Prologue: How, what, and why?

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Summer of 1982, the cold war raged on as the Warsaw Pact, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization continued to try to expand their influence and hold on to their sphere of influence.

However, during the summer of that year, when Pact soldiers would hold an exercise near the East German border, two NVA soldiers accidentally opened fire at the West German border, causing a border conflict.

One that would prove to be fatal.

It started as a simple border conflict, but when talks between the DDR and the BRD broke down without cooler heads prevailing, so did the talks between the USSR and the USA. Soviet Armed Forces personnel and US Army soldiers all mobilized their forces, and so did their allies. On September 1st, 1982, Soviet troops launched a full-on assault on West Berlin and an invasion of West Germany. After 37 years, war consumed the world once again.

During the short months of conventional warfare, the Soviets managed to convince the Arabs to pick up arms and join the war, Yugoslavia opted to remain neutral, and most Pact members started to turn against the USSR, namely Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and even East Germany.

The details no longer mattered, as the Christmas of the same year saw no truces and soccer matches but rather nuclear warheads being fired; significant cities such as Moscow and Washington DC were the first ones to be wiped out, then Berlin, Warsaw, Belgrade, Bucharest, Paris, Stockholm, London, Rome and so on. The rest of the world was wiped out along with the powers.

About 3.9 billion perished from nuclear weapons, more from its aftermath.

Even though there was no treaty and no declaration of surrender, the war ended as all sides unanimously agreed to a truce. Scientists on each side started working on their one-way portals, all linking to another world, perhaps far away, to escape the impending doom. All sides have scientists telling the sign of an imminent new ice age, or as some people would call it, a "Nuclear Winter", everyone decided they would not be one to build shelters or wait for death to take them.

One by one, tests are conducted, portals are built, and before winter set in during 1984, the Soviets successfully fired up their first portal at the ruins of Moscow; two hours later, Washington DC also lit up its version. Later, so did the Europeans, the Arabs, and so on. The desperate people started to pack their bags and went to their nearest portals in big cities, one by one, they crossed the doorway, and accompanying them were depressed soldiers, either too young, too old, or too sick to be picking up a gun, politicians, who were just as covered in grime and dust as everyone else, and the scientists who tried to bring with them as many research data as possible and burying capsules for any future sentient life to dig up, hopefully never to repeat their mistakes.

As the people crossed to a new world with fresh air, green forests, and clear rivers that were very much non-existent after the nuclear war, what was left of the humans rejoiced, finally finding a new home.

However, it would remain to be observed wherever they could co-exist with the natives...

Chapter 1: The Foward Scouts

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Princess Luna is monitoring the dreams of all Equestrians as she usually did. Twilight Sparkle dreamed of books, Derpy dreamed of muffins, Applejack dreamed about...err, well, apples, and so on. Nothing was out of order, and it seemed like a beautiful night that no problems would happen.

That was until she saw the many more doors that she did not remember being there until a day ago; Under curiosity, the princess of the night opened the first one, and what she saw weirded her out.

A...human?

She has only seen some photographic images of a human from Sunset Shimmer's occasional visit back to Equestria; seeing them in the flesh is a different story. A human was walking down the street with a bag of groceries in his hand while wearing headphones connecting to something. After a minute or two, the human seemed to sense something was off, as he pulled out a Walkmare player from his pocket and started to fidget with it; he unexpectedly raised his head, perhaps out of fear, then he quickly got down on the ground and ducked behind an automobile next to him.

Luna was understandably confused and tried to fly down to ask the human what was going on; as she was flying down, she saw a blinding bright light coming from another direction. Luna covered her eyes with her hoof, unable to view it directly, and what came next was a loud explosion that would tear the earth and split the heavens.

Before Princess Luna could react, she felt a vast shockwave coming from the light source. She flew up in a panic to not fall to the ground, and she felt extreme heat coming all over her as nearby houses started to have their windows shattered, walls cracking and even falling apart, lamposts began to fall one by one, and electronics snapped like firecrackers. After five minutes, the light died down a bit as Luna lifted her head for a look.

A burning, mushroom-shaped cloud emerged from the earth, lighting the skies into a flaming red, yellow, and orange.

She immediately left the dream, slamming the door shut, took a few deep breaths, and asked herself:

"What was that?"
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A human soldier woke up in shock, drenched in sweat, over at the flatlands west of White Tail woods. The other soldiers sharing the same sheet metal hut do not seem awake, and the moon is still high above.

He could not go to sleep despite his best tries and got out of the sleeping bag. After putting on his uniform and belt, he walked out of the hut for fresh air. After a while, he stopped at the beach. He walked past some similarly crude, paper-thin shacks and into the area where large tents are. Inside the tents, the exiled people, covered in grime, dirt, or dust, are all sleeping. In the distance, the pink glow of the portal is visible, with streams of people coming out of it. The soldiers, police officers, and auxiliary troops still awake kept directing the refugees to set up camp elsewhere.

He sat close to the sea and listened to the waves beating the sand, the distant chatter from the portal area, and children crying when a hand tapped his shoulder.

"Can't sleep, Tommy?" A voice boomed from behind.

The soldier replied, "Just saw the nukes again."

Tommy turned to face the person behind him and asked, "You got a lighter, lieutenant? Mine got busted."

The lieutenant took a flip lighter as Tommy took a cigarette out from the case. "Look, kid, after this, go get some sleep. You still got to rest up for the expedition tomorrow." He sighed as he lit the cigarette.

"Yes, sir." After that, tranquil silence.

"Tommy, on the bright side, this place is warm and bright. Couldn't possibly ask for a better location to settle down."

You're damn right, Lieutenant, but what about all the needed food, water, blankets, medicine, and all the other stuff we most certainly don't have enough of?

"I know you are worried about everything; trust me, kid, when I say everyone is as equally, if not more, worried about the same shit all of us are facing."

I know that.

"Go get some rest for the night. The expedition starts at 0600 hours; you still have some time to sleep."

Tommy stood up and saluted to the Lieutenant, "Yes, sir." He then walked away.

The lieutenant sighed as he lit his cigarette and stared at the moon with empty eyes.
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"The Foward Scouts"
October 27th, 1984,1130 hours
Pvt. Tom "Tommy" Philips
10th mountain division
Location unknown

The squad has already been walking for over 5 hours, and the dirt road along the rapid river in the forest does not seem to end. Their backpacks are jam-packed with food, supplies, and survival equipment the brass can scrape up for the expedition squads. Everyone held their rifles tight; some even had the safeties switched off.

"10 bucks says we ain't finding anything." one of the soldiers said while tying his shoelaces. "Damn place is forest after forest, and even if we do get to meet any sort of aliens, it would be somewhere we will never get before we all die of exhaustion!"

"Lopez, you shut the fuck up before the aliens here eats us alive." another squad member replied to him, eyes glued to the side of the road.

Tommy kept walking along with his squad. The waterfall ahead, which is going down, would be so much better if it were viewed from the bottom, he thought. Nobody wanted to appreciate the wildlife and the scenery, as beautiful as it may be.

Lopez heard something coming from behind as the team passed next to a cave. "Uhhh, sir?" he asked, "Something's in the bushes-"

"Bear!!!"

Before Lopez could finish turning around, a black bear came rushing towards him. He raised his rifle and fired in a panic attack, but after missing his first three shots, his M14 jammed on him. Tommy immediately rushed forward, pushed Lopez out of the way and into the bushes, and tried to raise his rifle, but before he could do so, the bear knocked him over and into the river next to the dirt road. The rest of the squad had their rifles switched to fire and dumped no less than 20 rounds into the bear before it finally couldn't move and slowly died away.

Immediately, two squadmates rushed to try to pull up Tommy, who was desperately hanging on a rock in the river, "Dump the rucksack! He's gettin' washed away!"

But alas, the rock was too slippery for any hands to hold on to, while the water was too rapid for the two to do anything. Before they could get the rucksack off, Tommy got washed away by the fast rivers, unable to hold on to anything.

"Damn it! We lost Tom!" Jim, one of the two squadmates, shouted. "Fucking bears!"

The lieutenant rushed to check on his men, "Lopez, you injured?"

"I'm fine, sir," the private replied, still breathing heavily from what just happened, "we lost Tommy."

"Damn it," he cursed under his breath, then ordered, "Everyone, get your bearings. We will keep on going for 2 minutes. Too many people are counting on us for us to rest."

At the same time, Tommy went down the river and the waterfall into the lower stream. As he descended into the pool of water, he tried to get rid of the rucksack to avoid drowning, but the private slowly lost consciousness. As he got rid of the massive weight, Tom managed to surface for air, but the rapid flow of water kept washing him away as soon as he was able to do so. He tried his best to stay afloat until he could swim for shore.

After god knows how long, he finally got to land. With his rifle and supplies are now gone, he had only his helmet and his sidearm left.

He is stranded.
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Today is yet another perfectly normal day in Ponyville. Celestia's sun has risen above Equestria, the birds in front of Fluttershy's house are chirping, and as usual, Miss Cheerilee turned on her radio for the morning news. As she was tuning the frequency, she noticed a new frequency was broadcasting. Engulfed in curiosity, she stayed tuned and kept listening.

"Hello hello? This is the Provisional Government of European Nations, calling for any form of government or organization in the area for immediate assistance..." somepony spoke in accented Ponish on the radio as Cheerilee's stopped eating her breakfast cereal and focused on the broadcast.

"...we have just crossed the portal with countless refugees; many of them are too weak, frail, and sick. Moreover, we are in a critical shortage of food, fresh water, shelter, medicine, and other necessities. The situation is worsening, and we would appreciate any assistance that should come our way. We cannot locate where we are exactly, but we can see large snow mountains straight up north. If you happen to come across one of our expedition units, please do not shoot and offer assistance to the best of your ability. They are identifiable by their arm patches with the Blue and White flag..."

Cheerilee, at this point, was too shocked even to finish listening. She turned off the radio, hastily finished breakfast, and went to work, and expectedly, everypony who had a radio was already spreading the news of the mysterious broadcast. Everypony had a different reaction to it. Some were weirded out, some dismissed it as a funny prank, some didn't care, but most were just curious about the source of such a broadcast.

On Cheerilee's way to the schoolhouse, she runs into Applejack, who is headed toward Twilight's castle.

"Ah don't know what's with the broadcast. When ah tuned in, it's all just speakin' in fancy!" Applejack said. "Ah still need to tell Twi about this. Catch you later, sugarcube!"

The rest of the day for Cheerilee is primarily regular, but after the students went home, she couldn't help but turn on the radio on her desk to check on the same frequency.

"...Il s'agit du gouvernement provisoire des nations européennes, appelant à toute forme de gouvernement ou d'organisation dans la région pour une assistance immédiate..."

Just who are they? She thought to herself.

Meanwhile, in Twilight's castle.

"...Die Situation verschlechtert sich und wir würden uns über jede Hilfe freuen, die uns zuteil werden sollte. Wir können nicht genau orten, wo wir uns befinden, aber wir könne-"

Click—radio off.

"I don't know, feels like an over-the-top prank," Rainbow Dash commented on the broadcast, "but it's waaaaaaaay too much effort for these ponies to repeat the same message in 4 different languages." She said as she yawned. "Can I go get a nap? Listening to all these fancy languages is making me tired."

"Oh, Darling, we shouldn't be giving up just now! There could be extraterrestrial ponies awaiting our most needed assistance!" Rarity stated as Starlight Glimmer kept tidying up the transcript notes next to her.

Pinkie, as usual, was doing...something. She asked Twilight, "I wonder if these ponies like cupcakes!"

"I hope nopony over there was really sick or hurt; the broadcast sounded serious..."

"Quit worryin' sugarcube. Ah'm sure those ponies are fine." Applejack recalled the latest mischief that Rainbow had committed to a few poor nighttime rail workers with a well-hidden Walkmare and a pre-recorded tape of ghostly sounds. "This may be just another prank like last time Dash spooked the night workers on the train station with that fancy recorder she just bought."

"It's a Walkmare, AJ. Have you listened to how good music sounds from this?" Rainbow Dash proudly showed off her cassette player, "Mmmmm, thank you, eggheads at Soneigh!"

Princess Twilight stood up from her chair and sighed as she put her front hooves on the round table, "This isn't looking good. We have no idea what is happening or where these ponies claim to be. All we know is that these ponies need a lot of help! Maybe we should be looking for them..."

As Twilight spoke, Starlight turned on the radio to listen to the Canterlot News frequency, but when dialing the frequency, the radio picked up yet another signal and started to broadcast:

"Eta shtuka rabotayet?...Ladno, cherez tri... dva... odin... Govorit Novaya Moskva, Ot Vremennogo pravitel'stva Soyuza Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik. My prizyvayem k nemedlennoy gumanitarnoy pomoshchi i lyuboy drugoy chelovecheskoy natsii, kotoraya byla otpravlena syuda..."

Starlight Glimmer quickly turned the frequency knob, only to hear a third unfamiliar radio broadcast.

"...thank you for listening to this radio call for help, and god bless America. Este mensaje se repetirá en español..."

Everyone in the room looked at each other as the broadcast went on, and Applejack broke the silence between the group first.

"Oh, horseapples."
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October 28th, 1984, 0630 hours
Pvt. Tom "Tommy" Philips
10th mountain division
Location unknown

Tommy has been walking along the river for half a day now. Water isn't a problem as the river left to the road is clean. The bigger problem is food and shelter, as the ones stashed in the rucksack were unavailable, and the limited ammunition supply of his M1911A1 prevented him from taking too many game-hunting endeavors. His occasional saving grace is the roadside fruit trees that still have some fruit on them - ones that aren't already falling to the ground, at least. As for the roadside mushrooms, Tom would not like to get poisoned after nearly drowning.

Still, It was nowhere near enough to fill his stomach. He felt hungry, and the night was still unfavorably cold after he dried his clothes. He kept walking, hoping for a small town or even the slightest glimpse of civilization. Tommy kept walking along the river and the dirt road, which, hours later, led up to an ominous-looking forest. In front of the entrance is a train track that extends to a high bridge over the wide river and a sign that says:

EVERFREE FOREST
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK

He walked up as a funny-looking train passed by the train tracks in front of him. It didn't stop, and Tom is sure whoever was on board saw him anyway.

"At least there is sentient life...and civilization that speaks English. How convenient."

Tommy is taking no chances of dying to some wildlife in the forest and tries walking along the rails. That was until another train from the opposite side came rushing towards him. He did not get crushed, but it was enough to convince the private that the tracks were too dangerous. He is not taking chances by swimming again either, so under a very hastily made decision, Tom walks on into the forest despite his guts telling him maybe this wasn't such a great idea.

Everything looks like it could kill him in the forest, overgrown plants and trees. The flowers scream, "this can kill you in a thousand ways, and it's just the stem," The wildlife is still not to be seen yet. However, judging by the plants in this area, Tommy realized it might be too much for him to handle. He picked up the pace and hastened his steps, hoping to get out of this forsaken place before the wildlife decided that today was a good day for alien hunting.

As Tom walked along the dirt road, he noticed a small hut. A door lodged in a tree with decor outside. He pulled his sidearm from its holster, switched off the safety, and chambered a round. He slowly approached the door with the pistol pointed forward at all times and slowly snuck up to the left of the door. Slowly but surely, he turned the knob of the door and barged in, pointing his pistol left and right, shouting, "Freeze! Don't move!"

There was nobody home.

Tommy began searching for anything he needed, a giant cauldron in the middle boiling something that did not seem safe for human consumption, along with jars and potions he dared not to try either.

No food. Perhaps the residents went out for a supply run.

As Tom was leaving the hut, he heard some dangerously close growling. He doesn't need any professional hunter training to know what it is.

Wolves.

He turned to open fire on the wolves, only to see that they were strangely colored, and his bullets did not effectively damage them whatsoever, making the sound of a shot hitting wood, and the wolf flinched a bit.

Tommy immediately started to run, and so did the wolves. He kept running as he occasionally fired in the general direction at his back, which did very little to slow the wolves down, scaring them for a few seconds. He dared not to slow down even if his stomach was not agreeing with the amount of exercise he was undertaking from the food intake of the last 12 hours.

Tom ran and ran and fired his last shot at the wooden wolves. After the slide was locked empty, he threw the pistol at the relentless wolves in hopes of even the slightest damage. But one caught the gun with their mouth and cracked it to pieces, chewing it loud and clear for the private to hear.

As the road ahead started to look more and more like a ravine with a broken bridge, Tommy sped up as the wolves did. He made a leap of faith and managed to hold on to the ledge of wooden boards sticking out of the side of the narrow ravine while the wolves kept snarling and did not follow him across. Tom climbed up and sighed a long breath of relief.

That was until his stomach growled again. He is still hungry and getting desperate.

Walking from high noon into the night, the private's stomach could endure no more, and he started to pick some mushrooms that looked like shiitake mushrooms back home; Tommy ate it, which helped slightly at first, but things went wrong as he saw the exit of the forest and the signs of a small town at a distance.

His stomach felt burning, and a terrible pain shot through his entire body, causing him to fall to the ground and be unable to stand up. He kept crawling towards the open plains and that small town. It could have been a hallucination, but Tom cared no longer. He crawled and crawled, dragging himself on the road of dirt and dust. After finally reaching the exit, his body felt powerless as he couldn't even grab onto his helmet and take it off. His vision started to fade, and before his eyes faded to black, he saw something walking toward him.

What...was...that...?

Tom finally passed out, trying to reach out to the creature approaching him.
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October 28th, 1008, 1830 hours
Pinkamena Diane Pie
Ponyville

Pinkie Pie went on bouncing towards Fluttershy's house. She borrowed her batteries for the stand mixer earlier today, and Pinkie is here to return them.

"Hmmm, weird for those ponies over the radio yesterday not to show up; I would have thrown them a super, duper large party!" Pinkie thought to herself. "How many cupcakes should I make them?"

She continued her happy hopping towards Fluttershy's house as she crossed the bridge. She saw a large rucksack and a long, black, silver object.

"Oooh! a free rucksack and a weird metallic staff! I wonder what's inside!" Pinkie exclaimed as she pulled both objects from the river. She opened the rucksack and went rummaging with its contents. On the top of everything, there was a small piece of metal that had the following written on it:

PFC TOM PHILIPS

10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION

2ND BRIGADE 2ND BATTALION

87TH INFANTRY

On the other side, it wrote:

IF YOU FOUND THIS, IM LIKELY DEAD

BURY ME UPSIDE DOWN SO THE WORLD CAN KISS MY ASS

"Woah! Rude!" Pinkie closed the backpack and put it on her back, "I will go through this later."

She kept on hopping until she reached Fluttershy's house.

"O-oh, the batteries? Thank you, Pinkie...Uh, what's with the big rucksack? " Fluttershy pointed her hoof towards Pinkie's back.

"Oh, it's just some goodies I scooped up from the river on my way here! But the meanie that lost it wrote very rude words and put it at the top!"

"I see...thank you for returning the batteries- EEEEEEK!"

"What?"

Pinkie turned to see some creature crawling out from the Everfree forest in the distance.

"A MONSTER!!!!" Pinkie shouted as she pulled out a baseball bat from her mane and started charging toward the creature.

As she approached, the "monster" no longer moved, dressed in green and having a helmet on his head, one of his limbs seemingly reaching out toward her.

"Wait...a human? In EQUESTRIA???"

Pinkie tossed the bat and ran back to Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS! A HUMAN!!!"

Chapter 2: First Impressions

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October 29th, 1008, 0900 hours
Princess Celestia
Camp Unity, 40km from Manehattan

"I must say, we have expected every possible situation; we didn't quite expect to be able to come into contact with the powers here under 48 hours of arrival," One human representative said as the humans welcomed the royal sisters to the place the Europeans call home.

Photographers, humans, Pegasus, earth ponies, and unicorns alike kept taking pictures to document the historical moment while a film crew recorded the entire scene.

"Well, your location is near Manehattan, and the word gets spread very quickly here. We didn't expect such an amount of humans to turn up here either." Princess Celestia replied, "Mr..."

"Ah, where are my manners?" the man quickly apologized, "I'm Helmut Schmidt, former chancellor of the German Federal Republic and head of the provincial council."

The other human in a general's uniform stepped up, saluted, and extended a hand-hoof shake. "Jürgen Brandt, former chief of the Federal Army and head of the military commission."

"As you can see, this building made out of a few freight containers is the entire government. This is where the council, the defense committee, and the foreign ministry are. The other departments haven't been set up again." Schmidt pointed to a two-story building in the distance and said. The armed guards escorted Princess Luna and Celestia through the super-sized refugee camp along with the two representatives.

"This is simply awful. What happened that your people must escape here?" Luna asked.

"The third world war, the nukes, and the impending ice age, your highness," Brandt responded with a sigh, "not much of us survived. Even less can come here."

The refugee camp stretches as far as the eye can see and is on its way to expanding to the outskirts of Manehattan. On their way, Luna and Celestia both couldn't help but notice the soldiers of variable uniforms, the crude houses, and tents that looked like they would collapse with the wind blow, and the depressed people, all covered in grime, dirt and at least half of them are covered in bandages. The pony journalists spared no film as they kept snapping pictures of the scenes of the camp. The line of refugees just lining up for empty land became a human wall on its own.

Celestia stopped at one of the soldiers wearing a cap with an eagle badge and asked, "Excuse me, if you don't mind, may I ask who you are?"

The soldier looked at her in confusion and rubbed his eyes, "Co… Jak to możliwe, że koń potrafi mówić?"

Schmidt turned to Celestia and said, "I'm sorry. We forgot to tell you that it's not just us Germans. This is a coalition of multiple countries and languages, and communication would sometimes be...challenging to say the least."

"What types of humans are there?" Luna asked in curiosity.

"Well, if that's what you're asking, we have us, the Germans, the French, the Dutch, Belgians, Italians, Spaniards, the Poles, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Czechoslovakians, Yugoslavians, Roma-"

Celestia was surprised by the different types of people, "I can't imagine how much of a pain it would be to administrate this many different languages with this many humans."

"If you think that's hard, imagine how screwed we are."

Suddenly, the sound of a single gunshot came from behind the group; the armed guards quickly threw themselves in front of the group as the other soldiers on site rushed to check the source of the sound, only to find a dead soldier in a tent, holding a pistol with a gunshot wound on his head, his suicide note on his lap.

"To już piąty dzisiaj." The soldier Celestia just asked, pointing towards the bloodstained tent; he lighted a cigarette as he spoke. The cameras went off in rapid succession again.

After hastily making their way toward the building, the rest of the council, composed of representatives of different coalition members, some wearing military uniforms, all met and shook hands with the princesses. Only the film crew and a few selected pony newspaper journalists are allowed into the headquarters to avoid overcrowding.

"We are still trying to track how many refugees are crossing the portal. Crude estimate that some 300,000 to 500,000 have already touched down, and a few million more are on their way in the coming months." Lech Wałęsa, The Polish representative, stated. "according to our calculations. No more than 15 million people in Europe were able to survive the first wave of the attack; more died before the portals were made, and after deducting the ones who couldn't reach the portal or refused to leave, only a few million are left of us."

"This is simply dreadful," Luna commented. "You have my sympathy."

Branko Mamula, the Yugoslavian representative, sighed. "What we need now is more than words of comfort. We need everything we can get, the engineering corps can help build farms, houses, hospitals, and maybe even small communities, but we can't work with just logs and stones."

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the French representative, added, "Not to mention, people need medical care, electricity, running water, and all the necessities of life, which we are in a critical shortage of. With this many people moving in, we would also need redrawn urban planning, administrative zones, and infrastructure to be built, but right now, we have nothing."

Schmidt stood up, pressing against the table, and said, "That's why we beg of you, the rulers of this land, please provide us the appropriate assistance during these trying times. The lives of millions are at stake, and we cannot afford the people escaping a new ice age just for them to die here due to hunger, disease, or cold again."

Celestia held out her front hoof and said, "I assure you, we will provide assistance and aid to the best of our ability."

The cameras all went off and photographed the historical moment Helmut Schmidt and Princess Celestia shook hands and hoof. The representatives in the room let out a thunderous clap.
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October 30th, 1984, 1300 hours
Pvt. Tom "Tommy" Philips
10th Mountain Division
Location unknown

Tommy found himself staring at the ceiling of an unfamiliar place. He is tired but doesn't feel as hungry as in the Everfree forest. His uniform is still on, and his helmet is missing. He lifted his left hand and found his scrapes and bruises were already patched up.

Tom mustered up enough strength to get off the bed and looked at the room he was staying in. It was average-sized. The door was in the middle of the wall opposite the bed, and the only window was the one on the wall behind him. A desk was neatly put under the window, with a bookshelf next to it.

The Private took a good look outside the window and was pleasantly surprised. There is a town right below, with many cottages built similarly surrounding a cylinder-shaped building surrounded by a square. The scenery near the small town is also quite lovely.

What wouldn't I do for a house with a stable roof, running water, and working electricity?

Tom then found his boots being put under the desk. After putting it back on, he left the room to explore the compound. He was amazed by the state of the place as he walked in the empty halls and corridors, the spotless floors, the well-lit areas, and even a washroom with working water faucets and toilets. He picked up a bottle of shampoo and started to have questions.

"Mane...and Hooves? Made in Vanhoover? For ponies who care about their mane...what is going on?"

He quickly put the bottle back where it should be and kept wandering in the castle until he stumbled upon a small table with a lamp and a newspaper. Tommy picked it up and saw today's big headlines:

THE PONYVILLE EXPRESS
HUMAN LEADERS NEAR MANEHATTAN MEET WITH THE ROYAL SISTERS
Humans, friends, or foes?

The picture featured was the pre-war West German Chancellor shaking hands with a...unicorn? He quickly read the article, which seemed even more bizarre to him.

"Helmut Schmidt, leader of the group of humans, was interviewed by the Express exclusively. He stated that they desperately need help in the form of medical items, food, and basic infrastructure such as running clean water."

"Human refugees were also reported along the coastline west of while tail forest, some of their scouts reaching cities such as Las Pegasus. While the third group of humans was reported to be northeast of Vanhoover."

"One human exploration team member was said to be in Ponyville."

Hold up for just a goddamned minute, isn't that me?

Tom quickly put down the newspaper, and as he was starting to look for the exit of this place, he heard a female voice shouting:

"The human's gone! Wh-h-WHERE DID HE GO???"
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Half an hour ago, the throne room.

"Say what you want, but this Philips does seem pretty cool! He even took on three bandits to protect a group of refugees from being robbed of their water! How awesome is that?" Rainbow Dash remarked as she read through a little blue book in the rucksack, "Although...I still don't understand what this "United States of America" is and why the eagle is holding some arrows and a tree branch."

"I-I still don't know how to feel knowing that humans are Omnivores...I understand they have different dietary habits, but this still doesn't sit well with me..." Fluttershy looked at the two cans of Spam and three cans of canned chicken sausages from the rucksack and said.

Starlight Glimmer is holding some photos found being put along with the small book with "Passport" written on it. One of those was taken in front of a bronze statue that looks like the Mare statue in Manehattan if it was made as a human. In front of it were three humans. The short one looked like a younger version of the human sleeping in the guest room, while the other two looked like his parents.

Behind the photo was written: 4th of July 1978, New York.

She picked up another photo, with the two older humans from the last photo sitting at a dinner table, which has this written on the back:

To our dearest son, Tom:

As the world is ending and the missiles fly to the sky, our only regret is that our final moments weren't spent with you. Assuming you are still alive and reading this message in front of our dead, charred bodies, we want to tell you that we are proud of what you have become. You must stay strong, and no matter what the post-nuclear world throws at you, you must endure, and you will always survive. We will always be with you.

Farewell, and good luck,

Dave & Claire Philips, your loving parents.
*P.S. your dad's rifle, gas mask, and filters are all under his bed, hopefully still usable.

Under it was a line written with a red pen, it reads:

Thank you, mom and dad.

Starlight Glimmer felt a tear run down her cheek but quickly wiped it away and continued inspecting the items in the rucksack.

Pinkie Pie, still eating her lunch consisting of cupcakes, cupcakes, and...cupcakes, said, "Hey! Why don't we check on the human over in the other room? Maybe he's awake? Oh! And hungry! I bet he likes cupcakes!"

"Speaking of which, where's Applejack?" Rainbow questioned as he put down the little blue book, "Twilight went to Canterlot to discuss the entire human refugee crisis. Rarity said she would be busy with the rush order she got yesterday, but Applejack didn't say anything about being late for an hour!"

"Relax, maybe just some farm work caught up to her?" Starlight replied.

"Yeeeeaaaahhh, you're probably right." Rainbow Dash stretched a bit and pulled out her Walkmare.

"You know what? I'm going to take some cupcakes to the human! Maybe he's already awake and wants to eat something!" Pinkie Pie stood up and took a few cupcakes with her.

"Yeah, if he's awake, I also want to ask some questions, especially on how he kicked so much butt in the wasteland!" Rainbow jumped up from her chair.

As the duo made their way to the room where they had the human, they saw the door had already been open.

"Uhhhhh...did you forget to close the door last night checking on him?" Rainbow asked.

"No! I was in my bed sleeping all night!" Pinkie bounced her way to look into the door, only to find out he was gone.

"The human's gone! Wh-h-WHERE DID HE GO???"

Rainbow Dash rushed forward to look at the empty room.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no oh no oh NO! He got away! Twilight is NOT going to like this at all!" Rainbow said in a very nervous tone.

"And the human is gonna be very hungry! C'mon, Dashie; we must find him before he starves himself!" Pinkie screamed.

The two other ponies heard the screaming from the halls and immediately rushed to their aid.

In the meantime, Tommy is already running for the exit. He kept running down the long hallways that felt like a vast overcomplicated maze, and after running for a minute or two, he barged into a room with a round table and six thrones, all having different markings on them while one had a smaller throne next to it.

He saw his rucksack and its contents on the table, along with his rifle and helmet. Tom quickly picked up the gun and slung it over his shoulder, grabbing a few magazines along the process. As he turned to leave the room while putting on his helmet, he saw four pastel-colored ponies, one unicorn being purple, the other being yellow, another one with bright pink from head to tail, and one that was flying in mid-air and had a rainbow-colored mane.

Tom quickly raised his rifle and shouted, "Hands in the fuckin' air!"

"Woah Woah Woah, calm down, Tom! " Rainbow Dash and the rest backed up a bit. "That's a biiit too aggressive for first impressions, wouldn't you agree?"

"How did you know my name?" Tom questioned, "and how did you get my stuff?"

"I fished it out from the river!" Pinkie enthusiastically said as if there wasn't a paranoid soldier pointing them with a loaded weapon.

"Okay, here's what's going to happen. You will tell me your name, what you are, and where I am." Tommy ordered, "If you try anything funny, I will not guarantee everyone can walk out of here alive."

Fluttershy is shivering behind everyone, too scared to look at the human still armed and dangerous.

"Okay, I'll go first." Rainbow Dash stepped forward, "I'm Rainbow Dash, and I am a Pegasus, same as Fluttershy here!" She pointed to the shivering Pegasus hiding behind Pinkie and Starlight.

"N-nice to meet you... I-I'm Fluttershy..."

"Good, now what about you two?" Tom pointed his rifle at the other two ponies.

"Well, ahem, my name is Starlight Glimmer, and I am a unicorn! "

"Ooh! OOh! I am Pinkie Pie, and I am an earth pony! Welcome to Ponyville!" Pinkie said in her usual bouncing manner. "Want a cupcake?"

Tommy slightly lowered his weapon and said, "good, now how do I know you will not eat me alive? Or turn me into human jerky?"

Fluttershy raised her head again and raised her voice a bit, "No, we do NOT eat humans! We are graminivore! ...Did I sound rude? Sorry..."

"It's okay. I totally understand that. What will you all do with me then if I am not dinner?"

"We...just wanted to know you better! Make friends, if you will!" Starlight Glimmer forced a smile on her face, "Perhaps, you would like to stay for lunch?"

"Yeah! You want a cupcake?" Pinkie held up a cupcake in her hoof

"What is with you and cupcakes, damn it?" Tommy shouted.

"I-it's alright if you are scared of us. You don't have to shout or point weapons...we are as scared of you as much as you are scared of us..." Fluttershy slowly approached the private. "It's okay, just relax."

Tom took a good look at the ponies' faces, and after a silent ten seconds, he replied, "Alright, for the sake of everyone, I will put down my gun, but I'm not letting my guard down."

All the ponies took a sigh of relief.

" if this is a trick and I'm going down, I'm dragging all of you to hell with me," Tom said as he walked forward and turned on the safety for the rifle.

"Don't worry. This is no trick!" Starlight Glimmer took out a chair and put it by the table, "Take a seat; it would be better if we talked this way."

As Tom sat down on the chair, Rainbow Dash was the first to ask questions, "Sooo, Mister Tom, why are you a soldier now? You're doing fine on your own in the wasteland!" She said as she held the little blue book in the air.

"I'm only allowed to tell you my name, rank, and serial number." Tom replied, "Not like they gave me one anyway."

Dash protested, "Oh, come on! It's not an interrogation! Relax for a bit, would you?"

"I don't trust you that much to tell you everything."

"Um...Tom? We meant no malintent or harm. We...just wanted to know you better...please, we can be friends, right?" Fluttershy said in a low voice.

Tom felt something melt in his heart as he saw Fluttershy's scared face. Her eyes reminded him of something sweet, innocent, and sincere.

He sighed and admitted defeat, "Okay, if you are asking, conscription happened. After the nukes fell, the United States Army needed every living person to pick up a rifle to serve. I was scooped up by the 10th Mountain Division stationed in New York. At that point, the only thing they weren't running out of was old uniforms left over from Vietnam, they didn't even bother giving me a new rifle, and most of the conscripted guys were holding their guns they scavenged from gun stores or their grandpa's gun cabinet."

"See? That wasn't so hard!" Rainbow said.

"What am I doing?" Tom questioned his sanity.

As he spoke, Applejack barged in with a basket. Tom tried to grab his rifle but was pinned to his chair by Starlight's magic.

"Sorry, everypony! Farm work caught up, but ah got some pies for y'all. Ah suppose ah didn't miss anythin'?"

Everyone looked at Applejack as her jaw started to drop at the sight of the awakened human.

"She's our friend! ...Tom, say hi to Applejack, and Applejack, say hi to Tom!" Starlight nervously said.

Oh great. What's this, fucking group therapy?
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October 30th, 1984, 1400 hours
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Meeting room of Camp "Novaya Moskva," 250 kilometers from Vanhoover

"Comrades," Gorbachev announced, "I would like you all to welcome Princess Mi Amore Cadence, the princess of the Crystal Empire, and her husband, Shining Armor."

Everyone in the room clapped.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Gorbachev," Cadence said, "But first, I would like to hear about the current situation of your people. It allows me to make a better plan to help you all."

Nikolai Ryzhkov, the Premier, raised his hand and started reporting. "Currently, we estimate about 2 million of our refugees and soldiers have made it across the portals we set up across various locations of different member states; we can expect about 6 million more, mostly from Moscow or Leningrad, and that would be it. We are also critically lacking anything that a modern society needs to survive, electricity, clean running water, hospitals, the structure of government, and almost anything you can imagine. We also are facing a critical shortage of food, medicine, and building materials for shelters, and if this is to be summed up within two words, I would say, 'Get help.'"

"Economically, we are back to the stone age." Alexander Yakolev followed. "Since the nuclear war, most of our factories have been destroyed, the currency is practically worthless, and the people are back to trading with goods. In other words, no industry basis, no economic basis, not looking very optimal."

Next up is Sergey Akhromeyev, one of the two Marshals. "We expected about 150,000 men and women are still in service of the Soviet Armed Forces and the MVD...well, the ministry of the interior, with an estimated 10,000 being Arabs that came to fight for us during world war three."

"We obviously don't need to analyze further to conclude that our situation is worse than anything the Union has endured." Gorbachev sighed, "but now, we must seek help from you, and you are our only hope, your highness." He said as he handed the stack of files containing the extended versions of the data above to Shining Armor."We hope you understand."

Princess Cadence then said, "I can understand your desperate situation. You require our help, and we will not fail to provide the things your people need."

"On behalf of the Soviet Union and her people, thank you." Ryzhkov stood up. "We will remember your gratitude and the charity you have done to us."

"Спасибо, товарищ." Akhromeyev said, "However, there is this problem. Before we came here, we were at war with the Europeans and the Americans, at least officially. There wasn't even a cease-fire signed after the nukes fell. We know for a fact that they arrived here as well."

After a while of silence, Shining Armor asked, "You want us to help you to announce to everyone you are willing to sign an agreement to end the war?"

"Precisely. So that the long work of rebuilding can finally start." Yakolev replied. "You name the time and place. We will send our representative to attend."

"And they will be much more willing to believe the people doing charity to them rather than their old adversary," Gorbachev added. "Think of the popular masses that can benefit from this."

After a lengthy discussion and some press photos, Cadence and her husband were on the royal carriage home.

"Honey, I think it would be best for them to sit down and talk at Ponyville." Shining suggested, "It is the town of friendship, and my sister, with her friends there, is there to help arrange the talks. Remember how the one with Yakyakistan went?"

"You're right, Shiny, but there is something that I'm worried about."

"What is it?"

"I can't quite possibly imagine all those people in the room being able to endure Pinkie's party planning, especially Mr. Gorbachev or the two marshals. Imagine them singing friendship and peace songs while dancing to them, simultaneously signing an agreement to end a war that ended an entire world."

Shining chuckled at such a thought but quickly assured Cadance, "I'm sure Twilight and her friends will just muddle through like they always did."

Cadence turned to Shining Armor, "I'm also sure about that. I'm going to take that idea to Celestia first thing when I see her at Canterlot tomorrow, which I assume she would toss the entire matter to Twilight and Ponyville even if I didn't tell her the idea."

"You're right about that one," Shining sighed as the two made their way back to the Crystal Empire.

Chapter 3: All is Fair in Peace and Love

View Online

October 30th, 1008, 1500 hours
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Camp Liberty, 45 km North of Las Pegasus

"...Anyways, this is how I lost in the election." Jimmy Carter recalled the hostage crisis, "One of the reasons anyways."

"That's quite fascinating, Mr. Carter. Do you have any more stories to share?" Princess Twilight asked in anticipation.

"Maybe later. Oh look, the headquarters is just ahead," Carter replied as the jeep slowed to a halt.

Both the human and the alicorn disembarked from the vehicle and walked into the portable building that is the meeting room. The guard held open the door as journalists from all over Equestria took pictures and asked many questions, primarily directed at Carter. After the soldiers with white "MP" s sewed on their armbands and painted on their helmets managed to pick out a few preselected journalists from various newspapers and the film crew, the door was shut and locked tight.

"It's An honor to meet you, Princess," a voice rang from the other end of the room, "I'm President Ronald Reagan. Just call me Mr. President."

"Oh! Um...nice to meet you! I am Twilight Sparkle, but calling me Twilight is fine."

The president stood up from his seat and asked. "What's with the little one? Is that a lizard?"

"That's a dragon, Mr. President. A Personal assistant of sorts, he's... uh, what's your name again?" Carter asked.

"It's Spike," Spike replied in a somewhat annoyed voice. "And yes, I am a dragon and #1 personal assistant to Twilight."

"Alright then, with that out of the way, let's get down to business," Reagan announced.

George Shultz, secretary of state, was the first to say something. "So, we are very much devastated by the nuclear war, and I'm sure you have seen what it is like outside. However, what you likely didn't know is that the Canadians from up north and some central Americans also joined us."

"Emphasis on the word some," General Edward C. Meyer added, "We nuked Cuba to hell. I don't know what happened to Castro, but I'm damn sure he's dead. As for Hatti...Nuke or no nuke, it's always been, and forever will be, a shithole."

"In other words, our estimated refugee numbers should be somewhere around 7 million in total." Secretary Shultz concluded.

"Woah! Uh...umm...Ah, Yes! We will do our best to provide any human refugees to be able to survive and meet basic needs!... Spike, did I say that correctly?"

"This is gonna be a long day," Shultz said under his breath to William Westmoreland, sitting next to him.

Westmoreland muttered, "Should have never come out of retirement after all."

"Also, do you happen to know about the two other groups of human refugees here in Equestria?" Twilight asked, looking at the notes of questions prepared.

"Yes, we do know them," Westmoreland replied immediately, "We are even at war against the Soviets..."

"Okay...this is gonna be difficult...what about the other group?"

"The Europeans? They fought with us against the Soviets." Carter said as he displayed a drawing of a compass cross with a circle, "back then, half of the Europeans and we made up the bulk of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This here is the logo for it."

"That's why you got voted out, Jimmy." Reagan sighed after glancing at the drawing Carter had made.

Carter then fired back and muttered, "Shut it."

"Everypony, er, I mean everyone, can we please get back on topic?" Twilight asked, "I understand the refugees need help, but after hearing it, I feel like there is another thing that must be done as well."

"What is it that you propose, your highness?" The president asked.

"I...propose formally and officially ending the war between you and the Soviets!" Twilight announced, holding up a plan drawn up on her note paper.

Everyone in the room looked at each other in silence.

"Let me get this straight. You want us to sign a piece of paper and pray that everyone can shake hands and be friends again, even after both sides wiped out each other and their factions?" General Edward asked.

"No, she's got a point." Carter quickly came to Twilight's defense, "if we are still at war, it may prove difficult to rebuild and give everyone some room to breathe, especially when we are at someone else's mercy."

"Carter, you are the one who caused Operation Eagle Claw to fail and failed to stop the Soviets from invading Afghanistan." Shultz rebutted.

"Everyone, quiet." President Reagan stood up, "The Princess here and, well, as much as I hate to admit it, Carter here does have a point. Even if we are to fight the damned commies, it will have to wait. Right now, we can enjoy some benefits of peace."

"Let's hope whoever is leading the Reds will be willing to talk." Westmoreland sighed.

"Great, now we just have to announce that in front of the press, and hopefully, the Soviets will receive our message," Carter said as he started writing down something in his notebook.

"The what now?" Twilight asked.

-45 minutes later, at the press conference-

"Princess Twilight, as far as we know, all the different human groups are at war. Is there any plan to force a ceasefire between the humans?" A journalist from the Baltimare Daily asked.

"Well, uh, you see, despite some...rivalry between these three groups of humans, we believe the power of friendship can bring just about anyone together, and humans are no exception!" Twilight responded.

Another journalist from the Canterlot Sunrise questioned, "But Twilight, wouldn't you agree that if a war that destroyed an entire world broke out between these groups before, maybe it would be too much to handle?"

"We have taken this well under consideration! In fact-"

"Princess Twilight, what is the worst-case scenario that can happen should the peace talks fail?"

"What about the topic of disarmament?"

"Princess Twilight! Do humans eat fillies?"

As Twilight was swarmed by countless questions from the sea of journalists and reporters, Spike looked at Carter with the "What were you expecting" eyes, and Carter facepalmed. General Edward C. Meyer could be seen visibly cringing.

"One question at a time, would everypony please?" Carter tried to calm down the crowd of journalists. "Nobody gets any answers if we can't answer them individually."

"One at a time, please!"

After a good minute, the crowd calmed down to somewhat normal.

"If you are asking if we would resume the war, no." General Edward responded, "The United States Armed Forces have no intention of fighting a long over war anytime in the future."

"We also call upon the leaders of the Soviet Union to acknowledge what the war has taken from humanity as a whole and agree to end the third world war formally," Carter announced to the press.

"And Equestria shall provide the locations and the needed preparations for the talks," Twilight said, "We would be more than happy to provide anything as long as it will help reduce the suffering of millions!"

"Millions? Is this going to cause major problems with everything?"

"Is there a possibility that the peace talks will go bad?"

"What is a Soviet Union, and can I eat it?"

"Why are we still here… Just to suffer?"

As Twilight got swarmed by questions again, Carter let out a long sigh while facepalming again.
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October 30th, 1984, 1830 hours
Pvt. Tom "Tommy" Philips
10th Mountain division
Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

"That mushroom is poisonous, not in how it kills you, but incapacitates you and leaves you open for prey." Starlight Glimmer said as she read through the encyclopedia.

Tom sighed, "Well, that would certainly explain what happened."

"Hey, on the bright side, you just fainted outside Ponyville, and Fluttershy patched you up! Lucky you!" Pinkie Pie said while bouncing up and down.

"Yeah, thanks." Tom turned to Fluttershy, "and sorry, I shouldn't have pointed my rifle at any of you."

"It's okay. You are just a bit paranoid and scared. It's...perfectly fine..." Fluttershy replied in a low voice

"Ah certainly can't imagine walking out of Everfree without help or preparations. Only pony ah know is crazy enough to live inside, and that's Zecora." Applejack remarked, "You must 'ave stumbled upon her shack."

"There wasn't a single drop of food, and I am not drinking whatever is in the potion bottles or the cauldron." Tommy replied, "So I left, and what do you know? I guess I'm not the only one who was hungry."

"Well, Zecora did come to Ponyville to buy food that day, so yeah, you just had a bad luck streak, ah guess." Applejack said.

"Also, this mixtape is AWESOME!" Rainbow Dash held up a cassette tape from Tom's rucksack, "Where did you get this? Do you humans have Walkmares too?"

"Walkmare? We call it the Walkman, and I got the tape from my high school buddy who makes it." Tom said, his face hardening." The Walkman got knocked out by the EMP from the nuke, and I haven't been able to listen to it ever since. Said friend also died because of his house collapsing in on him."

"The music recorded in this is just plain fire! Just listen to this!" Rainbow exclaimed as she pushed the play button.

~I see a red door, and I want it painted black~
~No colors anymore. I want them to turn black~

"Rolling Stones, now that one's a classic." A smile came across the private's face.

"Ah don't know, Dash, ah always preferred country music more," AJ said as she clicked the pause button on the Walkmare.

"Uhhh....girls?" Fluttershy pointed at the door of the room. Everyone turned to see Rarity with her jaw dropping down to the floor.

"Oh, great, who is this one?" Tom asked.

"Oh! She's-"

"GOODNESS GRACIOUS! YOU'VE FINALLY AWAKENED!" Rarity interrupted Starlight, "Oh my, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rarity, the element of generosity and Fashionista Extraordinaire. I own the Carousel Boutique here in Ponyville. I also own Canterlot Carousel in, well, Canterlot, and I am prepared to open a new Boutique in-"

"Okay, we get it. Chill the hell out. I didn't need to know you ran every t-shirt stall on the streets." Tom cut Rarity's introduction short.

Rarity gasped, "HOW DARE YOU INTERUPT A LADY SPEAKING WITH SUCH VULGAR WORDS! I WILL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT MY BOUTIQUE IS NO T-SHIRT STALL AND-"

"Everypony chill!" Starlight shouted with Fluttershy covering her ears.

After the shouting stopped, Tom apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you, but please chill out. I'm PFC Tom Philips, 10th Mountain Division."

"Apology accepted, and I am Rarity, the element of generosity." She said as she shook hoof and hand with Tommy, "You must forgive me for being a bit too… excitable, sometimes."

"I mean, I am the one who pointed a loaded rifle toward a bunch of ponies I didn't even know yet, so yeah. Anyways, is there anything you would like to ask?"

Do...humans eat fillies? "the tabloid I picked up said you all do! But...with you happening to be sitting here side by side with my friends, I don't exactly think that is true now."

"For the millionth time, I may be an omnivore, but we are not eating another sentient being," Tom replied in a tired tone.

"Oh, well, that is utmost comforting; I still have my little sister back home." Rarity sighed a breath of relief.

"Well, since I am stuck here for the day, you might as well ask dumber questions. Not like I have anything else to do other than answering them." Tom said to Rarity.

"Oh darling, you have no idea how many questions I have!" Rarity took out a long list of questions in excitement, "For starters, what is in season for human fashion? Is it a suit and tie? Oh! Maybe plus a coat! And what type of fabric do humans usually use in their clothing? I can't wait to see if there are any human fashion designers I can converse with or maybe even collaborate with!"

As Rarity continued to unload her truckload of fashion-related questions, Tommy turned to Starlight and asked, "Is she always like that?"

"It's...a long story." Starlight replied, "Say...are you hungry? We still got some apple pies in the fridge."

"You bet your ass I am, just after she finishes bombarding me with questions on something I know nothing about."
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October 31st, 1008, 0900 hours
Princess Celestia
Canterlot Palace, Canterlot.

Early in the morning, just as Canterlot is starting its day's work, the palace's throne room was already long at work, discussing the current situation.

"So, now that we know all sides are willing to talk, I would like to propose a brand new plan." Princess Celestia announced to everyone in the room.

"Are you suggesting that we have Twilight handle the entire situation and set the place for the peace talks at Ponyville?" Cadence asked.

Luna was visibly surprised, "How did you know that, Princess Cadence? This is drafted up this morning and is supposed to be classified information!"

"Having Twilight Sparkle to solve our problems was the plan we used last time...and the 122 times before that," Cadence replied.

"Well, if you think of it, Ponyville is the perfect place for the talks," Celestia explained, "It's a town of friendship; the elements of Harmony all live there, and if any… Mishaps happen, Canterlot would still be safe!"

"Speaking of which, where is Twilight? She's 15 minutes late." Luna said as she looked at the clock.

And at this moment, Twilight barged into the room, holding at least five different newspapers while blowing into a paper bag.

"I-I'm sorry, Princess Ce-Celestia! I-I overslept trying t-to calculate the needed resources to help...help the refugees!" Twilight is still breathing heavily from the heavy running.

"It's okay, Twilight. What's with the newspapers?" Celestia asked as the other three princesses all took one newspaper from the stack.

"Wait, no! Don't read them!" Twilight pleaded, but it was too late, as the three had already seen today's headlines:

THE CANTERLOT SUNRISE
PRINCESS TWILIGHT FREAKS OUT AT PRESS CONFERENCE
Doubts about Twilight's capability of maintaining cool and stress management ability rise

THE EQUESTRIAN GUARD
HUMANS FACEPALM AS PRINCESS TWILIGHT STAMMERS AT CONFERENCE
Jet Set: worst Equestrian diplomatic incident ever

THE 830AM POST
TWILIGHT SPARKLE: INCOMPETENT DIPLOMAT, INCOMPETENT PRINCESS?
Doubts about Princess Twilight's competence rise as humans facepalm at press conference

All newspapers had a similar photo of James Earl Carter facepalming on the right. In the middle is Twilight sparkle forcing a smile that is obviously fake while a million cameras and journalists are in front of her, and General Edward Charles Meyer visibly cringing at the press on the left-hand side.

"Oh, my reputation is ruined! I will be a laughing stock EVERYWHERE!" Twilight shouted.

"Calm down, Twilight. I never doubted that you could always set things right." Cadence comforted the purple alicorn, "facing the press is no easy feat. You did well enough for the first time."

"In fact, I still remember my first time facing the journalists!" Luna added, "In my first press conference in front of the Palace, I couldn't help with my volume and ended up being slammed by the newspapers!"

"She almost destroyed The Canterlot Sunrise's headquarters," Celestia chuckled, "But still, Twilight, you did well enough."

"Thank you, Princess Celestia," Twilight stood up, "still, since I am late, what did I miss?"

"We have decided you and your friends will be holding the peace talks between the humans in Ponyville!" Celestia said gleefully.

Twilight immediately took a few deep breaths and immediately resorted to the paper bag trick. "B-but Princess Celestia! I just botched up that press conference! How am I supposed to handle something this much bigger and THIS much more important?"

"I know that you can always muddle through." Celestia said, "You and your friends helped shape a strong and stable bond between Yakyakistan and us. You have done an excellent job before, and we know you can do it again."

"Here is the list of attendees." Luna handed Twilight a list that writes:

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS
Leader: Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Premier: Nikolai Ivanovich Ryzhkov
Minister(s) of Defence: Sergey Fyodorovich Akhromeyev, Dmitry Timofeyevich Yazov

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF EUROPEAN NATIONS
Chairman of the council, head of the foreign ministry: Helmut Schmidt
Head of the Military Commission: Jürgen Brandt

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
President: Ronald Wilson Reagan
Diplomatic Envoy: James Earl Carter
Chief of Staff of the Army: Edward Charles Meyer

Twilight gulped in nervousness as she asked, "Wait, the United States sent their list of representatives that fast? It wasn't even a full day yet!"

"Yes, they spared no time drafting the list while Mr. Gorbachev asked me to help spread the word that they want to sit down and talk. They had the list ready before I even got there." Cadence recalled the meeting.

"I'm surprised you managed to come up with the idea of having them sign an end to the war, Twilight. I’m impressed." Celestia said to her prized pupil.

"Thank you, Princess Celestia. I will do my best!" Twilight forced a smile on her face to hide her nervousness, "I will make sure to...tell my friends and have them start preparing this instant! It's...perfectly fine!"

Cadence sighed as Twilight left to pack her things and go to the train station. "You know, I can't help but feel maybe we should have helped out Twilight more. She's clearly stressed from that fiasco of a press conference."

Celestia replied, "Maybe you are correct. Although I insist that Twilight must learn from experience, I should have at least warned her about how vicious the press could be. And to be honest...well..."

The cuckoo clock went off, interrupting Celestia.

"Oh, look! It's Cake O'Clock! I wonder what did the kitchen make for me today?" Before Cadence could even shout the word "wait", Celestia was already gone to the kitchen.

Luna turned to Cadence and said, "What were you expecting?"

Chapter 4: The War to End All Wars

View Online

October 31st, 1008, 1300 hours
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Ponyville Train Station, Ponyville

As Twilight stepped off the train, she immediately went to find her friends to call them to the castle to talk about Celestia's new assignment: peace talks in Ponyville to end the war that ended another world.

She’d already read the list from top to bottom multiple times on the train, yet she couldn't help but reread it every short while.

"You know, maybe you should just relax for a bit," Spike suggested, "I get that you’re still pretty bummed from the press, but, you should at least try to relax for an hour or so."

Twilight replied, "Thanks, Spike. I'm just worried about the possible outcomes if this fails. This would mean that humans would return to their old ways, and even Equestrian blood could have to be spilled over this."

"Can't argue with that." Spike sighed.

As they walked through Ponyville to get to their castle, they ran into Mrs. Cake, who seemed eager to tell Twilight something.

"Twilight, remember all those humans being reported in the newspaper? One of them just came to my shop!" She said gleefully.

"Wait, He's AWAKE!" Twilight shouted, "What happened?"

"Oh, nothing much. He walked in with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, we had a pleasant chat, and he thinks my cupcakes are delicious!" Mrs. Cake recalled gleefully, "I also know for sure that humans don't eat fillies!"

Twilight, now more paranoid than ever, asked, "Where did he go next? Did he cause panic?"

"Oh, relax, dearie! He's not even causing any trouble. If anything, I remember he's supposed to see the mayor next. See you later!" Mrs. Cake said as she trotted away.

Twilight immediately started to make her way to the town hall, where she ran into the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

"Oh hey, Twilight! You wouldn't believe what happened today. Rainbow Dash managed to capture a human! " Scootaloo said gleefully, "and guess what, he didn't eat us!"

"Yeah, he's really nice!" Sweetie Belle added, "Although he could really use a bath ..."

"Kinda a shame humans don't have cutie marks..." Applebloom muttered, "But he bought an apple from me and said it was the best he ever had!"

"Is he headed to the town hall?" Twilight asked.

"Yea! He said he was going to meet the mayor!" Scootaloo said, with Twilight replying saying “Thanks girls!" And the CMC in unison, responded by saying “Catch ya later Twilight!"

Then, Twilight returned to rushing toward the town hall as the CMC went toward the arts and crafts store.

-Meanwhile, at the town hall-

"Welcome to Ponyville, Mr. Philps. Would you care for some tea?" Mayor Mare asked as the clerk set down a tray of tea and two cups on the table, "I'm sure Ponyville has treated you well?"

"Yes, it has." Tom set aside his rifle on the couch, "And call me Tom. No need to be that formal."

"I insist, Mr. Philips." Mayor Mare said as she added sugar to her tea, "Tell me, what do you think of Ponyville and its residents?"

"I like it here. After all this is over, I might even move here." Tom replied as he blew on his tea, "It has a good location, the people are nice, and the scenery is beautiful. What's not to love here?:"

"I'm glad you think that way, mister." the mayor took a sip.

"It used to be similar to this back home. Well, without the ponies, all the colors, then change the building style and add a lot more firearms, then you get the stereotypical American town."

At the same time, outside the sound-proofed office, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie noticed Twilight barging in.

"Woah, Twilight, slow down! Where's the fire?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"T-the human! Is-is he causing any trouble? Did anyone come and claim him yet? Is he dead?" Twilight grabbed Dash and asked.

"Relax, Twi. Tom is doing just fine. In fact, he's in there being welcomed by the Mayor!" Rainbow pointed at the Mayor's office.

"Yeah! I can't hear what's going on inside, but I'm pretty sure they are having a nice chat!" Pinkie said in her usual hopping manner.

Twilight let out a sigh of relief, "Can I go in?"

The clerk outside the office nodded and activated the intercom, "Mayor, Princess Twilight Sparkle would like to enter."

"Tell her she can come in." The Mayor replied in the intercom.

The office door opened, and Twilight saw the human sitting on the couch opposite the Mayor.

"Ah, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I assume? PFC Tom Philips, 10th Mountain division."

"Wait...how did you know my name? Did Rainbow Dash or Pinkie tell you?"

"It was Starlight Glimmer, actually." Tom extended his hand for a hand-hoof shake.

"Oh! Ah...I see, em...I am Twilight Sparkle, Just call me Twilight." Twilight shook Tom's hand.

"Well, Princess Twilight, is there anything you would like to tell me?" Mayor Mare said as she invited Twilight to sit down.

Twilight took out the list and handed it to the Mayor, "Indeed, yes, Princess Celestia wants us to hold peace talks that will formally resolve humanity's previous war. They will talk it out in Ponyville."

The Mayor’s immediate reaction was to first appear shocked, then second, moan in annoyance, mumbling “I wonder what will go wrong this time”

"Can I have a look?" Tom asked as Spike gave him a copy, "Let's see here...Jimmy Carter, President Reagan, and my boss in the Army, General Edward C. Meyer. Familiar names. The rest, however, I have no idea."

"Okay, great, now, Mr. Philips-"

"Tom, Just call me Tom, your highness."

"Oh, right. Tom, after you finish talking with the Mayor, I think you should come back to the castle. We could seriously use some of your help for this," Twilight said, looking back as she left the office.

After the door was closed, Tom turned to the Mayor, "Is it always like this in Ponyville?"

"You have no idea, Mr. Philips." The Mayor sighed, "We seem to be enjoying the bulk of the action here in Equestria. One time paraspites almost wiped the town off the map…"

"The what now?"
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"Ooh! Are we gonna hold a party for the high-ranking humans? What music should I play? What balloons should I use? Wait, what cupcakes do you think they will like?" Pinkie Pie excitedly asked, "How about cinnamon rolls?"

"Pinkie, most of the representatives participating in this are well over the age of 50, not to mention some are already well on their way to their seventies or well over." Starlight Glimmer said with her usual forced smile, "I don't think we can add the idea of wild parties with dubstep and flashing lights."

"Awwwww..."

"Hey, how about a Wonderbolts air show? That is going to be AWESOME!" Rainbow suggested.

"That..can be arranged, actually," Twilight agreed, "how about some sightseeing to go with it? Having them see what friendship can do could be beneficial to the talks!"

"...I think the animals would prefer fewer snooping journalists and even fewer camera flashes..." Fluttershy added.

"Ah suppose y'all want me to set Sweet Apple Acres up for them to visit, doncha?" Applejack leaned forward on her throne.

"I wonder if I can show them my latest creations in fashion...Wait! Maybe invite them to the opening of my new boutique in Manehattan!" Rarity exclaimed, but quickly got rid of the idea as Starlight tapped on her shoulder and shook her head.

"Pinkie, have you considered setting up Sugarcube corner for the representatives for lunch?" Twilight asked, "I don't think they will react strongly to the food they don't like, unlike last time when we had...less tolerable guests."

"Ooh! Ooh! That's a GREAT idea, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie bounced up and down in anticipation.

"That's good and all, but what about security? Should we allow them to bring their armed guards, or should we provide them?" Starlight asked.

Rainbow Dash joined in, "What tricks should I show them? How awesome should the show be? I know a sonic rainboom is in order but should I add one more?"

"Can we...maybe limit the number of journalists near my cabin? Neither the animals nor I really like facing the press." Fluttershy said as she read the Ponyville Express head page of yesterday's press conference featuring Jimmy Carter, General Edward, and Twilight Sparkle.

"Oh, darling, that's a wonderful idea!" Rarity replied to Fluttershy, "That way, the unwanted journalists from you can visit my Boutique!"

Twilight considered passing out from the sheer amount of voices and pure stress.
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November 1st, 1984, 0900 hours
Marshal Sergey Fyodorovich Akhromeyev
Soviet Armed Forces
Confrence room C of the North Harbor Hotel, Vanhoover

"Well, comrades, I really don't get why the mayor of “Vanhoover” would change locations overnight." Marshal Akhromeyev asked the whole room, "I get that the camp is in terrible shape, but even royalty like Princess Cadence had the courtesy to visit us herself! What makes him, as a municipal leader, think he is above royalty?" he exclaimed as he slammed his fist on the desk.

"Come on now, comrade Arkhromeyev, the mayor did say that the change in location is supposed to be for security reasons. Why do you think he's decided to rent this entire floor for tonight's meeting?" Dmitry Yazov turned to his fellow marshal, "Although I'd admit, this entire thing smells a bit fishy, how come it's not a government building he's meeting us in?"

General Alexander Altunin added, "you're not wrong on that one, but they didn't stop us from bringing armed guards, did they?" He said as the MVD Spetsnaz commandos in officer dress uniforms behind him nodded.

"Still, comrade Altunin, something smells rotten with this entire thing." Arkhromeyev sighed. "Why did you think we all wore bulletproof vests underneath and carried sidearms?"

"It's the water and electricity supply he is threatening us with, comrades," Yazov added, "but if it is really about this, why not have Ryzhkov or Yakolev come, but us?"

"Quiet, the mayor's coming in." General Vladimir Govorov said as the door opened. Everyone sitting immediately stood to attention and faced the door.

The mayor, a blue earth pony with a grey mane and a suit with a bow tie, walked in with what looked like the municipal cabinet. "Good evening, mares and gentlecolts. I am mayor Cyan Collar." the mayor announced in an aristocratic tone, "please, have a seat."

As everyone sat down, Akrhomeyev immediately noticed something was off. Most of the municipal cabinet looked confused, and the ones that weren't were the mayor, the chief of police, and the secretary.

"I know a lot of you may be unhappy about the sudden location change, but don't worry. This is for the better." Mayor Collar spoke first, "This change is made because Changeling infiltrators have been found near the camp."

"What is a changeling?" General Govorov leaned forward and questioned, "and why should we be concerned?"

"You see, the changeling is a type of pony that can change into whatever form they like. They feed off love from the other ponies. The way they do it? Infiltration." The police chief explained. "If one is found, that means there are usually more nearby. We could not risk the possibility of them ruining the evening."

"Anyways, what is it that you decided to summon us here for today?" Yazov asked.

"We are going to be discussing about disarming your forces." The mayor replied in a cold tone.

The confused half of the cabinet looked even more surprised, some looking at their notes high and low while trying to ask the mayor something, albeit refused.

The Soviets looked at each other in confusion and anger. Then it was Akrhomeyev who spoke first, "What the fuck did you mean, disarmament?"

"Watch your language, human." The mayor pointed at the marshal, "we have intel of you Soviets planning to take over the city of Vanhoover, dispose of us, and set up a pathetic government ruled by humans-"

"Ty Vresh'!" Akrhomeyev shouted as he slammed on the desk with his fists, "the intel you have is complete horseshit!"

"I refuse to believe that. What proof do you all have?" Altunin questioned.

"I have them right here," the secretary said as she distributed the folders to the generals and marshals.

As the humans read through the folders in complete anger and fury, Mayor Collar said as he slowly trotted behind. "We also know about your plans to collaborate with the changelings, planning to lead them south as you stage your coup. This is simply not going to happen."

The police chief stood up, "however, we are willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself from this treacherous situation. You either sign the agreement to disarm your ground, naval, air and police forces or..."

"Or what?" General Govorov said in a threatening tone, "You're going to sprinkle pixie dust on us?"

"...unforeseeable consequences will happen." the mayor finished the sentence. "You have 15 minutes to consider this."

After the statement, the mayor signaled everyone to get up and leave the conference room.

"Hey! Get back here! You son of a bitc-"

The door slammed shut as Yazov attempted to follow out, and a locking sound could be heard. He then heard multiple rifles cocking and footsteps outside, sounding like armed personnel setting positions.

"Fuck!" Yazov shouted as he kicked at the door.

"Do we attempt a breakout?" Govorov pulled out his Makarov PM as the commandos chambered their AKS-74U rifles and readied themselves for what was to come.

Altunin sighed, "What are you, deaf? There are armed guards outside that door just waiting for that to happen!"

"Hold your horses, comrades. Got something here." Marshal Akhromeyev said as he picked up a note on the ground.

To the soviet delegation team:

The mayor, his secretary, and the police chief aren't themselves today, along with the guards here. They don't even speak a word. I suspect they are changeling infiltrators. I'm calling backup from the local garrison and police dept. Expect backup in at least 30 minutes.

-Rosy Needles, Municipal health minister

"Now this makes much more sense," Yazov gritted his teeth while chambering a round in his pistol, "but how do we drag on the meeting until reinforcements arrive?"

"Stall them." Arkhomeyev replied, "Try stalling them and hope they don't know support is on their way."

After a while, the mayor and the cabinet returned.

"I hope you have changed your mind, humans. Her majesty would not exceed her mercy for any longer."

"Fine, you motherfuckers win," Akhromeyev sighed, "But we insist on disarming on our own terms."

"See? That wasn't so hard." The mayor let out a disgusting victory smirk. "Let's hear it. What do you propose?"

"We proposed that the Soviet Armed Forces...will disarm throughout a year, and the MVD Militsiya and Spetsnaz units remain. Disbanded personnel have the right to be part of the MVD to fill in the huge gap of national defense," Altunin read from his notes.

"Or our forces will be integrated as segregated units in the Equestrian Armed Forces." Yazov finished. "We will not disarm under any other circumstances."

"Well, we will gladly take the second option, humans. However, it will not be the Equestrian Armed Forces you will be integrated into-"

"Ugh! What did I say, Ruther?" The mayor shouted, "I call the shots here, and I will not allow these humans to be integrated into our armies with their disgusting ideas!"

"Ruther, did you not hear the orders from the queen? We are supposed to disarm them, not integrate them!" The secretary also added.

"I had enough of you and Queen Chrysalis's foolishness!" The Police chief pulled out a Luger on the mayor as the cabinet gasped and screamed. He then revealed his true form: a changeling.

The generals, wasting no time, pulled out their sidearms, and the Spetsnaz commandos immediately raised their rifles.

"Oh great, you just botched this entire op! Do you know how much of a problem it will be that we did not cause humans to go to war against the ponies?" The mayor said as he revealed his true self along with the secretary, pulling out a Walther PPK.

"I have tried to promote the idea of an alliance with whoever is possible, but because you have such a beautiful op record, YOU, Kimbert, killed the idea before it even reached the queen!" Ruther shouted.

"Well, what are you gonna do, Ruther? All the agents outside the door are under my command!" Kimbert pounded his desk, and as the door opened, seven heavily armed changelings with submachine guns were waiting outside.

"Alright, I don't give a flying fuck about what you hope to achieve here, but my suggestion is for you to surrender immediately!" Akrhomeyev ordered with his pistol pointed at Kimbert.

The room fell into an intense standoff between Ruther, Kimbert's agents, and the Soviet delegation team. Each is just ready to open fire on the other group.

"I see no point in continuing this charade, guards. Take care of hi-"

Before Kimbert could finish his sentence, multiple gunshots went off outside the door, killing two of the changelings. A commando immediately opened fire on the changelings outside as the remaining three opened on the secretary and Ruther. Yazov immediately got shot by Kimbert and fell back, but then Akrhomeyev and Govorov opened fire on Kimbert, hitting him multiple times in the body.

Ruther immediately got down and hid behind the desk as cover, and he immediately grabbed a pony and pointed a pistol at her head after he saw the secretary and Kimbert dropped dead on the floor.

As he stood up with said hostage, Equestrian Police Tactical Unit officers rushed in with shotguns, SMGs, and pistols pointed at him, while the humans all pointed their weapons at him as well, minus one struggling to stand up.

"I want a car, NOW!" Ruther shouted while holding Rosy Needles hostage, "or the pale horse here fucking gets it!"

"Nemedlenno bros'te oruzhiye!" One of the commandos shouted.

Akrhomeyev asked Yazov, "You done in?"

"Not yet. The medals saved my ass this time with the vest."

The changeling backed himself into the corner of the conference room and was not willing to give an inch.

All of a sudden, Rosy shouted, "Look! He's still alive!"

"What? Wher-"

Before he could react, he's kicked in between his rear legs. Ruther let Rosy loose in pain.

At the same time, Mashal Akrhomeyev grabbed a commando's AKS-74U and unleashed the remaining 18 rounds of 5.45 ammunition on the changeling, ending his life.

As the police officers rushed up to check for life signals, the leading one walked up and said, "nice shot."

"Thanks, comrade." Akrhomeyev handed the carbine back to the commando. "Where are the real mayor and the police chief?"

"We found them at a barn outside of the city outskirts. This was all a trap." The leading one reported, "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, Superintendent Starry of the Vanhoover Metropolitan Police."

"So...there is no disarmament after all?" Yazov took out the bullet, stuck in between his medals and the vest.

"Never was. This was a ruse, as I said."

"I honestly thought we were going to be talking about building water and electrical supply lines!" Rosy cried from a distance.

"Seems like we ran right into quite a situation ourselves," Govorov said as he unloaded his Makarov.

Altunin turned to him and said, "no doubt about that; this is going to be bumpy…”

“You know, for being all about stealth and infiltration, these “Changelings” sure are surprisingly stupid bastards." Akrhomeyev said as he walked out the door.
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November 1st, 1984, 1200 hours
Pvt. Tom "Tommy" Philips
10th Mountain division
Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

"Let's see here...arrival at 11, lunch in Sugarcube Corner at 1130, then have the representatives tour around Ponyville from 1245 to 1400. The first round of talks is at 1415, with break time at 1600. The second round of talks begins in 1630 and then ends in 1800, with a press conference at the end. Dinner at 1845, then final rounds of talks..." Tom muttered as he read through the list, "looks fine to me, but you'd need to get an expert to see if this is any good. I'm merely a 24-year-old conscript, not a “refined” diplomat. "

"Well...at least you do think this is a good general plan!" Twilight said, "At least all the hours of staying up paid off!"

"No doubt about that." Tom replied, "also, you need to relax a bit.'

"Yeah, Twi, he's got you there. You should chillax with me sometimes!" Rainbow Dash said as she put on her shades.

In the meantime, Starlight Glimmer turned on the radio for the news.

"Breaking news, today in Vanhoover's North Habour Hotel, human military officers were tricked into the hotel by changelings posing as the mayor and the police chief, attempting to force the human armed forces to lay down arms and even join the changelings, but thanks to timely intervention and pre-planning, the infiltrators have been all eliminated and nobody else has been seriously injured or killed..."

Everyone in the room looked at each other.

"...we now have Marshal Sergey Akhromeyev being interviewed. Do you have anything to say about this situation, sir?"

"Well, this is certainly a very dangerous situation, but thanks to our suspicions and preparing beforehand, we managed to-"

Click, Twilight turned off the radio.

She then started to panic visibly and wrote down new security implications, "Okaaaaay, we will need a LOT more guards, as it seems!"

Tom sighed, "Where does the paranoia, albeit justified, even end for you?"

"You will get used to it." Rainbow patted his shoulder.
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November 1st, 1984, 1500 hours
Queen Chrysalis
Tower of Chrysalis, Vesapolis

"Damn it!" Chrysalis slammed heavily on her throne, "how did two of my best agents screw this up? They actually called military officers under the ruse of electricity and water supply? What were they thinking??"

"Your highness, it's-"

"Not to mention, they fought against each other over my orders! I wanted disarmament and the elimination of the officers, not integrate an army that doesn't even speak my language! My plan to stir up trouble in Equestria has been foiled, thanks to idiots within!"

"You want me to contact Commander Heldrec at once?" the assistant asked.

"Oh, yes, have him on the line at once. I need to remind him I DON'T give out thrones made of my stone to my subordinates that easily, and if he wants to keep his position as head of the guard, he best do exactly as he is told!”

And with that, the assistant left the room in a minor rush, hearing her Queen mumble something along the lines of “How can they be so idiotic” but including a few more… “colorful” words mixed in.

Chapter 5: No Fighting in the Peace Room, Part 1

View Online

November 4th, 1984, 0700 hours
General Edward Charles "Shy" Meyer
United States Army
Train en route to Ponyville, near White Tail woods

The morning train drove past the forests as the few passengers on board were discussing something.

"Mr. President, it was lucky that the reds at Vancouver...Vanhoover brought guns and vests, but what's to say this time, these ninja bug ponies don't bring RPGs or even IEDs? "General Meyer asked, sitting opposite President Reagan.

"I think maybe crazed movie fans with exploding bullets should suffice for them," Carter said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

Reagan leaned forward and protested, "Mr peanut, that's not even funny in the slightest, and you know it."

Carter ignored that statement and returned to his seat.

"Anyways, those ponies seem very confident that they can handle attacks and urged us there is no need for too many guards or Secret Service agents." General Meyer continued, "they even had the..." Elements of Harmony" to organize the entire thing."

Reagan picked up the file on the desk with Celestia's signature. "Let's see here...hey, I like this one, even have the word "Shy" in her name, just like you." He said as he pointed at the pink-maned yellow pegasus.

"Sir, that was more of a nickname if anything else."

"Can it."

The president continued to flip through the pages reading Celestia's introduction on the elements of harmony until he stopped at the page where it said: "Pinkie Pie" and the words "Party Planner" next to it.

Reagan started to read from the report, "She handled a diplomatic visit with Yakyakistan, where many bad-tempered yaks live. The prince almost demolished whatever facility they were being hosted in Ponyville if he didn't like anything in the slightest. Fortunately, Pinkie Pie was able to save the day with her methods. Her parties usually include vivid colors, cupcakes, confetti, balloons, and all the other party stuff you can think of..."

"I, for one, am starting to look forward to our stay there, sir." General Meyer grinned.

"And I, for one, am not exactly looking forward to dancing to whatever the latest music she puts on while a disco ball shoots out flashing light beams," President Reagan sighed, "I'm too old for this."

Meanwhile, as Carter is drinking his coffee, he remembered something on the reports the Princess of Friendship gave him.

"Remember in the report we found out one of our missing soldier ended up in Ponyville?"

"Yes," General Meyer replied, "got washed down a river and nearly got poisoned to death, good grief."

"You think we should go and shake hands with him during our visit?" Carter asked.

"Sure, that's good PR," Reagan spoke as he read through the file. "Can't have enough of those these days."

"I am still worried about the potential threats of a changeling assassination." The general muttered, "Secret Service also seems to think so, hence the twelve bodyguards. But by the looks of it, I feel we may not even be safe if we had an entire regiment surrounding the town."

"Can't argue with that. If they can pose as a mayor of a major metropolis, then there is no telling what else they can't mimic." The president looked out of the window and closed the blinds.

"Let's hope it doesn't involve a Derringer or a Carcano this time," Carter said as he closed his side of the blinds.

"Carter, shut it."

The ex-president said nothing as he closed his eye for some much-needed rest.
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November 4th, 1984, 1110 hours
Captain Willhelm Lambert "G-0"
European Intelligence Services VIP Protection Squadron
Ponyville Train Station, Ponyville

It was a special moment as chancellor Helmut Schmidt stepped off the train. The ponies around him cheered as he waved to the crowd. The press came rushing towards him as the agents, led by Captain Willhelm Lambert, blocked the media from going too near.

"Good luck, everyone. May god be with us all." Lambert said as he stepped out of the train.

Under his opaque glasses, the captain started scanning for potential threats in the crowd. Near the area where Schmidt was shaking hands with the elements of harmony and the town's mayor, there were at least a couple dozen of ponies nearby, either cheering, taking photos, or just looking.

Every agent on the scene was briefed about how the fabled changelings attempted to trap and kill Soviet Army generals. All of them knew what and who they were. Every squad member reminded themselves that there would be no peace talks if the Chancellor or the General were to be shot dead. A fact that the fabled Queen Chrysalis most certainly knows if everyone else knew as well.

"Just look at all these ponies..."

"Agent G-4, focus." Lambert ordered, "also, speak German."

As the chancellor walked further into the town, Lambert began to see this town in its full glory, the scenery was just not compatible with whatever was left of earth, and the atmosphere was welcoming. The houses are like cottages in the days old, and the roads are paved with stone instead of asphalt. However, the building, a sweets shop they are about to enter, is e different story. It looks like a giant oversized gingerbread house, with frosting on its chocolate roof and the tower shaped like a muffin. He has seen this from the briefing, but it doesn't make it any less bizarre seeing the entire thing up close.

Two of the ponies, who are the owners, as stated from the intel reports, were standing outside as the element of laughter led the chancellor and the general to walk into the shop. Lambert followed in and saw another human, namely Tom Philips, Private First Class of the US army, dressed as a classical American GI, shaking hands with Schmidt. Camera flashes went off in rapid succession as this went on.

"I have heard about you. Are you feeling any better, young man?" Schmidt asked in his accented English.

"Ah, it's nothing. The elements of harmony are good ponies, even patched me up." The private said as the translator repeated the sentence in German to General Brandt.

"Alright, kid, the American president will be here later. Stay safe." General Brandt said as he patted Tom's shoulder.

"General Brandt wishes you well and reminds you the President of the United States is coming next." The translator told Tom.

"Follow me! Mr. Gorbachev and the rest of his team is waiting over there!" The element of laughter leads both representatives to their tables.

Suddenly, the GI in the room tapped Lambert's shoulder, "Ya speak English?"

"Ja, I do. What is going on?" Lambert turned to face Tom.

"Listen, I haven't got much time. You know who is the schoolhouse teacher?"

"Cheerliee, right? We got briefed about this beforehand."

"Saved me some time there. Now, I saw her preparing the visit from your boss just on my way here, but I remember hearing a faint gun loading from outside her window, and when I went inside, I heard something that sounded like a gun being tossed into the trash can before I entered the classroom. "

"A gun?" Lambert raised his alert.

"Affirmative. I didn't ask her about it to avoid raising attention."

"Scheisse." Lambert muttered, "They are here."

Outside Sugarcube Corner, Agent G-4 heard his earpiece blaring his captain's orders.

"All units, we have possible changeling infiltrators in the area, posing as this individual..."

Just great, what the fuck is it?

"Cheerliee, Schoolhouse teacher, Cherry colored pony with a pink mane, have her under arrest if seen, over."

"Received and Understood, out." G-4 reported.

At the same time, the final guest to be arriving comes.

Tom immediately stood to attention and saluted as Lambert returned to guard duty.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. President," Tom said as he shook hands with Reagan.

"You holding up? How do you feel being washed down a river?" The president asked.

"I'm feeling mighty fine. You have the...uh...element of kindness to thank for it."

"Son, you ever considered settling down here? The place seems great to me." Carter stepped forward and shook his hand.

"Correction, it's very great here, but if I am ever to settle here, I would at least need to get discharged," Tom said awkwardly as he saw General Edward walking up.

"Well, good thing I am here. Do you want to get discharged right now?" The general jokingly said.

"I think I will pass that for now," Tom replied, "you're a pretty good general to me." Everyone laughed at that statement.

As all the guests sat at their table, Lambert was outside the Sugarcube Corner, notifying the other security teams.

"We will take it from here." the officer from the Soviet delegation team replied, "thank you for your intel, comrade."

The captain then said through his earpiece, "G-4, follow the soviets to capture the changeling. I will notify the chancellor about canceling the schoolhouse visit, over."
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November 4th, 1984, 1140 hours
Premier Nikolai Ivanovich Ryzhkov
Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville

"This is delicious. My compliments to the chef." The premier said to Pinkie Pie as he took another bite off his omelet.

"Ooh! Thank you!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "MR AND MRS CAKE! THEY THINK IT'S DELICIOUS!"

As Pinkie Pie ran off the scene, Ryzhkov turned to Carter, sitting near him at another table, "This isn't so bad after all."

"I wholeheartedly agree, Premier Ryzhkov," Carter said as he picked up the sandwich on his plate.

Meanwhile, a journalist asked Gorbachev, "Mr. Gorbachev, what do you think of Ponyville so far?"

"It's a very charming town, comrade," the General Secretary replied, "I wish that in the future, all of humanity could enjoy such living standards, which is why we are here, to discuss the end of the war..."

Akrhomeyev muttered under his breath, "I still don't feel comfortable doing this. It felt like we are monkeys in a zoo, and the ponies are the tourists."

"Relax, comrade Akrhomeyev," Yazov drank his cup of coffee, "It's for the greater good of the union."

"...Thank you, Mr. Gorbachev," the journalist said as Yazov put down his cup, "also, can you explain to our readers what is that big red mark like an island on your head?"

Schmidt, sitting at another table, almost spat out his tea while Reagan tried to hold his laughter.

"Well, comrade, you see, this is what we humans would refer to as "Birthmarks," and as its name indicates, it is there from when humans are born..."

"Ponies, am I right, Comrades?" Ryzhkov said to the table.

Akrhomeyev slightly shook his head and thought, this is going to be a long day.
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November 4th, 1984, 1330 hours
Chancellor Helmut Schmidt
Caroulsel Boutique, Ponyville

"The General is very impressed with the sets of fashion here." The translator said to Rarity.

"Oh, THANK YOU, Mr. Chancellor! You have NO idea how much work went into this! For this dress, I worked night and day, day and night, to get the fabric for it right!" Rarity explained excitedly, with cameras going off at a rapid pace.

"Well, have you considered making similar clothing for humans in the future?"Chancellor Schmidt asked. "I'm sure they will be selling like hotcakes."

Rarity's expression somehow got even more excited, and if it weren't for two human leaders and all the press in the boutique, she would have been screaming in happiness. She calmed herself down to the best of her ability and replied, "Oh, goodness me, I would most certainly consider that! I mean, fashion is my passion, and I seek to open my eyes to multiple types..."

As the conversation continued, Captain Lambert asked over his earpiece in a corner, "G-4, is the changeling captured?"

"Just caught her attempting to escape." G-4 replied, "GRU sedation darts made that one short."

"Return immediately, over."G-0 replied.

As Lambert walked back up to the storefront, Rarity was still talking to the chancellor in an excited tone.

"...also, would you like to attend the opening of my new boutique next week in Manehattan?" Rarity finished her sentence.

Chancellor Schmidt smiled, then replied, "Well, unfortunately, I would be swamped rebuilding Europe by that time. However, I would like to congratulate you in advance on the successful opening of your third boutique."

As Rarity introduced her fashion endlessly and the cameras kept taking pictures, Lambert returned to the corner, communicating on his earpiece about something.
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November 4th, 1984, 1350 hours
Lieutenant Igor Grigorashenko
Spetsnaz GRU
Basement of Ponyville schoolhouse, Ponyville.

"Comrade Lieutenant, he's awake." someone in the basement reported to Grigorashenko.

The lieutenant turned to the changeling that had been tied up and asked. "Alright, I am now asking for three very simple things. Where is the real Miss Cheerliee, where are your accomplices, and who took the gun."

"But what if I tell you to eat shit, eh, human?" The changeling snarled, "Your worthless race will-"

Grigorashenko took out his sidearm and whipped the changeling in the face with it.

"Please answer my questions." He said, "don't try screaming."

The other officer walked up as he screwed a black cylinder on the end of his pistol.

"I forgot to mention, changeling, nobody can hear us shoot either." Igor added, "we will figure out who your friends are, one way or another."

The changeling spewed, "I have been trained by Heldrec's finest. You will not-"

"Ivanov, do it."

A silenced shot came out of the suppressor's end, hitting the changeling's rear leg, who screamed in pain.

"What did I say? Screaming will not help." Igor started to raise his voice. "Now be good and tell me, Where is the real Miss Cheerliee, where are your accomplices, and who took the gun?"

"He...hehe...Cheerliee...she's still in her own basement, you peaked cap buffoons-"

Igor stepped on the fresh gunshot wound, causing the changeling to scream.

Ivanov reported in , "Cheerliee is in her own basement, have the law enforcement look into that."

"Who are your accomplices?" Grigorashenko asked in a stern voice.

"How about you tell me your name, coward? Only fucking cowards hide their names like little fillies-"

"You could have just asked." Igor sarcastically smirked, "I'm Pavel Ivanovich Batov. How about that?"

"Well, listen up, Batov, when the guard finds your family, they will tear their limbs off one by one-"

Another whack.

"My real name was nowhere close to that. That was the general my grandfather served under during the great patriotic war."

"Real or not, I'm sure this Batov is just as much of a pussy as you are."

Seeing the changeling still resisting interrogation, Igor devised a new plan.

He sighed and stood up as he activated his walkie-talkie, "Comrades, no progress on getting the changeling to speak. How's Cheerliee?"

"Law enforcement found her. She's still breathing, no injuries as it seems."

The lieutenant put out a shocked face, then replied,"We will keep you updated. Out."

Grigorashenko sat on the floor, defeated, then leaned against the wall. "You win, changeling."

"Wh-what?"

"Chancellor Schmidt has been killed." Igor sighed, "along with Comrade Gorbachev."

Visible joy on the changeling's face can be seen, long and wide smile.

"I knew it...finally! He did it..."

"Just...before I let you go and get executed for sheer incompetence, can you tell me one thing?" The lieutenant sniffed.

"Yes...human?"

"Who was the changeling all along? I want to die with answers." Igor wiped his tears.

"Oh, the grey pony with the brown mane following the mayor. He's the one who has the gun." The changeling said pridefully, "now, do you want to get killed by your firing squad or me?"

"What's your name?" Ivanov asked.

"I'm Rosi, but that is irrelevant anymore." The changeling replied, "Untie me as you pro-"

"Thank you, Rosi," Grigorashenko said calmly as Ivanov raised his pistol.

Rosi then let out a face of sudden realization and fear before Ivanov fired.
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November 4th, 1984, 1345 hours
President Ronald Regan
Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

"Well, I'd be damned. That's one way to harvest apples." The president said to Applejack, "I couldn't even dream of harvesting this entire orchard without at least a regiment of workers."

"It's all in the buckin'," Applejack said proudly, "and hard work."

Carter joined in and said, "I was also a farmer before I got into politics, peanut farmer, that is."

"Certainly more successful than your presidency." Reagan took a jab at Carter.

Sensing a potential argument, Applejack quickly diverted the topic, "huge shame ya didn't get to taste the zap apple jam, best-selling item here! Well, right behind our Apple Cider, that is."

"Well, I assume it's also out of season for those?" General Edward asked politely.

Applejack replied, "Well, ah still have a barrel in the barn. Let's go grab a mug."

"Mr. President, the secret service just told us it tested negative for poison ." The general whispered to the president. "Schmidt is there right now, and the batch is safe."

"Heck, why not," Reagan said to the mare, "lead the way!"

"Hoo-wee!" Applejack exclaimed.

They saw the European delegation team as they headed to the barn.

"Schmidt! Ponyville treating you well?" Carter waved at the chancellor.

"Wonderful, thanks." Schmidt replied to the former president, "it's lovely here."

As the journalists kept focusing on the politicians and the cowgirl, Jürgen Brandt got close to General Edward Meyer and said, "General Meyer, we got a problem. We already found a changing infiltrator."

"Why the fuck am I not surprised? Is he caught?" General Edward asked, his face hardening.

Brandt whispered, "Two, actually. Spetsnaz GRU operatives managed to apprehend the one disguised as a school teacher. After interrogation, they found out the hidden one is the brown-haired clerk following the mayor."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Arrest him immediately!" The American lowered his voice.

"He's missing, and one of our agents just found the actual clerk. Actual one's sedated and tied up in his own house." Brandt said.

"Shit...We still got 15 minutes to find that son of a bitch."

"I have already sent one of the agents to check the castle in advance for changelings. The castle's lobby will be the most convenient if they want to strike."

Meyer sighed, "I hope your agent can deal with this."
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November 4th, 1984, 1405 hours
Sergeant Martin Farves "G-4"
European Intelligence Services VIP Protection Squadron
Castle of friendship, Ponyville

"Excuse me, coming through," Martin said as he made his way through the crowd of journalists, anticipating the arrival of the delegation team.

He knew finding a changeling operative meant that everyone could be an assassin, and the best view to a kill, would be the second floor where the entire lobby was in sight...and range. As he ran up the flight of stairs, he checked his P7 was loaded and ready to fire. For good measure, he screwed on his suppressor.

"This is G-4. I am now on the second floor of the lobby. Situation looks clear, over."

He put his hand near the concealed holster as he walked into the halls. It was confusing to navigate, to say the least, as the hallways seemed repeating with the same door and wall pattern. Agent Farve, however, didn't need to look for long.

"You're...Tom Philips, yes?" The agent asked, slowly approaching the GI.

"Sure am. What are you doing here?" Tom asked, holding his rifle. "Security agent?"

"Sergeant Martin Farves, former Gendarmerie Nationale," Martin replied, "what's with the rifle?"

"You know, security sweep, wouldn't want Reagan or Gorbachev to get shot here, now would we?" Tom explained, "Now I still got my thing to do."

As Tom started to walk away, Martin suddenly chased up and asked, "hey, I'm just asking, but do you happen to know who Miss Cheerliee is? We're looking for her."

"Sure do. I just had tea with her before I came here. What do you want to-"

As "Tom" tried to finish his sentence, he accidentally revealed a black, metallic object tucked in his shirt: a suppressed pistol.

Martin did not hesitate and immediately drew his P7 from his holster, then fired it at the infiltrator, knocking the rifle out of his hands. The changeling tried to pull out the pistol tucked in his shirt, but another direct shot from Sergeant Farves rendered the gun useless.

"Freeze!" As Sergeant Farves pointed his gun at the now-revealed changeling, the changeling charged onto Farves head first, knocking him and the pistol to the ground. The changeling took out a bayonet and tried to stab the agent on the floor, but after two dodges, Martin punched the infiltrator straight in the face and managed to get on his knees.

"G-4, where are you? The chancellor is here!" Captain Lambert's voice came through the earpiece. Unable to answer it, Sergeant Farves kept struggling against the changeling.

As Martin managed to take the bayonet and grazed the changeling's face, the changeling immediately headbutted him, causing him to lose focus. When he could react, the changeling had Martin's P7 pointed right at him.

Click, the pistol didn't go off.

"Wha-What? Come on!" The changeling looked at the pistol he was holding up with magic. The gun clicked multiple times but still didn't fire. And Martin came rushing at him with a bayonet, attempting to wrestle for the pistol.

"Go...fuck...yourself..." Martin muttered as he was fighting for control over the pistol.

The changeling held on to his pistol, and as he turned his back away from the wall, he felt something strike at his head hard, then he lost consciousness as he fell to the ground.

"Hands in the fuckin' air, you son of a bitch!" The actual Tom Philips said as he pointed the rifle at the changeling.

With his pistol retrieved, Martin gripped his pistol tightly and immediately fired two shots at the head of the infiltrator. Breathing heavily, he pointed his gun at Tom, asking, "Now, how do I know you are not an infiltrator, Tom Philips?"

"I'm the one who reported changeling Cheerliee, and during lunch, Gorbachev had a long chat with President Regan." Tom responded, "For future reference, just call me Tom."

At the same time, Lambert, who came in the back door, managed to catch up with G-4, "It's alright, that's him."

"Sir!" Sergeant Farves responded, "We got him. We got the second infiltrator."

Captain Lambert checked the pulse of the changeling, then turned to Tom, "You feeling alright?"

"Never better, captain." Tom shook hands with him.

"How are the delegation teams?" G-4 asked.

"They just entered, nothing is wrong at the moment, and they will take another route to the conference room." Lambert reassured the agent, "All units, this is G-0. The second infiltrator has been eliminated, I repeat, the second infiltrator has been eliminated."

Everyone let out a big sigh of relief. Then, they started to move the dead body of the changeling while Tom grabbed a piece of cloth from the conveniently close janitor's closet and started wiping the blood on the floor.

-to be continued in No Fighting in The Peace Room, Part 2-

Chapter 6: No Fighting in the Peace Room, Part 2

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November 4th, 1984, 1455 hours
Chancellor Helmut Schmidt
Meeting room/ library of the Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

"...At times like these, we cannot sit idly and let humanity be washed away by the sands of time and history. We must put down our bickering and differences. We must unite now, as this is the only way forward!"

Everyone in the room applauded as Schmidt sat down. "I said, the only way forward!"

"Akh, der'mo. I must have missed that one." Marshal Akrhomeyev chuckled as he tried to light his cigarette but got confiscated by Starlight shaking her head.

Twilight put both of her front hooves on the table and said, "Alright, everypony...everyone, I am sure you all know why you are invited here to Ponyville, you blew each other up back in another world, and today you are invited here-"

"In good faith, if I may add!" Starlight Glimmer added with a nervous smile on her face.

"...yes, in good faith. Thank you, Starlight. To sort this thing out." Twilight Sparkle finished.

"Then why are we here?" Akrhomeyev asked, "no, seriously, shouldn't we talk at the capital of Equestria or something?"

"Well, as we always say, Ponyville is the town of friendship, and friendship is exactly what is needed between humans to end this war and cooperate!" Princess Twilight replied. "Now, I would like everyone to...well..."

President Reagan interrupted, "Start talking about the details of the peace deal?"

"Yes! That!" Twilight exclaimed, "Now, on to the first one. All sides will completely cease hostilities with each other unconditionally. All in favor?"

All the humans raised their hands.

"Great! Now that's some good progress!" Starlight cheered.

Gorbachev sighed, "No offense, but we are about...40 minutes in. This isn't a whole lot."

"Now, let's move on to article two. All armed forces of each side shall unconditionally stop fighting and lay down arms, effective immediately." Twilight read from her draft. "No ship, vessel, or aircraft shall be scuttled. No damage should be done to their hull, machinery, and equipment."

Edward C. Meyer leaned forward, "Laying down arms? That's more of a surrender thing."

"You don't exactly see us waving the white flag, do you?" Brandt asked. "Don't answer. This is rhetorical."

"Wait! Um...well...should we scratch that part?" Twilight is now starting to get visibly nervous.

Now reading from her notes, Starlight suggested, "How about...cease active operations?"

"I can live with that," Akrhomeyev raised his hand.

"Seconded." Yazov followed.

The generals all nodded as Schmidt raised his hand. "That's settled then. Let's go on."

Twilight then read, "Article 3. High command of all respective forces will issue this to...the uh...Spike! What did I even write here?"

"You...need any help?" Starlight asked her mentor as she peeked at the draft. "Woah! That's...I can see you went through a lot writing this, but...I think you need rest sometimes."

As everyone in the room began to look at the two ponies in confusion, President Reagan asked, "Couldn't read your handwriting? Don't worry. It happens."

As Twilight panicked more, she continued. "The appropriate commanders! Yes! That one! Anyways...and ensure all orders are carried out in accordance with this agreement. All in favor?"

Everyone raised their hands in sync again.

"Alright! Now that's the...peace treaty drafted up! Hurray!..." Twilight cheered in a very nervous voice.

Carter then said, "We still have plenty of stuff that should be added if this is to be a peace deal. This is an armistice; it still needs extra articles, nonetheless. For this to be long-term, it needs to be much more detailed."

"That's true." Schmidt sighed, "as much as I wish it were this easy to end a war, peace treaties and armistices are two different things."

Twilight started to flip through the notes she had written the night before as she showed signs of panic, and Spike kept making the third copy of the armistice.

"Uh...you okay there, comrade?" Ryzhkov asked with a face of concern.

"She's a bit nervous," Starlight replied while patting the back of Twilight, "it's her first time handling such an important talk with humans, so please bear with her...?"

"Understatement of the goddamned century," Reagan muttered.

Schmidt raised his hand and suggested, "Look, the armistice and the Peace treaty are usually signed separately. Let's sign the armistice before we move on to a peace deal."

"I don't suppose it will be in Russian and German, will it?" Akrhomeyev asked. "Which version are we taking as authentic?"

"Does it say "this armistice completely ends the fighting"? I wouldn't want this thing to expire." General Edward also asked.

Spike lifted his head from writing and said, "Yes, the first paragraph says that. We looked into this before."

"Good to know. Let's carry on, shall we?" Schmidt suggested.
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November 4th, 1008, 1605 hours
Starlight Glimmer
Lobby of the Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

As the cameras snapped and the film kept rolling, General Edward C. Meyer, Jürgen Brandt, and Marshal Sergey Fyodorovich Akhromeyev sat down at the long square table covered with purple velvet, placed in the middle of the lobby. Twilight Sparkle and her brother Shining Armor, who just got here in time for the signing, sat at a similar short table and left to the one where the humans sat.

Starlight Glimmer took a deep breath, walked up in front, and asked, "Alright. Have all of the representatives here familiarized themselves with the agreement of completely ending the fighting between the United States of America, the Provisional Government of European Nations, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?"

"Yes." All three of the generals at the table gave out their answers.

"Are the representatives of the United States Armed Forces, European Military Commission, and Soviet Armed Forces ready to sign the armistice?" Starlight asked, getting three "yes" as an answer again. She then handed out the three copies of the armistice, in Ponish, German and Russian, translated by the translation spell. They all wrote, "This act is drawn up in English/Ponish, and are the only authentic texts."

All three humans picked up the pens on the table and put their signatures on them. They also passed around the copies until all three had the signatures of the three men in the room.

Twilight and Shining then signed their names under the part where it says:

IN THE PRESENCE OF

On behalf of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle
On behalf of the Crystal Empire, Prince Shining Armor

After the signatures were done, there wasn't any handshaking for the camera. All the representatives left in a hurry, leaving Starlight to pick up the signed agreements, and Twilight looked awkward with her brother, being last to leave.

After temporarily parting with his sister to get a glass of water, Shining Armor ran into Carter, who also came here for a coffee.

"Oh! Sorry, you're...Mr. Carter, right?" Shining asked.

Carter turned and answered, "yes, I am. You're...Shining Armour, correct?"

"Yes, nice to meet you, Mr. Carter." The two shook hooves and hands.

"Well, one thing you should know, your sister's a bit of a nervous wreck," Carter said as he drank from his cup, "I see her almost freaking the living lights out of herself. Is she always like that?"

"Yeaaaaah...it's kinda like that," Shining replied, "for a long time."

"Have you considered cheering her up? I don't know, a few words of encouragement or a cup of tea?"

Shining sighed, "I tried, but Twilight is...easy to panic whenever something big hits or something goes out of expectations. Believe me when I say she once panicked over not having problems to solve to write to Princess Celestia, then she decided the best course of action is to create a problem!"

"Well, the way you put it, it does sound kinda serious." Carter replied, "she did get better, right?"

"Yes, she did. Her friends here in Ponyville helped her overcome many things, but sometimes, something inside doesn't die that easily..." Shining Armour recalled.

"Well, pressure management isn't easy. "Carter put down his mug, "I was president once, and speaking to a crowd of thousands is very nerve-wracking. A million things can go wrong, and a lot of things did. I mean, I wouldn't be ex-president now if everything went right, did it?"

"I guess you have a point, but what should I tell her?"

"Tell her to relax. If shit happens, then it happens. Panicking only makes things worse." Carter looked at his watch, "it's nice talking to you, but I still got some talks to attend, catch you later."

Shining Armour walked away, thinking about what the human had just said.

At the same time, Twilight Sparkle tidied her notes for the peace deal and headed for the conference room. On her way, her brother caught up and said."Twilly? Before you go back in, I would like to...say something. You...are still nervous about screwing up, aren't you?"

"No, I'm okay, but thanks for asking!" Twilight forced a smile on her face.

"Twilight, Mr. Carter told me about how nervous you were at the meeting. You had come a long way from when you ran out of friendship problems and freaked out, but you still have another long way to go. Relax. Panicking only makes everything worse." Shining said.

"...I will try my best." Twilight hugged her brother.

"Good luck," Shining replied as he returned the hug.

As the two parted ways, Shining couldn't help but wish for the best for her sister.
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November 4th, 1984, 1740 hours
General Secretary Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Meeting room/ Library of the Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

"So, we are basically independent with our armed forces as long we live with the ponies and help Equestria when needed?" Gorbachev leaned forward, "autonomy of the highest level...sounds a bit too good to be true, but I like it."

"Seconded."Yazov followed.

Twilight let out a relaxing sigh, thinking: Finally! It worked out in the end altogether! Peace of our ti-

"If you don't mind, can I ask a question?" Ryzhkov asked, "So, we are practically semi-independent republics within Equestria, is that correct?"

"Yes! The concept is-"

"Well, we know it already. It's just that the Soviet Union's full name is the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. We do not have enough of everyone to revive all 15 member states, but it's funny if we have member republics within an autonomous republic. It's like a matryoshka doll if you get what I mean."

"Maybe consider breaking up then, Mr. Gorbachev," Reagan suggested.

Akrhomeyev stared at Reagan, then said in a stern voice,

"The day the Union dissolves is the day I will die."

Reagan replied, "Jesus Christ, have some humor, would ya?"

Twilight, seeing a potential argument that could render the talks null, immediately diverted the topic, "well, as long as the ponies living there don't get forcefully removed or discriminated on an extreme level, I am sure you can add as many republics within your...republic!"

"Technically, it's a Union of Republics," Ryzhkov said.

"Jesus Ryzhkov, we know that already." General Edward said, leaning back on his chair with his arms crossed.

Meanwhile, outside the windows at the level of the bookshelf, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie watched everything and listened in.

"Pinkie, I have the greatest idea for a prank, like ever." Rainbow excitedly whispered, "it's going to blow their minds!"

"Ooh! Ooh! Does it involve the party cannon?" Pinkie Pie excitedly said.

"Well, this meeting is a teensy bit important for millions of humans looking for a new home...but I'm sure they will appreciate a harmless prank!" Rainbow said as she took out her Walkmare. "Remember that time I scared the midnight rail workers with the ghostly sounds?"

"Ooh! Yes!" Pinkie replied, "are you gonna do it again?"

"Even better! I am going to go lower the walkmare with this string here, and when they approach to get it, you show up at the front door with your party cannon!"

"I LOOOOOVE THIS PLAN!" Pinkie excitedly shouted.

As Pinkie Pie made her way toward the front door, the humans and the two ponies inside the library were still talking about the finishing touches.

Schmidt stood up, then said, "now, gentlemen and mares, I would like to thank everyone for their efforts to strive for peace and harmony upon this land. It will be a long process, but what we did here today is a large step toward that goal. Future generations...hold on a second, what is that noise?"

Something from the other end of the library is playing ghostly sounds, a bit faint but still audible at the table.

"It...it sounds like someone breaking in!" Yazov exclaimed, "get security! It could be a changeling!"

"Oh, that's Rainbow Dash. She's always the trickster." Starlight Glimmer said, "no need to panic."

Starlight finished her sentence at the millisecond the door blew open with Pinkie Pie shouting, "Surprise!" while firing her party cannon, unleashing a shower of confetti on everyone at the table.

Yazov panicked and almost fell out of his chair, shouting, "OH MY GOD!"

Everyone turned their confetti-covered heads to look at Pinkie Pie and the Secret Service, Protection Squadron, and GRU personnel holding Pinkie Pie at gunpoint, screaming in their languages.

"Twilight, I think they liked it!" Pinkie excitedly said, not exactly paying attention to the phrases "down on the ground" and "hands in the air," plus more colorful words added in with at least four different languages.

Twilight facehoofed and said, "uh, Pinkie? I don't think the security team really appreciates your humor."

President Reagan said, "the princess here is correct, and whoever hippie is up there, knock it off with the sounds!"

"Oh...sorry, I guess?" Rainbow Dash apologized with an embarrassed smile as Pinkie was escorted out of the room.

"You sure hang out with some overexcitable bunch," General Edward C. Meyer remarked, "how about some...basic manners and discipline? "

"General, cut the princess some slack. How often do they have to deal with something this serious?" Carter replied as he got some confetti out of his hair.

"Sorry about that, everypony. Would Mr. Schmidt please continue?" Starlight Glimmer announced.

"Gladly. As I was saying, future generations will thank us for the things we have done..."
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"...even what we did here today is phenomenal, we shouldn't be celebrating so fast right now, as this is just the first step in many. We must remember the road to peace is never meant to be easy, but it is the one we must pursue, or we, the humans, will be doomed to repeat the same mistakes as we once did."

Everyone in the dining room, including the journalists allowed in, clapped as Schmidt raised his glass of apple cider. "Prosit!"

"To our new home and gracious hosts."Gorbachev raised his glass as well.

"To America." Reagan also raised his glass.

After that, the diners at the table started to talk to each other.

"Alright, that is certainly the most bizarre talk I have ever been to," Carter said to Ryzhkov, sitting next to him, "but it's for the greater good, right?"

"Sure is, comrade Carter."

"Just drop the comrade stuff for once."

Nearby, Rainbow Dash was talking to General Brandt.

"Really, what did you think when you played that prank on us? If we had weapons, we'd be shooting you and your pink-maned friend over there to pieces!"

"Sorry...I just thought it would be fun to...play a harmless joke on you all." Rainbow lowered her head.

"Good. Next time, don't do it again. Changeling infiltrators are not a joke, and as far as we know, thousands of ponies suffer every year from this." Brandt told Rainbow in a parenting tone.

"Oof...about that, sorry...how about a cupcake to make up for the prank?" Pinkie Pie appeared out of nowhere with a cupcake in her hoof.

Brandt sighed, then took the cupcake. "Apology accepted, Miss Pie."

"Aww, no need to be this formal. Just call me Pinkie!"

"I insist."

As everyone was chatting or eating their meal, Princess Twilight sighed a big breath of relief.

"See? I told you relaxing would work." Shining Armor patted her on the back.

Twilight smiled, "thank you, Shiny." She then picked up her hayburger and took a massive bite out of it. "Mmmm! Irt hash been sho long shince I last hard this!"

Shining chucked. Somethings never die, huh?

Reagan, watching this from his table, asked General Edward, "can we have jelly beans supplied to every guest that would visit us in the future?"

"That...can be arranged, Mr. President," Edward replied somewhat skeptically.
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November 5th, 1984, 1000 hours
Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, President Ronald Reagan, General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev
somewhere in the Apple family orchard, Ponyville

Under the camera, the three leaders of the human world signed their names on the agreement to finally end the third world war and become part of this brave new world.

As all three finished signing all the copies of what is now referred to as the "Sweet Apple Agreement," Twilight and her brother also signed the agreement, rendering it in effect.

All three leaders shook hands under a metric ton of camera flash and snapping sounds.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have done it," Reagan said to the camera, "now, this is where the job really begins; rebuilding. We will rebuild humanity greater than-"

A balloon that is tied to a tree nearby suddenly pops.

"Missed me," Reagan immediately said, "...than before. Thank you."

The few human journalists cracked a laugh as the other two leaders grinned, leaving the ponies looking understandably confused.

"Little inside joke, we will explain later." Schmidt said to the journalists, "It is...a long story."

"President Reagan, what do you think of mutual cooperation between humans and ponies?" a journalist from The Canterlot Sunrise asked.

"Oh, I absolutely believe in it, son. With our powers combined, we are going to Mars!" Reagan jokingly said.

Gorbachev also joked about this, "well, comrade, I am thinking more of going to planet Uranus."

"Princess Twilight! You didn't answer my question from last time!" a journalist from the Baltimare Daily shouted, "do humans eat fillies?"

Twilight looked up and announced formally, "as all evidence has shown, humans don't eat other sentient beings. They call this cannibalism, and it is highly frowned upon by everyone. Hopefully, this question will be less serious and more of a joke later."

"Mr. Chancellor Schmidt, do you plan to visit Canterlot anytime soon?"

"Secretary Gorbachev, what do you think of the royal sisters?"

"Mr. President! What do humans eat for lunch?"

"Princess Twilight! Do you trust the humans?"

"Will Carter be running for president again?"

"Can we eat the Soviet Union?"

"Hey! Does anyone have extra ink for their pen?"

"Prince Shining Armour, is the rumor of you and Cadance going to hayburger for dates true?"

The scene got quite rowdy as journalists continued to press questions on everyone and the ones on the other side tried to answer them one by one.

One thing is for sure. Future generations shall thank the Sweet Apple Agreement and the people who ensured it could be a thing.

Side story: they just fade away

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The old man in the shack sat on his chair before his desk and picked up his pen. He took a piece of paper and started writing something on it.

As the man wrote, he glanced at the coat he hung on the wall, twice the Hero of the Soviet Union, twice the cross of saint George, seven times the order of Lenin, and much more hanging on it. He couldn't help but remember the old days before even Khruschev or Malenkov. The days spent in the muddy trenches when he was still with the 3rd Russian Imperial Guard, the days of the Russian Civil War, his time spent in both Frunze and Vystrel Officer's School, the Spanish Civil War, and the Second world war.

The man then thought of his long-time friend, the marshal, who had a foreign accent. He has long since passed, but the man still remembers the days he spent together with his friend and the days spent tidying up the finishing touches of said friend's memoirs. Stalingrad, the Dneiper, Vistula, and the Oder river. He and the marshal have been there to witness it all.

All those locations and people he remembered are reduced to rubble and utterly abandoned by everyone.

The man drank some water from his glass, then continued writing. He knows that he hasn't got much time left. The radiation hasn't done his age any favors, and if he wanted to do something, it better be now.

The nukes, why did it have to fall?

He still remembers the day he was forcefully dragged out of retirement and into a bunker, salvaging the third world war that had started to go wrong. The day he and his family were assigned bunkers was when the nukes fell.

He couldn't bear to see the army he once was a part of fall to pieces like this and decided to help with the reorganization. It was nowhere near how he remembered it, but it was a decent fighting force.

At least the war has finally ended with the signatures on the Sweet Apple Agreement, and as the world finally reaches some semblance of peace, the remainders of the old world, like himself, can finally rest easy.

After a long while, the old man has written up to three pages, and at the end of the third page, was signed:

General of the Soviet Army, Pavel Ivanovich Batov
November 10th, 1984.

He then took the last of his two sleeping pills and went to bed in his shack with a slight grin.

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After god knows how long, Batov woke up in an open field wearing his uniform, with wheat fields stretched as long as the eye could see. He started walking to see if he could find a road to look for signs.

His medals pinned on his tunic glimmered with gold under the sunlight, making it hard to look at.

General Batov walked and walked until he saw a group of people standing in the distance, waiting for him. He started running and barely broke a sweat. At the same time, he began to feel lighter and lighter, as if his body had returned to young age. Within a minute, he reached the group waiting for him.

Standing in the middle was his old superior, Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky, who was the first to speak. "Your time is up now, old friend. Sorry, but it's time to move on."

Batov fought back his urge to let tears fall as his old friend said, "anything you want to say to your men before we go?"

The general looked back to see the figures of the soldiers of the 65th army behind him starting to appear.

He hesitated briefly, then took off both Hero of the USSR medals.

"One last thing before I go, marshal?"

"Sure."

With permission from his friend, he walked towards the soldiers standing in formation. He then pinned his Hero of the USSR on two of the soldiers.

"Spasibo vam vsem."

As Batov finished his final speech, he followed his friend and the other officers away, perhaps to hell or somewhere else, but it didn't matter.

His duty to the motherland has finally ended.

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November 11th, 1984, 0740 hours
Marshal Sergey Fyodorovich Akhromeyev
Soviet Armed Forces
Office of the headquarters of the Soviet Armed Forces, Novaya Moskva

Akhromeyev read the early morning report on his desk and muttered to himself.

"General Pavel Ivanovich Batov has passed away in his sleep..." The current marshal of the Soviet Union leaned back against his seat.

He felt a sadness surging from his heart. Sure, he knew who Batov was. He worked with him before and after the nukes, still nowhere near as close friends as Batov and Rokossovsky. He tried to find answers within himself but ended up with nothing.

Akhromeyev then read the will of the general, found on the desk next to Batov's deathbed.

As he read it, one of the wills stated that Batov wished for Rokossovsky's memoirs to be republished to keep the memories alive. Akhromeyev looked at the book delivered with the file and realized something.

He was a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, just like many others, and he was not getting any younger by the day. Who will keep the memory of such an event alive if the people who have experienced it have all inevitably passed on in the future? Who will remember all the people who died to stop the German fascists if the people who have been there passed on?

Akhromeyev took a moment to clear his mind and started to write on a blank piece of paper.

"Today, General Pavel Ivanovich Batov, a long-time commander of the Soviet Army and a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, has passed away peacefully in his sleep. We mourn his loss. A funeral with military honors will be held later at an unspecified date..."

At the end of the page, he signed:

Marshal of the Soviet Union, Sergey Fyodorovich Akhromeyev
November 11th, 1984.

Chapter 7: Internal Affairs

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November 12th, 1008, 0900 hours
Minister of Arms production and Labour procurement, Alspberg
[TOP SECRET] of the Changeling citadel of Vraks

"Fucking shit...why the fuck did those apes have to arrive here at this moment?" the minister cursed under his breath, setting aside his fountain pen and ink bottle on the desk and laying out the files he would be using.

He and everyone here know that today's meeting is of utmost importance and dearly needed to discuss the "aliens" suddenly arriving at Equestria's aid. As he finishes adjusting his collar and tie, the projector comes to life as the three communication windows open in succession.

The Queen was the first to speak, "I assume everyone knows why we are here, correct?"

"Yes, your majesty." Everyone in the meeting replied.

"Good, then I shall cut to the chase." Queen Chrysalis announced, "Commander Heldrec, may I ask what intel you have collected regarding the humans?"

Heldrec held up a thick folder and a few pieces of paper, "Do you want everything available to the general public, or do you want the ones that aren't?"

"The ones that aren't, would you please?"

Heldrec then puts down the thick folder and reads from the numerous sheets of paper, "As far as the guard can find, nothing. Humans seem to identify our disguises much more efficiently than the ponies can. Due to unfamiliarity with human customs, the spies that tried to disguise themselves as a human managed to fool a few ponies before being gunned down by human law enforcement units."

The Queen was visibly unhappy, her magic almost crushing her pen.

"Sigh...fine. Marshal Herrog, do you believe that the humans pose a threat to our planned military operations?" Chrysalis asked.

"No, your majesty!" Herrog replied excitedly, "the humans, as far as we are concerned, are just a rotten structure waiting to be kicked down along with the ponies! Your vision of the forward base near the Crystal Empire is...uh...genius! No pesky human shall be able to stop the planned plans!"

Oh great, the fat buffoon is sucking up to the Queen again. Alspberg thought to himself.

"...the Changeling army shall build stage two operative bases within Equestria within the next week, which I am happy to tell you is more efficient than the stage one bases, your majesty!"

The Queen is satisfied to hear such news, while Heldrec and Alspberg show their faces of disgust and disapproval.

"Good, at least something is going fine amidst this unexpected turn of events." The Queen then turned to the minister, "Minister Alspberg, about labor procurement, does human interference affect any aspects of it?"

Alspberg leaned forward and started to report, "If we don't do something, they will eventually cause problems. Humans show significantly more efficiency in law enforcement and criminal investigation, as I can see from Heldrec's dead agents at Ponyville. For both of our field agents with five years' worth of experience to fail like this, either the humans are much more of a threat than we thought, or...the guard can use some reforms."

Heldrec slammed his front hoof on the desk but quickly regained his calm. "I'm...sorry, minister, do you still possess a working, functional brain? I am the guard, you brain-dead pen-pusher." The commander said in an unnerving voice.

"Silence, both of you." The Queen eliminated the argument with a single order.

"...may I continue, your majesty?" Alspberg asked, then continued with approval. "It is also with great displeasure that labor procurement has dropped significantly. Despite the potential labor pool being greatly expanded, the massive human presence made operations difficult as the usual areas of pony drop off and pick up happen to be very near human living areas. We expect the re-establishment of slave transport routes will take at least an entire month."

The Queen asked the minister, "have you ever considered the possibility of kidnapping humans?"

Alspberg was about to say something before Heldrec cut in, "you majesty, I highly doubt he would even do such a thing; he would be advocating for his little plan to establish relationships with those ponies and humans just to gain more power for himself-"

"Commander Heldrec, these accusations are baseless, and I demand you to take back that statement!" Alspberg exclaimed, with Marshal Herrog also jumping in, "Yeah! Take it back! How dare you do this in front of the Queen!"

"Marshal, must I remind you of how your idea of a full-out frontal assault on Canterlot failed because your close guard got eliminated by the elements of harmony? You are just as guilty in terms of incompetence." The Commander snarled.

"Enough!" Queen Chrysalis shouted, and everyone shut their mouths. "Would all of you stop screaming at each other and act like adults for just ten minutes?"

After a couple of seconds of silence, Heldrec said, "Sorry, your majesty."

"Good, we will have this meeting again tomorrow at the same time, but I will NOT tolerate another juvenile squabble amongst three grown changelings again!" Chrysalis ordered, clearly agitated, as she shut down her communication window. Alspberg closed his seconds later.

His secretary walked in, asking, "sir, how did it go?"

"With the butcher and the buffoon, nothing can go right. You and I both know this, and so does everyone else." the minister got off his chair and grabbed his coat, "I am going to oversee production in sector 4. Come with me."

"Yes, minister." The secretary followed Alspberg out.
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November 12th, 1008, 1130 hours
Slave #507313
Sector 3 kitchen of the Changeling citadel of Vraks

She stood in the kitchen, cutting the onions and preparing the lunch for her fellow slaves.

The kitchen barely has any communication going on as the guards watch everypony working here with the eyes of an eagle. The thought of rebellion can rarely cross her mind as she is just too preoccupied with working to feed her fellow ponies.

Her mind drifted back to nine years before, when she was still a free mare, married to her childhood sweetheart, and had a family. Things were so much simpler back then.

Until the changelings captured her and her husband and sent them to work here.

Every day in these nine years of being enslaved, she could only see her husband when the lunch or the dinner bell rang. She would sneak an extra slice of bread for him, and even the time to chat was never enough. The mare knew it was the best that could be and didn't dare to ask for more.

At that thought, she teared up but quickly focused on her work again.

It's onion cutting. Who wouldn't shed a tear, anyway?

The sector guard captain walked in as she was cooking, holding a clipboard.

"Number 507313! Fall out and follow me immediately!"

She left the kitchen counter and followed the captain to the storage closet. After entering, the captain locked the doors and checked for listening devices. He then took off his peaked cap and said, "It's alright, ma'am, I'm with the National Banner."

"Wait, wha-"

"We are the resistance against the tyranny of Queen Chrysalis." The captain said, "We are relatively new, so you may not have heard of us."

"Excuse me, but who are you?" She asked, taking a few steps backward against the wall.

"I'm Frahm, and our leader has spoken. We are to evacuate enslaved ponies like you to Equestria starting now."

Still in disbelief, she asked, "Who's this leader you speak of?"

"You will meet him in a matter of time, just not in person. Remember, the radios shall carry our message loud and clear today."

She shook her head, not knowing what else to respond to.

"Good; we are both done for if the guard hears of this, so keep this confidential. Heldrec doesn't take kindly to so-called traitors."

She nodded again and, under the escort of Frahm, went back to the kitchen.

A unicorn asked her, "What happened? Why did the captain...ask for you to go with him?"

"He complained about the kitchen's productivity and said we must ramp the cooking up if we don't want to end up at Heldrec's fortress as training dummies next week." She lied.

The unicorn didn't ask more and went back to boiling the broth.
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In the afternoon, as she was doing the laundry for the guards, the speakers suddenly roared to life.

Wait, it's just 3 P.M. Isn't it too early for Alspberg to make public announcements?

"Friends! Allow me to introduce ourselves and who we are." The radio announced, "We are the National Banner, the ones who fight in the dark for your freedom, not just the enslaved ponies, but for all the changelings. For years, the Queen's reign of terror has caused suffering in the millions, and with it, the changelings suffer the consequences of failed military and espionage campaigns, one after another. But does Chrysalis represent every changeling that is on the surface of the world? No!"

Door-banging sounds started to come through the speakers.

"Changelings are not slavers and warmongers. Deep down, we know we are better than that. The Queen and her three main stooges are controlling us and twisting the nation into a slave-owning, aggressive and imperialist regime. So today, on behalf of the National Banner, I call upon everyone who shall hear this message to resist the Queen and join us..."

The banging got even louder.

"And don't forget, my friends, pony, or changelings alike, we shall all be free!" The sound of somepony running can be heard. Then a loud bang and a door bursting open are heard, followed by soldiers shouting orders as the speaker system is shut down.

She returns to doing the laundry but can't help but think of the possibility of getting out of there.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt hope spring up from her heart.
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November 12th, 1008, 1700 hours
Minister of Arms production and Labour procurement, Alspberg
[TOP SECRET] of the Changeling citadel of Vraks

In his opulent office decorated with medals and design schematics, Alspberg is visibly fuming.

"Who the fuck, do these National Banner morons think they are?" He shouted to the officers standing in front of his desk, "And better yet, how did that traitorous piece of shit manage to sneak in?"

"We suspect it was the air duct, minister. I'm deeply sorry for our incompetence." one of the officers lowered his head in shame.

"Sorry? SORRY? Do you know how much damage you have caused for letting him in and out? We already have humans to worry about, and now this? What's next? The slaves all revolt, and all four of you kill me to assert power for yourselves?" Alspberg shouted, then sighed. "If the same thing happens again, I will have all of you hanging on the cranes of the sector one construction areas! Understood?"

"Yes, minister." all of the officers answered in unison.

Alspberg sat down on his chair and said in a defeated voice, "Now fuck off, all of you."

The room fell silent after the last officer hurriedly left and closed the door.

Alspberg stared at the small table showing the scale model of the grand city of Vesapolis, it was his design, and he couldn't be more proud of it.

It was beautiful, not that Herrog or Heldrec will ever get the value of it anyway.

Sure, it is still a vision for now. Yet, when the changelings conquer Canterlot and Equestria is pacified, the Queen will surely approve of this grand plan: not just a city with big buildings, but a city of the past and future, a city showcasing all the glories of the Changeling nation, and the eternal dominance that the changelings shall have over the world in due time!

Alspberg's face let out a huge grin as he imagined his designs coming to life. He has a vision for the Changeling nation, and not even Queen Chrysalis shall ever be able to stop it.
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November 12th, 1008, 1700 hours
Commander Heldrec
Changeling Guard
Firing range of the Changeling citadel of Dirtysium

As Heldrec fired his pistol at the paper targets, his adjutant passed him a report of what happened at the citadel of Vraks.

"It's Alspberg; what did you expect?" He snarled as he fired his remaining rounds into the last paper target in rapid succession, "He's a fucking coward that plays two faces. If it weren't for the Queen liking his designs of Vesapolis so much, I would have him hung on the top of her tower!"

The adjutant then reported, "By the way, commander, the slaves you requested from Alspberg have arrived."

"Oh, good, have them to the arena. The usual, please." the commander said as he holstered his pistol.

Heldrec then walked out of the range along with his adjutant to the training arena.

As he walked into the area, the slaves stood in line with shackles tied to their legs and hooves. Opposite the slaves is a formation of 30 fresh recruits of the Changeling Guard, their rifles all fitted with bayonets, standing to attention as their commander walked in.

"Welcome to the Guard. I am your commander Heldrec, and may you remember it well." the commander announced, "Every time the guard holds bayonet drills for the fresh recruits, I make sure that I oversee their process of becoming true warriors. I will do the same to you all, is that understood?"

"Yes, sir!" the recruits shouted.

Heldrec then pointed to the wooden pole erected in the middle of the arena. At the same time, two guards tied one of the slaves to the pole.

"You will not be stabbing or knocking over a paper target or a wooden dummy, not today." The commander explained, "You will be having your taste of blood for the first time. It is a must if all of you intend to be the best changeling warriors the world has ever seen."

He then pointed to the rightmost recruit standing in the front row, "You, come out."

As the recruit marched forward, Heldrec took his rifle for inspection, "hmmm...a very well-maintained rifle, not even a speck of dust on the bolt. Impressive. Now, perform the bayonet drills on that pony tied there."

The recruit hesitated as his rifle was handed back to him.

Heldrec, sensing hesitation, politely asked, "Child, what do you see when staring at that pony?"

The recruit looked at his target, a green colt in his twenties, panicking as he struggled for life. He can even see some tears swelling up in his eyes.

"A pony, sir."

Heldrec slapped the recruit, then said, "That's where you are wrong. This pony doesn't even qualify as a living sentient being. He is less dignified than the log he is tied on! You never view targets, especially ponies, as sentient- they are the scum of the earth, and you kill them like one. I will not repeat myself: perform a bayonet charge on that pony." he said as he put his hand near his holster.

The recruit took a deep breath, screamed, and charged forward. As the bayonet entered the pony's body, the target screamed in agony, blood gushing out and staining the recruit's face. He then started repeatedly stabbing the target until it stopped breathing.

"Good...good!" Heldrec announced with a slight grin, "you have now made your first step towards being a warrior. Clean your face, then return to formation. "He handed a towel to the recruit.

"Yes...sir." the recruit replied, his voice still shaking.

At the same time, the guards untied the dead pony off the log and dragged another one to her death.

"Alright, this recruit has proved himself worthy of being a true warrior, and all of you shall do the same! Just remember, don't stab the target too many times. You still got a line behind you." Heldrec announced.
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November 12th, 1008, 1830 hours
Marshal Herrog
Grand Army of the Changelings
Dining room of the Changeling citadel of Soryth

"Hmmm...well, it's Alspberg. Not surprised there." The marshal shrugged it off as he ate his dinner.

(Contrary to popular belief, Changelings are able to digest normal foods, although this is normally seen as a luxury, meant only for those of higher standing)

The adjutant explained, "Well, Sir, we should watch out for other subversive elements in the army. Something within my gut tells me that this National Banner can cause much more trouble than it seems-"

"Shush, colonel, what can a band of hot-blooded kids do anyway?" Herrog smirked with complete confidence, "My army is the most loyal of them all, and if you find a single traitor within the ranks, then you may call me Meyer."

"Sir, I still highly advise against such assumptions. Do you want to order a complete check over the military?"

The marshal thought for a minute as he drank from his glass, then said, "Yes, sure, why not? It never hurts to check."

"Right away, sir." the adjutant saluted and went for the door.

"Wait! I still have some questions," Herrog asked, "Which one do you think is better, a behemoth tank as large as a cruiser or a rocket plane that goes comically fast?"

"Uhh...wha-"

Herrog explained, "You see, tanks are the future of warfare, but I feel our existing tanks are just too weak, small cannons, not enough machine guns, and not enough crew space. So I thought, why not make it so big to the point it is a moving fortress of steel on earth? It will have anti-aircraft guns on it and two large cannons on it! However, I also thought of another great idea-"

The adjutant frowned a bit and sighed, "Sir, that is a horrendously ridiculous design and outright impractical. What about bombers-"

"Wait till you hear this! The rocket plane will take off vertically and have speeds that will break the sound barrier. It will be so fast that even the Rainbow Crash the Equestrians have will never be able to catch up! It will carry our best autocannons that shall shred any pegasus in its way!" The marshal exclaimed like a filly in a toy store, convincing his parents to buy a toy.

"Sir, what about fuel and turning radius?"

"The scientists will figure it out anyway! Now for this one, I will..."

The adjutant rolled his eyes, hearing the marshal explaining his impractical designs again.
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November 13th, 1008, 1000 hours
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

"Coming!" Twilight shouted as she opened the door.

Standing outside was Derpy, holding an envelope, "I got some mail. It's for you!"

"Oh, thanks, have a good day!" the princess said as she opened the envelope. "A letter from...?"

Greetings, Princess Twilight!

On behalf of the National Banner, the underground resistance against Queen Chrysalis's tyranny, I plead that you and the nation of Equestria aid us in our cause.

We have planned to aid the enslaved ponies that the Queen and her stooges have kidnapped over the years to escape southwards into Equestria, where the vast majority of them came from. This will require the cooperation of your nation's intelligence services and local authorities for the freed ponies to go home with minimal problems.

I will have one of my agents sent to Ponyville to meet up with you in two days, he's a changeling, but he's a reformed one. He will be disguised as a pony named Crystal Hoof. He's cyan, with his cutie mark being a blue vase. When asked, "Who are these humans I have heard of?" reply, "Freedom for all." He will be waiting for you at Hayburger, 9 A.M., sharp.

More information will be revealed when he arrives.

Sincerely,

Spartacus.

Twilight couldn't believe her eyes, "A resistance group? In the Changeling Lands? And...slavery?"

Holding a cup of coffee, Tom walked by and asked, "Hey, what's the catch? Shouldn't your teacher send you letters by Spike?... Spartacus? That's a movie name!"

Twilight said surprisedly, "Wait, where did you- ah, never mind. You knew what Spartacus is?"

"Well, it's a movie about ancient Rome, a slave uprising, and a true tearjerker," Tom replied.

"Weird, we also had a historical figure who led a slave revolt called Spartacus long ago. That's an interesting coincidence..." Twilight reread the letter, "I can see why this Spartacus adopted the moniker, but the question is, do we trust them?"

Tom shrugged, "Shouldn't you be asking Celestia and Luna about this?... No offense."

Chapter 8: Manehattan Blues

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November 14th, 1008, 0900 hours
Rarity, the Element of Generosity
Friendship Express to Manehattan

As Pinkie Pie bounced all around the train, Rarity read the newspaper she had grabbed at the train station while simultaneously filing her hooves.

THE PONYVILLE EXPRESS, EQUESTRIA’S #1 NEWSPAPER

HUMANS TAKES TO THE SKIES
Mirosław Hermaszewski, commander of the European Air Force, tests "jet" plane restored by Equestrian magic

"Hmm, well, that's something, I wonder-"

"WE ARE GOING TO MANEHATTAN!" Pinkie shouted while nearly backflipping onto Rarity's seat.

Rarity, utterly unbothered by Pinkie's behavior (and likely numb to it at this point), replied, "Yes, yes, Manehattan, the height of sophistication, elegance, and culture... Since my boutique in Canterlot has been doing so nicely, it only makes sense for me to open one there as well."

"We're almost there! Why doesn't your face look like this?!" Pinkie squealed in excitement, her hooves pulling a smile on her face.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but could you cut that out? I'm trying to get some rest here." The human passenger, who wore a tan shirt, black trousers, and a peaked cap with a stripe of yellow, turned to the back and asked the puffy pink party planner.

"No offense lady, but you try sleeping on a train with no back panels for nearly half a day while some kid jumps around and screams like she's on caffeine." the other human, sitting next to the last one, also complained.

"Aw...sorry." Pinkie lowered her head. Her face pulled into a frown.

"No, I'm sorry, but it does get pretty annoying after a while." the human replied. "Please just stay quiet for a bit, ok?" He said as he pulled his cap over his eyes and leaned against the train wall.

"Wow...those humans are not very nice!" Pinkie whispered to Rarity.

Rarity replied, still filing her hooves, responded, "I'd recommend trying not to get over-excitable for this ride. This is just a business trip for me. I need to scour the city for the perfect location for my new shop. And while it's lovely how excited you are, there's absolutely no chance of me getting swept into the–"

"Chris, looks like we are here," the human patted the shoulder of the sleeping one, "Welcome to New York."

"We're there already? Just when I was starting to get comfy..."

"-energy, the beauty, the majesty of the greatest city in all of Equestria!" Rarity exclaimed, excited by the marvelous sights of the Manehattan skyline.

Both the humans turned to look at Rarity.

"...Oh, sorry. Hehe." Rarity forced a smile on her face.
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November 14th, 1984, 0920hours
Sgt. Christopher Brown
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Maneway train & subway station platform

"Well, sir. Let's hope this trip is worth it." Chirs said as he got off the train, carrying a backpack and a duffel bag. "Wonder why they have only sent us to Manehattan?"

"Heck if I knew," The other officer said as he walked towards the exit. "Come on, let's not keep the lady outside waiting."

"Yes, sir." Chris followed.

As they walked out of the exit of the train station, the two saw a mare in a police officer’s uniform standing at a nearby lampost.

"Deputy Copper Top, I assume?" The leading officer asked, holding a photo. "Inspector Ryan Moore, Royal Canadian Mounted Police."

"Well, it's nice to see you," Copper replied, "That kid behind you, Sergeant Christopher Brown, yes?"

"Just call me Chris." The sergeant said as he followed up.

"Welcome to Manehattan, Equestria's biggest and most modern city." Copper said, "if you said I would be talking to a creature that exists in only myths a month ago, I would have told you off. But now? Not so sure anymore..."

"Yeah, I would have said the same to you, but here we are, eh?" The inspector chuckled. "Bit weird they didn't send the NYPD over here, but as far as I know, they are fishing for clouds up in Las Pegasus."

"Alright, you two, follow me. The carriage is just over there." Copper pointed to a horse-drawn carriage parked across the street.

As the three made their way across, a faint screaming of "M! A! U! D!" can be heard from behind, and after a brief few seconds, the sound of something firing can be heard.

Both humans turned to see a pink blur screaming, "Maud! Maud! Maud!" while doing acrobatics in the air.

"Crazy world." Moore sighed.

On the carriage trip to the hotel first, Copper asked, "Pardon me, but what does Mounted Police mean? And what does the GRC on your patches mean?"

"Ah, well, you see, back in our old world, em...horses was a main transportation means over the world..." Chris explained.

"They weren't sentient beings." the inspector added. "And the part of the world we lived in was called Canada. Its terrain required an efficient way to traverse the land and enforce the law. Mounted means we used to travel mainly on horses, and the rest, I believe you know. The GRC part... it's a long story. But it's our name's acronym in another language. Gendarmerie Royale du Canada."

"Wow, you have an exciting world back home." The mare was surprised.

"Shame we destroyed it, eh?"

"Still, what monarch did you have?" Copper asked further, "You have the word Royal in the agency name. You must at least have a princess, right?"

"It's Her Majesty The Queen, Queen Elizabeth II. Now that's an even longer story to tell." the inspector sighed. "She's not with us on this exodus of ours, that's for sure."

"I'm sorry for your losses." the deputy wiped her shades.

After a ten-minute carriage ride, they arrived at Hotel Manefair.

"You have half an hour to unpack and get your stuff ready. The PD's in walking distance." Copper said as she handed out two white armbands. "Wear this on your way out, so that others also know you are law enforcement."

"Thanks, We will be back here as soon as possible." the two said as they went to the check-in.

Copper Top heard her stomach growl as the two humans went up in the elevator, so she decided to trot to the nearest donut shop.

As she was waiting in line, she overheard two ponies talking.

"Those apes should altogether be expunged from Equestria. Who needs their stinky presence here anyway? They dampened my mood when I went shopping at Saddle Row yesterday. They should stay in their own world. That's what I'm saying!" A stallion asked someone.

"But don't you think that's kinda mean? They needed our help, and we provided it! Isn't this what our nation is about? Friendship?" a mare replied.

As Copper got her donuts and coffee and made her way for the exit, the stallion chatting behind her shouted, "Hey, officer! You see any apes and monkeys on the streets, lock them up!"

The deputy didn't say anything and walked back to Manefair.

When she got back, the two officers were waltzing out of the elevator in the lobby with their utility belts and sidearms all equipped, plus an armband with the Marehattan Police Department's logo on it.

"Looking good," Copper complimented. "Now, let's get you to the station. Everyone is dying to welcome you both."
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November 14th, 1008, 1015 hours
Rarity, the element of generosity
Near a tiny store

"Really, how could anypony possibly build a store this small?" Rarity grunted as she wiped the dust off herself. "Why is it even on the brochure?"

"Well, let's go ICEESKAAATIIING!" Pinkie shouted, bouncing up and down in excitement.

"Boulder says he also wants in." Maud also added in, using her classical deadpan voice.

Rarity replied, "Alright, let's make our way there immediately... what's that?"

Right in front of the trio was a mare arguing with a police officer and two humans.

"Officer, I don't care what those dirty apes say! They ruined my dress and purse, and I demand them to pay right now!" A unicorn mare in an exquisite dress with what seemed to be coffee spilled on it shouted.

"To mi je líto! Byla to nehoda!" One of the humans pleaded.

The officer shook his head and sighed, "Ma'am, I must order you to calm down. You really shouldn't be calling us for something small like coffee spilled on attire..."

"Small? SMALL? I will have you know that this dress costs your ENTIRE year's salary, you cheap dirtbag! If it weren't for me being so graceful, I would-"

"Look, my friend here says he's sorry. He doesn't speak English or Equestrian, as you call it." the other human replied, "We don't have much, but we will pay!"

That human then put down the rucksack he was carrying, took out two packets of cigarettes, and offered, "My cigarettes, it's the only thing that's worth money I have right now, but we can help wash your dress! Promise!"

"You want to use some tobacco to try and get out of this? RIDICULOUS! I demand you to-"

Rarity stepped in, asking, "Woah, calm down everyone, what happened here...Suri?!"

"Oh great! It's you!" Suri Polomare groaned. "You took my trophy first, assistant next, and now you are here just to let me be insulted by these apes!"

"Look, it's just spilled coffee. You can always wash it later anyways," the police officer tried to talk some sense into Suri.

"I still demand these two to pay me five hundred bits in compensation! It's what I deserve!"

The human who doesn't speak Equestrian turned to Rarity, asking, "Prosím, pomoz nám! To je absurdní!"

"Alright, Miss Suri, I'm sure these two didn't spill the coffee on your dress on purpose. How about I give you this spray to help remove the stain, and you let them go instead?" Rarity offered as she took out a small bottle of spray.

Suri Polomare shouted, "Ugh, fine! Give me that!" As she sprayed the mixing bottle into the stain and used her handkerchief to wipe it, the stain came off like magic. Suri tossed the bottle back and shouted to the two humans, "I'm watching YOU both!" as she stormed away.

"Děkuju! Děkuji mnohokrát!" The man shook Rarity's hoof.

"He says thank you." The man's friend translated. "For real, thank you. You saved our asses back there."

"Don't mention it. I'm always glad to help anypony..err...or anyone in need."

The two humans got up and went off in a different direction than Suri's. The officer took off his peaked cap and sighed, "Sorry you got roped into this mess, miss. Suir's recently been a pain in the rear since she got dumped by that city council member."

"Oh, don't worry. I'm more than happy to help." Rarity reassured the cop.

"Wow! Suri's really much meaner than before!" Pinkie, appearing out of nowhere, commented on the situation.
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November 14th, 1984, 1143hours
Inspector Ryan Moore
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Human food stall near the rock pouch store

"I can't even recall the last time I had a hot meal like this." The inspector said as he forked another Pierogi into his mouth, "Where did you even get the ingredients for it, eh?"

"The Griffons. They live two streets away, and are about the only ones selling meat here. Normally, only the Griffons can buy and sell it, but the princesses gave us permits." The stall owner replied in a thick accent as he pointed to the apartment building under construction right in front of him. "I figured with this many Polish boys working on that building nearby, might as well feed them with something good, you know?"

Chris put down his empty bowl and complimented, "Man, really good stuff. You should own a restaurant or something."

"Dziękuję Ci." the owner replied with a smile.

Copper Top added in and said, "Wish I could eat it if it weren't for me not eating meat."

"Someone will make something like meat that isn't someday, just trust me, hell, we did thousands of years ago," Chris said as he zipped his coat up.

And as the three went off, something went off at the rock pouch store just before them.

" Hello, Mr. Pouch Store Owner! I'd like to hear all about your sudden vacation in Canterlot with your grandniece while buying a pouch for my sister, please!"

"Oh great. It's her again," Moore sighed as he walked up, "Hold on, I've got this."

The inspector walked up to the store's entrance, read the sign, and turned to Pinkie Pie, "sorry lady, the store's closed. Not my call, but it's best to leave."

"But it can't be. It just can't be! If I can't get that pouch... then not only am I not getting my sister the greatest present in the history of PSSSD, but now I have no PSSSD present for my sister at all!" Pinkie shouted.

"Look, lady, no matter how hard you pound this window here, the owner ain't coming back anytime soon," Inspector Moore tried to calm the pink mare, "Maybe you can find something else to give...your sister, right?"

"THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE!" Pinkie shouted to the inspector's face and ran off with the speed of light.

"Wonder how she got out of the asylum..." Sergeant Christopher walked up to the inspector.

"Heck if I know," Moore replied.

After the three went back on patrol, it wasn't long before they started chatting again.

"You know, I'm still somewhat worried about how the locals will receive you humans." Copper Top sighed. "As much as we would like to call ourselves the nation of friendship, we...had some longstanding problems, especially in the cities."

Chris lowered his popsicle and asked, "what, racism? I admit I hadn't seen much of that crap...sorry."

"You don't get it, sergeant. A lot of the elite here don't take kindly to human presence. What the average pony sees as new friends they see potential criminals and exploitable groups for public support. The mayor is nice, but not the council members." Copper replied, her face full of worries.

Moore realized something, "it's election season, is it?"

"Darn right. Council members of Bronclyn and Hooflyn are polar opposites. Bronclyn is more welcoming to human communities while Hooflyn is having an anti-human rally today." Copper took out a map and pointed at the two communities.

"Good to know that we are going through the friendly one." Chris continued at his popsicle.
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November 14th, 1008, 1305 hours
Rarity, the element of generosity
Hooflyn Flea Market

"Did she like anything?" Pinkie Pie appeared out from a pile of goods in front of Rarity.

Rarity hushed, "That sister of yours is simply impossible to shop for! There's nothing she needs or wants!"

"Boulder. Boulder. Where'd you run off to? " Maud's deadpan voice sounded.

After a few moments, Maud picked up her pet rock, resting on another stall. "There you are. Sure wish I had something to carry you around in."

Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "A rock pouch was the perfect gift for Maud! Aw, and I know she would have loved the one I saw in the window! It had double stitching, a red drawstring..."

Suddenly, someone on the street right across shouted, "NO TO HUMAN OCCUPATION!"

Rarity and Pinkie both looked in the direction of the shouting.

"HUMANS OUT OF HOOFLYN!" the same voice shouted through a megaphone, with a crowd repeating the phrase.

The human shoppers in the market paid hurriedly and left, with two human officers wearing armbands with black and deep blue uniforms walking up in the direction of the rally.

"Bonjour, madame, I would have to suggest you leave. " the officer of higher rank greeted, "The council member for this district is out again for a rally."

"Oh, right, we are just about to leave," Rarity replied immediately.

"Sure, last week Hooflyn had two human-related burglar cases, but that's no reason to label us all thieves!" The other officer with a mustache sighed.

"Oh wow! Those ponies are not nice!" Pinkie joined in.

"Understatement of the century."

However, Pinkie saw someone amongst the rallying crowd carrying a specific pouch she wanted for her sister.

"Double stitching, a red drawstring..."

"...and ochre-flecked velvet lining with reinforced triple-crosshatched seams?" Rarity added in, sharing the same focus as her friend.

"THAT'S IT!" Pinkie Pie screamed in joy.

" Maybe if you can catch up with him, you could ask—" before Rarity could finish her sentence, Pinkie Pie rushed toward said individual at speeds near Mach 1.2, leaving a gust of wind that blew straight at the two officers and Rarity.

"My God, what has gotten into her?" The higher-ranking officer picked up his kepi on the ground.

"She's...excited." Rarity chuckled dryly. "Say, what's this cap? It looks unique, and I have never seen this before!" She pointed at the officer's kepi.

"If I had a Franc every time someone asked me that..." The officer muttered.
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November 14th, 1984, 1540 hours
Sergeant Christopher Brown
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Equestrian Bank branch near Manehattan Park

Parking tickets.

"Really? Even ponies here couldn't park for shi...crap?" Chris complained, "...sorry."

Copper Top smirked, "it's universal."

As Chris slapped a parking ticket on a carriage which, in an apparent lack of taste, was plastered with gold, then, a stallion with golden teeth and a remarkably bad hairstyle ran up to him, pushing a familiar pastel blue cannon, it’s wooden wheels wobbling slightly.

"O-officer! I was just getting off to...uh...buy this sweet baby here!" The stallion pleaded, "look! The Wheels are still scorching hot from rolling!"

Being all too familiar with this, Chris replied, "this isn't even overtime parking. This is a no-parking zone!"

"I know! I know! I just wanted to stretch my legs!" the offender continued to plead.

Chris said nothing as he handed the parking ticket to the stallion.

"Sorry sir, tell it to the judge." Copper added.

The stallion, seen starting to flinch, shouted, "Y-you...tax thieves! Why does a good honest man have to be looked down on by you foreign aliens just freeloading off Equestria!"

As inspector Moore returned from the coffee stand across the street, Chris remained silent.

"The hell's going on? Why is there a cannon?" Moore asked with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Guy thinks he's too entitled to get a parking ticket." the sergeant pointed towards the gold-painted carriage. "Say, I have seen that cannon earlier today..."

"None of your businesses! I bought it, fair and square, with a pouch!" The stallion shouted as he ran to the cannon and held up the firing cord.

"It fires confetti. What are you exactly trying to achieve here, son?" Moore walked up, picked up the ticket on the ground, and stuck it on the carriage. "You got problems, then tell it to the judge."

The stallion decided to walk away with his face visibly fuming.

"I...am sorry. Manehattan may be Equestria's biggest, most modern town, but it also attracts the meanest, most selfish, stuck-up ponies." Copper apologized.

"Ehh, since when do big cities not do that?" Chris cleared his jacket of dust.

Moore looked at his watch and said to the two, "Hey, it's almost 4 the patrol ends in half an hour."

"Let's head back now. It has been a long day, hasn't it, Sergeant?"

"Bet your flank it is."
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November 14th, 1008, 1607 hours
Maud Pie
In front of a human bar near the Manehattan Humantown

"I'd like to return this pouch for my sister's party cannon, please." Maud asked.

The stallion replied impatiently, "Sorry, missy, All sales are final!"

As he tried to walk away, Maud, by some time space miracle, reappeared in front of him.

"I'd like to return this pouch for my sister's party cannon, please."

"No is no, lady!" The stallion shouted.

"Goodness me!" Rarity gasped, "I've never seen her like this! Look at the fire in her eyes!"

"Fire or not, buzz off! What is with me today? Parking ticket, banana peel, puddle splash, then this?"

Meanwhile, as the stallion shouted, the few patrons who are inside a bar with a flag of blue, white, red and a red star hanging on it's wall were watching.

The bartender, deciding to intervene before it affected business, announced to the entire bar, "it seems like the outside is kinda rowdy. I'll be right back, and don't try to leave without paying, or I will know."

As he walked outside, he asked, "Okay, what's happening?"

"None of your business!" The stallion yelled.

"Oh, it's that we wanted to...reverse the trade deal of a rock pouch in return for a party cannon back." Rarity pointed at the cannon.

Maud insisted, "I'd like to return this pouch for my sister's party cannon, please." This time, her eyebrows moved slightly.

"Sir, just give the cannon back for the pouch. How hard is it?" The bartender questioned.

"I said no, and that's final!" The stallion repeated.

"Oh! Did she just clench her jaw?! I think she clenched her jaw!" Rarity pointed at Maud.

"And sir, if you continue to shout like this, it will be bad for the bar's business. Just accept the deal and leave, or I will take measures."

Maud pie still held her ground without any visible changes to her emotion.

The stallion started to shake but remained defiant. "W-who even cares about jaw clenching and your stupid bar? I said...uh..."

Rarity continued cowing the stallion, "Oh, no! When she clenches her jaw... you know what that means?!"

"Not sure I want to find out." The bartender added as he shrugged, "I can only say it's going to be terrifying."

"I'd like to return the pouch." Maud Pie said as she delivered the final blow to the insecure stallion.

The stallion finally broke, whimpering, "Here! Take it, take it, please! Just relax that jaw of yours and turn down that fire in your eyes! I will never show up near this bar again, please!" He then rushed away in a panic.

"You are always welcome if you pay." the bartender spoke coldly as Pinkie Pie bounced up to her now retrieved cannon.

Rarity extended her hoof for a hoof-hand shake, "Thank you, sir, for the assistance!"

"Moje zadovoljstvo." He said as he accepted the shake.

Then he turned to a pony sneaking out of the bar and shouted, "and what did I just say about not paying?"

From the street across, both Christopher, Inspector Moore, and Copper Top are witnessing the hand-hoof shake as they are on the way to return to the station.

"Perhaps we should still give the entire friendship thing a shot, inspector." Chris smiled.

Copper joined, "Seconded."

The inspector only nodded with his grin clearly visible under the evening sun.
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November 15th, 1008, 0900 hours
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Hayburger, Ponyville

"And here comes the guest of honor." Tom said as he adjusted his collar.

A cyan earth pony walked up to the table that Twilight, and Tom were sitting at and asked, "Excuse me, but who are these humans I have heard of?"

Remembering the codeword, Twilight immediately replied, "freedom for all."

The cyan pony then looked around for a bit and sat down at the table, "They didn't tell me you're bringing company."

"He's...trustworthy." Twilight lowered her voice.

"Then we can get down to business." the agent said, "I'm Herbert. Call me Crystal Hoof for the time being."

"Right then Crystal, what do you have for us?" Tom asked as he drank from his cup. "This better not be a ploy."

"Tom! That wasn't very nice to say!" Twilight whispered.

"Just being cautious, your highness."

"I can assure you it's not," Herbert said as he took out a file. "This is the list of all the ponies that we will smuggle over the border. This is one of the freed slaves...I'm sure you have heard of her." the file was flipped open to a page, with his hoof pointed at the photo attached.

Twilight read the document briefly and raised her head to ask:

"Pear Butter? Who's that?"

Chapter 9: The storm gathers

View Online

November 14th, 1984, 1440 hours
Lieutenant Igor Grigorashenko
Spetsnaz GRU
On board the fishing vessel "Rono," Port of Vanhoover.

Five sailors and their captain lay dead on the floor of the captain's room, their guns scattered across the cold wooden deck with fired bullet shells and their blood spilling over.

The lieutenant and his team of commandos tossed the cabin they had just shot up apart, and after a few minutes, the search yielded results.

"Comrade lieutenant, we found this big book." one of the commandos pushed up the visor of his helmet as he handed a book to Grigorashenko.

The lieutenant flipped open the book. It was stained with the captain's blood from the earlier battle, but everything written can still be read clearly. There are numbers with everything listed individually, and everything seems like a typical ledger.

"Huh...they had funny codenames for weapons; you want to guess what hippogriffs stand for, underwater rifles?" One of the GRU commandos asked, pointing at a written section.

Grigorashenko didn't respond. Instead, he flipped to a random page, which wrote:

"1003 DEC 11: 15 EARTH PONIES, 3 DROWNED, 2000 BITS FOR EACH PONY THAT MADE IT TO CHANGELINGS."
"INFORMANT IN NAVY ASKS FOR RAISE, EXTRA 100 BITS OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR 1500"
"KLUGETOWN REDUCES PAY FOR EACH TRIP: NOW 30% OF THE PROFITS."

Realizing what this meant, Grigorashenko, perhaps in disgust or horror, announced to everyone searching the cabin:

"Comrades, the ponies were wrong. This is not an illicit weapons smuggling vessel but a slave ship."

Meanwhile, the Police Tactical Unit and Organized Crime Bureau led by Superintendent Starry Badge busted open the hidden storage section of the ship.

What awaited them wasn't unmarked guns and explosives but cages about the size of a pony, about twenty in total, with numbers marking each pen. A faint voice in a cell whispered without strength:

"Help...me..."

The cops dashed up, cut off the lock on the cage, found themselves dragging out a stallion resembling a skeleton, and left nearly dead.

"Those...Klugetown bastards... they... found out I'm injured and... c-can't work. They left...left me to die here..."

Superintendent Starry, along with everyone else, was too shocked to say anything, and when he blurted out something, it was all everyone needed to get to work.

"Faust in heaven, what the heck happened here?"
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November 14th, 1984, 1515 hours
Major Ljubiša Savić
European Federal Police Special Brigade "Panthers"
Bronclyn Apartments, Manehattan.

"Now, changeling, I want answers." The major walked around the now tied-up infiltrator." Where is the shipment?"

The changeling said nothing.

"Strong silent type; I'm starting to like you." Savić took a chair and sat down in front of the agent, "however, I regret to inform you that just ten minutes ago, your friends who run the sea smuggling route were now dead and six feet under."

"Fuck you." The changeling scowled.

The major sighed, "corporal, the usual."

The corporal immediately kicked the changeling in the gut as major Savić said, "Pity. Your friends at Klugetown or the queen at Vesapolis don't even know you exist, yet you still sold your soul and consciousness to them."

"It's..for the kingdom, you apes wouldn't-"

Another kick, this time to the ribs.

"I don't care to understand; the main problem is that I want to know where you put the kidnapped ponies."

At the same time, the radio on the major sounded.

"Major, this is A-5, any luck cracking that son of a bitch?"

"Negative; we will keep you updated, sergeant. Over and out," The major replied.

The changeling still said nothing.

Savić then ordered the corporal, "plan B."

The officer forced the changeling to sit upright as another joined to hold the agent still. Then, the corporal put a towel on the changeling's face and poured boiling water on the said towel.

The scorching heat of the water and the suffocation of the wet towel were nearly killing the changeling, but at the last moment, the towel was withdrawn, with the water stopped pouring.

"That was me being nice," Savić lit a cigarette, "now, the location."

"I...*hic*...I don't kn-"

The changeling broke as the two officers tried to do the same thing again.

"Please! Please! Just...50 Franklin avenue...Hooflyn...just...anything but that."

Major Savić smiled, pulled out his C96, and chambered a round.

"Say hello to the chetniks for me."

Meanwhile, outside the building, a squad of EFP officers in camouflaged uniforms and black combat vests waiting near two police vans heard a muffled gunshot. After a minute, their commander walked out.

"50 Franklin avenue Hooflyn; let's go." The major boarded the van. "Lazić, bring two of your guys and clean up on the second floor."

"Yes, sir."
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November 15th, 1984, 1000 hours
Sergeant Rodoljub Vulović
European Federal Police Special Brigade "Panthers"
Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

The sergeant hadn't had the most pleasant train ride to the town of friendship. The seats had no back panels, the ride was six hours long, and it was chilling cold inside the train.

He put the notebook back into the black police vest as he saw the place he was supposed to go: Sweet Apple Acres. Vulović took off his sunglasses, walked up to a filly resting by the fence, then asked, "Excuse me, little kid, where is miss Applejack?"

The filly raised her head and asked in confusion, "Ah'm sorry, but who are you?"

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself." The sergeant sighed as he took out his police badge, "I'm with the European Federal Police, sergeant Rodoljub Vulović. I am looking for miss Applejack because-"

"Robo-eh...what?" The filly cocked her head in genuine confusion.

"Just call me Roki," the sergeant replied, "my friends call me that."

The filly pressed on with her questions, "Okay, mister, but why are you here?"

"....Was about to get to that part. Anyways, I'm here because I have a criminal case that I must ask for clues from miss Applejack. Is she home?"

"Darn right tootin' ah'm home!" Roki felt a heavy pat on his back as a voice greeted him from behind. "Howdy, officer, anythin' I can help ya with?"

Roki turned to see an orange mare with blonde hair and a cowboy hat.

"I see; you're miss Applejack, yes? I would request your help on a criminal case-"

Applejack cut the sergeant's speech short, "Ah'm always happy to help; now let's get to the house first before we talk!"
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"Hvala vam." Roki pulled the folder from his side carry bag and put it on the table as Applejack put two cups of tea and a bowl of apples, "can we start now?"

"Sure, go ahead; what do you need, officer?"

Sergeant Vulović opened the folder and started, "Okay...this is going to be rough. Are your parents Buttercup and Bright Mac?"

Applejack's face immediately harder upon hearing about her long-dead parents, but she still nodded in silence.

"Well, I think you already know they are dead, yes." Roki continued, "normally, I would send you my condolences or say that I'm sorry, but I'm afraid this is not the case."

"What?" The mare in front of him started to look visually angry, "what in tarnation have you got against mah-"

"Now, just hold on for a minute and listen; I haven't finished yet." the sergeant tried the calming tactic. "Just yesterday, human law enforcement and Equestrian authorities raided what we believed to be a ship that smuggled firearms and explosives into Equestria for changeling infiltrators. Things took a sharp downturn, however, as we discovered it wasn't firearms they were smuggling, it was-"

"Kidnapped ponies that were sold as slaves." A purple unicorn with wings barged in with her folder held up. "Applejack, I need to tell you something very important-"

Roki immediately stood to attention as he recognized one of the Equestrian Royals.

"Uh...you don't have to be this polite. Oh! Before I forget, call me Twilight." the princess made an awkward face as her assistant dragon walked in. "You're with the European Police, right?"

"Yes, your highness." Roki responded, "wait, we only got hold of this information yesterday. How did..."

Twilight brainstormed an explanation, "I had my contacts."

"What does all this have to do with mah parents?" Applejack asked as she realized something, "are you sayin'..."

"Your parents are not dead." Roki flipped to the specific page in the folder, "Buttercup and Bright Mac were kidnapped by Klugetown slavers on the 17th of March, year 995. The day you believe they were dead from a storm-induced rockslide."

"That was what I originally tried to say, "Twilight butted in, "but yeah, your parents...are alive! Also, officer, the mother's original name is Pear Butter if we are dwelling into specifics."

Roki looked at Twilight as he took something out of his pocket, "oh right, née Buttercup then."

"Now just hold on a darn second, mah ma was a PEAR?" Applejack looks both visually confused and frustrated, "are ya saying that-"

As she was trying to complete her sentence, Roki took out a half-eaten pear wrapped with tissue and tried to take a bite, which Applejack also saw alongside Granny Smith coming downstairs. In a split-second decision, she kicked the pear straight out of the open window and into the cart Big Mac was hauling outside.

"What in the name of Faust is goin' on here?" Granny asked, looking at a nervous Applejack and a confused princess plus cop.

The sergeant sighed, "That cost me an entire coin."

"Nothin' Granny! We are just chatting with this officer here!" Applejack explained.

Granny Smith didn't get suspicious and trotted out of the door.

Roki turned to Applejack and asked, "What, does the Apple family somehow have a massive feud with the Pear family?"

Granny Smith barged back into the dining room as soon as she heard those words and shouted, "Darn right we do! Grand Pear even abandoned his daughter after he knew she was marryin' mah son! Did Ah ever tell you that..."

Applejack was too shocked to say anything, Twilight Sparkle was too confused, and Sergeant Vulović muttered to himself:

"I had enough of this entire hell-like family relations."
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"Ah... Ah'll admit, I did not see that one comin'." Applejack muttered, holding her parent's picture, "Ah knew somethin' was fishy when they said everythin' was washed away and nothin' can be found, but we were mourning too much to care..."

Sergeant Vulović put his file back into his bag and sighed, "One of the ponies responsible has been captured yesterday in Manehattan and buried six feet under now, assuming Major Mauzer left enough of him to be buried in a rakija bottle."

Twilight then asked, "So, now that we know the changelings are actively trading with Klugetown for slaves and Klugetown kidnaps ponies from about everywhere, I had already sent a report to Princess Celestia, and she should be replying soon-"

Spike held up a letter that was just sent through to Twilight, and Twilight read it as her face turned from an anticipating smile to a disappointed frown.

"Celestia wants me to deal with this."

To nobody's surprise, the entire room was numb about this.

"Still, how did mah parents meet each other, especially with the Apples and the Pear tryin' to murder each other?" Applejack asked.

Granny Smith shook her head as she spoke, "Ah'm sorry, but Ah'm afraid ah don't know much. I only know that yer' parents loved each other very much, and Grand Pear, being that heartless monster that he is, abandoned yer ma. Ah know for a fact that yer pa was great friends with Burnt Oak; why don't ya go ask her? Ah'm gonna go take a rest. These old bones aren't as spry as they used to be..."

"Coincidentally, the warehouse in Manehattan where we found the kidnapped ponies also belongs to the pear family." Sergeant Vulović added, "anyways, I'm intrigued by this entire family history, but I still need to finish what I came here for."

Twilight asked, "What would that be, sergeant?"

"I'm originally here to ask about the details of the entire rock slide incident." Roki explained, "And since the ledger had mentioned the Klugetown slavers have a hideout near where the rockslide happened but didn't specify, while the changeling agent we captured burnt the files before we managed to get to him, we need to search for it manually."

Applejack stood up, determined; she said, "Ah'll help you find it, officer. If that means ah can help save all those enslaved ponies, includin' mah ma and pa."

Roki smiled as he also stood up and walked for the door. "Appreciate it. Shall we ask for the details on the way?"

"Sure, partner. Let's go." Applejack replied, "What 'bout ya, Twi?"

"I'll...pass. I received some paperwork from Luna today, but...do share with me the story of how your father met your mother if you did get a hold of it, please?"
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Sergeant Vulović overlooked the road above the steep slope right next to it with Applejack.

"A perfect view to a kill, let it be a sniper or a manually caused rockslide." the sergeant remarked. "The forest below may be where they had designated to catch anything falling."

"Sounds logical." Applejack nodded.

"Only question is how we get down there. Jumping down is out of the question."

"Hay if ah knew."

As Roki tried to take a detour back down to the main road, he noticed a stone that looked slightly out of place.

"Weird, there is something underneath it. Let me...ugh!" the sergeant tried lifting the rock. "Man, this is much heavier than it looks."

Applejack tried bucking it, and it didn't bulge for a single centimeter.

Feeling defeated, Sergeant Vulović decided to get some rest before moving on. As he sat down, the ground in front of him opened up as Moses did to the sea, revealing a staircase that went down.

Applejack and the sergeant stared at each other until Roki took off his sunglasses. Someone was inside, but they couldn't see who.

"What the...who the hell opened the damn passage?" A voice inside complained as the sergeant drew his Tokarev from his holster.

A changeling walked out with a submachinegun, "Now, where is that son of a-"

Roki fired with Applejack covering her ears. Bang, bang, bang, three shots flew out of the barrel end with extreme velocity, which all hit their targets perfectly.

The sergeant rushed up to check for life signals as Applejack looked into the staircase. Roki picked up the submachinegun and examined it as soon as he confirmed the guard was dead.

"Huh, a German MP40, no trigger guard but with a trigger that you can grip with your fist... interesting." Roki also picked up the key the guard was carrying.

He slung the gun over his shoulder, aimed his pistol, and pointed his flashlight in the staircase's direction. Step by step, he and Applejack descended the stairs slowly; the flashlight illuminated the dimly lit staircase well. The staircase had multiple turns, and they jumped at shadows every time the duo ran into one.

After what felt like an eternity on the stairs going down (actual time counter: 9 minutes), a door presented itself at the end of the staircase.

"Okay, stick to that wall side; I will try opening the door." The sergeant ordered as he quickly stuck himself to the wall and closed in on the doorknob, inserting the key and turning it.

The door opened, revealing three changelings and an earth pony, all armed with light weapons, working around the radio.

The sergeant didn't wait until he announced his presence and emptied his magazine on all three hostiles.

Applejack felt her ear ringing like hell let loose as she stumbled to stand still; the gunshots were loud, but more so in enclosed spaces. Without hesitation, Sergeant Vulović rushed inside to check the room was clear.

The room had three holding cells, a wooden table on which the radio rests, a small kitchen, and sleeping quarters for six ponies; the place was also littered with ammo boxes and spare firearms. Applejack flipped open a brown-covered book next to the radio as Roki searched for the exit.

"Huh? This is their top-of-the-line encryption for their radio transmissions!" Applejack exclaimed in joy, with the cop looking at her confused, "...What? Ah do read books and knows some stuff here 'n there; ya think ah'm that oblivious to technology?"

"If that's correct, that means...we have hit the jackpot," Roki said as he held up a list marked as informants and undercover.
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At the train station, sergeant Rodoljub Vulović was saying goodbye to Applejack as the moon hung high above.

"Farewell, Miss Applejack. This partnership is a hell of a ride."

"The feelin's mutual, partner," Applejack replied.

"I will look for Grand Pear when I get back, but do promise me one thing." Roki smiled as he boarded the last train back to Manehattan, "Do let me know when your parents get home. I wouldn't want to miss out on their love story."

"You got yourself a deal," Applejack returned with a smile.

The whistle blew as the train slowly departed. Applejack stood there until it disappeared from her view.

She's determined that she will see her parents.

No, that wasn't enough; she would save them, even if that meant kicking down the doors of Queen Chrysalis herself.
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November 17th, 1984, 1115 hours
Chancellor Helmut Schmidt
Government headquarters, city of Unity

The complete report lay in front of every member of the cabinet. The slavery, the connections with Klugetown and Changeling lands, and the entire underground network under the Equestrian radar all this time were all written on the paper.

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the finance minister, was the first to speak out for everyone. "This...is not good. It will be a matter before they set their eyes on kidnapping fellow humans."

Jürgen Brandt also voiced his concerns, "The informants they had in our ranks in this short amount of time are also alarming. I have already ordered the arrests of those figures, but I fear there would be more to that."

"How so?"

"The ten people we managed to arrest are unsettling figures; three were under Željko Ražnatović. Evidence shows that Major Ražnatović shared the same chetnik beliefs as the three we have known. We also found that the other people arrested were either bandits, outright neo-nazis, or neo-fascists before joining us in this exodus."

"I seriously wonder do they also intend to have WRON supporters on board." Mirosław Hermaszewski sighed.

Brandt continued, "If this is any comfort, most of those bastards don't buy into everything the queen says; half of them are doing it for the cash, while the three chetniks are more or less looking to backstab the changelings, and everyone else after they set up their state."

Schmidt dreaded speaking this line. He knew it would be a matter of time before this happened, but that wasn't any consolidation.

"We need an intelligence unit, and I know that man is alive. We...will have to find him and have him on board."

Everyone immediately knew who the chancellor was talking about. Their faces all hardened, some clutched their hands into a fist, some facepalmed, and some sighed.

"I...know we are letting in a monster, but we will need his expertise, and we will have to limit what he does. Spying on his enemies and their undercover is his life's work."

"You are reviving the Stasi if you do that, and you know it." Dries van Agt, minister of justice, protested.

Schmidt hated that he had to repeat this line to justify his actions, but he still blurted out:

"What other options do we have?... Who else better than him that are still alive?"

Everyone was silent, knowing that it had to be done.

Side story: Schild und Schwert der Equestria

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As the chancellor of the European Federation walked into the small hideout, which had a spectacular view of the Neighagra falls, he didn't need to wait long before the old man fishing in the opposite direction greeted him.

"Figured your goons at the BND will find me sooner or later," the old man said, "how are the ponies treating you, Herr Schmidt?"

"Cut the bullshit, Wolf. You already know why I'm here." Schmidt sighed.

Markus Wolf put down the rod and stood up to face the chancellor. "I wouldn't have known in a million years, chancellor. Retirement has been quiet for me. Plus, it's a nice view here."

"Retirement? A man of your expertise? Come on, you know better than I do that there is never retirement in this business." Schmidt persuaded, "look, I know we would strangle each other alive back in the day, but as much as I hate you, the truth is that we need your...expertise, to say the least."

"And why's that?" The spymaster asked.

Schmidt took a folder from his assistant and passed it to Wolf.

"The European Federation is now reorganizing and shuffling its cards," the chancellor explained, " We still need a foreign intelligence unit."

Markus flipped open the files, "And work under that unicorn emperor? You really should have taken your medications."

"Desperate times, desperate measures. Plus, we do have something new that may be up your alley."

Wolf raised his eyebrows while reading the report.

"...I see why you think I will agree to be on board now." the spymaster said. "Training rebels to tap some unsuspecting minister's phone isn't going to be hard; you and I both know how your predecessor went down."

"Can you not talk about that like a medal of honor? The Stasi is not exactly the most reputable agency of the DDR, and neither are you the most cherished man in Europe."

"If you wanted me back this bad, at least have the common courtesy to call us das Ministerium für Staatssicherheit."

"Mischa, do I have to remind you that all it takes is for me to report what you even did when you were head of the HVA to the princesses, and you are getting a one-way ticket to life imprisonment?" Schmidt's voice got louder.

Markus fell silent after hearing that as he put down the folder on the log he was fishing on.

Schmidt picked up the file and said, "If you are not doing this for the sake of me or Germany, at least think of the enslaved ponies you can save with your expertise. Aren't you a proud member of the SED? What happened? Did your red beliefs get left behind when you joined the MfS?"

"It was a fucking war, damn it!" Markus argued, "and it's over! Everything! the SED, the NVA, the MfS, even the pact! "

Schmint grabbed Wolf by his collar and shouted furiously, "You're just going to watch as those fucking slavers cause more family tragedies as you hide in this place as if you weren't a spymaster ruining countless lives and families just a few years before?"

Markus tried to say something, but the words got stuck in his throat. He could have argued how many lives the CIA ruined alongside the BND, but he couldn't even say a single word as if he was mute.

"...I guess you are right," Markus muttered.

"Then do something to redeem yourself!" Schmidt let go of the spymaster.

After a minute of silence, Markus finally agreed.

"You win, Herr Chancellor. Give me a minute to pack up." Markus sighed, "at least promise me I won't have to work with the SÄPO."

"I can't promise that, Mischa." Schmidt replied, "But we will try to keep your photos out of public view."

"Good," Markus said as he lit a cigarette, "then we have a job to do."

"And for the record, I still hate you."

"The feeling's mutual, chancellor."
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In his new dimly lit office, Wolf couldn't help but smile as he held his lit cigar.

Of course, Schmidt and his cabinet told him no mass surveillance on everyone other than designated enemies; he knew he would have to wear shackles for this encore of a show. Wolf didn't mind, though; the EIS shall be his new life's work, or in other words: the new Hauptverwaltung Aufklärung.

Markus Wolf thought of himself as a revolutionary, and he intended to liberate the enslaved population of the changeling lands, but the revolution will need to be secured; the enemies are everywhere, and to forgive them is not his duty nor his obligation. He knows his job very well...

Finding them and sending them straight to the depths of hell.

Chapter 10: Canterlot Telecommunications Engineering Corporation

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December 1st, 1984, 0900 hours
Morita Akio & Ibuka Masaru
Canterlot Grand Department Store

As the two founders of Sony watched the revived Trinitron television and the brand new Walkmare 2 flying off the shelves and being rushed to the cashiers by the shoppers, thousands of thoughts filled their heads.

"The Trinitron is selling like hotcakes here. How the ponies did not come up with an affordable colored television is beyond me, but hey," Ibuka patted his friend's shoulder, "we did it, Akio. Sony is back in business."

Akio chuckled, "Really ironic that the Soneigh in this world didn't even speak Japanese. But then again, neither does most of our staff now. Working under our parallel is sometimes funny."

"One hell of a business trip this is," Ibuka sighed, "one minute, we are having tea in New York, and next thing you know, we are here, helping speaking horses upgrade their walkman production line to the WM2."

"I miss Japan," Akio said to his friend.

"We all do, Akio." Ibuka then took out a letter from his pocket, "Also, do tell the European Police Chief we will push the discussion about the walkie-talkie deal to next Friday."

"Why is that?"

"The monarchs want to see us." Ibuka handed the letter to Morita, "Soneigh liked the Trinitron so much they recommended it to the two princesses, and now they want to see a demonstration of our products."

Morita read the letter and said to Ibuka, "Looks like it, can we still put together the TV5-303? We still have the schematics for it. Television shows on the go will attract about anyone these days."

"Until I can finish all the radio repair orders," the engineer replied, "still can't believe we would ever be reliving the days of Tokyo Tsushin after nearly what? Thirty or forty years?"

"Thirty-nine years. All that is now dust, and we can only move forward."

As the two chatted, a pegasus trotted up to them and asked in an anticipating tone, "Hey! Hey! Are you the two humans who made the Walkmare WM2?"

Ibuka smiled, "In a manner of speaking, yes, ma'am."

"Oh. My. Gosh. It's...it's an utmost honor to meet you both! Can I get a signature? Oh! And before I forget, Can you wish my daughter a happy birthday?" The mare excitedly asked as she took out a Walkman WM2 recorder, "I was going to give her this for her birthday next month, and I knew she would love this. But I wanted it to be special, you see, I-"

Morita tried to contain his laughter as he and Ibuka noticed everyone in the department store was staring at the mare in front of him and asked, "Now, one thing at a time. First, the Walkman can't record things; you use a Pressman for that."

Ibuka took out a Pressman recorder from his pocket with an empty tape loaded inside, "Got it right here, was hoping I could save that for a meeting. Now, You said you want us to wish your daughter a happy birthday, yes? What's her name?"

"Oh, she's Rainbow Dash! The best flier of Cloudsdale! You simply must see her-"

"Rainbow Dash? That Wonderbolt we saw last week?" Ibuka responded, "Morita, was that her in last week's airshow? Can't remember since I was testing the Trinitron."

"If you can take some time off, Ibuka, you'd remember that. Her sonic...rainboom. Yes, sonic rainboom showed perfectly on the Trinitron in all its colors, confirming our television is indeed working as intended."

"Wait...my daughter is a WONDERBOLT?" The pegasus shouted excitedly after gaping for ten seconds, "I must tell everyone! Where is the pay phone?"

"Over there," Morita pointed to his right.

"Oh, I must inform my husband about this! I will be back for the signature later, pretty please?"

"...Sure."

The mare ran off near lightning speeds, shouting in glee that her daughter is now a proud member of the Wonderbolts.

Ibuka wondered, "Now if we can also make phones you can use on the go for this market..."

"Motorolla already beat us to it," Morita sighed, "but that wouldn't stop us from making it cheaper and more cost-efficient."

"Damn right, we will; we will beat Philips and Motorolla someday."
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December 3rd, 1984, 1515 hours
Flight Officer Lieutenant Darrell Patrick "Dale" Zelko, callsign "Vega 3-1"
United States Augmentation to the Equestrian Armed Forces
Somewhere near the Wonderbolts Academy

The repaired F-14 flew amongst the clouds, with its wings spread open

Lieutenant Dale didn't experience flight too much in the air force before; he was learning to fly the F-111 with the air force shortly before the nukes dropped, and as recently as this month, when the Equestrian Air Force extended its olive branch to help train pilots on flight, he was given a chance to go after he was reshuffled into naval aviation.

The Academy had about the runway length of an aircraft carrier, and since the United States has no available aircraft carriers now, he would have to fly on one of the eight remaining tomcats. Perhaps he would be flying something better at some point in his service, but with how things are, Dale couldn't say for sure.

Captain Raymond, his pilot, said to him, "I had four Floggers and a Forger shot down over the Pacific, and then the nukes dropped. I would have gotten my missile strike on that Soviet carrier if it wasn't for that blasted commie in his MiG behind me."

"You ever served in Vietnam, sir?" Dale asked.

"Of course I did; I was still flyin' the F-4 back then. I had a Fishbed shot down then another nearly got my ass. Good thing I didn't end up at Hanoi Hilton. Could have sworn to god that Hanoi Jane also-"

As the Captain explained his past operation records to Dale, sudden turbulence hit the plane.

Dale immediately reported this to the control tower, "Uh...this is Vega 3-1, we...uh...just flew into turbulence, over."

"Vega 3-1, two ponies are using extremely loud megaphones. That's what's causing the turbulence. We will have SFs to remove them off the perimeter, over."

As they flew past the main island of the Wonderbolts Academy, they saw that Wonderbolt with Rainbow colored hair with what is assumed to be someone related to her. Megaphones can be seen discarded on the ground, which both pilots knew caused the turbulence.

The radio sounded again, "Vega 3-1, this is Spitfire."

"Spitfire, this is Vega 3-1; we read you loud and clear, over."

"Vega 3-1, you did feel that turbulence, right? It's Crash's parents. Eh, it seems like her family just found out she's a Wonderbolt; talk about delayed reactions." Spitfire laughed over on the radio.

"I suppose, also, do clear the flight deck, get out the cable; we are about to land in a bit, over."

Meanwhile, on the grass lawn of the academy, Rainbow's parents continued to be happy for her, while Rainbow is still embarrassed.

"I can't believe it! My daughter, a Wonderbolt!" Bow Hothoof sobbed a bit, "So proud!"

Rainbow tried to salvage the situation, "Dad, hold it together. We're in public."

The USAF Security Forces officer insisted, "Sir, ma'am, with all due respect, please leave the perimeter."

"Let 'em be, sergeant," Spitfire tapped the shoulder of the officer, " Not every day do we get to see our moms and dads. All right, Wonderbolts! Let's hit the showers and give Rainbow Dash some time to spend with her family."

The officer complied and signaled his fellow SF officer to walk away. Windy Whistles then took out a small box wrapped in gift paper and a ribbon tied over it, "I was planning to give this for your birthday, but you being a Wonderbolt is simply too exciting not to give you a prize for it!"

"Thanks...mom. Really appreciate it." Rainbow Dash opened the wrapping. "Woah, that's...the new Walkmare 2! Thanks, mom, really didn't have to do that for m-"

"But we insist! In fact, we got a surprise for you in the tape!" Rainbow's mom told her daughter, with her husband looking at her excitedly.

Rainbow took out the Walkmare 2 in its packaging. It had been opened before, but everything was neatly laid where it should be. Except the Walkmare had a sticker stuck to the front, with two signatures on permanent markers that Rainbow did not recognize.

As soon as she pressed the play button, she felt infinite embarrassment wash over her entire body. Two voices with heavily accented Ponish congratulated her on being a Wonderbolt. She can hear one of them trying hard not to burst into laughter while the other sounds like he's regretting everything in his life.

Windy Whistles explained the gift, "We also ran into the genius creators of the Walkmare 2, so we had them sign your gift and congratulate you over the tape! In fact, I learned from them that you became a Wonderbolt! They said they were testing their new television..."

As RD's dad hugged her tightly and RD's mom enthusiastically explained how the two inventors told her what happened, Fleetfoot walked by and said to Rainbow, "Woah, that's the new WM2! Your parents are a national treasure!"

RD's dad is very moved by the statement, "Oh, no! Tears... welling up again!"

Rainbow Dash wished Scootaloo was here as her dad cried tears of joy in front of her team, the howling engines of the landing tomcat for once made something better.
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The sun is setting over Canterlot as everyone packed up and went home for the day. For Morita and Ibuka, however, they didn't have to go home as their home is the department store's Sony repair store. Ibuka went out to buy dinner as Morita stayed to clear the table of tools, electronics, and the radio Ibuka was repairing when the phone rang.

"Hello, Canterlot Telecommunications; how may I help?"

"Uhh...is this Mister Morita Akio or Mister Ibuka Masaru I'm speaking to?" A voice begrudgingly asked.

"This is Morita; how may I help, ma'am?"

"Look, sir; a few days ago, my mom came to you to buy a WM2 and asked you and your partner to record a tape to congratulate me. On behalf of my mother, I would...want to say sorry for all the trouble caused. I love my parents, but sometimes they are...a bit embarrassing?"

"Oh, is this Miss Rainbow Dash I'm speaking to?" Morita asked as he swept the parts off the table and put them into the small drawers on the side accordingly.

"Oh, Faust in heaven, even you know it! Oh, I'm doomed! I will be laughed at by all of Cloudsdale!" Rainbow Dash groaned on the other end of the telephone.

"Now, that recording wasn't a big deal, ma'am. Your parents just wanted the best for you." Morita replied as he sat down, "also, if you don't mind, how was the quality of the WM2? Were there any problems with it?"

"That one's perfectly fine; the sound quality is...just awesome!" Rainbow sounded happier.

Morita replied, "Alright, glad you liked it. Is there anything else you need from us?"

"...again, on behalf of my mom, sorry."

"You didn't ha-"

The phone hung up on the other end.

As Mortia put the phone back, Ibuka came back with two lunch boxes in hand.

"What's wrong, old friend? Customers' complaints?" Ibuka asked as he put down the dinner.

"No, Ibuka, it's much funnier. Remember that lady from two days ago?"
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December 4th, 1984, 1320 hours
Morita Akio & Ibuka Masaru
Noodle shop in the Grand Department Store

Who would have thought that a simple bowl of noodles with fish cakes could taste so comforting? Ibuka and Morita most certainly didn't know. The hot steam of the noodles put a layer of mist over their glasses as they dug in. The brand-new Trinitron was next to them, playing live today's Wonderbolts air show and, for the first time in Equestrian history, in color.

The ponies and human clerks in the shop gathered around, some with their noodle bowls in their hands. The duo need not worry about being blocked; they had a seat right next to it available.

"Oh, I have never seen a Wonderbolts show live, but now I can watch it here! And it's in color!" A mare excitedly squealed.

As the camera captured a couple cheering, Morita and Ibuka noticed someone familiar on the podium.

"Wait, isn't that the lady who asked for your signatures a few days back?" the shop owner asked.

"Looks like it, there are here to cheer on her daughter." another clerk responded, "What was her name, Rainboom...Raincloud...er...something?"

As the camera returned to the air show for a bit, it suddenly turned back to the podium, where the parents were visibly being too loud and supportive; everyone else tried to stay away from them.

"Oh my," Ibuka said calmly as he drank from his glass of water.

After a couple more acrobatics and the trick of the Wonderbolts logo, the camera stayed there for a while until a firework was launched out of nowhere, and the camera immediately moved back to, you guessed it, Rainbow Dash's parents, loading a mortar and launching fireworks. One firework that the camera crew captured perfectly was the one that is the face of Rainbow Dash.

Everyone in the noodle shop burst out laughing, including Morita and Ibuka, and the former almost spat out his noodles into his friend's face. The only one who wasn't laughing was an aged pegasus wearing a bomber jacket, who turned away in disgust and contempt. As he walked out, the chef saw him and immediately threw a raw egg at said pony's face.

"Everyone! It's Wind Rider! Get that son of a liar!"

Upon those words, both humans and ponies in the shop alike turned to look at Wind Rider, the humans had no idea what was happening, but the ponies were not about to be kind to him; at least, that is what Morita thought as he saw the faces.

The crowd entered a loud booing spree, and someone from the clothing section launched a shoe with laser-guided accuracy at Wind Rider.

"Ow, cut it out! All of you! It's hard to live with your record broken, let alone a goddamned dishonorable discharge! I would have you all gunned down if- agh!"

Somepony launched a slipper straight to his face, and as the crowd went on to get him out of the department store, the two founders of Sony looked at each other and decided it may be wise to change channels. The show about a shrunk filly detective is coming up soon, and that would be more entertaining than watching the news after the airshow broadcast ended.
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Rainbow Dash returns to meet the other elements of harmony in the castle. Her mood is thoroughly dampened from the fiasco from today. To make matters worse, it was broadcasted live on television in full color. Rarity must have seen it, Rainbow thought to herself, not only she had that Trinitron, she even got that VO-one seven something to enhance her television quality or something like that!

But then she remembered it was live television broadcasting with the latest mass media magic, and it was unlikely Rarity would record this with another camera. At least there aren't too many people who will remember it through the tape; Rainbow Dash felt slightly relieved as she entered the throne room to see everyone else waiting for her.

"Oh, darling! Your parents made quite the scene today!" Rarity laughed graciously, "good heavens, I wouldn't even want to imagine a world where I forgot to record it!"

Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped to the floor.

"Ah was too busy buckin' apple trees to see the show live, but, oh Faust..." Applejack chuckled, "I saw the recording, and it...it was spectacular... aha...hahaha...hahaha!"

Along with Applejack, Pinkie Pie laughed so hard that she curled up on her throne.

"...I don't like television a lot." Fluttershy muttered, "Sorry, Rainbow, I didn't see the airshow yet..."

Rarity waved the recorded tape with her magic, "Twilight, you ought to treat yourself better! The Trinitron was absolutely worth the bits, and it's not something Flim and Flam could ever hope to try to replicate!"

"I'm too busy to watch the telly, to be honest," Twilight rejected the offer, "and besides, I don't think Rainbow likes to see herself being embarrassed by her...er...overly excited parents being too supportive over and over again on that tape recorder!"

Before Rarity could say anything, Rainbow Dash grabbed the tape of the recording and tossed it out of the window, and a clear cracking sound could be heard below.

"See? That's what I was talking about!" Twilight sighed.

Pinkie lowered her head, "Awww...sorry. I hope I still have time to recover the copy I sent..."

Rainbow Dash screamed, "you did WHAT???"

Meanwhile, over at Canterlot High School, Pinkie Pie somehow got hold of a recording tape, and Twilight busted out her old Sony VO-1700 she kept in her basement lab to watch it.

Needless to say, everyone, including Rainbow Dash, had a very good laugh.

Sunset Shimmer, hyperventilating from the laughing, said, "How...did they...suddenly manage to...make recording machines...are beyond me, but oh...Faust, this is FUNNY!"
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December 6th, 1984, 0900 hours
Morita Akio & Ibuka Masaru
Star Swirl Street, Canterlot.

"Aaaand, done." Morita signed the approval papers of a human's application to Canterlot Telecommunications, "this young man named Kaz Hirai seems very promising, I wonder what he will achieve under and after us in the future."

Seeing that Morita is done with his forgotten paperwork, Ibuka put his own TC-D5 and headphones back into the bag, Morita asked, "Why drag around that old machine, Ibuka? We can always use the Walkman."

Ibuka smiled bitterly, "I have carried this old thing on countless business flights, Akio. You know that very well. It still works, but it is more of a consolidation if anything, or a throwback."

Morita knew what his friend meant.

"The old world is gone, and we will never return home." Ibuka sighed, "we are all cursed by our own stupidity and shortsighted actions. We always need to remind ourselves where we all came from, and our past mistakes. We must learn from it, and save it for future generations. "

"That was a deep one."

As the two rested on the bench and prepared for the meeting with the princesses, Morita saw Windy Whistles walk by what is assumed as her husband, along with Rainbow Dash.

"Our old friend, Akio," Ibuka remarked, "you sure you don't want to give them a discount the next time you make headphones for pegasus flying at high speeds?"

Before Akio can respond to the joke, Windy Whistles dragged Rainbow to the two as soon as she saw them sitting nearby.

"Dashie, say hello to the geniuses that made the Walkmare 2!" Windy Whistles introduced the two humans, "sir, I hope you have still remembered me, I'm the mare who asked for the signatures and the recording, remembered that one? I hope I haven't bothered you..."

"Not at all, ma'am." Akio replied, "in fact, your daughter's performance in the air show is remarkable, I can't wait to see the next one."

Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles are about to explode from excitement, but being reminded by Rainbow, they quickly remained calm, albeit taking more effort than usual.

"Mom, dad, can you go get some ice cream from that stall? I...would like to do something else while you wait in line." Rainbow asked.

As the couple went on waiting in line, Rainbow asked the duo, "I...suppose you have seen that airshow on live TV."

Ibuka cracked a bit, "Of course, everyone did. Nice acrobatics."

"Thanks...Anyways, after that, I yelled at my parents for being too embarrassing and supportive, but then I realized...I was still lucky to have such a supportive mom and dad when so much more doesn't even have one anymore." Rainbow Dash lowered her head, "I...uh...worked things out with them yesterday, and now we decided to go on a long overdue trip here."

"Good to hear," Morita lightly clapped his hand, with Ibuka cracking a slight smile. "Nothing is more important than your family, lady. Enjoy their company while you still can."

Ibuka added, "his dad ran a business about making soy sauce and sake, and when we both started back at Nihonbashi, he convinced his dad to take out 190,000 yen for us to start. At that time, I was a radio repairman who made a failed rice cooker, and he was an unemployed lieutenant from the navy's R&D. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for his dad's initial support."

'Woah.." Rainbow Dash was in awe, "and to think you both later came up with the Walkmare!"

"It was the engineers who made it possible, although I did have the original idea," Morita smirked, perhaps in confidence. "All it took was take the recording function out of the Pressman and add something else in."

"Honey! We got the ice cream!"

"Coming, mom! Oh, and before I go, can you perhaps make headphones that stay on during the wind? Iiiit's a tad bit inconvenient to catch it when I'm flying."

As Rainbow Dash went back to her parents, Ibuka asked:

"Well then, Akio, you're gonna give them the discount or what?"

Morita had a good laugh from that. "Anyways, after the presentation, you want to try that new restaurant down the street? Heard the portions are decently sized and the food is spiced."

"That Indian one? Sure, as long as it is not Zesty three-hoofprint approved, waste of money those ones are."

Chapter 11: With Lightning and Fury

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November 8th, 1984, 0900 hours
Szeregowy Franek Kociniak
Polish People's Army
Port of Gdynia, back on Earth

"It's bloody freezing," the British sailor next to Franek complained, "you mind giving me a light? Lighter fucked itself over."

Franek didn't understand the English language very well, but with the sailor's frustrated look with a cigarette in his mouth, he assumed the Englishman wanted someone to light his smoke. He took out his box of matches and tried to burn one, but the wind with the snow combined did him no favors.

"Fuck, can't even smoke here. Thanks awfully, Missus Thatcher; you can stick those Polaris missiles of yours up your arse."

"Thatcher?" Franek asked, "the...iron lady, yes?"

"What? Didn't you ever overhear us Brits talking? Never even turned on the news and...why the fuck am I asking? Of course you didn't. It's Jaruzelski."

The Polish soldier didn't know what this HMS Plymouth sailor was ranting about. Franek guessed he was just pretty bummed out about everything that was happening to the planet. He couldn't blame the Brit.
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On the fateful day of December 25th, 1982, the port and city of Gdynia were miraculously spared from nuclear hellfire, perhaps by divine intervention; the two high-yield American nukes targeting it malfunctioned at the last minute before it was supposed to detonate. The remnants of the Polish Army quickly sought refuge here and restored order to the city.

What happened next, though, was nothing short of bizarre.

Regardless of allegiances, warships, and civilian ships came rushing towards the last port standing of the Baltic sea. First to arrive was the heavily damaged HMS Birmingham, which dropped all of the surviving 175 crew members for pickup before finally sinking. The second to reach Gdynia was a former ally's vessel, the East German Koni-class frigate Rostock also docked in this safe haven, relatively unscathed but still lacking fuel and medical supplies for the extra Volksmarine sailors it carried over.

Then came the HMS Plymouth, which set off sail from the home isles, carrying the survivors of the HMS Hermes alongside four cargo freighters and transport ships. They were the ones who also brought over the news that "London Bridge is down." That day, all the flags, regardless of color and nation, flew half-mast over Gdynia. The British wept and mourned as the rest of the bizarre coalition offered sympathy.

The HMS Bristol and the RFA Regent arrived shortly after, carrying over as many British civilians and soldiers from Portsmouth under the last direct order of the Royal Navy high command: "Get as many as you all can out of here, and god save Britain, for nobody else can."

And among the fleet of warships that have seen the light of the atom, one lies vigilant, untouched, and watching.

The ORP Błyskawica.

A survivor of its own, the ages haven't been too cruel to it. The remaining sailors of the Polish Navy protected the vessel with their lives against bandits, and thanks to that, the golden cross shines evermore on this destroyer.

When the news of an impending ice age and the first snow of January 1983 hit the city, they weren't ready to lay over and die. They also started programs for making their teleporters. Only they weren't content with going through a portal.

They will take the ships with them.

Most of the civilians decided they would instead take the portals, but the sailors were not abandoning ship just yet; they would drag their vessels somewhere over the rainbow. For that, the naval vessels that still could float and be in better shape were being refitted, which included the Błyskawica. Teleportation devices were built upon each boat, and when the command was given, the captain of all the vessels would punch the big red button, and all of them shall embark on a journey into a brave new world. As for the possible things that will go wrong...they will have to take a massive leap of faith.

The locals of Gdynia were almost gone, with some staying either determined to die where they were born or wanting to help those daring sailors. Most of the British civilians also stayed to help their fellow compatriots make the journey. Franek, among it all, was assigned guard duty of a small bookstore that was converted into a storage house.

He stared at the harbor; countless soldiers and remaining civilians, mostly British volunteers shuffled resources on board the large ships, engineers wielded and patched up wear and tears with whatever they could rip off other smaller boats, food was being rationed with everyone getting a can of pickles today. A loaf of bread would be given in place for tomorrow.

The British sailor is still ranting about something. Meanwhile, two Volksmarine sailors walk by carrying a massive crate of food and water; one of them told Franek, "Er ist immer so, du wirst dich daran gewöhnen."

Perhaps there is some beauty in this bizarre combination, private Kociniak thought, but right now, he's more concerned about getting indoors and around the warm fire after the shift.
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December 7th, 1984, 1400 hours

Private Kociniak, now crammed on the ORP Błyskawica alongside a couple dozen more Polish soldiers, witnessed the port of Gdynia being further and further away alongside the navy sailors who weren't controlling the ship or monitoring the energy levels.

"After we leave, none of us will come back again." Seaman Świtalski, his new-found friend, commented, "Franek, you best take a few more looks...this will be the last time we shall see Poland ever again."

Franek couldn't say anything. He watched as Poland started disappearing into the fog and snow, further and further, and finally, disappearing entirely from sight.

They were the last to leave, per the request of everyone on board.

After an hour or so of sailing into the ocean, the order was given to get into the cabins. The teleportation was about to begin for the entire fleet, and anyone staying on the deck would be cooked to a crisp.

Franek sat on the cold, hard corridors of the ship alongside many. Some younger soldiers were crying; the older ones were just depressed.

He closed his eyes, prepared to face what was coming.
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Well, not this.

After the massive teleportation, the armada finally reached another sea. From the completely alien creatures they saw from the sea, they may have successfully made it.

And that was about it. The sea was calm; it was sunny. There wasn't much that was to it.

"Shame, I was expecting a huge storm," Captain Trawiński sighed, sounding slightly disappointed, "but I guess we should be counting blessings that we didn't straight up arrive over a sea monster."

After half an hour of sailing Northwest, "Captain!" one of the spotters on the Błyskawica shouted, binoculars in hand, "Incoming!!"

The crew looked northeast of their ship to find a small fleet of vessels resembling fishing boats rushing towards them at unusual speeds.

On board the HMS Plymouth, the turrets started to turn toward another incoming submarine that was too...odd to be anything official, the sailors on the Plymouth were more direct in their findings:

"Incoming pirates!!"

The Royal Marine Commandos and sailors on the RFA Regent prepared themselves for a possible pirate boarding party. All ships reported over the radio that a pirate armada was closing in on their boat. At the same time, the soldiers on board the now converted cargo freighter "Kronas" opened fire first against the small ships approaching with salvaged DSHK machine guns.

Franek readied his rifle on the deck and aimed at the incoming pirates. The 100mm guns started to turn in the direction of what seemed to be the pirate flagship, a copy of the HMS Iron Duke. The 37mm anti-aircraft gun crews targeted and opened fire on the pirate boarding parties. Świtalski rushed towards the anti-air guns as Private Kociniak started to open fire on the pirates, and he began to see that he was shooting at alien horses rather than humans.

This finding wasn't unnoticed, as everyone knew they most certainly had gone to another planet by discovering horses are now driving boats.

Franek questioned his sanity but decided to put it aside and keep himself alive first.
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The Klugetown Walker pirates, in their stolen flagship, former HMES Solaris, were starting to panic.

"This isn't working, Hookface," the pirate with an eyepatch pointed the map on the table, "that passenger liner not only shows up with more ships and earlier than expected, but then it starts tearin' up our boys like paper? Why did you even order the attack? Is that even the ship we're supposed to raid?"

"Quit worryin' ye, Cyclops!" Hookface shouted, a rum bottle in hand, "so what if they got better? We still have this baby here and Golden Molar's boys on that sub! And as far as ye' n' me know, those sunbutt ships know horseapples 'bout fightin' us in the water-"

A massive explosion sounded outside as Hookface and Cyclops trotted out of the captain's room and saw that Golden Molar's submarine was blown to smithereens. Meanwhile, the battleship with a white and red flag fired its main cannons toward them, scoring a direct hit on one of the three operational 13.5-inch gun batteries.

The Royal Navy sailors on the HMS Plymouth are cheering for their kill while Hookface watched from his spyglass, fuming as he gritted his teeth.

Meanwhile, out of the ten speedboats that approached the RFA Regent, only two got close enough to board in the crossfire, and the 30 pirates that boarded the ship were tossed overboard as dead bodies by Royal Marine Commandos and a British civilian by the name of Edmund Evans, that had a cricket bat in his hand. Similar thing also happened to the Kronas, with the coalition of East German and Polish soldiers mopping the floor with Klugetown Walker pirates.

"Alright, they bucked with the wrong cap'n today! Cyclops, go and have 'em taste our apple pies!" Hookface shouted as the 13.5-inch, and 6-inch guns turned to fire at the Błyskawica.

Most of the shells missed the battleship by luck, but the sheer power of the 13.5-inch gun blew the water high up, covering the deck and anyone on it with seawater. One 6-inch shot hit the anti-air battery Świtalski just left to report their AA gun had jammed, leaving blood mixed with seawater splattering over the seaman. Broken limbs, charred remains, and the twisted hunk of steel were what remained of the battery, fire surrounding it.

For the first time after the nuclear fire that consumed the world, Świtalski puked overboard. Franek rushed to help him get on his feet as the other crew members frantically tried to put out the fire.

"You done in?" Franek asked as he slung the rifle over his shoulders and checked the seaman for wounds.

Świtalski shouted, "send me back in! I don't die that easily!" As he stood up, he grabbed a nearby mounted NSV machine gun and started firing at the now retreating pirate boarding parties, screaming profanities and cursing their mothers.

Back on board the Solaris, Hookface laughed, "Hah! Ya' see? Foals of buckin' horseapples get turned into pie and mash! now-"

Captain Trawiński ordered, "FIRE!"

The 100mm guns roared again, this time blowing off the aft mast of the Solaris, setting off a fire at the monkey island and the bridge. Cyclops, commanding the bridge to steer the ship closer to the Błyskawica, was screaming in agony as he ran out of the inferno burning and jumped into the sea. Hookface tried to grab his hand, but it all just happened too fast for him.

In even worse news for the pirates, the Rostock, successfully fending off the boarding parties, headed to the Błyskawica's aid and fired the last P-15 missile it had sitting in the launchers since the nukes.

Hookface has never seen anything like that, a metal tube taking off faster than a wonderbolt with flame and smoke coming out of its other end like a firework, launched at him and homing into his prized warship he bribed an Equestrian captain for and stole from the dry docks.

With the impact, the HMES Solaris' ammunition and fuel were ignited by the missile strike, setting off a massive explosion and breaking in half as it sunk under three minutes. The Brits, the Germans, the Poles, and the pony pirates all stared at in either shock, awe, or horror.

Upon the remaining few pirates that lived to get scooped up by the fleet, Hookface was picked up by the HMS Bristol.

The captain ranted at the sailors, "Gah! You buckin' apes! If it weren't for that shootin' star, my boys will have torn all of you apart, limb by limb! Ya' hear me, ye' dirty cowards? Come and fight me like a stallion and I will mop the floor with your teeth mixed with rum and blood!"

The crew on the Bristol decided it would be best to have him shut up for the time being and took out the sedation darts they had in spares.

"I will not go down like a chump! You bucking animals will not take me! Your needles shall never put me to sleep! Let me jump-argh!"

Before the medic can sedate the pirate captain, an RMC sergeant decides he will do this physically and slams his L1A1's buttstock into the Hookface's forehead.

"What? He'll live!" He said to his fellow RMC soldiers and Royal Navy sailors as they stared at him.

Meanwhile, the ORP Błyskawica spotted another ship.

"Relax, it's a passenger liner." Captain Trawiński announced to the nervous spotter, "Tell everyone that we will follow that ship, it will lead us to somewhere that we can dock."
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December 7th, 1008, 1724 hours
Jet Set & Upper Crust
South Luna Ocean, 140km Northwest of Irwind, on board the ERMS Princess Celestia

"I say, honey," Upper Crust remarked while having tea on the balcony facing the ocean, "This ocean liner really was worth the bits investing in it. I can totally see this being the future of luxury travel."

Jet Set took a Canelé and said, "I told you so. And to think the navy wanted to send escorts to ruin the scene! Those pirates wouldn't even dare touch you and me, and admiral Stabelin decided to cook up something about those pirates wanting to kidnap us! Absurd! Unthinkable!"

"I am considering complaining him to Fancypants himself, that will surely get him re-assigned to the north pole, and we will never see his face again." Upper Crust finished her cup of earl grey as she looked at the spyglass mounted on a tripod. "Hmm, what's that over there? The smoke is-"

A thunderous explosion can be heard in the distance, followed by a colossal explosion shaped like a mushroom cloud with an even louder boom. The other passengers were alarmed by the battle's presence as they rushed to take pictures and witness what had just happened.

Jet Set was more or less horrified by such a scene, a battle right at their doorstep could possibly lead to them being part of the receiving end of the cannons, and nobody was in the mood to die today.

"Admiral Stablein...was right? I-impossible; this must be a coincidence." Upper Crust muttered, her hoof shaking.

"Was that the Solaris?" Jet Set looked through his binoculars, "How did it end up here? I thought it was supposed to be scrapped!"
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Jet Set thought he had had enough of sudden events for a day, and life proved him wrong.

Those warships that were originally far away fighting someone turned out to be a human fleet that teleported into the South Luna Ocean, and not only had they completely sent the entire pirate fleet down to the bottom of the sea, but the humans also captured the fearsome Captain Hookface. At least, this is what the representative that the HMS Pistol...Blister...no, Bristol sent out told the entire ship.

Six ships are now following the ERMS Princess Celestia, four of them being battleships. The passenger liner took in some of the wounded human sailors and had them using the spare rooms as temporary hospitals, much to Jet Set and his wife's dismay.

"I will be frank with you, captain." He said to the HMS Plymouth's captain, "this is a high-end passenger liner, and I am already compromising my standards for letting you in. If it weren't for the captain and some of those passengers' pleas, your men would be-"

"Well, hello there, Frank; I'm Captain Edwards. Eh, I was just muckin' about, but why? You had those spare rooms eating dust on this ship, and letting my men who have been breathing fallout and eating lead for almost two bloody years sleep for a potential few days in it is too much for you? I'm sorry, should I be bowing and kowtowing while presenting my best bottle of brandy to you?"

"It's not that; we have standards on what ponies we even talk to, and talking to you is already a stretch. We don't do charity here, Mr. Edwards, we will take your wounded men in as a sign of courtesy, but if you expect any more favors from me, I will have you bucked straight off the deck." Upper Crust replied in an almost arrogant tone.

"Quite so, dear. I'm the owner of this ship and therefore have the power to do just that. Now, when you get to land, have fun playing in the mud with those...Ponyville peasantry." Jet Set threatened.

Captain Edwards gulped and tried to contain his anger, "I see...I was just about to leave anyway. Thank you for...your courtesy, and if any other pirates decide today's the good day to give the RMS Princess Celestia a visit, call us on this radio frequency, and we will reach out to you in five workdays. Oh, and remember about that brandy? Disclaimer, we're fresh out of brandy, you want vodka instead?"

The captain stormed off as Jet Set decided not to care. Who did these peasants decide they could sleep anywhere they liked, anyway?

Edwards returned to the deck as the ship's captain trotted up to him, "I'm...sorry for what you had to go through, sir. I will have the radio department tell Las Pegasus your fleet is coming. Care to stay for dinner?"

"Thanks, I appreciate it, but I ought to get going. My men still need me."

Meanwhile, Franek and Świtalski are carrying the last wounded men of the Błyskawica to the spare rooms of the passenger liner.

As they left the cabin, Świtalski complained, "that two horse sons of bitches don't want us here, Franek. They are too rich and struck up to have dirty soldiers eating their leftovers."

"At least the others are nice to us," Franek said as he held up a muffin, "like that pony who I think needs eye surgery."

"Yeah, well, nice or not, we will be sleeping in the hallways tonight." The seaman groaned. "Not the worst thing I had to endure anyway; Jaruzelski is still going to top the lists."

"True that."
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December 8th, 1008, 1600 hours
Princess Luna
Las Pegasus Harbour, on-ground section.

To hear about captain Hookface's spoils during meetings with the defense minister is one thing, but to see him dragged across the harbor and handed to the Equestrian Military Police? That is a whole different story.

Four of the Royal Marine Commandos carried the dreaded pirate as the rest of the HMS Bristol's sailors and marines made way while many other humans disembarked from the other vessels, waiting for the next move. Press cameras and newspaper journalists swarmed the humans and questions flew across the harbor like bullets. Captain Hookface cursed all along the way, even when he is being driven away by the military police.

Luna was honestly speechless at this; the Equestrian Navy had sunk so far, their former flagship, which was supposed to be a museum ship not only sold for scrap under Jet Set's interference, but then sold off in an under-the-table deal to pirates, finally to be sunk by the humans? It feels like the humans have been cleaning up after Equestria's failures in terms of the military from the moment they arrived.

She decided to put those thoughts aside and first shake hands...hooves? Doesn't matter. She will meet with the captain of the HMS Bristol. The media is always watching, and she cannot afford to make a wrong move.

Captain Trawiński, as the tune of "Poland is not yet lost" played and the flag of Poland was being lowered, gave the ORP Błyskawica a good look before stepping on land and said, "I hope to god she has fought her last battle."

The Rostock also lowered the flag of the German Democratic Republic in the preserved recording of "Risen from the Ruins". Receiving little to no media attention outside of the photographer on board taking photos.

A sailor remarked, "Goodbye Lenin, goodbye Marx, goodbye Engels, and goodbye forever, my fatherland."

At the same time, colonel Romeo Dallaire of the Equestrian Armed Forces Canadian Legion shook hands with the captain of the HMS Plymouth.

"Did Britain make it through?"

"Not here anyways if they did. Any news from the home isles? Is she safe?"

The captain hesitated, then replied, "London Bridge is down."

"...Fuckin' tabarnak, I knew this day would come. How long ago?"

"Two years."

Dallaire only nodded and said, "Understood. I will have the rest of Canada know it. You get some rest, captain."

The Union Jack flies over the harbor of Las Pegasus, upon the final embers of the empire that the sun has finally set upon.
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December 8th, 1008, 0600 hours
Queen Chrysalis
[TOP SECRET] of the Changeling citadel of Vesapolis

"B-But your majesty! Our smuggling routes and naval force have been wiped out!" Rodo Chainner, the leader of Klugetown pleaded, "you can't just cut our share of profits down the 20%! We need the material support to rebuild the-"

Queen Chrysalis cut the slaver's speech short and warned him, "I'm altering the deal, governor Rodo. Pray I don't alter it further."

Rodo fell silent.

"I will have another brigade of the guard to be stationed in Klugetown in case the ponies come knocking," Chrysalis added, "the cut of the share is a sufficient punishment for you and your captain's foolishness, we still need Klugetown to act as a spearhead for the future war. I trust you also need help with fortifying Klugetown and The Walkers, yes?"

"...Yes, your majesty..."

"Good, I will have Alspberg send you over some engineers and building materials for that alongside that brigade. Do not fail me this time, governor."

Chrysalis shut off the projector the moment she was done and after a few seconds, she shouted in rage and threw her coffee cup across the room, smashing it to pieces.

"Get me Herrog! At once!"

Chapter 12: Splendor of the mighty one

View Online

"Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. I supposed we all thought that, one way or another.”
- J. Robert Oppenheimer, 1965.

December 10th, 1984, 0730 hours

It was snowing in Vanhoover today, and a thin layer of snow formed on the ground as the city's residents continued their daily lives as usual.

Such residents include Tara and Maria Charendoff, two human sisters studying at the New Westmarester Elementary school. As they boarded the tram at the 29th Avenue tram station, the radio on the tram had just started broadcasting the morning news.

"...Good morning, ladies and gentlemen; this is Radio Royal Canada morning news, broadcasting live from the city of Vanhoover. I'm your host, Tanner Foster. Today's headlines, British exile troops are to negotiate terms to be absorbed into the Equestrian Royal Armed Forces, hoping to enjoy the same status of Canadian troops serving as legionaries..."

The tram drove past the developing town of Royal Birch, with residential buildings being built and public infrastructure being laid down. At the same time, the radio kept broadcasting the news and the passengers getting off or boarding at each station. Most humans living in the New Westmarester region are Canadians who inhabited the southern parts of Vanhoover, including Hitchmond, Surein, Vanhoover downtown, and Barnaby. The Northern parts of Vanhoover see most of its human population from all corners of the USSR and the occasional Arabs.

After a 15-minute tram ride, the sisters arrived at 22nd Street station. As they walked past the suburban where the elementary school was, they ran into their pony classmate waiting for them on her front lawn.

"Heya Tara, heya Maria!" Sapphire Night waved to her human classmates, "How are you today?"

Tara smiled and waved back, "I'm fine, thanks for asking. Oh, by the way, did you know how to do the science homework, you know, question 10, page 17?"

"Aw, that was hard! I still can't figure that one out! Crystals really are not fun when you have to study them..."

"You both had it easy," Maria joined in, "I had to study how to calculate the power levels of certain crystal mass."

As the three arrived at the school, Maria waved goodbye to her sister as she walked toward the grade 6 classrooms. Tara and Sapphire walked toward the grade 4's. The two picked out the textbooks in their lockers for the next class when two fillies came looking for trouble.

"Hey, Tara!" Stout Buckler, his sidekick beside him, gave Tara's shoulder a not-so-gentle push, "Heard you humans are getting more money from the government this month; why don't you share some of it with me? Or else..."

"Or else we will...uh...do something!" Dafter Knucks, Buckler's sidekick, added. "Like eating all your candy from your mama!"

Tara rebutted, "Hey, knock it out! How many times are you two going to do this?"

"Yeah. Knock it out, you bully!" Sapphire defended her friend, "Why is it you always pick on the humans?"

"Because you humans don't have magic!" Buckler laughed at Tara, lifting her backpack out of her reach with his horn, "See what I mean?"

"Hey! It's not fair! Give it back!"

Buckler started running as Tara chased him, "Come and get it! You dumb-"

Mr. Cadberton, the human science teacher, snatched the backpack from Buckler's magic.

"Kid, apologize to Miss Charendoff." Mr. Cadberton said in a calm, almost unnerving voice.

"Bu-but I-"

"No buts." Mr. Cadberton cut his explanation short, "You are getting detention after school today and a phone call to your parents, and that's final. Now, apologize before I have you doing extra homework."

"I-I'm sorry! I won't d-do it again!" Buckler pleaded. "Not extra science homework! Anything but that!"

As Buckler and Knucks trotted away with lowered heads, the teacher replied, "remember to study for your test tomorrow." He then turned to Tara and returned the backpack to her, "you okay, young lady?"

"Yes, Mr. Cadberton."

"Good, take care, and remember to hand in your homework today." He then walked away while throwing a few coughing fits.

Sapphire turned to reassure Tara, "Don't worry, I will protect you from those two bullies!"

"Thanks...I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything; we're friends!" Sapphire Night smiled.
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"Now flip your textbooks to page 37." Mr. Mudaris, the social studies teacher, held up his ruler with his horn and said, "The war of year 870 ended with the Treaty of Sire's Hollow. The Changeling Empire would retreat further west from Sire's Hollow as Equestria secures total control over Western Equis up to this day. Although Equestria won, the casualties of the war were high and, in the end, turned more Equestrians to advocate for peace, causing the Peace Act of 875, banning the act of declaring war against any nation and the Equestrian Armed Forces from participating in any acts of war outside of self-defense."

While Tara listened attentively, Sapphire fell asleep in the seat next to Tara and dreamt of soaring in the clouds during the dull history section.

"...Now, the question section. What date did the war of 870 happen, Miss Sapphire Night?"

Sapphire woke up from her nap and asked sleepily, "...w-wha?"

The teacher sighed, "Please stand at your seat for a while, Miss Night. Miss Charendoff?"

"6th of May," Tara answered.

"It's the 5th of May. Sit down, please." Mr. Mudaris replied. "Now, Mr. Chernenko, where was the peace treaty signed?"

As Sapphire sat down after a while, she whispered to Tara, "How do you even pay attention to all this? Social Studies are boooooooring!"

"I don't know, but I guess I'm just interested. Also, are you guys really in peace for hundreds of years?"

"Yeah, everypony knows that, and I don't think I have seen a pony alive that even fought in a war!" Sapphire replied. "Well, other than Princess Celestia, I guess."

Tara muttered, "I wish we could have that..."

"I guess I understand how important the Peace Act is now after you told me what happened back in your world."

The class bell rang as the clock struck ten; Mr. Mudaris then announced to the whole class as everyone picked up their items and readied to leave, "alright, class, remember that two days later, we will have a quiz on chapter 4, and the reply slip of the Ponyville field trip is due tomorrow, I will see you all on Wednesday."

"Tara, are you going to Ponyville with us?" Sapphire asked, "I mean, it's the town of friendship, after all! And Princess Twilight Sparkle lives there!"

Tara replied, "Of course, I'm going; why would I miss out on this?"
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The radio on Mr. Bryant Cadberton's desk played the special session of the European Parliament as he ate his lunch.

Radovan Karadžić, one of the Serbian representatives, argued back and forth against Lazar Koliševski, the Yugoslavian president, on the formal disbandment of SFR Yugoslavia.

"Mr. President, with all due respect, the federal republic has no reason to exist after the war; if we allow this constraining device to persist, the Serbs will only get buried by the inferior Muslim Bosniaks and Croats-"

"Mr. Karadžić, I will insist you take that statement back!" Koliševski fought back, "Yugoslavia is a nation of-"

"And I shall stand by my views; Serbia is the greater nation amongst all of the Balkans; history has proven that we reign superior; what have the Croats and Bosniaks ever contributed to the Federal Republic?"

Alija Izetbegović, the leading Bosniak, joined in, "Mr. Karadžić, may I remind you that our beloved Marshal Josip Broz Tito was a Croat? I agree that Yugoslavia should be disbanded, but your version is for all the wrong reasons."

"Eh, why is it that you are so obsessed with the entire greater Serbia rhetoric?" Slavoj Žižek, head of the Slovenes, questioned.

"Fuck Tito! He has created this monstrosity of a nation; I will gladly piss on his grave if I can!"

"You shut up! You are a disgrace to all good Serbians that still view Yugoslavia as a nation of equals!"

"Fuck you too, you traitorous piece of shit; Tito can kiss my ass!"

"I will chop your tongue off if you dare talk shit about Marshal Tito again!"

"Eat shit; I will talk about Tito how I want!"

"Order! I will have silence!" François Mitterrand, the speaker, announced as sounds of audible fighting can be heard.

Bryant turned off the radio, then buried his face deep into his palms.

He then turned to stare at the ID card he had worn before:

WHITE MOUNTAINS RESEARCH FACILITY

BRYANT H. CADBERTON

NUCLEAR RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

DOB APR 22, 1932

As Bryant stared at the card and thought of something, a knock on the classroom door dragged him back to reality. Bryant stood up and said, "Come in."

In came Sapphire Night, holding her workbook. "Emmm...Mister Cadberton? Can I ask how I should solve question ten here?"

"Oh, I see. You should look up page 56 of the textbook; it should give you some ideas. Here, let me show you..."

Cadberton threw a violent coughing fit as he tried to explain the question.

"Oh, dear! Are you okay, mister Cadberton?" Sapphire asked.

Bryant looked at his palm and replied, "I'm...fine. Now, let's get back to your question."
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With the wire attached to the crystal device, the light bulb glowed up in front of the students observing the demonstration.

"Crystals are most commonly used as power sources in Equestria, which provides valuable electricity to keep everything running. It's clean, and a small amount can power an entire city. However, if energy output grows unchecked, then explosions occur, and I'm not talking about firecrackers. Crystals about the size of this classroom can level an entire city." Bryant disconnected the wire and held up the purple, glowing crystal, "One like this could theoretically blow half of this classroom to dust. Remember, this will be on the quiz."

As he turned around to look at the clock, he saw there was still much time before the end of class, and he mutters to himself, “For something with such a low critical mass…” Bryant removed his glasses and announced to the whole class. "Alright, class, since we do have time, I believe I...should tell you all a story."

The whole class looked at the teacher with piqued interest.

"Once upon a time, in a distant land, there was a man who loved science. He excelled at both chemistry and physics and was a teacher. The kingdom was impressed with what he had to teach; when war came, he was tasked with creating a weapon to help the kingdom prepare for a final measure should the war go south with another empire."

"Why does this sound familiar?" A human student questioned.

"And when he finally created the weapon, which was a huge bomb, he was happy. More so when the weapon finally had the opposing empire bend its knees and surrender. However, an ally of the kingdom was fearful that the kingdom would grow too powerful with its ultimate weapon and made their versions of it."

Bryant continued after a coughing fit, "Both sides also started to hate each other, and finally, the scientist realized what he had done when both sides started to threaten each other with his creation, endangering every living creature on the planet. He tried to persuade both sides to give up his creation, but in the end, nobody listened, with the weapons being used to end the world- and the scientist himself."

The class erupted into a discussion about what the teacher had to say. Some discussed the scientist and the two kingdoms, but most talked about where this story came from.

"That...was the story of a great scientist back where I came from." Mr. Cadberton said, "with a bit of my own sprinkled in."

The class looked even more confused; a filly asked, "Mr. Cadberton, you used to make weapons?"

Bryant went and took out his ID pass from the White Mountain Research Facility out of the drawer, held it up, and said, "I was a scientist for the government, making destructive nuclear bombs, the ones that can flatten an entire city. Those weapons I helped to create... ended up destroying most of humanity."

The whole class was silent at the revelation, with Bryant continuing, "the scientist thought what he did would bring peace and reduce casualties, and ended up doing the opposite. I guess I also thought that with enough nukes on both sides, nobody would risk ending the world. If I knew what I would contribute to, I...I would have just become a science teacher."

Tara raised her hand and asked, "Mr. Cadberton, are you saying that..."

"I played my part in destroying the world, and in the end, the effects of my own work came back to haunt me." He said as he threw another violent coughing fit and displayed the red stain on his handkerchief. "This...isn't me bleeding on my hand. This is terminal lung cancer caused by the years dealing with radioactive material and nuclear test sites."

The entire class gasped and exploded in debate, with Sapphire Night saying, "W-why didn't you tell us? My dad is a doctor, and he healed many ponies that are sick! He can help you, Mister Cadberton!"

"Thank you, Miss Night. But I'm afraid that it's too late. It's terminal." Bryant tried his best to squeeze out a slight smile, " the reason why I am telling you this is that I want to tell you all the most important science lesson I can offer: what you intend for your creation to do doesn't matter; the result does. Don't be what I have become, please."

He fell silent as he leaned against his desk with his head lowered. His class erupted with words of sympathy and even more questions about his line of work.

Bryant felt the ghost of Manhattan staring into his soul and judging him. When the time comes for him to die of his own sins as heaven pre-destined, he would die knowing he tried his best to stop anyone else from going through what many before him had to.
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"Really, two years at best? Good heavens, I...I'm sorry, Mr. Cadberton." The principal said to the teacher sitting in front of his desk.

"Thank you," Bryant replied calmly, "can I make a request?"

"Go ahead."

"I would like to teach for as long as possible." Mr. Cadberton said, "at least I can pass down what I have learned in my life."

The principal extended his hoof for a hand-hoof shake and nodded. "You're always welcome to, Mr. Cadberton. Remember not to over-exhaust yourself."

"I will keep that in mind." Bryant accepted.

As the teacher exited the principal's office coughing, he saw Tara waiting on the bench outside the office.

"Can I ask some questions, Mr. Cadberton?"

Bryant nodded as Tara asked, "...is your family still here?"

"They perished when the nukes dropped." Bryant sat on the bench, "I tried to run home to them, but...I couldn't bring myself to do it. What about yours? Are they...?"

"No, they're fine." Tara smiled, "My parents have a candy store near the 29th Avenue tram station."

Bryant sighed, "I know it will never be enough, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry for everything I have done."

"You don't have to, Mr. Cadberton." She said as she took out a lollipop candy in her backpack, "thank you for this morning."

Bryant held the lollipop and leaned back on his seat, breaking a small smile. "...thank you."

"You're welcome. I should get going now; Maria is going to be mad if I keep stalling." Tara stood up and left. 'Goodbye, Mr. Cadberton!"

As his student walked away, he looked at the lollipop he was given and stared at the snow outside, with thousands of thoughts crossing his mind.

Most of them, however, were about the family he could never go back to.
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"What did the school teach you today, sweetheart?" Tara's mother asked as Tara did homework at the store counter.

Tara thought briefly, saying, "Today, our science teacher told us a story."

"Oh, what was it about?"

Tara put down her pencil and started, "Once upon a time, there was an ironsmith that made the best swords in his kingdom. One day, he was tasked by the king himself to make the best sword ever to defeat the evil dragon. The ironsmith did so, and after a lot of trial and error, he managed to create a saber so powerful, it could split open mountains and the earth."

Her mother replied, "interesting; what happens next?"

"When the king personally took on the dragon with his army and won with the saber the ironsmith made, the king returned victorious, and the ironsmith was very happy. However, the other kingdom across the mountains was scared of their neighbor having such a weapon and made their own version of the mighty sword! "

"What about the king?"

"The king was not content with what he had, he wanted to be more powerful, too. He then ordered the ironsmith to make a more powerful sword and make more of it. The ironsmith did so but pleaded with both of the kings to calm down and not use his creation for war. He was turned down and ignored as war broke out, and both kingdoms were destroyed from the battles, leaving only the ironsmith left; the sad ironsmith left the place he called home, and he never returned." Tara continued.

Tara's mother asked, "what a sad story, Tara. Did the teacher tell you a happier one?"

"Mom, the story's still not finished." Tara replied, "The ironsmith then went to a faraway kingdom to start life anew, vowing never to create weapons again. Instead, he taught kids in that kingdom to make beautiful artifacts and farming machines while warning them of the dangers of making swords to the day he died. The world enjoyed peace for a long time. The end."

Her mother gave a small round of applause as she complimented her, "your science teacher sure is interesting, sweetheart. Was he a storyteller before he became a teacher?"

Tara thought and replied:

"He was an ironsmith before."

Side Story: Breakfast at Jimmy's

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"Seriously? With ketchup out of all things, after all this?" Jimmy Carter questioned the culinary choices of the man before him.

The man continued eating from a pile of cottage cheese mixed with ketchup and said, "Come on, Jimmy. You love dairy as much as I do; I thought you'd understand the value of this. Just give it a try sometimes."

"For Christ's sake, Nixon, nobody in the universe eats like that!" Carter complained. Richard Nixon raised his head and looked around the diner; every living human and pony who laid eyes on his breakfast looked terrified, confused, or sometimes even disgusted.

"Damn it, you hippies," Nixon muttered, "if you had tried it, you would be coming back for seconds!"

Carter then leaned forward on the table and said, "Okay, your questionable dietary habits aside, I do believe I have something-"

"It's called unique, Carter."

"...Okay, unique. Still, the reason I invited you out today is that I got a letter from the Equestrian Parliament for you. Mailed to me for some reason, and I'm here to hand it to you." Carter said as he took out an envelope from his briefcase.

Nixon drank from his cup of coffee, "and that's worth you calling me in the middle of my nap for breakfast together? You could have just got someone to send me the damn letter."

"You mean to tell me that you don't appreciate someone actually caring to invite you out for a casual meal?" Carter asked. "I have given you the cold shoulder for too long, didn't I?"

"No, good heavens, no, damn it. But I would appreciate you calling in a more humane time." Nixon explained, "you're lucky you didn't call yesterday night; I was having dinner with Kissinger and Westmoreland at Derpsia's. You know, meeting up for old times' sake. Also, how did the letter even end up at your place?"

Carter facepalmed, "That grey pegasus with crossed eyes tossed my parcel straight into my office window with your letter on it. I have to work in the dining room now from all the snow blowing in. My wife tried calling the local repair stores, but nobody opened up their stores since it was snowing yesterday."

"Jesus," Nixon responded, "how's Rosalynn, by the way?"

"She certainly got better and happier, that's for sure. She usually made cookies and cupcakes for our neighbors and the local schools." As he drank from his cup of tea, Carter said, "I helped her bake from time to time, even mediated in some neighbors fighting over an orange tree. White Tails is a nice place. You should visit more often."

"You're right."

"And, I know this may be painful, but... I'm glad you got over Pat."

"No, no, it's alright, Jimmy. It has been a year. We all gotta move on at some point." Nixon sighed, "she would have wanted that."

Both ex-presidents were silent for a long time.

Nixon then opened the envelope and read the letter, "seems like they want me to give a speech at the House of Commons."

"Great," Carter commented. "you want to tell them you're not a crook as well?"

"Oh, not again, you-"

"Relax, and, uh...it feels somewhat awkward to say this, but sorry for giving you the cold shoulder for all this time." Carter extended his hand.

Nixon shook Carter's hand, "never too late to say that."

As the two shook hands, a sound of glass shattering and screaming can be heard as a box labeled "coffee beans" smashed through the window behind them. The two ex-presidents turned to see the box on the ground, then turned their heads to look outside to see a grey pegasus with crossed eyes hovering and smiling awkwardly.

Carter was speechless while Nixon opened the window next to the table and shouted, "damn you, hippie! Stop breaking everyone's windows!"

The pegasus said, "oops...hehe, silly me."

Chapter 13: A tale of two peoples and four wars

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"There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones."
-Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, 1918-1981

December 15th, 1984, 0900 hours
Private Hassam Amdiri
30th Guards Mechanized Infantry Division of the Soviet Army, Former Syrian Republican Guard & Egyptian 16th Infantry brigade
Border outpost 7 kilometers Northwest of Sire's Hollow

The border with the changelings of the Sire's Hollow section usually was quiet, and today will be no exception. The winter sun shone as snow piled up on the frozen field that is the no mare's land. Not even a single living soul could be seen on the horizon, but none of the soldiers here dared venture over for a look. Today was Hassam's second day being stationed at the Changeling-Equestria border.

"Fuck me," Hassam muttered, looking down at the border through the binoculars, "this place is empty."

"Come on, private, liven up a bit." Sergeant Shaamikh el-Amir tapped on Hassam's shoulders, "it's boring, and it's creepy, but at least we are getting paid for this."

Hassam replied as he continued surveying the barren horizon, "Yes, sir. But...do you ever think what if they eventually amassed enough of an army, then they will just come and overrun this place?"

"If they come, there's nothing we can do. Allah willing, we will all go down fighting." the sergeant lit a cigarette, "that's what I also told myself when I was back fighting in the Golan Heights, 1973 edition."

"Wait, you fought in the October War?" Hassam asked, "what was it like back then?"

"We got pushed back. Hard." Shaamikh leaned against the bunker wall, "and after a few years, Hafez Al-Assad is screaming that Sadat backstabbed us. In 1982, I was part of the Republican Guard that fought with the Soviet Army; we were pushing the Israelis out of the Golan Heights when armageddon came. It just never ends well for us, does it?"

"I guess it never does." Hassam put down his binoculars and said, "my uncle was one of the first soldiers to cross the canal. He died taking down three Israeli tanks with him."

"Anyways, it's about time that you go take a break; I'm supposed to take over now."

Hassam walked out of the bunker and into the trenches that connect to the main building, an empty farmhouse. He walked past numerous sandbag positions, all equipped with machine guns salvaged from who knows where. After walking out of the trenches into the farmhouse's backyard, multiple mortars are set up with a 57 mm Anti-air gun on its side. The outer wall was Soviet propaganda posters promoting friendship between all humans and ponies while warning the dangers of changeling infiltrators.

Walking inside, Hassam doesn’t need to look to know what is in front of him; the portrait of Mikhail Gorbachev, Hafez Al-Assad, and the two princesses hung above the notice board. The communique of the day should have been freshly printed and pinned on the wall right next to the photo of the outpost commander, Major Vasily Grolanpov, and the defense minister, Sergey Akhromeyev.

He entered the canteen, sat at an empty table, and took off his helmet. He looked at the white eagle of Saladin printed on it, the paint had faded, but it still is clearly visible.

When the alliance between Syria and Egypt broke apart, he was merely three years old and barely knew how to speak, let alone understand what pan-Arabism was. Something inside him wondered if the dream of Nasser was so unachievable that just wanting the Sinai peninsula back required Sadat to betray his allies and make peace talks with Israel. He heard of his father, that died gallantly fighting the Israelis in 1967, and his uncle in 1973. His family paid the price for what? A dream beyond reach?

Maybe without the original borders that everyone kept murdering each other for, there is some hope for having the Arabs finally coming together, a chance of unity. Maybe-

"Hassam!" His friend, private Badr el-Rashid, asked as he took off his helmet and sat down, "what's got you thinking, my friend? You have been staring at your helmet for quite a bit."

"Nothing, it's just...do you ever miss the days when we would unite just to try to achieve a common goal?"

Badr responded, "Part of me does, but really, it seems like everyone had a different version of what that common goal is. All I wanted was for my parents to go home from Damascus, but you knew how it ended."

"Sometimes I don't really know anymore. But in the end, I feel like after all this; we Arabs should finally get together. There are no more existing borders to stop us from doing that, so why not?"

"Good point. But are you sure anyone other than us would listen, Hassam? Look at the notice board. Do you see Nasser or even Sadat's photo there? No, it's just Hafez motherfucking Al-Assad, and I doubt he wants that if he can even have a crowd to listen to him speak."

Hassam leaned back in his chair, "That doesn't mean we should just outright give up! We are the same people still, right?"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but don't you think there are much more pressing matters at hand?"

"Like what?"

Badr sighed, "trying to make ends meet, for starters."

"Really, that's all you are thinking now, Badr?' Hassam was mildly furious. "What would be of us without even a single bit of ambition or dreams?"

"I also used to believe in that dream, believe me. Like you, I also dreamt of the unity of all Arab peoples, but after all this...death and destruction, I don't think that's possible anymore."

After that, silence endured. Hassam then started to sing a tune to himself.

"My dear homeland, the greatest of homelands, day by day its glories multiply..."

Badr understood what that song meant. He knew the pan-Arab dream would be hard to rebuild, but perhaps a tune never hurts. He then joined in an also lowered voice, "...And its life is rife with victories, my homeland grows and becomes free. My homeland...My homeland..."

The other officers and soldiers quickly took notice of the song, and joined in, one by one, singing the song of the pan-Arab dream back when it all started.

"...Oh, my homeland, your love rules my heart, My homeland, the homeland of all Arabic people. You are the one who called for the ultimate unity..."
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December 15th, 1984, 1300 hours

Yitzhak Rabin walked down the streets of the Jewish part of Vanhoover downtown, trying to ignore what was happening around him.

"...This is all but another cleansing of the earth! God demanded this, and we must cleanse ourselves of sin to prepare our eventual return to the promised land, to Zion!" A Rabbi preached to a crowd in a park, standing on a soap box. The crowd cheered as they shouted various slogans, crying for the cleansing of sin and return to their homeland.

Meanwhile, across the street, someone on their apartment balcony shouted in Hebrew, "if god exists, why would he allow Jerusalem to be destroyed by the nukes? Stop misleading everyone!"

“Curse upon you, sinner!”

Rabin walked on to board the tram to Stadium-Humantown as the argument devolved into a shouting fit between two opposing viewpoints. The Israeli sat next to another human reading an Arabic newspaper; the other person looked at Rabin and immediately moved away from him, then said, "stay away from me, freak."

Rabin was just about to ask why until he noticed the pin of the Ba'ath Party flag on that man's collar, and looked down at his own Israeli flag pin. He said no more and remained silent on the entire tram ride.

The ride was uneventful, and after getting off at the Stadium-Humantown station, Rabin proceeded to make his way through Humantown Vanhoover, where humans had built up a shanty town that was starting to look like proper buildings. The flags of humanity, some from the soviet republics, some from Canada, some from Arabian nations, and from Israel, hung on shops, houses, and balconies. Rabin noticed, however, the flags of the Arabs never get hung on the same side of the street as Israelis. One restaurant with the Palestinian flag had a sign written in blazing red English and Arabic:

WE DON'T SERVE ISRAELIS
نحن لا نخدم الإسرائيليين

Meanwhile, across the street, a Jewish grocery store also had a sign written in bright blue English:

ARABS NOT WELCOME

Rabin sighed and kept walking towards the municipal government building. Equestrian posters of unity and friendship plastered on the walls were ignored by the pedestrians, and most of the ponies that wandered on this street looked confused over why the two sides of the road hated each other.

Rabin finally got to the municipal building after walking down the street for a few minutes and walking in. After entering the lift and reaching the meeting room on the 4th floor, inside waiting for him were Premier Nikolai Ryzhkov of the Soviet Union, Princess Luna of Equestria, and the mayor of Vanhoover, Cyan Collar.

"Thanks for making it." Ryzhkov welcomed Rabin as he took a seat, "you're right on time."

"Yes, Mr. Rabin, please, take a seat." Luna said, "now, we may start commencing the meeting. Mr. Mayor, would you please start with the complaints of the ponies living near this area?"

Cyan Collar adjusted his pince-nez and read from his documents. "we have complaints of good citizens being caught in the crossfire of Israelis and Arabs fighting each other. Not just one, but multiple. The hate between these two groups is also rampant, including refusing service to certain groups, distribution of racist and hateful material, discrimination, and more, which violates the Equestrian Equality Act of 990."

"...You should have just prosecuted the offenders, not having me listen to this while having tea," Rabin said to the mayor.

Luna explained, "I have come to Vanhoover with no fanfare and for one purpose, and that is to resolve the conflict between your people and the others.I believe that with enough understanding and friendship between the two representatives, the rest of your people would follow suit, what does everyone think of this?"

"I’m sorry, your highness, but I would have to disagree," Rabin sighed, "and...comrade Ryzhkov, judging by your presence, Hafez Al-Assad is still unwilling to even talk to anyone remotely Jewish, correct?"

"Hafez doesn't want to talk. Saddam, Mubarak, and Yasser are dead." Ryzhkov replied, "while most of the Jewish community leaders or Rabbis I tried to contact either turned our messengers away or hung up on us upon hearing we are the Government. You're the only one who didn't just hang up on us after I mentioned the Arabs."

"Well, Brezhnev did help Hafez try to take the Golan Heights and invade Israel from Lebanon. I suppose that is only normal with how many that had died in both regions and the nukes upon Jerusalem." Rabin drank from his cup of tea.

The mayor leaned forward, "but either way, Mr. Rabin, the fight must stop. It is affecting the residents, good pony residents, mind you, and damaging the values of friendship and love we hold dear to our hearts. The effects are tremendously bad, so I would like you to use your Soviet influence to solve this."

"Impossible, out of the question." Rabin quickly explained, "moderates like me are the minority of Israelis, Mr. Mayor. Most are extreme radicals with some wanting me dead."

Luna asked in curiosity, "pray to tell, Mr. Rabin? And premier Ryzhkov?"

"We have two main types of Israelis left, one that has their beliefs broken by the nukes upon the holy city, the other one has doubled down on their beliefs and claims that it's all god's plan to erase sinners." Rabin said, "both are not willing even to share a table with an Arab. The moderates are few, and even they are still skeptical that the Arabs can peacefully co-exist with them."

Ryzhkov then continued, "During the two days I have stayed here, I have seen numerous Arab posters that remind everyone of the Nakba and call for the Arabs never to forget Palestine, sometimes the Ba'ath party logo, the flag or anti-Semitic slogans are spray painted on walls. Not to mention portraits of known terrorists that committed atrocities before. Those included-"

"Mr. premier, time is a commodity." The mayor reminded Ryzhkov.

"...Right. Hafez also warned me that he may have abandoned the pan-Arab part of his Ba'ath party, but he would still be furious if I even made as much as a single concession to the Jews. Akrhomeyev has managed to restrict the Arabs under his command from acting out of line to the best of his ability, but he can't solve the rest of the issue. The destruction of Damascus, Baghdad, Beruit, and Cairo just put the final nail in the coffin we call coexistence. The Arabs are angry over what had happened to them, especially the Palestinian ones."

"In short, the war between the Jews and the Arabs predates long before the nuclear war, your highness. It's decades' worth of bloody conflicts and national hatred." Rabin concluded the premier's sayings. "No amount of tea and biscuits can fix it."

Luna thought momentarily and said, "still, have you tried promoting the concept of friendship to them? It may help!"

Both humans gawked at the nativity of the princess. Rabin then broke the silence and said, "I have a solution that I would like to propose, if I may."

“Go ahead, Mr. Rabin,” Luna replied.

"I believe that in the current arrangement, separation between Israelis and the Arabs is the best solution for avoiding more conflict and bloodshed. Humantown is already as divided as it is; we can work on that. Have borders drawn on the pavements, define which side of the street is Arab and which is Jewish, and have a police unit of a different nationality enforce law and order."

"We might as well have just copied off South Africa, but well, it is our best option," Ryzhkov said unenthusiastically. "I will tell Hafez nobody got anything more or less."

Luna was baffled at how far the humans would go with their hatred for each other, and tried to argue, “but segregation is wrong! It is unfair for people to be restricted where they want to go based on their appearance or specialty!”

“And let these two peoples with deep hatred against each other run free to fight wherever they want?” Ryzhkov leaned forward, “...Sorry, your highness, but before the Arabs and the Jews can stop hating each other to the level of constant bloodshed, segregation will have to do, no matter how bad it is.”

“Equestria is the nation of friendship, how can we allow this to happen?” Luna still insisted.

Rabin then said, “there is this saying that time is the best medicine to all wounds, your highness. Some say the best medicine is friendship and understanding, but at the end of the day, there are some wounds that are destined to be untreatable. The Arabs and Jews…is one of those untreatable cases.”

Everyone nodded, with Luna asking, "What about the hurtful slogans and posters? We wouldn’t possibly be also tolerating those, would we?"

Rabin replied, "No can do, your highness. Those people need some way to vent their anger, or their anger concentrated will just cause much more trouble than we can deal with. We can only hope they will just eventually give up on the hate.”

“B-but hate wouldn’t just dissipate itself with the hurtful messages being allowed to exist!”

“You highness, hate also doesn’t dissipate when it all ends with extreme bloodshed and violence. As we said, it’s not a good plan nor a good solution, but we will have to settle for this, or we will never see the end of it.” Ryzhkov said as he drank from his tea.

Amidst all this, the mayor didn't care; he just needed the votes from restoring law and order for the upcoming election season.

Luna compromised in the end, “If things really are this desperate between the two different groups…then we will have to take drastic measures that we may even dislike ourselves. Mayor? I would like the arrangements for these done as soon as possible. If…if anyone at this table has a better suggestion, don’t hesitate to report it to me.”

Rabin knew that this wasn’t a solution to the problems, but right now, he could only pray that with time and some miracle, things could perhaps de-escalate to the point where Arabs and Israelis could talk to each other again.
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December 17th, 1984, 1300 hours

Tara Charendoff couldn't understand what was happening.

Standing at the crossroads of Humantown, there were now checkpoints on both the left and right of it. Police officers, ponies, and humans alike stood guard at the checkpoints. The officers also were increased in the main road in the middle, which was divided between two flags. The pavement on the left was painted in blue and marked as "Israeli Zone," and the pavement on the right was marked as "Arab Zone" in red. There were also more flags hanging, and even photos of people she didn't know of hung on the exterior of buildings. Shouting in languages she didn't know or understand could be heard from both sides, and it was only getting louder and louder.

Tara's mother held her daughter's hand and walked toward the left. Tara complained, "Mom, that stationery store I like is to the right! Why are we going to the left?"

Her mother explained, "I'm sorry, sweetie. But we can't go over there now. It's too dangerous now. There is also a good stationery store over there, how about I take you...Tara? Tara!"

The child ran off and attempted to get to the right-hand side of the road, only to bump into an officer's leg.

"Ow! Sorry...Wait, Tara?" the officer turned and looked down, then kneeled to the level of her height, "good to see you here, kiddo!"

"Mister Chris, you gotta help me; I wanna get to the store that I like; it's over there!" Tara pointed at a distant sign on the Arab side of the town.

The officer looked around and lowered his voice. "Now, I'm afraid you can't do that. You shouldn't do-"

"Tara Lyn Charendoff! You come back here this instant, right now!" her mother shouted, picking up Tara in the process, "I'm so sorry, officer Brown. She just didn't know what was going on."

Sergeant Christopher Brown reassured the mother, "don't worry, I understand, Ms. Charendoff. A pretty bummer rule, I know."

"But mooom! Lady Julie was so nice! She gave me an extra eraser! Why is she dangerous?"

"Oh hush, Tara, I will get you a comic book you like later. That side isn't safe anymore, okay? Those people now hate us." Ms. Charendoff hugged her daughter, then took her to the side of the Israeli zone as the sound of Arabic shouting and chanting grew louder and louder.

Tara complained and groaned all the way as she followed her mother to the Israeli zone while the sergeant just watched in pity. He then turned to see hundreds of Arabs protestors holding flags of their nation and the Ba’ath party, raising signs written in English and Arabic calling for avenging the Nakba. The crowd also paraded around with the portraits of Gamal Nasser, Saddam Hussein, Michel Afraq, Hafez Al-Assad, and Yasser Arafat while shouting slogans and chanting the Takbir. RCMP-GRC officers wearing riot gear ran past Christopher and into the Arab zone.

On the other side of town, A rally was held to call all Jewish peoples to find the new Zion, playing the national anthem of Israel, portriats of David Ben-Gurion and Theodor Herzl hanging in the back. The rally attendants also chanted songs like "Lay Down Your Arms." At the same time, a Rabbi denounced the Arabs, called for the cleansing of sin and eventual return to the promised land, and shouted that they would beat the Arabs again "to avenge all our boys who died on the Golan heights and Lebanon in 1982.”

"Will time ever heal this scar?" Christopher asked himself in the middle of this entire charade.

"Give peace a chance."
-Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, 1922-1995

Chapter 14: Von Treue und Hochverrat

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“I have been a conspirator for so long that I mistrust all around me.”
-Gamal Abdel Nasser, 1918-1970

December 15th, 1008, 1530 hours
Wind Rider
Former member of the Wonderbolts (dishonorably discharged)
Saddle Row, Manehattan

"Get out!" The perfume store owner kicked Wind Rider out of her store with a broom, "and don't let me see your sorry lying flank near this street again!" Wind Rider stood up as the door slammed shut in front of him. Dejected, he started making his way to the metro station returning home.

After being dishonorably discharged from the Wonderbolts, Wind Rider returned to live in Las Pegasus in moderate luxury. After a few moons of his early retirement, however, some newspaper in Manehattan got hold of how he attempted to frame the new member of the Wonderbolts, who just happened to be the element of loyalty, and how he subsequently got fired for it. Needless to say, the paper went selling like hotcakes across the nation of Equestria as more of his dirty acts had been revealed, the most shocking one being how three other Wonderbolts also got dishonorably discharged the same way twenty-five years ago, with one member failing to cope with her being fired and subsequently hanging herself.

His reputation sank to the gutter. Even though he couldn't be prosecuted due to the case being well over the persecution period, Wind Rider's wealth started to deplete as the government subsidy for him was cut to a bare minimum, and his fortunes on the gambling table took a sharp downturn. He attempted to live the same lifestyle as before, which dried out his wealth even faster, and in the end, had him kicked out of his condo as he could no longer afford to live in Las Pegasus. One of his relatives in Manehattan offered him a job in his own trash company, where he worked cleaning toilets in a trash treatment plant. His pay barely afforded him a small apartment that was located near the slums of the city.

On the way to the metro station, the ponies could be heard talking about how he used lies and dirty tricks, attempting to keep his record unbroken. Booing could be heard wherever he went, even as he entered the underground metro station. Faces frowned at the sight of his presence as parents covered their kid's eyes and ears.

When he tried to buy a cup of cappuccino at the station's coffee stand, the cashier looked at him with disgust as the line behind Wind Rider was also much less impressed by his existence alone, with the customer behind him groaning, "darn it, just when I thought I was going to be fine for the rest of the day..."

"Here, take it or leave it." The barista put down the cappuccino in a not-so-gentle manner, "I hope you burn your tongue and the roof of your mouth drinking it."

On the train, the seats near where he was sitting were near empty from most ponies refusing to sit near such a notorious liar, except one pony who pointed his front hoof at Wind Rider and asked drunkenly, "hey, ya *hic* murdered someone to *hic* get this sorta treatment? *Hic* Serves ya right...*hic* "

Finally getting off the train and out of the station, the sky started to rain as he was near the apartment building where he lived. When he got to his door, he found out it had been vandalized with somepony spray painting the words "MURDERER" in bright red.

"Damn you, bastards!" Wind Rider slammed his front hoof on the door, "you bucking kids, I will chop your hooves off!" Surprisingly, his landlord didn't come out and yell at him for shouting this loud. Wind Rider guessed that he just took sleeping pills.

He then tried composing himself and entered his apartment, only to see two changelings and a green pegasus waiting for him in his living room.

"Wind Rider, is it? Welcome home." The leading Changeling stood up from the couch and walked up to him, "all will be explained in due time."

"W-what's the meaning of this? Why are all of you in my house?" Wind Rider took a few steps back.

"Relax, Sir; we just want you on board to take down Rainbow Dash and her stupid friends!" The green pegasus said.

"Ugh...Lighting Dust, let me handle the talking!" The leading one looked back and ordered, "anyways, as you have heard, we, on behalf of Queen Chrysalis the Great, are looking for your assistance."

Wind Rider was too dumbfounded to say anything. The leading one sensed his confusion and said, "ah, where are my manners? My apologies. I am Lieutenant Schawler, Imperial Intelligence Service. With how intelligent you are, I'm sure you already know why we are here today."

"I see what you mean, but working for you? That is high treason. Why should I risk having those humans sniffing up my tail and dissolve my body in an acid barrel?"

"We acknowledge your achievements in flight, Mr. Rider, unlike the heartless Equestrian government. Her Majesty the Queen has taken a liking to your capabilities and potential and offers you a position as the chief drill instructor of her elite aerial combat unit. Rest assured, the pay and commodities will be the best we can offer, and we do have plenty to do so."

Lighting Dust groaned, "come on! You got kicked out and with your record erased, while I was also kicked out! All thanks to Rainbow Dash and that moron Spitfire! This is the perfect opportunity to get back at 'em!"

"I don't know, that's...a lot of risks I'm taking there. High treason isn't like littering, it-"

"You will be safe under our employ, you have my word. If any Equestrian agent tries to take your life, we will have them pay back ten times the price if they can even get close enough to attempt that. We will provide you with what the two princesses can, only much better. Have the princesses ever given you anything that you have deserved in the past two years?"

Wind Rider thought to himself silently.

Schawler continued persuading, "oh, Mr. Rider, look at you, having to live on limited government subsidy, disgraced across the entire nation, with your own easily irritable landlord charging you extra rent because someone's cousin from Ponyville wrote a letter about your acts and mentioned it to a newspaper editor? Oh, poor you, you don't even know how to stand up for yourself. Had Spitfire's betrayal or Rainbow's gloating around finally done it? Did they break you?"

Wind Rider shouted in a fury, "I am NOT broken! Spitfire can kiss my ass, she should have died in that rocket stunt before, but no, she lived, and she fired me for a stupid little filly that is too smart for her own good! Both of them should have been dead, and I should have been head of the Wonderbolts. It's what I deserve, goddammit! I have bled for Equestria, and this is my thanks?"

"Prove it then," Schawler delivered his final blow, "if you are indeed the pegasus who once set the record for long-distance flying in the Wonderbolts, the one that is destined to command the Wonderbolts, the real Wind Rider who can stand up against evil against him...then stand up to a nation that ruined and wronged you."

That became the final straw for Wind Rider, as he gave in and said, "...Then, we have a job to do."

"Good...Good! Pack your bags; we are to leave as soon as possible. The Panthers will be sniffing up our trail if we are here for too long."
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December 15th, 1984, 1100 hours
Major General Hafez Al-Assad
Acting Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party Central Command, commander of the 30th Guards mechanized infantry division of the Soviet Army
Ba'ath party headquarters building, Novaya Moskva

The former president and dictator of Syria sat in his office, the logo of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party with the flags of the party and the Syrian Arab Republic behind him.

He stared at the three photos on the desk. First one to the left is a photo of himself in uniform, taken right after the 1970 Corrective Movement. The second one was a family photo, taken in 1972, which had him, his wife, his four sons, Bassel, Bashar, Majid, Maher, and his daughter, Bushra, in the photo. The third one, taken a week ago, was just him, his wife, Bashar, Majid, and Bushra.

There was a knock on the door, and Hafez responded, "come in."

In came a lieutenant wearing a Syrian uniform. After a salute, the lieutenant turned and locked the door as Hafez asked, "aren't you supposed to report something, lieutenant?"

"Oh, I am supposed to report something, only much later, and to someone else." The lieutenant took off his peaked cap and started to reveal his true self: a changeling.

"W-wait! Who the fuck are you? And why are you here?" Hafez shot up from his seat, taking a Browning hi-power from his desk drawer, chambered it, and pointed it at the infiltrator, his hands shaking.

"I have a proposal from Queen Chrysalis." the changeling said, "we have taken note of certain things troubling you recently, and if you can perhaps put down your gun, we can work on...a mutually beneficial partnership."

"I will put it down when you have finished proposing whatever the fuck your queen wants," Hafez replied in a stern tone, the end of the barrel still aimed at the infiltrator.

The changeling then started to trot around in the office slowly and said, "now, I have known from my sources that you have some unresolved conflicts with the humans from Israel. Queen Chrysalis has heard of your story and is very impressed by your resistance against those Israelis and decided to offer you the post of lieutenant general. You will be allowed to keep your troops under your command, and we will offer everything you want. Money, power...even revenge against the Israeli humans. Most importantly, a slice of land will be given to you as your kingdom after we finish conquering Equestria."

"...Continue." Hafez thought for a moment and slowly lowered his gun.

The changeling gawked briefly, saying, "what's more to discuss? I have finished all I need to say. The terms are better than anything Mr. Birthmarks or the two fools in Canterlot will ever offer; I don't see a reason why not to join us."

"How do I know you will not backstab me when I have finished what you want to do?" Hafez questioned, starting to shout a bit, "don't take me as a fool. I can sense betrayal and backstabbing miles away. All of you changelings reek of a stench, I have felt it on those Iraqis, the Islamists, Sadat…I knew it all along. They all have the same stench of treason, and you…reek of that stench.”

“I would gladly repeat the points if you-”

“Plus, I don't know why you and your Queen would think I will be joining your kind just because I have ordered Hama and the 30,000 people in it to be razed to the ground. I am nothing like your Queen, nothing! I am Hafez Al-Assad, the lion of Damascus, damn you! Who does your Queen think she is to be compared to me just because she has some slaves and had killed a few dissidents? I have excelled in everything she will ever do before she was even born!"

"Now, I would suggest against that." the changeling responded, "if we are to cooperate with minimal problems, it is best that you give up such thoughts or notions of yourself being superior or the possibility of betrayal from us. Her Majesty the Queen is the mother of all of the changeling nation, and I would recommend you give her the respect she deserves."

Hafez raised his voice as he slammed his fist on his desk, "I will have you know, I earned everything that made me who I am, my name, my presidency, my nation, my party, my victory over the Zionists! Your Queen is born with a silver spoon in her mouth, while I had to join the fucking army just to go to school! Your Queen is nothing! Nothing! A lion shall not work under a lamb. It eats the lamb up and spits the bones out!"

The changeling laughed for a bit, "should I mention that we know how Bassel died to the Israelis in the war? Or perhaps, when Maher died outside of your bunker...you weren't there to save him. We knew about Hama, the 1970 coup, we know…everything."

"Don't you dare mention my family, you son of a bitch!" Hafez picked up his gun on his desk in rage, and shouted, " and who...who even gave you all that information! Give me their names! Now! Or you will be waiting for them in hell!"

"I see how it is." The changeling frowned as he handed out a business card, "I will return in a few days. The offer still stands, but it will not last forever. You can find me here, and I would suggest you be quick. The Queen doesn't like delays."

As Hafez saw the infiltrator try to leave, his anger finally had him aiming his hi-power at the changeling and firing three consecutive shots on his back. The changeling screamed in pain and struggled to stand up as Al-Assad walked up to him, firing the remaining bullets in his magazine until only one left.

"You don't try to threaten me, you little changeling cockroach! Tell your Queen there will be no cooperation, and I will be coming for her next!" Hafez shouted as he fired the final round into the changeling's head, blood glowing green splattering his suit.

Not long after, his guards barged in, searching the room for other potential hostiles and surrounding Hafez as he breathed heavily, his hand and the gun shaking from his reduced body strength.

"Mr. President, sir, are you alright?" the guard captain asked.

"I...I'm fine. Just give me a moment. Tell Markus Wolf that we have traitors." Hafez Al-Assad replied, handing his hi-power to the captain, then left for the washroom.

He looked at himself in the mirror as he threw a violent coughing fit. Thankfully, there was no blood spit, but the more he looked into the mirror, the more Hafez saw that he had slowly turned into what he always feared: a diabetic, old, desperate man.

Hafez Al-Assad quickly washed his face and reassured himself he was anything but that. He was the Lion of Damascus, and he always will be.
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December 16th, 1008, 1200 hours
Outskirts of Fillydelphia

Trixie Lulamoon woke up from a deep slumber. Last night's magic show went all the way into midnight, and its effects came back to bite her in the rear.

"Ergh..." Trixie groaned as she rubbed her eyes and got off her hammock, "....the great and powerful Trrrixie has just awakened from her great and powerful sleep..."

She proceeded to make some coffee to start the day, as she opened the wagon door for some fresh air, she noticed a letter with a strange seal on it in her mailbox attached to the wagon. Skeptical, Trixie sat down at her small tea table with the letter and coffee, opening a packet of peanut butter crackers as she read the letter.

To the esteemed, great, and powerful Trixie Lulamoon:

It has come to my attention that you have unresolved conflicts with one of the princesses, Twilight Sparkle. Coincidentally, a group of like-minded friends and I also happened to have some past grudges against said princess. Therefore, we would like to meet the great and powerful magician herself and negotiate a way to prank a common enemy, we will meet up at the City Mare Cafe in Fillydelphia city center at 4 PM, on the 17th of December to discuss how to get close to her for our plan. Please arrive on time, and need not worry, we already know what you look like.

Sincerely,
A fan of yours.

"Hmm...? What's this...getting back at Twilight Sparkle?" Trixie mumbled as she munched on the crackers, "I mean, I do want to go to that high-end cafe...but hey, somepony is paying the tab, so why not?"

As Trixie finished her cup of coffee, she thought to herself: hold on, plenty of other ponies should also hate Twilight, why pick me? Maybe I'm just that great and powerful, but why would they mention getting close...

"Starlight Glimmer." She muttered to herself, "I'm friends with Starlight, and they want to get close so they can, in return, get close to Twilight."

Wait, if the goal is to get close to Starlight Glimmer, then why won't they go straight to her and try working from there instead? Or is it that...

"They can't. And they must look for my help to be friends with her."

And for what reason they can't make friends with Starlight? She's not a bad pony, and she would have let a small prank slide if it was harmless...

"Eh, must be a big prank then!" Trixie tossed her suspicions out of the window. "The grrreat and observant Trrrrrrixe sees no deception in this letter!"
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“So, are you on board with this?” Slippy Grooves, one of the two ponies, asked, “your magic and the explosives combined. It would be quite the prank of the century!”

Trixie questioned, "explosives? Now, this usually isn't what the great and powerful Trixie would call a harmless prank. That's way too much …what are you two really up to?"

"Oh, come on! It's safe, I promise!" Jammie Hearts, the other pony, reassured Trixie.

"Trixie isn't concerned about safety…Don't worry. Whatever operation against Twilight you two are planning, I'm on board. I won't say a word."

The two looked at each other, and Jammie said as Slippy nodded, "we are…going to blow up Twilight Sparkle and her friends. We work for the Imperial Intelligence Service-"

A smug appeared on Trixie's face. She then took a small listening bug out of her hat and told the waiter next to her, "Miss Sweetie Drops, would you kindly please?"

With the blink of an eye, the disguised waiter and two other ponies from the table next to theirs dragged both ponies, now revealed as changelings, and pressed them on the floor. Multiple ponies in black suits and sunglasses came barging into the cafe as Sweetie Drops took out the arrest warrant.

"You blasted cheap magician! You dare call SMILE (Secret Monster Intelligence League of Equestria) on us?" The changeling infiltrator shouted, being controlled on the ground.

The other one also shouted, "HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WILL REMEMBER THIS, YOU SCUM!"

"SMILE agents have been on your tail for a long time and told me about this operation outside just before I came in. After I agreed, Trixie simply dealt the decisive blow on both of you!" Trixie Lulamoon proudly announced. "You have been outsmarted by the great and observant Trrrrrrixe!"

Agent Sweetie Drops duct-taped the two's mouths shut, then stood up and said to a proud Trixie Lulamoon, "thanks for your help, citizen. The princess is safe for now, thanks to your timely cooperation!"

Trixie, enjoying the praise, raised her head and looked down at the two changelings, and announced:

"I, the great and powerful Trrrrixie, shall never let my personal issues affect my allegiance to Equestria, to harmony!"

A waiter looked at her and said, "Ma'am, please get off the table."
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December 16th, 1984, 1900 hours
Major Željko “Arkan” Ražnatović
Commander of the European Federal Army 35th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Restaraunt Derpsia, Canterlot branch

"My brigade will be deployed to the Sire's Hollow section next week," Arkan said as he drank from his glass of wine, "orders from Brandt. I don't know what strings you changelings pulled, but keep this up, and we will have a good shot at taking over Equestria."

The changeling, disguised as somepony named Svengallop, replied, "My pleasure. The Queen is utmostly pleased that you will be joining our cause. For now, we can start moving slaves and spies into Equestria through the western border again."

"I am still unsure if making moves right now is such a great idea." Radovan Karadžić turned to the infiltrator and said, "Recently, Wolf had just started to apprehend humans that he suspected to be collabs, especially after yesterday. After Hafez Al-Assad has shot your buddy, Markus is now adding a hell of a lot more people on the list- me included."

The changeling chuckled a bit, and said, "Relax, Markus Wolf is an easy man to deal with. We already fooled him left, right, and center with the faux troop movements. I don't see how he can even gain any significant advantage over us."

"I wouldn't be this cocky." Karadžić wiped his mouth, "The Stasi was easily the most feared agency in Europe right after the CIA and KGB. They know when, where, and why you go to the washroom and take a shit, and you would be fine and not know they even existed. But should you come onto their radar by suggesting something the Stasi and the East German government didn't like...then you would wish you were dead."

Major Ražnatović took out a cigar and lit it, "Jesus fucking shit, Karadžić, you gotta relax for a bit. Markus is a fucking buffoon with communist shit in his head. You are just overthinking it, ya know?"

"What can I say? You haven't changed a single bit since Mauzer kicked your ass in Srebrenica. Always the reckless young hothead I knew knocking on my door in Banja Luka, and might I say that one day, this will be the end of you."

"Hey! We agreed not to talk about that slave of Tito!" Arkan complained.

Karadžić drank from his glass of water, ignoring the statement.

The infiltrator then said, "excuse me, I am to report to the queen soon. You two enjoy yourselves."

After seeing the changeling in disguise walk away, Arkan groaned, "working with these bitches is fucking torture, man, their queen this, their queen that, why doesn't the queen do everything for them at this rate?"

"We are merely choosing the right side of history, Arkan." Radovan Karadžić said, "I merely fight for whoever ensures our benefits. You want revenge against Mauzer, and I want power."

"Look, after we get our promised kingdom, ruling over every fucking moron and retard on this piece of land, I shall be king, and you shall be prime minister, alright?" Arkan downed his entire glass of wine, "there, under me, you can have as much power as you want, only I will always have more."

Karadžić said nothing but smiled.

"We will see about that," he thought to himself.

Chapter 15: A bullet can't stop a free mare

View Online

"...Thank you." Pear Butter tried to contain her excitement, "I never thought I'd see the day when Brightie and I would get to see our children again."

"Don't worry. That's what we are here for." Frahm replied, "Remember, please do keep your lips shut about this.."

After confirming the coast was clear, Frahm returned to his post of overseeing the new artillery production line being set up by the enslaved ponies under changeling supervision. None of them were getting paid, and any slight disobedience against orders would immediately be answered with whips or the end of a barrel. The work conditions were as miserable as before.

Frahm had been assigned to guard duty in sector 5 of the citadel when Alspberg had just been appointed head of the Ministry of Arms Production and Labour Procurement. Twelve years had passed, he had been transferred to sector 3, and Alspberg's promises of reform were still void and null. Every day, the minister counted the coins and jewelry he had confiscated and rejoiced in his office, knowing full well they were from those ponies he had ordered to be captured and to be enslaved. The slaves worked to their early graves without even seeing their loved ones again for the Minister and the Queen. His loyalty towards Queen Chrysalis and commander Heldrec deteriorated every counting day as he oversaw the tragedies that the regime he served caused. At one point, he considered ending it with a resignation letter.

That was until Spartacus came along.

Spartacus promised everything of redemption and liberation to disgruntled officers like him, all without being seen. Not even the messengers had seen his face or knew his real name, but that hardly mattered. The National Banner was everything he wanted, and he hopped on board the underground train to freedom without hesitation. The first batch of enslaved ponies to be smuggled out of the Changeling Lands would depart in just a week, and all he had hoped was that the Equestrian Intelligence agency and the crazy new "humans" would cooperate on their end. The underground railway to freedom had just opened, and its passengers were waiting for the first train to depart.

"Captain?" A voice sounded next to Frahm as he was lost in his thoughts.

Frahm turned to see a stallion with a ruby-red mane. "Oh, right. What wrong, Mr. Bright?"

"Can I ask you something?" Bright Mac asked, "Is it true that... My wife and I will be leaving together?"

"Yes. Remember, don't tell anyone else, or we will be dead before we know it.."

Bright Mac took off his hat and took out a small, glowing bag of diamonds hidden inside it.

"If I can't make it, give this to Buttercup and have her take it to our kids. If both of us... then send it to my family in Ponyville."

Frahm pocketed it as he voiced his concerns, "You will be free soon. Don't think about that possibility, please. I guarantee you can see your family again in a week's time."

"I know when death comes knockin', and it is at the front lawn. This is it, captain. I'm quite possibly not going to make it."

Frahm knew that grin on Bright Mac's face too well. It wasn't out of happiness or fulfillment; it was bitter. He was so convinced he would never see his family again and was already preparing for what would happen after he was gone.

Frahm then asked, "Speaking of which, where did you even get these diamonds?"

"I got it when I was mining out the caves. We struck a diamond mine, and I managed to sneak a few out." Bright Mac put his hat back on, "was hopin' if any of my kids can use em' on somethin'. Bracelet, necklace, doesn't matter anymore. I...I want to at least give something back to my kids in the end."

Frahm could only offer his words of empty comfort. "I understand, but I'm sure you will go home again. I promise."
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December [CLASSIFIED] hours
Chief of Foreign Reconnaissance Markus Wolf, callsign "Mischa"
EIS Foreign Reconnaissance Division
[CLASSIFIED]

"Hello? Is this the Manehattan Crystalia Trade Company? I would like to ask about the Cuban cigars they grow in New Mareland." Markus asked through the phone.

"...Yes, will you please hold for the boss? I will tell him you are asking for the Cubans." The other side responded.

After a while of silence and the occasional flipping of switches, the voice of Major Ljubiša "Mauzer" Savić came through.

"Mischa, we got the files for the job." Mauzer said through the phone, "Sneaking through the border and covering the escape of fifty ponies? Not a problem."

"Good to hear it. However, I must warn you that Arkan has...switched sides." Markus said in a cold tone. "We also know he has someone in the parliament that leaks information to him. We haven't pinned down who he is, but before I can, stay wary and keep your mouth shut with the members of parliament, especially Yugoslavian ones."

Mauzer asked further, "Then why is he being transferred to the border next week? He would be moving spies and the slave trade routes straight through his own segment."

"I am already working with Brandt on this; he's got the all-clear signal from Schmidt while the high command agreed to it. The 33rd and the 30th MP battalions are already sent after him to make sure he can't do it openly. We can just notify him last minute." Markus replied. "the National Banner had just sent us a list of the first lists of spies and infiltrators that would set up their claw machines over Equestria via Arkan's section, including their aliases, hiding spots, and so on. We will arrest them should they slip through the military police."

"I see. I will have Captain Lazić handle the show in Manehattan." Mauzer put the folder on the table. "He's experienced enough to deal with the infiltrators here, and I need to go and oversee this op myself."

Markus smoked from his cigarette and said, "Fair enough. I will keep you updated, and call me should anything update on your end. Mischa out."

"Roger, Mauzer out."
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December 15th, 1008, 0030 hours
Sector 3 construction site of the Changeling Citadel of Vraks

Frahm couldn't bear to see what was happening, while Pear Butter just held her voice as she tried her best not to scream out loud.

"Come on! Where the fuck are your co-conspirators? Huh?" A guard soldier shouted as he kicked Bright Mac in the guts, and another struck him in the back with his rifle.

"Good, keep it up." The Guard sergeant ordered the two soldiers, "No point letting this scum die so soon."

The two soldiers stopped their beating as the sergeant announced to the surrounding audience of slaves, "Listen up, and listen well! This slave attempted to escape and was caught stealing valuable Imperial property of three packets of emergency food. If anyone attempts to follow his steps, then this is what follows!"

"It takes...more than that...to kill an Apple."

"Nobody asked you anything!" The soldier stomped on Bright Mac's stomach.

The soldiers with allegiances to the armed forces tried to hide their discomfort and looked away with such cruelty, while the soldiers who swore allegiance to the guard yawned and looked at their watches.

"It takes much more...to kill a free pony!"

Bright Mac smiled bitterly as he looked at his wife and Captain Frahm in the crowd. To Captain Frahm, it was a cruel "I told you so," and to Pear Butter, a heart-crushing final goodbye.

The sergeant sighed and ordered his men to load their rifles as the stallion shouted, "We will be free, my brothers and sisters! They will never kill us all, for it takes more to kill a free pony! You hear me, you slavers? You shall not..."

Two thundering gunshots echoed through the site, accompanied by two holes in Bright Mac's chest, blood gushing out of it as he lies lifeless on the ground.

"This was messier than I would have liked." The sergeant sighed a breath of relief, "Sir, would you like me to hang the body for all the slaves to see or send it to the incinerator?"

"...hang it, would you please, sergeant?"

As the guards hung the dead body and trotted away, grunting all along, Pear Butter could no longer control her sobbing as tears started to fall. Her compatriots tried comforting her, and Frahm only took off his peaked cap and walked away in shame.

Frahm hated his post even more, but he must stay and fight alongside the National Banner. He heard a ringing from the phone in his post overlooking the construction site, and he picked it up.

"Captain Frahm, sector-"

"I saw everything. Do you want to quit?"

It was Spartacus.

"Sir, I have to stay. Who else but me? I still can and will contribute to the cause."

"I understand it is having an effect on your mental health. Just say the word, and I will have you leaving with them."

Frahm thought for a moment and replied in a stern tone.

"No, thank you. I will die for this cause and don't intend to duck at these dire times."

"I will never thank you enough for your sacrifices." Spartacus sighed, "Good luck."
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December 21th, 1984, 2100 hours
Major Vasily Grolanpov
30th Guards Mechanized Infantry Division of the Soviet Army
Border outpost 7 kilometers Northwest of Sire's Hollow

Major Grolanpov sat in his office chair with two vodka bottles and a shot glass in front of him.

"Fuck...why did it...I just don't understand why." He groaned as he downed another shot, "Why did it have to happen...the fucking end of the world, just...fucking shit..."

As the second anniversary of armageddon draws near, the major coped with his sorrows just like last year: downing two entire bottles of vodka. The alcohol must have been significantly weaker since last year, as he still felt the burning regrets and guilt for his part in the world ending.

"And there goes the last drop I have." Grolanpov hit his head on the desk repeatedly, "fuck...just... I don't know anymore."

As he murmured to himself half drunkenly, the red phone on the desk rang. Even when intoxicated, he knew better than even thinking about not picking up a red phone call. Begrudgingly, he picked up the phone and put the handset to his ear, leaning on his chair and almost slipping out of it.

"M-major Vasily Grolanpov, speak..."

"Clearance code 812344." The other end sounded. "Direct orders from Novaya Moskva. Have your men on standby immediately. Orders will be sent to you via the encryption machine."

Major Grolanpov's eyes widened. "I didn't understand that, would you repeat, please?"

After a while, the major barged out of his office, shouting to the MP officer still standing guard while holding a piece of paper and putting on his peaked cap,

"Lieutenant, have everyone get up immediately! We got orders from high command!"
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Commandos wearing snow camouflage uniforms snuck across the snow-covered no mare's land under a clear, moonlit night sky, reaching across to the deserted Changeling side of the border. The soldiers in the outpost back up on the hill also raised their rifles, ready to support the commandos down in the frozen land should anything happen.

"Captain, this is cateye. You're in the clear. Keep going." The radio handset of the radioman sounded.

The squad advanced up to the designated spot marked on the map, hidden in the forest.

"Roki, head up to the hatch and remember to match the passwords before you let anyone poke their heads out." Captain Ljuti ordered as sergeant Vulović slowly sneaked up to the well-disguised hatch covered with leaves and grass.

Roki lifted the hatch up and pointed his Zastava M70 with a flashlight duct-taped to the handguard into the dark abyss that is the hole's entrance. As he turned on the flashlight and flashed twice, the inside of the tunnels sounded:

"The skies tremble as if the air is burning."

"Yeah, the storm is coming." sergeant Vulović replied. "come on out, one by one, hurry!"

The other Panteri commandos held positions and remained on alert for possible changeling patrols as ponies quickly got out of the tunnel and were guided towards the Equestrian side of the border.

One of the National Banner operatives got out as Roki asked, "Why the hell couldn't you have built the exit over at our side of the border? We are risking our necks here."

The operative smiled, "we promised them they would be back home by Hearth's Warming, and this tunnel is new after the one down south got busted by the Guards recently. We didn't have time to expand it."

Roki nodded as he raised his rifle into the darkness of the woods, looking out for any potential lost changeling soldiers patrolling the perimeter.
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Being the final pony to exit the tunnel, Pear Butter felt the cold night air and the smell of frozen grass and dead trees enter her lungs as she took a deep breath.

The operatives bid farewell to her and the creatures they called humans and returned to the tunnel. She looked at the porcelain jar she carried in a bag that Frahm got for her and whispered, "Come on, Birightie, we are almost home."

They made their way to the frozen no mare's land and made their way across. She carefully followed the hoofprints of the ponies before her and tried to get across as soon as possible, and midway across it, she heard someone shouting, "Who goes there?" followed by a burst of gunfire. She ducked down on the field and put her hooves above her head. Soldiers beside her raised their rifles in the direction the gunshots came from.

After a while, one of the soldiers patted her back and said, "The coast is clear, move!"

Pear Butter got up and ran as fast as she could across the frozen land. When she turned back, a dozen of those human soldiers also hurried across the field, with two of them carrying a black body bag.

She finally reached the Equestrian side of the border, the first time after nine years as a slave. Without any time to celebrate, she was guided by another group of human soldiers to walk up the path leading up to the house and up the hill she saw on the other side of the field.

"Well...uhh...welcome home, miss." The soldier at the gate greeted her, "You're the fiftieth pony...yep, that's everyone on the list. Come on in, ma'am; we've got hot cocoa if you want 'em."

The soldier guided her into the house and grabbed a cup of hot cocoa on the long table next to the entrance. Pear Butter received it and took a sip. Even though it nearly burned her tongue, it was still the best thing to have graced her in a long time on a winter's day.

The humans in the house are performing medical checks and handing out items to the ponies in need, and as much as she would have loved to take in the beautiful scenery, she couldn't help but feel immense sorrow from the bottom of her heart.

In a happier timeline, perhaps her husband would have been here, sharing the mug of cocoa and cuddling each other for warmth, discussing what to do when they meet their children they haven't seen in nine years. Maybe in another timeline, they wouldn't have been abducted but instead able to raise their children themselves all these nine years and see their achievements every step of the way.

Now, nothing is left but a mare going home with her husband's ashes after nine years of absence.
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The phone rang in the chancellor's office as the three figures sat around it and waited anxiously.

The chancellor picked up the phone in a flash. "Is it done? Are they safe?"

After someone on the other side of the phone finished talking, Schmidt let out a huge sigh of relief and replied, "Thank you." before hanging up. He then announced to everyone with excitement in the room,

"We did it. All 50 freed slaves are now safely across the border. We did it!"

General Jürgen Brandt and Markus Wolf applauded, with Wolf cracking a smile on his face.

"See? It wasn't so hard doing some good, you know?" In an almost sarcastic tone, Schmidt told Wolf, "Anyways, we will discuss more tomorrow. Good night, gentlemen. Get some rest, pat yourself on the back if you feel like it."
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December 23rd, 1008, 1000 hours
Sergeant Rodoljub "Roki" Vulović
European Federal Police Special Brigade "Panthers"
True Allegiance: European Intelligence Services
Train from Sire's Hollow to Fillydelphia, near Ponyville station

"We're almost there, Ma'am." Roki reminded the passenger beside him. "You're home. And you're the only passenger to get off here."

Still clutching the urn of her husband's ashes close to her heart, Pear Butter slowly opened her eyes as she saw the sunlight shining into the train cabin. "Oh, right. I'm just...a tad bit tired. Give me a minute."

Roki put his sunglasses back on as he asked, "You know, last time I visited Ponyville and your family for some questions and clues about some hideout near the town, I could tell that your children had more...distinct accents. You, however, had it less pronounced. I suppose you lost some part of it over time, no?"

"Really? I hadn't noticed...but the guards did used to say that they hated me and Brightie's accent. I guess after a few beatings, we tried not to use it...and we hadn't for a long time."

As the two spoke, the train whistle blew as the train attendant walked by and announced that the train was coming to a halt in Ponyville.

"And, before I forget it...thank you." Pear Butter stood up, putting the urn back into the saddle bag.

The train doors swung open, with the welcoming crowd waiting in anticipation, anxious to peek over for a look. Standing before the crowd was Granny Smith, Applejack, Applebloom, and Big Mac.

Even with nine years of absence and being taken away from Applebloom when she was still an infant, Pear Butter spotted and recognized her family immediately.

"Ma? I-is that you? You... are finally home, aren't ya?" Applejack tried her best not to cry in front of her friends, "After so long, we thought... you're just...dead..."

Pear Butter trotted up to her eldest daughter and gave her a heartfelt hug as Applejack started to sob uncontrollably. The sobbing later turned into crying mixed with incoherent sentences as Big Mac joined the hug with Granny Smith explaining to Applebloom who her mother was. The surrounding crowd, including those watching on the train, exploded into applause and cheering, with words of congratulations and best wishes flying over everyone's heads. Starlight Glimmer applauded with the crowd, Rainbow Dash cheered as Pinkie Pie fired her party cannon loaded with extra confetti, Twilight Sparkle smiled as she applauded lightly, while Rarity and Fluttershy were emotionally moved to tears.

As Roki looked into the sight of the reunion and the crowd's cheer and applause, he retreated into the train cabin after taking a few more glances, grinning all along.

Hearths Warming Eve Special Edition: the many faces across Equestria

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On December 25th, 1982, humanity unleashed nuclear annihilation onto the planet. After two years of struggle and finding a new, distant homeland, humanity finally started to settle down. One day close to the two-year anniversary came Christmas Eve, otherwise known as Hearth's Warming by the ponies, of 1984.

...Or 1008, depending on whose calendar you are using.

At the 29th Avenue Tram station of Vanhoover, Sergeant Christopher Brown got off the late-night tram and made his way toward his home, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow as he walked home.

On his way home, Christopher admired the scenery of a suburban neighborhood decorated with lights and ornaments. “Maybe one day I will afford some lights to hang in the apartment,” the sergeant thought as he entered a small five-story apartment building with no elevators.

After walking up three flights of stairs, Christopher opened the door and was immediately welcomed by a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Chris," Clarence, his sister, greeted him, "still couldn't get home early for your sister. Typical you, twenty-six, and still can't be there early whenever you actually need to be."

Sergeant Christopher Brown returned the hug, "Heh, Merry Christmas. Thanks for bearing with it, Clarence-"

"Claire. Don't you even dare try to get formal with me, Chris."

"-Right, Claire. I swear I will never find another sister in the world like you. How was the day?"

Claire let go of Chris and replied, "Oh, it wasn't much. Hearth's Warming break has been quiet. At least I can finish reading that Daring Do book from the library. How about you? Catch any thieves?"

"You know we don't get much of those over at Humantown patrol," Chris said as he took off his overcoat and hung his side carry bag. "At least the Israelis and the Arabs aren't physically fighting much these few days. All I would even dare ask for."

Claire walked into the small living room kitchen area and grabbed two mugs of hot chocolate, "here you go. Any longer, and they start to get cold." She said as she took a sip from her own mug, offering the other to her brother.

Chris drank from it and said to Claire, "Wait, I think I forgot something in the bag, give me a second."

As his sister sat down at the table, Chris took out a small parcel wrapped in yellow paper from his bag. He then put the parcel on the table as he sat down in his own chair.

"Say, you remember that Yearling who came to town a week ago, right?" Chris asked.

Claire set aside her mug and opened the packaging as her face started to brighten up at the sight of the content: Daring Do and the Eternal Flower, with the author, A. K. Yearling's signature on the book cover right below the message "Happy Hearthswarming."

She almost squealed in joy as she held the book to her heart, "Oh my god! You actually managed to get her signature? How did you get it? Oh, This…this is wonderful! Thank you!” Claire said as she gave her brother another bear hug.

Chris smiled as he sipped from his cup, "Well, I was assigned to the book fair last week. Crowd control. And when I was just patrolling the backdoors? Yearling showed up there, avoiding the crowd at the front gates, I guess."

"And she signed the book for you? Oh, I wish I was there! But well...I was busy with work that day."

"Inspector Silver Arrow gave me a piece of his mind as he really wasn't that happy that I asked for signatures still in uniform and on duty," Chris recalled, "thanks to Moore, though, Silver let me off the hook with a warning...and I still got to keep the signed book."

Claire replied, "I wish work at the post office wasn't this busy. You wouldn't have gotten hell from Silver otherwise."

"When was he ever in a good mood anyway?"

"Thank you, Chris," Claire said to her older brother. "It has been forever since we had a Christmas like this, since Mom and Dad both died four years ago...damn it, I just don’t know what to say."

"It's okay. You're my only family now after the nukes; what wouldn't I do to make you happy?" Chris sighed. "At least Sunbutt is paying decent. After two years of sticking with me and the RCMP remnants in a pile of rubble that used to be Vancouver, you certainly deserved much better."

"Oh, stop it, I'm six years younger than you, but I'm not a baby. You don't need to pamper me." Claire chuckled as she told her brother.

Chris only nodded and replied, "Merry Christmas, Claire."

Claire replied as she took something out of her pocket and set it on the table, "Merry Christmas too, Chris."

It was a watch. Nothing fancy, indeed not engraved or loaded with diamonds or jewelry. It was a simple wristwatch with a bonded leather strap that told the time with three hands and the numbers.

"Sorry for the old one that got destroyed." Claire said, "I know you loved that digital watch, but this is the best I can-"

"This is the best watch I have ever gotten, Claire. Thank you." Chris smiled as he put on the watch. "You really shouldn't have."

"All it took is some extra shifts at the postal office," Claire said with a smug on her face. "You're not the only one who can also work overtime in this apartment, you know?"

Chris chuckled, "Does that mean we're even now?"

"Silly, You didn't owe me anything in the slightest."

The siblings laughed as they held their mugs in the air and cheered.
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In Canterlot Castle's opulent ballroom, ponies of power and status, including royalty, politicians, businessponies, and generals, all gathered to celebrate Hearth's Warming Eve together. This year's attendees list, however, added quite a few humans to the list.

"Vous savez, je pense que nous ne somme pas si différent vous et moi Colonel Dallaire, (You know, I think we two aren’t so dissimilar, Colonel Dallaire)" Fleur-de-lis said to the human Colonel, holding a glass of champagne beside her. "I was born to a merchant family across the Celestial Sea in Aquellia, and my family only moved back to Canterlot when I was sixteen."

Colonel Romeo Dallaire said dryly, "Well, I think I’d prefer your experience over mine."

"You and I are both exiles from a place we called home, No? You and your people are all exiled here, and I can relate to that. When I was but a little filly learning to speak, the Aquileian Kingdom announced secession from the Griffonian Empire. When I was ten, the Republic replaced the monarchy for five good years. Those were the days of Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, and just when things were about to look up? The monarchists made a comeback and couped the Republic. The reign of terror that followed spared no one and father decided it was a good time to leave Aquileia." Fleur recalled with a bit of sadness. "It was my home, but we had to leave."

"I see. I’d still prefer that over commanding what remains of my forces in the Montréal ruins, but you have my sympathy."

"It's okay, Colonel." Fleur-de-lis replied, "After I came back and attended high school here in Canterlot, my Aquellian accent made me the subject of ridicule in the class. Well, that was until Fancypants came to my defense, and-"

"-it was love at first sight." Fancypants finished the sentence as he walked up to the two, his magic holding a champagne glass. "Good evening, Colonel Dallaire, I hope you and your men are finding the new uniforms both appealing and practical."

"Inquiète-toi pas, The BDUs were well received, seeing they are just slight edits to the pre-war variant. The full-dress uniform, however, is a bit debated among officers. Personally, I'd prefer a beret, but the peaked cap is just as fine. Reminds me of the older uniforms back where we came from." Colonel Dallaire replied.

Fancypants proudly said, "Consider that as my gift to you and your men. For all our differences, we do have similar holidays, colonel."

"Colonel Dallaire!" Another human waved towards the colonel, "How have you been?"

"Ah, I'm fine. Not much going on recently...oh, right. This here is Bernard Williamson, permanent secretary to the ambassador of the European Federation in Equestria and to the United Kingdom's ambassador in the Netherlands before," Colonel Dallaire introduced.

"Happy Hearth's Warming, Mr. Williamson," Fancypants welcomed. "I hope you and the ambassador are enjoying yourselves here."

"Yes, thank you, sir." Bernard replied politely, "If you don't mind, may I have a private chat with the colonel here please?"

"Of course, go ahead."

"Thank you." The colonel said as he handed the empty champagne glass to a servant and walked away with the secretary, talking something all along.

As he went away, Fleur-de-lis asked her husband, "You know, you still haven't told me much about your support for these Canadian human soldiers. You're pretty much their biggest supporter from its start, and you managed to direct quite some funding for them."

Fancypants sighed, "It was a valuable opportunity. Our armed forces have seen too many years of peace, they are completely unprepared for modern war, and by Faust, one will be coming in the near future. We have to have someone who will wake up the military from within before they get their rude awakening by conflict, and these humans offering to join was what we needed."

"Couldn't you have perhaps asked the three armies to help with it?" Fleur asked with curiosity.

"No can do. You and I have both known for years that Prince Blueblood may be a good bureaucrat but definitely not a good Field Marshal. He is too mired in the military books written hundreds of years ago, perhaps even older. He would be taking inspiration from tactics made when the military was using muskets and then reapplying them to our soldiers charging toward machine guns and fortifications. We had lieutenants, observers, and attaches telling him that we must change something, and what did Blueblood do? He ignored them."

"Fancy, That's...awful! Why hasn't the Parliament heard about this?" Fleur-de-lis almost shouted.

Fancypants replied, "Jet Set and his alliance of members of parliament have been chummy with Prince Blueblood for quite some time now. When I proposed the Canadian Legion be established as part of our armed forces in the House of Commons, Jet Set was fiercely against the proposal. Later I found out that Prince Blueblood asked Jet Set to do so and was too scared that he would have to adapt to what he viewed as barbaric human warfare. He had tried to undermine the legion by every means he could. At one point, I had to send the ammunition and supplies for the Canadians directly from my munitions company as Blueblood deliberately stalled their supply shipments for an entire week."

"I knew that Jet Set and Prince Blueblood have yet to be keen on the humans joining. Even when the Human Citizenship Act was voted on Jet Set's MPs still managed to stall the House of Commons for a few hours before it passed, but this is just not acceptable! Princess Celestia must know about this, no?"

"Problem is, Princess Celestia still doesn't see the coming storm overhead of us. For a long time, sdecreed that the armed forces would be used for construction projects like roads, towns, and even dams. She still doesn't see the coming storm overhead of us. Princess Luna gave Blueblood a piece of her mind after that stunt he pulled, but still not enough to get him demoted. Worst part is Princess Celestia agrees with a lot of things that Prince Blueblood says, and under his advice, the border guard is now mostly just police officers rather than garrison divisions, were it not for the humans, we're doomed by now," Fancypants sighed again. “And don’t even get me started on the corruption.”

He then continued, "The changelings are itching to give us a good hit in the head sometime soon and cross the border with hundreds of thousands of troops, perhaps even millions. They are all highly trained, modernized, and mechanized. In addition to that, they are led by a new generation of officers and generals who have been learning from conflicts outside the world. Our armed forces consist of less than a hundred fifty thousand ponies that have done nothing but build houses, roads, rails, and bridges for nearly a hundred years. Quite frankly, we will be steamrolled if we face the changelings at our current state."

As Fancypants finished his complaints, Jet Set and his wife, Upper Crust, trotted up to him and his wife.

"Ah, good evening, Mr. Fancypants. How was the party?" Jet Set asked in a stuck-up tone that would make even the most aristocratic nobles uncomfortable.

Fancypants replied with a smile, "It was utmost pleasant, Mr. Jet Set. How have you been with your fortunes recently?"

"Oh, you know, same as you. Business is good as usual and quite frankly never been better. By the way, I hope you haven't forgotten that in two days' time, the House of Commons will vote on Human Labour Standards Act." Jet Set pushed his glasses up, "I sincerely hope you will convince your members of Parliament to consider the amendments we proposed, that way we may...reconsider some of the votes."

"Regrettably, that may prove to be quite difficult." Fancypants said. "After all, some MPs I knew are quite idealistic and can be very insistent once they have made up their minds. Perhaps you can...?"

"No can do, my old friend."

"How unfortunate. I sincerely hope that we may find more room to cooperate in future endeavors, Mr. Jet Set." Fancypants held out his front hoof.

Jet Set shook hooves with Fancypants and said, "May our camaraderie last forever."
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Back at Ponyville, the town's residents held a party in the Castle of Friendship. In the list of attendees, the one that stood out was the first human who had made contact with Ponykind, Tom "Tommy" Philips.

".... and that is my discharge letter and a photo of me shaking hands with President Reagan and VP Carter." Tommy Philips showed the letter and said photo to the Apple Family members listening, "I came back to Ponyville like a new man after a week in White Tail. Now, I work at the town office as a desk clerk, has been two days now."

"Sure must be nice being able to type with those fingers," Applejack said, holding a mug of apple cider, "last time ah had to type anythin'...hold on a darn minute, ah don't even have a typewriter, ah never typed!" Everyone laughed upon hearing that.

"Mr. Philips! I see you're quite the spotlight here." Twilight Sparkle trotted up to the group, "And Mrs. Pear Butter, I hope you do feel much better. It has been...quite some time since you had...uh..."

Pear Butter quickly reassured Twilight, "No worries, dear. I feel mighty fine. Plus, those doctors and medics at Sire's Hollow already checked up on me and said that I am all good to go."

"Ma, the doctor still said that you shouldn't exhaust yourself too much." Applejack butted in, "If you ever feel tired I can always walk you home."

"Thanks sugarcube, but I still feel fine."

Twilight sighed a breath of relief as Tommy turned to her, "Oh, by the way, I think I'm going to move out and rent someplace to live in a few weeks when the paycheck hits. Thanks for taking care of me, but I think I will go on out and learn to...stand on my own. And please tell Fluttershy that I'm sorry for terrorizing her on the first day I woke up."

Twilight replied, "Don't worry, I'm...sure all of us have gotten over that now. And good luck out there, Mr. Philips."

"Just Tom is good enough, your highness."

Meanwhile, Pear Butter chatted with her long-time and long-lost friend, Chiffon Swirl, for the first time in years.

"Wait, you and Carrot Cake have kids now?" Pear Butter laughed as she heard the news for the first time, "I can help giving some advice on caring for them...if I still remember how."

"Oh, dearie. It's okay." Chiffon comforted her, "We have gotten used to it by now. Right now, we're just glad you're back. You wanna hold them for a bit?"

As Mr. Cake handed her the twins, she felt the weight of life lying in her hooves, like she did over nine years ago when Applebloom was born. The giggling of the infant fillies dragged her mind back to before the tragedy had happened, when life was relatively carefree, albeit busy. Then the slavers came, and then she and her husband were subject to years of enslavement in a faraway land where escape seemed impossible. She lost too many things on the way, her husband, the chance to see her children grow up, the...the...

Her smile died down slowly as her eyes hollowed and were locked onto the fillies she held. The outside world fell silent as time seemingly slowed down, deep in her thoughts, she heard muffled calls of her youngest daughter.

"...Mom? Are ya' okay? Mom!"

Snapping back to reality, Pear Butter looked around quickly to see Applebloom beside her, the twins in her cradle crying from her stare, and the people at the party looking at her, weirded out or scared.

Quickly handing the two fillies back to the Cakes and apologizing, Applejack spoke to her, "Listen, ma, Ah think maybe you should call it a night and go for a lie down now."

"Eeyup." Big Mac joined in, his face showing concern.

"I...I'm sorry, but I'm feeling unwell. Excuse me." Pear Butter said as she walked out of the castle with her family.

As they left, Tommy said to Twilight, "You think she’s gonna be okay after all that?"
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It's not my fault.

I didn't kill her, I just got her fired. It’s her own fault for being too good.

I am not a murderer.

As Wind Rider drank bitterly at the officer's bar, his mind was drowned in a sea of negative thoughts and his own anger.

Ever since he defected to the Changelings, he had been educating Lighting Dust and the other cadets quite well on aerial combat. By his projections, they would not just be going toe to toe against the Wonderbolts in a few months' time but would surpass them easily at that point.

The Imperial Government had held up its end as he had been assigned a moderately luxurious apartment, a generous paycheck, and even offered some slaves for his own housekeeping, which he had refused. He didn't want the possibility for any of the slaves to recognize him and potentially identify him as Wind Rider the disgraced.

One major problem being away from home, however, was that the locals may not celebrate your traditions as you do. The Changeling Empire didn't have Hearth's Warming, neither did they have winter wrap-ups or all the other Equestrian festivals. None of the changeling officers in his unit celebrated it in the slightest. Since Lightning Dust also refused to celebrate with him and went back to practicing, Wind Rider sat in front of his glass of whiskey alone, trying to convince himself that he was innocent as he always did.

It's not my fault.

I didn't kill her, she just hanged herself because she got fired.

I am not a murderer.

He drank from his bitter cup, pinning the blame on all those who have wronged him. Spitfire, Celestia, Luna...

...Rainbow Dash. Wind Rider is determined to get his revenge on her, but now's not the chance.

He would prove that he was by no means a murderer, and that he shall and always be the legendary Wonderbolt member known for his long-distance flying record. That Rainbow Crash's record? Totally didn't count. Never.

He drank again and raised his cup half-drunkenly,

"I will get all of you bastards...all of you."
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"...They will never kill us all, for it takes more to kill a free pony! You hear me, you slavers? You shall not..."

BANG

"NO!!"

Pear Butter found herself waking up in her bed, screaming , drenched in sweat.

She breathed heavily as she glanced at the clock next to her bed. 3:30 in the morning. Then, there was a knock on the door.

"...Come in."

In came Applebloom, looking confused and a bit scared. "Mom? You were just screaming back there, and Ah'd figured...to see what's goin' on."

Pear Butter looked at her youngest daughter and said after a moment of hesitation. "Mommy...had a bad dream."

"Really? Was it scary?" Applebloom asked. "What was it about?"

"It's...about your pa. I...saw him die in front of me. Again. I...I just can't forget..."

As her mother's tears started to roll down her face, all Applebloom could do was hug her and say nothing. A million thoughts raced through her head, but she didn't know what to say.

After what seemed like an eternity of hugging, her mother’s sobs started dying down, Pear Butter calmed down a bit as Applebloom asked:

"Mom, what was dad like before I was born?"

Escalation 84: A Post-Nuclear Story of Humans and Ponies

by dafid25

Prologue: How, what, and why?

Chapter 1: The Foward Scouts

Chapter 2: First Impressions

Chapter 3: All is Fair in Peace and Love

Chapter 4: The War to End All Wars

Chapter 5: No Fighting in the Peace Room, Part 1

Chapter 6: No Fighting in the Peace Room, Part 2

Side story: they just fade away

Chapter 7: Internal Affairs

Chapter 8: Manehattan Blues

Chapter 9: The storm gathers

Side story: Schild und Schwert der Equestria

Chapter 10: Canterlot Telecommunications Engineering Corporation

Chapter 11: With Lightning and Fury

Chapter 12: Splendor of the mighty one

Side Story: Breakfast at Jimmy's

Chapter 13: A tale of two peoples and four wars

Chapter 14: Von Treue und Hochverrat

Chapter 15: A bullet can't stop a free mare

Hearths Warming Eve Special Edition: the many faces across Equestria