smirk on his face.
“Thank you Field Marshal. I could not have asked for better guests.” Her smile fell, however, as she turned to the matter at hand. “I trust you will be looking into this breach in security?”
“Of course Princess.” Drachen asserted, standing firmly. “Ve vill find und run out any other traitorous dogs that may be a danger to you.”
“Thank you, Drachen.” She said, smiling softly. 
Her eyes turned to the short stallion still sitting on the floor. The Field Marshal was occupying himself by attempting to open a jug of hard cider he had found. The jug was enveloped in a red aura as Drachen opened it with his magic. Rommel showed his thanks by drinking deeply. 
“Field Marshal?” Celestia questioned.
“Ja, Princess?” Drachen cleared his throat, obviously annoyed with how the Field Marshal was conducting himself in front of Celestia. 
“Oh relax Drachen,” Rommel argued and drank deeply once again from the jug.
“What do you plan to do concerning this matter?” Celestia asked once again.
“Simple...” Rommel set down the half empty jug, his thirst quenched for now. “I vill lead ze Maremacht to glory und ve shall burn Stalliongrad to ze ground.”
“And Stallion himself?”
“Vell, zat's not so simple Princess. You see, I have two choices.”
“And those are...?”
“Should I mount his head above my fireplace or on ze front of my tank.”


* * *


Far East of Canterlot, where the weather was cold and wet half the time, past a plethora of villages, sat the magnificent industrial city that was Stalliongrad. The skyline was lined with smokestacks, which filled the sky with massive black clouds of exhaust. Sparks shot from the tips of some stacks, lighting the night sky with a fiery glow that was visible for a few miles. In the center of the city sat a massive triangle shaped building, a large courtyard in the center of the walls. At the front of the building, what would normally be considered the bottom of the triangle, was a massive parade ground line with statues and fountains.
From his living quarters atop the front corridor overlooking the parade ground, a brick red earth pony looked out into the rainy night. He was sitting in a high backed leather chair that matched the color of his fur, but was a shade lighter. Josef Stallion let out a long, drawn out sigh as he watched the rain hit the windows of his study. It had been some time since he had had a chance to relax and enjoy the simple things. A knock at the cherry wood doors brought him back to reality. He'd have to relax some other time. Duty called, or knocked in this case.
“Da, who is it?” Stallion called, turning his chair around to his desk. He leaned forward on the oak wood piece of office furniture, folding his forelegs over one another atop it. A red-orange earth pony wearing a light brown uniform tunic entered, saluting as he entered.
“Corporal Trelenko, sir,” the soldier answered, removing the garrison cap atop his head. “From intelligence.”
“What is it, corporal?”
“I have information regarding the outcome of Operation: Setting Sun, Comrade Marshal.”
“Don't just stand there then, boy, bring it here!”
Trelenko pulled a manila folder from the messenger's pouch that hung from his side, setting it on the desk in front of Stallion, who immediately tore into it. The corporal, who knew of the contents, stood at attention, waiting for the storm that was coming. Stallion's face went from that of excitement, to one of confusion and shock, and finally to that of anger.
“Incompetent fools!” He bellowed, throwing the file and it's papers across the room. “Months of planning and infiltration, gone in a single night! All we did was kill some of their soldiers and their idiotic Propaganda Minister... We've gained nothing...”
“Actually, sir, the report indicates we captured invasion plans...” Corporal Trelenko nervously glanced to the head of the Socialist Earth Pony Workers' Union. “We could have our defenses readied in the areas of their main thrusts.”
“No, no... They must know that we have copies of the plans. They will be changing the plans accordingly...” Stallion stood behind the desk for a moment, racking his mind for answers. He finally pulled a pen and parchment from his desk. Using his mouth to write, he began to quickly scribble down a note that took up half the page. Once he was satisfied with his work, the colt placed the parchment inside of an envelope, which he then sealed with candle wax. With a small thud, Josef drove the state seal into the wax. A small hammer and horseshoe now sealed the envelope.
“Take this to Grand Marshal Steel Hoof in the Military Wing. Only he is to see it.”
“Yes, sir!” Sliding the envelope into his satchel, the runner saluted quickly before galloping from the office. Stallion shook his head, turning back to the window behind his desk.
“They will regret ever stepping foot on Stallionist soil,” he murmured. Outside, lighting cracked and thunder roared. The gears of war were now in motion, and not a thing could stop them from turning.