The Cause: One Blanket at a Time

        It was a normal morning for Fluttershy. She sat down to eat her breakfast with Angel Bunny as usual and laid her plate on the table, three big pancakes, Straight from the griddle,    all stacked up with maple syrup.  A bit of slowly melting butter oozed  from the heat of the freshly cooked breakfast treat  She looked up to see Angel sitting on the table holding A Complete Guide to Salad.  He was thumping his foot pointing to a recipe Maretonien Daisy Special.

“Oh my Angel, are you sure you don't want this yummy one?”  Fluttershy asked, pointing to the bowl she had prepared.  “Mmmmm Canterlot Carrot Delight.”Angel shook his head and handed Fluttershy her wicker basket that she used at the market.  “Oh alright Angel, I wouldn't want you to starve!”  Fluttershy picked up the basket in her mouth and left the cottage looking back once to see Angel waving at her.  “Bye Bye Angel Bunny!”Fluttershy called then turned around the corner towards town.

When the pegasus arrived at the market she saw a large crowd of ponies all crowded around the newsstand this was highly unusual so she headed over to see what was going on.

“This is the worst possible thing!” sobbed a unicorn with a perfectly curled purple mane.

“Tarnation!” cried a mare that Fluttershy knew was called Applejack.

“Eeyup” said a big red stallion sadly who then put his hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.  Fluttershy stood at the back of the crowd trying to see.

“Um, excuse me.” she muttered,  “Can I please see?”  Then reluctantly she began flapping her wings and hovered a few feet off the ground so that she could read the headline of the newspaper, CELESTIA ANNOUNCES: WAR IS UPON US.Fluttershy shrieked landed quickly, then ran away to buy the salad ingredients  as fast as possible as though Ponyville would be attacked any minute.  By the time Fluttershy was finished royal guards had already begun setting up a drafting tent.  A shiver went down her spine as Fluttershy ran home.

***

        Fluttershy hadn't left her cottage all day so she was very startled when there was a knock on the door.  Slowly she went to the door and cautiously looked through the peephole.  There were two stallions dressed in Canterlot Royal Guard uniforms standing on her doorstep holding stacks of fliers.

        “By order of the Princess please open the door!”  Said the gray stallion loudly, his voice full of authority.  Fluttershy opened the door and looked at the guards, fear  in her eyes.

        “M-May I help you?” She stuttered.

“Yes.” Said the white stallion.  “by order of the Princess every citizen must fill out a form, we will be back at your place or residence in an hour to pick it up.” He read off of a slip of paper then handed Fluttershy a form.

‘Uh, ok,” whimpered Fluttershy.  “Thank you.”  Fluttershy closed the door and sat down in her favorite armchair to read the form, quill in mouth.

Dear Citizens,

As you may have heard, war is upon us.  The Crystal Empire has returned along with King Sombra , who has escaped his prison in the icy North.  King Sombrahas informed me he will declare war on Equestria in five days, preparations must be made and we need YOU to help.  Please fill out the following form so that we can separate you  into what category best suits you.  We will then draw and unless you are unable to serve because you are expecting a child, very ill, or hurt you will be required to serve.  Volunteers welcome, sign up at your nearest Drafting Stand.

Thank you for serving our great Equestria,

Princess Celestia and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza

Fluttershy gasped, I can't fight! She thought, and with a sniff, holding back tears she read through the form.  Well I have to fill it out, so stopping the inevitable.  Fluttershy filled out the top half, which was easy since it was just personal information but she paused when she got to the last question.  What is your very special talent?, What do you do best?

        “Oh my, Angel Bunny, what IS my very special talent?”  asked Fluttershy.  Angel pointed at himself.  “Oh of course, caring for critters, though I don’t know how caring for animals will  help Equestria win any wars, Oh well, I have nothing better to write down.”  Sighed Fluttershy.

        Soon there was a knock on Fluttershy’s door and she gave to two guards her form.

“Thank you Miss Fluttershy, we will get back to you soon about your application,” said the white

stallion, then Fluttershy nodded and closed the door.  As soon as it closed she began sobbing and fell to the ground leaning against the door.

        “I can’t fight,” she whimpered and Angel patted her leg softly.