My Little Panzer
By Gingerquill

Verdant forests gave way to rolling, grassy fields that stretched lazily forward until they met steep rocky outcrops that made up the foot of the mountains. A gentle breeze disturbed the grass in waves and the leaves of the odd bush and stray tree that stood scattered haphazardly about. The sun shone bright and clear overhead with barely a cloud to cast a shadow, and all that broke the silence and serenity was a flock of colourful birds, chirping and singing to each other in the warm, tranquil afternoon sun.

Abruptly they fell silent as something new disturbed them, before with unerring unity and precision they took flight, fleeing as fast as their wings could carry them.

Distantly, almost indiscernible at first, but growing with each passing moment, a new sound could be heard in the depths of the forest. A discordant, mechanical cacophony of vegetation being crushed and demolished mixed with squeals and squeaks of steel and a powerful base rumble.

Louder the noise grew, until several large, blocky shadows took shape at the edge of the forest. Halting there, the noise of their advance stopped, save for the deep rumbling, now reduced to a low, threatening growl.

For long moments, the shadows remained motionless, as though waiting to see if it was safe to come out, if something, anything might suddenly happen.

Nothing did.

Minutes passed, and still the blocky shadows stayed beneath the shade of the tree canopy, unwilling to leave the safety of the forest to risk open ground.

Then, at some unseen signal, the growling became mechanical roars and with a squealing and clanking lurch, the dark shapes took heart and lumbered out from their cover to begin crossing the fields ahead of them.

Unseen, two figures lay carefully hidden beneath a camouflage blanket amid the rocky outcrops, their normally brightly coloured bodies and manes now covered with drab fatigues and helmets.

“Can you make them out now?” One said to the other, feminine in its tone.

“Oh yeah, clear as the skies.” The second replied, brash and eager, yet still feminine.

…

“So what are they?” The first asked again when it became obvious the second wasn’t about to elaborate.

“Errr…” The second paused, focussing in concentration, “They appear to be… tanks. Yeah, tanks. Seven of them.”

The first took a deep breath.

“What kind of tanks?” She asked.

“Ummm… Big. One of them’s green.”

There came the sound of a face plant.

“Did you even read that book on vehicle recognition I lent you?”

“Sure I did.” Number two sounded hurt.

…

“Every page.” She continued in the following silence.

…

“Cover to cover.”

…

…

…

“Yeah I hardly touched it.”

“Ugh!” Number one groaned, unable to put her frustration into words.

“Oh come on, it was hardly Daring Do at her finest.” Number two whined.

“Just give me the field glasses.” Number one grumbled. “Right, now let’s see what we’re facing.” Another moment of silence followed. “Hmmm, half a dozen BT series, all tier two and three vehicles, light cavalry tanks, very fast, decent guns for their tier, but nothing that will worry us too much, 37mm mostly, and they’re armoured like paper. That KV-1 will be trouble though. Very heavy armour, and that ZiS-5 76mm gun is a real threat and you have no idea what I’m talking about do you?”

“Was is the blank stare or the silence that gave it away?”

Number one sighed again.

“Let’s just get back to the others.” She finished.

The two figures quickly broke cover, and keeping low, dashed over the ridge line behind them. Safely hidden behind it, the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, cast off the camo blanket, using her magic to quickly wrap it up. With Rainbow Dash beside her, she proudly looked over the eclectic collection of vehicles and crews that were hidden in the dell below and who made up the Ponyville 1st Armoured Cavalry Company, affectionately known as “Friendship’s Own”. Absorbed in going over their vehicles one more time, readying shells, testing sights and radios, they hadn’t noticed her return.

“My little ponies!” She called, and all eyes looked to her, “they’re on their way. To your vehicles and let’s make the folk at home proud.” As one, the members of Friendship’s Own cheered and were quickly scrambling over their tanks, stowing gear away and slamming hatches shut, getting ready to mount up and ride to battle. Twilight quickly galloped over to her own vehicle, a T-34 Obr 1942 affectionately dubbed ‘Little Harmony’, and scrambling up the front plate, she paused to knock on the open drivers hatch, drawing Rarity to stick her head out. Adorning her usually immaculate perm was an Ushanka sporting various shades of purple and pink in a camo pattern with an enormous peacock tail feather standing proudly overhead.

“Yes dear?” The pearl unicorn smiled.

“Start Little Harmony, Rarity, it’s time to roll.” She smiled back before climbing up to the commander’s cupola. As she settled into position atop the hatch, setting her mic and ear phones, Little Harmony rumbled into life, the mighty engine growling as Rarity worked the throttle. Twilight pressed one hoof to the intercom on her throat. “Okay, Spike, can you put me through to the rest of the company please?” She asked,

“Sure thing Twi.” Her oldest friend crackled over the intercom. A click later and he said, “You’re on.”

“Can everypony hear me okay, do we all know what we’re doing?”

“Party cannon ready to drop the confetti on this Par-Tay!” Pinkie cheered over the radio.

“Tank 2 ready to race.” Came Rainbow Dash over the Radio.

“Oh my, why did I agree to this?” Fluttershy whined.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Armoured Reconnaissance Section is go!” Came the chorus of three fillies.

“Eeeyu-“ started Big Mac

“LET’S DROP SOME LEAD ON THOSE MOTHERFU-“ Granny Smith’s radio was abruptly cut off, whether by Spike or Applejack from inside Big Red, Twilight was too busy rubbing her sore ears to worry about.

“I’ll just take that as a yes. Okay, Rarity, time to move out.” She said, returning her headset over her ears.

“Right you are.” She heard her chirp back cheerily. As Little Harmony began turning to head towards the canyons, Twilight rode the movements of the tank easily as Rarity brought the vehicle around, rolling smoothly with its motions as it advanced over the rough ground. She keyed the intercom again.

“All teams, Pony Fore!”

Author's Note

So many characters, and only 5 slots to put them all in!
An odd little story that is inspired by a cute little parody of Katyusha from Girls Und Panzer called Ponies Und Panzer (oddly enough), and also by my unhealthy obsession in armoured vehicles, industry and heavy metal.
Enjoy!

21st October 2015, edit,
The long over due rewrite is finally published! Enjoy :)