The Pony Wars

The services in wartime are fit only for desperadoes, but in peace are only fit for fools.

-Benjamin Disraeli

Damn it feels good to be back in allied territory. No need to be constantly worried of imminent attacks or gunfire from enemies just to relax with the rest of the troops and have no care in the world. But there's still the matter of finding a new Captain since our last one was blown to pieces. Many of the ponies here are thinking that I should be the Captain of this squadron, truth is that I have little training leading a platoon. I was a simple business pony that was just outside Dodge City. There is no way I'm capable of doing this on my own. Leading and giving orders under pressure, it's just not me.

"Excuse me, Steel Charmer- I mean Captain." said a voice.

It was Velvet Skies, good to see she made it out. To be honest a lot of our platoon got separated, at least the two of us will be able to get things straightened away. It's still weird for her to call me Captain, but you know formalities.

"Yes Velve- I mean Corporal."

"We have reached the outer city limits of Fillydelphia, sir." said Velvet.

"Good, now we can get some rest and restock on fresh supplies. How many are left in the 307th?" I asked.

"Well from what I could gather we are in tatters. Many are from different platoons, and our original squad, to put it lightly, we are the only ones accounted for." stated Velvet.

"You mean just you and me that's it? What about Chrome Wing or Sunset Apple?" I questioned.

"They went MIA during the retreat sir." she said.

"That is a travesty. What platoons are with us now Corpo- Fuck formalities! How many with us Velvet!?" I yelled

"Well some are from the 118th, a few are from the 282nd, and the rest is from the 343rd."

I ponder this for a while but there was no time for this we need to get in the city to evacuate the citizens to the Crystal Empire for safety. This was the plan last I heard. By the looks of things here in Fillydelphia we were not wanted here. But as we get into the city a scout from the city runs up to me, oh great all we need now is more bad news.

"Are you the one they call Steel Charmer?" he asked

I give him a look that he instantly knew and handed me a letter that was addressed to me and had my fiancee Lightning Charger's hoofwriting. I was all to eager to read it I gave command to Velvet while I was away.

*****

After Steel Charmer gave me command of the refugees and troops I lead them to the train and have them board so they can be safe in the Crystal Empire. Once all the refugees from Manehattan were safely away from the front lines I went around looking for Steel Charmer. He has to figure out how we should fortify Fillydelphia. It might be a little hard with all if the glares of everypony is giving us as we patrol the city. Some of them are throwing things at us yelling for us to go away. Sometimes I feel we are hated of both sides of the battlefield, out there and at home. As I turn a corner I see Steel Charmer slumped over as if he'd died. I have no idea what could've made like this.

"Hey how's it going Captain?" I asked.

At first he didn't answer or even bother to notice that I was even around. Why would he be acting like this. I really hope nothing bad happened.

"Steel Charmer is everything alright?" I asked more sincerely.

"My fiancé left me because she fears the worst, that I may never return to her safely so she just up and left me." he said it like the world just ended.

"I'm so sorry for you, but this mustn't effect your leadership skills out here. We are in a war and if you get all emotional then not only will you never see your fiancé again but you will never see any of us after the war." I said with enough assertiveness that it didn't feel bossy.

"Thanks Velvet I need that, still I need a little time to myself." he said with a sob toward the end.

He got up and went to the forward command post. I hope I wasn't to hard on him after all he did just lose his wife to be. I continue my rounds and everything seems fine. The civilians are being loaded on trains, boats and even airships which have been modified as warships. I make my way down to train depot to see that all the civilians are clear of the city. I ask the Private if they made it out safely. He said yes and that the one that just left was the last one. I go ahead and radio in that the last train has left. As I radio in I see something strange near the docks as if one of the soldiers are trying to hide something. So I start to follow her. As she continues down the way to the alarm system I pull out my gun and aim at her.

"Stop right there, what are you doing to the alarm system!" I yelled.

"Nothing you need to worry yourself about Corporal Velvet Skies." Said the solider.

"Don't make me shot you cause I will." I said a little nervous

"I bet you don't even know who I am." she said as she turned around.

"No I don't I never go-"

"You will never meet anypony ever again after I disable the air raid siren."

"Why are you doing this to your own kind?"

"I'm a Changeling you fool!"

The Changeling then disabled the alarm just as I shot it in the back of the head. I quickly ran towards the alarm system to turn it back on but it was already to late the Invasion of Fillydelphia has begun.

*****

"Tell the snipers to get into position, and protect the civilians until they are out of here. Send a squad of Pegasi to defend each of the transports."

"But that would mean that they would have air superiority."

"Yes, but our first priority is to get these ponies to safety and we still have ships and airships at their ports."

"But sir."

"That is an order Velvet, it must be done!"

"Yes sir."

As soon as I finished my orders Corporal Velvet Skies ran off to the front lines to fend off the Changeling Swarm. I wish I could join them but I have to interrogate Palaemon. As I enter the room he seems generally scared over the noise of war just outside this building. It looks like he really doesn't look like he knows what's going on at all.

"What do you know about the changelings?" I asked.

"I know that their a common enemy between us and once they are involved you can't trust anyone." He told me.

"Well, what if I told you that they were here right now." I said.

"WHAT!?" he screamed.

"So this means something to you?" I asked.

"I told Sedulous that this was a terrible idea to involve those damned creatures." He told me.

"Wait they are with the Griffin Empire?" I asked.

"I have to assume so, because at first we thought that you Equestrians would out number us so we, I mean they devised a plan to work along side Changelings and confuse your military but as far as I know the idea was scraped." He told me.

"So your telling me that they are attacking with the Griffins right now?" I asked.

"Sadly yes and they are probably disguised as some of your troops right now." He told me.

I didn't even look back as I ran out the door and saw thousands of changelings fill the skies.