Tendrils Of War

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

It was a sunny day all over Equestria. Ponies rushed to and fro their daily work habits, Ponyville was abuzz with life. Living in Ponyville and second in command of the Equestrian Royal Army was Twilight Sparkle,  she was a very curious pony indeed. Twilight was steadily walking back to her home, she had just started reading a book she found on the shelves, it was called the 'Tendrils of War' and was written by an old Equestrian pony a long time ago. She was very curious about war, Equestria had no desire to fight, it had vast amounts of diamonds, food, trees, water, and harmony seemed to linger in every corner.

Arriving at her home (The Ponyville library) she opened the door to see a large structure made of cards.

"Spike? What are you doing?" She asked with a smile on her face.

"I am trying to build a house, just a couple more cards and I will beat my record!" Spike said proudly as he pulled the last two cards from their box.

"well um, good luck with that" Twilight said and galloped straight to her room where 'Tendrils of War' was waiting. She opened it's delicate hard cover and began to read.

TWO HOURS LATER

For two straight hours Twilight sat on her bed reading this book, she didn't realize it was almost dinner and that her friends were coming over. "shoot!" She swore as she put the book down and ran downstairs to the kitchen. She ran past Spike who was holding the last card with a where-do-I-put-this-last-card? look on his face. Twilight put on her apron with her magic and prepared the oven for the roast Spike had made. She put the dish in the oven just as there was a knock on the door. She ran back to the front door and opened it.

"We're here!" shouted a pink pony as she ran inside

"Pinkie! Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy " She said as she beckoned them in. "Why hello darling, nice apron" Rarity said as she started at the apron Twilight was wearing (which Rarity gave Twilight last year for Hearth Warming Day)

They sat down and began to talk about their planned hiking trip.

"I simply can't, it will be all muddy and my hooves will be ruined!" Rarity had been putting up a fight about going

"Rarity, you are going, dun' worry now. It'll be fun!" Applejack said happily. Rarity just grumbled

Fluttershy started to sniff the air and smiled "Are we having Spike's special roast today?" Rainbow Dash started to laugh and turned to Twilight.

"Well? Are we?" Rainbow Dash almost shouted. Rainbow Dash was addicted to Spike's roast, last year she almost ate the whole thing at Twilight's birthday.

"yes we are, Dashie. Spike made a lot this time" Twilight laughed

"Yes!" Rainbow Dash squealed.

THREE HOURS LATER

The group sat at the table absolutely full. Rainbow Dash was licking the gravy from her hooves. Even Rarity, who always fussed about her diet was happy. "thanks Spikey-Wikey" She rubbed Spike's cheek. "nothing can get better than this" Twilight leaned back.

The entire group stopped as Spike suddenly burped out a letter. The seal had a picture of a Unicorn's head, the sign of Canterlot. Twilight was not expecting a letter from the Princess any time soon. She wiped her hooves and unwrapped the letter as the gang surrounded her.

"Dear Twilight,

Something important has happened and I require you and the Mane Six's service in Canterlot. I cant explain a lot but please, it is very urgent and you must get to Canterlot immediately!

Princess Celestia".

The group did not hesitate. They cleaned up and ran out the door toward the train station, "Stay here and clean up, Spike" Twilight shouted as the group galloped out the door.

"As always" Spike rolled his eyes.

The night had grown colder. The six ponies waited as the next train pulled into the station. They jumped into the empty carriage and off they were, to the Equestrian capital of Canterlot. It took a total of 40 minutes and they arrived in the fancy train terminal.

They galloped all the way to the gates of the Equestrian castle. There Celestia was waiting for them. At first Twilight thought Discord had returned, but taking one look from Celestia's face it wasn't that.

"we got your letter, Princess. What's wrong?" Twilight said as they bowed

"It is isn't much, but you all have a big part in Equestria's military, so you deserve to know" Celestia said. "Please follow me"

They walked into the War Room, an enormous map was on one wall of the room, however it appeared new, Twilight stared at it.

The other ponies also saw the change

"What is that symbol on Germania?" Rarity asked

Celestia paused and turned around.

"I will explain everything in good time, but you need to keep this a secret" Celestia boomed

"You have our word, Princess" Twilight said

"and mine!" Pinkie added, Twilight rolled her eyes.

Celestia coughed and thought of what to say

"Well, it appears our neighbour, Germania has had a slight change of leadership."

"Why is that bad?" Twilight asked

"Our recon teams have reported that they have seen strange things over the country, we don't know anything, but we believe that they are preparing for war"

Everypony gasped,

"War?" Fluttershy stuttered. She began to tremble

Celestia just shook her head

"we don't know, but I would feel good if you stay in Canterlot for a while, things may change"

The ponies bowed, and went outside to the castle's dormitory area.

"What did she mean,war?" Fluttershy asked the question on everyone's mind

"How can that one filthy country do anything? It shouldn't even be on the map" Rarity whined followed by a choking sound

"Girls! I know you're all curious, but we need to wait it out. It could just be a simple misunderstanding, that's all"

Twilight tried to reassure her friends, It partially worked.

IN GERMANIA

Things had turned around for the Germanians. The Flankalists planted bombs underneath the mansion of the previous government. The bombs were designed to just destroy the walls of the house. Gerais and the other rulers were tortured and hanged.

The Flankzi revolution had succeeded in taking over the country, large posters of Flankzi propaganda went up, and the Hilat youth movement spread throughout the country. For once since the Second Crusade the country's economy rose, Hilat became a icon amongst his people. But he had  a plan, Hilat wanted the whole world to feel the power of the Flankzi Empire, to do that he had erected massive factories into the side of Mount Rych, the most sacred symbol in all of Germania.

Germanians were clever builders, lacking horns and wings, but have a more powerful mind than any Equestrian Earth pony. Flankzi designers had already designed tanks and flying vehicles, which were in the process of being built. Meanwhile one of the many things that infuriated Hilat were the recon ponies Equestria sent to spy on him. They were really easy to spot and Hilat just wanted to shoot them all down, but he needed to keep peace for now. He hated that thought.

CANTERLOT CASTLE

There was no more reports from the princess, but tension in the castle began to rise. Generals from all over Equestria gathered at the war room. Different emotions began to bubble up inside Twilight. First she felt angry at the Canterlot Inqusition for not informing her on anything, second she was scared at the prospect of war, third she felt curious to see what war was (the feeling she mostly felt).

She was sitting on her bed reading through 'Tendrils of War' when there was a knock on the door. Behind it was General Redhoof.

"General? what are you doing here?" She asked with curiosity in her voice

"Well you know me, The Princess has requested you and your friends at the war room" The big stallion responded impatiently.

Twilight did not hesitate.

After passing security she and her friends arrived at the war room, a long rectangular room covered with machinery and posters. A long glass table stretched from one end of the room to the other, the room was filled with all ranks of the Equestrian army. The room smelt of cigar smoke.

Celestia's face lightened up when she saw them.

"Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity" She said notifying of their presence

"We serve only the Inquisition and the Equestrian Army" They said all together and bowed

Celestia got straight to the point.

"At 1:35 AM Canterlot Time Germanian forces invaded and succesfully captured Polandia. The Polandian army fought back but they were severely outnumbered"

The six ponies gasped.

"Did we send reinforcements?" Rainbow Dash asked in a depressed voice

There was a chuckling noise coming from the generals.

"The Inquisition has decided that we should not interfere with Germania right now. We cannot risk fighting" Celestia answered Rainbow's question without thinking.

"What? We can't just sit here while innocent ponies are getting slaughtered!" Twilight shouted back, she didn't care about respect anymore.

Celestia shifted uncomfortably.

"We have been discussing with them and have agreed on a 'non-violent pact'. They promised not to attack us if we promise not to interfere with their 'plans'.

Twilight shook her head, turned and galloped toward the door. Rainbow Dash looked at the princess and said one last thing before the group walked out the door.

"We are strong enough to fight"

With that she turned around and galloped away.