Equestria: Total War - Gloria Victis

Published for Dozy Dreamer ( good luck with your fan fic)

Canterlot, Equestria. September, 1251.

Door to Canterlot library silently opened when the clock on the wall announced midnight. A Pony entered the great Library hall and trotted silently in the direction of work desks. Despite the late hour there were still many ponies studding and reading. Royal Library Of Canterlot was opened for 24 hours.

“Here you are Chocolate Tail. I knew I can find you in here. I brought you something.” Said the pony.

A brown unicorn with golden laurel wreath as a cutie mark turned away from a pile of books on his table and smiled.

“You are back! It’s really good to see you back. How it’s been in Manehattan?” Chocolate Tail welcomed his friend.

“Dreadful their mayor is an opportunist and a coward. We almost had riots when he announced the draft plan. Can you imagine that he found some super old city law that allowed to buy yourself out of the draft! Higher elites were more than happy but the rest of the city was a powder keg.”

“But from your smile I presume you dealt with this problem?”

“Yes. No big deal. I ordered them to show me the law that states that ponies can buy their way out from duty. When they showed me that parchment I burned it with that spell you showed me. Then I dragged two richest stallions in Manehattan to a draft point and ‘voluntary’ enlisted them.”

“Pretty impressive and show off. Exactly your style.”

“Auntie orders. Morale and order in the city are more important than my image. We are at war. What reminds me.” Pony took from his saddle a book and an apple pie wrapped in paper.” Here is a book you asked me for, from Manehattan Library. And something sweet to keep you company. I specially ordered a rest for the chariot, at Ponyville to buy it.”

“I bet. I know your appetite for those apple snacks.”

“No pony is perfect. I got to go, auntie Luna wants to see me. She has some news for me, I just hope that that this time it will be some real action.” Chocolate Tail friend trotted away but suddenly turned and said with smile.” And say hello to that mare you have been talking to when I entered. That one hiding behind the books. She has a nice owl. See you later Chocolate Tail.”

“See you later Prince.”

Twilight Sparkle slowly trotted to Chocolate Tail, when Library doors closed behind Prince Blueblood.

“Was that really Prince Blueblood?”

“Yes. Why you ask?”

“I have been told stories about him that were in conflict with what I just heard.”

“Like what?”

“Like that he is the most un-royally Prince there is, that he hates common food like this Apple Pie, and that he is rather cowardly.”

“I will not argue. He can be like that, Ms Sparkle.”

“But he just… why?”

“Don’t judge the book by its cover Ms. Sparkle. I have the honor to be able to call myself his friend and I know about him and his job a bit more than the rest of the ponies.”

“His Job? He is a Prince.”

“And please tell me what exactly does a Prince do in your opinion?”

“I don’t know. Attend balls, represent Equestria?”

“Yes. You are right, but there is much more to it. He does what neither Celestia nor Luna can do, but what have to be done. Can you imagine that Princess Celestia herself would burn a parchment of city law in front of thousands of ponies and then enforces two ponies to enlist?”

“No I do not.”

“Have you heard about Zevera Treaty?”

“Yes. It’s a trade agreement between Zebras and Equestria, but what does it have to do anything with Blueblood.”

“Do you know that if not for him we wouldn’t have this agreement? Negotiations were long and frustrating, finally we managed to come to a deal. Princess Celestia and Equestria delegation went to Zevera to sign the Treaty. Prince Blueblood was in the delegation. When they arrived a problem occurred. Griffon embassy officially offered Zebra Tsar better deal than we did. The treaty was very close to being canceled. Years of diplomatic preparations would be wasted, not to mention it would be a grievous insult to the princess. Princess Celestia ordered to make a banquet in Equestria embassy and invited Zebra Tsar and his daughter. During the banquet Prince Blueblood started to flirt with Tsar daughter and insulted her zebra boyfriend and soon to be fiancé. The fiancé was a full of himself idiot and demanded satisfaction and attacked Prince in front of everyone. Prince incapacitated him in a very humiliating way then apologized princess Celestia, the Tsar and his daughter. He acted like perfect gentlcolt. Next day Princess Celestia and Zebra Tsar signed the Treaty."

"How come?"

"It was known to Princess Celestia that Zebra Tsar disliked his daughters fiancé, but despite efforts he couldn’t find a way to break the engagement without breaking his daughters heart. After the incident in Equestria embassy he managed to persuade her that he is not the best choice for her. She broke the engagement that very night. ”

“It was never mentioned in any book or article I read.”

“And you wouldn’t find it even if you looked for this. Not many ponies know. I know because I’m his friend and I tell you this only because you are very close to Princess Ms. Sparkle. And you should know it was not his plan, he followed Princess orders, as always.”

“You know more stories about him like that?”

“There are few, although after the last Grand Galloping Gala he become less willing to share his thoughts even with me.” Chocolate Tail voice was sad and quiet as if he said the last part to himself.

“What happened at the Gala?” Twilight wanted to sound casual.

“I don’t know. I was supposed to be there but something come out and I couldn’t make it. I can tell you that since the Gala, he has acted weird. To be honest, just now, I saw him smiling for the first time in months. As if he was glad to see Canterlot in all this mess.”

“I can’t wait to tell this to Rarity.”

“No, Ms. Twilight. Please don’t tell anypony what I have told you.  I told you only because Princess Celestia trust you. Those are matters of national security. If it would come out I have told you I would not only lose my position at the Royal Court but also a friend.”

Twilight froze. She had a feeling that somepony in her head just yelled “FOREVER”

"I will not say to it anypony. Pinkie Pie swear. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Ouh my eye!"

“Ha-ha. Thank you Ms. Sparkle although the last part was unnecessary.”