Waking up in Equestria

My finger itches.

Really itches.

Like, really itches.

Like, it itches so bad, it feels like there's a colony of fire ants crawling up and down my nerves.

Wanna know which finger is itchy?

My trigger finger.

"Twilight, I have an idea." I simply say during breakfast. Twilight looks at me and raises an eyebrow at me.

"Oh? And what idea is this?" she asks me.

"War games."

"I'm sorry?"

"War games."

"Care explaining? Equestria isn't exactly the waring nation." Twilight says rolling a hoof at me.

"It's simple. Break the earth ponies, pegasai, and unicorns into three armies. Give them pellet guns, armor, and equipment, make Ponyville the battlefield, set up about five objectives, then just wage war."

"Uhm, you do realize that this could potentially bring up the feelings of old? Do I have to explain the origin of Hearth's Warming to you?" she asks, giving me a glare.

"Look, you see this finger?" I ask her, showing her my index finger.

"Yes, I see it."

"It itches like crazy. Back home, I'd spend hours on end playing Battlefield. I've gone too long without holding my XBox controller. I need to do something to relieve my trigger finger." I say, starting up a small pout and puppy eyes. Twilight and I lock gazes; hers' calculating and precise. Mine, pleading, but with the fires of war behind the innocence.

"Fine. I'm going to need you to draw up some diagrams for the things we need, seeing as how you're the expert on this sort of thing." Twilight says leaning back and taking a bite of wheat bacon. I give a fist pump of victory, stand up from the table, and retreat to my bedroom to start the drawings.

*     *     *

A couple of hours later, I emerged from the confines of my bedroom. In my arms, rolls upon rolls of weapon specs and other items sat. Dark bags hung under my eyes as I walked down the hall and into the kitchen. Twilight watches as I approach the table and put the diagrams on top of it.

"There. All finished. I only stuck to the basics: rifles, pistols, grenades, and combat armor." I say as I flop down into one of the chairs. Twilight's horn flares up and takes one of the diagrams, unrolling it and looking it over.

"Hmmm...simple, yet complex. I can see if Blacksmith can get these started up. When do you want the battle to happen?" she asks, floating out a planner and quill.

"Two weeks from today. Go around and get ponies to sign up in that time and such. I can get the flags. We're going to need eighteen total, six for each army." I say as she writes down the information.

"I can get Stitch and Needle to start on the flags. How big?"

"As big as town halls' flag."

"Alright. Anything else?"

"Food and drink. Ponies are gonna get hungry and thirsty out there."

"Well, that's a given. Anything else?"

"Flashlights. I intend for this battle to go for a full day, both daytime and nighttime."

"Alright. I believe that should do it. Go get some sleep, sweetie." she says trotting over and giving me a kiss on the cheek. I return the gesture and retreat back to my bedroom to sleep.

*     *     *

~Two weeks later~

Town Square is alive. Almost everypony who lives in Ponyville has signed up for this battle. One of the flag poles sits at the very center of Town Square, surrounded by sandbag barricades. The other five poles have been set up at each of the Element's homes. I stand on a stage, microphone in hand. I watch as the ponies chatter amongst themselves, eager to start. Beside me, one of Rarity's mannequins stands, adorned in a set of combat BDUs, heavily modeled after the US uniform in Battlefield 4. With a tap of the mic, everypony quiets and I speak.

"Soldiers, I welcome you to the Siege of Ponyville. The siege will last for twenty-four hours. Daytime and nighttime combat is expected. If you get tired, Sweet Apple Acres is offering Sanctuary for food and drink; but be warned, it is the location of Objective Charlie, so be on the look out. Each of you will be put into an army based on your race; Earth Pony, Pegasai, and Unicorn. The uniform to my left is an example of what the Earth ponies will be wearing. As for the Pegasai and Unicorns, your uniforms have been modified to conform to your unique features and abilities." I explain, turning and grabbing my AK 5C Carbine.

"This is known as an 'airsoft gun'. It shoots plastic pellets. We have various weapons made for you, based on how you want to play. You can be stealthy and use a sniper," I say grabbing a L96A1. "Or destructive and cause mayhem," I continue, switching the sniper for a M60E3. "Or supportive and provide cover to your teammates." I say grabbing a MX4 now. "The rules are simple. The armies will fight for the six objectives scattered around Ponyville. The objectives are as follows: Alpha is located at the Golden Oaks Library. Bravo is at Carousel Boutique. Charlie is at Sweet Apple Acres. Delta is at Fluttershy's Cottage. Echo is at Sugar Cube Corner. And Foxtrot is located near Rainbow Dash's' home. As I said before, the siege will last for twenty-four hours with breaks provided. Now, I've already assigned Commanders to your armies. Unicorns, you will report to Commander Sparkle and Captain Rarity. Pegasai, you will be lead by Commander Dash and Captain Fluttershy. As for the Earth Ponies, Commander Applejack and Captain Pie are your officers. Report to your commanders and get suited up. The Siege of Ponyville starts in an hour." As I finish, I stand rigid and give them all a crisp salute. The ponies return it, their faces set with determination.

"Gods' speed, ladies and gentlecolts. Gods' speed." I say. I dismiss the salute and the ponies do the same, some beginning to go off to their Commanders. I watch as Twilight shifts her duties to Rarity and trot over to me.

"You have that look." she says with a smirk.

"What look?" I ask innocently.

"That you like how things are going. Ready for a fight?" she asks, her tone going to one of a challenge.

"Hah! I was born ready for this. You're all going to get crushed." I say, producing my own flag. It was a steel gray set of wings set on a black background.

"Rouge element?" Twilight asks as I fold away the flag into my backpack.

"Exactly. However, I'm not opposed to helping out somepony if they need it." I say, giving her a wink. Twilight giggles and sighs. She rears up onto her rear legs, places her forelegs on my shoulders, and nuzzles me.

"Good luck sweetie." she says, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Same to you Twilight." I say hugging her. Twilight lets go of me and turns, trotting away. "Because you're all going to need it." I say, my voice determined as the flames of war grow into fires of conquest behind my eyes.

*     *     *

Siege of Ponyville. Zero Hour. 24.00.00 Hours remain.

23.59.59

23.59.58

23.59.57...

Ponyville is quiet.

Too quiet.

I scan about, keeping my L96A1 raised to my shoulder. I approach a corner and peak around, only to see that the intersection is clear. I sprint to the next street over, checking my corners. I duck back and watch as a flight of three pegasai fly overhead, their gazes towards the ground. Once they pass, I book it towards Objective Alpha. I keep my eyes on the rooftops, weary for snipers and machine gunners. As I reach the flag pole, I pull out my flag and tie it to the rope, pulling it up to the top. The metal clips give a small tink! as they reach the top of the pole.

Gunshots.

I dive into one of the bushes, peaking out.

More gunshots, more distant this time. A voice yells an order I can't make out. Mare? Possibly a stallion giving the order. I watch as a squad of five Earth Ponies turn the corner about five hundred feet away.

"Aw man, the Merc already claimed Alpha!"

"Shhh! He could still be around!"

"Are you kidding me? The place is empty. Come on, let's go switch out the flag." At this, I shorten the stock of my rifle, barely poking the rifles' barrel out from the bush. I peak through the scope, my cross hairs landing on the commanding bucks' head as he approaches the flag pole.

"The drop is going to kill me..." I mutter to myself. My finger rests on the trigger, lightly squeezing it, about to fire. The buck approaches the flag pole, pulling out the Earth Pony Army flag and beginning to lower my flag.

"See? I told you guys! It's empty!" the buck boasts.

"Drop." I say. My finger pulls the trigger, the rifle letting out a small crack! as the pellet goes flying and impacts on the bucks' chest.

"Wha-!? Oh come on!" he yells, throwing down his rifle.

"Sniper!" yells the mare of the squad. The other four dive for cover, occasionally poking their heads up and scanning the area.

Crack! Second in command goes down.

"Fan out! He's around her somewhere!" orders the mare. She and the other two abandon their cover, their rifles panning around with their gaze.

Crack!

"Celestia damn it, I'm out!" yells the buck as he turns and leaves.

"Malt, stay close..." orders the mare. The buck, Malt I presume, falls into line behind the mare as they approach the flag.

"Buck, Berry, we've got company!" yells Malt as he gestures to the skies. Five pegasai, lead by Dash, dive bomb the two Earth Ponies, their riles raining pellets down on them. Berry Punch ditches Malt, making a dash for the flag pole. "Sorry Malt!" she calls. The pegasai leave the area, swooping around for another attack run I presume. I watch as Malt leaves and Berry Punch begin exchanging the flags. Grabbing my M9, I step out of the bushes.

"Ahem." I say, aiming the pistol at the mare.

"Wha-!? YOU!" she yells, raising her rifle. My the time it's aimed at me, a pellet has already impacted on her shoulder.

"Out." I say with a smirk. Berry Punch lets out a torrent of obscenities and storms off. I raise the flag to full mast, watching as it flutters happily in the breeze. The sounds of war have escalated now, the sounds of shots and yells filling the skies from all over.

"Ah, I love a good fight." I say, reloading the L96A1, and leaving Objective Alpha.