//-------------------------------------------------------// Weltkrieg:Legacy of Amore -by FranciscoDreams- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Power of a Name. //-------------------------------------------------------// Power of a Name. "I believe that if we are called an Empire, we must reassert our claim, yes? And the frozen north is our claim," Spike peered out the window. "Cadence, this war is what shall make or break us. If we fail, we have to win ten times, and if we win, we have win ten more times. If we want to declare, we have to declare with a army." Shining Armour would begin to fight off the sense of guilt for fighting his sister, but would win handily. "I'm in." Cadence would slowly peer into the distance, and will finally say "Alright, send news of declaration." Spike would blow his message to Celestia's grand palace, and on this day, the world stoppped turning. On, April 8th of the 895 moon, The Amore Crown of The Crystal Empire declare independence from the belligerent Kingdom of Equestria, under the explicit right that all Crystal Ponies have, and for your insurrafable offences, For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Princess whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Under thus circumstance, it is evident that we become a free state of our peoples, Absolved from all Allegiance to the Celestian Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Equestria, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as a Free and Independent State, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. By endowing this proclamation to you, you are hereby given two options, to accept the Crystal Empire as a free and united state, or to hereby accept an official declaration of war. Two days later, in Canterlot. "I never thought that they would decide to act so rashly." The Crown Princess of Equestria stared into the paper with soured eyes, even with what her now decreased mass of subjects to divine omnipotence. It was clear moons ago that relations have soured, but never would ever consider war to be the next step. However, the Empire had in its possession far too relics and additional items, subjects and texts of magical importance to let them fly a true flag. "I want a march into the frozen north, and spare no offence with your approach." She gained a small amount of devilish curiosity from the idea of finally annexing the Frozen North, but would things actually be this simple? The Kingdom of Changelings You see, This sudden march into the North cam without any warning, and the first obvious obstacle was the Changelng hive. Thorax was no Chrysalis, but he was not a pushover. Soon, A pair of gate guards would find themselves blazing and bolting to the center of the hive. "Thorax! The Equines have intruded with a army of unimaginable size! We must declare war before they do." Later that night, Griffonstone, The Buffalo Tribe and Grand Zebrasia would decide to join a fight that could have been prevented if military access was asked for. This night was a night where the had began to pump smoke into the sky again. The Treaty of Sombra's had been broken. The world had fallen into war. Author's Note I think this would be an important time to mention that this is all based in a sort of WW2 environment, if you couldn't tell. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Battle of the Hive. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Battle of the Hive. The Equestrians saw the violent movements of the Changeling forces and decided to hide behind a hill about 100 meters back, hoping that they had just ran into some drilling. Soon, at about 04:56, an artillery shell gashed its way into the hillside, but only with a casualty count of three. The Equines attempted to try and spearhead into the hive, but the build-up of forces made a slaughter of the inexperienced wave of white. Meanwhile, a force of tanks never before seen was rolling out the hive. The confusion and constantly mounting deaths forced the Ponies back into the forest, with recorded casualties being as high as 786. Artillery continued to pound away at the forest, as the Equines slowly began dwindling in attack force size. Three successive calls for help were sent to what were now three enemies. Most troops weren't even aware of news just back 3 miles, but all the way from the political offices of Canterlot? It may as well have been raining porcupines. Instead of immediately going back to the hive to party, the Changelings continued to push into and out of the forest. The lower Everfree Forest was surrendered by Prince Blueblood after 2,367 deaths. The Changelings suffered a mere 211 injuries and 45 deaths. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Coalition //-------------------------------------------------------// A Coalition This ragtag bunch of minorities had a important meeting, of course. D'zhazi of Grand Zebrasia, Spike, Gilda from Griffionstone, and Thorax from the Changeling hive, all seated in a cold courthouse in the middle of the Frozen North. They stood primarily as mediators, as it was obvious that a Grand Coalition had to made. However, Doctrines had not been decided, until today. A highly decorated Crystal Pony finally spoke up, his medals chiming as he cocked up his neck. "It is clear that we will all need to develop a naval force. However, I believe a strike on the agriculture of Equestria may be best, especially while their supply lines remain shaken from the Hive conflict." The controversy expected from this plan was nothing but a calm whisper. "The Griffins may be able to fly the distance needed to perform an attack on northernmost settlements, but we wish to primarily take a support role." A few generals already began moving along, hoping that they could roll out the maps already. The Changeling's proximity to their enemy made it extremely clear what the plan was for them. A Few Hours Later. The Crystal Empire was the only state wrestling diplomatically with the Equines recently, as a desert nation with some surprising quirks had not yet entered the war. A Changeling diplomat racing through the ceded Everfree was prepared to change that. A hundred miles north, the first Military Factories were beginning fabrication. In Equestria, the effects of war were obvious. However, most people did not think that the core industry of the nation would be shut off to it's citizens. However, a booming orchard in Ponyville was going to be the first to hear the news. At Sweet Apple Acres, the field was always tranquil, but a group of elite Royal Guard marched onto the property, with a sign of commission. After four short and rasping bangs on the door, a wrinkled old woman, known to the owners as Granny Smith, opened the door. after a few short hours, cider season, and all unlimited apple sales were shut down in exchange for a government commission. The same was replicated amongst much of the country, with wheat based products being the only non-rationed food left. Outside of the Everfree, the 73rd and 45th Armies of Equestria were crippled, to the point where deserters were no longer chased after. The fighting force of 12,000 ponies had become 2,388 after constant attacks from the Changelings. The situation had gotten so poor that the role of Squad Commander often rested on the shoulders of rookies, and some squads were lone ponies, expected to fight by themselves. In the Frozen North, Equestrian Combat marchers finally made it to the Winter Wonderland they had anticipated. However, they were treated to freezing temperatures, as ponies dropped their sweaters in bogs, forgetting there was a chance they'd make it to the north. The environment forced them on to a bridge crossing, where the Crystal Army waited. Unbeknownst to the wind patterns, the snow changed direction, blinding the Equines. As they tried retreat under massive fire over the bridge, they overwhelmed it, causing it to collapse. Hundreds of 2-ton ponies fell onto thin ice, their unkempt weight cracking it. The snow concealed bodies and ways to exit, giving them a frigid blanket for their final rest. Generals sent rushed calls for help, and finally, the Wonderbolts would get a crack at the revolutionaries. These Wonderbolts came in flying low, trying to avoid the snow above. Their flashy and blitzing air attack seemed cool, and surely cut at some of The Crystal Army, but in the end, the freezing temperature, fatigue and lack of supplies caught onto the Bolts as they soon pulled back. Wing Leader Rainbow Dash attempted a poorly timed counter attack, and her wing was caught in a hellish sea of flame, washing away her very being. As the sun rose, 200 infantry troops and 90 wonderbolts limped their way back. Author's Note Major Deaths: Rainbow Dash. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Equine Pact //-------------------------------------------------------// The Equine Pact You could be quick to assume Equestria has no alliances to defend it in this time, but to tell this story, we have to turn the clock back to the second formation of Equestria as a state. In all directions, the Youthful and naive Celestia had nothing but enemies as far as the eyes could see. However, the other states populated by ponies, Maretonia, Saddle Arabia, the Equine Raj (Then known as Tamil'ia) and the Gold Cape, had similar issues. Hoping for strength in numbers, the Equine Pact of the 155 moon was an unilateral military pact focused on deterring threats from abroad. It had a meeting of similar magnitude to the recently formed Grand Coalition. However, they didn't speak in chime like the Coalition. "I believe your rather, incompetent military may want to be in a more, defensive, role." King Nzazi Saddle had a very obvious point. The Equestrian military had faced two embarrassing defeats in two weeks. Although the other representatives agreed, the mourning five had too much sunk cost in the war to simply just take a back seat. The stubborn Applejack was the first objectioner. "We'll be eaten alive faster than a hog with no hooves! We are completely surrounded, and you want us to have our hands tied with big guns and wires?" Small chatter popped off, turning into a riptide of aggression and arguing. Telegrams and telephones went off in frenzies, while the main diplomats continued to argue. Eventually, it would be decided that they would try to force a long stalemate, but what if this would be a grave mistake? Changeling Terminal 41 A weapon grave power was being formulated. Six prisoners of war stood baked, still trying to protect their modesty. They soon began coughing violently, screaming and crying as their eyes ached and burned. They clawed at the door , until slowly dying in agonizing pain. Despite the horrors they had witnessed, this was a success. It was the job for fabricators to get this 'mustard' gas out on the battlefield. Even so, there was improvements to be sought after in this hellish weapon, and it would make the stalemate seem the plan of a moron. Author's Note Okay, so I have to ask, or you guys enjoying this short chapter format, or should I push for lengthier chapters that focus more on entire days instead of highlights? //-------------------------------------------------------// A Field Marshall and a Mistake. //-------------------------------------------------------// A Field Marshall and a Mistake. A dual combat force of Saddle Arabians and Equestrians stood, waiting outside of a external changeling hive, unaware of the horror factory operated there. An artillery battalion soon marched out the gashes of the hive system. "Crush them." An arrogant niece commanded. The Prince was honorary in his combat title, but in fighting spirit a powerhouse. He ran towards the Changelings, but soon saw streams of yellow and orange filling the air. His army behind him running into what seemed to be flares. Right before they reached the hive, hell began. They clutched at their chests, moaning and screaming. In an act of bravery, one stallion tried to get Blueblood to water, however, they knew not of what the waterborne form of this gas would do. As it got fully inside their stomachs and blood streams, similar effects continued. Hallucinating and blood clots became a wildfire across the camp. The fluid in some people's eyes even evaporated, causing the place to look like a serial killer had a field day there. Unsure of its flammability, a pony lit a match for a last cigarette, causing the camp to become a burning box of screams and pain. Three stallions and two mares escaped into the hive, begging for a surrender, however, they would be sent further down, into another Terminal, similar to the one that started this hell. News of the Mustard Gas reached Equestria hard. Mourning mares and Stallions flooded the street. Economically speaking, the day was so inactive that some companies began just giving those unaffected busy work. In Saddle Arabia, some predicted that someone had caused their god to strike them down. The Changeling Army finally found a weapon no magic could stop, but needed to find a way to keep it away from the Equine Pact. They had been lucky that no one from the camp could have been studied upon, but how many times could they be lucky? Over Cloudsdale, the Equestrians and Griffins had found themselves in an intense combat, flying over and through houses and fighting tooth and nail to capture the disputed city. Pegasi from across the country had arrived to defend their cultural center. However, the battle had extremely large death counts on both sides, and the controller changed on the 10, with both sides frequently storming the city hall. The battle had turned into a slog, with the city in unimaginable condition. Dead fighters were no longer buried or marked, and the healthcare in this first day had already fallen apart. To combat Grand Zebrasia, the Pyrite Canal had to be taken, with Equestrian naval forces rushing to the scene. The Zebras fought with intensity so strong that the Equestrians found themselves jumping off of ships in hopes that they wouldn't find themselves victim to the constant naval shelling. The fighting has since exited the harbour, now on the shore side. In many pockets, fighting had become nothing but a slog of retreating boats. Unlike the fight until the end Changelings, the Zebrasians decide to allow the Equestrians a chance to run off. Maretonian troops aren't sizable in number or great in strength, but it could fight a support and reinforcement role. This week, it fought in no engagements. However, an Anti War strike happened at three of the five major train stations. The military response was met with mixed results, but the strike is ongoing. Author's Note Major Deaths: Rainbow Dash Blueblood, Prince. //-------------------------------------------------------// One hell of a Union. //-------------------------------------------------------// One hell of a Union. It isn't much to ask why all of this happened. Why I sleep in the frozen north, wondering if that pony next to me really is asleep, or if he was caught in the wrong side of some fucked firefight. So, lets start just a moon before the whole rebellion began, whilst i soaked up some everlasting glory from the Crystal Ponies. I ate a few gems, just sunbaking, and a thought came to my head. An odd theme of independence in the Empire, and most of the north was kicking It didn't participate in last years Equestria Games, begrudgingly sent me and Flurry Heart to the summit and we barely even tried to keep in contact with the other Princesses since the flag debacle. Sombraism was a common cancer. I tried to forget about these worries as I rode back home, not awake enough to fly home. "Spike?" It was Twilight. I couldn't instantly respond, but as soon as I regained some consciousness I did. As my eyes opened like the gates to the castle itself, I decided to utter a simple, but assuring "Yes.". "Look, your new role as a Crown Prince must be arduous, but I think you try to little to adjust." Twilight never trusted Spike with a crown on his head since the 895th Moons Summit, and him always seeming as if he cared less about Equestria and more about the House of Amore, especially with his new base of operations. "Maybe you and Sunbur-" "Your not my boss." Spike growled like a true demon, Twilight had placed more straw on the camels back. "I couldn't care less about your firing squad of incantationary wizards! Maybe I want to make m own decisions!" He decides that he can no longer take the shallow depths of the House of Celeste-Canterlot. IN but a few hours, he'd be back in the Crystal Empire, speaking with Cadence about a dangerous idea.